April 25, 2016: Tokyo 2020 Unveils New Logo, National Spelling Bee to Introduce Harder Words, Mumford & Sons Donates North Carolina Concert Profits to L.G.B.T. Charities

1. TOKYO 2020 UNVEILS NEW LOGO: Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have released a new logo for the event, more than half a year after the original logo was discarded because of plagiarism accusations. The new “harmonized chequered emblem” design, created by a mathematically-inspired Japanese designer, was chosen from four finalists by the Games’ Emblems Selection Committee. The Verge: “Today's selection comes after a tumultuous year for Olympic organizers. The event's original logo was scrapped after it was revealed that the studio of its designer, Kenjiro Sano, used images from the internet when presenting it, and copied material from a previous campaign. In July 2015, Belgian designer Olivier Debie accused Sano of copying a design he created for a theater company in Liège, and took legal action to block its use. … after abandoning a design from the late architect Zaha Hadid due to rising costs. The Japanese Sports Council selected a new design from Kengo Kuma in December 2015, and construction is to be completed by November 2019.” http://bit.ly/1rtKtL

2. NATIONAL SPELLING BEE TO INTRODUCE HARDER WORDS: As if the Scripps National Spelling Bee wasn't challenging enough, organizers have announced that next month’s event will be even more difficult for competitors. The decision to introduce harder words and longer championship rounds was made because the last two competitions have ended in ties. Associated Press: The bee, now televised in prime time by ESPN, has exploded in popularity over the past two decades. And the spellers have gotten increasingly savvy. So instead of sticking to a list of 25 "championship words" selected weeks earlier, the final rounds could have as many as 75 words. And the organizers can choose harder words on the fly if the spellers don't appear to be struggling. ‘As difficult as those words offered those co-champions were, we had a more difficult section in our word list, but we couldn't go to them because our rules bound us to stick to that 25-word championship word section,’ Paige Kimble, the bee's executive director, told the Associated Press.” http://apne.ws/1MKD2IQ

3. MUMFORD AND SONS DONATES NORTH CAROLINA CONCERT PROFITS TO L.G.B.T. CHARITIES: While many performers and bands have canceled upcoming North Carolina shows in protest of the state’s controversial HB2 law, alternative rock band Mumford and Sons announced that its concert would still be happening—and that all proceeds would be donated to L.G.B.T. charities. The band announced the decision on Facebook. Entertainment Weekly: “It read in part, ‘As a band that relishes welcoming everyone to our shows and promoting tolerance, we do want to take a stand with the people of North Carolina who this week are shouting loudly against intolerance, fear, and discrimination.’ … Joel McHale, Cyndi Lauper, and Father John Misty also donated profits from their respective events in North Carolina to LGBT groups in protest of HB2, while Bruce Springsteen, Cirque du Soleil, and Pearl Jam are among those who canceled their concerts completely.” http://bit.ly/1qLtTFM

* LOCAL NEWS *

ATLANTA:  Live music venue Variety Playhouse is planning a $1.3 million renovation. Atlanta Business Chronicle: http://bit.ly/1YLCJhI

BOSTON:  Journeyman, the Union Square restaurant, reopened with a new menu on April 21. Now, the restaurant will offer an a la carte experience called “Heat” Monday through Wednesday; Journeyman will offer a separate tasting menu Thursday through Sunday.

CHICAGO:  The 22nd annual St. Jude "Four Stars of Chicago Restaurant Extravaganza” will be held at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on May 3. Organizers expect some 900 guests. Participating eateries include RPM Steak and Latinicity.

LOS ANGELES:  UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation's 21st annual Taste for a Cure will take place Thursday at Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

NEW YORK:  This year's MTV Video Music Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden for the first time in its 33-year history. Billboard: http://bit.ly/1Nomh6u

Chef Laurent Tourondel has launched event venue Event Block, located above L'Amico and the Vine in Manhattan. The 8,100-square-foot venue has a retractable glass wall and roof, a marble bar, and an outdoor 30-foot customizable billboard for presentations.

A Tim Burton-theme bar is slated to open in the East Village. Gothamist: http://bit.ly/1U7rh0R

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Venue sourcing and booking provider Zentila has created Negotiation Tracker, a real-time system for planners to track all communication and bid history when booking venues for meetings and events.

SAN FRANCISCO:  San Francisco’s landmark Hearst Building will become a luxury hotel. San Francisco Business Times: http://bit.ly/1VpXOQW

TORONTO:  SickKids will host Scrubs in the City on June 2 at Evergreen Brick Works. This year, the event’s theme is “London."

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  United Negro College Fund will host a college signing day event at its Washington headquarters on Tuesday, in support of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Reach Higher Initiative."

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

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