Alicia Fenton-Greenaway, Paris Boyce, Suzanne Christensen and Cathy Sakellaris, left to right, smile for the camera at the “Party in the Park” gala. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

The 6th Annual “Party in the Park” spring gala benefiting the Justine Mee Liff Fund and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy was held at the Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens on May 13. More than 600 guests enjoyed the sold-out event in festive tents.

The Justine Mee Liff Spirit Award was presented to Kitty and Michael Dukakis in recognition of “their tireless personal dedication to Boston’s green spaces.”

The Justine Mee Liff Spirit Award honors the vision, wisdom, humanity and joy that Boston’s former Parks Commissioner brought to her work from 1996 to 2002. The award is presented each year to individuals “whose commitment to cities, passion for public spaces, dedication to the democratic ideals fostered in urban parks, and ability to inspire public servants and private citizens to join together in common cause” best reflects Justine’s spirit and legacy.

To date, “Party in the Park” and its supporters have raised $1 million to support special projects in the Emerald Necklace. Most recently, the Justine Mee Liff Fund is contributing funding to the renovation of the Stony Brook Gatehouse, an historic structure in the Back Bay Fens designed by H.H. Richardson, architect of Trinity Church. Once completed, the restored gatehouse will be used as a volunteer and visitor center, serve as gateway to the Emerald Necklace, and provide offices for the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

“Public/private partnerships are more important than ever,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. “Organizations such as the Emerald Necklace Conservancy realize that we cannot do it alone and their support enables us to maintain and protect our parks for present and future generations. It is appropriate that we gather together in Olmsted’s historic Back Bay Fens to celebrate the accomplishments of two of the Commonwealth’s greatest open space advocates, Kitty and Michael Dukakis, while we cherish our memories of a dear friend, Justine Liff.”

For information about the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, call 617-522-2700 or visit www.emeraldnecklace.org.

Father’s Day Freebies

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21. We are told that all fathers will receive free admission on their special day at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham for an enjoyable day with the family learning about new and unique animals. For more information, visit www.zoonewengland.org.

The whole family, not just dads, will receive free admission at the Museum of Fine Arts from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Visitors can participate in gallery activities and guided tours, and view the permanent collection and special exhibitions, including “Viva Mexico: Edward Weston and His Contemporaries”; “Vida y Drama: Modern Mexican Prints”; and “Showa Sophistication: Japan in the 1930s.”

Tickets to the special exhibition “Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice” will be available for the discounted price of $8.

This free day is part of the MFA’s new 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.

Please note that tickets for “Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice” are timed and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

BeanTown Jazz Festival Scheduled

Looking ahead: Now in its 9th year, the “Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival,” Boston’s most popular and largest outdoor festival, has expanded to five days and seven stages at locations in Boston and Cambridge, and has named world-renowned drummer and Berklee professor Terri Lyne Carrington its new artistic director.

From September 22 to 26, superstars and local artists will come together in free and ticketed offerings that have drawn upwards of 70,000 people of all ages from every neighborhood in Boston and all over New England.

The festival's largest roster yet will feature performances by 20 bands and more than 130 musicians at the Berklee Performance Center (BPC), Scullers Jazz Club, Berklee's Cafe 939 and David Friend Recital Hall, as well as outdoor stages along Columbus Avenue.

For a complete list of all events, venues, and performers, visit www.beantownjazz.org.

Tickets for all shows will be available at the BPC box office, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, through Ticketmaster 617-931-2000, and at www.ticketmaster.com. Call 617 747-2261 or visit www.berkleebpc.com for more information.

Enjoy!

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