Tag: Massachusetts

Friday Links to Free Music!
Summer in Boston is full of opportunities to enjoy free and low-cost concerts. Today, we're linking to some of the free ones but we invite you to add links to other low cost options in the comments section.
Click on any small photo to see a larger version in the space above.

Shannon Selig (photos above) opened the Prudential Center Lunchtime Concert series on Tuesday. This free concert series is part of the Berklee Summer in the City program.

Keep your eye on Shannon and get out and see her whenever you can. She's piling up awards and we think this young singer/songwriter has a very bright future. These and few additional photos of this concert are in our Smug Mug gallery.

Berklee Summer in the CIty

Berklee will be treating us to music at dozens of locations in and outside the city. If you get out to one of the concerts be sure to pick up the Berklee Summer in the City brochure. It features concerts by series, by location, by date and featured artists. You can also find the information on line here.

Boston Public Library Courtyard

Bacchante and Infant Faun are dancing on water in the courtyard of the Boston Public Library. Mark your calendars! The popular, free, Friday lunchtime concert series has returned to the courtyard and continues through the end of August. Here's a link to details of the full schedule.

Hatch Shell Concert Series 2012

In 1939, the trustees of Maria E. Hatch’s estate entered into an agreement to give the Commonwealth of Massachusetts $300,000 to build a concertorium, or music shell, on the Storrow Memorial Embankment in Boston. It would be a memorial to her bother, Boston real estate auctioneer, Edward Hatch.

The agreement was very specific as to the use of the structure. It would be for “musical and artistic purposes… of general public interest and entertainment, except, however, that it shall not be used for sectarian, political or controversial purposes.” Here's this year's list of musical presentations!

More Series at More Locations

Boston: City Hall Plaza and Christopher Columbus Park Series

Boston: Boston Harbor Hotel Free Entertainment Series on Rose Wharf

Boston: Downtown Crossing Street Music Series

Boston: Post Office Square Summer Lunch Concert Series

Cambridge: Regattabar Courtyard Series with Berklee College of Music

Cambridge: Club Passim/Berklee Summer Concert Series at Kendall Square and Harvard Square

Okay, we have the list started. Add your favorite free, or low-cost, summer concerts in the comments.

Related Posts: For our Friday link collection click here.

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
June 15, 2012
Ye Olde Clover Tavern on Boston Common

The Clover Food Lab truck near the Brewer Fountain Plaza on Boston Common is attracting customers from many eras!

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 14, 2012
Union Square Swirl & Slice: Specialty Foods Market

The first Union Square Swirl & Slice: Specialty Foods Market is scheduled for tomorrow evening, June 14, 2012 from 5-8 pm. This new type of market will run each Thursday evening until September 20th.

Somerville has been in the forefront of providing new ways to reach the people who produce local food. This new market will be one more fun way to connect with wineries, cheesemakers, and specialty food producers.

What is Swirl & Slice?

The folks at Union Square Main Streets say, "The items at Swirl & Slice: Union Square Specialty Foods Market will be those you’d pack for a romantic, summer picnic or bring for a weekend away with friends. Wine, cheese, cured meats, breads, jams, pickles and other locally-produced, refined foods that typically take the back seat at other farmers’ markets will be the stars here. Bread and other baked goods, roasted nuts, and cut flowers are also expected to be among the offerings. Check out our amazing vendors here."

In addition to the opportunity to taste and purchase products at the market, there will also be live jazz. And, when you're ready to sit down for a relaxing meal, you'll have a wide selection of restaurants in Union Square. This sounds like the perfect place to meet friends, have some fun, and enjoy a summer evening.

If you go, come back and let us know what you think. We'll be following the news of this market and reporting back to you. Follow us on Twitter: @BostonZest for updates!

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto.com and sceenshot from Union Square Main Streets.

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 13, 2012
Father’s Day Dining 2012 In & Around Boston

Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Dad to a meal out on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Here's a link to our " Dining around Boston on Father's Day, June 15, 2014 post.

Would your Dad love to get his hands into some great BBQ at Sweet Cheeks Q?

For Father's Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurant suggestions.

Open Table always does a great job guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list.

Boston Chef's has a special list from their members. Updated info: June 10th!

Our picks:

On chowhound recently, one contributor said that, "Island Creek is the one to beat these days…" We agree. In our opinion, Island Creek Oyster Bar sets the standard for relaxed, comfortable dining with outstanding food and great cocktail and wine programs. We haven't given them nearly as much coverage as we should, considering how much we like the place. Here's a post from their early days, and they continue to set the bar high. So, if you want a table there, call right now.

