Enjoying the Boston Philharmonic annual gala, “Vision Into Action,” are left-right, Matt and Erin McCormick (gala co-chair); Andrew Sugg and Lisa Barnes; and Heather Holmes Floyd and Bill Floyd. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

More than 450 guests were enthralled by Benjamin Zander and the Boston Philharmonic at its recent annual gala, “Vision Into Action,” which was held at Harvard’s Memorial Hall. The evening included dinner, dancing and a live auction. 

Proceeds from the event make tickets available to people who would not otherwise be able to attend concerts. The Orchestra kicks off its 2007-08 season in October with Musorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” as well as the US premiere of Korde’s “Svara-Yantra” featuring the orchestra’s own concertmistress, Joanna Kurkowicz. 

Congratulations and Best Wishes!


Chris Gabrieli to Receive Award at City on a Hill Gala

The annual “Building a City on a Hill” Gala is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter in South Boston. The event begins with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. to be followed by a special program, live auction and dinner.

This year’s Citizenship Award will be presented to Chris Gabrieli. “Chris’s efforts to improve public education in Boston, and his role as a civic leader in Massachusetts, make him a shining example of the type of citizen that City on a Hill students aspire to be.” City on a Hill’s mission is to prepare all students to succeed in college and to become active and engaged citizens.

Honorary co-chairs for the Gala are Smoki Bacon and Tripp Jones. The large committee includes Ibrahim Al-Qamari, Robert Fortes, Michelle Holmes Foster, Charlene Phillips, Jawanna Terry and Maurice Wright, to name but a few.

Among the many items in the auction are: a two-week Nile River vacation for two, Red Sox tickets, a trip to New York City, sports memorabilia and ski packages.

For tickets and more information, visit www.cityonahill.org or call 617-262-9838, ext. 211. 


Tip O’Neill Gala Scheduled for May 17

Also scheduled for Thursday, May 17 is North Cambridge Catholic High School’s “Tip O’Neill Gala: A Salute to Our Stars,” which takes place at the Boston Marriott Cambridge in Kendall Square beginning at 6 p.m.

Liz Brunner, WCVB Channel 5 News Anchor, will be the MC and entertainment will be by The Diamondjacks. The evening’s honorees include Robert Sturtevant, from the Boston Business Journal, receiving the “Outstanding Volunteer Award”; the Braver Company and The New England Aquarium, “Outstanding Corporate Sponsor Awards”; and Pedro Portillo, a North Cambridge Catholic Senior, the “Rising Star Award.”

Event chairs are Richard Gaeta, Marilyn Gaeta and Paul Lanigan. The committee includes Denise Doyle, Christopher Griffin, Shannon Maloney, Thomas P. O’Neill III, Rob Sisti and Molly Williams, to name but a few.

We are told that, the North Cambridge Catholic High School has an 85-year legacy of educating the sons and daughters of working class families. The commitment to providing a quality education is the same as when former Congressman and Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill attended there more than 50 years ago.

For more information, visit www.northcambridgecatholic.org or call 617-876-3939.


Agatha Christie Mystery at Stoneham Theatre

Following the success of 2004–2005 production of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” Stoneham Theatre once again brings the “queen of the murder mystery” to the stage with “And Then There Were None.” The play, which opened last evening, runs through May 27. 

In 1939, Christie brought new interest and excitement to the mystery novel genre with her publication of “Ten Little Indians,” a suspenseful story. It quickly became a best seller and was adapted for the stage as “And Then There Were None,” the closing line of the nursery rhyme from which the novel was named. The novel was acclaimed for its “insolvability,” and Christie herself considered its plot to be her greatest achievement.

Director Caitlin Lowans says, “Christie’s play thoroughly entertains because it works on so many levels - humor, suspense and even romance.” She adds, “Mysteries are some of the most fun, interactive experiences an audience can have and we hope this will be just that.” 

Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main Street in Stoneham. For tickets and information, visit or call the box office at 781-279-2200 or go online at www.stonehamtheatre.org.

Enjoy! 

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