Boston Ballet Season 2011-2012

Last week I wrote about how many fantastic local theater companies there are in Boston in my post, 2011-12 season for local Boston theater companies. This week I wanted to encourage people to consider visiting and supporting the Boston Ballet. Many may not realize this but the Boston Ballet is considered one of the major ballet companies in North America and among the top companies in the world.

Ballet can sometimes be a tough sell for people unfamiliar with it, but it is an amazing dance form that beautifully blends athleticism and art. The Boston Ballet's 2011-2012 season starts in just a few weeks with Romeo & Juliet (Nov. 3-13), followed by The Nutcracker (Nov. 25 - Dec 31).

To see their full season or to purchase tickets visit their website www.bostonballet.org.

Free stuff to do in Boston this Friday

Although I'm off to Gotham this weekend, that doesn't mean I'm unaware of all the fun things happening in Boston. If you don't have plans this Friday or if you are tired of doing the same thing, consider one of these options.

Shakespeare on the Common Once again this year, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. is providing free performances. This year they are performing All's Well that Ends Well through August 14th down by the bandstand on the Boston Common. Invite that special someone to join you Friday evening under the stars and enjoy some great local theater.

ICA Boston Thanks to the Highland Street Foundation, this Friday (August 5th) Boston's premiere contemporary art museum is free to the public as part of their FREE FUN FRIDAYS series. Be sure to check out their "The Record: Contemporary Art & Vinyl" exhibit. For a small cover charge after taking in the exhibit you can partake in their waterfont dance party "DJs on the harbor: Classic DJ Throwdown".

Of course there are more options such as First Fridays Open Studios, Boston Guerilla Queer Bar which will be overtaking a straight bar in the theater district this month, or joining guys for a drink at Fritz Bar in the South End to watch the Red Sox kick off a hometown series against the Yankees.

Adam

With the exception of my visit to the movie theater in December to take my nephews to see Yogi Bear in 3-D, I'm not even sure if I saw a movie in the theaters in 2010. At home I may have seen as many as 3-4 movies on demand or on television. So I suppose what I'm saying is that I'm no movie reviewer.

However, tonight I settled on an HBO channel while eating dinner - the movie which had just started was called, Adam. I had never heard of the independent film written and directed by Max Mayer, about a young man who suffers from Asperger Syndrome and becomes interested in an attractive neighbor living in his apartment building. But I am really glad I watched the movie... and should you see it - I hope you enjoy it too.

More about Adam.

Tracey - should you watch it... bring your tissues.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I've been a bit disappointed by the past few books I've read, but that all ended when on impulse I picked up Kathryn Stockett's 500+ page book, The Help.

This book had me regularly reading late into the night. For those unfamiliar with the book which I understand has been made into a movie that will star, Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, it takes place in Jackson, MS during the early 1960s.

For those not familiar with modern US history, it may be shocking to realize the evil that was called segregation. The story centers around a college educated, single woman in her early 20s who's returned home after getting her degree and is struggling to start her career as a journalist / writer as well as two maids who work for different white families in Jackson.

Comparisons with Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird are easy to make. Both authors are southern woman, both address the racism that was rampant and the social injustices that seem inconceivable to us today. Unlike Lee's novel though, Stockett's story balances tension with humor and I found myself regularly laughing out loud. This may go down as my favorite book of 2011.

Looking for some summer reading? Don't be put off by the deep nature of the subject matter; this book is an absolute page turner. For those who are not of the reading variety, I've included the official movie trailer.

Next stop wonderland

Last week I posted a quick video of some filming that took place outside my apartment. Ever since Massachusetts signed into law a tax credit for filming crews, the state and Boston in particular have had what seems to be a never ending stream of movies filmed here.

Long before the tax credit a small, independent film called Next Stop Wonderland was filmed here by B.U. alum and film director Brad Anderson. The trailer below shows Erin Castleton played by Hope Davis, talking with her meddling mother, played by Holland Taylor. Using Boston as a backdrop and a bossa nova inspired soundtrack, the movie asks the audience do you think love is driven by fate or circumstance.

So enjoy the clip and let me know what you think. Is finding love a matter of serendipity?


*For those too young to know, before there was manhunt, grindr or scruff there was something called the personals which most local papers carried. Watch the movie and you can see what dating and single life was like before the internet really took off.

Mark Wahlberg filming "Ted" (part 2)

Earlier this week I mentioned that Seth McFarlane (creator of The Family Guy) is filming in the neighborhood with local boy, Mark Wahlberg, and Mila Kunis. While filming will continue throughout Boston and much of the South End, they were able to capture the scenes they needed out in front of my apartment.

Last night Sergio joined a throng of onlookers as they filmed another scene. They had to film this at night, but it is a day scene so they had the entire block filled with giant lights flooding the streets with artificial sunlight.

