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Independence Weekend 2015
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Boston Harborfest
Harborfest Events in the BID 

Boston Harborfest celebrates the American Revolution in Boston with numerous events happening throughout the downtown area. Harborfest runs from July 1st to July 5th. Below are several of the events happening in the BID and harbor area. 

Boston Harborfest has more than 200 events including tours of the Old North Church, the Tall Ships and 18th century chocolate making demonstrations. Click on the above link for a full schedule and details.
On July 4th, the Old State House (206 Washington St.) is hosting an Independence Day edition of "Revolutionary Characters Live!" from 2 to 2:30 pm. Come meet Thomas Crafts and hear his tale of reading the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House on July 18th, 1776, when the document finally made its way to Boston. Admission is free with museum admission, which is $10 for adults and free for children younger than 18.

Also on July 4th at the Old State House is an "Independence Comes to Boston Tour" from 3 to 3:30 pm. Free with admission, which is $10 for adults and free for children younger than 18. Call 617-720-1713 x27 for more information. 
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Await Rescue Performing at  
Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square Park - July 2nd 

This week's Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square (Congress and Summer streets) on Thursday, July 2nd features live music by Await Rescue. Thursday's block party is from 5 to 8 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. Along with lawn seating there are also free corn hole games for everyone to play.
The Bostonian Society Pub Quiz at Old State House on July 2nd 

The Bostonian Society is hosting a Pub Quiz at the Old State House (206 Washington St.) on Thursday, July 2nd from 6 to 8 pm. Savor the revolutionary taste of Samuel Adams beer while you match wits with patriots and loyalists. 

Learn how independence was celebrated in Colonial Boston, and participate in a game of independence themed pub trivia drawn from colonial and early American history. Space is limited. Admission is $15 includes two beers or other beverages from the bar. Click here to purchase tickets. 
Even on Independence Day! The Redcoats are in Downtown Boston!

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. The Redcoats will be roaming the streets of Downtown Boston on July 3rd and 4th from noon to 2 pm - don't give 'em a hard time - after all they lost the war!


The Redcoats regularly perform entertaining activities 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. 
Astor 'Juice' Chance Performing at 125 Summer Street on July 3rd 

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 Friday, July 3rd, you'll have the chance to hear popular Boston-area musical fixture Astor "Juice" Chance perform. Chance is known for performing in the Public Garden and other Boston locations. There is public seating at the location, so take your lunch outside and enjoy the music! 
Carlos V. Ramos Performing Live at Walgreens Plaza on July 3rd  

Carlos V. Ramos will be performing live on Friday, July 3rd at Walgreen Plaza (School and Washington streets) this summer. This is a BID sponsored performance. 

Ramos will perform from noon to 1:30 pm. This performance is free and open to the public.  
Tupahn Kicks Off Inaugural 
Musical Performances at 
133 Federal St. on July 6th 

The BID is launching another musical series - this time at 133 Federal St. on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 2 pm. 


Guitarist Tupahn will perform on July 6th and 9th to kick off this series. These performances are free and open to the public. 
Extra! Extra! Broadway Smash 'Newsies' at Boston Opera House Thru July 5th 

Catch the Broadway hit "Newsies" at the Boston Opera House through July 5th. There will be one performance on July 2nd, two performances on July 3rd, one performance on July 4th, and two more performances on July 5th.

"Newsies" won 2012 Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Choreography and tells the story of a band of underdogs who stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It's a tale about fighting for what you believe is right and staying true to yourself. Click here for tickets and showtimes.
THANK YOU!
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 info@bostonbid.org.  
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update

BID Logo Lo Res

For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: dertischek@bostonbid.org
Featured Activities
Celebrate on the Esplanade  

Boston's big fireworks celebration is over the Charles River by the Esplanade and Hatch Shell on July 4th. The fireworks spectacular begin over the Charles River at 10:30 pm. 

The Boston Pops will perform starting at 8:30 pm from the Hatch Shell, which will be broadcast live on WBZ-TV, or listen to it on the radio at 99.5 WCRB. Scheduled performers for the concert include Michael Cavanaugh, Melinda Doolittle, Sons of Serendip, Michelle Brooks-Thompson, the USO Show Troupe and the Boston Crusaders.
The Boston Pops are also performing at the Hatch Shell on July 3rd at 8:30 pm. 

