Pirandello Lyceum's 2nd Annual Boston Bel Canto Opera draws a full house at Dante Alighieri Society

On Sunday, February 17th, the Luigi Pirandello Lyceum sponsored the 22nd Annual presentation of the Boston Bel Canto Opera at the Dante Alighieri Society in Cambridge.

The event was sponsored by Attorney Frank Fradella, Dr. Peter Campisano and Joyce Tower.  

It was coordinated by Pirandello Lyceum Corresponding Secretary, Dorothy Maio, and supported by Board members Stephen Maio, Maria Luisa Saraceni and Vice-President/Treasurer Maria Capogreco.  

The Opera, featured renowned Maestro Bradley Pennington and the Boston Bel Canto Opera Singers, sopranos Lisa Ann Correnti and Meredith Hansen, and tenors Giovanni Formisano and David Rivera-Bozon gave a stellar performance. 

It was an inspiring performance taken from some of the Masterworks of the operatic repertoire presented to a full house. 

The BBCO singers are consummate, elite opera singers. Their performance was richly done and was breathtakingly beautiful. They all have golden voices producing music as richly and warm as it is remarkably clear. Their clarity of tone is so beautiful to hear and it’s combined with a breadth and depth of emotion that creates a splendor and beauty unparalleled to our ears. As always, their performance personifies the “sublime beauty”, the “Bel Canto” -  beautiful singing - it is truly “bell’arte!”   

This year's special acknowledgement was the presentation of the coveted “Pirandello Certificate of Recognition” awarded to the elite Boston Bel Canto Opera singers by President, Dr. Domenic Amara and Board Member, Dr. Anthony Lori. 

Last  year, Dr. Amara presented to the Pirandello Lyceum Board Members his idea of creating and presenting a “Pirandello Certificate of Recognition” Award to individuals or organizations that promulgated our beautiful and rich Italian Culture, History and Language. 

With the Board’s approval, Dr. Anthony Lori and James Pinzino, President of IAM Books,  were appointed to a committee to select and award a certificate that recognized their contribution  and demonstrated to the recipient(s) that their contribution was understood and appreciated.

The Lyceum looks forward to next year’s event.


Source: Pirandello Lyceum 2/28/2019

What's up at the East Boston Library: Holiday Clarinet Concert - December 15

Holiday Clarinet Concert

Saturday, December 15th at 3 p.m.

East Boston Branch Library


Join Nicole DeMaio and Bradley Frizzell for a Holiday Clarinet Concert! We'll be playing many Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter favorite songs. We welcome kids and families, free admission. 

For more information, call (617) 569-0271.

Mayor Walsh kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with City Hall Lighting

(BOSTON - Monday, September 17, 2018) - Mayor Martin J. Walsh tonight will join residents to illuminate City Hall in orange and mark the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Bostonians whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza.

"Boston is home to a strong, proud Latino population that has made major contributions in every neighborhood and every aspect of our city life," said Mayor Walsh. "Celebrating Heritage Months is part of our commitment to making sure Boston remains a city of opportunity for everyone, and I'm proud to celebrate our incredible Latino community during this special month and all year long."

Bostonians are encouraged to join the month-long celebration by attending events throughout the City. On Thursday, September 20, from 12 to 2 p.m., the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services will be hosting Salsa on the Lawn at City Hall Plaza to celebrate with music, food, and entertainment. Residents are also encouraged to attend the Mayor's Latino Coffee Hour on Saturday, September 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. in East Boston's Central Square.

"Events like the 'Latino Coffee Hour' and 'Salsa on the Lawn' are a great way for residents to meet and interact with each other as well as celebrate the Hispanic culture and appreciate what Hispanics have contributed to Boston and the United States," said Jerome Smith, Chief of Civic Engagement. "We encourage all residents of Boston to come and enjoy all the different programming we are creating in honor of this month."

This year, the Latinx Employee Resource Group (ERG), a network of employees within the City of Boston, are spearheading events during the month. The group is building on its mission to promote the diversity and professional development of its members.

"I am very proud of the work we have done to bring Employee Resource Groups to the City of Boston," said Danielson Tavares, Chief Diversity Officer. "The Latinx ERG is a great example of how the ERGs will play a critical role in the development of our workforce."