Mark Wahlberg filming "Ted"

Movie Director Seth McFarlane is filming outside my apartment for his movie Ted, which stars both Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. This movie has been filming in Boston and in particular the South End for the past few months, but tonight they are filming a "day" scene at Gaslight. For those who have read my blog for awhile you may recall this restaurant was used for several weeks in the fall of 2009 for the Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz film "Wichita" which was later renamed Knight & Day.

Its not clear to me if Mark or Mila will be appearing tonight. I had hoped I would be able to capture some photos of the stars like I did of Tom & Cameron, but it seems unlikely so instead I've posted a picture of the view outside my window. If something more exciting manifests, I'll be sure to share.

When was your gay adolescence?

Have you heard of the movie Beginners directed by Mike Mills and starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer? The movie is based on Mike Mill's real life and his relationship with his Dad who at the ripe age of 70 (and 6-mos after his wife's passing) reveals that he's gay. The movie chronicles the father's exuberant embracing of his 'new gay life' and Mike's relationship with his Dad as well as his new girlfriend.

It got me to thinking when I first came out in my late 20s and the 'exuberance' or rush that I felt. I could totally relate to this 70 year old man played by Christopher Plummer. Watching an interview with Mike Mills, he referred to the phenomenon as a second or 'gay adolescence', which I thought was a perfect term. For many people who come out later in life it does seem like they go through a second adolescence filled with boy crushes, drama and a lot of emotional energy.

Regardless of whether you've heard the term second adolescence or gay adolescence. Did you come out after your teenage years? And if so, did you also enjoy an intense second 'gay adolescence'? Do tell...
Thanks to Jen on twitter who alerted me to a NPR interview of the director you can watch here.

The handsome guy posted at the beginning of the post has nothing to do with the movie but would be just the kind of guy who would have stopped me dead in my tracks. I've been looking for an excuse to post this picture and it seems that although my 'gay adolescence' is some years behind me now; some things never go away. I like that I remain a bit boy crazy.

Australia: Hot Stuff

Keeping with the theme of my previous post, I figured I'd add another number from last year's Drag! Camp as Christmas show that I saw at the Sydney Opera House. Feel free to load in HD as the resolution is a bit better and it only takes a minute and of course enjoy the creative interpretation of the Donna Summer classic, Hot Stuff.

MFA Art of the Americas wing opens

The largest museum in Boston is the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). This week the museum unveils its massive new Art of the Americas wing, celebrating the completion of a $504 million expansion that took place during one of the country's worst economic downturns.

More than 25,000 people made donations to make this wing a reality. The success of the MFA and widespread support is all the more impressive when you consider other, much larger cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago that have fallen shy of their own fund raising expansion campaigns.

The new addition is a striking four-story glass and granite structure filled with thousands of precious American artifacts and artworks and includes 53 new galleries with 51,000 square feet of new space.

The Boston Globe has included a floor-by-floor interactive map showcasing the new expansion which you can check out here. Definitely put visiting the new wing on your short list of "must see" during this winter when going outside is no fun.

Support your local theater and artists

Ministry of Pleasure blog recently referenced one of my favorite musicals of all-time, Avenue Q. It is no longer on Broadway but continues to tour, and although seeing a broadway show is not quite the same as supporting your local theater scene - I still hope it inspires you to purchase tickets to a local play or musical.

Hanging the painting

Thank you to everyone who left a comment and the few who e-mailed me directly. I never anticipated so many responses.

I suppose the question of "which way" was misleading because before posting the question on my blog the decision had been made to hang the painting as the artist had intended - vertically / portrait. It was very validating to see that nearly everyone who did comment or e-mail expressed that this was also how it should be displayed. Thank you again.

Which way?

I've included two photographs of the painting by Fernando de Oliveria we purchased this past weekend through a charity silent auction. A couple people left comments in my entry An evening at the Four Seasons that they would like to see the painting so I've posted it. We really like the painting and have a few places we can hang it. Let me know how you prefer this displayed.

You can click on either image to make it larger.

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Free stuff to do in Boston this weekend

I've been busy this week working in NYC, but I wanted to post some really cool (and free) activities that are happening in my neighborhood this weekend. The weather is expected to be full of sun with highs in the low 80s Friday and Saturday. Sunday appears to be a bit cooler, but still nice. If you are in the area, plan on checking out one of these events.

Music to your ears The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival concludes Saturday, September 25th with a free outdoor festival on several stages in the South End.

Art for your soul South End Open Studios is Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Open Studios brings together more than 250 artists exhibiting their work in their studios. The website includes a map showing where participating artist studios are located. You can link here for directions.

