Tony Bennett, left, is pictured with his good friends Joyce and Ron Della Chiesa at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

The Boston Public Library Foundation (BPLF) recently presented the legendary Tony Bennett at a benefit concert at Boston's newest luxury hotel, the Mandarin Oriental.

The event was co-chaired by Roberta and Stephen Weiner with Marcia and Robin Brown, the developers of the Mandarin Oriental and longtime library supporters. Ron O'Hanley, Chair and Sharyn Neble, Vice Chair of the Boston Public Library Foundation were co-chairs.

Guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a spectacular performance by Bennett in the hotel's ballroom.

We are told that Tony Bennett has had a long history with the Library. Bennett has a special fondness for the BPL because when his daughter was studying in Boston, he would visit the John Singer Sargent murals at the Copley Square landmark and was inspired in his own painting.

This special event benefited the Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and provide free access to the historical record of our society while serving the cultural, educational and informational needs of the people of City and the Commonwealth.

Proceeds will also help the BPL continue educational programs in all 27 neighborhood branches and the Central Library, which also serves as a neighborhood branch. Private funding is essential to programs like these, as well as the completion of the final phase of the National Historic Landmark McKim Building restoration in Copley Square and the enhancement of branch facilities, access through technology, and special collections.

Event sponsors included the Mandarin Oriental Boston, Rafanelli Events, Grossman Marketing, Bank of New York Mellon and WBUR.

The Foundation's Board of Directors, composed of civically engaged business and community leaders, develops the Foundation's strategies and steers its initiatives. Since 1992, the Foundation has raised more than $79 million.

For more information about the Foundation and future events, contact Daria McLean, BPLF Director of Development, at 617-247-8980.

Elvis Birthday Bash Scheduled at Dick's Last Resort on January 8

We are told that "Elvis Sightings" are expected when Dick's Last Resort stages its annual "Elvis Birthday Bash" on Thursday, January 8, in honor of The King's Birthday (2009 would have marked his 74th!).

The "Blue Suede" fun will be in full swing from 6 p.m. 'til the wee hours. Dick's is located in Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. For reservations, call 617-267-8080.

Filled with tons of "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love," the mega-celebration will feature Elvis impersonator DANA Z and his Band in a Hound Dog of a musical tribute to The King at 8 p.m.

In addition, there's an Elvis-Look-A-Like, Sound-A-Like Karaoke Contest with a grand prize of $300; an audience sing-a-long; and a Jelly Donut Eating Contest.

With everybody decked out in their best "Viva Las Vegas" duds, the featured Dish 'O The Night will be Chicky Fried Chicky with Mashed Taters, Jalapeno Gravy and your very own personal Jelly Donut. The featured Elvis Libation will be a Blue Hawaiian. Yum... yum!

There'll also be "a tacky Elvis Shrine."

Discounted parking will be available at 75 State Street. Just make sure that you have your parking ticket validated at Dick's.

Free Open House at Museum of Fine Arts on January 19

The power of the photographic medium will be explored at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), as it hosts a "Free Open House" on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The day, underwritten by the Citizens Bank Foundation, will feature free admission to the Museum and exhibitions, music and poetry performances, short films, family activities, and gallery tours.

The exhibitions "Karsh 100: A Biography in Images," featuring iconic portraits of the 20th century by celebrated photographer Yousuf Karsh, and "Photographic Figures," highlighting the work of renowned photographers working with the human form, will serve as inspiration for the day's theme, "Defining Images."

Dr. William Banfield of Berklee College of Music and the Berklee faculty ensemble, BGKLS, will give a lecture-performance about the roots of music from the African Diaspora.

The MFA Film Program will screen films about former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and singer/actor Paul Robeson (whose portrait hangs in the "Karsh 100" exhibit).

Other events include a poetry slam by artist Ayisha Knight-Shaw and Boston University's spoken-word poetry group, "Speak for Yourself"; and a presentation about health disparities in Boston hosted by the MFA's Teen Arts Council-a group of teenagers engaged in a year-long apprenticeship at the Museum-featuring the teen group Community Voices and well-known Boston photographer Lou Jones.

Guided gallery tours will be offered at select times throughout the day. General tours will be conducted in English and Spanish. A tour in American Sign Language is available to those who are hearing impaired, and a tactile sculpture tour will be offered to those who are vision impaired.

For more information, please call 617-267-9300 or visit www.mfa.org.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
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