Tag Archives: Boston Guy

Museum season in Boston

Pennsylvania Railroad World War II Memorial

Pennsylvania Railroad World War II Memorial

I jokingly refer to January, February and March as my “museum season” because it is the time of year I am most likely to spend a few hours strolling through one of Boston’s museums to pass an afternoon.  While some may prefer movies, I like to get out and stretch my legs by waking through some of the permanent exhibits at museums like the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Boston’s winter has been so mild this year that it has encroached on “museum season” – not that I’m complaining. But with spring and truly milder weather still a couple months away I wanted to suggest planning a weekend visit to an area museum either as something to do on your own or with friends.

art, Tire Jumping In Front of My Window

Tire Jumping In Front of My Window
By Allan Rohan Crite

It is a great way to pass time and for larger museums like the MFA Boston and the Harvard Art Museums, which have so many permanent collections, there is certain to be one that will pique your interest.  For example, the image above caught my eye, because I recognized it immediately as a scene from Boston.  This painting which is part of the MFA’s Art of the America’s collection was finished in 1947 by a local artist who lived above that store on the corner of Dilworth and Northhampton Street for nearly 50 years.

For those of you who may not want to spend several hours roaming a museum or might be looking for something that won’t cost much, remember that admission is free every Thursday from 5 – 9 PM at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art.

Dine Out Boston tips

Dine Out Boston 2016Make reservations today. Boston’s best restaurants fill quickly.

Dine Out Boston, which runs for two weeks in early and mid-March starts in a little more than a week. If this is your first Dine Out Boston I’d suggest you consider the following tips or guidelines to maximize your experience.

– Not all participating establishments are worth visiting. Restaurants serve 3 courses from a Prix Fixe menu for $28 $33 or $38.  If most of the restaurant’s main plates are normally less than $20.00 you are not likely saving much money. Look for restaurants with a higher price point.

– Dine Out Boston is meant to bring crowds into restaurants during a time that is normally quiet (that is why Saturday, March 12 is not officially part of the two week promotion).  To avoid crowds and not compromise on the service, make reservations for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

– Because of those crowds that I just referenced it is important that you make reservations ASAP.  The better restaurants fill quickly and waiting is not in your best interest.

– Select a restaurant you have never had a chance to visit. Use this opportunity to explore new places that have opened or that may normally be more than you would spend to take advantage of the savings.  You may be pleasantly surprised and discover a new favorite restaurant.

Participating Restaurants: fully searchable by neighborhood, cuisine and price

Dr. Feelgood

feverYou give me fever when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever! in the morning Fever all through the night

American Repertory Theater presents: 1984

1984 American Repertory TheaterA.R.T. presents 1984 February 14 – March 6, 2016

This past weekend Sergio and I saw 1984 at the  A.R.T. in Cambridge.  It goes without saying that the production is gripping and intense. The fact that the book was written in post-WWII London, published in 1949, yet remains so relevant nearly 70 years later is amazing.

The one act play, which includes live video and plenty of dramatic lighting to drive home points as subtly as a club beating you over the head.  As Winston struggles with Big Brother and the Thought Police I found  myself sitting on the edge of my seat and you will too I bet.

The production was developed by the UK touring company, Headlong in 2013 and has played all over Britain, including two separate runs on the West End. If tickets remain, hurry up and get them while they last and then plan on grabbing a drink, because you’ll definitely want to talk about what you just saw.

A.R.T. Tickets to see 1984

Boston’s disappearing neighborhood bars

South End Boston Dive BarsIs Boston losing its dive bars (which I think of as neighborhood pubs)? Boston Globe writer, Beth Teitell, wrote an interesting article last week asking just that question. She writes, “Look around the city at the glossy new buildings and companies and it’s easy to see what’s knocking over the worn bar stools: rising rents, land values, and changing tastes and demographics.

In the past I’ve written blog posts about needing to make sure Boston can be a home for everyone: the well-to-do retiree couple who sold their home in the suburbs; Millennials who are starting their career and life; as well as the wide-eyed college student who is moving from home for the first time in their life.

The question about Boston’s disappearing neighborhood bars is a good one and probably the result of many issues – not just rising rents – but the city’s economic boom is no doubt hastening the closure of many of these locations. I hesitate to think of a South End without an Anchovies, Delux Cafe, JJ Foley’s, Cathedral Station or Wally’s to name just a few and I hope whether you frequent these establishments or not, you appreciate the color and energy they bring to our neighborhood and city.

Caption this photo

Caption this photo, humor

Each Wednesday morning I post a photograph and ask readers to offer a funny caption.  Hopefully the caption below inspires you to share a few of your own.

Lean on me

Red Sox Nation (even at Yankee Stadium)

EastieStrong ‏@eastiestrong someone I know was at Yankee Stadium and look what happened!

EastieStrong@eastiestrong
Someone I know was at Yankee Stadium and look what happened!

This tweet was sent out earlier this afternoon and I couldn’t help but swipe it.

Dale Lazarov gay comics

Dale Lazarov erotic gay comicsLast week one of my favorite bloggers, Matt Rettenmund, who writes the blog boy culture, had a post about an adult themed gay comic illustrator, Dale Lazarov.  As a kid I never really got into comic books, but I appreciate creativity and know there are a lot of people who do like comics.

The website, www.dalelazarov.com, describes the comics as an imprint for wordless, gay character-based, sex-positive graphic novels.  You can check out Lazarov’s books on Amazon, or get digital editions here.

Judy at the Movies every Saturday at Club Cafe

Judy Garland, Club Cafe BostonPeter Mac recreate scenes from some of Judy Garland’s most famous movies. Winner of Top Ten Must See Performances in Dig Boston 2015. Judy Garland fans will want to check out this show, that takes place every Saturday through March 12th at Club Cafe.

