| The Scene In and Around Boston . . . By Hilda M. Morrill May 8, 2009  Mistress of Ceremonies Joyce Kulhawik, left, with Don Gudaitis, American Cancer Society N.E. Division CEO, and Shonda Schilling, "Key Gala" honorary chairperson. (Photo by Roger Farrington)Nearly 200 guests helped "keep hope ever green" at the American Cancer Society's "Key Gala" recently held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. About $200,000 was raised, with all proceeds benefiting the operational costs of the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Boston, a program of the Society. The elegant affair provided guests the opportunity to celebrate the recent opening of the Center, which provides free, temporary lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers needing to travel to Boston for treatment. Special guests included gala emcee, Joyce Kulhawik, noted arts and entertainment critic and three-time cancer survivor, as well as the event's honorary chair, cancer survivor and founder of The Shade Foundation, Shonda Schilling. The evening featured a cocktail reception and hors d'oeuvres followed by dinner, a super silent auction, a live auction and dancing to the sounds of one of New England's premier bands, Mystique. Highlights of the evening's live auction included a set of pottery planters hand-painted by Massachusetts General Hospital for Children's pediatric oncology patients. The super silent auction was also a big success with a one week stay at Casa Sophia in Tulum, Mexico including airfare; a five-night stay at Black Rock Lodge in Belize; and a Monday Night Football Package for eight including eight tickets in the Club Seat Level at a Patriots home game. In addition, the "Emerald Raffle" featured diamond and emerald cluster earrings valued at $1600 donated by Firestone & Parson Jewelers of Boston. The AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Boston, located at 125 South Huntington Avenue, annually provides free lodging and support services to more than 1,500 cancer outpatients and their caregivers who must travel far from home for treatment in Boston. The new facility reuses and adds to the site of the former Vincent Memorial Hospital originally built in 1907; and the Society has applied for Gold level certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED) design. With 40 private guest suites, a library, common dining areas, and transportation services, the Lodge will enable more patients than ever before to take advantage of the state-of-the-art cancer treatments offered in the city's premier medical institutions. A Community Resource Center in the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge Center in Boston also provides outreach to the community with cancer information and resources. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/newenglandgalas.
Puccini's 150th Anniversary Celebration Planned On Sunday, May 31 at 3 p.m., Chorus pro Musica, led by guest conductor Jeffrey Rink, celebrates Giacomo Puccini's 150th anniversary with a concert performance of his grand opera "Turandot" at NEC's Jordan Hall, starring soprano Othalie Graham as Turandot, tenor Kip Wilborn as Calaf, and soprano Eleni Calenos as Liu. At 2 p.m. in the hall, prior to the performance, opera expert Michael Sims will discuss the history and development of Puccini's opera. The lecture and performance are sponsored by Concert Opera Boston. Considered Puccini's masterpiece, "Turandot" remains as popular today as at its premiere in 1926. Set in China in "legendary times," it tells the story of Prince Calaf's courtship of the icy princess Turandot, whose suitors must successfully answer three riddles or face certain death. The prince succeeds and then poses his own riddle to Turandot: she must discover his name. The opera is full of fiery, exotic music and soaring melodies, including the sublime tenor aria "Nessun dorma." Reserved seats may be selected and tickets purchased at www.choruspromusica.org, or by phone at 1-800-658-4276.
Annual Rose Garden Party to Benefit ParkARTS Boston's "First Lady," Mrs. Angela Menino, invites us to save the date of Thursday, June 18 for Boston's annual "Rose Garden Party" to benefit ParkARTS. The event will be held in the Kelleher Rose Garden, located in the Back Bay Fens (not far from the Museum of Fine Arts), from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and includes entertainment and the fun-and-festive "Hats Galore!" hat contest - all amidst 2,000 spectacular rose bushes. For tickets, sponsorship, or more information, call Enjoy! |
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