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May 18, 2015
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Featured Stories
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Deals & Promos
Construction & Utility Work Updates
City Services
BID Ambassador Services & Links
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This Week's Featured Event
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Three-Day Boston Calling Music Festival at City Hall Plaza - May 22nd thru 24th
Grammy Award winner Beck will be headlining the three-day Boston Calling Music Festival taking place at City Hall Plaza from Friday, May 22nd through Sunday, May 24th.
Other performers scheduled to appear include the Pixies, My Morning Jacket and St. Vincent. Tickets are still available by clicking here. There are tickets for three-day passes, weekend passes, one-day passes for both Saturday and Sunday, and VIP passes.
The box office opens on Friday at 5 pm, with gates open from 6 to 11 pm. On Saturday and Sunday the box office opens at 11 am with gates open from noon to 11 pm.
The festival is a rain or shine event. It is recommended that festival goers bring a hat, sunscreen, food, factory-sealed bottles of water. Click here for a list of items not allowed at the festival. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Rory Cuddyer, Boston's 'Startup Czar' & BID Board Member Speaking at Boston Youth Entrepreneurs Event on May 19th
Rory Cuddyer, Boston's "Startup Czar" and BID board member, is speaking at the DCU Center of Excellence in Fintech on May 19th. This is a Boston Young Entrepreneurs event, which is a collaboration between Workbar and ONEin3 Boston. As "Startup Czar" Cuddyer is a liaison to the startup community while representing the community's needs in City Hall. This event is taking place at the DCU Center (695 Atlantic Ave.) at 6 pm. Click here for tickets. |
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Free Berklee College of Music Performance Series at 100 Summer St. Dear June - May 19th & 21st
The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series continues this week with Dear June on May 19th and 21st from noon to 2 pm. These performances are free and open to the public.
Liz Wyatt and Justin Kelley are Dear June, a country folk duo from Boston. Although newly formed, Dear June has already made a splash in the local music scene. Their blend of unique harmonies and compelling lyrics have an old-time feel and a distinctly refreshing sound.
This is the second year of the free Berklee concert series at 100 Summer St. |
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125 Summer Street Soloists Music Series on May 20th & 22nd
The BID launched 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 performance are free and open to the public.
On Wednesday, May 20th, guitarist Carlos V. Ramos will perform. On Friday, May 22nd, flutist Boris Popovich will perform. There is public seating at the location, so take your lunch outside and enjoy the music! |
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The Swinging Johnsons Performing at
Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square Park - May 21st
This week's Boston Calling Block Party is in Dewey Square (Congress and Summer streets) on Thursday, May 21st with The Swinging Johnsons
performing live. Thursday's block party is from 5 to 8:30 pm.
On Thursday nights there will be block parties in Dewey Square through September.
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. All block parties are free 21+ events to be inside the gated areas, but anyone can stand nearby and listen. Beer and wine is available for purchase.
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May is Preservation Month at the Old South Meeting House Article
Explore the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) on Thursday, May 21st with a 30-minute introduction to the Meeting House's long and colorful history.
Enjoy learning about this beautiful National Historical Landmark that was first built in 1729. You will learn about the OSMH's close call with demolition in 1876, and some of the creative fundraising options that saved it. This event is co-sponsored by the Boston Preservation Alliance, with funding from the Lowell Institute. Also May is National Preservation Month. This is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by clicking here. This event starts at 5:45 pm. |
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Boston Ballet's 'Thrill of Contact' at Opera House Through May 24th
The Boston Ballet "Thrill of Contact" is at the Boston Opera House through May 24th. The show is "a striking program of precision and impressive athleticism featuring works by Balanchine, Robbins, Forsythe and a world premiere by Principal Dancer Jeffrey Cirio."
On Saturday, May 23rd there is a pre-curtain talk with dancers, choreographers, musicians, and special guests offering audience members an insiders view on the story-line, choreography, history, costumes, and music for the evening's performance. Click here for tickets and more information. |
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Sensory-Friendly Screening of 'Tomorrowland' at AMC Loews Boston Common on May 30th
The AMC Loews Boston Common 19 is showing a sensory-friendly show once a month on Saturdays. The next screening is of "Tomorrowland" on Saturday, May 30th at 10 am.
The auditorium lights will remain up for the whole show and the volume will be kept at a lower level so people with special needs can watch and enjoy the movie, too. Click here for movie and ticket information. |
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Actors' Shakespeare Project Performing 'Henry VI, Part 2' Through June 7th at Modern Theatre
The Actors' Shakespeare Project is performing "Henry VI, Part 2" at Suffolk University's Modern Theatre through June 7th.
The Henry VI plays were popular back in the day, "...because they were packed with conspiratorial machinations unfolding right in front of you in an irresistible feast of intrigue."
Click here for tickets and more information. |
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The Redcoats are in Downtown Boston! Watch the Changing of the Guard in the Crossing, at the State House and More
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 Saturday 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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Japanese Coffee Roaster, Ogawa Coffee, Opening on Milk Street on May 22nd
Japanese coffee roaster, Ogawa Coffee (10 Milk St.), will open its doors to the public at 10 am on Friday, May 22nd. The store will offer a specialized coffee selection along with breakfast, lunch and sweets seven days a week. Ogawa coffee is also known for creating artistic designs in its drinks.
