A model wears a Denise Hajjar "show stopper" design at a past Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel benefit fashion show. (File photo by Joe Greene)

Noted Boston-based fashion designer Denise Hajjar will debut her "Spring/Summer 2009 Collection" with a fashion show to benefit The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter on Wednesday, March 25 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.

The fun-and-fashionable soiree begins with a cocktail reception and will feature both silent and live auctions.

Themed "Eleanor's Affair," the event is in honor of Eleanor Gehrig, who was the wife and caregiver of the late baseball legend Lou Gehrig, who passed away from ALS.

The event will also honor a local caregiver in the ALS Community who has significantly made a difference in the lives of patients and families with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

For tickets and more information, visit www.eleanorsaffair.org or call 781-255-8884.

Boston Pops Announces Season Programming

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops kick off the Symphony Hall season on Wednesday, May 6, with a gala "Opening Night at Pops" filled with festive music, chilled champagne, and a special guest, the legendary Broadway star and cabaret performer Barbara Cook.

Season highlights include "Film Night" led by the incomparable John Williams (May 26-30) and a number of unique tributes, such as a special homage to the legendary Ballets Russes, featuring some of the music and dance that catapulted ballet to a new level of artistic achievement (May 19).

Two of today's most gifted vocalists turn their considerable talents toward inspiring tributes to two of the greatest superstars of American culture -- Linda Eder sings the songs of Judy Garland (June 9 & 10); and Michael Feinstein's classy "The Sinatra Project" (June 19 & 20) is an homage to Ol' Blue Eyes, conducted by Erich Kunzel in a welcome return to the Pops podium for the first time in twelve years.

Tony nominee Michael Cavanaugh reels through a high-spirited evening of Billy Joel favorites (May 8 & 9). Special evenings also honor two of the Pops' most beloved conductors, Harry Ellis Dickson (May 20) and the legendary Arthur Fiedler, whose annual tribute this year also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the "King of Swing," Benny Goodman (June 2 & 5).

"A Richard Rodgers Celebration" takes audiences on a journey down the Great White Way in a program showcasing the vivid and memorable theater music of one of the world's greatest songwriters (June 16-18).

Long-time audience favorites, such as "Gospel Night," led by Charles Floyd and featuring Edwin Hawkins and the New Edwin Hawkins Singers (June 6), are complemented by programs showcasing genre-defying contemporary artists, such as cello diva Maya Beiser, featured on concerts headlined by the popular multi-faceted jazz guitarist/vocalist/bandleader John Pizzarelli (May 12-13).

Erich Kunzel, one of the world's leading pops conductors and a Boston Pops favorite, leads the season's rousing finale, "Let's Dance" (June 21). This special program offers audiences the chance "to dance the night away" to music ranging from the familiar standards of the Swing Era to the pop favorites of here and now.

Tickets for the "2009 Boston Pops Season at Symphony Hall" go on sale on February 23 and may be purchased online at www.bostonpops.org or by phone through SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200. For group sales of 25 or more, please call 617-638-9345 or 800-933-4255.

Berklee College of Music Celebrates After the Grammy Awards

Congratulations are in order to Boston's Berklee College of Music, where they are celebrating last Sunday's Grammy Awards. Berklee alumni were honored with eight awards on music's biggest night for their outstanding contributions to some of last year's top releases.

The winners were recognized for their work in varied categories and fields, including pop, rock, rap, jazz, Broadway show music, producing, mixing/engineering, and mastering. With Sunday's wins, Berklee alumni have now received a total of 176 Grammy Awards.

John Mayer '98, who performed in a tribute to Bo Diddley at the ceremony, won two Grammys in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, bringing him the sixth and seventh awards of his career.

In other rock categories, Thomas Pridgen '03, of the Mars Volta, won Best Hard Rock Performance. Joe Travers '91, of Zappa Plays Zappa, won Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Andrew Dawson '01, who has two previous Grammys for his work with Kanye West, won Best Rap Album for engineering/mixing Lil Wayne's smash-hit album Tha Carter III. Gavin Lurssen '91 took home an Album of the Year award for his work as mastering engineer on Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's Raising Sand, which was the night's biggest winner.

Gary Burton '62 was awarded the sixth Grammy of his career in the category Best Jazz Instrumental Album for The New Crystal Silence, with Chick Corea. Alex Lacamoire '95 won his first award, in the category Best Musical Show Album for In The Heights, a show for which he also won a Tony Award.

Enjoy!

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