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August 27,
2018
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Featured Stories
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Construction, Utility Work and City Updates
City Services & Important Hotlines
BID Services & Links
Deals & Promos
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This Week's Featured Event
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New Exhibit 'Through The Keyhole' at
Old State House
The Old State House (206 Washington St.) recently debuted an all-new temporary exhibit, "Through The Keyhole," which explores how the objects we preserve shape the stories we remember. For the first time in decades, the front door of the Hancock Mansion, which stood on what is now the west lawn of the State House, will be displayed to the public, newly set in a meticulous recreation of its original surrounding entryway.
The exhibit features additional items from the
Bostonian Society's collection relating to the Hancock Mansion and its inhabitants.
Enhanced by specialized tours, original programming, and site-specific performances, the door serves as a gateway for visitors to re-examine the national narrative. How does selective preservation alter our perception of who we are? What barriers do we create by choosing one story over another? And what doors are yet to be opened?
The exhibition is included in the cost of admission to the Old State House. Visitors to the exhibit may also experience the new "Cato & Dolly" play.
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Boston Ballet's 'Genius at Play' Opens at Boston Opera House Sept. 6th
The Boston Ballet's newest performance "Genius at Play" opens at the Boston Opera House on Sept. 6th and runs through Sept. 16th.
"Genius at Play" highlights the genius of Jerome Robbins, whose choreography is legendary on the ballet stage, Broadway and big screen. The show consists of three parts showing the variety of Robbins' work. Click here for tickets and showtimes.
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"Cato & Dolly: A New American Play"
recently debuted at the
Old State House (206 Washington St.)
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Two actors will perform the show's multiple characters in this new 20-minute play that offers a glimpse of everyday life behind the Hancock Mansion door. The play provides a look into the mansion through the eyes of Cato Hancock, an enslaved man in the Hancock household, and Dolly Hancock, John Hancock's wife and First Lady of Massachusetts.
Playwright Patrick Gabridge's previous site-specific play at the Old State House, "Blood On The Snow," had sold-out runs in 2016 and 2017.
The play runs from July 6th through September 29th, and is included in the cost of admission to the Old State House. The show is being performed Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11 am, 12:30 pm and 2 pm. |
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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 1,600-plus live musical performances spread across five different locations.
This week, Gypsy Jazz, Code 51, DD Martin Trio, Square Peg, Nico Rivers, Canvas Collective 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.
Soloists Kathleen Parks and D'Rafaele will perform at 133 Federal St. this week. Performances are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 pm.
Dan Barton and Robbie Pate Trio 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.
The BID is teaming up with
Exchange at 100 Federal Street to present live music inside the atrium from
4 to 6 pm on Tuesdays. Nico and Emily will perform this week.
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. Rachel Sumner and D'Rafaele will headline at the plaza this week.
Another spot to catch talented local musicians is at 125 Summer Street Plaza on Monday and Friday from noon to 2 pm.
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. Dan Barton is performing this week.
All performances are subject to change and may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
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Griffin Museum Exhibit
'Quién? Qué? Dónde?' at
Lafayette City Center Passageway
The Griffin Museum of Photography exhibit "Quién? Qué? Dónde?" recently debuted at the Lafayette City Center Passageway.
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| Gary Beeber's "Mona with her idols" |
""Quién? Qué? Dónde?" means "Who? What? Where?" in Spanish. Spanish is one of the world's most commonly spoken languages and is often chosen as the second language one learns. The name was chosen for this portrait exhibition in order to underscore the complexities of all of our diverse roots," writes Paula Tognarelli, Executive Director and Curator of the Griffin Museum of Photography.
The exhibit features work by 70 photographers. The exhibit will be on display from
June 10th through September 30, 2018.
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Robert Moran's "Daughter of a Slave, Timbuktu, Mali"
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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
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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. |
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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Construction, Utility
Work and City Updates
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Advisory:
Change to Devonshire Street
Traffic Pattern
Now In Effect
The Downtown Boston BID has received the following information from the Boston Transportation Department:
Please be advised that as part of the demolition of the 115 Winthrop Square Garage there are traffic pattern changes to Devonshire Street
as of June 9th until further notice.
Devonshire Street is closed to vehicular traffic and bicyclists from the 100 Summer Street Garage to 75-101 Federal St. Devonshire Street is a two-way street from Summer Street to the entrance of the 100 Summer Street garage.
The sidewalk on the west side of Devonshire Street will remain open to pedestrians. Access to the 100 Summer Street parking garage, 100 Summer Street loading dock, Common Vines wine shop, and residential properties on Devonshire Street is available.
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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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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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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 help@bostonbid.org.
- 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 dmeyer@bostonbid.org.
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, Communications & Social Media Manager, at:
dertischek@bostonbid.org
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Models, Classic Cars, ILLUMINUS:
BID Summer Members Meeting Teases Upcoming Events
The Downtown Boston BID held its summer members meeting at the new and beautiful indoor glass atrium, Exchange at 100 Federal Street, on Aug. 21st. Attendees were treated to a preview of an array of BID events in the coming months.
