1. 'PLAYBOY' WILL HOST ITS FIRST WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER EVENT: Playboy magazine is hosting its first White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner after-party—but the event won’t be a typical Playboy affair. Washington Post: “Playboy’s Saturday night after-party, dubbed the 'No Tie Party,' is something of a return to the magazine’s original ethos, according to Cooper Hefner, the youngest son of Playboy’s late founder, Hugh. ‘The brand has always been a passionate fighter for the First Amendment and the freedom of the press,’ said Hefner, Playboy’s chief creative officer since last year. In an ‘increasingly challenging environment,’ Hefner added, it was important to him that Playboy be a part of ‘celebrating’ the Fourth Estate and drawing attention to it. The magazine also plans to host another event in Washington just weeks after the correspondents’ dinner. The Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards, in its 37th year, will be held at the Newseum in May. The move to D.C. was actually the brainchild of Christie Hefner, Hugh’s oldest child and Playboy’s former chief executive. Despite Hugh Hefner’s clear interest in a free press, the magazine has never participated in the White House correspondents’ dinner. So why now? For the last 15 months, Playboy has had a White House correspondent, Brian Karem, who also works for a pair of Maryland community newspapers.”
2. ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST 4/20 FESTIVALS DENIED MARIJUANA PERMIT: The High Times Cannabis Cup—one of the largest cannabis festivals in the U.S.—was denied a permit to have marijuana by a Southern California city council. The three-day event was slated to take place April 20. NBC News: "The three-day pot festival in San Bernardino was at the last-minute mercy of state and local officials after new state regulations on marijuana, designed in part to implement the will of voters who wanted recreational cannabis in 2016, kicked in on Jan. 1. Since then, approval from local jurisdictions has been needed before the state will green light such gatherings. The 6-0 city council vote to deny High Times a permit means Cannabis Cup and its estimated 20,000 attendees would effectively have to go cannabis-free at the event held annually around April 20, better known to marijuana enthusiasts as 4/20. A representative for the publication told the council that if the plug was pulled, High Times might have to offer refunds for tickets, which ranged from $60 up to $420. She also said it was possible the music portion of the festival could carry on as planned. The Cannabis Cup boasted headline rappers Nas, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross and others as part of its lineup. Normally fans would also be able to purchase exotic strains of marijuana at booths at the venue, the National Orange Show Events Center. ... But council members Virginia Marquez and John Valdivia expressed deep reservations about the legality of the event—city legal staffers said applicants are supposed to receive local approval 60 days before the start of a festival in order to get state approval—and so they offered a successful motion to deny the marijuana portion of the festival." https://nbcnews.to/2JXU5Yv
3. COACHELLA BREAKS YOUTUBE LIVE STREAMING RECORD: Beyoncé’s acclaimed performance at Coachella on Saturday also broke viewing records on YouTube, where the event was live streamed. Fortune: “Beyoncé’s 105-minute set on Saturday attracted 458,000 simultaneous global viewers at its peak, ranking it as most viewed Coachella performance ever, according to a YouTube spokeswoman. The 36-year-old performer was joined on stage near Palm Springs, Calif., by dozens of musicians and dancers as well as her sister Solange Knowles, former Destiny’s Child bandmates, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, and her husband Jay-Z. Beyoncé was one of the many artists who helped Coachella draw a record 41 million live viewers from 232 countries during its first weekend, making it the most viewed live music festival ever on YouTube. Streaming live performances and events is becoming a growing part of YouTube’s business. Coachella had 24.5 million live views in 2017. In 2018, Coachella live views grew 75% to 41 million. The performance created immediate buzz online, giving birth to the term ‘Beychella,’ a mashup of Beyoncé and Coachella.” https://for.tn/2J7d55x
INDUSTRY NEWS
Jean McFaddin, who produced events for Macy’s for more than 20 years, passed away April 17 following a short battle with cancer. McFaddin served as the Macy’s East senior vice president, where she was in charge of public relations and events, from 1977-2001. She produced the company’s high-profile events including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Spring Flower Show, and the Fourth of July celebration. Prior to working at Macy’s, McFaddin created and directed a 1975-76 U.S. Bicentennial promotional program for the National Endowment of the Arts Foundation in Washington and directed the July 4th Land Festival in New York in 1977.
* LOCAL NEWS *
CHICAGO: Found Chicago-River North hotel, a 60-room boutique hotel from Found Hotels and the H.Wood Group, has opened. The hotel will have two restaurants: steakhouse Mason and Los Angeles-based karaoke bar and lounge Blind Dragon, the latter of which will be located in the hotel’s speakeasy-style basement.
LOS ANGELES: The Infatuation's EeeeeatsCon LA will return to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on May 19.
The 2018 Women In Film Crystal & Lucy Awards will take place June 13 at the Beverly Hilton.
For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: The Design Center of the Americas has named Taylor Cinalli vice president, director of marketing.
NEW YORK: Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban will co-host the 72nd annual Tony Awards, which will air live on CBS from Radio City Music Hall June 10.
Epicurean Nights, a series of immersive dinners, will hold its New York summer edition June 28-29 and July 12-13 at Upstairs at Pierre’s in Bridgehampton.
For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: The 38th annual Pride Parade will take place June 24. Toronto Pride event sponsors include TD Canada Trust and Bud Light.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The National Conference Center and West Belmont Place has promoted Todd Goldian to director of food and beverage. Goldian previously was executive chef.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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April 19, 2018: 'Playboy' Will Host Its First White House Correspondents’ Dinner Event, Major 4/20 Festival Denied Marijuana Permit, Coachella Breaks YouTube Live Streaming Record
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