|
April 10,
2017
|
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
|
|
This Week's Featured Event
|
|
'The King and I' Opens at
Boston Opera House April 11th
Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved
"The King and I" musical opens at the
Boston Opera House on
Tuesday, April 11th.
The musical tells the story of "the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens." Taking place in the 1860s, Anna is a British schoolteacher whom the king, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.
Click here for tickets and showtimes. |
|
Arts, Entertainment & Events
|
|
'Christine' and
'Kate Plays Christine'
at
Emerson's
Bright Lights Series;
Screenings Feature Post-Film Talks
Emerson College's Bright Light Series continues with "Christine" on Tuesday, April 11h. Rebecca Hall stars in this story about a woman caught in a spiraling personal life and career crisis. While working in a newsroom she constantly finds herself at odds with a boss looking for juicier stories. A discussion with journalism assistant professor Tim Riley will follow the screening.
On Thursday, April 13th, the documentary "Kate Plays Christine" will be screened. Filmmaker Robert Greene ditches the talking-head-and-sound-bite approach to nonfiction storytelling, instead using Kate Lyn Sheil as a conduit to understanding an impossibly complex issue of doing justice of showing a person's life. A discussion with performing arts professor Lindsay Beamish will following the screening. The short film, "The Imprint," directed by Alexander Powell will also be screened.
Post-film discussions with special guest filmmakers, faculty and alumni will follow all screenings.
All screenings are free and open to the public and begin at 7 pm. Screenings take place in the Bright Family Screening Room (Paramount Center, 559 Washington St.). Seating is first-come, first-served. Tickets will be available, one per person, starting at 5 pm at the Paramount Center box office on the day of the show. Click here for more info about the Bright Light Series.
|
|
Boston International Film Festival at Paramount Center
April 14th through April 16th
The Boston International Film Festival will be at Emerson College's Paramount Center starting Friday, April 14th through Sunday, April 16th. There will be 13 film sessions showing films of varied time length from all around the world.
Some of the movies include "Snowflake," which is about "an introverted young girl, struggling with acceptance, who finds her voice with hip hop music." Also showing is the Vietnamese film, "Father and Son," which is about a father and son who live by a river making their living by fishing every day. The little boy contracts a serious illness and the treatment is very expensive. Will the father be able to catch enough fish to pay for it?
Click here for more information about the Boston International Film Festival, showtimes and to purchase tickets. |
|
'17 Border Crossings' Opens at Paramount Center April 19th
ArtsEmerson is presenting Thaddeus Phillips' "17 Border Crossings" at the Paramount Center starting Wednesday, April 19th. Phillips provides "a surreal sojourn that transports us to very real places: Hungary, Serbia, Morocco, Colombia, Holland and Mexico, to name a few."
Phillips is a storyteller, "In the deft, mischievous manner of the trickster" and "manages to float huge questions that surround the fraught migrations of our era."
Click here for tickets and showtimes. The show runs through April 29th.
|
|
'Boston's Neighborhood Churches: Restoration Stories & Lost Treasures' at Old South Meeting House April 21st
The Old South Meeting House's Middays at the Meeting House series kicks off anew on Friday, April 21st with "Boston's Neighborhood Churches: Restoration Stories & Lost Treasures."
This event will explore how historic preservation projects energize city neighborhoods. You'll hear stories about Boston's neighborhoods, the challenges of preserving historic gems and learn what led to the passage of the Community Preservation Act.
This event is free for OSMH members and $6 for nonmembers. This event is from 12:15 to 1 pm. |
|
GennaRose Nethercott to Offer Her 'Poems-to-Order' at Brattle Book Shop April 22nd
Poet, performer and folklorist GennaRose Nethercott will be writing "Poems-to-Order" at the Brattle Book Shop (9 West St.) on Saturday, April 22nd.
Nethercott is known for spontaneously writing poems for passersby often from her 1952 Hermes Rocket typewriter. She responds to requests for poems on most topics and within five minutes she'll type out a poem, read it and autograph it.
This is a free event open to the public and will be from 1 to 3 pm. |
|
'Aviary' Exhibit at
Lafayette City Center Passageway
The free art exhibit, "Aviary," is at the Lafayette City Center Passageway and compels passersby to stop, look at the imagery, and not just fly through the hallway.
The Passageway is lined with works from 61 photographers from all corners of the country. Numerous photos of peacocks were submitted and only one person submitted an image of a bird in a cage.
