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May 4, 2015
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Featured Stories
Meetings
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Mother's Day
Deals & Promos
Construction & Utility Work Updates
BID Ambassador Services & Links
City Services
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This Week's Featured Event
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Tigerman WOAH Performing at Downtown Crossing
Boston Calling Block Party on
Summer Street - May 7th
The Boston Calling Block Parties are back in Downtown Crossing this year with the first one on Thursday, May 7th. Thursday's block party is from 5 to 8:30 pm with Tigerman WOAH kicking off this season's block party series.
There will be block parties in Downtown Crossing with a stage between Macy's and Roche Bros. on the first Wednesday of every month through September.
On Thursday nights there will be block parties in Dewey Square. All block parties are free 21+ events to be inside the gated areas, but anyone can stand nearby and listen. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
And don't forget the Boston Calling Music Festival will be at City Hall Plaza May 22nd - 24th. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets. |
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Public Meeting About Proposed Congress Square Development on
May 11th
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is leading a public meeting about the proposed redevelopment of Congress Square on Monday, May 11th. This meeting is taking place at Boston City Hall, BRA Board Room, 9th Floor, from 6 to 7:30 pm.
The Congress Square block is located between Walter Street, Devonshire Street and Quaker Lane. The development team has proposed renovation and expansion of the existing 330,000 sq. ft. office buildings into a renewed mixed-use site including 284,600 sq. ft. of office space, an 85,000 sq. ft. hotel, 51,350 sq. ft. of residential space, and 36,650 sq. ft. of retail space. The development plans to transform Quaker Lane into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, retail-filled arcade. For more info and questions please contact Tyler Norod of the BRA at [email protected] or 617-918-4349.
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Free Berklee College of Music Performance Series Starts Anew at 100 Summer St. on May 5th
The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series begins its new season on Tuesday, May 5th with Boston-based musicians Jared and Mckenna performing from noon to 2 pm. This is the second year for the free series taking place at 100 Summer St.
Together Jared Anderson, a Durham, North Carolina native, and Mckenna Flaherty, hailing from Baltimore, create an individual sound with tastes of country, pop, and folk. An encore performance will occur on Thursday, May 7th from noon to 2 pm.
This is the second year of the free Berklee concert series. |
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New 125 Summer Street Soloists Music Series Begins on May 6th & 8th
The BID is launching a new music series - The 125 Summer Street Soloists Series, Every Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 pm through September there will be a live performer at 125 Summer St. All performances are free and open to the public.
Guitarist Nick Guinto, above, will perform at the 125 Summer Soloists Series on May 6th and 8th.
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Mariachi Bands and More for Cinco de Mayo at Papagayo and Fajitas & 'Ritas
Papagayo (15 West St.) and Fajitas & 'Ritas (25 West St.) are both celebrating Cinco de Mayo with food, drinks and entertainment.
Papagayo will have a live mariachi band, amazing food and the largest tequila list available in Boston on May 5th. Call 617-423-3600 for reservations and more info.
Fajitas & 'Ritas is hosting a Cinco Fiesta with Corona and Casa Noble tequila on May 5th from 6 to 7:30 pm., and a Lunazul Tequila promotion from 7 to 9 pm later that night. Call 617-426-1222 for reservations and more info. |
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'Building Boston 2030 - MBTA: Just Fix It' on May 5th Hosted by Suffolk's Sawyer Business School
Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School and the Greater Boston Real Estate Board are co-hosting "Building Boston 2030 - MBTA: Just Fix It" on Tuesday, May 5th. This is a free event open to the public but a valid ticket available here and registration must be presented to enter.
Prompted by chronic service and equipment failures, Gov. Charlie Baker assembled a task force to examine solutions to improve service and increase revenue. How will the task force's recommendations fix the MBTA? Panelists include: Stephanie Pollack, Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; James Aloisi, Principal, Pemberton Square Group; James O'Leary, Partner, Alternate Concepts, Inc.; and Greg Sullivan, Director, Pioneer Institute. Peter Howe, Business Editor for NECN, will moderate. This event is being held at the C. Walsh Theatre (55 Temple St.) from 7:45 to 9:45 am. |
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Go Boston 2030 Visioning Lab at China Trade Center on May 8th & 9th
The Boston Transportation Department is leading an interactive, hands-on-lab to shape the transportation system of 2030 on May 8th and 9th at the China Trade Center (Boylston and Washington streets).
All ages are welcome at this two-day event. There will be door prizes, performances, speakers, activities and more. Click here for more info. This event is 11:30 am to 7:30 pm on May 8th and 10 am to 4 pm on May 9th. |
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You're Invited! Greenway Echelman Sculpture Grand Opening on May 11th
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy is inviting the public to a grand celebration of the unveiling of the Greenway Echelman sculpture (image below) on Monday, May 11th from 7 to 9 pm.
