Tag Archives: Boston

Free stuff to do in Boston this weekend

Posted on August 13, 2010 | 7 comments

Not heading to Cape Cod? Don’t have any invitations to the Vineyard or Nantucket? Friends aren’t showing any love and inviting you down to Newport, RI? No worries – its actually going to be a bit cool (low 80s / high 70s) so hang out in Boston where there is plenty to see and do.

This weekend the North End will be flooded with tourists checking out the annual Fisherman’s Feast. This year happens to be the 100th anniversary of the feast which includes the procession of the Madonna through the streets of the North End. Details about the feast and its origins which trace back to the 16th century in Sicily can be found in the link I included.

If you want something more low-key tonight you can picnic by the Hatch Shell and watch the WBZ Free Friday’s Flick which starts at 6:30pm. Tonight’s movie is ET. However, if getting down to the Esplanade that early is not going to work or you’d rather skip ET, you can go to the Boston Harbor Hotel at 8:00pm to see their Movies by Moonlight series. Tonight they will be showing, Tootsie.

And although I’ve already mentioned this, Shakespeare on the Common continues, with performances starting at 8pm near the bandstand on the Boston Common. Performances conclude this Sunday, August 15th.

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Posted in Free Stuff

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Avedon exhibit opens at MFA

Posted on August 11, 2010 | 3 comments

“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.

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Rizzoli & Isles: New Boston television drama series

Posted on August 10, 2010 | 1 comment

Tonight I watched the new TNT drama, which follows two detectives Jane Rizzoli (played by Angie Harmon) and medical examiner Maura Isles (played by Sasha Alexander). The episode was chalk-full of Boston scenes – fortunately nobody tried to fake a Boston accent. Who can tell if the series will be successful, but I enjoyed watching the show.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/v5cache/TNT/cvp/tnt_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=58922

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Make reservations now for Restaurant Week

Posted on August 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

Keeping with the dining-theme from my previous post, I thought I would suggest to any foodies out there who may be reading my blog that they should not delay in making their reservations for Boston Restaurant Week, which is actually two weeks and begins Sunday, August 15th.

For first time restaurant week participants, I would suggest choosing establishments that charge in the high $20s or $30s for a main course. Often I hear people go to restaurants where the three course meal only saves them $5-$10 and I wonder why they bothered with the prix-fixe menu. Try someplace that is outside your price range to see what the chef has pulled together. This way if you really enjoy your meal you can go back another time for a special occassion and be confident you will have a wonderful dining experience. I’ve included logos of a few participating restaurants, but check out the restaurant week website for more information.

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Tuesday is $2 Tacos at Tremont 647

Posted on August 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

Did you know that Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel offer $2 Tacos every Tuesday? Last night, after I returned from my day trip to Philadelphia, Sergio and I were hungry for dinner so we walked down to Sister Sorel for a quick bite. The place was absolutely jammed so we ducked in to see what all the fuss was about. We weren’t able to get a seat and I have plans next Tuesday, but I plan on checking this out first hand before the summer ends.

According to the comments on Yelp, it is delicious and worth the visit so if you live in or near the South End and like tacos – this may be a dining excursion worth trying.

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Free Shakespeare on the Common performances in Boston start next week

Posted on July 22, 2010 | 2 comments
The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. performances of Othello will start one week from tonight on Wednesday, July 28th. More than 75,000 people are expected to attend one of the 16 free performances, which will take place by the Parkman Bandstand on the Common.

The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. consistently turns out excellent performances for everyone to enjoy and I’m looking forward to see this year’s production. Othello is one of my favorite dramas. Its themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal always keep me on the edge of my seat.

I hope even more than the projected 75,000 people come to enjoy an evening of Shakespeare under the stars.  Bostonians are lucky to have so many great cultural events that are free and so accessible.  Just a few weeks ago the Boston Pop’s 4th of July Celebration and fireworks garnered national attention.  Now Bostonians can come to the Common to see the Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. performances, which run July 28 – August 15 (Tuesday thru Saturday @ 8pm – Sunday @ 7pm).

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Posted in Free Stuff

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Union Park, South End – Boston

Posted on July 21, 2010 | 4 comments
Union Park runs from Tremont to Shawmut Street in the South End.  The street is lined with beautiful, brick bowfront row houses from the 1850s that surround an oval park and includes two water fountains on each end lined with fragrant flowers. 
On summer evenings neighbors from these buildings sit on their steps (or stoop as I refer to them) and sip cool beverages to people watch and enjoy the warm summer nights. 

