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September 14, 2015
Featured Stories
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Meetings & Notices
Deals & Promos
Construction & Utility Work Updates
BID Ambassador Services & Links
City Services
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Let's Dance/Bailemos Boston 2015 - Five Free Outdoor Dance and Music Parties Starting September 16th 

The Celebrity Series of Boston is presenting Let's Dance Boston, a free outdoor dance and music party series starting Wednesday, Sept. 16th, and continuing the following four nights.

Located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Let's Dance Boston will feature five consecutive nights of music and dance. Each evening features a different style of dance with free lessons, open dancing and a live band. The 45-minute dance lessons will be taught by professional dance teachers and will take place on a specially installed dance floor on the lawn at Atlantic Avenue and High Street. After the dance lessons the bands will perform for 90 minutes with open dancing.

Here is the schedule: 
Latin Dance: Eguie Castrillo & His Orchestra - Wed. Sept. 16th
Swing Dance: Roomful of Blues - Thurs., Sept. 17th
Disco: The Loser's Lounge - Fri., Sept. 18th
Salsa: Orquestra SCC - Sat., Sept. 19th
Swing Dance: Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks - Sun. Sept. 20th

All lessons start at 6 pm with live dancing starting at 7 pm, except for Sunday's event with lessons beginning at 3 pm and dancing starting at 4 pm. Click here for more information. 
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Inspired by Food!
New Griffin Museum Exhibit 'Nourish' at 
Lafayette City Center Passageway 

The Griffin Museum of Photography's new exhibit "Nourish" debuted at the Lafayette City Center Passageway on September 11th. "Nourish" is a free exhibition consisting of five photographers' work that is inspired by food as subject matter. 

Francine Zaslow's work, above, is about unknown foods from different cultures; Lynn Karlin shows the bounty from her Maine farm that depicts a quiet and sculptural life reminiscent of the Dutch masters;
David Weinberg bridges his fascination with ancient manuscripts and fruits and vegetables; Amy Rindskopf focuses on the aftermath of a meal; and David Lancaster photographs in his kitchen using the day's simple light while preparing an evening meal.

The Lafayette City Center Passageway (2 Avenue De Lafayette) links Macy's with the Hyatt Regency Boston and is open to the public 10 am to 6 pm daily. The exhibition will run through January 3rd. The exhibition is brought to the public courtesy of the Lafayette City Center, the BID and the Griffin Museum of Photography. 
Learn to Do Magic in 15 Minutes! 
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 15-minute crash courses every Tuesday during lunch hour in Downtown Crossing outside of Macy's (One Summer St.). On Tuesday, September 15th, come learn how to do magic from magician Evan Northrup for only $10

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:
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. 
hi8us Performing at Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square Park - Sept. 17th 

This week's Boston Calling Block Party in Dewey Square (Congress and Summer streets) on Thursday, September 17th, features live music by hi8us. The 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.
Boris Popovich Performing at 
125 Summer Street on Sept. 16th & 18th 

The BID's 125 Summer Street Soloists Series is every Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 pm through September. All performances are free and open to the public
Globe staff photo by Emily Z. Fortier
Boris Popovich, pictured, will perform on Wednesday, Sept. 16th and 18thThere is public seating at the location, so take your lunch outside and enjoy the music! 
Learn About William Waine: 
Tailor to the Common Man at the 
Old South Meeting House Sept. 18th 

Learn about 18th-century tailor William Waine at the Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) on Friday, Sept. 18th from 12:15 to 1 pm

Historian and tailor Henry M. Cooke will share his extensive research of Waine, who had a shop in the South End, and tailored to working-class Bostonians, including longshoremen, and possibly participants of the Boston Tea Party. This event is $6 or free for OSMH members.
 Click here to become a member and learn more about upcoming OSMH events.
Salmon, Greek Yogurt and Strawberries Making You Sick and Overweight?

Learn from best-selling author Lyn-Genet Recitas about how to identify foods that work for your body at a free event at Marlo Marketing (38 Chauncy St. 3rd Floor) on Monday, September 21st

In an exclusive Boston appearance, New York Times best-selling author of "The Plan" and nutrition expert Lyn-Genet Recitas will talk about how to identify foods that work with your particular body chemistry in order to reduce the inflammation that causes weight gain, disease and hastens the aging process. In addition to learning how you can drop significant weight by learning how to eat foods that work for your system, she'll share easy tips and tricks that anyone can do for better health.
 
This event is free, but space is limited so please RSVP here to reserve your spot. This event is from 6 to 7:30 pm.
Hsin Hou Sun and Tupahn 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 above, is scheduled to perform on Sept. 17th and Tupahn is scheduled to perform on Sept. 21st.
Carlos V. Ramos at Walgreens Plaza on Sept. 18th & 19th 
  
Carlos V. Ramos will be performing live on Friday, Sept. 18th and 19th at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) this summer. These are BID-sponsored performances. 

Ramos 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. 
 