BID Board Vice-Chair Stacey Cawley, Senior Property Manager of Boston Properties, welcomed the audience to Boston's newest landmark. She gave an overview of what the space used to look like and said Boston Properties "wanted it to be the Financial District's living room." That living room includes a 500 sq. ft. screen that was utilized throughout the event.
One-by-one BID President & CEO Rosemarie Sansone introduced speakers who highlighted their organization's upcoming destination events and performances in Downtown Boston. Rich Doucette spoke about the 7th Annual Boston Cup Classic Car Show on the Boston Common on Sept. 23rd. The show is a must-see event for any auto enthusiast!
Boston Fashion Week Founder Jay Calderin spoke about this year's events being hosted by the BID. The opening night event The Power of Women: The Future of Boston Fashion will be at the Exchange on Sept. 30th and Glam Slam will be on Oct. 6th at CIC Boston (50 Milk St.). Meeting attendees were also treated to a fashion show by three local designers!
While escorted by two Redcoats and a colonial-dressed lady, Jonathan Lane of the Massachusetts Historical Society, spoke about the Revolution 250 celebration happening October 5th-7th. Redcoats will start at Boston's Waterfront, march to the Old State House, seize it, and then march onto the Boston Common where they will camp for the night.
Jeff Grantz,
founder of ILLUMINUS, spoke about the light festival that will transform Downtown Boston on
Nov. 2nd and 3rd. "We wanted to know what would happen if we invited 100-plus artists and turned them loose at night through their lens." Performers, projectionists, visual artists, technologists and more will create two spectacular nights that will attract tens of thousands to Downtown Boston.
Recently named
Hyatt Regency Boston GM Greg Nomura ended the speaking portion of the meeting. "I want to put pizzazz into the hotel!" Nomura said he wants to get involved with events such as ILLUMINUS, and for his puppy to be in October's Doggone Halloween Costume Parade. He added that he's excited about being in Downtown Boston, especially after hearing about all the events this year that culminate with Macy's tree lighting.
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City Celebrates Tontine Crescent Plaza
City officials, property and business owners, MP Boston representatives, residents and BID staff joined together on Friday to officially celebrate the opening of the Tontine Crescent Plaza (Franklin Street between Hawley and Arch streets).
"Our streets and sidewalks are not just our paths to and from school or work, they are also our front stoops and our neighborhood gathering spaces," said Boston's Chief of Streets Chris Osgood, above. "These projects highlight how our streets can celebrate our neighborhoods and bring our City together, and the projects we are celebrating today are just the beginning."
Tontine Crescent Plaza is a new streetscape intervention that includes a large pedestrian plaza with plantings and seating, a protected bicycle lane and a motor vehicle lane.
The project highlights how to reclaim surplus roadway space for more people-friendly purposes.
The new plaza reimagines an 18th century Charles Bulfinch designed urban park that had been converted over time to roadway space to accommodate automobiles.
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| The Tontine Crescent quickly became a place for people to eat lunch (Boston Business Journal photo by Jessica Bartlett) |
"As a physical therapist on Franklin Street for 29 years, I have always promoted the wonderful benefits of exercise," said Jake Kennedy of Kennedy Brothers Physical Therapy (45 Franklin St.). "Now, to see this historic street open itself up to bikers and walkers makes me so happy. Every time we make a section of the city healthier, Boston wins."
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The implementation of tactical public realm improvements is well underway in Boston," said Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca, above. "In addition to the Tontine Crescent project, street murals have been painted in Allston, a parklet has been created on Newbury Street, and designs are underway for the installation of a tactical plaza in Chinatown, as well as for murals and a parklet in Egleston Square on the Roxbury/Jamaica Plain line. We look forward to working with residents and others to bring additional public realm improvements to neighborhoods throughout the City."
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| Rick Page, asset manager for Cushman & Wakefield (70 Franklin St.), spoke at the grand opening event. |
Improving the public realm was identified as a top priority of Boston residents and others who participated in the public engagement process for Go Boston 2030, the City's comprehensive transportation plan.
"The Tontine Crescent plaza is a creative, practical and innovative addition to Downtown Boston's public realm. The feedback has been extremely positive, and we look forward to overseeing the daily operation of this vibrant community amenity," said BID President & CEO Rosemarie Sansone.
The city is also encouraging feedback about the Tontine Crescent Plaza, which can be submitted by clicking
here.
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New Artist Installation on Washington Street Brings ILLUMINUS Light Festival Closer
A new artist installation at 349 Washington Street recently debuted, bringing this fall's free nighttime ILLUMINUS Light Festival closer.
On display are three pieces titled Capacitor 1, 2 and 3, by artist Jessie Klein, below. "It is inspired by the idea of transferring and storing energy which is what all good art hopes to do. The work is very visceral. There is always a discovery taking place by weaving layers of patterns through each other," said Klein.
Klein says her process comes from a place of instinct, which bears much intention in composition, color and reductive layering.
"We are excited about the ILLUMINUS Light Festival returning to Downtown Boston. We have rotating installations highlighting local artists leading up to the festival on November 2 and 3, 2018," said Anita Lauricella, BID Public Realm Senior Planner.
