The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
September 7, 2007
 “Express Yourself” Co-Director Paula Conrad, left, Mass. Cultural Council Executive Director Anita Walker and Citi Performing Arts Center President & CEO Josiah Spaulding. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
The 13th annual performance by “Express Yourself,” sponsored in part by the Citi Performing Arts Center at the Wang Theatre, took place earlier this season. This year’s show, “Put Your Wild On!” featured the artistic talents of more than 100 youths from Department of Mental Health (DMH) residential programs performing with special guest star Lorraine LeBlanc, from the London Company of "Stomp."
“Put Your Wild On!” featured a collaboration with the young people under the direction of jazz great Stan Strickland and Paula Conrad—“bringing dance, song, and multi media effects in a high-energy performance that fill[ed] the stage with compelling and infectious rhythms.”
The benefit was held in the Citi Wang Theatre Grand Lobby immediately following the Main Stage performance. The gala featured limited edition sales of colorful works of art that were created for the show's spectacular set design by some of the program's youths.
The 16-year-old, award winning “Express Yourself ” is a non-profit organization and the only kids’ performing arts program sanctioned and funded by DMH. The program is co-funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Citi Performing Arts Center, private foundations and individual donors. The organization celebrates the power of arts and changes the lives of youth.
Fallen Firefighters Memorial
to be Unveiled September 11th
Fire officials and families of fallen fire heroes will join state officials to unveil the Commonwealth’s first statewide Firefighters Memorial, on Tuesday, September 11, at 6 p.m. The grand ceremony will include a uniformed firefighter procession down Beacon and Bowdoin Streets, Honor Guards, and Pipes & Drums bands from across the Commonwealth.
Located in Ashburton Park of the State House, the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial will honor all firefighters – past, present and future. The centerpiece of the Memorial is a larger- than-life depiction of three firefighters in search and rescue mode. A “Ring of Honor” surrounds the sculpture and includes the names of deceased firefighters. Because the Memorial is a tribute to all firefighters, the Memorial does not include an official list of names. Fire departments and organizations and families were given the opportunity to purchase a brick or stone to be included in the ring. Other elements of the Memorial park include the "Firefighters Prayer," a bell depicting "The Last Alarm," and benches for reflection.
With more than 17,000 active firefighters and thousands of retired and deceased firefighters, this Memorial will stand tall for eternity as a living tribute to the brave men and women who have, and continue to, work day in and day out to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth.
At press time, the following dignitaries were among those expected to be present at the ceremonies: US Senator John F. Kerry, Governor Deval Patrick, Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Constitutional Officers and Members of the State Legislature, Former Governors Paul Cellucci and Jane Swift; Kevin Anderson, president of the NY Firefighters on 9/11/07 and present Vice President of the International Association of Fire Fighters; and Firefighters and Fire Chiefs from across the state.
Following the ceremony, the Memorial will be open for public viewing.
Natalie Jacobson Will Emcee
Franciscan Hospital Benefit Dinner
The Franciscan Hospital for Children will hold its “Annual Community Leadership Award Dinner” on Thursday, September 20, at the new InterContinental Hotel in Boston.
The special event includes a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., and the dinner & program at 7 p.m. Silent and live auctions will feature a variety of items, including travel packages.
Natalie Jacobson, former NewsCenter 5 anchor, is the evening’s emcee, with comedian Tony V serving as auctioneer.
The hospital will present its “Annual Profile in Children’s Courage Award” to Joey Rice from Newton. Franciscan Hospital for Children started caring for Joey in 1997. While his future was uncertain at that time, Joey is now ten years old, has a cheerful outlook, and is a continuing source of inspiration for his family and others in his life.
The evening’s special guests include young award recipients from the past four years: Josh Jick, Nick Prefontaine, Nora Scholl and Kai Leigh Harriott.
The event co-chairs are Daniel Marous, a parent of one of the patients at the Franciscan Hospital and a VP at Staples, and Ted MacLean, a New England district manager for Microsoft.
Three local businesses will be honored for their ongoing support of the hospital: Allston Car Wash, B&G Sawin Florist in Brighton, and 21 Nickels Grill and Tap in Watertown.
For tickets and more information about this worthwhile event, call Marisa Podolski at 617-779-1414 or email
MPodolski@fhfc.org.
All proceeds will benefit the Franciscan Hospital for Children, the nation’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital, which is located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Visit
www.franciscanhospital.org for more information.
Popular “Opera 101” Returns to BLO
Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) is pleased to announce the return of “Opera 101,” an exciting opera education program for adults that will be offered twice over the coming season.
Starting September 20, BLO is pleased to welcome back Professor Elizabeth Seitz who will present a six-week session titled “Opera 101: Straight from our Season,” which will explore the operas of BLO’s upcoming season: Puccini's “La bohème,” Donizetti's “L'elisir d'amore,” Mozart's “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” and Humperdinck's “Hansel and Gretel.”
Starting on January 31, 2008 Professor Seitz will share her insight and passion for a collection of beloved and memorable operas in “Opera 101: Six Great Operas.” The course tours the history of opera, visiting a different work each week including “Don Giovanni,” “La traviata,” “Salome,” and others.
The classes will be held in the Mary Norton Hall of the Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. (across from the Boston Public Library), on Thursdays from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
For fees and more information, call 617-542-4912, ext. 239 or email education@blo.org.
Enjoy!
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Mitch Bobkin
Greater Boston Interior Designer Featured on
NECN's Dream House.
www.mfb-designs.com
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