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

1. BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CANCELS TOUR OVER CORONAVIRUS FEARS: The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s East Asia tour has been canceled as growing concerns loom over the spread of the deadly new coronavirus. The tour had stops planned in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taipei, as well as the orchestra's first appearance in Seoul. But the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans not to travel to China, and B.S.O. music director Andris Nelsons said, "We need to put the health and well-being of our musicians first and foremost." Boston.com: "The orchestra has only canceled two other international performances in the past: once in 1960, during the Asia-Australasia tour which skipped an appearance in Seoul, South Korea because of political unrest, and again in Beijing after the Chinese embassy in former Yugoslavia was accidentally bombed in 1999. ... To replace the time they would have spent touring, orchestra officials said they’re considering scheduling extra concerts and events for the next two weeks in Boston, one of which may be a free community concert."

2. SHAQ TO DONATE PROCEEDS FROM SUPER BOWL EVENT TO FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF KOBE BRYANT HELICOPTER CRASH: Shaq's Fun House, a carnival-like event that debuted at last year's Super Bowl in Atlanta, is returning for a second year. But in the wake of former teammate Kobe Bryant's death on Sunday, Shaquille O'Neal considered canceling the event. Instead, he will donate proceeds to the families of the victims of the crash. HuffPost: "O’Neal on Wednesday said he’d be 'dedicating and donating' funds raised by his Shaq’s Funhouse Super Bowl Party in Miami on Friday in memory of Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the other crash victims. 'Been going back and forth the past couple of days on if I should even have my event in Miami this weekend,' O’Neal wrote on Instagram. 'Part of me wanted to stay to myself as I reflect what my brother and his family mean to me and my family.' But Bryant, he continued, 'would want us to push through and celebrate life. So lets do just that.'”

3. HOW THIS EVENT PRO STARTED A BUSINESS PLANNING PARTIES FOR DOGS: Niki Sohrabkani planned international events from London before coming up with a new venture: planning events for dogs. The London Dog Party Company organizes canine birthday parties, pool parties, and more. The Mirror: "In the past year, Niki and her team of five have hosted 30 different events in London, New York, and Los Angeles, which featured dog-friendly refreshments and snacks, including pawsecco and pupcorn. And as for entertainment? The team planned party games (musical paws), dog fancy dress, obstacle courses for the pooches, and of course there were themed decorations all over the place, with some opting to have Great Gatsby and Harry Potter-themed puppy parties."

INDUSTRY NEWS: A.S.A.E. has combined its Learning and Meetings Department functions to connect educational curriculum development and delivery with meeting experiences. Leading the new department is Amy Ledoux, who takes on the title chief learning and meetings officer.

DETROIT: Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau promoted four directors (Harriet Carter, Renee Monforton, Susan Richardson, and Jessica Strasser) to vice president positions.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Players from the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers have been hitting Miami nightspots but have stayed out of trouble, unlike players at past Super Bowls held in South Florida, according to the Miami Herald.

NEW YORK: NH Collection has selected Ruth Abellán as general manager and Ayten Mirzoyeva as sales director of NH Collection New York, Madison Avenue Hotel. The property will be the first NH Collection hotel to open in North America.

PHOENIX: Video game brand Atari is moving into the hospitality business with its first Atari Hotel expected to break ground in Phoenix this year. The hotel will include eSport studios, Atari gaming playgrounds, co-working spaces, restaurants, bars, meeting and event rooms, as well as virtual reality and augmented reality experiences.