The
Lafayette City Center Passageway connects Avenue de Lafayette to Macy's and is
open daily to the public from 10 am to 6 pm.
The exhibit is part of the ongoing photography series at the Passageway by the Griffin Museum of Photography. This exhibit is supported by the
Abbey Group,
Lafayette City Center and the
Downtown Boston Business Improvement District.
|
|
Interactive Digital Art Installation by Camille Utterback at
Emerson College's Urban Arts Gallery
A new interactive digital art installation, Entangled, which tracks viewers' movements in order to create abstract and evolving painting-like projections on a screen, is at the Emerson Urban Arts: Media Art Gallery (25 Avery St.).
Entangled is a creation by international artist Camille Utterback. The art will be displayed on a 10x15 foot screen. The installation will run concurrently with Cybernetic Serendipity, an exhibition documenting what many consider to be the first digital media art exhibition, curated by Jasia Reichardt at the ICA in London in 1968.
Entrance to the gallery is
free and is open
Wednesday through Saturday 2 to 7 pm. The exhibit will be up
through April 22nd.
|
|
Book a Private Tour of the
Freedom Trail Foundation's Revolutionary
Women Tour and More
The Freedom Trail Foundation offers several tours year-round as private tours and during select times of the year, including the Revolutionary Women Tour.
Special tours like the African-American Patriots Tours, Revolutionary Women Tours, Lantern Tours and Pirates & Patriots Tours are some of the tours available. Click here for more information about tours and to book a tour. |
|
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 u
pdates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click
here.
|
|
Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
|
|
|
|
Primark Expansion Adds to Men's and Children's Department
Primark's Downtown Crossing location (10 Summer St.) will officially unveil an expansion to the store on Thursday, April 13th.
The expansion will provide shoppers with more than 14,000 additional square feet of shopping space, with extended men's and children's departments.
With the newly added space, the store now features an additional 34 fitting rooms, 15 cash registers, new customer restrooms and a third entrance on Washington Street.
"We are thrilled to provide our dedicated Boston shoppers with these new, exciting store features for an even more enjoyable and convenient shopping experience," said Primark US President, Jose Luis Martinez de Larramendi.
"At Primark, we are committed to giving the community a wonderful place to shop for amazing fashion at amazing prices and this store expansion is a testament to that."
|
|
Take a Book, Leave a Book:
BID Launches Little Free Library at
Walgreen's Plaza
The Downtown Boston BID's Little Free Library debuted on Friday outside of Walgreen's on Washington Street and passersby quickly stopped to scan titles and took a book before heading on their way. Readers are welcome to take a book, and encouraged to leave a book -- but that is not required. People are also welcome to donate books to the library without taking one.
"I wanted to create a pilot program for little free libraries in Downtown Boston after seeing the popularity of them in different neighborhoods," said Kristen Flanagan, Project Manager for the BID. "We're always looking to improve our user experience and this has already proven to be a great addition to Downtown Crossing."
The BID's Little Free Library is also officially registered with the Little Free Library non-profit organization. There are actually more than 50,000 registered little free libraries across the country and world!
The BID would also like to thank Ken Gloss of the Brattle Book Shop (9 West St.), which donated dozens of books to help the little free library get started.
The BID's Little Free Library will be open 10 am to 6 pm daily (but be closed during inclement weather). For more info or to donate books please contact Kristen Flanagan at kflanagan@bostonbid.org or 617-261-1458. |
|
Boston Marathon, Patriot's Day Parade:
Info You Need to Know
The 2017 Boston Marathon and Patriot's Day Parade will be held on Monday, April 17th. Click here for info about the Boston Marathon, including a map of the course, spectator info and more.
The Boston Athletic Association 5K, Invitational Mile, and the Kids Relay Races will be held on Saturday, April 15th. All of these events will result in street closures and parking restrictions in Back Bay, the North End and in Government Center during Patriot's Day weekend.
Click here for the City of Boston's traffic and parking advisory that includes info on street closures and parking restrictions. Changes to the traffic and parking plan may be made by Boston's Police and Transportation Departments in the days leading up to the events. Up-to-date info will be available on posted signs and variable message boards and on the city's website at www.boston.gov.
If you're coming into Boston on these days it is recommended you don't drive. Info on Hubway, the regional bike share system is available by clicking
here, and info on the MBTA is available by clicking
here
.
|
|
marlo marketing Holding Clothing Drive for Goodwill Boston for One Boston Day
April 15th is One Boston Day. The annual Boston tradition started in 2015 in response to the Boston Marathon tragedies of 2013. One Boston Day "serves as an opportunity to celebrate the resiliency, generosity, and strength demonstrated by the people of Boston."
