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July 25, 2016
Featured Stories
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Deals & Promos
BID Services & Links
Construction & Utility Work Updates
City of Boston Services
In The News
Globe: On Close Inspection, Millennium Tower Stands Out 7/24/16

Globe: Inside Millennium Tower -- and Check Out the Views 7/22/16

Eater: Essential Fried Chicken Spots Around Boston Include JM Curley 7/19/16

Boston Magazine: JM Curley's Bedrock Blitz Concrete is one of the Best Frappes in Boston 7/19/16

The Daily Meal: Downtown Crossing Gets Trendier with The Godfrey Hotel 7/18/16

Boston Magazine: 75 State Street Among Office Roofs with Great Views 7/18/16
This Week's Featured Event
Puerto Rican Festival on City Hall Plaza July 29th thru July 31st

The annual Puerto Rican Festival on City Hall Plaza will include a parade, a health expo, entertainment, delicious food and more. The festival starts Friday, July 29th and runs through Sunday, July 31st. 

The festival will be 5 pm to 11 pm on July 29th featuring entertainment by Rubio y Joel. On July 30th the festival goes from noon to 11 pm and will have kids activities from noon to 3 pm. On July 31st the festival will be from noon to 10:30 pm and there will be a parade starting on Boylston Street in Back Bay at noon and ending at City Hall Plaza at 2 pm. Click here for more info and events.
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Boston Calling Block Party at 
Dewey Square with 
Sudacas on July 28th

This week's Boston Calling Music Festival Block Party in Dewey Square will feature music from Sudacas on Thursday, July 28th. The block parties are free and open to all members of the public aged 21+.

The block parties are a partnership with the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Shock Top, Wicked Wines, RadioBDC, CHEN PR and the BID. All block parties will feature local musicians. The parties are from 5 to 8 pm and have a cash bar, lawn games and promotions.
Dear June Performing at
Free Berklee Concert Series at 
100 Summer Street Plaza

The Berklee College of Music Summer Concert Series continues at the 100 Summer Street Plaza. The series offers free musical performances every Tuesday and Thursday by Berklee students.

Dear June will perform on Tuesday, July 26th and Thursday, July 28th. Dear June is a rock 'n' roll band from Boston. Founded as a duo with folk roots, the band has transformed into a five piece with a distinctly eclectic, Americana sound. Their blend of unique harmonies and compelling lyrics produces a well-rounded, soulful sound. 

All performances are from noon to 2 pm. Performances may be cancelled due to weather or changed due to scheduling. Click here to see all of the upcoming performances. 
Shakespeare on the Common: 
'Love's Labour's Lost' Thru Aug. 7th

Enjoy Shakespeare on the Common with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's
performance of "Love's Labour's Lost" running through August 7th. 

"Love's Labour's Lost" is a high-spirited romantic comedy about friendship and loyalty among four young men and four young women. Their friendship is put to the test when notions of youthful love encounter the challenges of adulthood. In true Shakespearean fashion, there is dazzling wordplay, strong comic characters and a few unexpected twists.

All performances are free. Click here for performance times. The show runs on the Common through August 7th.
Special Downtown Crossing Performance by Canadian Circus Troupe 
The 7 Fingers on Aug. 2nd

Roche Bros. and ArtsEmerson present "A 7 Fingers Circus Sampling!" on Tuesday, August 2nd at 5 pm in Downtown Crossing (outside of Macy's).

Members of the world-famous circus troupe The 7 Fingers will put on a a display sampling of their extraordinary talents! This show is free for everyone to enjoy as it will be in one of the most public settings in Boston. The 7 Fingers are in performance through August 7 at the Emerson/Cutler Majestic Theatre with their critically acclaimed show "Cuisine & Confessions." For more info about the production or to purchase tickets, please visit artsemerson.org. 
Live Soloist Performers at 133 Federal Street Three Days a Week

The BID sponsors soloist performers outside on the 133 Federal St. Plaza on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for everyone to enjoy. 

R'Rafaele will be performing on Wednesday, July 27th and Friday, July 29th. Holly McGarry, pictured above, will be performing on Monday, August 1st. These performances are from noon to 2 pm.
Tavares Dance Party Coming to 
City Hall Plaza on August 3rd

R&B, funk, and soul music legends Tavares return to the Dorothy Curran Wednesday Night Concert Series on City Hall Plaza on August 3rd at 7 pm.

