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May 21,
2018
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Featured Stories
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Meetings & Notices
Announcements
Deals & Promos
BID Services & Links
City Services & Important Hotlines
Construction & Utility Work Updates
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This Week's Featured Event
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Boston Ballet's 'Classic Balanchine' at Boston Opera House Thru June 9th
The Boston Ballet's "Classic Balanchine" will be at the Boston Opera House through June 9th.
Experience the brilliance of master choreographer George Balanchine with three iconic works: Chaconne, Prodigal Son and Stravinsky Violin Concerto. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Boston Ballet's 'La Sylphide' Opens at Boston Opera House May 24th
The Boston Ballet's "La Sylphide" opens at the Boston Opera House on May 24th and runs through June 10th.
La Sylphide is a dark and romantic tale about when a young man leaves everything he knows to pursue an elusive woodland fairy, and a vengeful sorceress conspires to tear them apart with her dangerous magic. Click here for showtimes and to purchase tickets.
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Boston By Foot Ladder Blocks Tour
May 27th
Boston By Foot is offering a tour of The Ladder Blocks on Sunday, May 27th.
Boston's Ladder Blocks (also known as the Ladder District) are bound by Washington and Tremont streets south of School Street and north of Boylston Street. The inspiration for their name comes from the ladder-like shape they form on a map. Boston By Foot, a walking tour company, will trace the architectural and social history of the Ladder Blocks "as a seedbed of Boston's intellectual identity and the nexus of its cultural character." This walk includes Temple Place, the Paramount Center, Orpheum Theatre, Omni Parker House and more.
The tour starts at 2 pm by meeting a tour guide at 2 Boylston St. (also known as China Trade Center), in front of Liberty Tree Plaza. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. |
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Boston Fashion Week's 'Open Runway' in Downtown Crossing on May 31st
Models will be strutting local designers' fashions at Boston Fashion Week's Open Runway on Thursday, May 31st at The Steps (Franklin and Washington streets). The show starts at noon.
Jay Calderin, the founder and executive director of Boston Fashion Week, will emcee the event.
The program is being hosted by Platform Downtown and the Downtown Boston BID.
Fashion designers at every stage of their careers, including student fashion designers, are invited to participate in this open-air fashion show.
Designers are still welcome to participate and must pre-register. Registration closes on May 30th. Designers may show a minimum of one ensemble/maximum of three ensembles.
There is no charge to participate or attend. The rain date is Friday, June 1 at noon. Click here to learn more and to register.
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'The Future of Public Service: Advancing the Civil Society through Partnership Governance' at Suffolk University
May 31st
Suffolk University's Institute for Public Service is presenting "The Future of Public Service: Advancing the Civil Society Through Partnership Governance" on Thursday, May 31st.
This symposium explores the next frontier of public service: partnership governance. Local government is being encouraged to work with state and other public bodies, the business community, nonprofits and healthcare organizations.
Speakers include: Former Governor Michael Dukakis; Sheila Dillon, Boston's Chief of Housing and Director of Neighborhood Development; Paul Grogan, President & CEO of the Boston Foundation and more.
Please click here to purchase tickets. This event is from 8 am to 4 pm at 120 Tremont St. |
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Live Music at The Steps, Federal Street, Summer Street, Walgreens and More
The Downtown Boston BID's 2018 performance season features more than 1,500-plus live musical performances spread across five different locations.
This week, Gypsy Jazz, Square Peg, Code 51, DD Martin Trio, Nico Rivers, Jan Marie and Opera Guy and Friends will perform at The Steps (Franklin and Washington streets). There are daily performances from noon to 2 pm and 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Monday through Friday, noon to 2 pm on Saturday and 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday. With plenty of seating at The Steps, it's a wonderful spot to sit down with your lunch and enjoy the show.
Todd Brunel will perform at 133 Federal St. this week. Performances are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 pm.
D'Rafaele, Pat Loomis Trio, Berklee College of Music students and Ilana Katz Katz, will perform outside of
Macy's on Summer Street. These performances are on
Thursday and Friday, from noon to 2 pm, and again from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Saturday performances, from 12:30 pm to 3 pm, feature the popular ensemble group Sweet Harmony, singing hits from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and today.
There is also live music at the
100 Summer Street Plaza on
Tuesday and Thursday from
noon to 2 pm. There are Adirondack chairs on the plaza that are perfect for relaxing and listening to music. Dan Barton will headline at the plaza this week.
The BID is also sponsoring live music outside of the Walgreens (School and Washington streets) on Friday from noon to 1:30 pm and Saturday from noon to 2 pm. The Opera Guy and Kesnel Personnel are performing at Walgreens this week.
All performances are subject to change and may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
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Downtown Boston
Performance Groups are Strolling
Twice a Day and
Taking Requests!