Many businesses and organizations plan events, fundraisers and drives to help in many ways. In previous years
St. Francis House partnered with John Hancock to collect sneakers for those in need, and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings and the
Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Fund hosted a blood drive just past the Boston Marathon finishing line.
This year, among other One Boston Day events,
marlo marketing (38 Chauncy St. 3rd Floor) is holding a clothing drive for Goodwill Boston.
marlo marketing will be accepting donations of gently-used men's and women's clothing, shoes and accessories from 9 am to 6 pm on Monday, April 10th through Tuesday, April 18th at their office. Clothing does not have to be dry-cleaned and does not have to be in perfect condition. Please contact Erin DeVito at edevito@marlomarketing.com or 617-375-9700 with questions
.
|
|
Webster Bank Sponsoring
St. Francis House Marathon Team
This year five runners will be part of St. Francis House's (39 Boylston St.) Boston Marathon team. As part of John Hancock's Non-Profit Marathon Program, the runners will raise $69,000 to benefit St. Francis House. This year Webster Bank is also sponsoring the St. Francis House Marathon Team.
"This partnership is an exciting way to be connected and responsive to the Boston community," said Haley Smith, assistant manager of Webster Bank's branch at 100 Franklin St. "St. Francis House does so much important work for those in need and the organization's core values are perfectly in line with Webster's mission to give back to the communities we serve."
Please click here to contribute to the St. Francis House marathon team or contact Sharon Lee at 617-457-1048 or slee@stfrancishouse.org. |
|
Swan Boats Return to Public Garden
April 15th
Mayor Martin J. Walsh will host the first ride of the popular Swan Boats at the Public Garden on Saturday, April 15th at 11:30 am.
The swan boats of Boston's Public Garden date back to the 1870s and have been an indelible part of the city since then during the spring and summer.
The swans of the Public Garden are scheduled to return May 2nd. Click here for more info about the swan boats, ticket prices, ride times and more. |
|
Vendors Wanted for 2017
Downtown Boston
Arts & Crafts Market
The Downtown Boston BID is expanding the Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts Market program for 2017, and is seeking vendors to sell their products. The market will be at Readers Park by the Irish Famine Memorial at the corner of Washington and School streets. The market will operate on Wednesdays and Fridays from May 17th through September 29th.
All artwork, crafts and food offerings must be original and handmade by you or your studio or enterprise. No mass-produced goods are allowed.
The Downtown Boston Arts & Crafts Market accepts arts and crafts in the following categories: fiber arts, fine art (painting, photography, sculpture), Christmas ornaments and holiday items, Judaica, blown glass, stained glass, clay/ceramics, metal, wood furniture, clothing and accessories, children's clothing and toys, pet items, jewelry, artisan foods, personal products (soap and fragrances), home decor and more.
Click here for more information and a vendor application. Also please contact Kristen Flanagan, Project Manager, at kflanagan@bostonbid.com with questions. |
|
|
Artisan Bistro
Celebrating
Easter with
A La Carte Menu and
Brunch Buffet
Artisan Bistro (10 Avery St.) is offering an Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 16th. Served from 8 am to 3 pm, the buffet will feature a selection of locally sourced dishes and carving stations.
There will also be a fresh juice bar and Bloody Mary specials. Click here to see the Easter brunch buffet menu. Click here for the restaurant's Easter a la carte menu. The cost for the brunch buffet is $45 per adult and $20 for children 12 and under. Prices for the a la carte menu vary. |
|
Storage Space Available for BID Members at
660 Washington Street
Downtown Boston BID members are being offered a special deal on storage space at 660 Washington St.
Storage spaces vary in size from 7x3 ft. to 8x5 ft. Prices vary from $85 to $125 per month. The lease is for monthly rentals of storage spaces.
Storage space renters will have to check in with the concierge to be permitted access because it is a residential building.
Items that cannot be stored include flammables (butane, oxygen tanks, etc), fresh food, weaponry and hazardous chemicals.
Please contact Niki Werth with questions or to view the space at 617-350-5501 or
nwerth@eqr.com.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
B
ID 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
- Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks and more
|
|
Additional BID Services & Info
- Communication and Business Networking
- Meetings with individual BID members to discuss neighborhood issues
- 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.
|
|
|