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Dunkin' Kicks Off Next Generation Stores with Renovated City Hall Plaza Location
Expect a lot of changes at Downtown Boston Dunkin' restaurants in the coming months, as 30 local stores will be transformed into the "next generation" of the popular brand. Dunkin' (the Donuts is being dropped) kicked off its new store model with a celebration at its 100 City Hall Plaza store.
Along with a name change, newly redesigned Dunkin' stores will include cold brew on tap, better mobile ordering by using modern technology and new products like being able to have your face imprinted on doughnuts and lattes.
"We're not here to out-comfy couch some of the other players, that's not our proposition," said David Hoffmann, chief executive of Dunkin' Brands to the Boston Herald. "It's get in, get out, get on your way with your Dunkin.' We feel like that's the point of differentiation that we have." |
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BID Leads Summer Street Meet-and-Greet Security Meeting
Downtown Crossing area security, asset and property directors and managers, as well as Boston Police, met for a meet-and-greet to strengthen their work together on Aug. 23rd on Summer Street Plaza.
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| BPD Officer Chris Adams, left, speaks with John Ciolfi, GM of Burnham Building for MP Boston, and Tucker Husband, BID Senior Manager for Safety and Risk Assessment, right. |
"Bringing security, asset safety managers and directors together is part of the BID's longterm strategy to make sure that Downtown Boston is a clean and welcoming neighborhood," said Tucker Husband, BID Senior Manager for Safety and Risk Assessment. "The meet-and-greet was a good opportunity for security and property managers to get to know one another, share business cards and have a point of contact for communicating information related to security advisories and incidents. I look forward to continuing these meet-and-greets throughout Downtown Boston."
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Election Day is September 4th:
What You Need to Know
Election Day is Tuesday, September 4th and there are several contested races. Voting sites are open 7 am to 8 pm. Please click here to learn where you vote.
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New BID Baggo League at One Boston Place a Huge Success!
Players Wanted for
BID Baggo League at 125 Summer Street
The Downtown Boston BID's new Wednesday baggo league at One Boston Place is a fantastic success! More than 25 players are participating in the free outdoor lunchtime league. Interested in playing? Players are wanted for the Tuesday league at 125 Summer Street.
The league plays from noon to 2 pm, and games last about 30 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to have lunch, play a game and get back to your desk.
If you're interested in playing in the free Downtown Boston BID Lunchtime Baggo Leagues please contact Mike Testa at mtesta@bostonbid.org. |
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Jewelry, Woodwork and More:
Downtown Boston
Arts Market
on Summer Street
The Downtown Boston Arts Market is on Summer Street between Macy's, Primark 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, Jus Labs, Intaglio Antique Prints & Maps, Fridgedoor, LovePop Cards, Karol Peralta Jewelry, Recycled Glass, EPOCA, Wyllo, Sand and Water Creations in Glass and Urban Kitchen Handmade.
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BID Little Free Libraries at
Walgreens Plaza and 175 Federal St.
The Downtown Boston BID's very popular Little Free Library at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) is for anyone to take a book and leave a book. The Walgreens Plaza Little Free Library was so popular that a second one was 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 kflanagan@bostonbid.org 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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'Hamilton' Tix Being Raffled to
Help Puerto Rico Library
A Lincoln library's efforts to raffle "Hamilton" tickets to raise money for a damaged Puerto Rican Library got a boost when the office of Luis Miranda Jr., Lin-Manuel's father and founder of the Hispanic Federation, donated two tickets to a Boston Opera House performance. The Broadway smash is being performed at the opera house from September 18th through November 18th.
The Friends of the Lincoln Library were put in touch with the mayor of Loiza, Puerto Rico, who provided a pair of center orchestra tickets and promised to match donations up to $20,000, reported the Boston Globe. The goal is to sell 1,000 raffle tickets, raising at least $50,000 for repairs to the facility.
Raffle tickets are $50 each and can be purchased online by clicking
here until September 7th.
"The library, particularly in small towns like Loiza, are not only a place where people can go and get info online or get books," said Luis Miranda. "They're also community centers. They're part of the fabric of the day-to-day life of the town."
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Labor Day Weekend Specials at
The Merchant
The Merchant (60 Franklin St.) will be featuring
$1 oysters from
Aug. 31st through Sept. 3rd. The brunch menu will also be offered on Sept. 3rd instead of the regular lunch menu.
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R&R Sundays at RUKA
RUKA (505 Washington St.) is mixing up their Sunday nights with a little R&R: Rap & Rolls. Every Sunday the restaurant will be spinning 1990s music and offering 2-for-1 sushi -- order two, pay for one (excluding the short rib tataki). This offer is available 5 to 11 pm.
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Next Boston Area Spanish Exchange
Course Period Begins Sept. 17th
The next 7-week course period for Boston Area Spanish Exchange (101 Arch St., 8th Floor) begins the week of Sept. 17th.
The registration deadline is Sept. 7th. Boston BID newsletter readers may receive a 5% tuition waiver when using the coupon code BOSTONBID5. Please click here to learn more about classes and schedules. |
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