Before you know it the Christmas holiday will be over and the daily routine of life will creep back into your day. It would be a shame not to enjoy this moment with those who mean the most to you.
For those who do not or for whatever reasons cannot celebrate the holiday with family and friends, I hope you have a wonderful day all the same.
Not only is Steve easy on the eyes, but he also has a killer voice. Enjoy the newly released video and if you like it share it on your social media channels. Steve does this independently so he relies on the support of his fans to help him out.
If you like the song you can download it here: stevegrand.bandcamp.com.
Merry Christmas
Hope you are having a great day and that your work week passes quickly.
Each Monday morning I post a series of programs and events that are geared to the LGBT community here in Boston and to a lesser extent, Providence, Provincetown and Ogunquit, but with the holidays in full swing this week and many traveling or spending time with family I’m suspending this week’s post. Have a relaxing week devoid of stressful holiday shopping and other pressures.
In case you missed it, this past Saturday Boston hosted the 16th Annual SSR (Santa Speedo Run) in the Back Bay.
This year there were fewer runners than in past years despite the unseasonably warm temperature but there remained (as usual) a very large contingent of gay men who participated. Notably two large teams that have been raising money for several years: Team Wrecking Ballz who were dressed in black with antlers and Team Straight As A Candy Cane.
Unfortunately this year I cannot make a video but below are some photos from the run, which raises money for the PlayBall! Foundation. Much thanks to Sergio for taking photographs and special thanks to friend and reader, Kyle Szary for sharing his photographs with me to share with you this year.
Team Straight As A Candy Cane
Team Wrecking Ballz
Past Santa Speedo Runs in Boston that I covered:
Santa Speedo Run 2014
Santa Speedo Run 2013
Santa Speedo Run 2012
Santa Speedo Run 2011
Santa Speedo Run 2010
Santa Speedo Run 2009
As usual, thanks to the city and organizers who put on this fun run and to everyone who participated. See you in December 2016.
I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it is to have their ears squished inside these knit hats, but I will admit the photo is adorable, and I’d probably use this as my Christmas card if they were mine.
Toys for Joys 7th annual holiday celebration will take place at The Revere Hotel in Boston’s Theater District this Friday, December 11, 2015. Reserve your tickets and stop by to see all the toys, have a cocktail or two and see everyone.
Reserve your tickets today
Like the Toys for Joys Facebook Page
When: Friday, December 11, 2015 – 7:30PM – Midnight
Where: Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart Street (Theater District)
This is one of my favorite holiday parties of the year. It is devoid of rubber chicken dinners, long speeches and pressure to donate more or to ask your guests to make donations. The entire evening is best described as fun.
Not feeling all the holiday cheer you are suppose to feel this time of year? Maybe Modus Vivendi’s new Christmas line of underwear will help enliven your mood. Matt over at boy culture has a bunch more photos you can check out here.
Next week Boston will host their annual Santa Speedo Run (now called SSR). I thought I’d share the video from last year’s run this evening. I’ll have more information about the 2015 SSR on Saturday, December 12th later this week.
The Blackstone / Franklin Square Neighborhood Association is hosting their annual Christmas holiday event today from 10AM – 3PM; even Santa makes an appearance from 10AM – 1PM. In addition to Santa, Flour Bakery will have its food truck on hand to serve pastries, cookies and hot chocolate. There will also be a photo booth and plenty of trees and wreaths for sale.
One week from tonight is the annual holiday party, Toys for Joys. If you’ve not yet registered, be sure to visit their website before the event sells out. Last year they moved the venue to the Revere Hotel in the Theater District and the larger space makes it easier to socialize with the hundreds of men who come bearing gifts for the children of Boston and to enjoy a cocktail or two with friends.
Time: Friday, December 11, 2015 from 7:30PM to 12:00AM
Location: 200 Stuart St. Boston – Space 57 at the Revere Hotel
Registration: Includes passed hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and DJ Steve Marsden spinning under a dazzling array of lights.
Tomorrow evening SoWa First Fridays is joined by the annual holiday shopping festival Chrismukkah SoWa. This year Chrismukkah will include a 6,500 square foot heated tent in the 450 Harrison Ave to accommodate the 50+ local artisans selling handcrafted goods and treats. In addition to the “Big Tent”, along Thayer Street shop the more than 90 artist studios and 60+ shops, boutiques and galleries that will be open. Food trucks will also be setting up should you want a snack or you can cozy up in one of the many restaurants in SoWa.
Chrismukkah Hours
Friday, Dec 4: 5-9PM
Saturday, Dec 5: 10AM-5PM
Sunday, Dec 6: 10AM-5PM
If you would like directions, check out the Chrismukkah website to view the map or to get directions, here.
I miss all the holiday mail that use to fill my mailbox this time of year. For many years Sergio and I would send out anywhere from 125 – 200 Christmas the first week of December. And we weren’t the only ones, because by the end of the month our house would be filled with so many cards that there wasn’t a flat surface in our den that didn’t have a dozen or more stacked together on display.
In an age where Facebook messages and status updates rule, there is no time left for buying, writing and mailing cards to those we love; what a shame.
This past weekend I attended the Boston Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker at the Boston Opera House theater.
Attending The Nutcracker Thanksgiving weekend is quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday traditions, because the Opera House is richly decorated, the music is beautiful and the ballet is a feast for the eyes – just look at the handsome Nutcracker Prince to see what I mean. Even Ebenezer Scrooge would leave the Boston Ballet production with a smile on his face.
Paulo Arrais of Boston Ballet in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker photo by Rosalie O’Connor
The Nutcracker is a great date night suggestion or fun night out with friends. Even if you don’t always appreciate or understand ballet, I’m willing to bet more than a few of you will leave with a bit of a crush on the Boston Ballet’s principal dancer, Paulo Arrais, who plays the Nutcracker Prince.
Performances run through the end of the year. Tickets for The Nutcracker start at $35.00 and can be purchased online here, bostonballet.org/nutcracker.
BosGuy 