BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #85 — Tuesday, 08.23.11
Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
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* INCOMING *
1. MLK STATUE UNVEILED: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was unveiled Monday, in preparation for its official dedication on Sunday, the 48th anniversary of King's “I Have a Dream” speech. The centerpiece is a 30-foot-tall statue of King emerging from a granite block carved by sculptor Lei Yixin. The Washington Post has a video and an interactive feature (which requires a plug-in):
http://wapo.st/o20Bl8
Reviews are still coming in, but there has already been criticism because a Chinese sculptor was chosen. USA Today: "For years, critics have questioned the decision to go outside of the United States for a sculptor and have said King's 30-foot likeness appears too Asian or too confrontational."
http://usat.ly/j9wfQC
Meanwhile, Mary Mitchell asks in The Chicago Sun-Times, "Would King really appreciate all this hoopla? Would he really have wanted his likeness to become a graven image on the National Mall?"
http://bit.ly/qDBwsR
We'll have coverage of the events surrounding the new memorial this week on BizBash.com.
2. FASHION'S NEW INVITE APP: Radar, a new software introduced just in time for New York Fashion Week will allow users to R.S.V.P. to all event invites all at once. WWD: "Once invited, Radar-ites create profiles on the members’-only site and can then grant a colleague or assistant access to manage their schedule if they are so inclined. Aside from having a one-stop shop for RSVPing and event details, showgoers will also have the bar codes needed to access various shows. Radar will sync with any smart phone and a Radar iPhone app will be introduced by Fashion GPS later this month."
http://bit.ly/oHcfnq
3. ORBITING HOTEL: After NASA retired its space shuttle in April, Russian firms jumped at the chance to unveil plans for a new craft. Orbital Technologies has released renderings of a seven-person spacecraft hotel that will cost $1 million per person for a five-day stay. The firm hopes to have the hotel built by 2016. Reuters:
http://reut.rs/qmsMPw
4. IDENTITY FESTIVAL POSTPONED: Severe weather has claimed another music festival: With Hurricane Irene set to hit Florida, organizers of Identity's Miami tour stop are taking precautions after recent deadly accidents at other music festivals. Kaskade, the Crystal Method, Steve Aoki, and others were supposed to perform at the Klipsch Amphitheater on Thursday. A rescheduled date will be announced Monday. Miami New Times:
http://bit.ly/pZch8G
* UPCOMING *
Event Camp Twin Cities, a two-day thinktank in Minneapolis, begins Thursday. The program includes sessions on the future of meetings and events and new meeting technologies like social gaming. The conference is also offering free virtual attendance, and there are pod events in Toronto, Vancouver, Amsterdam, Silicon Valley, and Philadelphia. BizBash subscribers receive a 15 percent discount for the face-to-face event in Minneapolis. The discount code is BizBash. Register here:
http://bit.ly/nWjqvd
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Cloth Connection Inc. has announced that Simply Elegant Linens will be the exclusive distributor of all Cloth Connection's products for the New England Area.
The Appleton Estate Rum Bartender Challenge took place yesterday at Drink. Produced by Contemporary Cocktails Inc., the competition asked local bartenders to create drinks inspired by songs and Boston movies. The winner will compete in the finals round in September in New York.
Food Network Magazine has named Scampo the Best Pizza in Massachusetts in the September feature, "50 States, 50 Pizzas." On the first floor of the Liberty Hotel, Scampo offers a 50-seat private dining room that overlooks the open kitchen.
http://bit.ly/40eesp
MIX 104.1's MIXFest concert is September 17 with a lineup that includes Michelle Branch and Grace Potter and the Noctournals. The free event will take place for the first time at the DCR Memorial Hatch Shell along the Charles River.
http://bit.ly/Oeapk
CHICAGO: Taste at the Track presented by Binny's Beverage Depot is September 10 at Arlington Park. The event offers a sampling of more than 200 wines and dishes from restaurants including Jake Melnick's Corner Tap, Fulton's on the River, and Bridge Bar.
http://bit.ly/9FVDoH
Second City will open a third theater at Pipers Alley in November. Called Up Comedy Club, the venue will have 280 seats, a bar and restaurant, and a retro-nightclub feel. A V.I.P. grand opening party is December 1, and will draw "some big names," according to Second City Inc. president Diana Martinez.
A Red Orchid Theatre’s Board of Directors will host the company’s annual benefit, "Wet Your Whistle While You Water the Orchid," September 19 at Boka Restaurant. Michael Shannon, founding ensemble member and star of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” is M.C.
http://bit.ly/A7buf
With the theme "A Return to Emerald City," the Chicago Gateway Green's Green Tie Ball will take place September 17 at A. Finkl & Sons. The event will offer a silent auction, live entertainment, open bars, and tasting stations from more than 70 area restaurants.
LOS ANGELES: AirDD has moved to North Hollywood to a larger space to hold more inventory of its large-scale illuminated inflatable products.
http://bit.ly/pKoaws
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: During hurricane season, Sole on the Ocean will offer special amenities for any named storm. The Sunny Isles property is offering specials like 10 percent off any room rates.
http://bit.ly/haQKUm
NEW YORK: Union Square Events executive chef Robb Garceau is moving to Great Performances, where he will oversee a staff of 56 and handle food service at venues including the Plaza Hotel and Jazz at Lincoln Center. No word yet on who will take Garceau's place at Danny Meyer's catering division. Crains New York:
http://bit.ly/nZXt40
Brooklyn Children's Museum president Georgina Ngozi has been named grand marshal for the 44th annual West Indian American Labor Day Carnival Parade. Ngozi will march alongside Governor Cuomo, Matthew Goldstein, president of the City University of New York, and others September 5.
Help wanted: We hear Van Wyck & Van Wyck is hiring project/event managers and event producers.
Emily Horowitz joins Ideeli as the company's fashion publicist. Previously, Horowitz was at Susan Magrino Agency.
ORLANDO: The local chapter of the American Water Works Association hosts its third annual Wine for Us fund-raiser Thursday night at the Orange County Regional History Center. The cocktail party will include hors d'oeuvres from Plus Catering, wine from the Wine Barn, and new this year‚ beer from Orlando Brewing.
http://bit.ly/n4eKo5
SAN FRANCISCO: "Unveiled: Bridal Style Revealed," presented by Plan A, is Sunday at the Terra Gallery. Previously, the bridal bazaar was held in Los Angeles.
http://bit.ly/bnVN0d
WASHINGTON: PNC Bank is once again presenting the Back-to-School Drive at the Washington Nationals games this Saturday and Sunday, where fans can donate new school supplies like backpacks, caculators, and lunchboxes to public school students.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, Carla Warrilow in Toronto, and Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, and Courtney Thompson in New York.
BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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