Esplanade

Wednesday, August 31, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – The Boys from Syracuse

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A landmark Broadway musical from the swing era is reborn on the Esplanade on Wednesday, August 31 beginning at 7 pm. The Boys from Syracuse, based on Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, is often considered the finest of all Rodgers and Hart creations. Familiar songs include ‘Falling in Love with Love,’ ‘Sing for Your Supper,’ and ‘This Can’t Be Love.’ This ‘concert performance with dancing’ marks only the 2nd professional performance of the inimitable big-band style original 1938 orchestrations. This Boston Landmarks Orchestra concert performance is performed in collaboration with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, with Christopher Wilkins, conductor, Steven Maler, director, and Yo-El Cassell, choreographer. The DCR Hatch Shell is located at 47 David G. Mugar Way. Free. Rain date Thursday, September 1.

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Monday, July 4, 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Community Boating SAILabration

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Community Boating will hold its annual fund raiser, SAILabration, on Monday, July 4 beginning at 5:30 pm at their boathouse on the Esplanade, between the Hatch Shell and the Longfellow Bridge next to the Charles Circle footbridge.

Avoid the commotion of the masses on the Esplanade, yet preserve the spirit of camaraderie and the sounds and sights of the Boston POPS as you enter our gates. A summer cookout, ice cold beverages, family fun, and an awesome waterfront view of the fireworks. This Independence Day option is by far the best that Boston has to offer.

People of all ages and from all places join us for our safe and festive party; this event is especially appealing to families as it offers a refuge from the chaos of hundreds of thousands that line the shores of the Charles. Feel free to bring extra non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks.

Reserve your ticket now for the best seats. Tickets are priced from $75 ages 7 – 17, $125 for open seating, and $250 for prime reserved tables.  Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.community-boating.org/4th-july-sailabration-fundraiser/
Purchases support the Junior Program and Universal Access Programming. Admission includes spacious seating under the fireworks, DJ and radio broadcast of the Boston Pops Concert, three Jumbotrons to view the conert, cookout, face painting, glitter tattoos, and photobooth.

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Thursday, July 16, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Esplanade Summer Dock Party

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On Thursday, July 16th, the Esplanade Friends Council will host the 5th annual Esplanade Summer Dock Party from 7:00—10:00pm on the Docks at Community Boating Inc. Over the past four years the Dock Party has become a Boston social calendar staple and has sold out weeks in advance.

This year’s event will include dinner, dessert, beer from Sam Adams, and a special summer wine selection. Don’t miss your chance to join us this year for a fantastic night of dinner, drinks and dancing on the docks. The funds raised at this event are critical to our organization’s ability to fund important park improvements and community enriching programs for the enjoyment of the park’s millions of visitors.

Chance to Win – For only $20 a ticket you will have the chance to win one or more of our amazing prize packages including 2 round trip tickets from JetBlue. Attire is casual. Casual summer/boating attire is welcome. Ladies, please refrain from wearing thin heels that can get stuck between the dock platforms. Sandals, wedges, and thick heels are recommended.

$80 Ticket (if purchased by June 30th) Ticket price will increase to $100 beginning July 1st. Ticket includes admission, wine, beer, dinner and dessert. Must be 21 or older to attend. This year’s event is co-chaired by Kimberly Buder and Stephen Pleines. To buy tickets on line, visit http://www.esplanadeassociation.org/events-2/upcoming-events/annual-dock-party/

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Garden Club of the Back Bay Announces 2015 Grants

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At the Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, held May 11 at The College Club of Boston, the membership voted to approve the following recommendations of the Executive Committee.  Co-Presidents Jackie Blombach and Jolinda Taylor were pleased to announce that, in addition to $20,000 to be spent directly by our Club for Back Bay tree care (primarily pruning and inoculation), other not-for-profit organizations will benefit from our fund raising efforts throughout the year, primarily our Twilight Garden Party and Holiday Wreath Sale.

$5,000 to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee for its tree care program, Dutch elm disease monitoring, and soil improvement.

$5,000 to the Friends of the Public Garden for inoculation against Dutch elm disease for certain Belgium elm street trees not located on the Mall, planted beyond Massachusetts Avenue.

$4,000 to The Esplanade Association for its tree care program and planning, including updating inventory and data manipulation.

$3,000 to the Boston Nature Center of the Massachusetts Audubon Society to support scholarships for summer camp for children ages 5 – 14 from local neighborhoods of Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.

$3,000 to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for the planting of perennials in the Fenway.

$2,000 to the Charles River Cleanup Boat for general operating expenses.

$2,000 to the Trustees of Reservations/Boston Natural Areas Network in support of the MBTA Indigo Line/Fairmount Indigo Line Project, which will convert City-owned vacant lots along the rail corridor into parks and gardens.  This donation will help convert a vacant lot at Windermere Road in Uphams Corner.

