Home › HUBa HUBaPage 3

Yapping about Boston Ballet’s Coppelia

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

Boston Ballet's Coppelia 2013

To be honest, I’ve attended the ballet, and it’s just not my thing. When the lights came up for intermission at one performance, I leaned over to my wife and asked, “Is it really necessary for all these dancers to be propped up on their toes? I mean, what’s up with that? It looks downright painful.” She gave me one of those exasperated, withering glances that indicated I should probably shut my yap and skulk away to the refreshment stand.

If ballet is your thing, please feel free to tell me to shut my yap. But you might want to wait until I let you know that Boston Ballet will be presenting George Balanchine’s classic Coppelia this May. The story has something to do with a toymaker who creates a doll that comes to life. That sounds a bit like The Nutcracker, doesn’t it? I could ask my wife whether sentient, toe-dancing dolls are a common ballet theme, but she’d probably give me another withering glance.

Also not unlike The Nutcracker, Boston Ballet says that Coppelia is a light-hearted comedy that appeals to the whole family. Since performances will be held through Memorial Day, perhaps you could book a long holiday weekend getaway for your gang to our fair city and incorporate a performance of the ballet as part of your itinerary. Since the weather should be accommodating, you could pack in some outdoor activities as well to help keep your gang on their toes, so to speak. OK, I’ll shut my yap now.

Coppelia at Boston Ballet
May 16 to 26, 2013
Tickets start at $29

Tagged with: ,
Posted in Arts & Culture, Family

What a Bunch of Clowns at City Hall. (Relax, It’s the Big Apple Circus.)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

Normally, we Bostonians pooh-pooh anything related to New York City — especially the New York Yankees, who, of course, are full of pooh pooh. But, we make an exception for the Big Apple Circus, which has been setting up its big top tent in town for years, and will dazzle and delight audiences with its 2013 edition from March 26 through May 12 at City Hall Plaza.

I particularly enjoy the Big Apple’s one-ring presentation as opposed to the three-ring Ringling Bros. circus spectacles, which I have found hyperactive and difficult to follow. Plus, the relatively intimate confines of the tent make every seat a prime spot and place audiences close to the action. Despite its comparatively small size, Big Apple always delivers the right dose of pageantry and thrills, as well as great music, lighting, and other top-notch production values.

Among the performers (most of whom are from outside of the country and none of whom, as far as I can tell, are actually from New York City — yay!) will be the proverbial man on a flying trapeze, a contortionist, and tango-dancing jugglers. Speaking of pooh pooh, there will also be an act featuring prancing horses, donkeys, and dogs.

You: “Hey! Boston can get a bit nippy in late March and April! And the circus is set up in an outdoor tent! What’s up with that?!” Me: First of all, please stop exclaiming. You’re giving me a headache. Second of all, the tent is climate controlled with both heating and, should it warm up sufficiently before the circus ends its Boston run, air conditioning.

Big Apple Circus presents Legendarium
March 26 to May 12, 2013
Boston City Hall Plaza
Tickets and info: (888) 541-3750
Tickets start at $20

Photos: Big Apple Circus. Used with permission.

Tagged with: ,
Posted in Family

The Ten Commandments of Restaurant Week Boston 2013

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

Today is day four of the winter/spring version of Restaurant Week Boston 2013 (which continues through this Friday and then picks up for week two, March 24 to 29). We hope that you are enjoying the extraordinary savings and the wonderful eats that the more than 200 participants are offering. But we want to remind you that along with all the revelry and lip-smacking fun, you need to solemnly follow Restaurant Week’s ten commandments. It’s easy sometimes to forget the social contract by which we all need to abide to make sure that the event runs smoothly and that it can continue in the future. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a hand-dandy list of the commandments below.

I. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER RESERVATIONS FOR THE SAME MEAL
We’ve had reports that some guests (you know who you are) make multiple reservations at different restaurants on the same day and then no-show at some locations (or, heaven forbid, all locations). By all means, go to several restaurants over the course of the promotion, but only make one reservation per meal.

