June 23, 2014: Atlanta Opens Civil Rights Museum, Hollywood Bowl Tries to Cut Bathroom Lines, How Nickelodeon Is Using Comic-Con to Find Talent

1. ATLANTA OPENS CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM: The National Center for Civil and Human Rights opens today, a 42,000-square-foot museum in downtown Atlanta that tells the story of the history of the movement in the United States. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The most dramatic installation is an interactive lunch counter at which guests don headphones and experience a simulation of a sit-in during the 1960s. Taped voices level threats, and a vibrating jolt can give the impression that someone has just kicked the visitor’s chair. It is unnerving. In the next room, a panoramic screen tells the story of the 1963 March on Washington. Then, past a touching stained-glass tribute to the four young girls killed in the Birmingham church bombing, is a tableau of moments from the day in April 1968 when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered.” http://on-ajc.com/1wm6ZSY

2. HOLLYWOOD BOWL TRIES TO CUT BATHROOM LINES: The concert venue the Hollywood Bowl is trying a new system to keep lines moving at women’s restrooms during intermissions. Inspired by setups at shopping mall parking lots to alert drivers to vacant parking spaces, the system uses lights to indicate whether a stall is occupied. Los Angeles Times: “The red-light, green-light system installed in the Hollywood Bowl's main 68-toilet women's room uses magnetic switches that sense when a stall door is closed. … [The contractor] has been contacted by airports, arenas and casinos that are interested in serving female patrons more expeditiously.” http://lat.ms/1nXOj8J

3. HOW NICKELODEON IS USING COMIC-CON TO FIND TALENT: Exhibitors at Comic-Con usually use the trade show to promote their products and shows. Nickelodeon is using it to find its next generation of talent, inviting attendees to pitch ideas to its executives. The New York Times: “Nickelodeon’s animation development team will sit for three long days in a trade show booth at next month’s Comic-Con International and evaluate in-person proposals for shorts. Comic-Con, a convention that draws 130,000 pop culture fans, will take place on July 24-27 in San Diego.” http://nyti.ms/1nwclpy

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Friends of Copley Square will host its “Rock & Stroll” benefit on June 25. The night will include a concert and a picnic.

CHICAGO:  The fifth annual Ed’s Fest, which will celebrate the 30th anniversary of restaurant Ed Debevic’s, is July 26. The event will offer a charity dunk tank, classic cars, and snacks such as hot dogs and ice cream.

DALLAS:  Event production company Showcall has opened an office in Dallas. Michelle Parrozzo will run the office.

LOS ANGELES:  Playa Provisions, a 7,000-square-foot venue that includes a whiskey bar, an ice cream shop, a seafood restaurant, and casual sandwiches and salads, has opened in Playa del Rey.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Hilton Cabana Miami Beach opened Thursday. The 10-story Art Deco-style hotel has 231 guest rooms, two outdoor pools, direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, and the restaurant L’echon Brasserie. Its event space can accommodate groups of as many as 120 guests.

NEW YORK:  Eater: “It's not officially a done deal yet, but Claus Meyer, one of the founders of Copenhagen's genre-defining restaurant Noma, wants to open a Scandinavian food hall in Grand Central Terminal that would have a balcony cafe, a grab-and-go coffee parlor, and a fancy ‘100-seat Nordic brasserie.’ This multifaceted Scandinavian dining complex would take over the landmarked Vanderbilt Hall space inside the station” http://bit.ly/1nw8Dw1

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

TORONTO:  Candice & Alison Events Group will host a five-year anniversary bash at TIFF Bell Lightbox on July 24.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The second annual Arlington Festival of the Arts is slated for September 20-21 along Highland Street in Clarendon.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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

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