1. DISNEY, N.F.L. THREATEN BOYCOTT OF GEORGIA OVER ANTI-GAY BILL: Hoping to convince Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to veto a bill that would allow religious groups to discriminate against L.G.B.T. people, companies from Disney to the N.F.L. have threatened to boycott the state. The N.F.L. said it would not hold the Super Bowl in the state, and Disney said it would not come to the state for production (it’s now filming Guardians of the Galaxy 2 there). AMC Networks, which films The Walking Dead in Georgia, also is urging a veto. The Wrap: “The Free Exercise Protection Act, which was overwhelmingly passed by the Georgia Assembly last week, would allow for faith-based organizations to refuse to provide services ‘that violate such faith-based organization’s sincerely held religious belief.’ If Governor Deal signs or does not veto the bill, it will go into effect on May 3.” http://bit.ly/1LJh48E
2. HOW HOSTING THE N.B.A. ALL-STAR GAME COULD LEAD TO MORE HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS IN L.A.: The N.B.A. announced it has selected Los Angeles to host its all-star game in 2018, a milestone of sorts for the city as it proves its ability to host high-profile events. The Los Angeles Times: “L.A. is greedy for more events. [Sports and Entertainment Commission President Kathryn] Schloessman said the city is making bids to host the NFL Super Bowl in 2020 and 2021 and an NCAA Final Four tournament in 2022 at the proposed football stadium in Inglewood, plus a Major League Baseball's All-Star Game sometime after 2018. Downtown's recent emergence as an event destination underscores the city center's dramatic turnaround from an office-heavy working world that cleared out at night and on weekends to a hot spot for the young and hip, filled with new bars, restaurants and housing. … Schloessman and other tourism officials say it has taken years to persuade event organizers from around the country that downtown Los Angeles has the hotels, nightspots and eateries to compete with cities like New York and Las Vegas for such high-profile happenings.” http://lat.ms/1VIwDzP
3. TICKETMASTER EXPANDS IN-APP TICKETING FOR LOCAL CONCERTS: In an effort to reach more consumers, Ticketmaster is partnering with Bandsintown, an app that specializes in connecting music fans with shows at local venues. The move is just one of the event ticketing company’s plans to integrate its features in partner sites. TechCrunch: “Down the road, TicketMaster could be a one-stop shop for the concert-going experience handling sales of everything from tickets to concessions to merchandise. ‘Ticketing is largely anonymous,’ says [North American President, Jared] Smith. ‘Jon buys four tickets and I don’t know if Jon is even the one who has come to the event or not.’ Using mobile ticketing, TicketMaster wants to know whose phone is at the door and how TicketMaster can shape a personalized experience based on that knowledge.” http://goo.gl/u70txO
* LOCAL NEWS *
AUSTIN: Technology website Gigaom will host a new two-day conference in September. The event will cover seven technology fields including virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Austin Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1S6YX9k
BOSTON: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s “Love on the Rocks” gala will be held at Mandarin Oriental Boston on April 16. The evening will include performances of Shakespearian love sonnets, and Winston Flowers is one of the sponsors.
CHICAGO: Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, and Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the 25th annual Lollapalooza, which will take place July 28-31 at Grant Park.
Chef Stephanie Izard opens Duck Duck Goat, a Chinese restaurant, today. The Fulton Market venue has a dining rooms inspired by theater sets, and its menu is divided into seven sections including noodles, hot soup, and dim sum.
LOS ANGELES: The Aquarium of the Pacific has unveiled the design of its 29,000-square-foot Pacific Visions wing, which is slated to open in 2018. The expansion will include the two-story, 300-seat Honda Pacific Visions Theater, which will be used for media-focused performances, community meetings, panels, and educational seminars.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Fort Lauderdale Fringe Festival will take place May 6-7 at Broward College’s downtown campus. It’s the second year of the unjuried festival, which will include theater, live music, dance, comedy, and other performances.
NEW YORK: American Cut in Midtown, a steak house from chef Marc Forgione and LDV Hospitality, has opened in the Lombardy Hotel. The 6,000-square-foot space seats 130 and offers private dining in a wine room as well as a semiprivate area in the main dining room. There is also a spacious 36-seat bar and lounge area.
Dance to Unite will host its third annual benefit May 3 at Avenues: the World School in Chelsea. The event, titled "One Way or Another," will feature students performing to the music of Debbie Harry.
Catering company Sweet Hospitality Group, which previously specialized in theatrical food and beverage services, announced it will now provide catering for corporate and social events. It has opened a kitchen in Harlem to support its growth.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Wizard World Comic Con will come to the Orange County Convention Center August 5-7.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Fillmore Jazz Festival will take place July 2-3. The event will feature three stages of continuous performances and more than 300 artist booths.
Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park will expand with a 200-room resort that is slated to open in the fall. The expansion will include 20,000 square feet of event space with seven rooms.
TORONTO: Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference will come to Toronto July 10-14.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: At its spring gala, the Kennedy Center will present a new award, the Kennedy Center Award for the Human Spirit, to be given annually to two individuals who have had an enduring impact on the advancement of the arts and culture. The inaugural recipients are Wallis Annenberg, chairman of the board and president and C.E.O. of the Annenberg Foundation, who will receive the philanthropist award, and the Chicago-based conceptual artist Theaster Gates, who will receive the citizen artist award. The event takes place June 5 and will be hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.
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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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