The very popular Downtown Boston bands and singers are strolling throughout the streets of Downtown Boston twice a day from noon to 2 pm and 5 to 7 pm.
The Downtown Brass Band is strolling through the area on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The Downtown Sweet Sound Band is strolling through the area on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday.
The Downtown Boston Singers are strolling through the area Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BID-sponsored bands and singers stroll throughout the Downtown Boston area and stop on street corners and outside of businesses to play a song or two and then move on. Please feel free to take photos or videos of them and share them on social media using #DowntownBoston. Also, they take requests! |
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Look Out for Redcoats on
The Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail Foundation and Downtown Boston BID offer the opportunity to experience British soldiers in 18th-century Redcoat uniforms reenacting guard duty like it's 1775.
This historical program utilizes experienced Freedom Trail Players, costumed in the attire of 18th-century British soldiers, who bring the daily actions and atmosphere of British-occupied Boston to life. Residents and visitors will 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. The Freedom Trail's Changing the Guard takes place from May through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 pm.
For more information about Changing the Guard, please call the Freedom Trail Foundation at 617-357-8300 or visit TheFreedomTrail.org. |
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Griffin Museum of Photography Exhibit
'Tree Talk' at Lafayette City Center
The latest Griffin Museum of Photography exhibit at the Lafayette City Center Passageway is "Tree Talk."
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| Michael Zeis' "Blue Spruce" |
"In this exhibition called 'Tree Talk' the Griffin Museum of Photography brings together 66 photographers who converse with trees. The exhibit has been organized to flow as a narrative from the beginning to the end of the passageway. In this way the trees all talk to each other. We hope our audience enjoys the exhibition and that all of the trees give up their secrets to you," said Paula Tognarelli, executive director and curator of Griffin Museum of Photography.
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| Adrienne Defendi's "Tuning Fork" |
This exhibit is through a partnership by the Griffin Museum of Photography, the Abbey Group and the Downtown Boston BID. This exhibit is in the Lafayette City Center Passageway
(between Macy's and the Hyatt Regency Boston) and
open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm. The exhibit is running through May 30th.
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, Communications & Social Media Manager, at:
[email protected]
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Danchen Xu Appointed
Neighborhood
Liaison for Chinatown,
Downtown and
Leather District
Mayor Martin Walsh recently announced Danchen Xu as the new neighborhood liaison for the Chinatown, Downtown Boston and Leather District neighborhoods. As liaison, Xu will work as the primary contact for constituents and businesses looking to connect with the Mayor's Office and will facilitate the delivery of services from city departments.
"We want to work with Danchen Xu to help her become one of the best neighborhood liaisons in Boston. Danchen said she is eager to learn about Chinatown, Downtown Boston and the Leather District neighborhoods and we look forward to assisting her in achieving that goal," said
Rosemarie Sansone, Downtown Boston BID President & CEO.
"I'm very excited to have Danchen join the Office of Neighborhood Services," said Mayor Walsh. "The Chinatown, Downtown and Leather District neighborhoods are special and unique places in the City of Boston and I know that Danchen will continue providing excellent city-services and maintaining those neighborhoods as wonderful places to work, live and play."
"I am very honored to be named the liaison for these neighborhoods," said Xu. "Both myself and Mayor Walsh understand how special our neighborhoods are in Boston."
Xu, a native Mandarin and Cantonese speaker, was born and raised in Zhengzhou, China. Prior to becoming the neighborhood liaison, she worked in Boston's Office of Fair Housing and Equity, where she helped standardize the City's housing lottery application and to expand access to affordable housing. She has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science from Boston University. |
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Congratulations to All College Graduates!
The Downtown Boston BID congratulates the thousands of graduates from Emerson College, Suffolk University, Babson College, Urban College of Boston and all other institutional students on their momentous accomplishment.
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| Photo by Derek Palmer for Emerson College |
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The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Completes
$13 Million Redesign of New Club Lounge,
Deluxe Guest Rooms and Suites
The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common (10 Avery St.) recently completed a $13 million transformation of its 193 deluxe guest rooms and suites, corridors, ballroom and brand-new club lounge.
The redesign was led by international architectural firm Rockwell Group and was inspired by some of Europe's most elegant and sophisticated hotels, along with subtle influences from literary greats Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
"Historic materials such as saddle leather, linen, wood, and steel have been distilled into unexpected details, from leather and bronze headboard fasteners to 'turned' table bases," said Gonzalo Bustamante, Studio Leader for the Rockwell Group.
The new Club Lounge was built to be an oasis, almost a hotel within a hotel, offering complimentary breakfast, light fare lunch, beer, wine and cocktails, access to the Equinox Sports Club, private work stations and up to two complimentary garment pressings per day.