Community organizations are invited to submit their events in commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month here.

Source: Mayor's Press Office 9/17/18.

ART BASIL: a cutting-edge group show at Atlantic Works Gallery on Border Street

ART BASIL: a cutting-edge group show at Atlantic Works Gallery
January 12-27, 2018
Opening Reception, Thursday, January 18, 6-9pm

(EAST BOSTON, January 3, 2018) Atlantic Works Gallery has a history of staging offbeat group shows to satisfy the personalities and talents of our eclectic artist members...

...so, this past summer, when one of our members climbed up a ladder to get basil from his rooftop garden only to fall off the ladder and bust his face up but good, we joked that the portrait he took of himself after returning from the hospital should be titled, Art Basil.

And then it hit us--our first 2018 group show must be Art Basil! What better way to play off the whole ART BASEL thing and its attendant hoopla and, at the same time, challenge ourselves to create amazing new work for the new year.

Another of our extraordinary members had the idea for an Art Basil cookbook that showcases AWG art and basil recipes, which we promptly got to work on. It is available at the gallery.

Now you have it: an invitation to the ART BASIL show, featuring ‘a garden of work’ that includes color-on-canvas by Carmen Sasso, suicide monoprints by Christine Palamidessi, an off-beat sculpture by Rachel Shatil, quivering mandalas by Marjorie Kaye, creepy digital-refuse insects by Leigh Hall, remarkable Paul Wiener photographs...and more tantalizing--and may we say it: delicious--art.

(While you are here you can check out the remarkable transformation happening on the East Boston Waterfront, too, of which AWG is prime art player.)

FOR MORE INFO, or to request an Art Basil cookbook or a private viewing, contact Anna Salmeron at annasalmeron@comcast.net or 617.913.1871, or Christine Palamidessi at christine@palamidessi.com or 617.460.0550.


Winter Gallery hours: Fridays and Saturdays 2-6pm, or by appointment*

July 29: The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston Hosts FREE Family Play Date in Seaport & East Boston

WHEN and WHERE:

Saturday, July 29
12–3 PM in Piers Park (95 Marginal St) and 10 AM–4 PM at the ICA (25 Harbor Shore Dr). 
All activities are free for all, with free water transportation across the harbor.

WHAT:

In anticipation of the ICA’s expansion to East Boston in 2018, ICA Play Dates—the museum’s monthly program for families—will take place on both sides of Boston Harbor for one Saturday in July.

Activities kick off at the ICA at 10 AM. From NOON to 3 PM families can board a boat and head over to East Boston’s Piers Park, where the fun includes a special concert and art activities.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

SAIL THE HARBOR WITH PIERS PARK SAILING CENTER | 12–2:30 PM

Check in at the Sailing Center for timed tickets. Space is limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets provided.

ART-MAKING | 12–3 PM

Decorate binoculars or make message stones in activities led by our staff and educators.

LIVE MUSIC | 1–3 PM

Enjoy performances by DiverCity and Odaiko New England.


WATER TRANSPORTATION:

Water taxis will travel from Fan Pier (right in front of the ICA) to Piers Park every 15 minutes from noon to 3:30. Questions about accessibility? Call 617-478-3103.


NOTES:

Admission is FREE for up to 2 adults per family when accompanied by children ages 12 and under. Youth 17 and under are always admitted free to the ICA. All ages welcome; programs best-suited for ages 6 and older.

Learn more about the ICA’s family programs at icaboston.org

Play Dates are sponsored by Vivien and Alan Hassenfeld and the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, and Holly and David Bruce.

Eastie Week: July 12 - July 22

"Love Here We Come" by East Boston's Dee Stiletto

Worth a spin! My friend Dee's got a great voice! Feel the passion!

 

April 23-April 24: East Boston Open Studios at Atlantic Works Gallery

(EAST BOSTON- March 20, 2016) The 16th annual East Boston Open Studios will be held on Saturday April 23rd from noon to 6pm and on Sunday April 24th from noon to 6pm. Over 30 artist studios and the Atlantic Works Gallery exhibiting the Boston Biennial, will be open at the Atlantic Works artist building at 80 Border Street.

