10 Best Ideas of the Week, the Latest Event News From Los Angeles

1. WOMEN KICKED OUT OF ACTORS EVENT AFTER CONFRONTING HARVEY WEINSTEIN: A female comedian was booed and two women were kicked out of a New York event for artists after confronting Harvey Weinstein, who was allegedly invited by event organizers. Weinstein, who’s been accused of rape by dozens of women, attended Actor’s Hour, a monthly event for artists, at the Downtime bar on the Lower East Side. Comedian Kelly Bachman called out the producer during her set, while actor Zoe Stuckless and comedian Amber Rollo were thrown out for confronting Weinstein, who sat at a reserved table with his entourage. BuzzFeed: “Alexandra Laliberte, the organizer of Actor's Hour, told BuzzFeed News it was the second time Weinstein had turned up to one of her events. Laliberte added that she doesn't have a security team, and rather than turn Weinstein away, she thought the community could address him. When asked why she allowed Weinstein to attend an event specifically intended to support and encourage young actors when he has been accused of sexually assaulting and harassing dozens of them, Laliberte told BuzzFeed News: ‘I protect them by freedom of speech.’”

2. ADVOCACY GROUP PLANS ONLINE PROTEST AHEAD OF BLIZZARD CONVENTION: Fight for the Future, a nonprofit advocacy group for digital rights, is organizing an online protest of Blizzard Entertainment ahead of the video game developer’s annual convention in Anaheim. The group is calling for sponsors to drop out of the event, in response to the company banning a professional esports player for voicing support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The Hollywood Reporter: “‘On October 29, activists and gamers will launch an all-out campaign to demand game developers and BlizzCon sponsors take a stand and state that they will not participate in authoritarian censorship,’ the organization said in a statement on Thursday. BlizzCon, an annual convention where Blizzard traditionally unveils plans of upcoming game titles, is set to take place on November 1 and 2 in Anaheim. Protests of the company are expected to take place at the event. As part of the protest, participants are encouraged to use the #GamersforFreedom hashtag on social media.”

3. SPOTIFY TO HOST POP-UP HALLOWEEN EVENT WITH MUSICIAN-INSPIRED COSTUMES: Spotify is bringing its “Stay Scary” playlist to life with a pop-up Halloween event in New York on October 26. At the public, daylong event, the streaming platform plans to give away costume pieces inspired by Billie Eilish, Lil’ Nas X, Britney Spears, Freddie Mercury, and more. Billboard: “Fans can coronate themselves with Eilish’s spidery crown straight out of her ‘You Should See Me in a Crown’ music video, rock Bad Bunny’s distinctive sunglasses and nail decals, or drape a replica of the yellow python Spears planted on her shoulders during her iconic ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ performance at the 2001 MTV V.M.A.s. … The company will give out the limited costume pieces on a first-come, first-serve basis, as well as entertain attendees with a ‘dare to listen’ playlist station and Spotify-produced short films ‘highlighting musicians who have stepped outside comfort zones for the sake of their art,’ according to the release.”

INDUSTRY NEWS: The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (I.A.E.E.) has awarded its Pinnacle Award to David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash. Other recipients of the association’s awards program this year include Aaron Bludworth, president and C.E.O. of Fern, who received the Humanitarian Award, and Ryan Strowger, CEM, chief events and industry officer of the Optical Society, who received the Distinguished Service Award. Award recipients will be honored at the annual networking luncheon and awards presentation during Expo! Expo! I.A.E.E.’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, which runs December 3-5 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. See the full list of award recipients here.

ATLANTA: By George, a French-inspired restaurant from chef Hugh Acheson, has opened at the Candler Hotel. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant was designed by Callie Harris, senior interior designer of Beck Architecture.

LOS ANGELES: J.J. Abrams will present Michael Kaplan with the Career Achievement Award at the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards, taking place January 28, 2020, at the Beverly Hilton.

NEW YORK: Waterstone and Viva Lifestyle P.R. have entered an agency partnership. The partnership combines Waterstone’s sales and marketing services for hotels, resorts, and destination management companies with Viva Lifestyle P.R.’s integrated public relations and communications services.

TORONTO: The ninth annual Taste of Iceland, presented by Iceland Naturally, will take place November 14-17. Events will take place at venues including Luma and the Dakota Tavern.