The Scene In and Around Boston . . . Looks like everyone has a little elf in them around the holidays! Guests got into spirit of things at the Regan Communications annual holiday party at the Seaport Hotel, where Clear Channel President Steve Ross had a life-size banner of "Santa George Regan" and his two elves made up for party goers to get their picture taken. More than 300 people, including local celebrities, politicians and employees attended the soiree. Partygoers dined on pasta, passed appetizers and a chicken fingers dipping station while sipping specialty martinis from a martini bar. The fun event was held in the Lighthouse room of the Seaport Hotel.
"The 101 Dalmatians Musical" Coming to the Wang Theatre Just in time for the holidays the North American tour of "The 101 Dalmatians Musical," one of the world's greatest classic tales, comes to Boston for a limited engagement December 23-27 at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre. Broadway leading lady and Drama Desk Award winner Rachel York stars in the role of the villainous Cruella de Vil. Based on the beloved book by Dodie Smith and led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks (A Bronx Tale, Smokey Joe's Café, Guys and Dolls), acclaimed book writer/co-lyricist BT McNicholl (Billy Elliot, Spamalot, The IT Girl), and co-founder of the legendary rock band Styx Dennis DeYoung, "The 101 Dalmatians Musical" promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world as the actors perform on stilts allowing the audience to see life from a dog's point of view. For tickets, times and more information, call 866-348-9738 or visit www.Citicenter.org. For groups of 10 or more, call 1-866-633-0194 or 617-532-1116. You can also check out www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com, which features some really fun videos.
Many Choices Available for Celebrating "First Night" "First Night Boston" is the country's oldest and largest New Year's arts celebration. On December 31, from 1 p.m. to midnight, First Night presents a day-long festival of art, music, dance, ice sculpture, fireworks and much more. First Night is an alcohol-free event that welcomes revelers of all ages to celebrate community and unity through the arts. First Night 2010 will feature more than 1000 artists in 200 exhibitions and performances in over 35 locations throughout Boston. Following are some of the highlights of this year's festival. A complete schedule, including times and exact locations, can be found at www.firstnight.org. First Night partners with Berklee College of Music and WGBH 89.7 FM at the Berklee Performance Center to present a special show with Berklee alumna Anat Cohen, to be broadcast live in Boston on 89.7 and across the country as part of NPR's annual New Year's Eve broadcast "Toast of the Nation." Idiomatically conversant with modern and traditional jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro, Argentine tango, and an expansive timeline of Afro-Cuban styles, Tel Aviv-born Cohen has established herself as one of the primary voices of her generation on both the tenor saxophone and clarinet. Many Boston bands will be performing at various locations throughout the city: The Neats reunite in support of the recent reissue of their early recordings on Neats 1981-84, and play at the Orpheum along with Buffalo Tom and The Lyres. The Parkman Bandstand features Jordan Valentine and the Sunday Saints, with The Fatal Flaw. Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents bring their girl group sound to The Park Plaza. The Painted Lights, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys and Cirkestra play at the Hynes, and Emmanuel Church features Drew O'Doherty, Kristin Hersh and Chris Brokaw and Geoff Farina performing pre-WWII country blues. The FedEx Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center features entertainment and activities for all members of the family. In addition to face painting and crafts workshops, there will be puppet shows, music, comedians, jugglers, stunts and more. Don't miss ImprovBoston Kids Comedy, geared toward kids 8-12, or original songs from well-known Boston folkie Ellis Paul and The Guthrie Family Show, featuring the descendants and legacy of Woodie Guthrie. The Downside Up Circus combines a shared love of circus arts with a commitment to social change to come up with a show that's fun for the whole family. Local rockers Cul de Sac will provide live music to films geared toward kids. Neighborhood children also perform, with First Night Drum Central, and Chu Ling Dance Academy's traditional and contemporary Chinese dance. In addition to these and other great events, First Night will also feature Japanese Anime; films of the Roxbury Film Festival; three ice sculptures; The Metro Boston First Night Grand Procession; the Boston Family Fireworks presented by Mayor Menino and The Mugar Foundation; the traditional midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor sponsored by Cape Dairy; and a midnight countdown with WBZ-TV's Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes at Copley Square. All First Night outdoor events are free, though supported by sales of the First Night button (artwork by Ekua Holmes), which is the ticket for admission to all indoor events. Buttons are available at Boston-area Shaw's and Star Markets, Tedeschi's, Store 24, Au Bon Pain and dozens of other locations. For a complete list of sale locations or to buy buttons online, visit www.firstnight.org. Buttons are available at a special web price through Dec. 26. Enjoy! |
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In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." |
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Mary Clivio, left, and Paul Foster, center, have their picture taken with "Santa." (Photo courtesy of Regan Communications)