Archive for
January, 2008
January 31st, 2008 by jamie a
Thursday, January 31 (7-8:30 pm)
Head over to Mary Norton Hall in Old South Church for the first night of . This is course that will meet on the following five Thursdays and will chronicle the history of the chosen operas.
Friday, February 1
The ICA presents the opening day of their new exhibit in conjunction with the Tate Modern museum in London. This exhibit “examines how a sense of theater or spectacle has had an impact on the museum experience, redefining the roles of spectator and participant.”
Saturday, February 2 (10 am - 8 pm)
The Bayside Expo Center is hosting the this weekend to “…inspire, inform and empower rural and urban citizens alike by presenting a wide range of green practices, techniques and strategies for taking action to create a comfortable, compassionate and sustainable future and a liveable planet.”
Through February 3
American Reperatory Theatre presents , a play by Michael Frayn that chronicles the relationship of German physicist Werner Heisenberg and his old friend and colleague Niels Bohr during the onset of World War II.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 30th, 2008 by susan j
Hyannis Rowboat Photo uploaded by
To me, the photo above is classic Cape Cod. And it’s fitting, because the in Hyannis recently topped newly announced Top 10 Hidden Hotel Havens. This family-owned inn also made the 2008 Traveler’s Choice list for Best Hidden Gem and Best Bargain (the average price per night is around $98 - a bah-gain if you ask me!). You can read TripAdvisor’s user reviews
While visiting Cape Cod, you might check out the JFK Hyannis Museum, the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. All three are open year round and included with the Go Boston Card!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 29th, 2008 by jamie a
Chinese New Year Dragon Photo uploaded by
Head on over to Chinatown on Sunday, February 17 for the . The parade will hit the streets at 10 am and will continue until 5 pm with delicious food, amazing performers, and stage performances.
Don’t miss out on this awesome celebration!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 25th, 2008 by susan j
Lobster tempura at Brookline’s Fugakyu Restaurant Photo uploaded by
Coolidge Corner is one of my favorite places in Boston. Well, technically, it’s not in Boston proper, but all it takes is a short ride on the C-Line to take you to this charming Brookline neighborhood. Coolidge Corner is home to an eclectic assortment of shops, restaurants, and an independent movie theater appropriately named the .
But one of the best reasons to visit is for the sushi. Located at 1280 Beacon Street, is consistently ranked as Boston’s best sushi. I recently had my first Fugakyu experience for my boyfriend’s birthday a few weeks ago. He is a sushi connoisseur, and I’m, well, not so much. But as soon as I stepped into the restaurant’s lavishly decorated entryway, I felt as if I’d been transported to a traditional Japanese teahouse. The waitresses float from table to table wrapped in elegant kimonos, and the expansive multi-floor restaurant features bamboo-enclosed booths, screen Tatami rooms, a cocktail bar, and more.
The menu offers plenty of selection for sushi and non-sushi lovers alike. All of the food comes plated elegantly like above. I ordered a plate of the yaki udon with fried tofu and, since I’m vegetarian, I thought I’d try the inari sushi (which is fried bean curd). My boyfriend got his sushi fix with the caterpillar maki, a whimsical concoction of eel, cucumber, scallion, and spicy mayo. We topped that off with glasses of Ume-Shu, Choya (plum wine) and a bowl of delicious tempura ice cream. All in all, a delightful dining experience, even for those who aren’t adventurous sushi-eaters.
For more on dining in and around Boston, check out these posts:
Dining with the Stars
New and Notable Boston Restaurants
College Parents Guide to Boston Dining
Brunch in Boston
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 24th, 2008 by jamie a
Through January 27
Catch the final days of , held at the Pierre Menard Gallery in Cambridge.
Thursday, January 24- Sunday, January 27 (8 pm)
, conducted by Sir Colin Davis this weekend. This concert also features mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, tenor Ben Heppner, and bass-baritone Gerald Finley.
Saturday, January 26 (8-10 pm)
Enjoy an evening of Baroque dance and music in the style of Louis XIV’s court with at Springstep in Medford.
Saturday, January 26 (1 pm)
The Boston Children’s Theatre is performing , a special interactive “snack theatre” experience with a craft, snack, and performance. Children ages 3-12 are welcome to attend.
Saturday, January 26 (12:30 pm)
Join for conversation and a discussion of his play The Little Dog Laughed at the Calderwood Pavilion where the play is currently running.
Sunday, January 27 (1:30 - 3 pm)
The Institute of Contemporary Art is hosting a discussion about filmmakers choosing the Bay State as present and future film location.
