It has been a while since my last suddenly it makes sense post. I couldn’t resist when I saw this rather bizarre photo. At first I thought he was a contortionist before I realized he was balancing a guy’s family jewels on his head. I wish I had the photo from the other side too. I can only imagine where his face is.
Photo Source: National Ballet
It is opening night for the Boston Ballet, and tonight I’ll be heading to the Opera House to see Chroma. This is the fifth production of the Boston Ballet’s 2012-2013 season. I’ve enjoyed seeing the less traditional ballets from this season: Fall Program and All Kylián. I’m sure traditionalists would disagree, but everything from the choreography, to the music and the set design consistently amaze. For some dance may not be a form of art they appreciate, but I’d encourage anyone reading my blog to consider making a night of the Boston Ballet. If you don’t live here, check out what dance troupes and performances are near you. You just might be surprised by the athleticism and grace on display and find yourself having a great time.
For those unfamiliar (like I was), here is a brief description. Chroma is a one act contemporary ballet that created by Wayne McGregor for the Royal Ballet and premiered at the Royal Opera House in November 2006. The work is book-ended by two of George Balanchine’s most highly acclaimed ballets – Serenade and Symphony in C, a rousing grand finale with 52 dancers on stage.
Chroma runs through Sunday, May 12th. You may purchase tickets here.
Thanks to Sergio for sharing this funny photo.
Last week I posted a clip from this YouTube group, and I recently stumbled upon this older clip which is also funny. Apologies in advance to any Canadians who may watch this, but your nation’s reputation for being polite is renown and this quick video does a great job of poking fun at your good manners.
Hard to argue with this woman’s logic.
Last week I was invited to attend a dinner at Boston’s Ruth’s Chris to try wines from the Francis Ford Coppola winery in Alexander Valley in California. Coppola’s wine maker, Corey Beck, was on hand to share stories about the winery and the famous director who’s name is behind the wines. The evening introduced me to Sophia Blanc de Blanc a sparkling wine very reminiscent of Italian Prosecco’s and really quite excellent with the passed hors d’oeuvres.
The first course included a refreshing chilled shellfish salad complete with tiger shrimp, spring greens with a generous portion of crab meat atop and lightly dressed with a white balsamic accompanied by Coppola’s 2011 Diamond Chardonnay. Following the salad was a wild mushroom risotto that was paired with a 2010 Votre Sante Pinot Noir. I prefer bigger reds, but this went nicely with the creamy risotto and I think has broad appeal. You could easily serve this red without food at parties.
The third course was a generous portion of surf and turf; 8 oz filet and lobster tail stuffed with creamy spinach and Romano cheese. Sadly the lobster was the only part of the meal that wasn’t cooked perfectly, but all was forgiven because the filet was cooked to perfection and and complemented the 2010 Diamond Claret (loved this wine). The final course – dessert – included a decadent flourless chocolate cake that was rich and sinful, just like the menu promised. The wine paired with the dessert was the 2010 Director’s Cut Cabernet that also nicely complemented the rich dark chocolate dessert.
The dinner at Ruth’s Chris was as delicious as it was relaxing; chalk this one up to a perk to being a Boston blogger. My sincere thanks to Coppola Winery and the handsome Corey Beck shown above with Sergio and me.
Looking for something different to do? Make a date to check out one of the many great local theater productions currently or about to open. Boston’s performing arts scene has a little something for everyone right now including musicals, modern classics and even a twisted childhood classic.
Photo by Michael von Redlich
Pornocchio – Gold Dust Orphans (April 26 – May 26) Sent through The Gold Dust Orphans’ glitter filled parody machine, this is a twisted take on a classic children’s fable. Get Tickets Here.
Pirates of Penzance – A.R.T. (May 10 – June 2) Come away and enjoy this 80-minute excursion that features bathing beauties, philosophizing pirates, and grown men in remarkably short shorts. Get Tickets Here.
In the Heights – SpeakEasy Stage (May 10 – June 8) This four-time Tony Award winning musical is set in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood and uses hip hop, salsa and rap to help tell the stories of this close-knit Latin community. Get Tickets Here.
3 Sailors – On The Town – Lyric Stage Co. (May 10 – June 8) This musical also takes place in New York, but includes three American sailors with one day to see the sights, meet a special someone, and have the time of their lives. Get Tickets Here.
Amadeus – Amadeus -New Rep (April 28 – May 19) Takes place in 18th-Century Europe and focuses on the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Get Tickets Here.
For the record, I’m clapping my hands today, and I hope you are too.
Those melodious comedians Garfunkel and Oates are back at it again using music and humor to poke fun at young women’s flirtations with bisexuality in their song, “The College Try”.
Note: strong language and not safe to play at work.
Last week I attended The Taste of Columbus Hospitality Group at Mistral. The event was designed to romance Boston food bloggers (and it worked); the Columbus Hospitality Group (CHG) owns Mistral, Teatro, Sorellina, Mooo…., and L’Andana Grill. Each restaurant set up stations featuring tempting foods. Additionally, passed hors d’oeuvres and a bar serving delicious seasonal cocktails ensured there was plenty to eat and drink for the room of 100+ bloggers who attended the event.
Returning to Mistral reminded me just how much I love the space, the staff and of course, the food. I hadn’t realized CHG also owned Teatro in the Theater District, Sorellina in the Back Bay, Mooo… in Beacon Hill and L’Andana in Burlington, MA. Aside from spending an enjoyable evening with my good friend, 40-Something Life, I loved meeting other Boston food bloggers and the staff from the CHG restaurants. 
Shown above was one of the delicious cocktails I referenced above – SpringThyme – made with vodka, rhubarb, thyme, lime and soda; as well as Mistral’s always delicious sushi grade tuna tartare.
The Taste of CHG proved to be a hit with fellow bloggers. My compliments and sincere thanks to Mark D’Alessandro, the general manager of Mistral, and his fantastic staff for hosting such a wonderful evening.
Should you find yourself interested in checking out one of these restaurants, I’d urge you to consider visiting them tomorrow. On Wednesday, May 1st, a portion of all sales from the Columbus Hospitality Group restaurants will be donated to The One Fund to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
Earlier this week National Basketball Association center Jason Collins came out, making him the first out male athlete in a major professional sport in the US. Following the news Jason Collins Tweeted his thanks for all the support he has received; seems like a class-act to me.
I’m often dismayed by advertising campaigns for their lack of creativity and / or the negative stereotypes perpetuated in the name of profit. So I was more than pleasantly surprised by Dove’s latest campaign that has started to go viral, called Real Beauty Sketches. The video below shows how women view their own beauty in contrast to what others see. Its a great lesson and a touching commercial.
Pardon the Hawaii Five-O reference, but Sean Dunagin had post this image on his Facebook page and I couldn’t resist sharing it.
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings a fund was created called The One Fund. Money raised by this fund will go to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.
Boston has a long (and fairly well deserved reputation) for being a cold city; tough to meet people especially if you are not from the area. I’ve often countered this painfully truthful observation that friendships once made here are rock solid and for many last a lifetime. Reactions from the community have helped validate how meaningful personal relationships are here in Boston. I don’t want to dwell on the tragedies from this year’s marathon, but I do want to say thank you to all who have donated money or time to help those afflicted.
BosGuy 