April 23, 2013: Comedy Fest Moves Online, Hawaiian Tropic Ends Iconic Pageants, Flight Delays Impact Events

1. A-LIST COMEDY FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR TWITTER: Comedy Central will host Comedy Fest, a five-day comedy festival taking place mainly on Twitter, starting Monday with a live stream at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. AdWeek: "A group of comedians including Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and director Paul Feig, among others, will post six-second, looping video clips on Vine and tweet jokes using the hashtag #ComedyFest." http://bit.ly/17IRjeC

2. FLIGHT DELAYS RAMPANT AFTER F.A.A. BUDGET CUTS: Airports across the country saw delayed flights because of a lack of air-traffic controllers, an effect of the budget impasse in Washington. Wall Street Journal: "The furloughs will continue for months, raising the risk of a turbulent summer travel season. And the lack of controllers could exacerbate weather problems, especially spring and summer thunderstorms. There's no way for passengers to tell in advance which airport or flights will experience delays." http://on.wsj.com/Zi9zLt

3. HAWAIIAN TROPIC ENDS LIVE PAGEANTS, MOVES TO FACEBOOK: The sun-tan lotion brand is ending its iconic bikini contests in favor of a Facebook contest this spring to find a spokeswoman for the brand. New York Times: “'Bikini contests as a tactic just don’t resonate with our consumer and don’t fit with who the brand is now,' said Danielle Duncan, the brand manager for Hawaiian Tropic." http://nyti.ms/ZLZ3ru

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Tony DeRienzo, executive chef of Abby Park, has launched Cypress Catering Company. The company can prepare fare for New England clambakes, pig roasts, garden tea parties, Mexican-themed parties, and more.

CHICAGO:  The Beethoven Festival kick-off celebration will take place at Open Secret Studios on May 6. The event will include cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and musical performances.

LAS VEGAS:  The 14th annual Latin Grammy Awards will take to Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 21; the awards will air live in the U.S. on Univision.

LOS ANGELES:  On Friday, Smart car kicked off its national "Funtestdrive" tour with a 10-day stop in Santa Monica.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Palm Beach Zoo's annual spring "Do at the Zoo" fund-raiser is May 10 and will feature a "South of the Border" theme. Bacardi is the cocktail sponsor and will serve a specialty cocktail, Cazadores Tequila ZooRita, created for the event.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America will host a fund-raiser May 20 at Café Iguana featuring former Miami Dolphins player Sam Madison and actor Jordan Wall of The Glades.

Derrick Roberts is the new chef de cuisine of Gotham Steak at Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.

NEW YORK:  Andy Cohen will host this year's Council of Fashion Designers of America awards June 3 at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. http://wwd.us/11zcJc7

The American Apparel & Footwear Association's American Image Awards is scheduled to take place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on May 16 with Bebe Neuwirth and Brian Stokes Mitchell as hosts. http://wwd.us/ZFa01X

Event planner Liz King will give an overview of the latest event technology trends, including the big trends in mobile, photography, and online communities, as well as lead a discussion on tangible products, Thursday at Offsite. lkeeventtech.eventbrite.com/#

Roberto Bolle and Friends gala is September 17 at New York City Center. Dancers will perform a selection of solos and pas de deux from classic and modern ballets of the 1900s.

Canard Inc. will cater the annual gala for the Salvadori Center hosted by Boston Properties on May 1.

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

TAMPA:  Starting May 1, the Tampa Convention Center will offer free access to the city's streetcar system for meeting planners and conference attendees. Guests will have unlimited access to the streetcar during conferences by showing their event badge.

TORONTO:  "The Bald and the Beautiful," a fund-raiser in support of Cops for Cancer, is Wednesday at Paramount Fine Foods. Miss Universe contestants will wear Paramount uniforms and serve tables, as well as help out in the kitchen.

WASHINGTON:  The music-video premiere for "My Superman" from Ski Johnson and CeCe Peniston is Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington. Catering items from the hotel will include gourmet popcorn, champagne, and movie-inspired desserts. The event will benefit organizations that fight domestic violence.

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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Jenna Berris, 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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