1. OPINION: WHY ESPN SHOULD DROP THE ESPYS: In a column for Deadspin, John Koblin argues that ESPN's ESPY awards—given out Wednesday night in Los Angeles—are a financial drain on a company that just laid off hundreds of staff and create a conflict of interest for the sports network and the athletes it covers. Deadspin: "Even supporters of the ESPYs will admit it: The awards don't make any sense by their nature. The Oscars are actually important to actors; they can make a career. In sports? We've got the Cy Young Award, the N.B.A. M.V.P., and the like." http://deadsp.in/18mxexc
2. EMMY NOMINEES ANNOUNCED VIA TWITTER CHAT: In addition to the traditional televised Emmy announcements this morning, the nominees were also revealed in a Twitter chat with the hashtag #emmyschat hosted by ConnecTV. Mashable: "The chat is a clear attempt to tap into the growing demographic of people watching TV online or using second screens." http://on.mash.to/13zWZUY
3. LIVINGSOCIAL CLOSES EVENTS UNIT: The daily deals site LivingSocial will stop producing local events and close its Adventures unit as it focuses more on national events produced by others. Washington Post: "[Senior Vice President Doug] Miller said smaller live-produced events such as sushi rolling and paddleboarding cost too much, consume too many resources, and do not have enough scale to make them worthwhile. … The company will team with partners, such as Tough Mudder and Cirque du Soleil, that allow them to promote live events across the United States." http://wapo.st/194ENeA
COAST TO COAST
The Toyota "Let's Go Places" marketing tour will visit festivals in five cities this summer and fall, starting this weekend at Artscape in Baltimore. Guests can take part in a Toyota Corolla Custom Letterpress activity, a SpongeBob airbrush tattoo station, Entune Multimedia demonstrations, and the Toyota Cargo Challenge for a chance to win prizes.
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Trinity Stuart L.L.C. has released information and renderings on its projected 40 Trinity Place Project. The 33-story hotel and tower would be across from the John Hancock Tower and would include conference and meeting space as well as condos, hotel rooms, restaurants, a lounge, and a rooftop terrace.
CHICAGO: On August 1, as part of its ongoing music series "Symmetry Live," singer Jessie Ware will perform a pre-Lollapalooza set at W Chicago—Lakeshore. The private event will celebrate Ware's Lollapalooza performance and her new album Devotion.
Chefs in the City Summer Tasting and Croquet Garden Party is July 28 at Galleria Marchetti. The event will offer tastings from some 15 local chefs, Grey Goose cocktails, raffle prizes, and croquet.
LAS VEGAS: BLT Steak is set to open in Bally's Las Vegas in early 2014. The 9,300-square-foot space will seat more than 250 while decor will include a fireplace in the center of the dining room, rich wood finishes, and neutral tones highlighted with stainless steel, amber, and tangerine.
LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Antiques Art & Design Show is October 9-13 at the new 3LABS Studio in Culver City. A preview party October 9 will benefit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Decorative Arts and Design Council.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Fontainebleau Miami Beach announced its next BleauLive performance: teen pop singer Austin Mahone will perform at LIV nightclub on July 28 followed by a DJ party and dinner buffet.
The Miami Nice Jazz Festival will take place October 25-26 and November 2-9 at the Olympia at Gusman Center and at South Dade Cultural Arts Center.
Miami International Mall will host the ninth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration September 27-28. The event includes the “Noche de Honor” charity reception, as well as authentic folkloric music, a parade of native dresses, county heritage exhibits, and more.
NEW ORLEANS: Event Pros Take Action will travel to New Orleans Saturday to Tuesday to aid two families still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Each family will have its own industry “design angel,” this year David Price of Rentals Unlimited in Stoughton, Massachusetts, and Richard Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings in Newport, Rhode Island. Chefs John Besh and Frank Brigtsen will cook a welcome-home dinner for the families. The organization is seeking donations of Target gift cards for use in the project.
NEW YORK: The third Manhattan Bill's Bar & Burger opened this week in the Marriott Downtown Hotel. Eater: http://bit.ly/13x9MYs
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: The Greater Orlando Area chapter of Meeting Professionals International awarded its President's Award to Kayla Schwenk. Schwenk, assistant director of meetings and events for Paragon Events, has served as chapter administrator for the past two and a half years.
TORONTO: The annual Beaches International Jazz Festival starts Friday through July 28 at several venues across the Queen East/Beaches area. The event will include workshops, kids' events, and a street festival.
TULSA, OKLA.: CORT donated furniture, accessories, and housewares to the new Honor Cottage military retreat house in Sperry, Oklahoma, from the Fold of Honor Foundation.
WASHINGTON: A branch of Founding Farmers is slated to open in spring 2014 in Tysons Galleria. The 280-seat space takes over the former Inox space. Washingtonian: http://bit.ly/12uJabs
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Haley Holton, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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