BostonZest

2017 Concerts in the Courtyard at the Boston Public Library

Once again the Boston Public Library comes through with free entertainment for those of us who take advantage of the endless ways this Boston resource serves the public. The Concerts in the Courtyard series for 2017 begins today and will continue through August 30th.

Here's what the folks at the BPL have told us about this season:

"The Courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square, one of Boston's most beautiful spaces, is filled with music during free, one-hour concerts throughout the summer.  

Can't sneak away from the office for our noon performances? We will be streaming the Friday concerts live on our Facebook page."

Concerts are held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. All the concerts are free.

June schedule:

Area 9 Quartet, Friday, June 2, 12:30 p.m. Area 9 Quartet is a Boston-based ensemble dedicated to exploring the rich, diverse, and ever-growing chamber music repertoire for saxophone.

Marco Mares, Wednesday, June 7, 6 p.m. Marco Mares is a singer-songwriter from Mexico City who showcased his fresh and honest pop sound in his debut album Para Ella (2014). Marco’s interactive performances highlight fun, funky pop mixed with romantic Spanish lyrics.

Boston Philharmonic, Friday, June 9, 12:30 p.m. Join members of the Boston Philharmonic as they perform chamber and quartet music, taking their passion out of the concert hall to the public as part of their education and community outreach program, Crescendo!

Francesca Crowley, Wednesday, June 14, 6 p.m. Francesca’s influences include songwriters such as Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, and Joni Mitchell, and she strives to create new and different music inspired by her life.

Project STEP, Friday, June 16, 12:30 p.m. Project STEP (String Training and Education Program) recognizes that certain racial and ethnic minorities are vastly underrepresented in classical music. Their mission is to address this imbalance by identifying musically talented children from underrepresented Boston and surrounding communities and providing them with comprehensive music and string instrument instruction.

Maro Maro, Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m. Maro Maro is a singer-songwriter, pianist, and guitarist from Lisbon, Portugal.

Francisco Roldán, Friday, June 23, 12:30 p.m. Colombian-born guitarist Francisco Roldán plays solo and chamber music nationally and internationally. Roldán presents a concert of lyrical, rhythmic, and sensual music by Central and South American composers on the classical guitar.

Aliya Cycon Project, Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m. Aliya Cycon Project (ACP) blends Aliya Cycon’s soulful compositions with characteristics of traditional Arabic music to create an unforgettable East-meets-West experience.

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) Intensive Community Program (ICP), Friday, June 30, 12:30 p.m. The Intensive Community Program is a rigorous instrument training program that brings quality classical music instruction to underrepresented communities.

July and August schedule:

• Brandon Diaz, Wednesday, July 5, 6 p.m. 
• NorthStar Duo, Friday, July 7, 12:30 p.m.
• Samuel Batista, Wednesday, July 12, 6 p.m. 
• Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Friday, July 14, 12:30 p.m.
• Niu Raza, Wednesday, July 19, 6 p.m.
• Joel LaRue Smith, Friday, July 21, 12:30 p.m.
• BEARD, Wednesday, July 26, 6 p.m. 
• Properly Unprepared, Friday, July 28, 12:30 p.m.
• Harshitha Krishnan, Wednesday, August 2, 6 p.m.
• Kenn Morr Band, Friday, August 4, 12:30 p.m.
• Sleeping Lion, Wednesday, August 9, 6 p.m.
• Boston Philharmonic, Friday, August 11, 12:30 p.m.
• Venezuelan Project, Wednesday, August 16, 6 p.m. 
• Night Tree, Friday, August 18, 12:30 p.m.
• Abby Carey, Wednesday, August 23, 6 p.m.
• Boston Lyric Opera, Friday, August 25, 12:30 p.m.
• Amber Olivia Kiner, Wednesday, August 30, 6 p.m.

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Concerts in the Courtyard at the Boston Public Library for 2016

Once again the Boston Public Library comes through with free entertainment for those of us who take advantage of the endless ways this Boston resource serves the public. The Concert in the Courtyard series for 2016 began this week and will continue through August 31st.

Here's what the folks at the BPL have told us about this season.

