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June 15, 2015
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Featured Stories
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
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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Make Music Boston on Sunday in Three Downtown Boston Locations
This is the second year of Make Music Boston with live music on Sunday, June 21st throughout Boston neighborhoods. There are three locations in the BID with live performances: 125 Summer St., One Summer St. (Downtown Crossing; and Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets).
The festival is open to anyone who would like to participate - any genre, any level. From indie bands to Latin ensembles to hip-hop artists, all music will be celebrated and given platforms across the city. Boston will join more than 726 cities around the world to celebrate Make Music Day on this day.
At 125 Summer St., singer-songwriter Matthew Connor, pictured above, will perform from 1:15 to 2:15 pm; funk and jazz band Scubaphone, pictured below, will perform from 2:15 to 3:30 pm; and David and Noah Allen will perform gospel jazz from 3:30 to 5 pm.
At One Summer St. (Downtown Crossing), Scubaphone will perform from 1 to 1:45 pm; and Pavoh RADAR Awards Class of '15 will perform indie folk music from 2 to 3:30 pm.
At Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets), Matthew Connor will perform from 2:30 to 3:30 pm; and Scubaphone will perform from 3:45 to 5 pm.
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Two More Shows: Operatic 'Our Town' at Suffolk University's Modern Theatre on
June 18th & 19th
There are two more shows of the Boston Opera Collaborative's presentation of "Our Town" at Suffolk University's Modern Theatre on June 18th and 19th.
Written by Ned Rorem, this is the first operatic treatment of Thornton Wilder's famous play about life and death in the fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.
There are only two performances left of this show. Tickets are $15-$25 and children younger than 10 are free. Click here for tickets and more info.
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This Saturday: The Downtown Kids Vocal Troupe on Summer Street
The Downtown Kids will perform Saturday at One Summer St. The group is comprised of members of the Mixed Emotions vocal troupe from the Riverside Theatre Works, and will be performing live every Saturday through August from 12:30 to 3 pm.
The group will perform show tunes, hits from the 80s, 90s and modern era. These are live performances open to the public. |
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Free Berklee Music Performance Series at 100 Summer St.
Luke Niccoli - June 16th & 18th
The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series continues this week with Luke Niccoli on June 16th and 18th from noon to 2 pm. This performance is free and open to the public.
Alternative singer-songwriter Luke Niccoli combines the acoustic and pop sensibilities of John Mayer with the edge and arena-rock energy of Kings of Leon and U2. He recently released his debut EP, Love Hate Fate.
This is the second year of the free Berklee concert series at 100 Summer St. |
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Donna Summer Roller Disco Party on June 19th at City Hall Plaza
The 2nd Annual Donna Summer Roller Disco Party to honor Boston native Donna Summer will take place at City Hall Plaza on Friday, June 19th from 6 to 10 pm. This is a free event open to the public.
This event will feature music, dancing, roller skating and free skate rentals.
The event will feature other Boston natives, including DJ Kon of Dorchester, Elisa Hamilton, creator of Dance Spot Boston, Frieda Fries of Jacques' Cabaret and the Boston Derby Dames roller derby team. |
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125 Summer Street Soloists Music Series with Violinist Sumaia Jackson on
June 17th & 19th
This spring 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 performances are free and open to the public.
On Wednesday, June 17th and Friday, June 19th violinist Sumaia Jackson will perform. There is public seating at the location, so take your lunch outside and enjoy the music! |
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Grey Season Performing at
Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square Park - June 18th
This week's Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square (Congress and Summer streets) on Thursday, June 18th features live music by Grey Season. Thursday's block party is from 5 to 8:30 pm.
Thursday night block parties will be in Dewey Square through the end of September.
All block parties are free and you must be 21 to attend. Beer and wine is available for purchase.
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Live Music at Walgreens Plaza on Fridays and Saturdays
The Downtown Boston BID is sponsoring live free music on Fridays and Saturdays at Walgreen Plaza (School and Washington streets) this summer.
Luke Niccoli will perform on Friday, June 19th from noon to 1:30 pm and Saturday, June 20th from noon to 2 pm. These performances are free and open to the public. |
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Old South Meeting House Screening 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' for 'Banned Books on the Big Screen'
The Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) continues its "Banned Books on the Big Screen" movie series on June 25th with "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" at 7:30 pm.
