February 11, 2019: Women Dominate Grammys In Inclusive Ceremony, Battle Between Two Miami Dance Music Festivals Settled Temporarily, 'The Favourite' and 'Roma' Win Big at Baftas

1. WOMEN DOMINATE GRAMMYS IN INCLUSIVE CEREMONY: In a stark contrast to last year's Grammys, women received numerous major category wins and highlighted the night with a variety of buzzy performances. Kacey Musgraves took home album of the year, while artists including Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Dua Lipa, and H.E.R. took home awards that were televised. The 61st ceremony, which was hosted by Alicia Keys, also featured women-filled tributes to Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton, and an appearance by Michelle Obama. Los Angeles Times: "The Recording Academy’s fraught relationship with women and artists of color played a starring role during a ceremony that was as much an ode to diversity as it was a reparation effort. ... The Grammys did make changes after last year’s ceremony to be more inclusive and representative of today’s music industry. On Sunday, eight acts rather than five competed in the top four categories of album, record, song of the year, and best new artist. The three-and-a-half-hour show opened with the Latin music number 'Havana' led by Camila Cabello and featuring Colombian rapper J Balvin and Ricky Martin. But it was clear the show had a female empowerment theme when Keys opened things alongside Michelle Obama, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and Lady Gaga, who shared what music meant to them. They kicked off one of the more spontaneous ceremonies in memory, which included 20-plus performances by artists ranging from Dolly Parton with Miley Cyrus to best new artist winner Dua Lipa with St. Vincent." https://lat.ms/2TEi17O

2. BATTLE BETWEEN TWO MIAMI DANCE MUSIC FESTIVALS SETTLED TEMPORARILY: A Miami federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit Rapture Festival filed against Ultra Music Festival, stating that Rapture didn't show it had standing to file the suit. The two electronic dance music festivals are fighting over the rights to take place at Virginia Key Beach during Miami Music Week in March. Ultra was pushed out of Bayfront Park after being held there for 18 years, due to complaints over noise and traffic. South Florida Business Journal: "Rapture has staged its event on Virginia Key for the past two years. In a February 1 complaint, Rapture officials argued Ultra was violating the Sherman Antitrust Act by 'conspiring' to host its event at the same time and location as Rapture. The complaint alleges Ultra colluded with the city of Miami to reinforce its dominance in the Miami music market, conduct it described as, 'anticompetitive, exclusionary, unfair competition, tortious, and monopolistic.' ... In a February 4 document, U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro concluded Rapture did not have standing to file the lawsuit because its and Ultra's applications to hold their festivals at Virginia Key Beach Park have yet to be granted or denied." https://bit.ly/2UTUHTH

3. 'THE FAVOURITE' AND 'ROMA' WIN BIG AT BAFTAS: The Favourite took home seven awards and Roma won best picture at the Baftas, the British equivalent of the Oscars, which took place Sunday in London. Awarded two days before Oscar voting begins, the event is considered a predictor of the Oscars. The New York Times: "The Baftas lacked the seriousness of last year’s ceremony, when actresses wore black and Time’s Up pins to protest sexual harassment. The event on Sunday was lighthearted, with political commentary limited to a couple of asides about Britain’s impending exit from the European Union. Andy Serkis, handing out an award for best music, said a film without music was like 'Britain without Europe.' The run-up to this year’s Baftas was fraught. Last week, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, which hosts the awards, removed Bohemian Rhapsody director Bryan Singer from its nominations because of allegations of sexual misconduct, including molesting a 13-year-old boy." https://nyti.ms/2TG8dtO

* LOCAL NEWS *

CHICAGO:  The 10th annual C2E2: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo will take place March 22-24 at McCormick Place. 

LOS ANGELES:  The inaugural edition of Frieze Los Angeles will take place February 15-17 at Paramount Pictures Studios.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

NEW YORK:  TWA Hotel will begin offering guest room reservations on Valentine’s Day, February 14. The 512-room hotel opens at John F. Kenney International Airport on May 15, and a grand opening celebration will be held in the fall. 

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

SAN FRANCISCO:  The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition will take place February 16 at Fort Mason. The event will offer samples from more than 800 wineries. 

TORONTO:  SpringFestTO, formerly known as Wizard World, will take place March 10-17 at Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place. Part of March Break in Toronto, the family-friendly indoor event will have 25 mechanical and inflatable rides, food vendors, and arts and crafts. 

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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