Honoree Charles Ansbacher and his wife Swanee Hunt at The Esplanade Association's "Moondance" annual fundraising event. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

One of the most festive galas held during the 2008 fall social season was The Esplanade Association's "Moondance," an annual fundraising event. "Moondance" proceeds are designated "to protect, enhance and restore Boston's historic Esplanade, to fund enriching park programs, and to support community outreach initiatives."

Frances Rivera, of 7NEWS, and Jared Bowen, of WGBH 's "Greater Boston," were the Masters of Ceremonies for the spectacular event.

The gala had a "magic" theme, marking the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini's daring underwater escape from the Charles River next to the Esplanade after his manacled jump from Boston's Harvard Bridge. A plaque at the park's entrance on the southeast end of the bridge marks this historic event.

The event also paid tribute to Maestro Charles Ansbacher, the founder of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, who received the Arthur Fiedler Achievement Award for his commitment to bringing music to the Esplanade through free concerts to the public at the Hatch Shell and at noted landmarks throughout the city of Boston.

The Esplanade Association established the award in 2004 to honor the memory of Arthur Fiedler and his commitment to bringing music to the public on the Esplanade. Founded in 2001 (the same year that The Esplanade Association became a non-profit organization), Boston Landmarks Orchestra performs their popular free concerts celebrating historical, geographical and architectural settings.

"Moondance 2008" featured the talents of world-renowned magician Jon Stetson, an auction, a gourmet dinner catered by MAX Ultimate Food, and dancing to the music of Catch 22.

Since 2001, The Esplanade Association (TEA) has worked to enhance the Charles River Esplanade in Boston by working with community leaders, supporters, volunteers and TEA members to complete important park improvement projects, raising more than $3 million.

For more information about the Esplanade Association and its upcoming programs and events, be sure to visit www.EsplanadeAssociation.org.

Enjoy the Gardner Museum for Free on Your Birthday

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is one of the world's most beloved arts institutions - a Venetian-inspired palace museum housing a world-class collection personally installed by Isabella Stewart Gardner to create an intimate experience with great art.

Always free for those under the age of 18, for museum members, and in honor of the museum's founder, for anyone named "Isabella," it is now also free to all on their birthdays. The new policy started on January 1, in celebration of the museum's own 106th birthday.

The Gardner Museum's own history began on January 1st, New Years Night, 1903, when Isabella Gardner, a Boston society grande dame, opened her museum to the public with an artful evening celebration.

The gala evening of music, art, and culture featured a concert of music performed by members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the dramatic unveiling of the flower-filled interior courtyard garden hung with Japanese lanterns and abloom with seasonal flowers, and a menu of champagne and donuts!

The Gardner Museum remains a place of inspiration, respite, and beauty for all - a unique and wonderful place to celebrate a birthday in quiet contemplation or amidst friends. Magical any time or day of the year, the Gardner is particularly enchanting at night, when the courtyard garden and galleries are aglow.

On the third Thursday evening of each month, birthday revelers will have even more to celebrate with a full-blown party - part of one of Boston's best evening events, "Gardner After Hours," replete with live music, cocktails, art, artist performances, savory bites, and more.

So, bring your ID, grab some friends, and "explore and celebrate" in an enchanting setting.

True to Isabella Gardner's mandate (that her museum remain 'for the education and enjoyment of the public forever'), the Gardner is committed to increasing public access to the collection and to vibrant exhibitions and programs, now more than ever.

"Cultural institutions have a responsibility to the public to increase access and affordability, so that everyone can enjoy, engage in and experience beauty," says Director Anne Hawley. "Particularly in the current environment, we wanted to do something to enable, and entice, visitors to take advantage of this world-class collection of art and inspiration right here in the middle of Boston.

"Many people may have to cut back on travel and other luxuries this year," adds Hawley, "but - especially on one's birthday - everyone should be able to celebrate in style! Our hope is that our gift of free admission and an invitation to celebrate among friends and revelry at our After Hours events will offer some unexpected cheer on this special day."

The Gardner's new "Free on your birthday!" policy is the latest initiative aimed at increasing access to the museum and collection. The museum is free for all on New Years Day as part of First Night celebrations; and each October on Columbus Day, for the Fenway Cultural District's "Opening Our Doors Day." Each summer, a trio of free Neighborhood Nights events open up the museum for all, in celebration of art and community with special evening hours, art-making activities, gallery explorations, and a kids-friendly menu at The Gardner Café.

Also new this year, thanks to a grant from Bank of America, the Museum will open its doors for free to all, amidst an array of family programs and activities, on the Wednesday of public school vacation week in February and April.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is located at 280 The Fenway, Boston. For additional information, call 617-566-1401 or visit www.gardnermuseum.org.

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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