July 28, 2014: Pope Francis Plans U.S. Visit, Music Festival Bans Native-American-Style Headdresses, Should Russia Remain Host of 2018 World Cup?


1. POPE FRANCIS PLANS U.S. VISIT: The Philadelphia archbishop announced that Pope Francis plans to attend the World Meeting of Families, held in the city in September 2015, which would be the pontiff’s first visit to the United States. The Vatican has not confirmed the trip but said the pope is willing to attend the event. Boston Globe: “Pope Francis was invited earlier this year to address a joint session of Congress in Washington, which would be a papal first. The Vatican said he is reviewing that invitation, as well as invitations to visit New York and the United Nations, but no decisions have been reached.” http://bit.ly/1lMl0m7

2. MUSIC FESTIVAL BANS NATIVE-AMERICAN-STYLE HEADDRESSES: Bass Coast, an electronic dance music festival in Canada, has banned attendees from wearing Native-American-style headdresses to the event. New York’s The Cut blog: “It seems unlikely that American festivals like Coachella or Bonnaroo could pull off a similar policy; vague protests like ‘but it's a free country’ or ‘but I’m 1/16 Cherokee’ would probably drown out the bands. Instead, it will remain all of our jobs to remind each other: Friends don’t let friends disrespect other people's cultures.” http://thecut.io/1nN88ln

3. SHOULD RUSSIA REMAIN HOST OF 2018 WORLD CUP?: Critics are arguing that FIFA should move the 2018 World Cup out of Russia because of its aggression toward neighboring countries and its repressive domestic policies at home. Mashable: “In arguing that the World Cup should be moved from Russia in 2018 if Putin does not play nicer with his neighbors, [British Deputy Prime Minister Nick] Clegg echoed a familiar line of criticism: That Putin uses global mega-events for profit, esteem and legitimacy on the world stage while conducting dirtier business away from the festive spotlight. … But FIFA issued a statement on Friday saying that ‘the FIFA World Cup can be a force for good and FIFA believes this will be the case for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia,’ per MLSSoccer.com.” http://on.mash.to/1pvjDcO


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

U.S. Travel Association announced a contract extension for C.E.O. Roger Dow through 2018.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The Boston Seafood Festival takes place at Boston Fish Pier on July 27. The event offers chef demos, oyster shucking, and a lobster bake.

CHICAGO:  Formento’s, an Italian-American restaurant, will open in the West Loop in the fall. Serving fish stew, whipped seafood spread on thick bread, and ice cream sandwiches, the venue will have a second-floor event space.

LOS ANGELES:  The PopUp Dinner Los Angeles, presented by Acura and hosted by HandMade Events, is August 23. The white-theme picnic will take place in a secret location and will feature a locally celebrated DJ.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  III Points Music, Art, and Technology Festival will return for a second edition October 10-12 at Soho Studios in Wynwood. Headliners include Lykke Li.

NEW YORK:  The Super Saturday clothing sale went on despite a trailer full of designer goods that were stolen before the event. New York Post: “Signs were placed on tables at the annual Hamptons charity shopping bonanza to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund stating: ‘We sincerely regret that some of our donated merchandise was stolen yesterday. We are so grateful to our amazing vendors for immediately rallying to help us and to all of you for your continued support. Let’s sell out today in an effort to stop breast cancer.’” http://pge.sx/UFjGKz

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

TORONTO:  BlogTO takes a look inside Chill, the new bar and lounge made entirely out of ice. BlogTO: http://bit.ly/1tKbKV0

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The butchery and charcuterie shop Three Little Pigs in Petworth is planning to open a second-floor space for cooking classes and private events for about 50 people. Washington Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1pTHpki

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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.

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