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.
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy
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.
Horizontal
Vertical
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy
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.
Posted in Free Stuff, Music
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston, Boston Guy, Dining, South End
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.
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“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.
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston, Boston Guy
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.
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.
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston, Boston Guy
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.
The city of Boston conjures different images for everyone, but eventually education and more specifically colleges and universities come to mind. I have no idea, but I would guess there is not another city with as many institutions of higher education. Even someone like me who has lived in or near Boston for most of my life can not keep track of all the schools that call Boston home.
Last week I was sipping drinks with friends at Rocca when I was chatted up by two guys sitting next to me (make that yet another example of myth busting Boston’s cold reputation). As it turns out these friendly guys work at The Boston Conservatory. Now I’m familiar with several of Boston’s higher education institutions that are dedicated to The Arts, but this was one I was not.
Both guys rolled their eyes when I admitted this and suggested I check out the school’s website which I did today. The school is located in the Fenway and has all sorts of interesting programs the public (THAT’s YOU) can attend at little or no cost. Ever the one to identify Free Stuff to do in town, I thought I’d give The Boston Conservatory a huge shout out. You can check out their event calendar here.
An ABC pilot show called Boston’s Finest is shooting scenes outside of my neighborhood cafe, The South End Buttery. The catering trucks currently line Washington Street and the corner of Shawmut Ave and Union Park are blocked off. The inside of the Buttery has been turned into a sort of holding pen for many of the extras and some of the wardrobe. While I was ordering my lunch I did happen to see New England native,Treat Williams, walk by, which was sort of cool. I was told that the filming for the pilot concludes today so I will be able to get my lunch and afternoon coffee without competing for space with all the extras who were essentially just sitting still and taking up space.Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy, Pop Culture
This photo was plastered across from Bryant Park where Fashion Week just concluded on Thursday, February 18th. Although I was not able to figure out how to post the official movie trailer on my blog, you can watch the two minute clip by visiting, http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/. The movie is scheduled to open Friday, May 28th, 2010 and will include several guest stars like Penelope Cruz and Liza Minnelli as well as some guys who are easy on the eyes like the handsome Dhaffer L’Abidine and the attractive New Englander, David Alan Basche.
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy
According to a study from UMass-Boston, Massachusetts can build a stable movie sector with the help of the state’s tax credits and facilities. Now mind you, nobody is asserting MA would become a Hollywood East (thank god), but it could help bring more jobs and spotlight my home city, Boston, and surrounding communities in movies for years to come.Film tax credits have been controversial. Critics claim that the $$$ generated is short-lived and mostly benefit movie moguls; not the state. But it is difficult to refute the fact that more than 30 films and television shows have been filmed in the state since the tax credit has been offered. More over, the UMass-Boston study said that the film industry in 2008 created about $1 billion in economic activity in Massachusetts, and every dollar spent directly generated nearly another dollar in activity.
According to the article in today’s Boston Globe, Film projection, while the tax credits have helped the state they are not the sole reason for Hollywood’s interest. The Globe article says, “Massachusetts offers a variety of locations – urban, rural, and coastal – and a world-class city, Boston, which is attractive to movie executives and stars.” I agree and think it is a great way to showcase my home city and New England.
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy
Today I read on EdgeBoston that New England-native, Jennifer Coolidge will be appearing at the Wilbur tomorrow night. I’m so bummed I’ll miss her performance. Every time I watch this woman, she has me clutching my sides because I’m laughing so hard. Maybe I’ll be able to see her next time she performs in Boston. 
One of the reasons I started my blog was to record my thoughts and with the year drawing to a close I wanted to include a retrospective. This includes some of the places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit, interesting things that have happened and pictures from 2009.
Although there were no Broadway shows this year, I still managed to see all sorts of performances ranging from the funny Pam Ann who started her U.S. tour here in Boston to the beautiful performance from the Alvin Ailey Ballet. All told I believe I probably saw 6-8 plays and musicals (including a very bawdy drag show at the Sydney Opera House). Although its not quite Masterpiece Theater, here is my favorite video from YouTube in 2009.
I travelled a bit this year too. I started 2009 in a very snowy Provincetown with Dr. Sergio and his boyfriend at the time. The drive will be memorable if only because it took us 7 hours to drive through the blizzard to get there. I went back to Cape Cod three more times – Provincetown in May and July and Brewster in October for my cousin’s wedding. I also visited Ogunquit, ME staying with friends on both visits in July and October (for halloween).
I also hopped on a plane a few times in 2010 and visited three new destinations: Puerto Rico in late January, Austin, TX in October and Australia in November & December.
Changes in 2009
This year my cousin Bill passed away. His passing was relatively sudden which in hindsight was a blessing since he did not suffer much and he did live a full and happy life so even though I’ve thought of him often in recent months it has been mostly wistful memories rather than sad thoughts.
I was also sad to see my Senator, Ted Kennedy, pass this year. Many despised the man but I have nothing but admiration for him. I recall seeing him speak when he received the Gerry Studds award from Fenway Health in 2008. I miss having such a powerful voice in Washington, D.C. Truly the GLBT community was dealt a horrible blow when his voice was silenced. I think his leadership has been sorely missed in the Senate these past few months as Congress struggles to enact meaningful health reform and expand coverage.
Fortunately, this year has not been about missing those who have passed. A lot of excellent changes were welcomed into my life as well, but probably the highlight was the birth of my niece Abby Dion. She is quite adorable. My parents built a second home up in the lakes region of New Hampshire and construction more or less finished in August. This was a dream they shared for quite some time and seeing them make this a reality is really wonderful. It also shows me that through a lot of hard work (and a bit of luck for sure) dreams no matter how large are attainable – and in this case it was a big dream. Mom & Dad’s Lake House
Other things of note
This is sort of my catch-all to comment on all sorts of things, and one thing that I need to record (although I’ve not forgotten) is that in January 2009 I celebrated my 10th anniversary with my partner. We both have strong wills, short fuses and a flair for the dramatic so if I were a casual observer waging on this relationship at the start, I’m not sure I would have bet it would have lasted beyond its first year – let alone an entire decade.
My other half had his parents join us for 3 weeks this summer and I was sorry to see them leave at the end of their stay. I do feel a sense of guilt that my partner lives so far away from his family, but I feel this sense of separation with his parents is hardest of all so I do love having them with us and enjoy spending time in Brazil visiting.
Something else I wanted to comment upon and had previously posted is my cousin Matt’s book Lifeguard on Duty. This was his first book and it was a labor of love for sure. He is fast at work on his next project which I’m sure will be quite beautiful.
Thank you for the memories 2009… I look forward to 2010.
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