II. REMEMBER SATURDAY TO KEEP IT WHOLLY SEPARATE
On the seventh day, RW takes a day of rest so that dining establishments can revert to their regular menus on what is traditionally their busiest day. (However, a few participating eateries actually do include Restaurant Week Boston specials on Saturday as well.)

III. HONOR THY WAITER AND THY WAITRESS
Sure, you can save all kinds of dough while chowing down on great food. But when it comes time to tip your server, consider the real value of your meals and figure the gratuity accordingly.

IV. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY USUAL HANGS
This commandment is not, um, carved in stone. If you want to go to one of your tried-and-true favorite places, by all means knock yourself out. But RW offers a unique opportunity to be adventurous and try a brand new (to you) restaurant — at perhaps a fraction of what it would typically cost.

V. REMEMBER THE PLACES YOU TRIED AND KEEP THEM IN MIND
If you had wonderful experiences, consider returning to the same spots after RW for more wonderful experiences.

VI. THOU SHALT CONSIDER HAVING A DRINK OR TWO
Hey, you’re saving some Benjamins on the food, so how about splurging on the liquid refreshments?

VII. THOU SHALT DRINK RESPONSIBLY
This commandment is not exclusive to RW. But in light of the previous commandment, it bears mentioning here.

VIII. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S PLATE
If the folks at the table next to yours have some dishes that look particularly tasty, restrain yourself. Politely ask them what they ordered. Since RW runs for 12 days, you could make reservations for another day, and get your own meal. (Addendum: While RW scholars assert that it is expressly forbidden to covet thy neighbor’s wife’s plate, some more liberal interpretations contend that it is OK for a husband to covet thy own wife’s plate. Provided that the couple is on good terms, it is likely that the spouse will allow her hubby a nibble or two of her meal. Unless, of course, the meal includes an apple, in which case it remains forbidden.)

IX. THOU SHALT REMEMBER THY MANNERS
Just because it is possible to get a 5-star meal at a 1-star price does not mean that you should bring your 1-star behavior to the table and stink up the joint. Be considerate of proper attire; remember all of the dining etiquette that your mother tried to instill in you; and otherwise conduct yourself as if you actually belonged there.

X. REMEMBER TO SHARE YOUR RESTAURANT WEEK EXPERIENCES
See that “Leave a Reply” box all the way down at the bottom of the page? (Go ahead and scroll down. I’ll wait.) After you’ve dined at participating eateries, how about posting a comment? I’d enjoy hearing from you, as would the restaurants and your fellow diners.

You may want to print the commandments and take them with you as you dine around town. Be sure to print out extra copies to share with your friends and family. And, of course, teach them to your children so that they can follow your example and become responsible RW patrons.

One final RW commandment: Go forth and enjoy yourself.

Tagged with:
Posted in Dining, Events, Great Deals

Fulfill New Year’s Resolutions at the Restaurant Week Boston 2013 Auction

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

We’re closing in on spring, and it’s a good to time to take an inventory of yourself — some personal spring cleaning if you will — by stepping back and reexamining the New Year’s resolutions you made a few weeks back in a halcyon haze of unbridled optimism. So, how are they going for you? Yeah, I thought so. If it’s any consolation: me too.

Look, it’s fairly easy to make resolutions (especially when you are under the spell of cheap champagne), but we all know that it’s a whole other thing to follow through on them. I’ve got some good news, however. There is a relatively painless way to knock a few items off of your resolutions to-do list by participating in the Restaurant Week Boston 2013 auction. Let me explain.

As part of Restaurant Week Boston 2013, which runs from March 17 to 22 and 24 to 29, participating eateries have donated $100 gift certificates and other items to be auctioned. Let’s say one of your resolutions was to spend more quality time with your sweetheart. Or maybe it was to reconnect with your family and friends. Bid on a few restaurant certificates, and after you win them, make the plans that you’ve been putting off.

If better money management was among the promises you made to yourself, you have the chance to score great meals at some of the area’s finest restaurants at considerable savings. (For that matter, taking advantage of Restaurant Week Boston’s discounted multi-course meals would also qualify as prudent fiscal responsibility.)

