The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
July 27, 2007
 Boston Public Library President Bernard Margolis, left, with Barbara and Robert DeGregorio at the “Literary Lights” dinner. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
The 2007 “Literary Lights Dinner,” presented by the Associates of the Boston Public Library, took place earlier this social season at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.
An annual festive recognition of authors, playwrights, poets and other significant contributors to literature, this year’s gala marked the 19th dinner which “hosted and toasted” nine honorees, who were presented to the assembled guests by former “Literary Lights” recipients.
Proceeds from the dinner benefit the David McCullough Conservation Fund and the programs, services and collections of the BPL.
The keynote speaker was humorist, reporter and actor Roy Alton Blount, Jr. Mr. Blount was presented by Gregory Maguire, “Mr. Wicked,” as the New York Times has dubbed him. Maguire’s novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” was the basis for the hit Broadway musical by the same name.
Other honorees included: Robert Campbell, the Boston Globe’s architecture critic; Philip Caputo, Vietnam war-era journalist and writer; Patricia Cormwell, writer of dozens of forensic crime novels; Julia Glass, winner of the 2002 National Book Award; Chet Raymo, writer of “Science Musings” for the Boston Globe; Paula Vogel, Pulitzer Prize winner playwright; and Franz Wright, Pulitzer Prize winning poet. Niall Ferguson was honored in absentia.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to all!
Taj Hotel Hosts Special Film Screening and Gourmet Dinner
The Taj Hotel recently hosted a screening of the period film “Jewels and Marble Palaces.” The festivities began with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception in The Taj Room, where guests were presented with lovely gifts.
Each lady had the choice of a piece of Indian jewelry or an exquisitely embroidered Indian silk shoulder scarf with beaded and golden-threaded appliqués.
The gentlemen received handsome turbans or “pugrees.” Everyone looked simply smashing during the sumptuous dinner that followed in the Grand Ballroom.
Featured in the film were four magnificent authentic Indian palaces which are now exclusive Taj properties: Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad.
Guests went home with spectacular goody bags. A grand evening indeed!
“Gateway Bombay” at Peabody Essex Museum
Ongoing at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is the popular exhibition “Gateway Bombay.”
Bombay has served as home and vibrant inspiration for many artists, including Atul Dodiya, M.F. Husain, Bhupen Khakhar, Nalini Malani, Gieve Patel, and Sudhir Patwardhan – all artists well represented in the Museum's contemporary Indian art collection.
This exhibition features works from the Herwitz Collection and a dynamic installation in the Atrium by Bose Krishnamachari of video-enhanced “tiffin” carriers (Bombay's famous and ubiquitous lunch-boxes).
The Peabody Essex Museum is located in East India Square, Salem. For more information, please call 866-745-1876 or visit their Web site at
www.pem.org.
MFA to Purchase Forsyth Institute Property
Earlier this week the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and The Forsyth Institute and its Trustees announced that they have signed a definitive purchase and sale agreement by which the MFA will acquire The Forsyth Institute property, which is adjacent to the MFA at 140 The Fenway.
This is a historic moment for both institutions, as the Museum expands its campus with the addition of the beautifully designed Beaux Arts building and as Forsyth grows its scientific research portfolio in a modern biomedical facility. The historic Forsyth building was completed in 1914 and comprises approximately 107,000 square feet of existing space on 1.6 acres of land.
The closing for the purchase is anticipated to take place in August; Forsyth will become a tenant and remain in the building for some time while arrangements for its new facilities are completed.
“This is a once in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Museum,” said Malcolm Rogers, the Ann and Graham Gund Director of the MFA. “The purchase of this venerable building along with the Museum’s expansion plans for the new American Wing which overlooks Forsyth Way and the revitalization of the Fenway entrance will dramatically transform the Museum and this neighborhood for generations to come.”
The Museum is currently involved in a transformational Building Project that will result in an extraordinary American Wing overlooking Forsyth Way and the renovation and reopening of the Fenway entrance, which has been closed since 1981.
The Building Project also calls for increased space for Contemporary and Modern art, a new and centrally located gallery for special exhibitions, new conservation facilities, enhanced facilities for educational programs, a soaring glass-enclosed courtyard connecting the existing and new Museum buildings, as well as renovated galleries in the Art of Europe and Art of the Ancient World. This initiative is being supported by a $500 million campaign of which $409 million has been raised.
Dr. Dominick P. DePaola, President and CEO of The Forsyth Institute said, “It is fitting that this Boston landmark will be sold to another organization with longstanding ties to the Fenway. The Museum of Fine Arts shares Forsyth’s historic commitment to the city of Boston and we are happy that this building will continue to serve as a resource for the community.”
Annual “Jazz at the Fort” Free and Open to All
Berklee College of Music and ParkARTS present an evening of jazz in Roxbury’s historic Fort Hill neighborhood with Gabrielle Goodman and the Curtis Warren Quintet on Sunday, August 5, starting at 5 p.m. The annual “Jazz at the Fort” concert is free and will be held weather permitting at the four-acre Highland Park on Fort Avenue. Folding chairs and blankets are recommended.
Goodman will perform original, traditional-styled jazz tunes from her latest CD, “Angel Eyes,” and some standards. Her tribute to Ella Fitzgerald will include "How High the Moon" and "Someone To Watch Over Me.”
Warren will play standards and smooth jazz selections from Grover Washington, Jr., Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock, among others.
Now in its 11th year, ParkARTS began as Mayor Thomas M. Menino's initiative to present a yearlong program of arts and culture related programs and events in Boston's park system. ParkARTS, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department's multi-faceted arts program, incorporates the visual, performing, and participatory arts.
“Jazz at the Fort” is a short walk from the Orange Line Roxbury Crossing T stop, down Columbus Avenue to Cedar Street to Fort Avenue. Roxbury Community College will provide parking on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Cedar Street. Highland Park is wheelchair accessible. For more information, please call 617-747-2447.
Enjoy!
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