Featured Stories
Primark Opens with Lines Out the Door Through the Weekend! 

With lines out the door that continued for several days after its grand opening, Irish retailer Primark (10 Summer St.) launched its first North American store with amazing fanfare in Downtown Crossing.

After opening festivities complete with an in-store ribbon cutting, shoppers were greeted with Primark's fast-fashion designs and low prices.  

Shoppers outside of Primark compared the opening to a discotheque with music and flashing lights. 

Primark is located in the historic Burnham Building - from the first to fourth floor, packed with clothing for women, men, children, housewares and more. Primark prides itself on changing its merchandise on a daily basis. 

Primark is open 8 am to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 10 am to 9 pm on Sunday.
Newbury Yarns Now Open on Milk Street
Offering Supplies, Classes and More

Attention knitters, crocheters, and those interested in learning those crafts -- Newbury Yarns is now open in the lower level of 2 Milk St. The store offers supplies for hobbyists, as well as classes for beginners to experts.

"I always liked Downtown Boston," said Aldrich Robinson, whose business was on Newbury Street for 11 years before moving downtown in August. "We're an all-natural fiber store. If you're looking for nicer fibers - this is the place. No synthetics. Merino wool, cashmere, angora, linen and cotton, bamboo and silk."

The store offers classes for beginners looking to get started, and for those wanting to further their abilities. Click here for a schedule of all classes and their cost. Newbury Yarns sells yarns, all accessories for knitting - noodles, books, magazines, ball winders, buttons, notions and more. The store also sells fabrics, stitching patterns, ready-to-wear items such as hats, scarves, mittens sweaters and more.   

Newbury Yarns is open 10 am to 6 pm on Monday and Wednesday, 10 am to 7 pm on Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday, and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Please email the store at [email protected] or call 617-572-3733 for more info.
Get Your Tickets Now for 
Platform Downtown at Boston Fashion Week 
Before Events Sell Out! 

Boston Fashion Week is going to be even hipper this year with a series of curated events in the BID called Platform Downtown from September 27th through October 3rd

Be the first to see designer Luke Aaron's 2016 collection, Firas Yousif's 2016 wedding dress designs, photo exhibitions and more. There will be opening and closing night parties - and an open runway for anyone to strut their designs in Downtown Crossing! Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
 
Meetings & Notices
Midtown Cultural District Residents' Association Meeting on September 16th 

The next meeting of the Midtown Cultural District Residents' Association (MCDRA) will take place on Wednesday, September 16th at the Suffolk University Law School courtroom (120 Tremont St.) at 7 pm. This meeting is open to the public.

District 2 Boston City Councilor and City Council President Bill Linehan is scheduled to speak; BID President Rosemarie Sansone is scheduled to discuss the continuing progress of the neighborhood; And Luxe, an app-based valet service, will introduce their on-demand parking business, which recently opened offices in Downtown Crossing.  

MCDRA meetings are held at 7 pm on the second Monday of each month.
 
Deals & Promos
DeScenza Diamonds Celebrating 100 Years with Clearance Event on Sept. 16th & 17th 

DeScenza Diamonds (387 Washington St. 6th Floor) is holding a two-day clearance event to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This event is taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 16th and Thursday, Sept. 17th from 10 am to 7 pm, and will feature items from all four DeScenza locations. 

Everything will be 30% to 70% off retail prices with many items marked at or below cost. 
 
GEM Fall Kickoff Party on September 17th Starts Great Deals on Food and Drink 

GEM (42 Province St.) is hosting a Fall Kickoff Party on Thursday, Sept. 17th starting at 5 pm to start a season of great deals of food and drink. 

The Fall Kickoff party will feature $1 oysters, $5 lobster rolls, $3 drafts, $66 sangria and $5 wine. The kitchen is open from 5 to 10 pm and the bar is open 5 to 11 pm.
 
Fridays will feature GEM's TGIF Corporate Happy Hour with a complimentary buffet from 5 to 7 pm. Saturday evening will feature the Supper Club & Elite Saturdays with Supper Club Saturdays offering half-off the entire dinner menu every Saturday night. Don't forget GEM's 365 promo daily of $3 drafts, $6 sangria and $5 house wine. 
Tickets Still Available for Boston Calling Music Festival on September 25th - 27th 

There are still tickets available for all three days of the Boston Calling Music Festival happening September 25th through 27th. Scheduled performers include the Alabama Shakes (below), Alt-J and Hozier

Click here for a full roster of scheduled performers and to purchase tickets. 
 
Women's Fitness of Boston Offering Half-Off Enrollment and First Month 

Fall back into shape at Women's Fitness of Boston (27 School St.) with half-off enrollment and half-off your first month, plus a free 30-minute training session

Click here to join online. This offer expires September 30th
 
Construction & Utility Work Updates 
Millennium Tower Keeps on 
Going Up 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.

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.
City Services


Boston City Seal
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 [email protected].  
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update

BID Logo Lo Res

For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: [email protected]