January 3, 2019: Ariana Grande Replaces Kanye West as Coachella Headliner, Golden Globes Host Won't Discuss Trump, Hyundai to Debut Walking Car at C.E.S.

1. ARIANA GRANDE REPLACES KANYE WEST AS COACHELLA HEADLINER: Kanye West is no longer performing at Coachella this year, after the rumored headliner dropped out over a disagreement with the producers over the stage design. Organizers on Wednesday officially announced the headliners as Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, and Tame Impala. Variety: "Childish Gambino will headline day one of the fest, with Tame Impala taking day two and Ariana Grande closing out Coachella on Sunday night. This makes Grande the third woman to headline the festival since its inception in 1999 after Beyoncé (who slayed last year with a 105-minute performance) and Bjork who headlined both in 2002 and 2007. At least one Knowles sister will make an appearance, with Solange set to perform on day two. Other female artists on the bill include Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, Billie Eilish, Ella Mai, H.E.R., Maggie Rogers, and Christine and the Queens. Elsewhere on the lineup are performances by Bad Bunny, The 1975, Weezer, Zedd, Diplo, Khalid, CHVRCHES, Mac DeMarco, Pusha T, J Balvin, DJ Snake, Jaden Smith, Idris Elba, Virgil Abloh, Kid Cudi, Aphex Twin, Jon Hopkins, Blood Orange, and more. The fest will run for two weekends—starting first on April 12-14 and again on April 19-21—on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California." https://bit.ly/2F5wOUu

2. GOLDEN GLOBES HOST WON'T DISCUSS TRUMP: When discussing their plans for co-hosting the Golden Globes, Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg revealed they will leave the discussion of politics and Trump to the nominees and presenters during Sunday's ceremony. Huffington Post: “'I’m not interested in [talking about Trump] at all,' she [Oh] said in a conversation with co-host Andy Samberg that was published Wednesday in The Hollywood Reporter. 'What I’m interested in is pointing to actual real change. I want to focus on that ’cause people can pooh-pooh Hollywood all they want—and there is a lot to pooh-pooh, sure—but we also make culture. How many gazillions of people have seen Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians?' she continued, referring to the massive box office success of the two movies, both featuring ensemble casts consisting primarily of actors of color. 'That changes things. Just speaking for my own community, people cried a lot in [Crazy Rich Asians], and it’s not only because it’s a great story and a classic romantic comedy—it is because seeing yourself reflected onscreen is really emotional when you don’t even know that you’re carrying so much grief of never being seen.' The Killing Eve star, who made history last year as the first Asian woman nominated for the Emmy award for best actress in a drama series, has long spoken out about the importance of diversity and representation in Hollywood, and the paucity of roles for Asian actors. The duo agreed that as hosts, they don’t plan to 'go hard into detailed politics stuff,' as Samberg said." https://bit.ly/2Vo0yBT

3. HYUNDAI TO DEBUT WALKING CAR AT C.E.S.: One of the major brands slated to make a big splash at C.E.S. in Las Vegas next week is Hyundai. The automotive company will debut the Hyundai Elevate, a car that can walk, climb, and drive, at its press conference on January 7. Cnet: "Judging by the picture Hyundai sent with its release, the Elevate concept achieves this by adding a range of motion to the vehicle's 'legs,' on which rest its wheels. That should give it nigh unparalleled levels of articulation on rocky terrain. And, depending on how that motion looks to the human eye, it'll either look pretty awesome or super creepy (like oh so many Boston Dynamics robots). You'd be happy to see one of them arrive when you're trapped in rubble, but perhaps less happy if one meanders towards you decked out in military livery and carrying live ammunition. Obviously, this is a pretty pie-in-the-sky concept, so it's likely that Hyundai won't have a full-scale working model on display at C.E.S. Nevertheless, it's yet another interesting way that an automaker came up with to give vehicles even more capability than they already have." https://cnet.co/2CLRkaZ

* LOCAL NEWS *

LONDON:  Joanna Lumley will host the Bafta Awards, taking place February 10 at Royal Albert Hall. 

LOS ANGELES:  Jessica Chastain and Sam Rockwell have been announced as the first presenters at the 76th annual Golden Globes, which air live on NBC on Sunday. 

The 30th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will run January 3-14 at venues including the Annenberg Theater, Palm Canyon Theater, and the Camelot Theatres (Palm Springs Cultural Center).  

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Paws4You, a nonprofit animal rescue organization, will have its second annual fund-raising gala, dubbed “Chopard presents Diamonds are Forever,” on February 16 at the Coral Gables Country Club. 

Broward Public Library Foundation will host Literary Feast 2019 on March 1-2. The event, which includes a panel and student-author discussions, will have 15 authors in attendance in support of Broward Country Library programs. 

NEW ORLEANS:  The 50th anniversary of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has added an extra day, running April 25-28 and May 2-5.  

NEW YORK:  The Brooklyn Podcast Festival, presented by Pandora, will take place January 10-13 at the Bell House, Union Hall, and Bric & Camp David. The podcast is produced by City Farm Presents and will include live recordings of Pop Culture Happy Hour, Seek Treatment, and NPR’s Ask Me Another. 

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

PITTSBURGH:  Actress Geena Davis will keynote the P.C.M.A. Convening Leaders event on January 9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. 

TORONTO:  The 30th annual Dragon Ball, a Chinese New Year benefit gala for the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, will take place February 9 at Beanfield Centre. 

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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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