|
August 17, 2015
|
Featured Stories
Arts, Entertainment & Events
For Rent
Announcements
BID Ambassador Services & Links
Deals & Promos
City Services
Construction & Utility Work Updates
|
| Photo by Jennifer S. Altman for Boston Globe |
|
|
This Week's Featured Event
|
|
'Kinky Boots' at Boston Opera House through August 30th
Catch the hit Broadway smash musical "Kinky Boots" being performed at the Boston Opera House.
With songs by Grammy- and Tony-winning songstress Cyndi Lauper, "Kinky Boots" is a joyous musical celebrating the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. This musical is inspired by true events, and takes you from a gentlemen's shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.
Click here for tickets and showtimes. The show runs through August 30th. |
|
Arts, Entertainment & Events
|
|
Celebrate Phillis Wheatley at the Old South Meeting House on August 18th
The Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) will be celebrating Phillis Wheatley with hands-on activities throughout Tuesday, August 18th. Wheatley joined the Old South Meeting House as a full member on August 18th, 1771. She had been kidnapped from Africa as a child and sold into slavery, and later became an international celebrity with the publication of her book "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" in 1773.
From 10 am to 4 pm there will be Community Poetry Board, i.e. refrigerator poetry without the fridge! Choose from 18th-century and modern day words to compose a unique poem in the building that inspired poet Wheatley 250 years ago. From 10:30 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 2:30 pm, try your hand at Quill Pen Writing (ages 7 and up). Write with a pen made from a goose feather like Wheatley did. Compare your handwriting with Wheatley's as viewed in her poems and letters.
Activities are free with museum admission. Click here for details. |
|
Free Berklee Music Performance Series at 100 Summer St.
Kayla Corrine - Aug. 18th & 20th
The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series continues this week with Kayla Corrine on August 18th and 20th from noon to 2 pm. This performance is free and open to the public at 100 Summer St.
From the Berklee website, Corrine explained her musical style: " I'm Kayla Corrine and I've been in love with music since birth. I would call myself a soulful singer-songwriter and I tend to write mostly on acoustic guitar because I adore the raw, crystal clear sound of it. It relates directly to the lyrical content of my music itself - raw, honest, real, and quite clear. Everything about what I stand for is the truth. I write directly from my heart and soul in hopes of explaining myself through my art so that I myself can feel content and others can understand me as well as themselves, in a different perspective. Life is about learning and growing and that's all I'm ever really trying to do through this incredibly wonderful art form known as music."
|
|
The Nonplussed Performing at
Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square Park - August 20th
This week's Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square (Congress and Summer streets) on Thursday, August 20th features live music by The Nonplussed. 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 is also free corn hole for everyone to play.
|
|
Hsin Hou Sun and Tori Marjorie at 133 Federal St.: Free Performances on
Mondays and Thursdays
The BID's 133 Federal St. music series is free and open to the public on Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 2 pm.
Hsin Hou Sun, pictured, is scheduled to perform on August 20th and Tori Marjorie is scheduled to perform on the 24th.
|
|
Astor "Chance" Juice Performing at
125 Summer Street on
August 19th & 21st
One of the BID's new music series is the 125 Summer Street Soloists Series. Every Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 pm through September you can see a live performer. All performances are free and open to the public.
Astor "Chance" Juice will perform on Wednesday, August 19th and Friday, August 21st. There is public seating at the location, so take your lunch outside and enjoy the music! |
|
Andrew Smith at Walgreens Plaza on August 21st & Kesnel John on Aug. 22nd
Andrew Smith will be performing live on Friday, Aug. 21st and Kesnel John will be performing on Saturday, Aug. 22nd at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) this summer. These are BID-sponsored performances.
Smith will perform from noon to 1:30 pm on Friday, and John will perform noon to 2 pm on Saturday.
These performance are free and open to the public. |
|
This Saturday: The Downtown Kids Vocal Troupe on Summer Street
The Downtown Kids will perform Saturday at One Summer St. outside of Macy's. The group is comprised of members of the Sweet Harmony 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 and hits from the 80s, 90s, and modern era. These live performances are free and open to the public. |
|
Rum, White & Blue at Highball Lounge on August 25th
Cool off with rum craft cocktails at the Highball Lounge (90 Tremont St.) in partnership with Privateer Rum and Ye Olde Tavern Tours on Tuesday, August 25th from 7 to 9 pm.
Highball Lounge will be serving rum cocktails from the past three centuries including those imbibed by famous Bostonians like Paul Revere. Learn the origins of the cocktails, a brief history of rum and how drinking rum has changed through the years.