This free series is presented by Mayor Martin Walsh, the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment, and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with title sponsor Bank of America.  Additional support is provided by media sponsor the Boston Herald and Polar Beverages.    
Downtown Boston Residents' Association Broadway Sing-Along on August 3rd 

The Downtown Boston Residents' Association is hosting a Broadway Sing-Along & Summer Social at the Paramount Theater on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7 pm.

Join your neighbors for a social hour and special evening celebrating Broadway music presented by David Maister. Music will include your favorites from "My Fair Lady," "Cats," "Chicago," "Cabaret," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Jersey Boys," "Evita," "The King and I," "Mary Poppins" and more.

This event is free and will feature a cash bar. Click here to register to reserve your spot. 
Free Fun Friday at the 
Old State House on August 5th

The Old State House will be free on Friday, August 5th from 9 am to 6 pm thanks to the generosity of the Highland Street Foundation.  



Stop by to learn about Boston's Revolutionary past and stand at the site of the Boston Massacre.  
Education Associates and Revolutionary Characters will be on-hand to engage visitors in discussion and answer questions in the museum's self-guided galleries. Due to the volume of visitors, all tours will be suspended for the day. For more information about Free Fun Friday, click here. 
Multi-Sensory Marvel 
'Cuisine & Confessions' Now at 
Cutler Majestic Theatre Thru Aug. 7th

ArtsEmerson is presenting the U.S. premiere of "Cuisine & Confessions" from the world-famous circus The 7 Fingers at the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College through August 7th. 

Like The 7 Fingers' previous Boston appearances (Traces, Sequence 8, and PSY), "Cuisine & Confessions" highlights the troupe's acrobatic and choreographic prowess -- and this time they will add sound, smell, touch and even taste! They will actually make food on the stage for the audience to enjoy! 

Tickets range from $25 to $80 and can be purchased by calling 617-824-8400 or clicking here..
Redcoats are Coming to Occupy Boston's Freedom Trail

This summer, the Freedom Trail Foundation and the BID offer the opportunity to experience British soldiers in 18th-century Redcoat uniforms reenact guard duty on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between noon and 2 pm.

This historical program utilizes experienced 18th-century costumed Freedom Trail Players who bring the daily actions and atmosphere of British-occupied Boston to life. Residents and visitors can meet the soldiers and engage them in talk about their postings in the hostile environment of colonial Boston as they "occupy" Downtown Boston on Washington, Summer, and Winter streets. 
Sweet Harmony Singing on Saturdays on Summer Street 

The singing group Sweet Harmony is performing on Saturdays outside of Macy's on Summer Street from 12:30 to 3 pm.

Sweet Harmony is a professional performance troupe at Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park performing modern hits and songs through the years. 
City of Boston Services

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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update

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For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, newsletter editor, at: dertischek@bostonbid.org
Featured Stories
Hyatt Regency Boston Offering 
 Pokémon Go Walks with Prizes;
Where Are Pokémon Go Spots in Downtown?

The Hyatt Regency Boston has caught the Pokémon Go craze and is hosting Pokémon Go walks on Thursdays for all fans of the ridiculously popular game. 
A Pokémon Go view inside the BID.

Everyone is welcome to attend the free walks, whether you're a guest at the hotel or just a fan of the game. The walks start from the Hyatt (1 Avenue De Lafayette) every Thursday at 4:30 pm and each participant will receive 10% off at Avenue One (not including alcohol or gratuity) and the participant that "catches" the best Pokémon will receive a complimentary meal for two!
Photo by Chris Helgren for Reuters

And if you're looking for Pokémon Go stops in the BID, here are some locations you can check out:
  • Gold clock outside Jewelry Exchange Building (333 Washington St.)
  • Pi Alley (235 Washington St.)
  • Elephant & Castle Pub (161 Devonshire St.)
  • Statue of Robert Burns in Winthrop Square 
  • George Minton Memorial Plaque (Chauncy and Summer streets)
  • Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St.) 
City of Boston Launches 
Redesigned Website: Boston.gov

The city's redesigned website, Boston.gov, launched last week with a sleek new visual design that provides a user-friendly experience to access services. 
Some of the notable changes include: a new brand and visual identity for the City of Boston, content organization through guides, more understandable language and better technology on the site.