"Boston Public Library’s free Concerts in the Courtyard series returns June 1 and runs through August 31, featuring a variety of artists and musical genres in the library’s iconic courtyard at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street. Concerts are held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. All the concerts are free and last approximately one hour. Wednesday concerts are presented in partnership with Berklee College of Music."

June Schedule:

• Rodolfo Arteaga, Wednesday, June 1 ● 6 p.m. Rodolfo Arteaga is a singer-songwriter and cellist from Ciudad Ojeda, Venezuela.
• Cocek! Brass Band, Friday, June 3 ● 12:30 p.m. Cocek! Brass Band’s original music is based on the sounds of Eastern European brass bands and blends dance music with improvisation and inspiring melodies.
• Samuel Batista, Wednesday, June 8 ● 6 p.m. Samuel Batista is an alto saxophone player from Panama City, Panama.
• Moody Street Sound, Friday, June 10 ● 12:30 p.m. Hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts, Moody Street Sound is a sextet specializing in jazz, soul, and the blues.
• Harshitha Krishnan, Wednesday, June 15 ● 6 p.m. Harshitha Krishnan is a vocalist of Indian origin from Lagos, Nigeria.
• Duo Esplanade, Friday, June 17 ● 12:30 p.m. Duo Esplanade explores the flexible sounds of flute and clarinet, both as solo instruments and as part of different instrumental combinations in the various styles of standard classical repertoire, new music, and original arrangements.
• Eduardo Mercuri, Wednesday, June 22 ● 6 p.m. Born in Curitiba, Brazil, guitar player Eduardo Mercuri has performed at the Panama Jazz Festival, Beantown Jazz Festival, and the 2013 Latin Grammys. 
• Properly Unprepared, Friday, June 24 ● 12:30 p.m. Properly Unprepared is a jazz combo made up of five members with an average age of 18.
• Kristin Corpuz, Wednesday, June 29 ● 6 p.m. Kristin Corpuz is a singer-songwriter, actress, and dancer from Tampa, Florida, who currently attends Berklee College of Music as a 2013 Presidential Scholar.

July Schedule 

• Phil Berman, Friday, July 1 ● 12:30 p.m.
• luhx., Wednesday, July 6 ● 6 p.m.
• Castle of our Skins, Friday, July 8 ● 12:30 p.m.
• MIXCLA, Wednesday, July 13 ● 6 p.m.
•  Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Friday, July 15 ● 12:30 p.m.
• Dear June, Wednesday, July 20 ● 6 p.m.
• Isabel Stover and Molly Flannery, Friday, July 22 ● 12:30 p.m.
• Shirhan Agabeyli, Wednesday, July 27 ● 6 p.m.
• Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Intensive Community Program, Friday, July 29 ● 12:30 p.m.

August Schedule 

• Kyle Thornton & The Company, Wednesday, August 3 ● 6 p.m.
• Kenn Morr Band, Friday, August 5 ● 12:30 p.m.
• Njoki Karu, Wednesday, August 10 ● 6 p.m.
• Hiroya Tsukamoto, Friday, August 12 ● 12:30 p.m.
• James Fernando, Wednesday, August 17 ● 6 p.m.
• Yi David Yang, Friday, August 19 ● 12:30 p.m.
• Honeysuckle, Wednesday, August 24 ● 6 p.m.
• Boston Lyric Opera, Friday, August 26 ● 12:30 p.m.
• Aliya Cycon Project, Wednesday, August 31 ● 6 p.m.

Concerts in the Courtyard are generously supported by the Library Programs Fund at the Boston Public Library Foundation. Concerts will be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather. 

 

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

All That Spring Jazz from Berklee (and it's Free!)

Summer isn't the only season for free concerts in Boston this year! We recently received the following announcement from Berklee College of Music!

