June 13, 2016: Vigils Held Across the World for Orlando Shooting Victims, Tony Awards Alter Ceremony After Orlando Tragedy, Police Arrest Man With Weapons Before L.A. Pride Parade

1. VIGILS HELD ACROSS THE WORLD FOR ORLANDO SHOOTING VICTIMS: Across the U.S. and in cities around the world, people gathered at vigils on Sunday night to honor the shooting victims of an attack at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando early Sunday morning, which left 50 people dead and 53 wounded. Many vigils took place at locations of L.G.B.T. significance, including New York’s historic landmark the Stonewall Inn, which will also host another vigil tonight. CBS News: “The crowd grew by the hundreds over a period of three hours. People laid flowers, sang, and made speeches, and while everyone was devastated, the message that rang out was what the LGBT has been saying for decades—love will overcome. ‘This is a place where the community comes to celebrate, and it's a place where the community comes to mourn,’ said Stonewall Inn owner Stacy Lentz. … It was especially painful that the massacre happened at a nightclub. For many, gay bars and clubs are a safe haven, free from hate. The attack on the Pulse nightclub, the deadliest U.S. mass shooting to date, occurred amid numerous events nationwide celebrating LGBT Pride Month. In several other cities hosting events on Sunday—including block parties in Boston and a festival in Washington—authorities beefed up the police presence. Several hundred people filled the parking lot of a popular LGBT-district bistro in downtown Atlanta, singing, lighting candles and speaking out against the violence that struck Orlando. Matt Garrett helped organize the event, handing out candles and lining up a series of speakers who would address the swelling crowd that spilled into the busy street.” http://cbsn.ws/1tqT81Y

2. TONY AWARDS ALTER CEREMONY AFTER ORLANDO TRAGEDY: Hamilton took home 11 awards during the 70th annual Tony Awards, but what loomed over Sunday night’s ceremony was that it took place just 18 hours after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The ceremony honored the victims of the tragedy by creating ribbons and altering certain parts of the program. The New York Times: “The Tony Awards, as well as CBS, which broadcast the event, dedicated the ceremony to those affected by the tragedy. Performers and presenters arrived at the Beacon Theater wearing silver ribbons—created by the Tony-winning designer William Ivey Long in the color of the award itself—to acknowledge Orlando. Between the time of a morning rehearsal and the evening broadcast, ‘Hamilton’ decided to drop the use of muskets in its production number (‘Yorktown’), while the comedian/musician Steve Martin cut a joke that alluded to violence.” As the show began, its host, James Corden, paid tribute to the Orlando victims and their families, saying ‘our hearts go out to all of those affected by this atrocity.’ And the broadcast proceeded as planned, with a series of songs and medleys introducing television viewers to the musicals of the season, interspersed with awards and acceptance speeches. Outside the theater, casts of the nominated shows performed brief tributes to their favorite musicals, a nod to the sidewalk concerts performed weekly for last-minute ticket lottery entrants outside the ‘Hamilton’ theater.” http://nyti.ms/1XiWgZw

3. POLICE ARREST MAN WITH WEAPONS BEFORE L.A. PRIDE PARADE: Police officers in Los Angeles arrested a man with guns and explosives who was headed to the annual L.A. Pride festival on Sunday. Authorities said there was no connection between the arrest and the shooting in Orlando, but security for the annual L.G.B.T. event was heightened. The Guardian: “Law enforcement agencies across LA county went on tactical alert and deployed patrols and undercover officers to protect the floats and marchers who paraded through West Hollywood, the heart of LA’s gay community. … Authorities reportedly considered canceling the parade, an annual event since 1970, but went ahead with increased security. LA county sheriff’s deputies bolstered the LA police department’s protection. Speaking on a warm, overcast morning, Garcetti urged unity and defiance. ‘We are Orlando, we are Americans, we are all LGBT community members today, we are all part of a country that will not be beaten down. We will not go away. And today we are proud of who we are.’” http://bit.ly/1YmXov0

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  The Solstice Festival, which celebrates the local music community, will take place at Pan Am Park and various venues Friday and Saturday.

BOSTON:  The 61st annual South Shore Art Center Arts Festival will take place Friday through Sunday.

CHICAGO:  The Nike National Invitational Tournament is slated for July 10-12 at West Building and Lakeside Center at McCormick Place.

LAS VEGAS:  Speedvegas has installed its 100-foot-high and 50-foot-wide sign, one of the largest of its kind. As of June 10, the new sign will be fully lit and visible from dusk to dawn, and will be the first sign Southern California drivers will see when traveling into Las Vegas.

LOS ANGELES:  Svedka vodka will celebrate the launch of its cucumber lime flavor with the Svedka Country Club event on Tuesday.

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

NEW YORK:  NYC Pride Week takes place June 19-26. Events include the Pride Rally on June 24, and the Pride March, Pride Fest, and Dance on the Pier—headlined by Fergie—on June 26.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  Aquatica, the water park at SeaWorld Orlando, will host "Island Nights" July 7-August 6, offering extended hours, DJs, and special menus at the park's Waterstone Grill.

TORONTO:  Taco Fest, presented by Taste Toronto, will take place Friday through Sunday at 99 Sudbury. Vendors include Cardinal Rule, Macho Radio Bar, Fonda Lola, and Little Fin.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The 13th annual AFI Docs film festival will take place June 22-26 at the Newseum, Landmark E Street Cinema, and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring. The event will screen 94 films from 30 countries, and the Newseum will host an opening night gala.

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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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