Tickets can be purchased here for $30 and include three rum cocktails and light snacks. Contact Katie Grady at [email protected] for more info.
|
|
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 [email protected], 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 [email protected] for more.
|
|
Construction & Utility Work Updates
|
|
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.  |
|
|
|
250th Anniversary of Liberty Tree Celebrated with 108 Copper Lanterns
On Friday night, 108 copper lanterns were lit at Liberty Tree Plaza (Essex and Washington streets) to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Liberty Tree, which was the gathering site of the protest that put the 13 colonies on the road to the American Revolution.
"The Revolution has a different meaning if you start here. It wasn't all about guys in white wigs," said Nathaniel Sheidley, director of public history at the Bostonian Society.
What it was about in 1765 was opposition to the Stamp Act, a tax requiring colonists to pay for paper used for a wide range of business documents.
|
| | Photo by Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff |
Revolution250, a coalition of historic organizations (including the Bostonian Society) committed to working together to mark the 250th anniversary of the decade-long prelude to the American Revolution. The project was also made possible with support from the Boston National Historical Park and Eastern National, and is supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council.
|
|
Starting August 18th! Learn About Stand-Up Comedy, Line Dancing and More in 15-Minute Pop-Up Classes in Downtown Crossing
The Boston Center for Adult Education (BCAE) is teaming up with the BID for a series of Tuesday 15-minute crash courses during lunch hour in Downtown Crossing outside of Macy's (One Summer St.). The first class, Stand-Up Comedy, will be taught by Dana Jay Bein, and starts on August 18th.
Each class will be no more than 15 minutes in length, and only $5 or $10...the extra $5 covers necessary class materials. Participants will receive a coupon for the amount they paid toward a future BCAE class.
Each of the following 15-minute classes will run on its scheduled date starting at 11:30 am, noon, 12:30 pm and 1 pm.
The following is the class schedule and prices:
8/18 - Stand-Up Comedy | $5
8/25 - Line Dancing | $5
9/1 - Make it & Take It: Bracelets | $10
9/8 - Writing Flash Fiction | $5
9/15 - Learn to Do Magic | $10
9/22 - How to Draw a Square | $10
9/29 - Improv Workshop | $5
10/6 - iPhone Photography | $5
The classes will take place in a covered tent. Click here for tickets and more info. Stay up-to-date and join the conversation using #BCAEDTX. |
|
Recap: Summertime BID Members Meeting a Shining Success
The BID Summertime Members Meeting on August 12th was a wonderful night as guests socialized with appetizers from Roche Bros. and drinks from Gordon's Fine Wine & Liquors and Ogawa Coffee.
Guests were pleasantly surprised by One Federal Street's 9th floor oasis, which includes an open-air garden and reflection pool.
BID President Rosemarie Sansone introduced numerous new business owners and representatives to attendees, including Terry Dunbar, GM of the Hyatt Regency Boston, and Laura Britton, store manager of Macy's, above.
Jay Calderin, founder and executive director of Boston Fashion Week, spoke about the week of curated Boston Fashion Week events being hosted by the BID, called Downtown Platform, occurring September 27th through October 3rd; and Rich Doucette (above left with Brian LeMay, president and executive director of the Bostonian Society, right), the new director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, and founder of the Boston Cup Classic Car Show, spoke about the fourth annual show on the Boston Common on September 20th.
|
| | Rishi Shukla, co-founder of the Midtown Cultural District Residents' Association with BID President Rosemarie Sansone. |
|
|
Michal Penek Named as New General Manager of Nine Zero Hotel
We would like to welcome Michal Penek to Downtown Boston. Penek was recently named the new general manager of the Nine Zero Hotel.
"I love Nine Zero primarily because of the team that works here. They are such a great group of people that are always looking to provide an exceptional experience for each and every one of our guests," said Penek. "The property is luxurious and beautiful, with an amazing location - who wouldn't want to work here?"
Penek has worked for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants (owner of Nine Zero Hotel) for more than three years and has really gone up in the ranks since starting as hotel manager at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge in 2012. Penek currently resides in Wakefield, MA, is a proud mother of three, and loves Boston.
|
|
Update: Downtown Boston BID Baggo Lunchtime League Leaders
The Downtown Boston BID Baggo Lunchtime League recently finished the fifth week of its inaugural season. League games are played at the plazas at 100 and 125 Summer Street. It's a tight leader board and there could be a lot of movement in the next two weeks - and then it's onto the playoffs!
