1. CBD ENTREPRENEUR TURNS LLOYD WRIGHT HOUSE INTO L.A. EVENT SPACE: A Lloyd Wright house in Los Angeles, which is linked to the Black Dahlia murder, now offers a space for cannabis events, benefits, and music videos after being bought by a CBD mogul. Dan Goldfarb, a former hedge fund analyst, purchased the Sowden House in Los Feliz last year with the intent to transform it into a cannabis hub. The New York Times: “‘There is this misconception that every event here is about cannabis,’ he said on a sunny afternoon inside the sprawling living room. (In all fairness, however, it was hard to miss a sizable bong on the kitchen counter.) ‘This is not like Cheech & Chong or a descent into Reefer Madness.’ Indeed, Mr. Goldfarb and his wife, Jenny Landers, have held fund-raisers for politicians (including one for Representative Katie Hill, Democrat of California) and nonprofits (Kindred Spirits Care Farm, which teaches students about farming). The house has also been used for a music video (for the XX song ‘I Dare You’), photo shoot (InStyle magazine), art exhibition (by the Gagosian Gallery) and dance performance (for HomeLA, an arts group).” 2. BRAVO TO LAUNCH FIRST-EVER FAN CONVENTION: Bravo will hold the first-ever BravoCon in New York this fall. The convention is slated to feature celebrity panels, performances, and activations surrounding the network’s series. Page Six: “Andy Cohen is also expected to film Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in front of his largest audience ever during the festival, which is taking place from November 15 to November 17. … Programming is expected to be announced when tickets go on sale this summer.” 3. TOKYO 2020 WRESTLES WITH BUDGET CUT COMPLAINTS AND ALLEGED LABOR ABUSE: John Coates, a member of the International Olympic Committee who leads a venue inspection team for the Tokyo Olympics, expressed confidence on Tuesday that the event will resolve complaints from international sports federations, which are concerned that organizers are making too many budget cuts. The games also came under fire recently when Building and Wood Workers’ International released a report that alleged labor abuse at the national stadium and Olympic village venues. Associated Press: “With an aging and declining population, Japan is shorthanded in many industries. The government has provided more visas for construction workers tied to the Olympics, and in April started allowing more foreign workers to reside in the country. … The report said interviewed workers complained about ‘a pervasive culture of fear’ that discouraged speaking out. It said almost half of the workers interviewed did not have formal contracts, and it found ‘dangerous patterns of overwork’ at both high-profile venues. It said some workers at the Olympic village reported working 28 consecutive days, and up to 26 straight at the national stadium.” 4. CANNES CRITICIZED FOR TREATMENT OF WOMEN AMID CONTROVERSIAL AWARD: The Cannes Film Festival awarded French actor Alain Delon the honorary Palme d’Or on Sunday, in a move that highlights the festival’s shaky track record in recognizing women in the film industry. When plans to award Delon were announced in April, the Women and Hollywood advocacy website denounced the move, saying Delon “publicly admitted to slapping women." And 26,000 people petitioned for him to not collect the award in an online campaign. At the ceremony, actress Sand Van Roy walked the red carpet with a tattoo that read “Stop Violence Against Women.” The New York Times: “The Cannes Festival—the longtime stomping ground of the film mogul Harvey Weinstein—continues to feel the ripple effects of the #MeToo movement. The annual event is once again being called out for its track record in admitting and rewarding female filmmakers, and on its general attitude toward women. Only one woman has ever received the top trophy, the Palme d’Or, and critics say too few movies directed by women are included in the main competition. Of the 21 films competing this year, four are directed by women—one more than in 2018.” 5. WOODSTOCK 50 FINDS NEW FINANCIAL BACKER: Woodstock 50 has found a new financial backer after the event was cancelled by Dentsu Aegis. Organizers of the troubled festival have partnered with Oppenheimer & Co., a New York-based investment bank and financial services company. Rolling Stone: “While Oppenheimer’s investment provides a much-needed lifeline for organizers, it hardly mitigates all of the issues needed to secure that the festival will occur. Organizers still have to secure a number of crucial permits, including a mass-gathering one from the New York State Department of Health, before tickets can go on sale. In an interview with Sirius on Thursday, Lang assured listeners that a new ticket on-sale date would be announced soon. A rep for the New York State Department of Health told Rolling Stone this week that nothing had changed with regard to the status of Woodstock’s petition for a mass-gathering permit. Last week, a justice of the New York State Supreme Court ruled that Dentsu was not legally allowed to cancel the fest, as it had announced it had on April 29.” |