Doors open an hour before the film to provide moviegoers a chance to enjoy a beverage while exploring the Old South Meeting House. Tickets are $8 for the general public and $4 for members. Tickets are available here. All tickets will be $10 at the door. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
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'Haymarket, the Soul of the City' Exhibit Documents Boston's Outdoor Market at Suffolk's Adams Gallery
Historic New England's exhibit "Haymarket, the Soul of the City" documents photographs from Boston's Haymarket and is on display at Suffolk University's Adams Gallery (120 Tremont St.) through August 20th. This exhibit is free and open to the public.
Boston's Haymarket has been operating since the first half of the 19th Century and is showcased by 43 photographs by Justine H. Goodstein, with interviews with curator Ken Turino. There is also a video of the sights, sounds and voices of Haymarket.
The exhibit curators will be in the gallery to talk with visitors on June 25th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The documentary "Haymarket" will premiere at 7:30 pm on July 8th at Suffolk University's Modern Theatre (525 Washington St.). A panel discussion will be led by Suffolk University History Chair Robert Allison after the movie. All of these events are free and open to the public. Adams Gallery hours are 9 am to 7 pm daily.
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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 as if it were 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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Free Fitness Classes at Leventhal Park at Post Office Square Through
September 17th
Anyone is welcome to participate in free varying fitness classes at Norman Leventhal Park at Post Office Square. The p.o.fitness series offers eight classes per week and is open to anyone and are held before and after work at 7:15 am and 5:30 pm.
Classes include: HIIT, bootcamp, pilates, zumba, yoga flow, morning stretch and renew yoga. Click here for a full schedule.
Norman Leventhal Park is located at 130 Congress St. These free fitness classes are available through September 17th. |
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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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Nest Wants to be Your Eco-Friendly Neighborhood Salon
Ja'coall Bergstrom opened the eco-friendly Nest salon (53 Bromfield St.) in Downtown Boston due to the neighborhood's urban vibe, constant flow of people and historical feel.
"I'm a new business and I could've opened anywhere," said Ja'coall (pronounced like "Nicole" but with a j). "But I chose Downtown Boston."
"All of our styling products are vegan, gluten-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free. It's more of a natural way to style hair," said Bergstrom. "Many salons use products saturated in chemicals and carcinogens. I wanted to go as organic and natural as possible. Our color line (hair coloring) is also ammonia-free."
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| | Nest salon owner Ja'coall Bergstrom, left, with stylist Caleb. |
Nest salon offers numerous services for men and women including hair styling, haircuts, coloring, extensions, blow drys, event styling and more.
As for why the salon is called Nest? Bergstrom explained she named it so because it's a little space like a nest where she can grow her business.
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| | Part of being eco-friendly, Nest salon repurposed pieces of wood from a Quincy beach and more. |
Nest salon is open Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 7 pm, and on Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm. Prices are affordable and customers can make appointments by clicking here or calling 617-337-2723. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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Reminder: Beantown Pub is Open During Renovations of Building's Facade
The Beantown Pub (100 Tremont St.) is still open for business during the renovations of its building's facade. The pub offers food, drinks and billiards.
The Beantown Pub is the only place in the world you can drink a cold Sam Adams beer while looking at the late Sam Adams (he's buried across the street in the Granary Burying Ground).
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| | This is what Beantown Pub looks like normally without construction scaffolding. |
Click here for the menu, to reserve a private party and more. The Beantown Pub is open daily 10 am to 2 am. Please call 617-426-0111 for more info.
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BID Ambassadors Take Boston Duck Tour
On Monday, BID Ambassadors enjoyed a complimentary Boston Duck Tour to get to know the City of Boston even better than they already do.
BID Ambassadors are encouraged to participate in different experiences to make them better hospitality guides for residents and tourists of the Boston area. The Downtown Boston BID is extremely thankful to the Boston Duck Tour company for offering the opportunity to take an amphibious tour of our beloved city.
During the tour ambassadors were regaled with stories, historical tidbits and more by Boston Duck Tour Guide Almost Educated Aaron. Several ambassadors even got to drive the duck boat in the Charles River. |
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Dine with Design for Dining Exhibition at Seven Downtown Boston Restaurants
The Design Museum Boston has paired with seven Downtown Boston restaurants for the exhibition "Design for Dining," now open through November 11th.