"Many ask, 'Why Boston?' The answer to that question is both simple and complex," said Yoshinori Uda, Ogawa Coffee USA CEO. "In addition to sharing many similarities, Boston is also the sister city of Kyoto, Japan, where Ogawa Coffee is headquartered, making it a perfect city for our first international shop."
To celebrate its opening weekend of May 22nd to 24th, the first 100 customers in the shop each day will receive a complimentary 4 oz. pack of Ogawa Coffee beans.
Ogawa Coffee will serve its House Blend Kyoto, found exclusively in Kyoto and Boston. The shop menu will also include croissants, salads, sandwiches and smoothies. There will also be Ogawa Coffee's signature drink, a seasonally-changing creation of Ogawa baristas; and Ogawa's famous Single Origin Trio, a flight of three different single-sources coffee shots served side-by-side for comparison.
The shop is open Monday to Friday 7 am - 7 pm, and 10 am - 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday. |
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Congratulations to the Classes of 2015!
The BID would like to congratulate all graduates from Suffolk University, Emerson College, as well as other Boston-area schools. You put in a lot of hard work through the years and we look forward to hearing about your future endeavors!
Governor Charlie Baker was the commencement speaker at Suffolk University, and broadcaster Robin Roberts was the speaker at Emerson's commencement. |
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Hyatt Regency Boston, Local Community Donate More Than 500 Pairs of Shoes to
St. Francis House
On May 12th the Hyatt Regency Boston donated more than 500 pairs of shoes to the St. Francis House in honor of One Boston Day. April 15th was chosen as One Boston Day to encourage random acts of kindness and spread goodwill throughout the city. The Hyatt's random act of kindness was to collect new or gently-worn shoes after learning shoes are in great demand by St. Francis House clients.
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| | Left to right: Slyde, New England Revolution mascot; Karen LaFrazia, executive director of St. Francis House; Lucky the Leprechaun of the Boston Celtics; and Terry Dunbar, GM of the Hyatt Regency Boston. |
St. Francis House provides rehabilitative and housing programs for poor and homeless men and women, supporting more than 500 people a day. Notable participants in helping the Hyatt included Barry's Boot Camp, Shake Shack, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, the Boston Celtics, the New England Revolution, Roads Scholar, Carbonite, as well as many individuals who walked through the Hyatt Regency Boston's doors to donate shoes.
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Three 'Green & Clean' Nail Salons on Bromfield Street in Downtown Boston
A hot topic this week was the safety of nail salons after a New York Times article explored the exploitation of salon employees and the health risks for nail technicians. In Boston there are nail salons participating in the "Green & Clean" program that goes beyond the city's regulations for nail salons. Three of those salons are on Bromfield Street: Bromfield Nail (23 Bromfield St.), Hi-Tech Nail (39 Bromfield St.) and Nail Time (61 Bromfield St.). The Boston Public Health Commission, which regulates nail salons in the city, has established required practices for tool sterilization and equipment cleaning. The BPHC also launched the "Green & Clean" program to encourage salons to go beyond the mandatory requirements. Green & Clean salons follow strict sterilizations practices, use environmentally friendly products and recyclable materials, and conserve heat, light, and water. For their participating in the program salons receive signs and positive word of mouth from the commission. According to the Green & Clean's website, 34 Boston nail salons participate in the program.
Also in 2013, Boston created new regulations to increase ventilation requirements in the city's permitted nail salons. Nail salons are required by law to have mechanical ventilation systems and/or built-in ventilation at nail tables
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Boston's Earliest High-Fashion Gown Now on View at the Old State House
'It's all about the dress' is a wedding phrase often spoken these days. Well ahead of her time was Boston fashionista Elizabeth Bull, who designed her own colorful, hand-embroidered silk wedding gown several years before she even had a groom in mind. The one-of-a-kind Elizabeth Bull gown, a stunning example of Boston's earliest haute couture, is on temporary display through the end of this year at Boston's Old State House (206 Washington St.).
Bull started designing, sewing, and embroidering her China silk gown when she was only 14 while still in school. By 1734, she had already been at work on her gown for several years when she met Roger Price, the rector of Trinity Church in Boston, who she would marry. |
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PAUL Expanded Hours this Week
Newly-opened French bakery PAUL (201 Washington St.) has expanded its hours this week to 7 am - 7 pm Monday through Friday, and 8 am - 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
But it's not just a bakery, it's a full-service restaurant with an extensive menu of French cuisine. |
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Macy's Memorial Day Sale Starts May 20th & Earn Macy's Money on Purchases
Macy's Memorial Day Sale starts Wednesday, May 20th and goes through Monday, May 25th. Plus when you use your Macy's card you receive an extra 15-20% off select sale and clearance items or you can the WOW! Pass and save if you don't have a Macy's card.
Also, you can earn Macy's Money on your purchases from May 20th through May 31st and then redeem your Macy's Money from June 3rd to 7th either in-store or online. |
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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 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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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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