1. TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL EMBRACES VIRTUAL REALITY: As virtual reality becomes more mainstream, the Tribeca Film Festival will include a number of experiences that use the new technology. Mashable: “The festival, which kicks off in April, will feature a Virtual Arcade, allowing around 50 visitors to dive into VR environments using various headsets like the Samsung Gear VR and the Oculus Rift (neither are official partners for the space). Although the idea of a VR arcade has been discussed in various circles in recent months as the platform becomes increasingly mainstream, we have yet to see a real test of a major, multi-user VR space.” http://on.mash.to/1TcXh3q
2. 'TITANIC II' PLANS TO SET SAIL IN 2018: In a stunt seen as both morbid and enticing, an Australian tycoon is leading a project to build a replica of the doomed Titanic ocean liner. Titanic II is expected to set sail in 2018 and will be able to accommodate 2,400 passengers. New York Post: “More importantly, it will carry enough lifeboats for every passenger and its hull will be welded, not riveted, just in case it comes across a rogue iceberg. … Some of the dead passengers’ relatives have criticized the project for a new Titanic, but Blue Star has reportedly been flooded with requests for tickets – with some offering up to about $900,000 for a spot on the first trip.” http://nyp.st/1osMnd9
3. HOW TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING FUNERALS: Cultural changes like a recognition of the environmental effects of embalming bodies and a desire for a different kind of mourning has changed the funeral industry and the way people say goodbye to loved ones. The Week: “And so, with more physical distance between mourners and their loved ones, the grieving process is increasingly going online, thanks to tools like Facebook memorial pages, online guestbooks, and funeral service livestreams. Even some cemeteries are going high-tech. For instance, geotagged, interactive headstones can make it easier to find burial places of loved ones and easily call up more information about their lives.” http://bit.ly/1PNFfT4
4. BANK CREATES 10-FOOT A.T.M. TO WELCOME N.B.A. ALL-STARS: In Toronto, a 10-foot A.T.M. from BMO Financial is a simple yet effective sight gag heralding the N.B.A. All-Star Game, which takes place Sunday in the city. Though the machine doesn’t actually dispense cash, its message is amplified by its location across from an actual A.T.M., which looks puny by comparison. Adweek: “ A message on the towering device made the meaning clear: ‘The NBA All-Stars Are Coming.’ An official sponsor of this year's NBA All-Star weekend, the bank created the ATM to be the height of an NBA regulation basketball goal.” http://bit.ly/1o6cdUu
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Jade Monkey is now open in Cleveland Circle. The Vietnamese eatery serves fish bowls, baby back ribs, and chilled soba noodles.
CHICAGO: About Face Theatre’s Wonka Ball will be held on April 15 at Ravenswood Event Center. The theme this year is “Dragstrip.”
LAS VEGAS: The 10th annual Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appétit will take place April 28-May 1 at venues including Caesars Palace, Tao at the Venetian, and the Cromwell. Headlining chefs include Giada De Laurentiis, Gordon Ramsay, and Emeril Lagasse.
LONDON: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity earned $59 million in 2014, a 37 percent increase from 2012, according to a prospectus released in advance of an I.P.O. on the London Stock Exchange. Medical Marketing & Media: “The disclosure form released on Tuesday provides a first-time glimpse into the financial performance and growth strategy of the ad industry's most prestigious — and expensive — awards show.” http://bit.ly/1orYuHw
LOS ANGELES: Sex and the City Zoo at the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens will take place on Saturday. The Valentine's Day-theme event will include a reception outside Witherbee Auditorium, a presentation about animal mating rituals, and a three-course dinner for an additional fee at Reggie's Bistro.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: YogArt is hosting "All You Need Is Love," a love-theme yoga class, on Valentine’s Day at the Lawn at W South Beach. Dawn B. Feinberg will teach the class, along with live music from DJ Immortal and violinist Monty Bloom.
NEW YORK: NYC Beer Week will take place February 19-28. The event will include dinners and tastings at numerous venues, as well as the Cask Fest & Awards Gala on February 27 at the Altman Building.
The Grid, a new music event produced by Pop2Life, will take place May 4-7 at 20 venues located in the meatpacking district and Brooklyn. The event will feature more than 100 live performances from artists including Questlove and St. Lucia.
The 23rd annual Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction, titled Fada: House of Madness, will take place July 30.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport announced two new team members to lead the banquet, catering, and event services for the hotel. Jeffrey Powell joins as executive chef and Heather Eubank is the new director of events.
SAN FRANCISCO: The seventh annual Taste Awards will take place tonight at the Castro Theatre. The event recognizes food, fashion, and lifestyle programs in film, television, apps, radio, and online.
TORONTO: Scheduled for March 14-18, Toronto Fashion Week will have a new layout this year. The event is produced by IMG.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The 14th annual Music & Gaming Festival, known as MAGFest, will take place February 18-21 at Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor. About 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, which is run by the nonprofit MAGFest Inc.
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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.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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