You are invited to tour the artist's building and talk to the artists, see them at work and learn about art. Original artwork including jewelry, sculpture, figurative and abstract painting, pottery, drawings and photography will be for sale in all price ranges.

Participating Open Studios artists in the Atlantic Works building include; Cindy Bishop, Domenic Chavez, Chris Chou, Nick Costopoulos, Darlene DeVita, Rick Dorff, Jessica Dungan, Jason Fitz-Gerald, Kevin Frances, Jesse Kahn, Kim Kent, Maureen Kirra, Jaime Min, Diane Modica, Liz Nofzinger, Maureen O'Connor, Moni Oolyonghai, Jane O'Reilly, Juliann Rubijono, June Krinsky Rudder, Sarah Rushford, Anna Salmeron, Carmen Sasso, Loretta Shoemaker, Larry Volk, and Jaye Woodstock.

During Open Studios weekend you can also sample artwork, music and performances at these other neighborhood locations: ZUMIX at 260 Sumner Street, Harbor Arts @ the Shipyard at 256 Marginal Street.
 

If you have not yet discovered East Boston, you are in for a treat. The Boston Writer blog says "...East Boston is an easy point of access to downtown Boston, a community of vibrant businesses, tasty restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and gorgeous parks". East Boston Open Studios is organized by the East Boston Artists Group, a volunteer organization made up of artists living and working in East Boston. The group sponsors arts events throughout the East Boston neighborhood including an Open House and Holiday Sale in December. The Open Studios event is supported by a grant from the East Boston Foundation with administrative support from ZUMIX. Come see what makes East Boston shine: the art, the people, and the vitality of life on Boston Harbor.
 
The Atlantic Works building is a quick 5-minute walk from the Maverick Station on the Blue Line. If driving, there is plenty of free on-street parking.
 
For more information and directions, visit our website at www.eastbostonartists.org. You can email us at eastbostonartistsgroup@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook @East Boston Artists Group or on Twitter @eastbostonart.

Local artists to present at Friends of EB Library event: October 29

This just in from the Friends of the East Boston Library:

LOCAL ARTISTS DIOGARDI AND RILEY --- PLUS WOMEN'S CHORUS FROM YMCA ON SHOW ON OCTOBER 29TH AT 6:00 PM AT THE BREMEN ST. BRANCH LIBRARY. 

We have planned a spectacular evening.  You are all invited.    

Marie Diogardi a lifelong resident will be sharing her passion for Swedish Weaving.  Marie will be showing her pieces and explain how she became interested in this folk art medium and why.  

David Riley also a lifelong resident will be sharing his passion for art.  David will be showing his work and explain how he became interested in art and why.

A Touch of Class, The Bremen Street YMCA Women’s Chorus lead by Ed Meradith, Music Director will entertain us with the lovely autumn repertoire.

Marie and David have donated a piece of their art to be auctioned silently this evening.  Cash or Check will be accepted.  Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Library.

On this special evening we are introducing the new President of the Friends of the Library.  The future is bright and the mission of the Friends of the Library will continue under her competent leadership.

Discover East Boston at the 15th Annual Open Studios Weekend: April 25 & 26

(EAST BOSTON, March 20, 2015) The fifteenth annual East Boston Open Studios will be held on Saturday April 25th from noon to 6pm and on Sunday April 26th from noon to 4pm. Over thirty artist studios and the Atlantic Works Gallery exhibit entitled “Metaphors & Metamorphoses”, featuring artwork by Leigh Hall and Suzanne Mercury, will be open at the Atlantic Works artist building at 80 Border Street.

You are invited to tour the artist’s building and talk to the artists, see them at work and learn about art. Original artwork including jewelry, sculpture, figurative and abstract painting, pottery, drawings and photography will be for sale in all price ranges.

Participating Open Studios artists in the Atlantic Works building include; Cindy Bishop, Colette Bresilla, Elsa Campbell, Domenic Chavez, Chris Chou, Nick Costopoulos, Darlene DeVita, Rick Dorff,  Jessica Dunegan, Jason Fitz-Gerald, Dennis Fox, Kevin Frances, Jesse Kahn, Kim Kent, Maureen Kirra, Jaime Min, Diane Modica, Liz Nofzinger, Maureen O’Connor, Moni Oolyonghai, Jane O’Reilly, Al Ragone, Juliann Rubijono, June Krinsky Rudder, Sarah Rushford, Anna Salmeron, Carmen Sasso, Loretta Shoemaker, Larry Volk, Jaye Woodstock and Neil Wyatt.

