|
August 24, 2015
|
Featured Stories
In Memory
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
For Rent
Deals & Promos
BID Ambassador Services & Links
City Services
Construction & Utility Work Updates
|
|
Michael James Connors, 55, Resident,
Owner of Intermission Tavern
Michael James Connors, 55, of Boston, passed away on August 22nd. Connors was a fixture on the Downtown Boston scene for many years through his work with theaters, Local #11 and as owner of the Intermission Tavern. He was very active in the community and could always be counted on for charitable events. He will be missed.
Connors was a brother in I.A.T.S.E. Local #11 since 1983. He worked locally on movies, stage and concerts before traveling for 16 years as a production technician on Broadway shows and rock and award shows before coming back to Boston where he became the property master at the Colonial Theater. In 2005, Connors became a restaurateur when he opened the Intermission Tavern at 228 Tremont St. He proudly celebrated 10 years in business with his loyal staff and friends in June. Click here for his full obituary.
|
|
This Week's Featured Event
|
|
Learn How to Line Dance on Tuesday!
15-Minute Pop-Up Classes in
Downtown Crossing Every Week
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.). On Tuesday, August 25th, learn How to Line Dance with Gail Gardner for $5.
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:
8/25 - 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. |
|
Arts, Entertainment & Events
|
|
Sign-Up For A 7-Week Seminar of Great Female Singers of the 1940s and 1950s
A series of seven weekly talks about great female singers of the 1940s and 1950s is being offered at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common (10 Avery St.) starting September 21st.
David Maister, a former Harvard Business School professor, who was an international management consultant for more than 25 years before retiring, will be leading the seminar. He has more than 300,000 pieces of music in his personal collection.
The two-hour talks, held on Mondays from 7 to 9 pm, will cover such performers as Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrew Sisters, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland and Doris Day. By watching live performance videos and reviewing biographical and historical information, Maister will examine the performers' works and lives, as well as the culture of their times. Participants will also receive an email every day introducing a new singer from the period, so more than 80 singers are discussed during the seven weeks.
The cost of the series is $30. Please contact David Maister at [email protected] with questions or to sign up. |
|
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 such as 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.
|
|
Free Berklee Music Performance Series at 100 Summer St.
Aug. 25th & 27th
The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series continues this week with Stains of a Sunflower on August 25th and 27th from noon to 2 pm. This performance is free and open to the public at 100 Summer St.
From the Berklee website: " Stains of a Sunflower is the band of a San Francisco native now located in Boston, making music in the hope that you'll turn your face and ears to the sun."
|
|
Historic Beer in a Historic Place at the Old State House on August 27th
Come to the Old State House (206 Washington St.) on Thursday, August 27th to taste beer, hear talks about pubs and drinking in the 18th century, and play pub games with a Revolutionary character. This event is organized by the Bostonian Society and sponsored by Samuel Adams. Each admission includes three beer tokens. This event is from 6 to 8 pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by clicking here. |
|
On Friday! The Shuga Bees and Jack Gantt Performing at Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square Park -
August 28th
This week's Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square (Congress and Summer streets) on Friday, August 28th features live music by The Shuga Bees with Jack Gantt. This block party is taking place on Friday 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. |
|
Wrong is Right Performing at
125 Summer Street on
August 26th & 28th
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.
Wrong is Right will perform on Wednesday, August 26th and Friday, August 28th. There is public seating at the location, so take your lunch outside and enjoy the music!
Wrong Is Right is a blend of mandolin, fiddle, and upright bass played by Jake Howard, Sumaia Jackson, and Mike Gaisbacher, respectively.
|
|
Tori Marjorie and Hsin Hou Sun 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.
Tori Marjorie, pictured, is scheduled to perform on August 27th. Hsin Hou Sun is scheduled to perform on August 31st.
|
|
Cellist Hsin Hou Sun at Walgreens Plaza on August 28th & 29th
Hsin Hou Sun will be performing live on Friday, Aug. 21st and Saturday, Aug. 28th at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) this summer. These are BID-sponsored performances.