Sunday, January 27 (3:30 pm)
Also at the ICA, there’s a 90-minute discussion of the Tony award winning musical with producer Jeffrey Seller along with puppet conceiver and designer, Rick Lyon.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 22nd, 2008 by susan j
Brownstones in Boston’s South End Photo uploaded by
One of the things I love most about living in Boston is being surrounded by the city’s rich history, which is reflected in its varied architectural landscape. Whether you’re window-shopping on Newbury Street, strolling along the Freedom Trail, or jogging around Boston Commons, you are bound to notice some of Boston’s distinctive buildings. Here is a short primer on what you’ll see…
Eighteenth Century: As the site of the infamous Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre, Boston is steeped (get it? Tea Party + steeped? anyway…) in history. Take, for example, the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and the Harrison Gray Otis House, all reminders of Boston’s place in American history.
Nineteenth Century: During the 1800’s, Boston became a major New England port. The Liberty Fleet Tall Ship Adventures documents the region’s maritime history. Many of the brownstones in Boston’s South End, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill neighborhoods also sprang up during the late nineteenth century. One of my favorite buildings in Boston, the Boston Public Library, was built in 1888 by the famous architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White.
Twentieth Century to today: The Victorian period brought us ornate buildings like the Custom House. More modern additions to Boston’s skyline include the John Hancock Tower, the Zakim Bridge, and the Institute of Contemporary Art.
So, what’s your favorite example of Boston architecture? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 21st, 2008 by susan j
Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots Photo uploaded by
Patriots fans rejoiced yesterday when the New England Patriots defeated the San Diego Chargers, 21-12, at Gillette Stadium, securing their place in Super Bowl XLII. New England’s favorite football team will face the New York Giants on Sunday, February 3. Boston.com’s Patriots blog, Reiss’s Pieces, has more updates and insights on the Patriots.
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 18th, 2008 by jamie a

Gillette Stadium
Photo uploaded by rezsox
Pats fans, get ready. With a record of 16-0, the Patriots are on their way to making NFL history. This weekend the Patriots are taking on the Chargers at Gillette Stadium with home turf advantage.
So, grab a bunch of your football-loving friends and plan to make a day of it on Sunday. If you’d like to be out on the town cheering the Pats on with a room full of screaming fans, check out this list of the best spots to watch the game in Boston.
Go Pats!
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 17th, 2008 by jamie a
Thursday, January 17 (5-9 pm)
Join fellow art lovers for another installment of Gardner After Hours. This month’s theme is People & Portraits, with tours of the galleries, tasty treats in the cafe, as well as a courtyard music performance by Syrinx Ensemble.
Saturday, January 19 (6 pm)
Head out to Old Sturbridge Village for Hearthside Bounty: An Evening at Bullard Tavern. This event recreates a 19th Century evening at a tavern with music, games, costumed actors, and a delicious traditional meal.
Sunday, January 20 (5 pm)
The best-selling author Sue Miller reads at Porter Square Books this weekend from her newest novel, The Senator’s Wife. Gain a glimpse into her ability to confront the complexities of family life when she reads this weekend, and if you’re already a fan, be sure to bring your copy for the signing.
Monday, January 21 (1 pm & 7 pm)
The Boston Children’s Chorus presents the 5th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert at the New England Conservatory. This year’s theme is “Remembering Yesterday, Inspiring Tomorrow.”
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.
January 16th, 2008 by susan j

Swan boat photo uploaded by
Boston’s Bay Back neighborhood is nestled between the Charles River and the South End, densely populated with cozy brownstones and towering office buildings. Here are some places to check out on your next trip to Beantown.
is a favorite destination among Boston fashionistas. Here you’ll find swanky restaurants and bars, jewelry shops, boutiques, book stores, and more. During the summer, many of the restaurants open up their patios, which is great for people-watching on a sunny New England afternoon ( and are two of my personal faves). The Shops at Prudential Center are nearby for more shopping.
offer a calm escape from the bustle of downtown. Visitors can ice skate on the Frog Pond in the winter, ride the swan boats in spring and summer, and stroll through the gardens year round. Summer on the Commons also brings a number of free concerts, plays, and other events.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are just two of the museums in Boston’s Back Bay. You could easily spend a full afternoon at either museum (they are a short distance apart so you could see both if desired), browsing the artwork and soaking the gorgeous views.
Getting to the Back Bay: parking in this area can be expensive and tough to find, so I recommend taking the subway and walking around. Most of the highlights are close to each other, so don’t be put off by the number of subway stops.
Green Line: Hynes Convention Center, Copley, or Arlington
Orange Line: Back Bay
Check out the .
Planning a trip to
Boston?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Boston Card.