The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
July 13, 2007
 Celebrating at the Taj Boston Hotel, prior to the annual July 4th turnaround of “Old Ironsides” are: left to right: Burt Logan, President, USS Constitution Museum; Jim Stokes, Board of Trustees; Caleb Loring III; CDR Willam A. Bullard, Current Commanding Officer; David Gibbons, General Manager, Taj Boston holding the 1812 Captain’s hat; CDR Hugh Moore; Westy Saltonstall, Chairman, Board of Trustees; CDR David Cashman; Caleb Loring, Jr., Chairman Emeritus; and David Loring. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
It has become a tradition for the former commanders of the USS Constitution to gather together with representatives of the USS Constitution Museum for a luncheon before the annual July 4th turnaround of “Old Ironsides.”
This year marked the 210th anniversary of the warship, the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world. David Gibbons, General Manager of the Taj Boston, hosted the former commanders along with the current and 70th commanding officer of the famous vessel, Commander William A. Bullard III.
The luncheon was the 9th annual gathering of the commanders in the legendary 1927 building at the corner of Newbury Street and Arlington Streets, opposite the Public Garden.
At the luncheon, the commanders and guests signed the menus, which are kept in the hotel’s archives. It is also a ritual that a vacant chair and place setting with the 1812 Captain's hat is at the table for Isaac Hull who was the ship's captain during The War of 1812.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to all!
Speaking of the Taj Boston, on Sunday, June 24, the hotel celebrated the beginning of the summer polo matches at Myopia Polo in Hamilton, by sponsoring the Taj Boston Cup. David Gibbons, General Manager, threw out the first ball and later presented the Taj Boston Cup to the winning polo team.
In keeping with the polo traditions in India and the polo sponsorship of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Taj Boston hosted a gala VIP champagne luncheon in the Pavilion at the side of the field.
The Taj Boston Myopia Polo Package was also created including deluxe accommodations, a gourmet tailgate luncheon with chauffeured sedan transportation offered throughout the season. Very royal treatment indeed!
9th Annual Roxbury Film Festival Announced
ACT Roxbury and The Color of Film Collaborative have announced that more than 50 films will be screened August 1-5 during the “9th Annual Roxbury Film Festival” (RFF).
RFF, the largest film festival in New England dedicated to films that celebrate people of color, features a variety of films, from features, documentaries, shorts and youth-produced works.
Lisa Simmons, president of The Color of Film Collaborative says, "This year's festival is especially notable for the caliber of films that we will be screening and our exceptional filmmaking panels and workshops. We are showing fewer films than we did last year, but I think the films at the ninth RFF are particularly impressive."
Among this year’s special guests, noted actress Victoria Rowell will screen her new short film, "The Mentor" and will be signing copies of her book, “The Women Who Raised Me.”
Films will be screened at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Cabral Center at Northeastern University, Tower Auditorium at the Massachusetts College of Art, Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall, and the Annex Auditorium at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Updated information on special guests, panels, awards and other festival events can be found at
www.roxburyfilmfestival.org.
Berklee Musicians to Appear at Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival and Berklee College of Music are pleased to announce the appearance of one of Berklee’s young singer/songwriters, Madi Diaz and her band, at the kickoff of this year’s “Dunkin’ Donuts® Newport Folk Festival,” on Friday, August 3 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI.
The program begins at 8 p.m. with Madi and her band, followed by pop music superstar and icon Linda Ronstadt, who appears at this year’s Festival for the very first time. We’ve already heard that many of “The Socially Set” are looking forward to Ronstadt’s performance.
While the Newport Folk Festival has presented many Berklee alumni in the past, this marks the first time the festival presents a performance by a current student, continuing a relationship that goes back to 1976, when Berklee honored Festival Productions founder George Wein with an Honorary Doctorate of Music.
For complete details about the entire Folk Festival, which takes place from August 3-5, visit
www.newportfolk.com.
Arnold Arboretum Sponsors T-Shirt Art Contest
Calling all artists! The Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain invites artists of all ages to submit their T-shirt designs for “Lilac Sunday 2008.” Lilac-themed T-shirts have been a tradition at Lilac Sunday for many years and next year will be no exception. In fact, in 2008, the Arboretum will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this beloved tradition.
Designs must be original artwork for the front of a T-shirt. Competition is open to all ages. Each artist may submit up to three designs. Deadline for submissions is October 30, 2007.
Submissions will be evaluated based on how well they reflect the spirit, history, and beauty of “Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum.” Arnold Arboretum staff will judge the competition. The winner will be selected by January 2008. Finalists’ designs will be displayed in the Arboretum’s Hunnewell Building during January 2008 and again on Lilac Sunday May 2008.
The winning artwork will be printed along with the artist’s name. The lucky winner will receive a one-year membership to the Friends of the Arnold Arboretum and ten free 2008 Lilac Sunday T-shirts. T-shirts will be available for sale to the general public on Lilac Sunday 2008.
For more information, contact Leah Kane at 617-524-1718, ext. 160.
Enjoy!
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