The redesigned site makes it easier to learn about services such as paying parking tickets or taxes, recycling and trash pickups or contacting elected officials.

There are also guides to Neighborhoods, including Downtown, which highlights Downtown Crossing and links to the BID's website.  
Tech Meets Food:
Milk Street Cafe's 3-D Printer Creates Messages and Images in Your Latte

Want a good way to surprise a friend, ask your girlfriend to marry you or impress your boss? Put a message or image in your next latte at Milk Street Cafe (50 Milk St.) with its new 3-D printer. 

"We're the only one in Boston that has it," said Beth Epstein, director of marketing of Milk Street Cafe. "The neighborhood has moved to being tech-based and this is a merger of food and tech."

There is no extra cost for adding a message to your latte, you just need to use the Coffee Ripples app to order your message. There is a library of Boston messages like Wicked Smaht or B Strong, and you can upload your own image or message. 

The 3-D printer only takes 15 minutes to create your latte message so you could order your message or image while you're at the office or on the bus. Once at the cafe just let a Milk Street Cafe employee know your order number and your message will be made. Messages or images only last 15 to 20 minutes -- but you're going to want to drink your latte before then anyway. 
Announcements
Office Space at 333 Washington Street Available for Lease

An office space in the Jewelers Building at 333 Washington St. (8th Floor) is available now for lease. 

The 961 sq. ft. office was recently renovated and has one large open space and one large private office. It has hardwood floors and new windows. The lease term is flexible and the space is immediately available. There is potential access to a large conference room. Please call
617-720-1000 if interested (Mass Taxpayers Foundation main number). 

BID Baggo League Players of the Week

Edible Arrangements (241 Washington St.) is the official sponsor of the BID Baggo League and is providing gift certificates to players of the week.

This week's players of the week are Robert Naggar of UMass-Boston and Alyssa Ciolfi of Bridgewater State University. The BID Baggo Lunchtime League is a free league that anyone can join. Playoffs will take place in September. If you are interested in playing please contact Mike Testa at 617-482-1928. 
Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts Market at 
Walgreens This Week

The Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts Market features local vendors offering handmade products.

Vendors will be at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) from 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Now You Can Submit Your Own Event to the Downtown Boston BID Website

If you have an upcoming event you can now submit it to the Downtown Boston BID website. Click here to submit your own event.

Once approved by BID staff your event will be on the BID's calendar section and could be featured in the newsletter or on the BID social media accounts and promoted elsewhere. 
Deals & Promos
The Merchant Debuts 
New Brunch, Drink and Bar Menus

The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) recently debuted new brunch, drinks and bar menu items. 

New items for brunch include Cinnamon Waffles and a breakfast sandwich on a homemade biscuit. New cocktail items include the Toronto and Rhubarbarita. The bar menu now includes BBQ pulled pork sliders, stuffed mushrooms and bluefish pate. Click here for all of the menus. 
Ten Thousand Villages 
Annual Table Linen Sale

Ten Thousand Villages (252 Washington St.) is holding its Annual Table Linen Sale through Aug. 1st. 

The store is offering 25% off tablecloths, table runners and napkin sets. Buy any combination of three napkins, napkin rings or place mats and get the fourth free.  
BID Services & Links
BID Ambassadors Provide Clean & Hospitality Services in Downtown 

The Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide clean and hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day. Ambassadors create a friendly, welcoming Downtown presence by helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents and more.
BID Ambassadors provide walking escorts all day or night -- they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining or snowing! Please call 617-261-0066 to arrange an escort or for other BID ambassador services. You can also email help@bostonbid.org.
     
  • Ambassadors remove litter and graffiti
  • Ambassadors clear handicapped ramps and storm drain openings
  • Ambassador powerwash in Downtown Boston during warm weather
  • Ambassadors maintain the BID's landscaping by watering flowers
  • Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks and more
Additional BID Services & Info
  • Communication and Business Networking
  • Meetings with individual BID members to discuss neighborhood affairs 
  • Entertainment programming
  • Member Advocacy
  • Capital/Public Improvements
  • Wayfinding
  • Please click here for the 2016 BID Report to learn about the transformation of Downtown Crossing 
  • For additional details and information on the complete range of BID services please contact Doug Meyer, Membership Services & Database Manager, at dmeyer@bostonbid.org.
Construction & Utility Work Updates 
New Developments Under Construction, Proposed Projects 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.