Did you declare, in a fit of good intentions, that you would be more adventurous? Instead of the same old, same old, did you swear that you would try new and exciting experiences? Well, how about bidding on some restaurants that offer something different (to you)? Maybe you could explore exotic ethnic cuisines. Or you could try a place that specializes in vegetarian or vegan dishes, if that’s something you’ve been meaning to try.

Perhaps you vowed to be more giving and community-minded. We’ve got you covered there too. Speaking of resolutions and New Year’s Eve, all proceeds from the auction will benefit this year’s designated charity, First Night Boston.

By the way, that resolution you made to lose some weight? Never mind. Just wait until First Night Boston 2014 (which you can feel great about having supported by participating in the auction), and vow to shed some pounds next year.

Photo: Temple Bar, Cambridge, MA.

Tagged with: , ,
Posted in Dining, Great Deals

Whaddya Want? Something for Nothing at Restaurant Week Boston 2013?

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

Let me get this straight. You know that there are over 200 of the Boston area’s finest restaurants offering exquisite prix-fixe, multi-course meals at incredible savings. And you still haven’t made any plans for Restaurant Week Boston? Even after I already told you about the eateries offering Restaurant Week drink specials? Yeesh.

Maybe you’re a teetotaler, or maybe you just need more incentive. Regardless, I have additional restaurants to share with you that are offering, if not exactly something for nothing, some great specials over and above their Restaurant Week menus, including:

  • The Wine Cellar Back Bay – Complimentary $40 gift certificate to parties of two, $80 for parties of four, etc. Doing the math, patrons would be getting more than 50% of the cost of their already bargain-priced meals back in the form of a gift certificate. What a deal!
  • Estragon Tapas Bar South End – Complimentary glass of sherry with dessert course, which by the way, includes your choice of flourless chocolate cake, rioja (Spanish wine)-poached pear with Basque cream, flan, or Surtido de Quesos, Spanish cheeses, quince preserves, honey, and walnuts. Yum!
  • Zebra’s Bistro & Wine Bar Medfield – Patrons will receive amuse bouche gifts from the chef of complimentary hors d’œuvres before the meal and bite-sized mignardises dessert items after the meal. Bon appétit!
  • Ecco East Boston – Complimentary taste of chef’s choice of risotto before the meal.
  • Chiara – A Mediterranean Bistro Westwood – Receive a $10 coupon to return before the next Restaurant Week in August.

Remember, Restaurant “Week” starts this Sunday and spans two weeks from March 17 to 22 and March 24 to 29. Make reservations, find participating restaurants, and learn more at the official Restaurant Week Boston site.

Now that you know about these wonderful specials, don’t let me catch you dilly-dallying.

Photo: The Wine Cellar

Tagged with: , , , ,
Posted in Dining, Great Deals, Insider Tips

As if Restaurant Week Boston 2013 Wasn’t Special Enough

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

What? Bargain-priced, prix-fixe meals at over 200 of the Boston area’s finest restaurants aren’t enough for you? Well Mr./Ms. Fussypants, have I got a Restaurant Week Boston 2013 deal for you. Actually, make that deals with an “s.”

Some participating eateries are going above and beyond and tossing in bonus features. Many of the specials involve drinks, such as the following:

  • The Maharaja Cambridge – Complimentary glass of wine, champagne, or any cocktail with dinner menu.
  • Bacco Ristorante & Bar North End – Half-price wine by the glass If you mention “I love Restaurant Week.”
  • Post 390 Back Bay – The entire lunch menu is available for Restaurant Week, and a glass of pinot grigio or malbec can be added for an additional $5.
  • All of the Aquitaine restaurants will offer a complimentary glass of wine with dinner including:
  • Masa South End and Woburn – Wine bottles are available at half-price with Restaurant Week dinners.

Restaurant Week actually runs two weeks from March 17 to 22 and March 24 to 29. You really should make reservations (and yes, Mr./Ms. Fussypants, that includes you). With the kickoff planned for this Sunday, time is of the essence. To book reservations, discover which places are participating, peruse menus, and get more info, visit the official Restaurant Week Boston site. You can also check out the official Restaurant Week Pinterst pages for lunch menus and dinner menus.