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Weekend forecast

Posted on July 16, 2010 | 1 comment

With temperatures near 90 degrees already and nearly a cloud in the sky to provide any sort of shade, it appears that Boston will enjoy yet another gorgeous weekend.  I’ll be in Boston (melting) to celebrate a friend’s birthday.  Are you heading to the beach? I’m jealous.

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Vive la France

Posted on July 13, 2010 | 3 comments
Tomorrow, July 14th, is Bastille Day, otherwise known as French independence.  Most French restaurants in Boston (and elsewhere) will have festivities planned so head down to your local brasserie and order yourself a nice bottle of French wine and enjoy yourself.

I’ve included this image of the model draped in a French flag because it truly does make me want to say “vive la france.” I’ve also included photos from my visit to Paris in May if you are so inclined – take a peek, it takes approximately 2-3 minutes to view all the scrolling images.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Paris May 2010

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Posted in Europe

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Weekend fun in Boston

Posted on July 9, 2010 | 4 comments
Not in Provincetown or Ogunquit this weekend?  Although Boston can get very quiet during the summer months, there is still plenty to do if you want to get out or blow off some steam.  I’ve listed some options which likely vary from your routine.  Maybe I’ll see you out in the city – if so, please say hello.

Friday Boston Guerrilla Queer Bar will take over Kitty O’Shea’s, which is near the State Street T stop at 131 State Street.  Guys will start arriving at 9PM.

Saturday is the Fever Party at the Good Life which is just a couple blocks from Downtown Crossing at 2 Kingston Street.  The fun will start after 10PM.

Sunday check out the SoWa Open Market, which runs from 10 AM – 4 PM.  This market which runs May through October every Sunday (except holiday weekends) has moved one block to 460 Harrison Avenue.

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Whatever whenever

Posted on June 18, 2010 | 1 comment
Funny W Boston Hotel promo by Varla Jean Merman – a hilarious drag queen who’s show each summer is a must see in Provincetown. Check out this clip.  Enjoy Eddie’s brief cameo as Varla’s personal trainer.

Thanks GG for sharing on your blog.

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Posted on June 18, 2010 | Leave a comment
I don’t care… I still love the Celtics and look forward to next season. 

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Boston Pride – Sunday block party video

Posted on June 14, 2010 | 1 comment

Boston Pride 2010 concluded with the Stuart Street Block Party today which started at 2pm and ends at 8pm.  When I arrived at 3pm people were still streaming in but by 5pm the block was packed with people drinking, dancing and having fun.  Organizers did a great job to help keep lines to a minimum.  I’m already looking forward to Boston Pride 2011.

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Boston Pride update

Posted on June 13, 2010 | 2 comments
Yes, that is a photograph of MA Sen. Brown who won a special election earlier this year to fill the late Sen. Kennedy’s seat, but more about that in a bit.
As I mentioned below, the block party by Fritz (or the Fritz Carlton as I like to call it) was great fun despite the fact that it was mostly overcast and often raining.  After coming home to relax a bit, I went to a friend’s party (thanks Alan for being such a gracious host) and stayed longer than I would have expected.  Most of Alan and Brandon’s friends I recognized from around town but did not know, which made for an interesting dynamic with the friends I brought.  I’m always surprised when you bring a group of friends out and they prefer only to talk to each other.  Their otherwise reserved nature did not prevent me from chatting with a number of really nice guys.
By 11PM the conversation seemed to turn from what people had done during the parade and block party to where to go next.  The biggest party in town was at the House of Blues – I believe the capacity is ~2,000 but against my better judgement and wishes, I was cajoled into heading to Paradise.  Heading downstairs to the main dance floor I was surprised by the newly expanded dance floor. I’m horrible at providing crowd estimates, but I would guess there was 700+ guys downstairs. I tried taking some videos which I may post later but it was just to dark for my Flip to capture anything other than the music, which incidentally was excellent. My night ended with me saying good bye to the 2-3 friends who were still out just prior to closing at 2AM.
The photo above of Senator Brown, I snapped today (Sunday) while walking around the neighborhood with my camera.  Motley Boston – which I’ve written about before on my blog – is the storefront that has this for all to see.  I have to admit it garners a lot of comments (at least it did while I was there snapping my picture).  Here are a couple of other displays of Pride which I forgot to include in my photos from yesterday.

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Boston Pride photos

Posted on June 12, 2010 | 3 comments
The weather in Boston for the Pride Parade was cool and wet but it did not deter the crowds. I’ve said before – Boston Pride is tame and the parade in particular is ho-hum, but I still have fun and enjoy seeing friends and meeting people visiting from other cities.  I’ve included pictures from the parade and block party that just ended. Now I need to rehydrate and relax a bit so I can enjoy this evening.
Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Boston Pride 2010
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