Berklee Global Jazz Institute Hosts Concerts By World-Renowned Jazz Masters Performing With Students

The Berklee Global Jazz institute (BGJI), led by pianist-composer-humanitarian Danilo Pérez, artistic director, and Marco Pignataro, managing director, is hosting a series of free concerts, workshops, and jam sessions in Boston featuring world-renowned jazz artists mentoring and performing with students. In addition to Perez, performers include visiting artists Terence Blanchard, Ricardo del Fra, Paris Conservatory Jazz Department Director, Alan Pasqua, and David Sanchez; BGJI artists in residence Adam Cruz,  Ben Street, and David Liebman; and Grammy-winning BGJI faculty drummer and composer Terri Lyne Carrington, bassist John Patitucci, and saxophonist Joe Lovano.

The BGJI’s spring events run until May. All events take place at The Zero Gravity Room at 1260 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, and are open to the public free of charge. For more information, visit berklee.edu/bgji.

“We are opening the doors to the Berklee Global Jazz Institute to enable the community to experience some of the best performers of the international jazz world performing with our students – the foremost jazz artists of tomorrow,” explained Pérez. “What better way to combine the spirit of our programs - an extremely high level of musicianship with the advancement of the social power of music!”

BGJI Spring 2016 Events:

BGJI Forums, Wednesdays, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm:

March 2, featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and David Sanchez

March 9, featuring Danilo Pérez and Alan Pasqua

March 23, featuring Ben Street and Terence Blanchard

March 30, featuring Joe Lovano and John Patitucci

April 6, featuring Danilo Pérez and Ricardo del Fra

April 13, featuring Terri Lyne Carrington and Dave Liebman

April 20, featuring Ben Street and Adam Cruz

April 27, featuring Joe Lovano and Adam Cruz

(Photo of Danilo Pérez courtesy of Berklee Global Jazz Institute)

BGJI Workshops, Tuesdays at 6:30 pm:

March 8, Danilo Pérez workshop 

April 5, Danilo Pérez workshop

May 3, Danilo Pérez workshop

Back row, from left: Anthony Fung, Seungho Jang, Jerry Leake, and Mao Sone. Foreground: Ga Young Bae, Marco Pignataro 

BGJI Concert Series and Jam Sessions, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm:

March 1

March 22

March 29

April 19

April 26

April 30

The Berklee Global Jazz Institute seeks to develop artists as both musicians and human beings to become role models for a new generation of musicians. Its programs promote traditional musicianship through classes, workshops, concerts performances, recording and jam sessions, and service learning through teaching and outreach programs. Throughout the program, students travel together, accompanied by their teachers and mentors, performing at concerts and festivals in the U.S., Europe, and South America. They are also teaching and giving outreach performances at various care homes, hospitals and correctional facilities in the Boston area. In addition to its undergraduate program in contemporary performance, the BGJI launched its master’s program in contemporary performance this academic year (2015-16).

 

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Words: Courtesy of Berklee Global Jazz Institute
Photography: Courtesy of Berklee Global Jazz Institute

Sunday Cat Sophia Says, "Let me in Whee-ooh ..."

"Let me in whee-ooh (whee-ooh, whee-ooh, hoop-whee-ooh)

(Whee-ooh, whee-ooh, hoo-ooh-oop-whee-ooh, whee-ooh)"

"I-uh-I-uh-I (open up) hear music, let me in (music)

Oh I heard it just then

Let me in (let me in)

I wanna come in again

I thought you were my friend ..."

Sophia works at Bauer Wine & Spirits and loves sitting in the sun, accepting pats and scratches from her fans. But when the music and dancing starts, she wants back in!

Rest assured one of her faithful servants quickly responds to any appeal that Queen Sophia makes. They'll even play her favorite rendition of her Let Me In... theme song on YouTube upon request.

We have reported on Sophia's musical spirit before when we were treated to a performance on her glass harmonica.

Sunday Cat, Sophia and Her Glass Harmonica

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs (and, a few cats) at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino with lyrics from The Sensations - Let Me In Lyrics
Photos: ©2015  Ed Cherubino 

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What’s Happening Around Boston in Summer 2015 (July & August)

July and August are the high summer season in Boston. Most schedules for the many, many series of concerts, free movies, etc, cover both months. So we're combining them into one post that we'll feature for the next couple of months.

