Call Sheet #135: Oscar Producer Dead, New York Fashion Week Move?, Revamping Macy's

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #135 — Wednesday, 11.02.11

Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Jana Schiowitz in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html  

* INCOMING *

1. OSCAR PRODUCER DIES: Gilbert Cates, dubbed the man who "saved the Oscars," passed away Monday. Cates produced 14 telecasts over 18 years, recruiting Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Steve Martin, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart as hosts. His advice to other producers: “Whatever you do, you can be certain that half the people who comment on the show are not going to like it.” He was also a director and producer for films, T.V., and stage projects, and founded the Geffen Playhouse. The New York Times:
http://nyti.ms/s4Xrf4

Charles McNulty, L.A. Times theater critic: "When the news broke on Tuesday morning that … Cates had died at 77, it was as though the unthinkable had happened, something akin to the Hollywood sign tumbling down from its hillside perch."
http://lat.ms/rU1Tjp

Washington Post: "[I]n a live medium, and a profession brimming with ego, Mr. Cates was praised for his smooth backstage orchestration of a nearly impossible task: to keep the program moving at all costs."
http://wapo.st/va6UCt

Steve Pond, the Wrap: "His shows came to be seen as the conservative approach to the Oscars, but he was also the one who had the clout to take chances and shake up the format. His innovations didn't always work—handing out a couple of awards in the aisles in 2005 was a notably unsuccessful experiment—but he acquired the currency to try things that would be shot down if others suggested them, and he took chances in his last few Oscar shows."
http://bit.ly/u0PMh1

Tom Sherak, Academy president: "Gil was our colleague, our friend and a former governor of the Academy. He was a consummate professional who gave the Academy and the world some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history. His passing is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry, and our thoughts go out to his family.” The Hollywood Reporter:
http://bit.ly/sn7a12

2. FASHION WEEK MOVE: While announcing that Coach Inc. will buy 600,000 square feet in a tower going up in the Hudson Yards section of Manhattan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said New York Fashion Week could relocate to a cultural center in the new development as well. New York Times: “The mayor said he hoped that the cultural center would house art exhibitions, theatrical events, movie premieres and, eventually, Fashion Week, which now takes place at Lincoln Center.” The master plan also includes a 150-room hotel.
http://nyti.ms/uLGfSz

3. MACY’S MAKEOVER: Plans for the $400 million renovation of the flagship Manhattan store includes infusing technology and new media into the shopping experience, like interactive store directories and a system to stream live video feeds of Macy's events nationwide, and a new restaurant on the sixth floor with window access and views of the Empire State Building and Midtown, which will be among 22 restaurants and foodservice stations throughout the store with seating for about 1,100.
http://bit.ly/OM9Fo 

4. LVMH PROMOTES ARTS: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton will sponsor the National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Awards. WWD: "As part of its collaboration and sponsorship … Louis Vuitton has also committed to hosting a series of conversation on arts education in conjunction with the PCAH that will focus on engaging select arts, educational and civic leaders with the aim of creating 'dynamic cultural experiences' in several U.S. cities." (subscribers only)
http://bit.ly/smRV9y

5. BEST HOTEL CHAINS: Business Travel News surveyed business travelers to see how U.S. hotel chains stack up. Four Seasons was rated highest in the deluxe hotels category, Crowne Plaza for upscale hotels, Holiday Inn for mid-price hotels, and Staybridge Suites for upscale extended-stay hotels. Big change: Ritz-Carlton slipped into third place, a ranking the brand has not seen in more than a decade. USA Today:
http://usat.ly/tmVodd

* INTERNAL NEWS *

Voting is now open for the Boston version of the BizBash Readers' Choice Awards. You can vote for event pros in categories including Caterer of the Year, Corporate Event Planner of the Year, and Venue Manager of the Year. The winners will be announced at the BizBash Boston Expo & Awards at Fenway Park November 10.