The Design for Dining exhibition showcases installations demonstrating how designers shape the dining experience. For example, Gate 3 Design turned SIP Wine Bar and Kitchen's secluded dining table area into a more natural scene with an earthy wood wall and a grassy pasture background (see above and below).
The restaurants were paired-off with seven leading design and architecture firms: Legal Crossing with Bergmeyer Associates; BONAPITA with Soldier Design; jm Curley with Jaywalk Studio; MAST' with NELSON; The Merchant with Payette; Silvertone Bar & Grill with Silverman Trykowski Associates; and SIP Wine Bar and Kitchen with Gate 3 Design. Each team designed and produced a new dining experience that will pop-up in each restaurant. There will be special menus and drinks that accompany these newly designed experiences from June to November.
There are also special events as part of the exhibition. On June 19th at 8:30 am at Red Thread (22 Boston Wharf Road), restaurant designer Stephen Martyak, founder and principal of StudioTYAK, will be featured at a free Design Museum Mornings session, at which he'll speak on the process of designing a restaurant from the client's vision through its opening.
Design for Dining is being produced in collaboration with the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District. |
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Primark Now Hiring for Downtown Boston Store Opening This Fall
Irish retailer Primark is now hiring for positions at its first American store, which is opening this fall in the Burnham Building on Summer Street.
If you're interested in being considered for one Primark's retail openings, please text PRIMARK to 617-207-6382, or click here. |
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Empire Beauty School of Boston Open House on June 18th
The Empire Beauty School of Boston (30 West St.) is hosting an open house on Thursday, June 18th from 2 to 6 pm.
Stop by and learn how to start a career in beauty. Anyone is welcome to participate in a complimentary hands-on workshop to learn about foiling techniques, locking and up styles, fresh face makeup and more.
Besides the workshops, tours of the campus will be offered, and educators and current students will be present to answer questions. Empire's career planning specialists will be onsite to answer questions and provide info. Please click here or call 617-266-2661 for more info. |
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City of Boston & Next Street Small Business Roundtable on June 18th
The City of Boston and Next Street are hosting a roundtable discussion with small business owners to assess the current state of the small business ecosystem in Boston. The next roundtable is on Thursday, June 18th from 8:30 to 11 am at Next Street (184 Dudley St., Suite 200).
The topics include: the current state of the small business ecosystem from business owners' perspectives; current resources available for support that businesses are aware of and gaps in service; and small business' ongoing needs and pain points.
Businesses that are Boston-based and have fewer than 100 full-time employees or less than $10 million in annual revenue are invited to participate. Attendance is limited, please register by clicking here. For questions please contact Lynn Wahlquist at [email protected] or 617-318-6511. |
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Free MRI Brain Scans by the Brain Tumor Foundation Mobile Unit on Congress Street through June 20th
The Brain Tumor Foundation's mobile unit will be on the Congress Street Plaza (100 Federal St.) through Saturday, June 20th offering free MRI brain scans.
An MRI brain scan can offer early detection of brain tumors. This event is in conjunction with Boston Properties (owners of 100 Federal St.). To schedule a scan please call 844-283-7226 or click here. |
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PAUL One Boston Place Offering Catering for Nearby Offices and Residents
PAUL One Boston Place (201 Washington St.) offers catering for breakfast, lunch and special events for nearby offices and residents.
Please email [email protected] for menu selections and delivery details. |
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Buy Two Shirts Get One Free and More at Cuffs & Collars
Cuffs & Collars (9 Water St.) is offering several deals that will help you look sharp as a tack. Buy two suits for $899, buy two shirts and get one free, or buy one shirt and get a free tie.
Click here for the Cuffs & Collars website or call the store at 617-720-2833. |
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Macy's Offering Tours of its 150-Year History
Macy's is offering a 30-minute history tour that showcases how the company became America's largest department store with more than 800 locations and 150 years of retail history.
Guests will learn about the story behind Macy's Downtown Boston store with highlights of the store's past, including when it was the Jordan Marsh department store.
The cost is $12 per person, which includes a Macy's Visitor Savings Pass. This tour is being offered every Friday at 2 pm starting June 5th. Please call or email at least 24 hours in advance to make a reservation. Please contact Jasmine Dottin, Tourism Marketing Manager at [email protected] or call 617-357-3118. |
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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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