1. THE GRAMMY MOMENT EVERYONE IS TAKING ABOUT: On a stage designed like a wedding chapel, as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed their marriage equality anthem “Same Love,” Queen Latifah presided over the wedding of 33 couples—gay and straight—dressed in gowns and tuxes. Madonna then made an appearance, performing part of her hit “Open Your Heart to Me.” The Telegraph: “A casting service had been employed to find the real-life couples, some of whom were same-sex partners, who would be willing to be married on stage during a hip-hop song. The song "Same Love" contains lyrics that explicitly support equal rights for gay couples and condemn right-wing opposition to gay marriage.” http://goo.gl/cQkR5D
2. FOOD BRANDS PLAN MAJOR SUPER BOWL SAMPLING EVENTS: Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Campbell's Soup, and PepsiCo are among the brands planning food-related activations and sampling stations throughout Manhattan and near MetLife Stadium in the days before the Super Bowl. USA Today: “PepsiCo. will set up a tented entertainment space that will have unique fare made from its myriad products. In addition to the Cherry Pepsi BBQ wings and Mountain Dew and Doritos-flavored cupcakes, there will be Cheetos-and truffle-flavored popcorn and chicken wings made with a Mountain Dew glaze. Pepsi didn't have an estimate on how many people will partake in its public offering, but ‘we're prepared for well into the thousands to go through the tent every day,’ says Stephen Kalil, PepsiCo. corporate executive research chef.” http://goo.gl/euCtzp
3. U.S. CATHOLICS PLAN TO HOST POPE FRANCIS: Catholics are preparing for what could be the first papal visit to the United States in seven years. Pope Francis could visit next year to take part in the Roman Catholic Church’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. New York Times: “There is speculation that Francis would stop in New York on that same trip to speak to the United Nations General Assembly.” goo.gl/xnaSD3
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Hotel Chocolat, now open on Newbury Street, offers private group chocolate tastings. Boston Globe: http://b.globe.com/1hTgAtE
CHICAGO: La Carne, a casual restaurant at Eataly, is now accepting group reservations. The venue accommodates as many as 15 guests with family-style meals selected in advance.
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: HipPops is a new a frozen treat truck, offering gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt. Based in Dania Beach, the truck offers more than 100 flavors.
NEW YORK: Convene at 101 Park Avenue, a conference center near Grand Central, held its opening celebration last week.
In honor of Apollo Theater’s 80th anniversary, the venue will host a special edition of its signature amateur night Wednesday with hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh attending.
Event designer Bronson van Wyck will be among the honorees at the Love Heals 2014 Gala at the Four Seasons Restaurant March 11.
Allison Sargent Events is hosting an event dubbed “Females, Football & Philanthropy” January 30 at Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey with activities such as a tailgate party, chef demos, football-throwing clinics, and more, to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group, producer of the American International Motorcycle Expo, will shorten this year's show from five days to four. The event will be held at the Orange County Convention Center October 16-19.
TORONTO: Toronto ComiCon is March 7-9 at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre.
WASHINGTON: Frederik de Pue's has opened his multistory Penn Quarter restaurant Menu MBK (Market, BistroBar, Kitchen). A casual bistro and tasting table will open in the coming weeks. Washington City Paper: http://bit.ly/1dBYtTZ
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily
Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]
More in Social Events
Most Popular
