1. SHUTDOWN LOOMS OVER M.L.K. COMMEMORATION IN ATLANTA: A celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, known as King's "spiritual home" in Atlanta, almost didn't happen because of the government shutdown. During the service on Monday, King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, criticized the political turmoil in Washington that led to the shutdown. Associated Press: "The event was attended by Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue, Democratic Congresswoman Lucy McBath, and Emma Gonzalez, a survivor of the mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in February. The site of the annual service, Ebenezer Baptist Church, sits amid the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in the 'Sweet Auburn' neighborhood of Atlanta. The civil rights leader was co-pastor with his father at the church from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. The park was closed amid the government shutdown until Delta Air Lines gave the National Park Service a grant to reopen the site. Delta is headquartered in Atlanta." https://bit.ly/2R2kgj6
2. CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR RESTAURANT OWNER IN NETFLIX FYRE FEST DOC SURPASSES GOAL: A GoFundMe for a restaurant owner featured in Netflix’s Fyre Festival documentary Fyre has reached more than $130,000. In the film, Maryann Rolle, who owns a restaurant in the Bahamas, said she lost her life savings after being scammed by festival owner Billy McFarland. Billboard: “’It has been an unforgettable experience catering to the organizers of Fyre Festival,’ Rolle wrote on the GoFundMe page. ‘Back in April 2017, I pushed myself to the limit catering no less than a 1,000 meals per day. As I make this plea it’s hard to believe and embarrassing to admit that I was not paid.... I was left in a big hole! My life was changed forever, and my credit was ruined by Fyre Fest.’ As of Monday morning, the crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $130,000. The goal was $123,000.” https://bit.ly/2W63NOt
3. TOPGOLF PUTS ESPORTS LOUNGES IN VENUES: Golfing and entertainment venue company Topgolf is putting six esports lounges in six of its venues, in partnership with TV company TCL. The company, which debuted its first lounge at its Las Vegas outpost during C.E.S., wants to give games a high-end environment to experience esports entertainment. VentureBeat: "At Topgolf, fans can compete against each other, on their own, or in exclusive events and leagues. It’s all part of Topgolf’s expansion into new kinds of entertainment. ... TCL will add its 4K UHD 6-Series TVs for both individual and esports group gaming so guests can play esports games and participate in special events, coaching sessions, viewing parties, and meet pro gamers. The Las Vegas is a natural one, as the Strip is already home to other gaming venues like Esports Arena, which has taken a space inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino." https://bit.ly/2T8wN6y
* LOCAL NEWS *
DENVER: Marijuana Business Daily has named Jess Tyler vice president of events. Tyler will lead industry conferences and trade shows including MJBizCon, MJBizCon Next, and MJBizCon Int’l.
LOS ANGELES: Steve Tadlock has been named executive vice president and general manager of the Banc of California Stadium, where he'll be responsible for all facility operations and event production for festivals, sports, and special events.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
NEW YORK: The 143rd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place February 11-12. Events will take place at Piers 92 and 94 and Madison Square Garden.
Brand communications agency Invnt has opened its eighth office in Singapore. The office is the company’s second in the Asia-Pacific region.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN FRANCISCO: The 21st annual San Francisco Independent Film Festival will run January 30-February 14 at the Roxy Theater and Victoria Theatre.
TORONTO: The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and the Toronto Centre for the Arts will be renamed Meridian Hall and Meridian Arts Centre, respectively, beginning September 15. The rebrand is part of Civic Theatres Toronto’s partnership with Meridian Credit Union.
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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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