Food for your stomach Saint John the Baptist on Union Park Street in the South End between Shawmut and Washington Street is hosting their annual Grecian festival. Friday 6pm - 10pm / Saturday 12pm - 10pm / Sunday 12pm - 8pm.

Free stuff to do in Boston this weekend

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival (Sept. 15 - 25th)
Yesterday the 10th annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival kicked off. This year's festival pays tribute to the music and culture of New Orleans. The 10-day event culminates a week from this Saturday (Sept 25) with a free outdoor festival on three stages that stretches over six blocks in my neighborhood, The South End. Last year's event drew over 80,000, so put the date in your calendar and if you're a jazz enthusiast check out their website for events this weekend.

Red Bull Art in Motion (Saturday 4:30 - 9:00pm)
Hard to describe and fascinating to watch. Check out this free event coming to Boston Saturday afternoon down at Government Center. Looks very cool and is certain to draw a lively crowd.

Avedon exhibit opens at MFA

"Avedon Fashion 1944-2000" opened at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston yesterday and although I've yet to get tickets, The Boston Globe review raves about the artist and the collection.

There is more information about the exhibit and how to purchase tickets online by linking to the MFA website. Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 runs through January 17, 2010 so you have plenty of time to check it out if you have plans that will bring you to Boston later this autumn or early winter. Should you end up going, send me an e-mail to let me know what you thought of the exhibition.

Spring 2010 SoWa Art Walk

The weather this weekend in Boston was beautiful, drawing thousands to my neighborhood to check out the SoWa Art Walk.  I snapped a few photographs while I was walking around today and put them into an online photo album. 

Free stuff to do in Boston this weekend

Boston has vibrant downtown neighborhoods that come to life on each weekend during the warmer months when you can venture outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Thus far, the weather in 2010 has been less of a nemesis and more of a friend.  This weekend Friday looks to be rainy, but Saturday and Sunday should be in the low 70s with plenty of sun; making it ideal for people who want to partake in the SoWa Art Walk.
Held each spring, this event draws thousands of people into the neighborhood to come and see the 200+ artists who exhibit their work. Studios will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 6pm.  Need directions on how to get here or want to look at a map to see where the studios are located - link here.

If the art walk is not your thing, pay a visit to Boston's most famous brewery, Sam Adams. Their summer brew is now on tap everywhere in the city, but you can sample it for free and see how it is made in their brewery in JP.  It is fairly close to the Orange Line Stony Brook T stop, and you can drive and park for free on the weekends.  The tour is free but a small donation is asked at the very beginning; proceeds go to a local charity.  For more information about weekend hours call ahead, (617) 368-5080.

Commencement season

With 260,000+ students enrolled in 50+ colleges and universities, Boston and Cambridge may have more students than any other city.  This also means that graduation ceremonies will dominate the city for the next several weeks.

Having so many people leave the city over the span of 6-8 weeks has a profound impact. The city develops an empty feeling that is compounded when many residents start heading for Cape Cod, the islands (Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket) as well as places like Newport, RI and the coast of Maine. On the plus side, street parking becomes easier and life slows significantly; if only for about 10 weeks. However, that slower pace of life is still a few weeks away and won't be felt until "commencement season" concludes. 

Last night, across the street from my home the Mass College of Art and Design had their Senior Fashion Show, which operates as a sort of commencement for these newly minted fashionistas.  The event looked quite beautiful, and I could not help but go over and check it out.  I've included a clip of all the graduates promenading down the runway.  Earlier in the evening, each designer had their spotlight showcasing a number of looks - this was the end of the show.

Free stuff to do in Boston this weekend

Boston Guerrilla Queer Bar:

The first Friday of each month this group randomly takes over a traditionally straight bar and call it their own. Lines can get long with some nights drawing hundreds of guys. This Friday BGQB will be at Sanctuary in downtown Boston.

First Friday - SoWa Artist Guild
If the bar scene is not your thing, Friday, May 7th is the first Friday of the month which means the South End's many artist galleries at 450 Harrison Avenue will be open to the public. Parking is plentiful and you can spend a couple of hours looking through some very unique galleries. If you get thirsty after all that walking there are several lounges and restaurants just steps away (sorry those are not free). This is a bit of a precursor to the SoWa Art Walk which will occur on Saturday and Sunday May 15 & 16 from 11:00am to 6:00pm, but I'll write more about that next week.

Fort Point Channel open studios
Continuing with the 'art' theme, on Saturday and Sunday, the Fort Point Channel neighborhood which in many ways has become the 'new' South End is having their own art walk which will include 50+ artists and artisians. For those coming in from outside the city, there is free parking across from 249 A Street.  Fort Point open studios is from 4-7pm on Saturday and from 12-5pm on Sunday.  Visit, http://www.fortpointarts.org/ for more details.