November 17, 2016: Spotify Launches Collaborative Playlist Feature for Events, Bob Dylan to Skip Nobel Prize Ceremony, Twitter Debuts Android TV App for Live Streams

1. SPOTIFY LAUNCHES COLLABORATIVE PLAYLIST FEATURE FOR EVENTS: Music-streaming service Spotify has debuted "Playlist Potluck," a new collaborative playlist feature that will allow users to invite friends to an event by sharing a playlist in which guests can add their own songs. TechCrunch: "Collaborative playlists are an older Spotify feature, but one that’s sometimes a bit underhyped. In reality, playlist programming at parties is often handled on the fly—the host simply hands over their phone and says, 'here, play what you want.' With Playlist Potluck, the idea is to instead create the playlist in advance of the event, by making it part of the invitation process itself. The feature is being launched in partnership with Sonos as part of a promotional campaign where you can win Sonos speakers and a chance to have a top chef, like Danny Bowien or Inaki Aizpitarte, come cook for your party. Because it’s a joint effort, you’ll visit a dedicated page on Sonos’ website in order to set up your playlist. Here, you’ll need to authorize the Sonos Playlist Potluck to access your Spotify account data, agree to the terms and register for the promo by sharing personal info like your location, phone number and age. When that’s done, you can create your playlist. Unfortunately, you can only add five of your own tracks to the list before you have to turn it over to your guests. After doing so, you’ll be given a unique URL that you can share via email, Facebook, Twitter or as a link that you can copy and paste anywhere you choose. That way, you can incorporate playlist programming as part of the party invite." http://tcrn.ch/2fFG0Qb

2. BOB DYLAN TO SKIP NOBEL PRIZE CEREMONY: Bob Dylan, who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, won't attend the ceremony in Stockholm next month. The New York Times: "'Yesterday evening the Swedish Academy received a personal letter from Bob Dylan, in which he explained that due to pre-existing commitments, he is unable to travel to Stockholm in December and therefore will not attend the Nobel Prize Ceremony,' the Academy said in a statement. 'He underscored, once again, that he feels very honored indeed, wishing that he could receive the prize in person.' The Academy said that the only requirement for prizewinners is to give a lecture within six months of the ceremony, which is scheduled for Dec. 10. 'That laureates decide not to come is unusual, to be sure, but not exceptional,' the Academy said. 'In the recent past, several laureates have, for various reasons, been unable to come to Stockholm to receive the prize, among them Doris Lessing, Harold Pinter and Elfriede Jelinek. The prize still belongs to them, just as it belongs to Bob Dylan.' Representatives for Mr. Dylan did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His official website lists no tour dates past Nov. 23." http://nyti.ms/2fGy01o

3. TWITTER DEBUTS ANDROID TV APP FOR LIVE STREAMS: Twitter has launch an Android app that will let TV owners watch N.F.L. and other live streams on their screens. Variety: “The new all offers not only live streams, but also a selection of popular tweets as well as an option to tune into popular Periscope broadcasts. Users can also watch a feed of curated tweets and a live broadcast side-by-side, and there’s no need to log in or even have a Twitter account to access live streams through the app. Twitter’s Android TV app comes two months after the company first launched apps for Apple TV, Fire TV and Xbox One. Those apps were released in time for Twitter’s first NFL live stream in mid-September. The new all offers not only live streams, but also a selection of popular tweets as well as an option to tune into popular Periscope broadcasts. Users can also watch a feed of curated tweets and a live broadcast side-by-side, and there’s no need to log in or even have a Twitter account to access live streams through the app. Twitter’s Android TV app comes two months after the company first launched apps for Apple TV, Fire TV and Xbox One. Those apps were released in time for Twitter’s first NFL live stream in mid-September.” http://bit.ly/2gjNEU8

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  A.E.G. and Toshiba are strengthening ties with a new partnership that extends Toshiba's strategic brand-building initiatives globally across world-class A.E.G. assets and venues in North America and Europe. 

ATLANTA:  Party on the Moon co-founder Dennis Smith has launched Galaxy Party Bands, a new management agency that will offer bands for major events around the world.

Urban Expositions, a Clarion Events company, has appointed Craig Dooley as executive vice president and Greg Topalian—president of Leftfield Media, which the company recently acquired—to oversee consumer events.

BOSTON:  SoWa Boston's Winter Festival will take place December 2-4 at the SoWa Power Station. The event will showcase holiday items from more than 100 local vendors, offer winter cocktails from Area Four, and have a charity gift-wrapping station to raise funds for Hearth Inc.

CHICAGO:  Sub Chroma Chicago, an annual Canvas art collective event, is launching a "live painting" project that will incorporate augmented reality. Chicago Tribune: http://trib.in/2giwtTv

LOS ANGELES:  The sixth annual Zeitgeist Media Festival will take place December 3 at ArtShareLA in the downtown arts district.

The Echo Park Craft Fair will take place December 10-11 at Mack Sennett Studios. The event offers ceramics, jewelry, fabric art, and more from more than 100 vendors.

On December 14, the Paley Center for Media will host the world premiere screening of BET's The New Edition Story, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, which is owned by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company, will complete $35 million in renovations before the end of 2016. The upgades include the launch of Greek-inspired restaurant Atlantikós, the addition of three expansive four-bedroom suites, and a reimagined and expanded lobby lounge. Other recent enhancements include the opening of the gourmet BH Burger Bar; the St. Regis Bar & Sushi Lounge; and the Caroline Room, a 1,800-square-foot private events space.

NEW YORK:  #WeAreHer—A Night of Women's Empowerment will take place November 30 at Hudson Terrace. Event sponsors include Planned Parenthood and Step Up Women's Network, which will receive event proceeds.

The second annual Jazz Age Tea Dance will take place December 11 at Webster Hall's Grand Ballroom. The event, hosted by Jazz Age Lawn Party founder Michael Arenella, will feature a 1920s dance orchestra, holiday photo ops, foxtrot dance lessons, and complimentary tea service.

The Bernic, a 96-room, 22-story hotel, is now open in Turtle Bay. The hotel features a sky lounge and the Allora restaurant that offers New York-inspired dishes.

The 2017 edition of the Michelin Guide New York has revealed the 77 restaurants that received Michelin stars. Five places were awarded three stars each: Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare, Eleven Madison Park, Jean-Georges, Le Bernardin, Masa, and Per Se. There were 10 eateries that received two stars each, including Aquavit, Daniel, Blanca, Ko, and Junsik. Meanwhile, 61 restaurants received one star each, including La Sirena, Ushiwakamaru, Contra, Sushi Inoue, L'Appart, and Nix.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Six days of WrestleMania events in April may give Orlando a $170 million economic boost. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/2fZRLC2

PORTLAND, OREGON:  Hi-Lo Hotel, part of Autograph Collection Hotels, will open in 2017 in downtown Portland's historic Oregon Pioneer Building. The 120-room property includes the Mexican restaurant Alto-Bajo and the cocktail destination Lo Bar.

TORONTO:  Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area will host Holiday Magic, its annual lighting ceremony and concert, on Saturday at the Village of Yorkville Park. The event will feature a performance by Shawn Desman, and benefits the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Spa L'Occitane by the Bay, a 6,200-square-foot reatreat, has opened at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.

SEATTLE:  E.M.P. (Experience Music Project) is now the Museum of Pop Culture, also known as MoPop. The museum will launch the new name on Saturday with a celebration that is free and open to the public.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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