Manager Cedric Tonello, center, welcomes Bill Emery of 28 Degrees, left, and Jared Bowen of WGBH's "Greater Boston" to the Cartier Boutique Holiday party. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

The Cartier Holiday Party at the Cartier Boutique on Newbury Street was held on December 1st and featured the famous Cartier Santa and unique jewelry from the Cartier Collection in New York.

Nearly 200 guests, many representing Boston non-profits including Boston Ballet and the French Library and Cultural Center, attended the glittery social soiree, which marked the beginning of Boston's holiday festivities.

As in years past, guests got the fun opportunity to sit on Santa's lap and have their photos taken while wearing the "High Jewelry Diamond Cluster Necklace" set in 18K yellow gold, consisting of 9 pear-shape diamonds and 380 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight 56.83 carats. We are told that the necklace is valued at $511,000!

Among the guests welcomed by Cartier manager Cedric Tonello were Boston Ballet Trustee Eve Rounds, Bill Emery of 28 Degrees, Jared Bowen of WGBH's "Greater Boston," Suzanne Eliastan, Patricia Bradley, Brigitte and Gerard Moufflet, Dr. Tonya Mezrich and Boston Ballet Trustee Pamela Humphrey, just to name a few.

The photos with Santa will make a nice remembrance of a lovely evening, for sure!

An Evening With ABBA The Tour Scheduled for Wilbur Theatre

On January 8, Music Circus Productions presents "An Evening With ABBA The Tour" at The Wilbur Theatre in Boston at 7:30 p.m.

As Paula Gates told us, "Come sing, come dance, come have the time of your life ... and experience the magic of the music of ABBA, radiantly recreated on stage by ABBA The Tour! If you loved 'Mamma Mia,' you'll love this show!"

The overwhelming success of the Broadway musical 'Mamma Mia' and the touring sensation that is 'ABBA-The Tour' proves just how popular the music of ABBA remains in the 21st century.

Hit after hit is performed with an uncanny resemblance in visuals and sound: "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "The Winner Takes It All," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Waterloo," "S.O.S.," "Take A Chance On Me," "Fernando," and many more. "ABBA-The Tour" radiantly presents the classics of one of the most commercially successful pop bands in history.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 617-931-2000, online at www.thewilburtheatre.com, or at the Wilbur Theatre Box Office box office, open Monday through Friday between noon and 6 p.m.

The Wilbur Theatre is located at 246 Tremont Street, Boston.

New England Conservatory to Host Free Open House

The New England Conservatory's School of Continuing Education is inviting the community to an "Open House," on Monday January 26 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. to showcase its new offerings and new energies.

Everyone is welcome, from the curious listener to serious amateur performers, to professional musicians including alumni. The reception, in NEC's Williams Hall, will feature wine, cheese, and musical performances as well as information about new courses, programs and registration. NEC's Williams Hall is located at 30 Gainsborough St., corner of Huntington Ave. in Boston. It is handicapped accessible.

NEC President Tony Woodcock and Dr. Erik Gregory, who took over as director of Continuing Education in September, will introduce guests to some of the new offerings through which they hope to transform the school into a "creative jewel at NEC."

Citing ways to help music lovers "connect or reconnect with their passion," Gregory explained that new courses will range from training in Sibelius and Finale notation software (of particular usefulness for composers and arrangers), to a partnership with the Celebrity Series of Boston through which listeners can attend a pre-concert dinner with a faculty member or other expert to discuss the music being performed.

Opera buffs and newcomers can get together for wine, cheese, and discussion of an upcoming opera performance; and professional musicians can return for musical training of the same caliber they enjoyed in college or conservatory.

As part of its new direction, NEC Continuing Education will also take advantage of new high- tech capabilities. Some courses will operate as "hybrids," according to Gregory. That is, students can choose to attend classes on site or join online. These courses will allow students to ask questions and connect with the instructor in real time whether from remote national or international locations or from the comfort of their homes in the metropolitan area.

"You don't need to be a tech guru to join us online," Gregory said. "It will be easy to access the class on the Internet." What's more, he added, students will be able to find all course descriptions online along with registration forms that can be filled in and submitted either electronically or by fax.

Along with the newer offerings, NEC Continuing Education will continue to offer studio lessons, ensemble coaching, and classes in brass, strings, woodwinds, piano, guitar, voice/opera; classical, jazz, and Gospel music; chamber music, composition, music theory, Kodaly Institute, and early music.

For further information, visit www.newenglandconservatory.edu or contact the Continuing Education office at 617-585-1130.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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