Photo: Bacco Ristorante & Bar.

Tagged with: , , , , ,
Posted in Dining, Events, Great Deals, Insider Tips

In Search of a Red October: 2013 Red Sox Preview

Posted on March 11, 2013 by gbcvb — No Comments ↓

Guest Author – David O’Donnell

Jon lester

With the 2013 Red Sox season around the corner, can fans dare to dream of a pennant race?? The upcoming season has inspired some unexpected anticipation, as though the promise of Fenway’s 101st season can revitalize a fan-base still reeling from the pageantry of a 2012 campaign that produced only 69 wins. The ballyhooed centennial season at Fenway is past, and soon the streak of sell-outs, which has lurked like a Green Monster in the room, will be gone too. Life goes on.

And this means moving on, which began last year with the Great Purge of 2012. Expectations are lowered for 2013, but excitement runs high. Jason Varitek, Pedro Martinez, and Tim Wakefield are back with the team as instructors and advisors, a brilliant move considering the credibility accorded each in the clubhouse and the city. farrell New manager John Farrell also has credibility. He was always considered the heir-apparent to Terry Francona until that plan was crushed like a John Lackey fastball in September of 2011; Francona was shown an early exit and the Bobby V Circus came to town.

Farrell is here now, which means that maybe Jon Lester will become an ace again, maybe Clay Buchholz will not get injured, maybe a promising bullpen will come together, and maybe the Sox team ERA will be closer to 4 than 5. Lots of maybes, and there are even more on the offensive side. The Red Sox will score plenty of runs if Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia return to form atop the lineup, David Ortiz fully heals, Will Middlebrooks avoids a sophomore slump, and free agents like Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli play like they did in 2011 instead of 2012. The probability of all these “ifs” trending in a positive direction is remote, but crazier things have happened.

Bring the family to Fenway this year and see what happens. pedroia Who’s to say that a park’s 101st year can’t be more special than its centennial?? The AL East will be difficult. The Sox open their home schedule with a three-game series against Baltimore (the surprise of 2012) starting April 8, and then face the formidable rotation of the Tampa Bay Rays starting April 12. If you like reunions then go to Fenway in May. The Toronto Blue Jays, Farrell’s old team, are in town May 10-12, and then Tito returns with his new team, the Cleveland Indians, for four games starting May 23. No sooner does Francona leave, and old friend Jonathan Papelbon returns as the Sox host the Philadelphia Phillies for a couple games May 27-28. Just don’t expect to hear “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” if Pap comes into the game.

The Yankees don’t make their first trip to Boston until late July. Hopefully the Sox are still healthy and relevant by then. Hopefully their attention is wholly inside the white lines. If we are lucky, and with the help of a second Wild Card, the local nine will play meaningful games after Labor Day. If we are really lucky, the team will no longer play “Sweet Caroline” during the 8th inning if the Sox have just blown a lead.

For the first time in a long time, high expectations and an aggressive marketing campaign will not hinder what the Red Sox can or might accomplish. A weight has been lifted. Yes, it seems the 101st season at Fenway has much more promise.

Tagged with: , , ,
Posted in Activities & Attractions, Events, Sports

The Mugar Omni Theater is Big. And Loud. And Domed. And, Best of All: It’s Free.

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

Not that I want to date myself or anything, but when I was growing up the primary TV in our home had a 19-inch screen. And it was black & white. And sometimes, in order to get the reception just right to see The Beatles or Topo Gigio (“Hello Eddie!”) perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, my parents would have me stand next to the set holding the rabbit ear antennas. For the whole freakin’ show. I know: poor, poor pitiful me.

Today, some folks have gargantuan 72-inch flat screen, high-def monitors displaying what Sullivan might have described as “a really, really, really big show.” Still, no matter how big our home televisions become, there’s something wonderful about going out to a theater. And there’s something really wonderful about going out to a theater with a giant screen that we couldn’t possibly duplicate in our homes. Large-screen IMAX theaters have been proliferating, so they are not quite as unique as they once were. But if you want to see an Omnimax film in a domed theater, the only place in New England that fits the bill is the Mugar Omni Theater at the Museum of Science. And get this: Throughout the month of March, admission on Fridays is free. Nada. Zip.