Sun will perform from noon to 1:30 pm on Friday, and 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. |
|
'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. |
|
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.  |
|
|
|
Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy Lines Franklin Street for Ice Bucket Challenge
More than 100 people lined Franklin Street on Friday to take the Ice Bucket Challenge to help defeat ALS. The group was organized by Jake Kennedy, co-founder of
The Angel Fund is to receive funds raised by the ice bucket challenge, which saw employees and volunteers dump one bucket of ice-cold water one after another down the line.
|
| | Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy employees dump ice water on Jake Kennedy. |
The Boston Blue Jays AAU baseball team participated in the event, as their coach Olyn Brea works as a physical therapist aide at Kennedy Brothers PT.
"I thought it was good to spread awareness of ALS to kids who are very fortunate because they are healthy," said Brea. "I told them that ALS is an unfortunate disease for people who get it and can't move. I told them to appreciate they can play baseball everyday. With awareness we can tell someone who can tell someone else and achieve more research and tackle this disease."
|
| | Jake Kennedy, back left with tie, and the Boston Blue Jays baseball team, after taking the ice bucket challenge. |
|
|
Delicious Vegan Options in
Downtown Boston
If you're looking for vegan options you've got several in Downtown Boston.
and
are strictly vegan restaurants, offering meals, smoothies, juices, desserts and more.
Above: The delicious chocolate coconut truffle desserts at Cocobeet.
Below: Thirst Juice Co.'s Peruvian Pick-Me-Up and Superfood Bites.
Other local vegan options are available at
, below, which has a vegan salad bar. Also, don't forget the Clover Food Truck, which is often on the Boston Common by Brewer Fountain on Tremont Street. |
|
Save the Week! Platform Downtown Events for Boston Fashion Week
There will be a series of curated Boston Fashion Week exhibits in Downtown Boston from September 27th through October 3rd. Pictured below is a fashion shoot with photographer Tracy Aiguier outside of PAUL. Stay tuned here for more info coming soon!
|
|
The Valet Will Come to You With the
Luxe Mobile App
With the Luxe smartphone app you can now have on-demand valet service that enables you to have door-to-door service (almost) anywhere in downtown Boston. Whether you're looking to drive into downtown to visit your favorite restaurant, shop, or trying to find regular parking by your home or office, Luxe will park your car for you. Luxe is a BID member that recently relocated to 295 Devonshire St.
Just set your destination in the Luxe smartphone app and one of Luxe's vetted valets will meet you at your chosen location and take the vehicle to a secure lot or garage around town. Whenever you need your car back, it's as easy as tapping the request button within the Luxe app.
Luxe asks for 15-20 minutes notice when making a valet request. Best practice is to open the app and enter your destination before you depart on your drive. That way there can be a valet standing out front when you arrive!
|
Franklin Street Partial Closure Starting August 24th Until July 2016
By order of the Boston Transportation Department, a one-block section of Franklin Street between Washington and Hawley streets will be closed temporarily to vehicle traffic starting 6 am on August 24th until July 2016.
Millennium Partners and Suffolk Construction will be reconstructing the roadway surface, MBTA station and Shoppers Park during this time. The MBTA entrance/exit on Franklin Street is closed through the duration of the project.
The north sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians throughout the duration of the road closure.
Vehicles and bicyclists will be required to detour during the duration of the closure. There will be signage erected at specific locations to facilitate the road closure.
The detour from Hawley Street at Franklin Street will be as follows: Turn left onto Hawley Street; Turn left onto Summer Street; Turn left onto Arch Street; Turn left onto Milk Street; Turn right onto Washington Street; Turn left onto Court Street; Turn left onto Tremont Street.
Please contact Rich Michaels of Suffolk Construction with questions at 781-915-4569 or [email protected] or Tracey Ganiatsos of the Boston Transportation Department at [email protected].
|
|
CPR Certification Workshop at IIIC on
August 26th
The Irish International Immigrant Center (100 Franklin St., lower level) is hosting a CPR Certification Workshop on Wednesday, August 26th at 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
The IIIC is partnering with First Response EME to offer this workshop for first-time certification and renewals. Please contact Deirdre McCann at 617-542-7654 ext. 32 or [email protected] for info and to signup. The cost of this workshop is $50. Please enter at 201 Devonshire St. |
|
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].
|
|
Still Time to 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. You may have missed the first week of Dine Out Boston, but you still have time to take advantage of the second week, which is ongoing through August 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. |
|
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 participate 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. |
|
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.
|
|
|
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] |
|
|