As usual, Penny has started a conversation about the summer over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. If you click through to this link, you'll find contributions from a wide range of locals and visitors about his topic.  We highly recommend you visit that conversation. It includes insights and tips on topics that are not in our areas of interest and that we don't cover. 

Boston On Budget Provides Great Summer Lists

Kate from Boston on Budget has done a wonderful job of gathering free summer events into one place.

Free Music and Concerts in Boston This Summer!

Free Things to Do This Summer in Boston 

Photo: John Schinker used under this creative commons license. Here's a link to his wonderful July 4th photostream! 

Events and Holidays in July and August

This year, July 4th falls on a Saturday. According to the official holiday information on the Secretary of State's website, this will not be a three day weekend because, "All holidays falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday, under state law. Saturday holidays are observed on Saturday."

The city of Boston is taking a different approach. The holiday page on the city website reads:

Friday July 3rd Independence Day- City Holiday

"City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect.  BCYF Community Centers are closed. The Mirabella and Clougherty Pools will be open regular hours. Please Note: All Boston Public Libraries will be open on July 3rd."

July 4th Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks 

Since some visitors and perhaps some new Bostonians are unclear on the location of our famous July 4th Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks display, it is on the Charles River NOT on the harbor and can be viewed from both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river. Here is a link to the official site for the details.

Here is our resource page for the July 4th holiday:

What's Open on July 4th, 2015 in Boston, Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedules

Conventions

There are only three large conventions that might raise hotel prices and make popular restaurant reservations necessary. They are all out in the Seaport, so they will have less impact on the locals and tourist areas than they might if they were in the heart of the city.

July 11-13 (10,500 attendees)

July 27-29 (5,500 attendees)

August 17-19 (17,000 attendees)

Three of our Favorite Summer Happenings Are:

Shakespeare on the Common from July 22 - August 9:

The Landmarks Orchestra Concert Series from July 15th to August 26:

The Boston Public Library Courtyard Concert Series ongoing thru August:

Summer Food Traditions

Our summer food tradition is to treat ourselves to fried clams, steamers, and lobster rolls. We like our steamers small and our fried clams the big belly versions not strips. Or, we can be just as happy with a lobster feast like the one above from Wood's Seafood in Plymouth.

We are dedicated to the no mayo version lobster roll with hot butter and a squeeze of lemon. We're looking forward to the opening of Luke's Lobster on Exeter Street near the Boston Public Library in July as a great source of properly made Maine Lobster Rolls. Here's a link to check for updates on that happening.

What are your favorite places to go and things to do in summer in Boston? Do you have must-do treats, eats, and events?

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2010-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Boston Public Library’s 2015 Concerts in the Courtyard Series

Some of our favorite summer "appointments" are with the talented musicians performing as part of the Boston Public Library’s 2015 Concerts in the Courtyard Series that opened on Wednesday afternoon.

As you can see from this 2008 photo, we've been enjoying this summer series for a long time.

Here are the details for this year's series:

Time and Place: Wednesdays and Fridays in June, July, and August, the courtyard at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street, will feature music selections from a variety of influences, from jazz and folk to classical and contemporary music. Concerts are held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. through August 28. All concerts are free and last approximately one hour.

Sponsors and Other Information: The Concerts in the Courtyard series is co-sponsored by Deloitte and the Boston Public Library Foundation. During the Wednesday evening concerts, light refreshments will be available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be moved inside to the Commonwealth Salon. 

June Concerts

• Aliya Cycon Project, Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m. Cycon uses her reverence for the Arabic tradition to highlight her unique voice in compositions and performances.
• Neha, Friday, June 5, 12:30 p.m. A singer, composer, and pianist, Neha’s style is a mix of musical personalities, including jazz, folk, blues, pop, and her mother’s classical Indian musical background.
• Nicolás Castañeda Group, Wednesday, June 10, 6 p.m. Nicolás Castañeda Group is a project based on contemporary Colombian music.
• Patrick Coman, Friday, June 12, at 12:30 p.m. Patrick Coman merges barroom shuffles with the sounds of his native Oklahoma.
• ChoroBop, Wednesday, June 17, 6 p.m. ChoroBop’s repertoire is based on the roots of Brazilian choro, jazz, and contemporary music influences.
• Akiko Kobayashi, Friday, June 19, 12:30 p.m. Akiko Kobayashi performs as both a soloist and a chamber musician at renowned national and international festivals.
• Wambura Mitaru, Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. Wambura Mitaru is a passionate singer and songwriter from Nairobi who blends funk, soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, and sounds from her African background.
• Properly Unprepared, Friday, June 26, 12:30 p.m. Properly Unprepared is a five-piece jazz combo that plays classics by artist such as Miles Davis along with more contemporary jazz.

