1. POPE FRANCIS TO ADDRESS CONGRESS: During his trip to the United States in September, Pope Francis will become the first pope to address a joint session of Congress. NPR: “[House Speaker John] Boehner extended an invitation in March for Francis to address a joint meeting of Congress, saying the pope has 'inspired millions of Americans with his pastoral manner and servant leadership, challenging all people to lead lives of mercy, forgiveness, solidarity and humble service.'" http://n.pr/1zUrFai
2. HOW THE GRAMMYS NEED TO CHANGE: From cutting the show’s running time to realigning the eligibility period for albums, several practical changes could make the Grammys a better run and more exciting award show. Billboard: “The Grammys are fun to complain about, because no matter how spectacular of a showcase the annual awards show may be or how many unforgettable moments take place on the stage of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, someone or something will feel spurned. … Worse is when the Grammy magic is stifled by systemic problems—the categories don't make sense, the wrong songs aren't eligible, and the telecast feels about seven hours long. The first half of those Grammy woes are too subjective to fix, but the second half? That's where we come into play.” http://bit.ly/16vDXbC
3. FILM FESTIVAL SCREENS ‘LEGO MOVIE’ FOR 5,000 KIDS: Thinking of the next generation of film festival attendees, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival screened The Lego Movie and hosted a Q&A session with its directors for 5,000 kids, many from underprivileged communities. Hollywood Reporter: “The program that made this all possible has taken place for each of the last 11 years, but has been known as ‘Mike's Field Trip to the Movies’ for the last three years, ever since Mike deGruy, a Santa Barbara resident and good friend of the festival—and its director Roger Durling—who had always championed outreach and educational initiatives at SBIFF, died in a helicopter crash while shooting a film in Australia.” http://bit.ly/1v4sLc5
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
SMG has acquired CGC Events Limited of Yorkshire, England. CGC provides catering services for clients including horse racing tracks, sports facilities, museums, and civic and cultural venues.
Italy, Ireland, France, Portugal, and Latvia have all joined the alliance of European National Convention Bureaux, bringing the total to 22 members. The new members were announced at the alliance’s recent meeting in Copenhagen.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: New England Grows, an educational conference and green industry expo, this year will take place December 2-4. This marks a change for the 12,000-guest event, which typically meets in February.
CHICAGO: Expo Chicago returns to Navy Pier for its fourth run September 17-20. The expo presents 140 international galleries and drew a crowd of 32,500 guests in 2014.
LAS VEGAS: Clark County Parks and Recreation will host the first Wacky World of Sports athletic competition at Sunset Park on May 2.
LOS ANGELES: The Broad museum announced Thursday it is slated for a public opening on September 20.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival announced a new way to award its Knight Documentary Achievement Award: the $10,000 prize will go to a filmmaker chosen through an algorithm that factors in votes and audience attendance numbers rather than by an external jury.
NEW YORK: The first New York Men's Fashion Week is scheduled for July 13-16.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: The Royal Ontario Museum will host "Family Day Weekend 2015: Chinese New Year—Year of the Ram” February 14-16. The weekend will offer art activities, lion dance performances, and calligraphy demonstrations.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The 67th annual Affair of the Heart Luncheon and Fashion Show, a benefit for the American Heart Association, is scheduled for Monday at the Marriot Wardman Park hotel.
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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, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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