Sweet Cheeks Q in the Fenway may seem to be just for the meat lovers in the clan, but they put out some great veggies and a tray of hot and cold scoops (as they call them) with a remarkable farm salad that will put a smile on any one with a preference for vegetarian fare. And, remember to order the crazy-good biscuits. (You may want to treat Dad to a doggie bag of them for the rest of the week!) Check out our Sweet Cheeks posts:

Sweet Cheeks BBQ: A First Look

Sweet Cheeks Q- Great Northern Brisket

Salt & Pepper Potatoes at Sweet Cheeks Q

Bourbon Beer? at Sweet Cheeks

How about simple Italian-American food in a very comfortable setting. We suggest Artu in the North End or on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Here's one of our favorite menu items.

If you'd like to treat Dad to something really special, consider the ultimate hamburger at the Bristol Lounge at the Four Season's Hotel. Lunch there for just the two of you, some quiet afternoon, could be a great IOU if you can't be together on the 17th. Here's what we wrote about that burger.

Another great spot to share a meal, any day of the week, is Coppa in the South End. You can even top off your meal with a quick shopping trip to South End Formaggio across the street. We always do! And, that will let you create a super take-home gift that Dad can help select. Need more convincing? Take a look at:

Friday Lunch at Coppa, an Italian Seduction

Coppa Italian Grinder: A Best Bite

Coppa- A First Look

And, if you're thinking of adventure and the South End, how about a guided tour of the food trucks gathered at the SOWA Open Market each Sunday. No resevations needed! Check out:

SOWA Market: Where to Find Food Trucks!

And, for the best gift, let Dad choose something from his wish list. Get an Amazon gift card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card. And, if he doesn't shop online, offer to sit with your Dad and take him on an Amazon shopping trip.

Details:
Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

June 7, 2012
Wood’s Seafood, Plymouth, MA for Lobster & More

Driving back to Boston from Provincetown, we have a tradition of stopping in Plymouth for lunch. Wood's Seafood on the town pier is the perfect place to enjoy one last lobster and seafood feast.

The good folks at Woods seem to have the old fashioned notion that being nice to customers while serving fresh, simple, well-prepared local food at a good price, is the way to go. This table full of lobster, steamers, chowder, and sides cost just over $30. A great value in this tourist town on a busy holiday weekend.

Hearing the banter with the staff, we've figured out that this is where locals seem to come when they have guests, for take out, and to buy fish for supper in the adjacent fish market. As our former favorites in the Town Pier cluster take on a plastic, Disneyesque atmosphere, and are not as good a value, Wood's is our go-to spot.

The dining area is tiny, just 50 seats, so you may want to have an alternative spot for feasting in mind or be prepared to wait for a table. The guys above took their food outside to the pier and used the concrete barrier for a table.

When we don't dine in, we prefer to picnic in the park just north the breakwater you see on the map for Wood's in our details. If you park in the big lot that leads to the breakwater, you can be halfway between Wood's and al fresco dining. After years of traveling with dogs, we are skilled at finding places were we can enjoy a meal without leaving a friend locked in a hot car.

This can also make a great daytrip destination. If you have vistors who want to see Plymouth, you'll know the great place for a lobster, clam plate, or other seafood shack meal.

Related Posts:

This summer we hope to add more Daytrips and Weekend destinations to our collection.

Here's more about Provincetown.

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Details:

Wood's Seafood

15 Town Pier, Plymouth, MA 02360 (Map & Reviews)

Phone: 800-626-1011 or 508-746-0261

www.woodsseafoods.com

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 4, 2012
We Love June in Boston!

June is often the most gentle and gracious time of year in Boston. I really enjoy being here this month. This valentine to June in our adopted hometown was inspired by a conversation over on Trip Advisor. The crew there were collecting things that were happening during the month. My two cents worth was to let everyone know why Ed and I think June in Boston is so special.

Most of the graduations are over. Just UMass Boston on June 1st and MIT on the 8th remain. Then, the locals and smartest of visitors have the city to themselves.

The greenery is glowing. The city seems to take a deep breath and relax. There is just something special about this lull before the July 4th activity that makes it a sweeter place.

It's a month to picnic and sit and read by the river. The weather is often the most comfortable of the year. Don't get me wrong. I love the rest of the year too, but June is special.

