The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
May 18, 2007
 Planning the final touches for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s upcoming June 6 "Season Kick-Off Gala” at the Taj Boston Hotel are, left to right: David Gibbons, General Manager of the Taj Boston; Stephanie Warburg and Suzanne Bloomberg, Boston Landmarks Orchestra Board of Directors and Gala Committee Members; and Charles Ansbacher, Conductor and Founder of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra. (Photo by Michael Dwyer)
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra, in cooperation with Boston's Classical Station WCRB 99.5, will present the “Landmarks Festival at the Shell” for eight consecutive Wednesday evenings “of music, song and dance outdoors and under the stars” from July 11 through August 29, beginning at 7 p.m.
The Hatch Shell on the Boston Esplanade is adjacent to the Charles River and Storrow Drive and has a long and rich history of performing arts on the Esplanade. Since its opening in 1940, the Edward Hatch Memorial Shell has been a national icon of popular outdoor performances of classical music, dance, and opera.
The Orchestra, with Charles Ansbacher as Artistic Director, is proud to continue this tradition by organizing what promises to be a truly memorable summer festival, also in cooperation with the Esplanade Association and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Programs will also include other well-known Boston performing arts organizations. All concerts are free and open to the public.
The Orchestra’s "Season Kick-Off Gala,” a benefit celebration of the free concerts, will be held on Wednesday, June 6, at the Taj Boston Hotel.
For gala ticket prices or more information, call 617-520-2202 or visit www.landmarksorchestra.org.
Nantucket Wine Festival This Weekend
“The 11th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival” continues through this Sunday, May 20. Presented by Viking, the Festival celebrates world-renowned wines perfectly paired with exquisite cuisine against the backdrop of some of the island’s most beautiful and historic settings. This year the Festival’s signature event, the two-day “Grand Tasting,” moves from its longstanding location at Jetties Beach to the historic Nantucket Yacht Club.
The Festival’s history began in 1990 when Denis Toner, then working as a sommelier at Chanticleer, one of Nantucket’s celebrated restaurants, “realized that there was no better place in the country for a wine and food festival.” The Festival got off the ground in 1997 and word quickly spread to wine makers and wine lovers.
“Part of the reason for the Festival’s success is Nantucket’s reputation in the industry as home to a large concentration of fine restaurants, so it is a very important market for wine,” said Mr. Toner. “Since the very beginning, I have spent considerable time seeking out quality wineries. The entire point of the NWF is to emphasize quality over quantity. We’re not the biggest, but hopefully we are the most selective.”
“The Grand Tasting” (May 19 and 20), offers a unique sensory experience as more than 150 of the world’s most celebrated wineries pour their wines. Samplings of sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, including artisan breads and cheeses, smoked meats and seafood, Nantucket shellfish, and innovative tapas and delicacies, will emphasize the important relationship between food and wine.
In addition, specialty items from many of Nantucket’s finest purveyors and restaurateurs will be available. Other highlights include hourly cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs sharing their secret techniques, wine-related art and glasswork, and fascinating exhibits.
Wine and Food Seminars led by the industries’ leading experts, are educational yet in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Seminar topics include “Understanding Armagnac,” “Drink Two Glasses of Red and Call Me in the Morning,” “Zen and the Art of Dining,” “The Terroir of Chocolate,” “Looking Under the Hood: Time to Change the Oil,” and “The Lost Art of Butchery.”
For a complete listing and price information for all remaining events, contact the Nantucket Wine Festival at 508-228-1128 or visit
www.nantucketwinefestival.com.
EarthFest Scheduled for May 26
The “14th Annual WBOS EarthFest” will be held on May 26 from Noon to 6 p.m. at the Hatch Shell in Boston.
Presented by Whole Foods Market and free to the public, the EarthFest will be “a celebration for the Earth” showcasing environmentally friendly products, groups, and activities. Produced in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the EarthFest will also feature an all-star musical line-up, an interactive family area, and more.
"We're very happy to be able to help raise awareness of environmental issues, as well as provide a great day of music and entertainment in a free and very family-friendly environment for the city of Boston,” said WBOS Program Director David Ginsburg. “This is the 14th WBOS EarthFest, and will be the best yet. We're the only radio station in Boston that provides a concert of this size and artists of the caliber we'll have on May 26th for free. It's a great feeling."
For additional information or to get involved in this year’s WBOS EarthFest, visit
www.earthfest.com.
Art Goes Wild at Garden in the Woods in Framingham
Don’t forget that the “Art Goes Wild: Opening Day Party” takes place this Saturday, May 19 at the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods in Framingham. The exhibit celebrates the 75th anniversary of the garden.
This Saturday, visitors will enjoy live music by the Resophonics, the acclaimed bluegrass band; the appearance of Garden founder Will Curtis (re-enactment); dedication ceremonies; two garden demonstrations: “75 Great Native Plants” and “Native Containers”; tours of the outstanding exhibit; the appearance of costumed character “Sandy Beech,” and much more including visiting the Museum Store and the Nursery.
For times, admission or more information, call 508-877-7630 or visit www.newenglandWILD.org.
Enjoy!
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