The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
July 30, 2010

Inspired by Aristophanes' theory that humans were once double-sided creatures with two heads and multiple limbs, Leonard Nimoy's photographs in his latest exhibit "reveal his subjects' other half." The series of photos will be shown for the first time, opening at MASS MoCA this weekend.

For "Secret Selves" Nimoy recruited volunteers willing to be photographed, posed, and dressed as their true or imagined secret selves.

Nimoy worked with Richard Michelson of Michelson Galleries in Northampton to invite more than 100 people to a photo studio constructed within the gallery on Main Street. Michelson and Nimoy cast a wide net, seeking businessmen and bus drivers, social workers and house-husbands, clergy and those in their congregation. They even recruited passersby on the day of the shoot.

Accompanying the large, life-size photographs in the exhibition is a video documenting the artist's conversations with his subjects and the poignant, personal moments he masterfully elicits from his muses.

Leonard Nimoy was born in Boston in 1931. After a stint in the army, he worked in feature films, television, and theater appearing in many of the well-known TV series of the period and several feature films.

However, it was Nimoy's enormous success as Mr. Spock in the science fiction television series, "Star Trek," which gained him worldwide recognition. However, throughout his life Nimoy has been engaged with photography as both student and practitioner. Nimoy is the holder of four Honorary Doctorates and two Master's degrees.

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, or MASS MoCA, is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the country and is located in North Adams, Massachusetts, on a restored 19th-century factory campus. For additional information, call 413-662-2111 or visit www.massmoca.org.

Johnny Mathis at South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset

The South Shore Music Circus sign announcing Johnny Mathis's appearance welcomes guests as they arrive to the famous Cohasset venue. Zany and hysterical comedian Gary Mule Deer also entertained the lucky patrons. (Photo by Hilda M. Morrill)

It's always fun to go the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset.

It's a trip back in time to when this columnist used to work there summers. While there was no monetary pay, we were always included in the cast parties and got to meet some legendary and revered performers. We even helped fill the orchestra pit with water once. But that's another story.

It's also the place where hubby and I had one of our first dates prior to our getting engaged. We enjoyed a performance of "Brigadoon."

It's especially "Wonderful! Wonderful!" when the performing artist is Johnny Mathis, whom we've adored forever, and into whom we literally "ran into" at an airport in Philadelphia many years ago. He couldn't have been nicer or more gracious and even invited me to have a bite to eat. And, he let me take his photo! While we chatted, he mentioned how much he enjoyed visiting the Greater Boston Area and performing at the Music Circus.

So there we were recently, along with a full house of concert-goers, both men and women, hooting and howling and jumping up for many standing ovations, as the ever young Mathis sang and enthralled us. Never mind that now as a member of the media, I am to be dignified and in control at all times.

As arts correspondent Scott Reedy wrote, "With hundreds of millions of records sold worldwide, a Lifetime Achievement Grammy as well as two Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, and 30 top-50 singles to his credit, Johnny Mathis is an American pop music icon. When he wraps his singular voice around hits like 'Chances Are,' 'Misty' and 'The Twelfth of Never,' Mathis never fails to hold an audience in the palm of his hand. That's the way the legendary singer likes it."

Of course, the truth is that there are many other wonderful performers coming to the Music Circus. For information, call 781-383-9850 or visit their Web site www.themusiccircus.org, which lists all of the scheduled upcoming shows.

Incidentally, the plantings at the Music Circus are among the most beautiful we have ever seen at a non-horticultural public venue. Incredible hydrangeas, container planters, and even a spectacular magnolia in bloom added to the enjoyment of the event as we walked about prior to the performance and during intermission. Congratulations are in order to facilities manager Scott Niski, who is responsible for the beautiful grounds surrounding the tent.

Gore Place to Create Self-Guided Multimedia Outdoor Tours for Visitors

Thanks to a Museums for America Grant from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, Gore Place, the historic Governor Gore estate in Waltham, will create a series of self-guided, multimedia outdoor tours for visitors to the historic estate of nineteenth century Massachusetts attorney and politician Christopher Gore.

The tours will include a landscape and agriculture tour, a seasonal winter tour, and an American Sign Language version of the tour. The project will also include preliminary planning for a multimedia game related to the history and landscape of the estate. The content of the tours will include quotes from letters and journals of the Gore occupancy and images of paintings, prints, and maps of the time. The content and digital material will be offered to visitors on a hand-held device.

For more information, call 781-894-2798 or visit www.goreplace.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.