To vote:
http://bit.ly/tSW3qo

Register for the show:
http://bit.ly/oTDNSi

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Fall Wine Fest is Saturday at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts. The event includes three tastings and music by DJ Karl.
http://bit.ly/cNtqkC

CHICAGO: The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker Family Dinner will take place at the Palmer House Hilton December 10. This year, four levels of sponsorship have been introduced.
http://bit.ly/uyklCp

D'Noche Latin American Kitchen & Bar is hosting its first Artist Showcase Event with Chicago nonprofits Build and I Am Logan Square November 10.  

The Society of Architectural Historians' benefit at the Casino is November 12. The event will honor local notables John Vinci, Mary Zimmerman, and Sophia Siskel.
http://bit.ly/toLFQ

LAS VEGAS: Vegas Inc reports on how the city is increasingly becoming a fitness tourism destination:
http://bit.ly/sk9GhV

Kim Kardashian's soon-to-be-ex-husband is expected to pull out of hosting duties for a November 5 party at Chateau. E! Online posted the cancellation news around the same time the club sent a press release that announced: "NBA and reality television star, Kris Humphries, will host a night to remember for party-goers."
http://eonli.ne/rTSf8M

LOS ANGELES: FormDecor Modern Furniture Rental is offering a 60-inch Elise floor lamp from Pablo Prado Design to a winner who follows FormDecor on Twitter and likes the company on Facebook between now and November 11.

A fire tore through the Magic Castle in Hollywood, closing the venue for at least two days, and displacing its popular Halloween night event. L.A. Times:
http://lat.ms/u3gEWq

Melissa Savage, who formerly handled events at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, is the new events manager at Homeboy Industries.

Experiential design and production firm Thinkwell is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and continuing to expand its global range with multiple projects in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and other locations around the world.

The Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau hired Stacey Geyer as director of the meeting and convention solutions department.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will headline the InterContinental Make-A-Wish Ball Saturday. Deco Productions is producing the black-and-white-themed event with catering provided by the InterContinental Miami and PR by Tara Ink.
http://bit.ly/uf9wAY

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, set to open in mid-January, will offer 214 ocean view rooms and suites, the St. Regis Butler Service, Remede Spa, and Jean-Georges' restaurant J&G Grill. Market Watch:
http://bit.ly/tTMU1g

NEW YORK: Peter Gabriel is hosting the Focus for Change benefit dinner and concert for international human rights organization Witness November 10 at Roseland Ballroom. Performers include Rodrigo y Gabriela and David Crosby and Graham Nash.
http://bit.ly/3oqxz0

Katja Douedari joins Diesel U.S.A. as vice president of marketing beginning Monday, filling the position that has been vacant since December. Douedari was previously vice president of communications and marketing at the U.S. division of Hugo Boss. WWD:
http://bit.ly/sMZ2vI

ORLANDO: MFM Global is producing the inaugural Clean the World gala Saturday at the Peabody Orlando. Vendors include PSAV Presentation Services, PTE Productions, TS Productions, Kirby Rentals, and Paradise Show and Design.
 
The Hope and Help Center's Designer Showcase fund-raiser begins tomorrow at the Vue at Lake Eola. Six interior design firms have furnished and decorated a 3,000-square-foot penthouse. Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine and Events and Flemings Prime Steakhouse are providing food for the media preview Thursday night and a V.I.P. party Friday night. The penthouse will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday.

Professional ice hockey returns to Orlando next year. The team will be part of the minor league EHCL and will play its home games in Amway Center starting in October 2012.

TORONTO: The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair kicks off Friday at Exhibition Place. During the 10-day event, Food Network Canada's "Pitchin' In" star Lynn Crawford and Kevin Brauch of "The Thirsty Traveler" will compete in a celebrity chef competition.
http://bit.ly/9fPsc3

WASHINGTON: Executive pastry chef Matthew Petersen of the Mandarin Oriental's CityZen and Sou'Wester restaurants was voted "fan favorite" in the online contest for "Top Chef Just Desserts," season two. Petersen won a $10,000 prize.
http://bit.ly/dJVM8O

Claudia Eggspuhler has been appointed general manager of the Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel.

 

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 Matthew Mogavero, Jana Schiowitz, Anna Sekula, Courtney Thompson, and Katherine Zoeller in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html