Waldorf News

American Express announced today a global agreement with Hilton Worldwide that will offer Consumer, Corporate and OPEN Platinum Card Members complimentary Hilton HHonors Gold Status*. This new benefit is now available for U.S. Platinum Card Members, rolling out to Platinum Card Members in other countries in the coming months. Hilton Worldwide, whose properties have been long standing participants of the FINE HOTELS & RESORTS program and The Hotel Collection from American Express, will now offer Card Members access to a wider selection of hotels in 2016.

In celebration of National Cookie Month in October, DoubleTree by Hilton is partnering with Amtrak, the nation's leading rail operator, to deliver 'sweet rides' throughout the month as part of the hotel brand's ongoing global Cookie Care campaign. Partnering with the Amtrak Guest Rewards team, DoubleTree by Hilton will delight passengers on select routes across the U.S., sharing thousands of its signature chocolate chip cookies that welcome guests at DoubleTree by Hilton hotels around the world.

Knowledge & Nibbles, a popular series that nourishes both mind and body -- lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, followed by a discussion of an upcoming play that provides plenty of food for thought -- returns for a new season at Palm Beach Dramaworks today, October 8, with an intimate look at William Inge's PICNIC. Director William Hayes, cast members, and designers will be on hand to talk about bringing Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play to life.

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater's celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Now in its 39th year, this version of A Christmas Carol-adapted by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff-stays true to the heart of Dickens's timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language.

The Palmer House Hilton is proud to announce the inaugural Big Night America's Halloween Masquerade, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. in historic Empire Room at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe Street. Events take place throughout the hip & historic Palmer House with ticket prices at $129.99 per person. Tickets are available for $129.99 each with reserved seating for parties of two, four and 10 people. For tickets and more information go to http://bit.ly/EmpireRoomMasqueradeTickets.

 Merged Work Productions (Lead Producers) and Jack Thomas (Executive Producer) announced today that music-world icons and television stars Steven Van Zandt and Paul Shaffer, along with Maureen Van Zandt and Joe Grano (Jersey Boys), have joined the Broadway-bound musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story as lead producers.  It was also announced that Mr. Van Zandt will serve as the show's musical director.  Piece of My Heart will open on Broadway in 2016. 

TUXEDO PARK, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ Undisturbed expanse of natural environments rarely exists in close proximity to metropolitan areas. Yet, just45 miles north of New York City, there is a village of extraordinary biodiversity. Tuxedo Park is hometo more than 450 species of trees and plants,150 species of butterflies and moths, and nearly 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.Its lakes and feeder streams team with life year round.

Following the program's 2014 debut, today Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts announces the second year of Taste of Waldorf Astoria, a global culinary program in partnership with the James Beard Foundation (JBF), the United States' foremost culinary arts organization. This fall, the search for the next iconic dish continues with a fresh group of five hand-selected JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist chefs dispatching to five new participating Waldorf Astoria destinations around the globe, including Amsterdam, New Orleans, Beijing, Jerusalem, and Orlando.

Lois Braverman, President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family, announced today that actor Jimmy Smits will be honored with the Ackerman Leadership Award at the Moving Families Forward annual gala which will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel at 301 Park Avenue on Monday, October 26th in New York City.

Knowledge & Nibbles, a popular series that nourishes both mind and body -- lunch at a neighborhood restaurant, followed by a discussion of an upcoming play that provides plenty of food for thought -- returns for a new season at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Thursday, October 8, with an intimate look at William Inge's PICNIC. Director William Hayes, cast members, and designers will be on hand to talk about bringing Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning play to life.

Coffee and tea drinkers, rejoice. Today, Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) announced an expanded partnership with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the oldest and largest privately held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States. Guests at Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton properties in the United States can select and discover brewed beverage flavors they love. Together, Hilton Worldwide and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will deliver high-quality beverages through a partnership grounded in shared values of community, environmental responsibility and support of developing countries.

I grew up watching the MUPPET BABIES, loving the whimsy of the odd, but relatable creatures (although always frustrated that we couldn't see Nanny's face). Then, MUPPETS TONIGHT debuted during my freshman year of high school and I started to really understand the joys of a variety show (only later for that to be enhanced by finding clips of THE MUPPET SHOW on YouTube). Also, I adored 2011's big screen THE MUPPETS; in fact “Man or Muppet” is still in heavy rotation on my iTunes. So anytime there is a new addition to the Muppets Universe, my inner-child takes notice. However, as details of their new TV show (also confusingly called THE MUPPETS) started being revealed, that inner child began to feel left out. The idea was to reinvent the Muppets in a more real-life, adult sitcom; yes, a real-life, adult sitcom, starring felt puppets.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) announced today the signing of two franchise license agreements to convert two Hoteles Cosmos hotels in Bogotá into DoubleTree by Hilton properties, marking the entry of the brand into Colombia. DoubleTree by Hilton Bogotá Parque 93 and DoubleTree by Hilton Bogotá Calle 100 are expected to open in December 2015 and February 2016, respectively. Both hotels will be operated by Cosmos Hotels, one of Colombia's most-recognized hotel brands for over thirty years.

American Conservatory Theater continues its 2015-16 season with Monstress, two world-premiere one-act plays about love, longing, and the American dream. Based on the short stories by Lysley Tenorio, Monstress was adapted for the stage by Bay Area playwrights Philip Kan Gotanda and Sean San Jose.

Lois Braverman, President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family, announced today the honorees and host for the Moving Families Forward annual gala which will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel at 301 Park Avenue on Monday, October 26th in New York City.

Theater history buffs have two reasons to seek out a production of RED VELVET, Lolita Chakrabarti's historical drama. First, it sketches in part of the true story of the first great black classical actor, Ira Aldridge. Second, it depicts the beginning of the shift from old-fashioned 19th century declamatory acting style to something closer to the naturalism of the 20th century, a naturalism that still dominates today's stages.

Leading up to the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Odile, one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever strike the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort is celebrating a new beginning. Following a year of recovery and renovation, today the hotel will recognize team members and welcome back guests for a reunion during which a short film commemorating the incredible restoration journey will be debuted. Hilton will also be broadcasting the event and other happenings on-property via a live video stream throughout the day.

Detroit raised rapper Big Sean announced a special one-night-only performance titled “Finding Paradise Live in Detroit” at Joe Louis Arena on Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is pleased to announce casting for its first three productions of the 2015-16 season, which will feature many familiar faces. Individual tickets for the entire season go on sale on Tuesday, September 8. The season opens at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre on October 9 with William Inge's Pulitzer Prize- winning Picnic, in which a group of women confront their loneliness when a handsome stranger drifts into their small Kansas town.

A CELEBRATION of all things bellydance is set to come alive at the Perth Waldorf School on September 27.