1. CHRIS ROCK MAY HOST OSCARS: Comedian and actor Chris Rock is rumored to be in talks to return as the host of next year’s Academy Awards. Variety: “An official announcement [is] expected shortly. … Rock is no stranger to Hollywood’s biggest event of the year, having previously hosted the Oscars in 2005. The veteran comedian has also worked with new Oscar co-producer Reginald Hudlin, who directed the pilot of Rock’s popular but now defunct TV series Everybody Hates Chris.” http://bit.ly/1MCf6kw
2. NEW YORK TO HOST WORLDPRIDE 2019: Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots—a celebration dubbed Stonewall 50—the WorldPride festival will come to New York in 2019. Toronto hosted the most recent edition of the event, and it moves to Madrid in 2017. Out: “The theme of Stonewall 50/WorldPride 2019 is ‘Millions of Moments of Pride,’ and it will feature an expanded two-month series of events and programs alongside NYC Pride’s historic March, Rally, PrideFest, and legendary dances for men and women.” http://bit.ly/1RSmZXw
3. HERE ARE THE NATION’S TOP-GROSSING RESTAURANTS: Tao Asian Bistro in Las Vegas, Tao Downtown in New York City, and Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach are the three top-grossing independent restaurants in the United States, according to new rankings from Restaurant Business. Two factors that contributed to the top restaurants’ success: hosting special events and participating in culinary festivals. http://bit.ly/1NTL2qo
* LOCAL NEWS *
AUSTIN: The 30th annual South by Southwest music festival, taking place March 15-20, has announced its initial lineup of performers. Pitchfork: http://bit.ly/1PxNOSv
BOSTON: Breast Cancer Research Foundation will host a cocktail party at Brooks Brothers on Thursday. Fashion illustrator Brooke Hagel will sketch guests.
CHICAGO: The first Halloween Gathering Festival and Parade will take place on Saturday. The all-day affair will include daytime performances and activities, a parade, and an after-party.
LAS VEGAS: Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar has announced it has a new executive chef, Francesco Di Caudo.
The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will return November 20.
LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Times Exchange speaker series will present Shonda Rhimes in conversation with Sasha Frere-Jones November 16 at Bovard Auditorium at the University of Southern California.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Funkshion Fashion Week Miami returns for its 12th year November 4-7 at the Setai Miami Beach and Paris Theater. Actress Sharon Stone is slated to present an award at the Celebration of Hope event.
Jack Ü, Big Sean, and Ruby Rose will headline the Life in Color festival, taking place January 16 at Sun Life Stadium. Billboard: http://bit.ly/1PxNoeI
NEW YORK: The inaugural Tapped: the Ultimate Craft Beer Festival will take place Sunday at the Barclays Center. The event will be split into two three-hour sessions featuring more than 100 craft beer, wine, and cider tastings.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: The producers of MegaCon will hold a new event, MegaCon Fan Days, November 21-22 at the Orange County Convention Center. The announcement says the new event "will offer the same fandom and fun of MegaCon with the awesomeness of smaller crowds and lower ticket prices."
La Madeleine Country French Café is opening its first two cafés in Florida at the Florida Mall’s dining pavilion on October 29 and near the Mall at Millenia on November 12.
PHILADELPHIA: The inaugural Philadelphia Cheesesteak Festival will take place Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Mission district's revamped New Mission Theater will open December 17 for the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. San Francisco Business Times: http://bit.ly/1M67zQr
TORONTO: In honor of Toronto Fashion Week, Royal Ontario Museum will host “C’est Fashion” on October 23. The evening will include a pop-up barbershop, fashion-related trivia, and snacks from Fidel Gastro’s.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Grand Hyatt Washington hotel debuted eight new meeting rooms, a newly renovated lobby, and the breakfast restaurant Cabinet.
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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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