1. WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS INCLUDE TRIBUTE TO MILITARY: First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the White House holiday decorations Wednesday before an invited crowd of military families. The decor, from Rafanelli Events with three rooms decorated by fashion designers, include both traditional elements, like a 500-pound White House gingerbread house, as well as modern touches such as the inclusion of technology. Washington Post: “Obama has established many of her own holiday traditions while first lady, including her steady recognition of military service. And rather than the glittering, glamorous decorations of some first ladies past, she has gone for a different kind of sparkle, with natural materials, repurposed ornaments and the simple joys of kids and pets. She’s also brought the decorations into the digital age with crowdsourced lighting patterns and interactive holiday cards. For 2015, she had an iPad station installed on the East Landing for visitors to send digital messages to service members.” http://wapo.st/1YKpvTk
2. FOOD EVENT COMPANY MAKES MAJOR MOVE: The culinary events company Dinner Lab has acquired Dishcrawl, another start-up that operated a “bar crawl for foodies” in three cities. TechCrunch: “Dinner Lab has historically been focused on finding the next great chefs, as opposed to those whose work is already perfected. Chefs who plan and prepare meals for the company’s events tend to be sous chefs, line cooks, or even those without formal culinary training who are trying to break into the industry. The events allow the chefs to test their menus, and see what diners like. The participants’ ultimate goal is gaining exposure and making a name for themselves, and possibly getting a better job in the process.” http://tcrn.ch/1Qf68yT
3. WHY ONE JAZZ FESTIVAL WON’T CATER TO TOURISTS: While most music festivals tout their economic impact and ability to draw tourists, Barcelona’s prominent Jazz Festival takes a different approach—without suffering. Billboard: “The 2015 edition of the Barcelona Jazz Festival is its 47th. [Artistic director Anton] Cararach started directing the festival in 2003, when its scope was much smaller. But he’s adamant about keeping the format as a series of events, not a jazz marathon. ‘One venue, one artist,’ he stresses. That may make it more difficult for travelers to Barcelona to take in all the shows during a short visit to the city, but Cararach makes it clear he is not interested in creating a destination festival.” http://bit.ly/1NpWtEU
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: Beginning Friday, Yvonne’s will serve a holiday lunch inspired by a restaurant that used to occupy the site. The lunch will offer dishes from Locke-Ober’s archives, including onion soup au gratin, Yorkshire pudding, and baked lobster Savannah.
CHICAGO: Blue Sushi Sake Grill will open in Naperville’s Water Street District in the spring. The restaurant will serve sharable plates, including sushi and Japanese peppers with a signature sauce.
LAS VEGAS: Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip will host a free concert with pop group After Romeo on December 10. The concert will benefit Help of Southern Nevada.
LOS ANGELES: Anna Farris and Anthony Mackie will announce the nominees for the 2016 Screen Actors Guild awards on December 9 at the Pacific Design Center. The Hollywood Reporter: http://bit.ly/1Tw3Uev
The team behind New York’s Nomad hotel and restaurant plan to open in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/1Nrf8vv
EDL Partners and Horse & Carriage Hospitality plan to launch Aubergine and Noble 33 at Sunset Plaza in mid-2016. The restaurant, lounge, and event space will serve Eastern Mediterranean cuisine and have a separate menu for vegan and vegetarian diners.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The second annual Taste of Miami will take place February 18 at Marlins Park. Chef Adrianne Calvo and Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez will host the event, which will include a “Chef Showdown” competition as well as the “Grand Slam” awards for the best table presentation and taste.
NEW YORK: Wall Street Rocks' annual For Our Heroes concert, benefiting ReserveAid, will take place December 11 at Highline Ballroom. Lou Gramm of Foreigner will headline the concert; 104.3 DJ Jonathan "JC" Clarke will serve as M.C.
Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District's "Gospel, R&B Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony" will take place tonight at Restoration's West Plaza in Brooklyn. The free celebration will feature live performances by Jeff Redd and the Hanifah Youth Choir of Bridge Street AME Church.
TopSpin Charity's seventh annual table tennis event, which supports youth education in the city, will take place December 9 at Metropolitan Pavilion. The event will have two courts for a professional and celebrity tournament, and will feature a Coca-Cola Lounge, Effen Vodka Bar, and PhotoTap experience.
Queen of the Night's James Bond-theme black-tie party, Tomorrow Never Dies, will take place December 31 at the Diamond Horseshoe inside the Paramount Hotel.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: Executives from the Orange County Convention Center have shared conceptual plans with county commissioners to expand the facility by adding a 130,000-square-foot multipurpose hall, several new meeting rooms, and a 1,500-space parking garage. Orlando Sentinel: http://bit.ly/1RlRoPx
PHILADELPHIA: Downtown Countdown, an annual New Year's Eve party usually held in Washington, will move to Philadelphia venue the Piazza at Schmidt's. Organizers Lindy Promotions and Joonbug Events cite security concerns over hosting an event in D.C. as the reason for the move. Fox 5: http://bit.ly/1QULp4V
SAN FRANCISCO: Activations surrounding Super Bowl 50 will likely lead to street closures from January 23-February 12. San Francisco Chronicle: http://sfchron.cl/1lVzDug
TAMPA: Mainsail Lodging & Development has promoted Tom Haines and Brandon Marshall to regional director of operations and corporate director of sales, respectively.
TORONTO: Justin Bieber will play an acoustic show at the Danforth Music Hall on Monday. All proceeds will benefit Stratford House of Blessings.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health will host its third annual An Evening for Hope gala on May 7 at the the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. N.I.H. director Dr. Francis Collins will deliver the keynote at the event.
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 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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