November 23, 2015: Why Hollywood Treats Athletes to Private Movie Screenings, Super Bowl Halftime Show Producer to Lead Democratic Convention, How Events Are Shaping Washington’s Dining Scene

1. WHY HOLLYWOOD TREATS ATHLETES TO PRIVATE MOVIE SCREENINGS: In N.B.A cities with fewer entertainment options, Hollywood marketers are finding a captive audience for films. They’re hosting private screenings of new films in the hopes that the athletes will tweet about them to their fans. The New York Times: “Most league cities are not South Beach, and these movie nights benefit all parties involved: Team officials cherish any opportunity to foster camaraderie among players in a controlled environment; the players welcome any assistance in combating the doldrums of the road; and the studios capitalize on a cost-efficient way to put films in front of influential viewers. … And it does not cost studios all that much. Studios typically rent out a theater near the team’s hotel and pick up the tab for whatever concession food the players want — expenses that typically range from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand. Traveling N.B.A. teams, baseball clubs at spring training and football teams in training camp are particularly attractive targets for the studio marketers.” http://nyti.ms/1Iaori7

2. SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW PRODUCER TO LEAD DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: The two executive producers of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, to be held in Philadelphia, will include a veteran of the Super Bowl halftime show. The Hill: “The production pro [Ricky Kirshner] was behind Super Bowl performances that included Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. Kirshner also worked as executive producer for the 2008 and 2012 Democratic conventions. Vicangelo Bulluck, who has a decade of experience producing the NAACP Image Awards, will also executive produce the convention, scheduled for July.” http://bit.ly/1PEGMf4

3. HOW EVENTS ARE SHAPING WASHINGTON’S DINING SCENE: Washington has become “an event planner’s dream metropolis” as more restaurants realize the need to include amenity-filled event space. The city’s food scene has also undergone a resurgence as restaurateurs chase money from fund-raising events, board meetings, and other government-related gatherings. Vanity Fair: “Jessica Sidman, the food editor at Washington City Paper, has seen even popular, older restaurants redoing their restaurants—partly to keep their restaurants from looking dated, and partly to make their spaces more profitable for events. As an example, she cited Rasika—often called one of the best Indian restaurants in America—which recently underwent a massive renovation. Another hotspot from the same owner, 701 Restaurant, also updated its décor, adding an A.V. system for private events. ‘All the other downtown restaurants, they have that stuff,’ she said. ‘They’re built for events, and so some of the older ones now are renovating in order to accommodate those big groups.’” http://bit.ly/1Lr06Vc


* INDUSTRY NEWS *

Moving photo-sharing app Phhhoto has launched a new social feature, Party, backed by $1.5 million in seed funding. The new feature will let users share the app's GIF-style photos as private and public group messages.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung's nonprofit Chung Changing Lives—which provides children with educational programs to support personal and academic development—will host its second annual Open Mic Karaoke Fundraiser on December 7 at Splitsville and Howl at the Moon.

CHICAGO:  The Christkindlmarket runs through December 24 at Daley Plaza. The outdoor market will offer German food and drinks, a variety of musical performances, and numerous gift vendors.

LAS VEGAS:  The Gold Mine Tavern celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday with an event that raised money for the Dr. Joel and Carol Bower School Based Health Center.

LOS ANGELES:  The 2016 LA Cookie Con and Sweets Show will take place February 6-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Peruvian concept Pisco y Nazca opened Thursday in the Palms at Town & Country shopping center in Kendall. New York-based Celano Design Studios designed the space, and two private dining rooms each seat 50 and come with built-in screens and LCD projectors.

NEW YORK:  Jue Lan Club, a 275-seat Chinese restaurant, is slated to open in Chelsea’s Limelight building in less than a month. The design from Dutch East Design will include a secret garden, multiple dining rooms, lounges and bars, and a rotating collection of artwork.

A five-story location of Wahlberg family-owned burger chain Wahlburgers is slated to open in Times Square. New York Post: http://bit.ly/215pn2S

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Central Florida International Auto Show will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Orange County Convention Center.

TORONTO:  The city plans to reconnect neighborhoods under the Gardiner Expressway by turning unused space into a giant park. The park will consist of a series of public spaces that will be used for concert venues, farmers' markets, summer camp, and more. Co.Exist: http://bit.ly/1jbfe2n

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Tiny Jewel Box, the jewelry store that has been an institution for 85 years, will host a ribbon-cutting and reception on December 4 to mark the store’s expansion.

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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.

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