For more information about The Ritz-Carlton, Boston or for reservations please call
1-800-241-3333,
617-574-7100 or visit
ritzcarlton.com/boston.
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Play Games (Some Giant) at
The Steps on Thursdays
The Downtown Boston BID is now hosting a free games day at The Steps (Franklin and Washington streets) on Thursdays from noon to 2 pm. Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga, a golf putting green and cornhole are a few of the free game options. Come by yourself or bring a friend or two.
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172 Tremont Street IMP Amendment Community Meeting May 22nd
There will be a community meeting to discuss the amendment to Emerson College's Institutional Master Plan regarding the proposed redevelopment of 172 Tremont St. on Tuesday, May 22nd at 216 Tremont St.
This meeting is from 6 to 7 pm. Emerson College has proposed renovating the existing four-story structure at 172 Tremont St. to add a cultural center, health services center, meeting space, counseling center and more.
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Jewelry, Antique Maps and More:
Downtown Boston
Arts Market
on Summer Street
The Downtown Boston Arts Market is on Summer Street between Macy's and Roche Bros. from 11 am to 6 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
The market is a great place to get a gift for yourself or a loved one. Handmade jewelry, antique maps, artisanal food, soaps and candles are just some of the items being sold at the market this year. This week's vendors are: Design of Mine
; Intaglio Antique Prints and Maps; Recycled Glass; Karol Peralta Jewelry; Epoca; Simply Chickie; DLR Designs and Urban Kitchen Handmade.
The market is also accepting vendor applications.
All artwork, crafts and food offerings must be original and handmade by you or your studio enterprise. No mass-produced or imported goods are allowed. All food vendor permits must comply with applicable public health regulations. Please click here for more information and to fill out an application. You can also contact Kristen Flanagan at [email protected] or 617-261-1458. |
BID Little Free Libraries at
Walgreens Plaza and 175 Federal St.
The Downtown Boston BID's very popular Little Free Library is now back at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) for anyone to take a book and leave a book. The Walgreens Plaza Little Free Library was so popular that a second one has been added to the district, at 175 Federal St. (Summer Street side).
The general public is invited to donate free books to the BID's Little Free Libraries by dropping off books at the libraries or by contacting Kristen Flanagan at [email protected] to organize a pickup in the downtown area.
The BID's Little Free Libraries are 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's Little Free Libraries are
open daily from 10 am to 6 pm
(closed during inclement weather).
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Exclusive Offer from Panorama and Playbill for Downtown Boston BID Members
Downtown Boston BID members are being offered a 25% discount on ads placed in Panorama and Playbill full market.
Panorama has been Boston's official guide since 1951 and its website is bostonguide.com. It reaches more than 375,000 visitors per month.
Playbill is the most prestigious theater program in the country and reaches more than 1.5 million theatergoers per year. Playbill is the program for all theatrical attractions, including the Boston Ballet, performances at the Boston Opera House, The Wang Theatre, The Shubert Theatre, Emerson's Colonial Theatre, The Charles Playhouse, ArtsEmerson productions and more.
For further information please contact Jackie Firestone at
857-266-8125 or [email protected].
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Sign-up for Free David's Tea on
Your Birthday and More
When you sign-up to be a Frequent Steeper for David's Tea (298 Washington St.) you receive numerous perks, including free tea on your birthday, a free cup of tea for completing your profile, and special offers and promotions. Click here to learn more and to sign-up.
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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 when needed and
they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining! Please call 617-261-0066 if you want to contact our BID ambassador services program. You can also email [email protected].
- Ambassadors remove litter and graffiti
- Ambassadors clear crosswalks, handicapped ramps and storm drain openings
- Ambassadors shovel in Downtown Boston during winter
- Ambassadors maintain the BID's landscaping
- Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks and more
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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 Downtown Boston BID's Welcome Guide that provides a look at many of the BID's accomplishments in leading 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 [email protected].
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City Services &
Important Hotlines
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Important Phone Numbers
Boston Fire, Police & Emergency Services: 911
Non-emergency requests: 311
Eversource gas and electric: 1-800-592-2000
National Grid: 1-800-322-3223
Boston Water & Sewer Commission: 617-989-7000
Mass Water Resources Authority: 617-242-6000
City of Boston Tow Lot: 617-635-3900
National Weather Service: 508-822-0634
Verizon: 800-837-4966
Boston Animal Care and Control: 617-635-5348
Cold Relief Heatline: 800-632-8175
Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366
Emergency Shelter Commission: 617-635-4507
MBTA: 617-222-3200
MEMA: 508-820-1428
Mass. Road and Traffic Conditions: 617-374-1234
City of Boston Neighborhood Services: 617-635-3485
State Police: 617-740-7600
Transit Police: 617-222-1212
City of Boston Veterans Services: 617-635-3957
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Construction & Utility
Work Updates
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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. 
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