| The Scene In and Around Boston . . . By Hilda M. Morrill August 14, 2009  Ginger Esty, center, welcomes friends to her birthday party. (Photo by Hilda M. Morrill)One of the most delightful events we have enjoyed in recent memory was the birthday party of our dear friend Ginger Esty, the chair of the Board of Selectmen in Framingham. Hosted by Ginger's children, grandchildren and one precious great-grandchild, the festivities were held at the beautiful Southborough home of her daughter Pam and her husband Whitney Beals. The bucolic setting was perfect for the afternoon celebration - full of family, friends, yummy food, gorgeous floral arrangements and lots of "Gingery" memories. To add to the fun, everyone went home with his or her own box of Ginger Snaps. Best Wishes, Ginger!
Free Admission at Museum of Fine Arts on August 28 The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), will hold a "Free Community Day" on Friday, August 28, from 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. offering free general admission to the public. "August 28 Free Day" is made possible with support from the Highland Street Foundation. General admission includes entry to the museum's numerous galleries filled with treasures ranging from ancient Egyptian mummies to masterworks by Claude Monet. Visitors may also tour special exhibitions such as "Viva Mexico: Edward Weston and His Contemporaries"; "Contemporary Outlook: Seeing Songs"; and "A New and Native Beauty: The Art and Craft of Greene and Greene," as well as participate in free gallery tours and activities. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., those 21 and older can check out "mfasummerfridays," a social gathering outside in the Calderwood Courtyard featuring music by DJ Deja and a cash bar with specialty cocktails. The August 28 "Free Community Day" is part of the MFA's "9 in '09 initiative," offering free Museum admission once per month (nine times) through 2009, providing opportunities for all families to enjoy the Museum and its treasures. For more information, call 617-267-9300 or visit www.mfa.org.
Boston Comedy Festival Scheduled "The Boston Comedy Festival" is scheduled for August 29 through September 5. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Festival celebrates Boston's rich comedy community that produced such great comedians as Jay Leno, Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke, while highlighting the best up-and-coming talents on the local scene. At venues across the city, comedy fans have a week of live laughs and cinematic chuckles in a huge variety of styles and formats. Competition for the $10,000 grand prize culminates with a special event on September 5 at Hard Rock Café, located at 22-24 Clinton St., and sponsored by Vin DiBona. The 2009 preliminary line-up was recently announced including appearances by fan favorites, such as this year's Boston Comedian of the Year recipient Tony V, and top comedians from Boston and all across the country as they compete for a chance at being discovered by top talent scouts from shows like "The Tonight Show" and the "David Letterman Show." Festival founder Jim McCue, himself a Boston-area comedy club favorite, says, "Boston's comedy community is a tight group of talented individuals that we aim to celebrate and promote with each Festival. This year's event is especially sweet since it marks 10 years of fabulously funny folks." Highlights this year include performances by Lewis Black, Bobcat Goldthwait, Funny Females and a Tony V roast along with improv, sketch and one-person shows throughout the week. Jim McCue conceived and created the first Boston Comedy Festival in 1999 with the vision to showcase New England's stand-up comedy talent to bigger audiences and the entertainment industry in general. The Boston area has a long history of producing successful comedians. Over the years, such stars as Lewis Black, The Smothers Brothers, and Steven Wright have all participated. The Festival is a family business, with Jim's sister Helen as Festival vice president and his sister-in-law Midge a major organizer. The Festival fulfills Jim's dream in making Boston a true hub of comedy. For more information, tickets and the entire Festival line-up, visit www.bostoncomedyfestival.com. Enjoy! |
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