Priority and  general admission seating is available.  Shows begin at 8PM each Saturday. To purchase tickets and for more information link here.

Temptation Tuesday

handsome, hunk, musclesThis week’s Temptation Tuesday is dedicated to everyone who doesn’t skip legs day at the gym and for those of you who appreciate men who don’t skip legs day.

Past Temptation Tuesday Posts

Two thumbs up for Renaissance Sao Paulo

Marriott Sao PauloAfter returning from our 2+ weeks in Brazil over the holidays I wrote a post Visiting Sao Paulo, Brazil.  

In the six weeks since that post went live, it has been viewed a couple thousand times, several people have reached out to me inquiring about travel tips to Brazil and more than a few have inquired about hotel options vs. using services like Airbnb so I thought I’d provide another shout out for one of my favorite places to stay when I visit Sao Paulo, Brazil – Renaissance Sao Paulo.

Photo Source: Renaissance Sao Paulo

Photo Source: Renaissance Sao Paulo

On our most recent stay Sergio and I were upgraded to a suite on the hotel’s executive level which also gave us 24 hour access to their superb executive lounge which provides guests breakfast in the morning, snacks and cocktails in the afternoon followed by light bites in the evening from a spacious lounge that gives you nice views of the cityscape.

Brazil, Hotel, TravelOur suite faced East offering views of the back of many prominent buildings lining Avenida Paulista. We used the sitting area and desk which you cannot see from this angle to host friends and to enjoy our morning coffee and early evening glasses of Champagne courtesy of the Renaissance executive lounge.

Below I’ve included photos of our bedroom and the over sized master suite bathroom. I didn’t bother to snap a photo of the half bath in the hallway leading to the den shown above because it pales in comparison to the master suite.

Brazil, Hotel, TravelTravel, BrazilAside from the posh digs, I recommend that gay travelers consider staying at the Renaissance Sao Paulo for several reasons.  First, there are always several other gay travelers there – most often at the hotel bar near the lobby – so you are more likely to get tips and helpful travel suggestions.  Second, it is very centrally located and happens to be just blocks from great shopping and restaurants. Third, the hotel has great amenities including an excellent gym, nice pool and spa (if you feel like a little pampering).

If you are planning a trip to Sao Paulo or Brazil and have any questions, feel free to reach out, and I’ll be happy to provide you with suggestions, hints and tips so you can make your trip as memorable as possible.

Gay for Good Boston needs volunteers

Generations, G4GOne of my favorite volunteering organizations, Gay for Good Boston, has an interesting project on Tuesday, March 15th with Generations, Inc. –  a non-profit that pairs senior adults with non literate proficient children in the Boston metro area. G4G will be constructing the book covers that will be used by the participants of the programs – highlighting challenging words and descriptions of the plot in keeping with the themes of their education program. There will be plenty of construction paper and glue to complement your imagination.

Space is limited to approximately volunteers and space will fill quickly so register today if interested.  Generations, Inc. office is located close to the Downtown Crossing and Chinatown T stops. Generations, Inc. also welcomes donated children’s books if you wish to bring one.

More information available here

What to do this week February 22 – 28

Boston Ballet presents Onegin February 25 - March 6, 2016 at the Boston Opera House

Boston Ballet presents Onegin February 25 – March 6, 2016 at the Boston Opera House

What to do this week: February 22nd – 28th

Boston Gay Men’s Book Club meets to discuss Not Dark Yet on Monday at 7PM at the Trident Booksellers & Cafe in Boston

Geek Trivia is guaranteed fun and has lots of prizes (trivia starts at 8pm) hosted every Tuesday at Club Cafe in Boston

Stump Trivia lets you impress your friends with all the trivia you know from 5PM – 10PM every Wednesday at Cathedral Station in Boston

Karaoke Kween is a lot of fun and if you’re good you may nab the $75 cash prize at the end of the night – hosted every Wednesday at Club Cafe in Boston

Opening Night: Boston Ballet for Onegin (which runs through March 6) is Thursday, February 25 at the Opera House in Boston

ICA Boston every Thursday from 5PM – 9PM admission is free to the public.

Mainestreet Karaoke party starts at 9PM every Friday in Ogunquit

DJ Gay Jim Dance Party starts at 10PM on Friday at Cathedral Station in Boston

Fascination Friday starts at 9PM in the basement of Jacques Underground ($10 cover) on Friday, February 26 in Boston

DontAskDontTell monthly gay rave theme has an animalistic theme: Wild Side at Great Scott starting at 10PM on Saturday, February 27 in Boston

EGO Saturdays with DJ Richie LaDue and your host Katya  on Saturday, February 27 in Providence

Back 2 Basics Tea Dance never has a cover and always has great music from 70s 80s & 90s, starting at 5PM no cover every Sunday at Club Cafe in Boston

Send me information about your upcoming programs and events in my blog’s comment section or message me the details on Facebook.

Gay themed romantic comedy: Me Him Her

Me Him Her is a crazy romantic comedy about a closeted, heartthrob TV star (Brendan) who turns to his best friend who happens to be straight (Cory) to fly out to Hollywood to help him keep his homosexuality a secret so he won’t jeopardize his skyrocketing career.  Unfortunately for Brendan, Cory meets a very drunk woman named Gabbi who he can’t stop thinking about after he has a one-night stand with her; problem is Gabbi is a lesbian.

I hope this movie makes it to Boston. These twisted romantic comedies are the kind of things that I love.

Ab Fab is back with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley

The new Absolutely Fabulous movie trailer was released last week.  While it doesn’t really give any clues about the film, I’m interested in seeing the movie.

Pity you can’t bring a bottle of Veuve Clicquot to the movies; it seems like the appropriate beverage to have while watching the movie. Don’t you agree?