During Open Studios weekend you can also sample artwork, music and performances at these other neighborhood locations:  ZUMIX at 260 Sumner Street, Harbor Arts @ the Shipyard at 256 Marginal Street and Papusa Mania at 30 Bremen Street (open Sunday only).

If you have not yet discovered East Boston, you are in for a treat. The Boston Writer blog says “…East Boston is an easy point of access to downtown Boston, a community of vibrant businesses, tasty restaurants, a thriving arts scene, and gorgeous parks“. East Boston Open Studios is organized by the East Boston Artists Group, a volunteer organization made up of artists living and working in East Boston. The group sponsors arts events throughout the East Boston neighborhood including an Open House and Holiday Sale in December. The Open Studios event is supported by a grant from the East Boston Foundation with administrative support from ZUMIX. Come see what makes East Boston shine: the art, the people, and the vitality of life on Boston Harbor.

The Atlantic Works building is a quick 5-minute walk from the Maverick Station on the Blue Line. If driving, there is plenty of free on-street parking.

For more information and directions, visit our website at www.eastbostonartists.org.
You can email us at eastbostonartistsgroup@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook @East Boston Artists Group or on Twitter @eastbostonart.

East Boston Visitor Center & Museum Newsletter #5

This just in from Susan Brauner:

Project Site Location Update
This month members of the committee made a presentation to the Piers Park Project Advisory Committee (PAC) regarding placing the project on Piers Park I or II.  Architects Lyle Bradley and designer Gabriela Dumitrescu donated their time and considerable talents to devise excellent project boards.  The result of the meeting was not encouraging.  Following consultation with several sources, however, we will request another time on a PAC meeting agenda for further discussion.

We are also reviewing other harbor locations.

Financial Analysis
In preparation for the PAC meeting we have a complete project cost/revenue analysis with gracious input from Deputy Director Maria Muller of the MFA, and  museum consultants.  Please let us know if you would like to review the package.

Real Money!!
This month we were awarded a $1,000 mini-grant from the East Boston Foundation, although it has not been received.  The East Boston Community Development Corporation will administer the funds for us.  The money will be used for filing required legal paper work with the Secretary of State and Attorney General, paying the fees for the web site domain registration, and presentation material.

Our First Collection Item
The Mercandetti family of Andover was kind enough to give us a 1864 carte-de-visite.  During the 1860s the exchange of photographs with family and friends was quite popular.  Our gift is a lovely tooled leather album filled with photographs of attractive strangers.  On the reverse side on most of the pictures  it states they were taken at various commercial photographers in Maverick Square.  The contents were digitized by an historical society which we will be given.  We think it might be fun to put some of the photos on the web site and see if the people can be identified.  If not, we could get some great captions!  The album is being held by the head branch librarian at the BPL East Boston branch.

Community Group Handouts
Some committee members are fairly regularly asked to speak to groups.  We have found it a helpful tool to have a one-page hand out of the project available.  We have them in both English and Spanish.  


WBUR
Reporter Fred Thys from the National Public Radio/WBUR  will be doing a story on the project in the near future.  We will advise you when it will air as well as where to find it after airing.  While we cannot yet legally raise money, i.e., until after we receive a Certificate of Solicitation from the Attorney General’s office, we thought it would be helpful, given the demographics of the audience, for the listeners to learn about the project.

New Officers
Debra Cave is not able to serve as Secretary. Fortunately, Bob Schmidt has agreed to act as both Secretary and Treasurer for the time being.  Also, AJ Castilla was no longer able to participate as Director of Communications and Marketing.  We are pleased that Theresa Malionek was able to fill this position.  We thank Debra and AJ for their service.  

We are also pleased that Neenah Estella Luna has agreed to act as our historical research coordinator.

Next Meeting
Monday, October 6th, 6:00PM, Maverick Landing Community Meeting Room, Liverpool Street.  Please attend, and feel free to bring other interested parties.  The more minds working on this the better, of course.