The Omni experience is spectacular. Audience members sit in chairs that recline to nearly prone positions and watch films projected onto an enormous curved screen that almost fills their entire fields of vision. The you-are-there immediacy is enhanced by a killer sound system that reverberates throughout the theater and permeates filmgoers’ rib cages. The films, which all have an edutainment bent, include Africa: The Serengeti and The Last Reef: Cities Beneath the Sea. (Those edutainmenty films: They sure like using colons in the titles, no?)

To take advantage of the Free Film Fridays offer, show up at the museum’s box office and say the special phrase, “Hello Eddie!” No, just kidding. There’s no special phrase. Simply pick up the tickets — first come, first served — on the day of the show.

Africa: The Serengeti at the Mugar Omni Theater.

Photo: A scene from Africa: The Serengeti. Museum of Science.

Tagged with: ,
Posted in Activities & Attractions, Family, Great Deals, Insider Tips

Want to Dine on Saturday at Restaurant Week Boston 2013? No Problem!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

Officially, Restaurant Week Boston 2013 (which actually spans two weeks) runs from March 17 to 22 and March 24 to 29, taking a break from the save-some-bucks-while-dining-on-fabulous-food fun on Saturday, March 23. But, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Many of the eateries extend the promotion and include the special fixed-price meals on Saturday as well. A few, in fact, let the good times roll on Saturday, March 30 too.

Some of the restaurants that will offer Restaurant Week menus on Saturday include:
Morton’s The Steakhouse Seaport
North 26 Faneuil Hal
Petit Robert South End
The Met Back Bay
Moko Japanese Restaurant South Boston
UpStairs on the Square Harvard Square

Reservations, as far in advance as possible, are strongly recommended for Restaurant Week regardless of the venue or the day of the week. But reservations for Saturday at those places that offer it would be virtually mandatory if you expect to get a table. The list above is by no means complete. To find more locations that include Saturday, to make reservations, and to get more info about the event, visit the official Restaurant Week Boston site.

Photo: UpStairs on the Square

Tagged with: , , ,
Posted in Dining, Great Deals, Insider Tips

Salem Film Fest 2013: What’s Up Doc?

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Arthur Levine — No Comments ↓

CinemaSalem, located in the charming seaside city on Boston’s North Shore, is the little theater that could. I should know, since I spend a fair amount of time there watching movies and munching on its naked popcorn slathered in real butter. (Yum!) Also, one of my sons works at the theater. Say hi to Dan if you visit on a Saturday evening (but don’t expect any discounts on tickets or naked popcorn; regrettably, I don’t have that kind of pull).

Like many independent, smaller theaters, CinemaSalem was facing a crisis when the major studios announced that it would soon eliminate traditional reels of film and start supplying all movies exclusively in a digital format. The daunting expense of converting to digital projection technology may have forced it to close. But a few weeks ago, the theater turned to the community seeking donations. 12 days after it launched its campaign, CinemaSalem met its goal — and then some.

The reason the theater has so many dedicated fans (in addition to the scrumptious popcorn) is because it shows blockbuster movies, including 3D releases, as well as art house films in a relaxed and comfortable setting that the big chain theaters just can’t match. And it is home to one of the nation’s best all-documentary film festivals. I know plenty about that as well, since my other son, Jeremy, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, and had one of his films featured at the festival a couple of years ago.

Salem Film Fest 2013, scheduled for March 7 to 14, will present 32 feature-length films. Many of the filmmakers will be in attendance for Q&As and schmoozing. Among the highlights will be the world premieres of the WWII doc, The Ghost Army, and PBS Frontline’s Kind Hearted Woman, about a Native American’s struggle to survive abuse.

The popular and critically acclaimed film, West of Memphis, will also be shown. It tells the story of three teenagers wrongly convicted for murder and placed on death row in Arkansas. One of them, Damien Echols, now lives in Salem and will attend the screening and participate in a post-film discussion.

Tagged with: , ,
Posted in Arts & Culture, Events