May 30, 2013: Neil Patrick Harris to Host Emmys, Reviving the Legendary Diamond Horseshoe, Picks for the Best Bars in America

1. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS RETURNS TO HOST EMMYS: CBS announced that Neil Patrick Harris, who is hosting the Tony Awards for the fourth time, will return to host this year's Emmys. The Hollywood Reporter: "Harris—who will also produce the ceremony—last hosted the Emmys in 2009, earning critical praise for his musically infused performance. The Harris-hosted awards telecast saw a ratings spike, ranking as the most-watched Emmys since 2006, when it scored 13.3 million total viewers, according to Nielsen." http://bit.ly/13YZ0i3

2. REVIVING THE LEGENDARY DIAMOND HORSESHOE: Real estate titan Aby Rosen is looking to bring back the Diamond Horseshoe nightclub in the basement of the Paramount Hotel, the central feature of the Betty Grable musical of the same name. The New York Times: "Set to open this fall, the Diamond Horseshoe, as envisioned by Mr. Rosen, will be a new night-life concept: a Dalí-like mix of high art and camp, theater and circus, audacity and calculation. ... Various impresarios tried to revive the space over the years, as a disco, concert site, or supper club, but costs and headaches proved too great, Mr. Rosen said, pausing at the center of the room, where a giant sunburst-like light fixture will descend from the ceiling. 'When you see that people who are doers haven’t done it,' he said, 'that gives me an added excitement.' That led him to hire Randy Weiner, a producer who helped bring to New York the cult hit “Sleep No More,” the avant-garde blend of Shakespeare, Hitchcock, and, seemingly, Disney’s Haunted Mansion." http://nyti.ms/1136paB

3. LIONS, FEATHERS, AND CAVALLI DECK LIFE BALL: Need inspiration for an Arabian Nights-themed event? Ending the Cannes festivities, the Roberto Cavalli-hosted Life Ball in Vienna brought out a slew of celebrities, who donned Aladdin-inspired outfits for the fete. The event, which raised more than $2.5 million, also had performers in rather elaborate costumes. New York magazine: http://nym.ag/131nmqg

4. BEST BARS IN THE COUNTRY: Esquire's picks for the best bars in America include five spots from New York, including Tooker Alley in Prospect Heights and downtown's Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, plus six in Washington, D.C., covering Off the Record in the Hay-Adams hotel and the Columbia Room, the private lounge at the back of Penn Quarter's Passenger. http://bit.ly/12g2HSv


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

The International Special Events Society has chosen seven members as international brand champions to assist in the launch of the new brand strategy, "the Principal Association Representing the Creative Events Professional, Globally." The initiative will be launched in Nassau, the Bahamas, in August, and those selected include Jennifer Minzey of the Western United States, Scotty Bellingham of Australasia, and Keri Miller of Canada. Check out the rest of the members here: http://bit.ly/rYFDZ0

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Northern Alliance Dinner, a five-course dinner prepared by 10 chefs from Canada and the United States., is June 23 at JM Curley. The event will benefit American Farmland Trust.

CHICAGO:  Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Spotlight Ball is tonight with a performance at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and a dinner-dance at Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. The evening will honor Mayor Rahm Emanuel and JPMorgan Chase & Company.

INDIANAPOLIS:  Sports marketing veteran Bob Bryant has been named president and C.E.O. of the 500 Festival, which produces and promotes events and programs around the Indianapolis 500. http://bit.ly/16rYdtx

LAS VEGAS:  Kelli Maruca is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's new director of public relations.

LOS ANGELES:  Director Brett Ratner, who was to produce last year's Oscars, has donated $1 million to Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Academy's future home dedicated to movie history. The site, slated to open in 2017, will offer almost 300,000 square feet of galleries, exhibition spaces, theaters, screening rooms, education centers, and event spaces. The Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/18zkBOU

Hotel Bel-Air general manager Denise Flanders has appointed Adam Crocini general manager for Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air.

Brittany Mathieu joined SBE as PR manager, collaborating with vice president of communications Robbie McKay on hotels, nightlife, and restaurants.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Nikko by Sunshine, a 50-seat sushi restaurant, opened inside the Solaris building in Brickell last week. Chef Sunchai Naknoon serves sashimi, curries, noodles, and other modern Asian dishes at the new spot that overlooks the bay. http://bit.ly/15iYCK6

NEW YORK:  The International Council of Shopping Centers newsmagazine Shopping Centers Today will implement SCT Live, a series of intimate interactive events hosted by the publication's editors in cities around the world. The new component will feature panel discussions, site tours, Web seminars, and more.

The 12th annual Big Apple Awards are June 13 at Liberty Warehouse in Brooklyn. The event will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, and an award ceremony. The ISES New York metro chapter event will have the theme "Off the Hook in Red Hook" and attire is "downtown chic."

The first annual Brownie Eating Contest, presented by Chocolate Bar, is June 15 at Squanstrong's Tailgate on the Square event in Mansaquan, New Jersey. Two groups—kids and those 13 years and older—will compete to raise money for SquanStrong, a nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing the area's beaches. Other entertainment at the event will include food, a beer patio, and live DJ sets.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO:  The Give Kids the World silver anniversary Black & White gala is June 1 at the Peabody Orlando. The charity event will include dinner, an open bar, live music, and a silent auction. http://bit.ly/16qayi3

TORONTO:  The Unionville Village Festival is May 31-June 2. The 43rd annual event will feature a market, live music, a parade, hot-air balloon rides, and fireworks at various locations in Unionville. http://bit.ly/16qbAKM

WASHINGTON:  Charlie Palmer's American Fare, the first Celebration of American Regional Cuisine, is June 29 at Charlie Palmer Steak DC. The event will host local restaurant groups as they compete to create the best dish and cocktail representative of their establishment. Proceeds from the event will go to Share our Strength and the winning group's charity of choice. http://bit.ly/14nDORf

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Jenna Berris, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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