1. OSCAR BOARD EXPELS HARVEY WEINSTEIN: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to expel Harvey Weinstein following a slew of sexual harassment and rape allegations against the Hollywood producer. The New York Times: "In a statement, the academy said the vote was 'well in excess of the required two-thirds majority.' It added, 'We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues, but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over. What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society.' Although largely symbolic, the ouster of Mr. Weinstein from the roughly 8,400-member academy is stunning because the organization is not known to have taken such action before — not when Roman Polanski, a member, pleaded guilty in a sex crime case involving a 13-year-old girl; not when women came forward to accuse Bill Cosby, a member, of sexual assault; and not when Mel Gibson went on anti-Semitic tirade during a drunken-driving arrest in 2006 or pleaded no contest to a charge of battery against an old girlfriend in 2011. Now, the academy may be forced to contend with other problem members." http://nyti.ms/2zsInjx
2. JAMES CORDEN APOLOGIZES FOR WEINSTEIN JOKES AT AMFAR GALA: James Corden has apologized for joking about Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault allegations while hosting the Amfar Gala in Los Angeles on Friday. The late-night TV show host was called out on Twitter by two actresses, Rose McGowan and Asia Argento, who accused Weinstein of rape. The Guardian: "Corden has since apologized for causing offense, and says his jokes were intended to shame Weinstein, not his victims. In a statement released on Twitter, the British star said: 'To be clear, sexual assault is no laughing matter. I was not trying to make light of Harvey’s inexcusable behavior, but to shame him, the abuser, not his victims. I am truly sorry for anyone offended, that was never my intention.' In footage of the event, loud groans can be heard after Corden told his audience it was a beautiful night in LA – 'so beautiful, Harvey Weinstein has already asked tonight up to his hotel to give him a massage'. McGowan also said that CBS, who broadcast Corden’s Late Late Show should donate to a women’s charity, or they too “support rape culture”. Corden, the host of The Late Late Show, was master of ceremonies at the gala for amfAR, a foundation for Aids research, on Friday evening. The footage of his jokes was posted on Twitter by a Hollywood Reporter journalist, Chris Gardner." http://bit.ly/2hHY8uF
3. LAS VEGAS EXPECTS DROP IN TOURISM AFTER SHOOTING: Las Vegas expects to see a drop in visitors to the city in the aftermath of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, which left 58 dead. The city also is making temporary changes to its signature tourism signs, slogans, and promotions. Associated Press: "Casinos and police may have to impose new security measures after gunman Stephen Paddock brought more than 20 rifles into his hotel room and drove a car filled with explosives into the parking garage. The 'What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas' slogan has been put on hold, as has one unveiled in the weeks before the shooting by the owner of Mandalay Bay that said, 'We are not in the hotel business ... we are in the holy s--- business.' Electronic billboards that typically promote restaurants, concerts, a topless pool and other entertainment are now showing a dedicated phone line for victims and their families, along with words of appreciation for first responders and casino employees. It’s hard to quantify the effect the shooting will have on Las Vegas tourism. Airplanes still carry loads of tourists to the desert oasis, convention-goers fill large halls to discuss the latest industry trends, and slot machines ring in the casinos. ... The shooting has altered at least one event. Organizers of the GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon scheduled for November will no longer start the annual race outside Mandalay Bay or hold the pre-race concert at the venue where the shooting took place." http://bit.ly/2gd1rcT
* LOCAL NEWS *
AUSTIN: The seventh annual Moontower Comedy Festival, which is taking place April 18-21, 2018, has announced its first three headlining comics. Tiffany Haddish, Mike Birbiglia, and “Weird Al” Yankovic will perform at the event, which is produced by the Paramount Theatre.
BALTIMORE: Visit Baltimore has appointed Kireem Swinton director of convention sales development for the Mid Atlantic region and trade shows.
CHICAGO: Gloria Estefan, Chance the Rapper, and the National will perform at a closing concert for the Obama Foundation’s inaugural global summit. The concert will take place November 1 at the Wintrust Arena. Variety: http://bit.ly/2g9sc1Z
LAS VEGAS: To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Harrah's, the hotel and casino will throw an '80s-theme party with live music, drink specials, a bartending competition, and more at Carnaval Court on October 21.
LOS ANGELES: The sixth annual Australians in Film Awards will take place Wednesday at NeueHouse Hollywood.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
NEW ORLEANS: The second annual Top Taco Festival, presented by Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, will take place March 15, 2018, at Woldenberg Park. The taco fest benefits One Heart NOLA, a charitable organization that raises funds for local foster children.
NEW YORK: Storm King Art Center’s annual gala dinner and live auction will take place at the Rainbow Room on Wednesday. The event will honor artist Joel Shapiro and the Ralph E. Ogden Foundation.
The Rockhouse Foundation, the Rockhouse Hotel’s charitable organization that supports children’s education in Jamaica, will host its annual benefit on Wednesday at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater. The event also will have an after-party featuring an acoustic concert by reggae group Toots and the Maytals.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
SAN FRANCISCO: The 42nd annual American Indian Film Festival will take place November 3-11 at Brava Theater Center.
PHILADELPHIA: The second annual Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square will run December 1-23.
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Rayna Katz, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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