What's on your June fun-in-Boston shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 31, 2012
Pride: 40 Years of Protest & Celebration

This year's Boston Pride Week (June 1-10, 2012) is the perfect opportunity to visit the art gallery at the Boston Center for Adult Education (BCAE). On view, right now, is Pride: 40 years of Protest & Celebration.

(Photo courtesy of the History Project)

This is a joint project between the (BCAE) and The History Project. Drawn from The History Project’s archive, the exhibition traces the development of Pride in Boston from a sparsely attended protest to a massive celebration drawing hundreds of thousands of participants each June.

The pieces displayed in the exhibition, showcase the immense cultural and political changes that have affected New England’s LGBTQ communities over the decades.

(Photo by Joel Benjamin)

Accompanying Pride: 40 Years of Protest & Celebration will be Fierce Pride: 1992, an exhibition of portraits taken during the 1992 Pride Celebration by Photographer Joel Benjamin. These never-before-exhibited portraits reflect the rich diversity of LGBTQ communities and the role of Pride in creating a safe space for self-expression.

Click on any image to see a larger version.

As photographers, we are grateful when organizations like BCAE open their gallery space to photographic art. And, we applaud collections and archives like those compiled by The History Project that save and share the work across time.

What's on your summer fun shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Boston Center for Adult Education
122 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116 (map)
Phone: (617) 267-4430

www.bcae.org

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © Courtesy of BCAE

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 30, 2012
Memorial Day 2012, Let Summer Begin, Again!

This year, we had a taste of summer back in March and another appearance for Patriots' Day weekend. But, for many of us, the summer season is not officially open until Memorial Day!

Need to know what's open today? We have that information right here!

What's on your summer fun shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 28, 2012
What’s with Walking in the Bike Lanes?

This group was westbound on Commonwealth Avenue, walking along the curb and in the bike lane. At least they were facing oncoming bikes. This is just an example of what we've been seeing around the neighborhood.

We see:

Runners running in the bike lanes.

People strolling in the bike lanes.

Is it payback for the bikes on the sidewalks?

Is it an adventuresome streak that hopes to play chicken with a two-wheeler?

What's your guess? Do you ever walk in the bike lanes?

This post was picked up by Universal Hub and there is a good conversation on the topic over there.

What's on your walking around Boston shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 26, 2012
UBER: On-Call Car Service in Boston

This year, we added one more option to our car-free lifestyle. UBER offered a discounted $40 introductory package on Gilt City Boston and we bought it. Since then, we've treated ourselves to a few UBER rides and are ready to recommend it to you at today's Friday Link.

Test Drives!

Our first trip was to the preview opening of the Gardner Museum. It seemed like a festive event and our schedule for the day was heavy, so to enjoy more time exploring the museum, we decided to take a ride there and then on to our next destination.

We used the UBER iPhone app to request a car. We watched the app as the photo of the driver who had accepted our request popped up, then followed his movement on a map as he approached from about seven minutes away. Unlike a taxi, we knew where he was and that he was really on his way to our location. When he arrived out front, he called to let us know.

We enjoyed a couple of hours exploring the new and old spaces at the Gardner, had a meal at Cafe G, and then pulled up the UBER app and requested a ride to our next destination. This time, our driver hit some traffic and called to say he'd be a few minutes longer. He arrived, quicker than expected, and called to tell us he was in front of the door.

Another evening, we tested the service on a rain-soaked trip through rush hour and baseball traffic to an event in the Fenway area. Each time, we've been happy that we were in the care of a completely professional, attentive driver whose only concern was making our day a bit better and getting us calmly and safely to our destination.

Last week we found a perfect use of UBER– a pick up from a medical procedure. For Penny, it was an appointment at Mass Eye and Ear that left her dilated eyes half-blind in the blazing sun. Rather than fumble around trying to find a cab, she called UBER. Her driver, Sal arrived in minutes, handed her into his clean, comfortable car, found a way out of the traffic jam surrounding the hospital area, and even offered to assist her into our building.

For Us, It's Worth the Price!

Yes, UBER costs a bit more than a taxi. But, it costs less than a scheduled car service for trips like these. The cars are clean, the drivers professional, and we enjoy the difference.

Since we don't own a car and usually walk, take the MBTA, use Zipcars, or rentals, UBER fits nicely into our transportation scheme. We look forward to using UBER in the other cities, like New York, where it's also available.

DISCOUNTS!!

This UBER link will give you a $10 credit to get you started and they will also send a reward our way.

And, if you click on the Zipcar box over to the left, you can get a driving credit to start you off when you join and we'll also have some Zip added to our account.

What's on your fun-in-Boston shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 25, 2012