Festivals
ITALY, KEY-THE ENERGY TRANSITION EXPO, THE ENERGY TRANSITION COMMUNITY’S GLOBAL REFERENCE NETWORK, IS ABOUT TO START
Energy Transition Expo
- From 5th to 7th March, at Italian Exhibition Group’s Rimini Expo Centre, about 35% international exhibitor brands and over 250 top buyers and delegations from 48 countries expected
- The event consolidates its role as a key international player thanks to the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency, collaboration with over 40 foreign associations and a worldwide network of agents
RIMINI, Italy /PRNewswire/ — Over 1,000 exhibitors in over 90,000 square metres of exhibition area and 20 halls for KEY-The Energy Transition Expo, Italian Exhibition Group’s energy transition and efficiency event, a reference point in Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean basin, from 5th to 7th March at Rimini Expo Centre in Italy. KEY is set to be the largest and most international edition ever.

Peraboni, Astolfi and Previati comment:
“With over 250 top buyers and delegations from 48 countries,” says Corrado Peraboni, CEO IEG, “and North Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans and Eastern Europe among the most represented geographical areas, the upcoming edition is growing strongly on the international front. Moreover, the number of exhibitors, up 20% compared to 2024, will see 35% arriving from abroad.“
Alessandra Astolfi, Global Exhibition Manager at IEG, adds, “The event therefore consolidates its role as a reference network for the global energy transition and efficiency community thanks to the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the Italian Trade Agency, and collaboration with over 40 of the sector’s leading foreign associations and the network of agents throughout the world.”
“The extraordinary ability of KEY to unite the sector’s major players during the three days of the Rimini event,” says IEG Exhibition Manager Christian Previati, “favours the encounter, confrontation and dialogue with the institutions and aims to create a system and contribute to speeding up the decarbonisation process.”
The programme of events, organised by the Technical-Scientific Committee, chaired by Professor Gianni Silvestrini, is also international in scope and will include, among the others, the German-Italian Energy Talk on the importance of green hydrogen, organised by ITKAM-Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany and Deutsche Messe AG; Accelerating sustainable electrification: the key to economic and social development on the African continent by the RES4Africa Foundation, and Decarbonising Italy’s Electricity by Ibesa.
The full programme on the link
gaming
LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS Expands Original IP Push With New AAA Framework at GDC 2026

LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS used GDC 2026 to spotlight the next phase of its “Original IP Initiative,” outlining a proprietary development framework aimed at building high-end, original AAA games for a global audience. The studio said the initiative, first introduced at GDC 2025, now includes active development of a new globally driven blockbuster title and a more formalized system for shaping future intellectual property.
A major part of that strategy came from newly appointed Creative Director Feng Zhu, who described a structured approach to original game creation centered on strong visual identity, disciplined worldbuilding, and repeatable production methods. During his GDC session, Zhu introduced the studio’s “90:10 Balance” philosophy, where 90% of a game is grounded in real-world references like authentic locations, historical context, and realistic proportions, while the remaining 10% is used to deliver the creative hooks, tension, and storytelling elements that define the title’s identity.
LIGHTSPEED also emphasized its investment in production infrastructure, including a purpose-built in-house motion capture facility in Los Angeles. Led by Motion Capture Studio Manager Kristin Gallagher, the studio says the facility is designed to handle complex performance capture with greater efficiency, supported by a custom API and advanced technical pipeline developed jointly by teams in LA and across the company’s global network.

The announcement reinforces LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS’ broader ambition to grow beyond service and co-development work into a stronger portfolio of original blockbuster properties. Best known as a co-developer of PUBG MOBILE and the developer of the upcoming Last Sentinel, the company says its long-term focus is on delivering cinematic, culturally resonant game experiences built for players worldwide.
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Entertainment
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival Returns to Philadelphia March 28-29, Celebrating 100 Years of Sakura Friendship

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
Philadelphia’s annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival will return to Fairmount Park on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026, with a special focus on the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the city. Hosted by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia and Subaru of America, Inc., the two-day event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Horticulture Center and Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center.
Organizers say the family-friendly, dog-friendly festival will feature live music, Japanese cultural performances, cosplay and alternative fashion shows, karaoke, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, ikebana demonstrations, a vendor fair, artist alley, and a food court highlighting Japanese and Asian cuisine. A “Prettiest in Pink” Pet Contest & Parade is also scheduled for Sunday, March 29. The event comes after the festival drew more than 25,000 attendees in 2025 and will expand its footprint this year to improve the visitor experience.
General admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the gate, while children under 12 and JASGP members can attend for free. Organizers said the festival will be held rain or shine, with parking available at the Highmark Mann Center for $10 per vehicle. More information and tickets are available at PhillySakura.org.
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Entertainment
Apollo and Howard Theatre Set Historic ‘Best of the Apollo’ Event in D.C.
The Apollo Theater and Howard Theatre will co-present Best of the Apollo on April 26, 2026, in Washington, D.C., with Chris Spencer hosting the historic live event.
Two landmark institutions in American music are coming together for a major live event in Washington, D.C. The Apollo Theater and the Howard Theatre have announced Best of the Apollo, scheduled for April 26, 2026, at the Howard Theatre, marking the first official co-presentation between the two iconic venues.

Hosted by comedian and actor Chris Spencer, the event brings together two stages with deep roots in Black performance history. Both the Apollo and the Howard were key stops on the Chitlin’ Circuit, the network of venues that supported Black artists during segregation and helped shape the course of American music. Artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye all performed on these stages.
What to watch for: this is more than a one-night concert. It is a symbolic link between Harlem and Washington, D.C., two cities with major influence on Black cultural history. The event also honors the legacy of Amateur Night at the Apollo, the long-running talent showcase known for introducing new artists to wider audiences. Performers have not yet been announced, so the lineup will be a key next step to watch.
The show takes place Sunday, April 26, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the show starting at 7 p.m. at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. Early-bird tickets start at $60.
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