post_type ignored in wp_query

I created a custom post type and a new page template and it works great. I took that same code and modified the name and put it as a widget (that gets called on the home page’s sidebar) in functions.php and it doesn’t work.

First, the working code on my own page template:

[Code moderated as per the Forum Rules. Please use the pastebin]

I’ve tried stripping down the above by just having the loop grab post_type=events&posts_per_page=2 and it displays the most recent posts (not post_type = events – just general posts). Any ideas?