The following are the top five leaders:
Eddie Noonan of Bryant Associates - 14 pts
Stephen Wallack of KPMG - 11 pts
Jessica Rondon of KPMG - 11 pts
Mark O'Brien of Cambridge Associates - 10 pts
Eric Robinson of Fidelity Investments - 9 pts |
|
Enjoy Great Deals and Meals with
Dine Out Boston
Dine Out Boston, previously known as Restaurant Week Boston, is actually two weeks of great deals and meals at many local restaurants. Dine Out Boston is from Aug. 16th-21st and 23rd-28th.
Dine Out Boston, done through the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express twice a year, provides locals and visitors an opportunity to sample area restaurants at special prices. Participating restaurants design prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Each participating restaurant selects one of the three price options - the chef then prepares a menu to delight.
The following BID restaurants are participating: Artisan Bistro ($25 lunch/$38 dinner), Avenue One $20 lunch/$38 dinner), Central Bistro ($33 dinner), The Marliave ($25 lunch/$38 dinner), The Merchant ($33 dinner), Oceanaire ($25 lunch/$38 dinner), Parker's ($25 lunch/$38 dinner), Ruth's Chris Steak House ($25 lunch/$38 dinner), and Serafina Boston ($38 dinner).
Click here for the Dine Out Boston menus of participating BID restaurants. Reservations are encouraged by contacting individual restaurants or by clicking here. |
|
Newly-Renovated Jewelers Building
Space for Rent
This newly-renovated commercial space at the Jewelers Building (333 Washington St., 4th floor) features a beautiful showroom with two private offices, an over-sized safe, 24-hour building security and more.
There is a new double-pan window facing Washington Street, a high-tech security system, A/C, modern custom-made showcases, a window television for advertising, a sink, two fireplaces, and parking directly across the street.
This is two units combined into one. Please contact Nicole Vellucci from Forever Diamond & IDS Trading at [email protected].
|
|
Future of Downtown Boston Event to Include BID President Sansone as Panelist
BID President Rosemarie Sansone will be a featured panelist on Bisnow's The Future of Downtown Boston event on Aug. 18th. Sansone will be participating in the "Live, Work, Play - The Evolution of Downtown" discussion. Larry DiCara, below left, partner at Nixon Peabody, will be the opening keynote speaker. Sansone will be joined by Roche Bros. CEO Rick Roche, below right, and EVP Justin Krebs of Trans National Properties.
Tickets are still available for this event, which is happening at the Hyatt Regency Boston from 7:30 to 10:30 am. Click here for tickets and more information. |
|
MBTA Entrance on Franklin Street Closed Until Summer 2016
The MBTA Franklin Street entrance closed on Monday, Aug. 10th, and will remain closed until summer 2016, to accommodate ongoing construction for the Millennium Tower project.
Customers wanting to enter and exit at Downtown Crossing should use entrances and exits on Summer, Chauncy and Arch streets. |
|
Saladworks' New Summer Salad Deal:
Chicken, Quinoa, Strawberry and Pecan
Saladworks (22 Tremont St.) is offering a deal on its new summer salad featuring chicken, quinoa, strawberry and pecan. Buy one entree and get the second entree half off when you present this feature from the BID newsletter as a printout or from a mobile device.
|
|
Macy's 10th Annual Shop For A Cause on August 29th Benefits Non-Profits
Macy's is hosting its 10th Annual Shop For A Cause on Saturday, August 29th.
Non-profit organizations with a 501(c) or 170(c)1 tax-exempt status, school booster groups and religious organizations are eligible to be part of Macy's fun and effective way to raise funds and awareness for their cause.
Charities can sign up to participating by contacting the Macy's Boston store at 617-357-3094. You may request a quantity of savings passes to sell for $5 each. Upon approval, pick up savings passes from the store and sell them to your constituents through the day of the event. Savings passes are only valid in-store and not online.
Organizations benefit by receiving special savings passes to sell for $5 each and keep 100% of the proceeds. Guests benefit by receiving 25% off regular, sale and clearance merchandise on August 29th. |
|
5% Tuition Discount for BID Newsletter Readers for Fall Courses at
Boston Area Spanish Exchange
The Boston Area Spanish Exchange (41 Winter St. 4th Floor) is offering a 5% off tuition discount for BID newsletter readers who register before August 21st. Use the coupon code "BostonBID5" in order to receive the discount.
 Classes begin the week of September 14th. Click here to register. You can also call |
|
|
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]. |
|
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected] |
|
|
