American Ireland Fund, Boston Founders John Culinane and his wife Diddy, left, are pictured with Natalie Jacobson of NewsCenter 5 and Bob Fitzgerald, right, at the recent 25th Anniversary Dinner. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

Everyone is still congratulating the founders and members of The American Ireland Fund, which we are told “capped a remarkable $30 million (and counting) fundraising effort that was started in Boston in 1982” at its “25th Anniversary Dinner,” held at The Marriott Copley Place. 

To mark the occasion, top Irish chefs were flown in to provide an authentic "Moveable Feast Buffet” at six cooking stations throughout the ballroom for the 1000 guests. Later, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan hushed the crowd with his resonant voice and, even later, the famous funk band, "Right On," enlivened a packed dance floor past the midnight hour. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards building the Rowallane Integrated College in Northern Ireland.


“Opera 101” Returns

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is pleased to announce the return of “Opera 101,” an exciting opera education program for adults. BLO welcomes back Professor Elizabeth Seitz to teach a special-topics course on Mozart. We are invited to join Professor Seitz as she recounts the operatic adventures of Austria’s musical wunderkind, with special emphasis on “Le nozze di Figaro.”

“Opera 101 offers a perfect match of teacher and topic this season,” said Nina Gilbert, the BLO’s Education and Community Programs Manager. “Elizabeth Seitz is a highly admired and respected lecturer in several areas of music for audiences around Boston, and Mozart is an irresistible composer – both in his life and in his works. They are a match made in opera heaven.”

The programs will take place on six Thursdays: Feb. 8, 15, 22, Mar. 1, 8, and 15, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the Tremont Temple Baptist Church, 88 Tremont Street, Boston (just steps from the Park Street T stop).

For fees or more information, please call 617-542-4912, ext. 242 or email education@blo.org.

This event is part of BLO’s continuing commitment to engage and educate new audiences in the Boston community about opera. For more information about these and other educational offerings, visit www.blo.org/education or call 617-542-4912, ext. 239.

For updated information about the remainder of BLO’s 30th Anniversary Season which features Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un ballo in maschera” (A Masked Ball), March 30-April 10, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro” (The Marriage of Figaro), April 27-May 8, visit www.blo.org.


Two Bridal Expos Planned by EMERGE

EMERGE By Giuliano, the luxury day spa and salon for men, women and couples, will host a day-long “Winter Wedding Party” featuring two separate bridal expos on Sunday, February 25. Benefiting The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), both events will showcase “the best of the best” of local retailers, experts and businesses specializing in wedding planning and presentation.

Located at 275 Newbury Street in the heart of Boston's fashionable Back Bay, EMERGE will “marry” local wedding vendors and businesses to present two intimate expo events: “The Ultimate Bridal Brunch Reception” will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; “The Spectacular Afternoon Bridal Tea Party” will follow from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Throughout each event, prospective brides, grooms and their families will have an opportunity to sample foods, collect materials and gather information for creating a “Wedding To Remember.” 

Proceeds will benefit the MSPCC. All guests will be eligible to purchase raffle tickets to win exciting prizes donated by event participants. Raffle ticket sales will also benefit the MSPCC. Space for both the morning and afternoon events is limited, and advance tickets are required. For reservations and more information, guests may call Erica Curtis at 617-437-0006.

Participants at both events include: The Catered Affair, Classic Tuxedo, Crane & Co, DavEl Transportation, DePrisco Diamond Jewelers, Fitness Together, InterContinental Boston, Konditor Meister, L’elite Bridal Boutique, and Top of the Hub Restaurant & Skywalk, among others. 

Entertainment will be courtesy of Entertainment Specialists. Guests will also have an opportunity to learn about services at EMERGE specifically designed for brides, grooms and their wedding parties. 

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a private, non-profit society with a legacy of strengthening families and preventing child abuse through essential child welfare, mental health treatment and effective public advocacy. Incorporated in 1878, MSPCC serves children and families across Massachusetts with an unmatched range of services designed to respond to the individual needs of infants and children.


All-Female Band to Receive Award

ROCKRGRL and Berklee College of Music announce a collaboration to present the “ROCKRGRL Women of Valor Award” to the pioneering rock group Fanny, the first all-female band to release an album on a major label. 

The event takes place Friday evening, April 20, at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., in Boston. Past recipients of the Award include Patti Smith, plus Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart. This is the first time the award is being presented on the East Coast. 

Fanny will accept the award in-person, followed by members of Fanny performing live. The group, who were meticulous about recording and archiving their experiences from the early days to the present, will also be the subject of a video tribute. In addition, a band comprised of students from the Berklee Women Musicians Network will perform Fanny songs.

Berklee’s “Battle of the All-Female Bands” is accepting submissions now (deadline is February 16 to submit) from groups that contain at least one Berklee student or alumna. The winners will perform an opening set at the concert and will receive other prizes. Please visit www.berklee.net for complete submission information.

For tickets and more information, please call the box office at 617-747-2261, or visit www.berkleebpc.com. 

Enjoy! 

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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