July Concerts

• Felipe Abad, Wednesday, July 1, 6 p.m.
• Handel & Haydn Society, Friday, July 3, 12:30 p.m.
• Honeysuckle, Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.
• Cocek! Brass Band, Friday, July 10, 12:30 p.m
• Charles Overton, Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
• Women in World Jazz, Friday, July 17, 12:30 p.m.
• Damn Tall Buildings, Wednesday, July 22, 6 p.m.
• Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Friday, July 24, 12:30 p.m.
• 3 Sudacas, Wednesday, July 29, 6 p.m.
• Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras' Intensive Community Program, Friday, July 31, 12:30 p.m.

August Concerts

• The Wiles, Wednesday, August 5, 6 p.m.
• Kevin Harris Project, Friday, August 7, 12:30 p.m.
• MIXCLA, Wednesday, August 12, 6 p.m.
• Hiroya Tsukamoto, Friday, August 14, 12:30 p.m.
• The Ivy Age, Wednesday, August 19, 6 p.m.
• Thompson-Lamb-Panitch Folk Trio, Friday, August 21, 12:30 p.m.
• Ludovica Burtone, Wednesday, August 26, 6 p.m.
• Handel and Haydn Society, Friday, August 28, 12:30 p.m.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2014 Penny Cherubino  

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More Ways to Save Money by Linking with the Boston Public Library

At the beginning of the summer, we received a press release from the Boston Public Library (BPL) full of great information. With lots of new residents joining the BostonZest readers each September, we decided to save this list of resources until now. We're turning the keyboard over to our friends at the BPL for today's Friday Link.

(These photos are from the BPL App-see #5 below.)

"Boston Public Library’s collections can be easily accessed from home, a local coffee shop, or even the beach. Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts can have a Boston Public Library card. Many residents of the Commonwealth start with an e-card, available online at www.bpl.org/ecard, which grants immediate access to the BPL’s digital resources.

Here are seven ways to sync with the Boston Public Library’s collections and services – all while on the go:

1. Download e-books. Search for e-books – including Kindle titles – and audiobooks in the Boston Public Library’s catalog alongside printed books. Watch a brief tutorial about how to download the books to your e-reader, computer, or mobile device via www.bpl.org/collections/downloadable.htm.

2. Stream music, movies, television shows, and audiobooks. Use your library card to borrow videos, music, and audiobooks for your tablet, smartphone, or laptop. Get started via www.bpl.org/collections/hoopla.htm.

3. Read digital magazines. Enjoy more than 170 popular consumer magazines in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Portuguese via www.bpl.org/collections/zinio.htm. Find titles like Cosmopolitan, Us Weekly, Rolling Stone, and Newsweek.

4. Learn a new language. Boston Public Library offers free access to online language-learning tools such as Powerspeak and Mango, which includes a language-learning tool for children called Little Pim. Learn more via www.bpl.org/electronic/language.asp.  

5. Use the BPL app. Renew books, place hold requests (and have them delivered to any BPL location), browse new items, view hours, and more. Download the app via www.bpl.org/mobile. 

6. Discover electronic databases. Find newspapers, journal articles, classical music scores, and more. Electronic resources include everything from the archive of the Sunday Times (London) to National Geographic’s virtual library. Go to www.bpl.org/electronic/. 

7. Get social. Follow the BPL via social media channels like Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, and Facebook for information on the latest library happenings and to view digitized images of the library’s collection. Boston Public Library’s Twitter and Instagram handle is @BPLBoston."

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Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino and the BPL staff.
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino with screenshots from the BPL app.

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