December 2008 - Posts
Old South Meeting House has canceled FN program this afternoon (Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble at 3 p.m.)
If you're planning to try to get on the midnight Harbor fireworks cruise, you should get there early. Tickets, available only to First Night button holders, will be handed out starting at 9:30 p.m., and the boat will board at 10:30. The boat leaves from Rowes Wharf.
Just a note to clarify what's going on at Old South Church for First Night. You may have read about the unfortunate damage done to their property as a result of some renovations being done to the Copley Square T stop. Well, fortunately, the building is still open and still sound, and their First Night festivities are indeed taking place. The afternoon performance did have to be canceled, but the traditional evening program - Old South Brass and Percussion - goes on, at 6:30 and 8 p.m. The best of Boston’s brass and percussion artists join pianist Harry Huff in a supersonic concert, playing electrifying arrangements of popular classics by Bach, Copland, Mussourgsky and LeRoy Anderson, as well as leading the audience in singing stirring favorites.
Admittedly, I'm no scientist, but even I know that the rain and warm temperatures are not good for ice, thought the latter is certainly good for people. Anyway, because of today's weather and tomorrow's forecast, Don Chapelle's in-progress ice sculpture on Boston Common has been wrapped for the time being. His team will start working on it again tomorrow night (Sunday) or Monday morning, depending on what the weather brings. Despite this, we're all working hard, getting ready for the big night, though we're about to take a break because Poppa B's donated lunch for the crew today, and NO ONE wants to miss that.
Watch or set the Tivo for WBZ-TV's 5 p.m. news today for a profile of Rachel Maguire, the lovely and talented illustrator who designed this year's First Night button. There should be a First Night story on WBZ every day this week, during the 5 p.m. Wish we had time to watch TV!
Keep an eye out on WBZ-TV for our 2009 button spot with art work from Rachel Maguire, the First Night 2009 button artist.
I am on WBCN's Boston Sunday review this morning in the 7 am hour, talking about First Night.
A clarification on my earlier post about Old South Church programming changed due to damages to the church from recent renovations nearby - the afternoon programming, which featured the church's historic pipe organ, is canceled. The evening program - Old South Brass, Organ & Timpani - will proceed, with piano substituted for organ. (They can't play their organ until the damage is resolved.) There are two evening performances, at 6:30 and 8 p.m.
If you'd like to follow us closely in the chaotic days leading up to the big event, visit http://www.twitter.com/firstnight.
We've just received word that Old South Church in Copley Square will not be able to host their traditional First Night program featuring organ music. As you've probably heard, there has been some damage to a wall in the church, caused by the renovation work on Copley Station. They have been advised that the church's historic organ can't be played until the wall damage is resolved.
These 300lb blocks of ice will be heading to Boston!
OK, so I just fielded probably the twelfth email I've gotten from a not-so-intrepid reporter, asking me about the cancellation of First Night. First Night Boston is most definitely NOT canceled. We're chugging along here, hiring mimes*, making puppets, filling button orders (Russ's hands are bloody from all the times he's been stuck with the pin), and generally creating the revelry and merriment that will be part of this year's event. I guess First Night Fall River has hit a snag and been canceled, and I believe that's what is causing the confusion. So don't spread rumors, and go buy a button. We'll be here waiting for you on the 31st.
OK, no mimes this year really, but that reminds me of something funny I once saw, courtesy of my friend the road warrior Phil Sullivan - the stage plot for Marcel Marceau. It was a blank page!