1. RETHINKING SAFETY AT SAILING EVENTS: Following the death of Andrew Simpson earlier this month, a committee released recommendations for improving the safety of the America's Cup, one of the biggest competitions in sailing. Could the new measures, which, according to The New York Times, were "submitted to the Coast Guard as part of the application for the regatta permit that is a requisite for all sailing events" in the San Francisco Bay, affect future water racing events? http://nyti.ms/16cifYT
2. FRANCE GETS BIKE-POWERED FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING: How's this for going green? At a film festival screening in St. Etienne, three bikes made from recycled trash powered a projector for a screening of a 54-minute documentary. The group of French engineering students, which created the wooden reclining bikes with the help of a design firm, believe their project could be the future of sustainable events. Mashable: http://on.mash.to/12PRULv
3. WANT TO THROW A LIBERACE-THEMED EVENT?: Tired of Great Gatsby-themed events already? The New York Post takes a look at the costumes and set design for the new Liberace movie, Behind the Candelabra, including the replica of the late performer's $55,000 marble bathtub and over-the-top outfits. http://bit.ly/10Vu4hc
4. LEGO'S LIFE-SIZE SCULPTURE IN TIMES SQUARE: A promotion for Cartoon Network's new show The Yoda Chronicles has put a sculpture of a Star Wars X-Wing fighter jet in Times Square. The installation is made entirely from Lego—5,335,200 individual bricks to be exact—and Star Wars fans, Lego enthusiasts, and curious passersby can even climb inside the cockpit for photo ops. Adweek: http://bit.ly/16QTL6P
* LOCAL NEWS *
BERKELEY, CA: Alice Waters's iconic Berkeley restaurant, which was damaged heavily by an electrical fire on March 8, is scheduled to reopen June 21. The soft opening will coincide with the first-night fund-raiser for Waters's Edible Schoolyard Project. The solstice-themed event will cost $1,000 for café seats or $25,000 at the more formal restaurant.
BOSTON: The Seaport District Innovation Center, which is slated for a June opening, will feature a 3,000-square-foot restaurant. http://bit.ly/11dLlht
CHICAGO: The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is undergoing a $110 million renovation and expansion that will provide a new 460-guest room tower with meeting space. The 800 current guest rooms will also be renovated, and the hotel's restaurant and lounge will receive a private dining room. The project is slated to wrap up this summer.
DALLAS: The Grapevine NASA Blast at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Grand Gallery, June 1-August 25, will feature a space-themed exhibit with more than 100 items on loan from the Kennedy Space Center in Houston, including an original Apollo space suit and a model space shuttle.
LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas Sun: "An overflow parking lot across from the Luxor will be converted into a fairgrounds for music festivals and other special events." http://bit.ly/1acCtht
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino announced it will develop a new thrill ride, VooDoo Skyline, set to open late summer. The ride will send guests more than 400 feet in the air at high speeds, offering 360-degree open-air views of the Las Vegas Strip.
Palms Casino Resort launched its all-new Web site, palms.com, on Thursday, in conjunction with its property-wide $50 million renovation.
LOS ANGELES: The 33rd annual Picnic des Chefs is June 2 at Vasa Park in Agoura Hills. With a "Taste of the Club Culinaire" theme, the outdoor event will offer picnic-style dishes, wine pairings, and chef meet and greets, with all proceeds going to the Children's Hospital HOPE program and Concern Foundation for cancer research.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The It's So Miami wedding showcase is June 2 at the Westin Colonnade Coral Gables hotel.
Ronen Rental Boutique launched a new series on its blog called Rent the Look that works around a theme as inspiration, curating pieces from the company's inventory to help create the look.
NASHVILLE: Loews Vanderbilt Hotel is offering its new Whiskey Weekends package, featuring never-before-open-to-the-public distilleries. The package includes a two-night weekend stay at the newly renovated hotel, plus two complimentary libations in Nashville’s newest late-night spot, Mason Bar. On Saturday afternoon, guests will set out on an exclusive distillery excursion where they will get to tour the distilleries with expert distillers. Guests will also receive a swag bag including T-shirts, a shot glass, treats from Bang Candy Company, plus a bottle of whiskey to take home.
NEW YORK: A fund-raising benefit at the Bowery Ballroom tomorrow night will help raise funds for Coney Island's Mermaid Parade, which, after Hurricane Sandy's devastation to the area, is facing a $100,000 budget shortfall. http://nyti.ms/16Xkf7s
The first NYC Event Industry Night is June 3 at the Winery at City Winery. City Winery will launch the new Barrel on Wheels, a sustainable way to serve wine, and Oysters XO will serve oysters.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: The Hilton Orlando is constructing a new outdoor venue that will open this November. The Promenade will encompass 50,000 square feet and have four distinct venues ranging from 4,500 square feet to 10,500 square feet.
Alan Villaverde, president of Peabody Hotel Group and managing director of the Peabody Orlando, will transition to a new role focused on financial oversight beginning June 1. Barb Bowden is being promoted to Peabody Hotels vice president and the Peabody Orlando’s general manager.
TORONTO: Yonge-Dundas Square will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a public event on August 9. The event will offer buskers, a beer garden, and performances from Canadian musicians including Divine Brown, Royal Wood, and Spirit of the West.
WASHINGTON: Hill Country opened a pop-up venue on the West Lawn of the National Building Museum. Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue has its own menu, a signature cocktail, and live American roots music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Adult Swim, the summer pool party series at the Capitol Skyline Hotel, kicks off Sunday. Liquid Lifestyle hosts the events, which will feature barbecue, local DJs, live music, fashion shows, and other entertainment.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job:http://jobs.bizbash.com
With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Jenna Berris, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily
Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]