Click here to learn 10 Things about the Echelman Sculpture on the Greenway including ropes from nearby buildings will suspend the sculpture and the process of hoisting the sculpture.
The unveiling is happening on the Greenway between Pearl and Oliver streets across from 510 Atlantic Ave. There will be musical performances, activities and more. The rain date is May 12th from 7 to 9 pm. |
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Irish International Immigrant Center's Black and Green of Boston Event on
May 17th
The Irish International Immigrant Center (100 Franklin St.) and the Montserrat Aspirers are hosting its annual Black and Green of Boston event. This year's event is called One Boston: Celebrating Unity and Boston's Diversity on Sunday, May 17th with Boston's first ever Chief Diversity Officer Shaun Blugh as the guest speaker.
There will be performances by Zumix, OrigiNation, Inc., the Heavey Quinn Academy of Irish Dance, and Jamele Adams. This event is being held at Medicine Wheels Production (110 K St. 2nd Floor, Boston) from 2 to 5 pm. Admission is a donation of $10, and free to children 12 and younger. Advance registration is appreciated and available by clicking here. Call Johanna Meleance at 617-542-7654 x. 13 or email her at [email protected]. |
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Flash Forward Boston: [Photo]gogues: New England (Part 3) at Lafayette City Center Passageway
Flash Forward Boston is a 10-day festival of international and New England photography in Boston. Through May 15th, the exhibit "Photo]gogues: New England (Part 3)" will be on display for free at the Lafayette City Center Passageway.
The exhibition "is not a definitive study of New England Photography Pedagogues, rather it is a sampling of faculty members from the region." Paula Tognarelli and Frances Jakubek, executive director and associate director of the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA, invited 10 photography instructors to exhibit their work during the Flash Forward Photography Festival 2015 in Boston. The exhibition is open to the public 10 am - 9 pm Monday to Thursday, 10 am - 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 10 am - 9 pm on Sunday. The Lafayette City Center Passageway links Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 2 Avenue De Lafayette. |
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BID Ambassador Services & Links
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BID Ambassadors Provide Walking Escorts 24 Hours a Day in Downtown
The Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. BID Ambassadors provide walking escorts all day or night - they'll even tote an umbrella if it's snowing!
Please call 617-261-0066 to arrange an escort or for other BID Ambassador services. Please call 20 to 30 minutes prior to desired escort. You can also email [email protected], which is encouraged.
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Additional BID Ambassador Services
- Friendly, welcoming downtown presence: helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incident, etc.
- Making sure handicapped ramps are not obstructed and storm drain openings are not clogged.
- Cleaning and powerwashing in Downtown Boston during warm weather.
- Landscaping, watering flowers during warm weather.
- Remove litter and graffiti
- Contact [email protected] for more.
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BID Internships Available
The Downtown Boston BID is seeking qualified, enthusiastic interns to assist with the following projects: - Office administration and customer service
- Policy research and analysis
- Data collection, input and management
Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. |
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
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Lines Out the Door After Roche Bros.' Grand Opening in Downtown Boston
Even before the ceremonial ribbon cutting by Roche family members, eager customers were approaching Roche Bros. employees asking when the supermarket would be open. On April 29th after confetti shot into the air, shoppers quickly filed into the first floor and basement of the historic Burnham Building for fresh-made mozzarella, ready-to-go meals and delicious baked goods.
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From left to right: Gary Pfeil, Roche Bros. president; Ed Roche, Roche Bros. COO; Ed and Rick's mother, Barbara Roche; Chris Roche, son of Rick Roche; Rosemarie Sansone, BID president; and Rick Roche, Roche Bros. CEO.
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There are two easy to access entrances into Roche Bros. - one from street level on Summer Street, which also provides an escalator to the basement level, and a second entrance from the MBTA concourse below ground.
On opening day there were Road to Roche events including free sampling booths on Summer Street and a free concert by Boston-based country band Dalton & the Sheriffs at 5 pm outside of the supermarket's Summer Street entrance.
There will be more Roche Bros. events in the coming weeks. The KISS 108 radio station radio show will be outside of the supermarket on May 7th from 4 to 6 pm. Vendors including Sabra, Sartori Cheese, Coco Real and more will be providing free samples on Summer Street from 10 am to 6 pm.
The Bull Radio Show will be live on May 21st outside the supermarket on Summer Street, and another Dalton & The Sheriffs concert will be on June 4th from 5 to 7 pm.
The new 25,000-square-foot market is open from 7 am to 10 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 8 am to 9 pm on Sundays.
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The Chicken & Rice Guys Open on Bedford Street to Great Fanfare
The very popular food truck business The Chicken & Rice Guys opened their first restaurant this week at 85 Bedford St. with lines out the door.
"We have lots of fans in the area. Our trucks do well downtown so establishing a store makes sense down here," said Damien Yee, senior business manager. The business is still operating its four food trucks throughout Boston.
