Can you believe this video that introduced the world to Susan Boyle is now more than 5 years old? Time flies but I still remember being astounded. The obvious lesson – don’t judge a book by its cover. Probably a good lesson for everyone heading out to the clubs tonight.
Click on the comic strip to enlarge.
ADAM & ANDY is set in the fictional New England town of Woodfield, CT. You can learn more about this strip by visiting, adamandandy.com.
Manhunt Bubbles presents the first pool party of the summer season at the Manhunt Mansion on Saturday from 1PM – 5:0oPM.
Sergio and I are out of town otherwise we’d be heading there. Tickets are $20 at the door (cash only). When the pool is full no more may come and play so don’t dally. Do say hello to my buddy, Gay Jim, who will be playing music at the event. More information here.
Rhode Island PrideFest takes off this weekend when they host their annual Illuminated Night Parade on Saturday evening. The fun starts at 8:30PM at Dorrance and Fountain Streets. For more information check out their Facebook Page, here.
You can read about Rhode Island Pride and all their activities here.
I’ve often commented on how much I love Boston and am happy to act as any newcomer’s or visitor’s concierge, answering questions or providing suggestions. While I realize my preferences may not be yours, I thought I’d share ideas on what to see over three days in Boston. I’ve taken care to avoid suggesting places only a trust fund baby can afford. You can read my suggestions from Day 1 Here and Day 2 Here.
Day 3: Three (Gay) Days in Boston
What would a visit to Boston be without checking the Freedom Trail? This 2.5 mile walk chronicle’s America’s history in the years leading up to and during the American Revolution. Although the walk technically starts on Boston Common, I’d suggest starting your morning by splurging at The Omni Parker House dining room for breakfast just a few blocks from the start of the trail. This restaurant has been serving Boston and Boston travelers since 1855 and is the birthplace of the Boston Cream Pie. It also has the distinction of having employed Ho Chi Minh and Malcolm X.
After walking the Freedom Trail you are going to be tired so spend the afternoon taking a 90-minute Duck Tour. Before or after your tour (you decide) grab lunch on Boylston Street in the Back Bay. I’m partial to the patio of Atlantic Fish Co. if you’re not a fan of seafood or want a cheap eats alternative check out Cafe Jaffa a few blocks away.
Start your final evening by visiting another iconic Boston restaurant, The Oak Long Bar + Kitchen, in the Fairmont Copley Hotel in Copley Square. For dinner on the cheap head over to a South End neighborhood mainstay, Anchovies, for basic, affordable homestyle Italian-American that is just a few blocks away. For something a little more interesting, try Myers + Chang – a Pan-Asian Tapas restaurant on Washington & Berkeley Street. Take a taxi rather than walk – it should be about $6 from Copley; again make reservations. After dinner walk just two blocks down Washington Street to Boston’s newest gay bar – more of a Bear / Sports Bar – Cathedral Station.
Last week The Boston Globe reported that The Four Seasons will manage a second hotel and residential building that will be built on the Christian Science Plaza campus.
The project will be the city’s tallest residential building at 699 feet tall and will include 180 luxury condos on the top 40 floors and a 200+ room hotel on the first 20 floors.
More details about the plans that also include restaurant space, lounges / bars and a health club are to follow. More here.
In honor of World Cup currently going on in Brazil I thought I’d share this funny photo. Like these compromising photos? Check out Queerty’s recent post that includes many more, here.
dbar is hosting the annual Summer Solstice Tea Dance on Sunday, June 22nd from 4-8 pm with a suggested donation of $10; all proceeds go to benefit DOTOUT.
Details here: DOTOUT
I’ve often commented on how much I love Boston and am happy to act as any newcomer’s or visitor’s concierge, answering questions or providing suggestions. While I realize my preferences may not be yours, I thought I’d share ideas on what to see over three days in Boston. I’ve taken care to avoid suggesting places only a trust fund baby can afford. You can read my suggestions from Day 1 Here.
Day 2: Three (Gay) Days in Boston
Leave all the walking for the afternoon today and start your morning at the original The South End Buttery on the corner of Shawmut Ave and Union Park St. Relax and enjoy the morning hub bub, use the free wifi and people watch at this busy corner coffee shop that serves some of the best coffee in town.
In the afternoon head over to Neptune Oyster at 63 Salem Street and treat yourself to their lobster roll; it is expensive but worth it. And unlike at dinner, seats are relatively easy to get at lunch. Then go to the recently expanded The Modern Pastry to get something decadently sweet you can enjoy while you stroll down The Rose Kennedy Greenway, which offers views of Boston’s skyline, harbor and public art. When you end your walk near Chinatown, take a left and head over to Boston’s only remaining Gay Bookstore, Calamus Bookstore (at 92b South Street; open 11am – 7pm Tues – Sat and 12-6pm Sun). Peruse the shelves and support this great LGBT bookstore with a purchase or two.
In the evening go to Sister Sorel on Tremont Street (or next door if it is nice weather – Tremont 647) in the South End to carouse with locals. Skip the food here; it is the n’hood vibe that makes the place fun. While it isn’t technically a gay pub, there is always a quorum present. When you get hungry head over to Stella on Washington Street; it may seem like a tough area but it is safer than you’d ever imagine so walk like a local down W. Brookline Street until you arrive at Stella. If it is the weekend, ask for directions to the back bar where it is easier to snag a seat. After dinner head to the front bar for drinks and people watching.
WorldPride – organized by InterPride, promotes LGBT issues globally through parades, festivals and other cultural activities. The event is hosted every five years and the first celebration was held in Rome in 2000. The second WorldPride was hosted in 2006 in Jerusalem followed by London in 2012 and now this year in Toronto.
I’d love to see Boston make a concerted bid to host a future WorldPride. We have the history, the capacity and an organized LGBT community. Does anyone know if Boston has ever stepped forward to bid on being a host city? I’ve included the Toronto bid video they submitted back in 2009 to host 2014 WorldPride; it would be fairly easy to make a more impressive video- I was underwhelmed by this submission considering how cool Toronto is.
Source: Greig Lamont (c) Project of Ruins
Did you know that Boston has its own phantom of the opera; 120 year old concert theater that is 40 feet below street level? This concert hall below the iconic Steinert & Sons storefront on Boylston Street has been closed for nearly three-quarters of a century.
The “acoustically perfect” theater built by Alexander Steinert seated 650 people. Apparently world-renowned pianists and opera singers performed here up through 1942 when nearly 500 died in Boston at the notorious Cocoanut Grove. Following that tragedy subterranean spaces like Steinert Hall became subject to strict fire regulations and was forced to close.
Read more about this fascinating space and check out The Boston Globe video, here.
BosGuy 