1. AMAZON'S NEW LIVE EVENTS FEATURE TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE CONCERTS: Amazon's latest foray into live events will be hosting its own concerts. The company will launch Prime Live Events, which will offer Prime members ticketed shows that also will be available to stream. The first slate of shows, which include Blondie and Alison Moyet, will take place in London. Engadget: "The company's move into live music serves another purpose. All of the concerts will be filmed and released worldwide through Prime Video, Amazon's homegrown video streaming service. The app is a key component of the Amazon Prime bundle—although access can be bought separately—and its success relies on a steady stream of exclusives. As Netflix pushes into live comedy, it makes sense for Amazon to push back with live concerts. If it can attract big-name stars, these shows could act as the pendulum that persuades on-the-fence-customers to subscribe. Amazon has experimented with live music events before. The company threw a concert for Robbie Williams at St. John Hackney Church on December 14th, and another for John Legend at The Round Chapel the next day. Both were limited to Amazon customers and later released through Prime Video. These, then, were essentially trial runs, or a proof-of-concept for Prime Live Events. As part of today's announcement, Amazon is also updating Amazon Tickets, an online portal where anyone can buy live music, theatre and comedy stubs. Now, similar to O2 Priority, Prime members can purchase tickets ahead of their general public release." http://engt.co/2puVRWc
2. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES L.A. 2024 OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN: The Los Angeles chapter of a national political group called the Democratic Socialists of America has announced a plan to oppose the city's 2024 Olympics bid. Los Angeles Times: "'We want to challenge this idea that everyone in L.A. is excited about the Olympics,' DSA-LA member Jonny Coleman said. The competition for 2024 has come down to Los Angeles and Paris, with other potential hosts withdrawing over cost concerns. The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to select a winner in September. … The local bid committee has touted opinion polls that show strong support for bringing the Olympics back to Southern California for a third time. It has also held a series of community meetings over the past year. But DSA-LA contends that a broad range of residents has been left out of the process. Finances are only part of the concern. LA 2024 has put forth a $5.3-billion budget, pledging to save billions by using existing venues and cover all costs through broadcasting rights, ticket sales and other revenue sources. The U.S. government would be expected to contribute more than $1 billion for security. DSA-LA contends that even if organizers were to make good on the promise to break even, the effort and money required to stage the Games would divert assistance from issues such as homelessness and immigration. 'L.A. has a lot of other priorities,' member Anne Orchier said. 'Our first goal is to start that conversation.' Though the Los Angeles City Council has vowed to monitor planning and organizing if L.A. is selected, DSA-LA also worries that residents would have little input on how the Games are operated." http://lat.ms/2qiOzJo
3. DIOR TO HOST FASHION SHOW AT NATURE PRESERVE: For its latest cruise show on Thursday, Christian Dior has opted for a rather unconventional venue—the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in the Santa Monica Mountains. Women's Wear Daily: "The pastoral setting spans nearly 3,000 acres in the Simi Hills and for centuries was the home of the Chumash Native American tribe. Nowadays its trails are used for walking, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Dior said it will be the first time a fashion show will be held at the venue. It is yet another sign of women’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri’s desire to break with tradition as she reinvents the image of the 70-year-old brand to appeal to Millennials. Last year Dior showed its cruise collection, designed by Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux, in the majestic setting of Blenheim Palace, the historic seat of the Duke of Marlborough in Oxfordshire, England." http://bit.ly/2pXuE1C
* INDUSTRY NEWS *
Northstar Travel Group has acquired the hotel investment portfolio from Burba Hotel Network, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and their other partners. The acquisition includes the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, which takes place in Los Angeles every January.
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTIC CITY: Italian restaurant Angeline has opened at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Helmed by chef Michael Symon, the restaurant was designed by Parts and Labor Design and includes a private dining room.
CHICAGO: OneTable, a social dining start-up focused on bringing Shabbat to millennials, has appointed Al Rosenberg director of communications and Eve Tyler communications manager.
DALLAS/FORT WORTH: The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed Jason A. Sands sports marketing director.
LAS VEGAS: Celine Dion will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Titanic by performing her Oscar-winning song "My Heart Will Go On" at the Billboard Music Awards on May 21. The awards show will air live from the T-Mobile Arena on ABC.
LOS ANGELES: The 31st annual Bug Fair will take place May 20-21 at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
NEW YORK: Malaika —a nonprofit, grassroots organization that aims to empower Congolese girls and their communities through health and education programs—will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a fund-raising cocktail reception, Malaika10, on May 17 at Espace. Hosted by Tai Beauchamp, the event will honor Barry Segal and Tina Buchan, and include a performance by Eve and keynotes by Khaliah Ali and Elle editor-in-chief Robbie Meyers.
The New York Baby Show will take place May 20-21 at Pier 94. The show ambassador is author and TV personality Jill Simonian.
The Meadows Music and Arts Festival's second edition will take place September 15-17 at Citi Field. Headliners will include Jay Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gorillaz, and Erykah Badu.
Craft beer hall Treadwell Park will open its second location in Battery Park the week of May 15.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: The 29th edition of the Beaches International Jazz Festival will take place July 7-30, with performances at TD Main Stage at Woodbine Park, OLG Main Stage, and Jimmie Simpson Park. Festival events Carnival will take place July 14-16 at Woodbine Park and StreetFest will take place July 27-29 on Queen Street East.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge, presented by T.C.M.A., will take place May 24 in the atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The event will feature embassy chefs competing for People's Choice and Judges' Choice awards, and also include music and dance performances highlighting different cultures and a performance by City of the Sun, an instrumental post-rock band from Brooklyn.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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