The business was inspired by a similar business in New York City. The Chicken & Rice Guys sell halal chicken and "no plate is ever the same because you customize your meal however you want." There are five sauces - creamy garlic, BBQ, hot, extra hot and the green sauce (mint/cilantro/jalapeno) - and all but BBQ are made in-house.The food is Middle Eastern-ish and customers can choose between chicken, lamb (with beef) or tofu.
The store is only takeout because the lines to order food and use the sauces get too long, said Yee. The business is open 11 am to 3 pm Monday through Saturday.
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Volunteers Wanted! Annual Boston Shines Clean-Up on May 8th in Downtown Boston
The City of Boston's annual Boston Shines neighborhood clean-up day will take place in Downtown on Friday, May 8th from 9 am to noon. As in years past the Downtown Boston BID hosts the downtown Boston Shines.
Volunteers are wanted! To RSVP please email David Ertischek at [email protected] with your name, organizational affiliation, and anyone else from your group who may be participating. In past years volunteers have painted, cleaned up flower and plant beds and more. See you at Boston Shines! |
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The Redcoats are Coming - to Downtown Boston; Freedom Trail Foundation and BID Teaming Up for Interactive History Lessons
The Downtown Boston BID and the Freedom Trail Foundation are bringing history to life in Boston! See the Redcoats changing the guard, as well colonists and British soldiers interacting like it was in 1775. These exciting and entertaining activities will pop-up in unexpected places throughout the BID area on Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays from noon to 2 pm. Listen as the military drummer accompanies soldiers to their posts and the soldiers complete inspections while marching to their next post. Meet and engage with 18th-century figures and talk with them about life in Boston's early years. The Redcoats will be in downtown streets from May to October. |
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Mother's Day Options in Downtown Boston
Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th and there are numerous options to celebrate with mom in downtown Boston.
Avenue One (inside Hyatt Regency Boston, 1 Avenue de Lafayette) is hosting a Mother's Day Brunch from 11 am to 3 pm with a prix fixe meal prepared by Executive Chef Kelly Armetta, with carefully sourced, local ingredients. Click here for the brunch menu. Call 617-422-5454 to make reservations.
Click here or call 617-742-8401 to make Mother's Day reservations at Ruth's Chris Steak House (45 School St.).
The Artists Crossing Gallery (24 Bromfield St.) is hosting a Mother's Day Shopping Night on Thursday, May 7th from 5 to 7 pm. |
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DeScenza Diamonds 100th Anniversary Sale Through May 9th
DeScenza Diamonds (387 Washington St.) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a sale through May 9th.
The sale is just in time for Mother's Day, graduations and spring weddings. Take up to 40% off retail on diamond, gold, silver, and pearl jewelry. Click here for more details. |
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Happy Teacher Appreciateion Week at Salvatore's - Free Bar Menu App
Salvatore's Restaurant (545 Washington St.) is offering one free bar menu appetizer to teachers from May 4th to 8th in celebration of Happy Teacher Appreciation Week.
This offer is available at all Salvatore's Restaurants from 2 to 5 pm. Call the Theater District Salvatore's at 617-542-5555 to make a reservation. |
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MBTA Monthly and Weekly Passes Discounted 15% for May Available Through May 15th
The MBTA is offering a 15% discount on all MBTA monthly and weekly passes for May. This deal is available through May 15th. This discount applies to the general public as well as monthly passes for students, seniors and persons with disabilities. However, it excludes semester and one-day passes.
You can purchase passes at fare machines. Click here for more info about Charlie Card passes. Click here for prices of regular passes and what they will cost with the 15% discount. Please note - parking fees will apply at all MBTA parking lots. |
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New Offer: Get Plenti Rewards Card to Use at Macy's and Other Locations
Starting May 4th, get rewards at Macy's by using the Plenti Rewards program. Join for free to earn points at one place and use them at another like Rite Aid, Exxon, at&t or Mobil, all with a single rewards card.
See a Macy's sales associate or click here for to sign up and get more details. Plenti points cannot be earned or used on fees and services or on some purchases, such as at certain food establishments and leased departments within Macy's stores.
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Scholars Offering $5 Burger Special on Mondays and Tuesdays
Scholars (25 School St.) is offering a $5 burger special on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 to 11 pm with the purchase of a beverage.
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Join or Renew AMC Stubs for Only $8 - Waived Online Ticketing Fees, Free Food & Drink Upgrades and More
Join or renew in the AMC Stubs program for only $8 a year (normally $12) and you will reap some great benefits from your membership. This is open to all new members and renewals through June 22nd.
Membership benefits include $10 rewards for every $100 spent, free upgrades on popcorn and fountain drinks, waived online ticketing fees, online scrapbook screening opportunities and member exclusive giveaways. Click here for more info.
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Construction & Utility Work Updates
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Millennium Tower Continues to Reach for the Sky and More
Downtown Boston is continually transforming, with new buildings rising, as well as transportation projects taking place underground and at street level. Looking for the latest updates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click here.  |
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