January 28, 2019: 'Black Panther' Wins Big at SAG Awards, Models In Fyre Fest Promo Ad Face Subpoenas Over McFarland Payments, Sundance Events Play Michael Jackson Music Despite Reaction to Documentary

1. 'BLACK PANTHER' WINS BIG AT SAG AWARDS: Blockbuster superhero hit Black Panther won outstanding performance by an ensemble in a motion picture at the 25th annual SAG Awards on Sunday. The win potentially hints at a successful Oscars night for the Ryan Coogler-directed film. This Is Us and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel also took home top honors in the television categories. Associated Press: "The two leading Oscar nominees—Roma and The Favourite—were bypassed by the actors guild for a best ensemble field that also included BlacKkKlansman, Crazy Rich Asians, Bohemian Rhapsody, and A Star Is Born. Although Black Panther wasn’t nominated for any individual SAG Awards, it took home the final award at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. ... The win puts Black Panther squarely in contention for best picture at the Academy Awards where it’s nominated for seven honors including best picture. Actors make up the largest percentage of the academy, so their preferences can have an especially large impact on the Oscar race. In the last decade the SAG ensemble winner has gone on to win best picture at the Academy Awards half of the time." https://bit.ly/2UmbHSo

2. MODELS IN FYRE FEST PROMO AD FACE SUBPOENAS OVER MCFARLAND PAYMENTS: The trustee overseeing the bankruptcy of the Fyre Festival asked a judge on Friday for subpoenas for models and influencers who helped promote the failed event, specifically in an infamous commercial that featured models frolicking with swimming pigs in the Bahamas. The trustee, Gregory Messer, wants to subpoena IMG Models and Kendall Jenner for information on payments they received from festival founder Billy McFarland for promoting the event. IMG received $1.2 million while Jenner received $250,000 for an Instagram post. Billboard: "Messer also issued subpoena requests for DNA Model Management, which represents Ratajkowski and was paid $299,000 by McFarland in March 2017 as well as subpoenas for some of the artists who were paid to promote or use the Fyre Media app, which was supposed to allow fans to book artists direct without having to go through a booking agent. Messer wants to subpoena Soulja Boy, who was paid $115,000 in August 2016 as well as Waka Flocka Flame who received a $150,000 payment around the same time. Messer is also asking for subpoenas for United Talent Agency, which documents show was paid $90,000 in February 2017, as well as hundreds of thousands spent with cruise ship charter company Landry & Kling, private aviation provider Aircraft Services, and pastry chef Ellis Duff." https://bit.ly/2RkiJVF

3. SUNDANCE EVENTS PLAY MICHAEL JACKSON MUSIC DESPITE REACTION TO DOCUMENTARY: Leaving Neverland, Dan Reed's four-hour documentary about Michael Jackson's alleged sexual abuse, premiered at Sundance Film Festival on Friday. But despite shocked reactions to the film, which includes graphic accounts of two men accusing Jackson of raping them when they were boys, the festival itself hasn't boycotted the late pop star's music. Variety: "A lounge sponsored by automaker Acura pumped 'Billie Jean' into Park City’s Swede Alley as pedestrians walked past in nervous laughter. On Saturday night, a pop-up of the nightclub Tao played a five-song mashup of Jackson hits including 'Rock With You' and 'The Way You Make Me Feel,' courtesy of DJ Vice. The crowd ate it up, as Hollywood agents, filmmakers, and talent rubbed shoulders. The awkward pairing of the horrified reception to the film and the celebration of Jackson’s music even made it to social media humor account OverheardLA, in town to eavesdrop on absurd soundbites from industry people. ... Not only are the filmmakers and the two accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, in town to discuss the HBO release, people are taking to social media saying they’re now triggered by Jackson’s iconic song catalogue." https://bit.ly/2CPoQMq

* LOCAL NEWS *

LOS ANGELES:  The Recording Academy’s pre-Grammy Gala will take place February 9 at the Beverly Hilton. The event will honor Clarence Avant. 

Los Angeles had a record number of visitors in 2018, welcoming 50 million people—1.5 million more than the previous year.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden has opened at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove. The American seafood and steak restaurant is managed by LDV Hospitality. 

NEW YORK:  Wish Upon a Wedding, a nonprofit that grants weddings to couples facing serious illnesses, will have its annual benefit, Nuit Marocaines, February 4 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. 

The Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will partner with Jazz at Lincoln Center for the first time. The inaugural collaboration will feature jazz performances at venues throughout Saint Lucia from May 5-12. 

Open House New York’s Spring Benefit will take place June 5 at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport.  

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Newseum, the museum that celebrated the First Amendment and the work of the news media, announced it will close at the end of 2019. It sold its building at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue to Johns Hopkins University, a move it took after citing "unsustainable operating costs." No plans for a new home have been announced.

DC Shorts will debut Shorts & Sweets, a two-day relationship-theme film festival, February 15-16. Coinciding with Valentine’s Day, the festival will screen 30 short films at Miracle Theatre. 

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

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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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