March 1, 2016: Oscar Ratings Drop Again, Why I.O.C. Needs to Take Olympic Criticism Seriously, How Motorcycle Shows Are Attracting Women

1. OSCAR RATINGS DROP AGAIN: Viewers tuned in to see host Chris Rock open the 88th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, then they tuned out as the ratings for this year’s Oscars fell 8 percent from last year to an average audience of 34.3 million viewers. Possible culprits for the decline include the lack of diversity among nominees or the lack of blockbuster films vying for the big awards. Advertising Age: “Arguably the highlight of the show, the monologue was also the most-watched segment, averaging some 37.6 million viewers. From there, viewers began slipping away. … While the final results were a let-down—the 10 previous broadcasts averaged 38.8 million viewers—the Oscars once again will retain bragging rights as the year's No. 1 entertainment (read: non-sports) program.” http://bit.ly/1WSwCap

2. WHY I.O.C. NEEDS TO TAKE OLYMPIC CRITICISM SERIOUSLY: As the costs mount for cities that host the Olympics, the public and governments who once welcomed the games have increasingly said they’re not interested in the mega sporting event. But the International Olympic Committee’s response has fallen short of making the changes to secure the games’s long-term future. ESPN: “[Critics say] the Games have become too ponderous and expensive to succeed—at least as they are presently bid out, conceived and run. And the IOC 's history of imperialistic demands and puffery—such as its 7,000-page bid manual for host cities that addresses details down to when aperitifs or ‘cakes of the season’ are customarily served—doesn't acquit the 100-member IOC leadership of the charges.” http://es.pn/1S7pWWC

3. HOW MOTORCYCLE SHOWS ARE ATTRACTING WOMEN: Some booths at Salon Moto, an annual motorcycle show in Montreal held this weekend, were designed specifically to attract women. The Canadian Press: “As baby boomer men -- traditionally the biggest bike buyers -- age and retire, the motorcycle industry is trying to entice newcomers, including women, to buy in. … The trade show's manager, Bianca Kennedy, says manufacturers are working to increase that number by offering products geared towards women, from different apparel to equipment design to advertising. Many companies are also rolling out smaller bike models that are better suited to new riders and women, who Kennedy says are showing up in growing numbers.” http://bit.ly/1pmzi5P

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  Sneaker brand Vans will celebrate its 50th anniversary with its House of Vans experience, a series of events and activations that will kick off March 16 and reach cities including Austin,Texas, New York, Toronto, London, Hong Kong, and Mexico City. Activations will include D.I.Y. workshops, curated musical performances, shoe personalization, and a 3-D display of the brand’s 2016 campaign.

AUSTIN:  Funny or Die has announced its lineup for its South by Southwest activation at the Historic Scoot Inn on March 13-14. The event will include performances by Tracy Morgan and Ghostface Killah.

BOSTON:  Juliet is now open in Somerville. The restaurant and café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and operates on a no-tipping model. Dishes include breakfast tacos and a lobster roll on saffron brioche.

CHICAGO:  Bad Hunter, a vegetable-centric restaurant, is expected to open on Randolph Street in June. The venue will have an English-garden-inspired setting and an event space on its second floor. Eater: bit.ly/1S6UYy5

LAS VEGAS:  Preferred Public Relations is now the agency of record representing Darling Tennis Center.

LOS ANGELES:  The family-friendly Big Bunny’s Spring Fling will take over the Los Angeles Zoo on March 25-27.

Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The second annual Little Dreams Foundation Benefit Gala: Dreaming on the Beach will take place March 11 at the Fillmore Miami Beach. Phil Collins, the foundation’s founder, will host the event, which is produced by ACT Productions.

The Langford Hotel will open March 14. The 126-room downtown hotel will also house PB Station Restaurant and the rooftop lounge Pawn Broker by the Pubbelly Boys.

NEW YORK:  For the New York premiere of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird on April 1 and 3, the Apollo Theater has announced a series of related cultural events that will take place this month. Events will include a panel focused on the life and legacy of the late jazz musician at the Schomburg Center on March 15, the Charlie Parker Harlem Tour on March 26, and Parker’s induction into the Apollo Walk of Fame on March 30.

The Cinder Block Comedy Festival affirmed its commitment to wage gap pricing—or charging 77 cents on the dollar to women, people of color, and members of the L.G.B.T. community—and announced it would extend the offer to people with disabilities. The festival, which highlights diversity in the comedy industry, will take place September 15-18 in Williamsburg.

Grand Hyatt New York’s director of food and beverage, James Dale, has been named the 2016 president of the gastronomic organization Les Amis d’Escoffier Foundation.

Delta is now the official airline of Chelsea Piers.

Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  SugarCanes Rum Bar & Lounge will open later this month at I-Drive 360. In addition to an extensive menu of rum, the new venue will serve small plates of Caribbean and South American fusion cuisine and also offer live music.

Disney has announced two new dining venues coming to Disney Springs. D-Luxe Burger and Amorette's Patisserie will open later this year.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Earth Day SF Street Fest will take place April 23 at 22nd and Valencia Streets. The event will feature three stages of multicultural entertainment, sustainable fashion shows, an eco-carnival and kids' zone, D.I.Y. workshops, and an organic food court.

Wise Sons Jewish deli is now open on Fillmore. The deli has a catering menu with items such as smoked salmon platters, chicken soup, and bagel-and-cream-cheese platters.

TORONTO:  The 12th annual New Creations Festival will take place March 5-12. The festival—which is presented by Via Rail Canada and curated by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra—will highlight avant-garde contemporary music with genre-bending concerts.

Sneaker brand Vans will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a private event at the former Hamilton Gears Warehouse on March 16. The event will feature performances from Dinosaur Jr., Jazz Carter, and Tommy Genesis.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Washington DC Economic Partnership announced its activations for South by Southwest, which will include a WeDC Lounge, three official SXSW panels, partner events, roundtable discussions, fireside chats, and a music showcase presented by Events DC. The goal of the activation is to encourage attendees to bring business to the city.

Bill Gibson has been named executive director of group sales at the National Conference Center.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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