Cyndi Lauper is in town performing at the Wang Theatre later tonight, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her debut album, She’s So Unusual. I finally saw Cyndi Lauper when she came to Boston a few years ago on the first True Colors tour in 2007 and she was fantastic. If you didn’t get tickets to see Ms. Lauper, you’ll have to settle for this video of one of my favorite songs from that album.
Once the dust from the “Big Dig” settled construction in Boston turned to a section adjacent to Downtown and the Waterfront that had been largely left vacant. The New York Times wrote an article about this new neighborhood called The Seaport and in particular the development on Fan Pier in their 2007 article, From Empty Lots to Bustling Waterfront. The recession in 2008 slowed development for a couple years, but construction is in full swing and buildings are being built and approved at a rapid rate not normally seen in Boston.
Fan Pier represents 21 acres mostly of waterfront property with views of Boston Harbor and Downtown. Restaurants, retail stores, condominiums and office space seem to be opening every month. If you haven’t been down to this part of Boston in a while you may want to check it out.
Today, Boston’s Fan Pier resembles neither photo from above. The picture on the left shows what the pier looked like September 2012. The photo to the right shows what the pier will look like after the construction finishes in the next couple years.
October 13, 2013 – January 20, 2014 at MFA Boston
Fresh and full of light, the MFA’s latest exhibition traces the footsteps of this iconic American painter in his travels across Europe and the Middle East, exploring their landscapes and observing their people. For a taste of Sargent’s genius, check out the murals he painted at the Boston Public Library before you visit the MFA. You may purchase tickets to the MFA exhibit here.
Adult admission $25
Seniors (65+) and Students (18+) $23
Youths 17 and under FREE
Take advantage of the fact that there are several free events happening in Boston this weekend and use it as an excuse to get up off your couch and get outside for a bit.
The Boston Book Festival, which started yesterday and runs through Saturday in Back Bay’s Copley Square is a great event to check out. The Boston Book Festival runs from October 17th-19th.
The world’s largest regatta – The Head of The Charles – is a two day event that draws more than 300,000 spectators and 9,000+ athletes over two days. Hop the Red Line to come down to Harvard Square or walk / ride over to The Charles and pick a spot to spread out, watch and cheer on these athletes. The regatta runs from October 19th – 20th.
Each Sunday the SoWa Open market draws thousands who come to peruse the artisan stalls, purchase fresh food from the farmer’s market and eat from the many food trucks that park just down the street. The 2013 season for the market concludes at the end of this month so come down for one last visit before the season ends. SoWa Open market is open Sunday 10-4pm.
click on pictures to enlarge
Some of you may recognize Jeffery as one of Ptown’s premiere entertainers. I want to thank him for sharing such sexy photos. Ginger lovers are sure to swoon for this week’s Furry Friday.
Want to be featured as an upcoming Furry Friday? Let me know.
Last week I mentioned that Back Bay Harry’s would open later this week in this post. Starting Friday at 5pm you can check out this place first hand but tonight I stopped in at the restaurant as Back Bay Harry’s welcomed a lot of industry types and media to check out this new restaurant on the corner of the Back Bay and South End. Below are some photos from tonight’s celebration. Let me know if you end up visiting Back Bay Harry’s and tell me what you think about the new space and Chef Santos’ food.
Chef Jason Santos was in good spirits while he directed the capable crew who were busy feeding a lot of hungry guests who had come out to see the new restaurant on the eve of its opening.
The friendly crowd was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy the opening party, while they drank from Back Bay Harry’s spacious bar. The photo below gives you an idea of what to expect from the newly designed dining room which has lots of booths that look very comfortable.
Back Bay Harry’s 142 Berkeley Street – Boston, MA
Hang in there. The weekend is in sight.
The Mandarin Oriental DC (AAA 5-star luxury property) was ranked by the Institutional Investor magazine as one of the top 100 hotels in the world, and I’ve been lucky enough to stay at this property a few times because of work.
Below are photographs of my room – 944. The muted colors are calming and the sound-proofed rooms meant that I never heard anyone once I closed my door. The furnishings and set up speak for themselves in the photographs below. It is tough to find any fault with the Mandarin Oriental DC. My only issue with the hotel is that I prefer staying (for personal reasons) closer to Dupont Circle.
Today starts the fifth annual Boston Book Festival that will run through Saturday, October 19th. The program is a celebration of the written word and has programs aimed to encourage reading and promote Boston’s cultural heritage as a place that has fostered some of America’s finest authors past and present.
This year renowned author and essayist Salman Rushdie is the keynote speaker. He is joined by numerous others including, Mike Barnicle, Alan Dershowitz, and Joe Klein to name just a few of the presenters. For a full list of scheduled events link here.
Something tells me he might not be the brightest bulb on a Christmas tree but he sure is easy to look at. Perhaps one of you might be willing to explain to him how one sits on a bench.
Tomorrow is Spirit Day. The day started in 2010 as a way to stand up against bullying and for people to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. All are encouraged to wear purple; the color in the rainbow flag that symbolizes ‘spirit’.
You can learn more about the event by linking to GLAAD’s website, www.glaad.org/spiritday.
Source: Decodollop blog
One of my favorite poems ever written is by Robert Frost. Each autumn I post his poem, Nothing gold can stay. It is obvious that Frost was inspired by the fall foliage in New England when he wrote this poem back in 1923. I hope you enjoy the poem as much as I do.
Nature’s first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Rumors of Fritz’s closing was first whispered to me early this summer, but I paid it little attention. It seemed strange that such a successful bar would close, but as the rumors persisted it became obvious that there was more truth than fiction and this wasn’t just neighborhood gossip.
Earlier this month Fritz confirmed on Facebook that they are closing at the end of this year. The owner of the Chandler Inn is remodeling the space to turn it into a restaurant and bar and make it more welcoming to the entire neighborhood (cue the bugle to play taps as yet another gay bar bites the dust).
Fritz is my favorite place in Boston to watch a game and even though I’m always a fan of seeing new restaurant open, I’m torn and left with a bitter taste by its closure. I’ll miss Fritz. What are your thoughts?
This Saturday, October 19th, Harvard Law School’s LGBTQ student group will host a masquerade party at the Sheraton Commander just outside Harvard Square. This year’s Out Law dance party is open to the general public.
Where: Sheraton Commander
When: Saturday, October 19, 9pm-1am
Special Performance: Nicholle Pride
Facebook Event Page: Out Law Masquerade
A limited number of masks are available for early attendees so bring your own if you plan to show up fashionably late, and be sure to say hello to the lovely, Nicholle Pride.
BosGuy 