Click here for more information about the July 3rd and 4th celebrations on the Esplanade including directions, parking, banned items and more.  
What's Open on July 4th in Boston and the BID - #OpeninBos

Eater.com has a growing list of restaurants open in the Boston area on July 4th. Businesses that are open can use the hashtag #OpeninBos to share their status on social media.

The following restaurants are open on July 4th in the BID:

Back Deck (2 West St.)

Barracuda Tavern (15 Bosworth St.)

Cheeseboy (280 Washington St.)

Cocobeet (100 City Hall Plaza)

David's Tea (298 Washington St.) 

Fajitas & 'Ritas (25 West St.)

Legal Crossing (558 Washington St.) 

The Merchant (60 Franklin St.)

PAUL One Boston Place (201 Washington St.)

Scholars (25 School St.)

Teatro (177 Tremont St.)

Thirst Juice Co. (44 School St.)

 

Also, please note that Walgreens (School and Washington streets) is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Macy's will also be open on July 4th.  

Freedom Trail Celebrates Harborfest with an Expanded Schedule

Starting July 1st, the Freedom Trail Foundation's expanded schedule includes two new Walk Into History Tours offered daily at 3:30 pm from the ArtsBoston Bostix booth at Faneuil Hall and at 4:30 pm from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center.  


On July 2nd and July 3rd, African-American Patriots Tours step off at noon from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center.  


Additionally, the exciting and ever popular Pirates & Patriots Tour will take place on July 3rd through July 5th at 1 pm from the ArtsBoston Bostix booth at Faneuil Hall, and a special Historic Pub Crawl is available July 2nd at 5:30 pm from the ArtsBoston Bostix booth at Faneuil Hall.
 

The full Freedom Trail schedule offers tours from morning to evening. Walk Into History Tours are the official 90-minute walking tours of the Freedom Trail, walking to 11 of Boston's historic Freedom Trail sites from Boston Common and Faneuil Hall. Walk Into History Tours depart from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center hourly from 11 am to 4 pm and 4:30 pm daily, and depart from the ArtsBoston BosTix booth at Faneuil Hall at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:30 pm daily. North End Tours depart from the ArtsBoston BoxTix booth at Faneuil Hall at 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm daily to explore Boston's oldest neighborhood, and Pirates & Patriots Tours depart from ArtsBoston Bostix booth at Faneuil Hall at 1 pm, Fridays through Sundays. 


Led by 18th-century costumed guides, all Freedom Trail Foundation walking tours are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors/students, and $8 for children, and include a $1 donation to the Freedom Trail Foundation's Preservation Fund. Tickets may be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center, ArtsBoston BosTix booths at Faneuil Hall and Copley Square, Old Town Trolley locations and ticket booths, and online at TheFreedomTrail.org. 

Announcements
MBTA July 4th Schedule: 
Changes to MBTA Late Night Service 
Started June 27th 

The MBTA Late Night Service schedule changed starting the night of June 27th for all MBTA services. Click here for the MBTA's service schedule for July 4th - including that the T is free after 9:30 pm on July 4th.

The last subway trains now depart downtown stations at approximately 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights, and this is also the latest time to make connections between subway lines. Five Late Night bus routes were eliminated, frequency on all other bus routes and rail lines were also reduced. Click here for a full schedule of each service, changes to trains, rails and buses and more. Please email latenight@mbta.com with any comments or questions regarding extended late-night services.
Deals & Promos
$1 Oysters at The Merchant July 3rd-5th 

The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) is offering $1 oysters July 3rd through July 5th from 11 am to close. The only one losing on this deal is the oysters! 

Capital One 360 Café Offering Themed Lollipops and Free Drink on July 3rd 

Capital One 360 Café (129 Tremont St.) will be celebrating Independence Day on July 3rd by giving out themed lollipops and hosting a Free Drinks Happy Hour for everyone (selected iced coffee or tea) from 10 am to 2 pm.

Stop by and chat with a 360 associate to learn some financial independent tips. Limit one free drink per person and while supplies last.
BID Ambassador Services & Links
BID Ambassadors Provide Walking Escorts
 and Directions 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 help@bostonbid.org, which is encouraged. 
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 info@bostonbid.org for more.
City Services


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