$1,500 to the Friends of Copley Square for treating trees with fertilizer and fungicide for root stress.

$1,000 to the Blossom Fund of the Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America in recognition of its 25th Anniversary.

We thank all our contributors and patrons whose generosity allows us to make these grants.  We hope to see many of you at this year’s Twilight Garden Party on June 4.

Sunday, June 15, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Fun in the Park: Parkland Games

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Sunday is a day of rest, but it doesn’t mean you have to. Have a little fun! Sunday Fun in the Park is a community day promoting healthy living and sense of place. Though geared towards youth and families, there are a variety of activities for all ages, from music and fishing to games and arts & crafts.

All Sunday Fun in the Park activities are free and open to the public. Activities run from 2:00–4:00pm and are located at the Fiedler Field (near the Hatch Shell and the Fiedler Footbridge). For more information visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

Parkland Games
“A unique opportunity for family, friends, neighbors, and entire communities to come together to play!” Knucklebones, a recreational programming company dedicated to inspiring athletics for all ages for the love of play, will be providing a variety of games geared towards every age group. Whether you want to try hoola hooping, volleyball, bocce, field hockey or corn hole, we have games for all ages and welcome you to get out there and have some fun!

Fishing off the Docks
Reel ‘em in! TEA offers kids enthusiastic to fish a chance to catch as many as they can off of the River Dock. Grab a rod and try your hand at nabbing one!.

Model Boat Sailing
Parents and kids can learn to maneuver miniature model boats on the Charles River.

Kate Fichter Named New Executive Director of The Esplanade Association

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The Esplanade Association is pleased to welcome Kate Fichter as its new Executive Director. Kate has extensive experience in civic design, project management, and long-term planning, having worked for both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. A native Bostonian, she grew up in the Back Bay and has known the Esplanade since her childhood. She is a graduate of the
University of Chicago and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Kate will be taking over from Margo Newman, The Esplanade Association’s Executive Board Chair, who has graciously been our interim volunteer Executive Director for the past year. Kate’s duties will include direction of all the operations of the organization, including capital projects, program activities, park care, and advocacy. To read more about The Esplanade Association, visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

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Adopt-A-Tree on the Charles River Esplanade

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This holiday season create a living memory by adopting a tree in the name of someone special.

The Charles River Esplanade is the home to 1,800 trees. Throughout the year park visitors marvel at their beauty, find shelter beneath their branches, and breathe in the fresh air they help to create. With a wide array of species that range from cherry blossom to weeping willow, each tree is unique and beautiful.

This holiday season give someone a gift as special as they are by adopting a tree in their name. Adopt-A-Tree is a unique and symbolic way to show someone that you care. It connects them to the park and creates a living memory that they can enjoy for years to come.

For $1,000 you can adopt-a-tree on the Esplanade and support the pruning and maintenance that is needed to keep the tree healthy, strong, and beautiful. To acknowledge your gift The Esplanade Association will tag the tree with the name of the person that you are honoring and send them a certificate with information about the tree species, location and history.

Give the gift that keeps on giving. Adopt a tree by visiting our Adopt-A-Tree page, http://www.esplanadeassociation.org/help-the-park/adopt-a-park/adopt-a-tree/, or calling #617-227-0365.  Photo by Daniel Gerard.

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Saturday, October 26, 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm – Canine Promenade

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The Esplanade Association’s Annual Canine Promenade is just around the corner.  Don’t miss your chance to join them for this adorable parade of pets dressed in festive holiday costumes.  Whether you are a pet owner or spectator, this is one event that can be enjoyed by everyone.  Meet in front of the Hatch Shell.  Last year over 100 pups came out to the park, and they are expecting a great turnout again.  Following the parade a panel of judges will award prizes for best costume and invite guests to provide some helpful tips for dog owners.  Tickets are $15 a dog if you wish to enter your own pooch.  Sign up on line at www.esplanadeassociation.org.  Thank you www.bostondoglover.com for the perfect picture.

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Tree Removals on the Esplanade

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If you have walked through the Esplanade lately you may have noticed that trees have been removed, or have been marked for removal, on either side of the Charles Circle Pedestrian Bridge. These tree removals are part of the rehabilitation of the historic and iconic Longfellow Bridge and construction of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pedestrian bridge across Storrow Drive to the Esplanade.

The Esplanade Association participated in the Longfellow Bridge Task Force and lobbied for this new ADA compliant pedestrian bridge. On either side, the new Pedestrian Bridge will include new tree plantings and newly landscaped areas. If you have any questions regarding this construction work please call MassDOT at 617-519-9892, or email address, longfellowbridge@state.ma.us or contact The Esplanade Association at 617-227-0365, or email address, info@esplanadeassociation.org.  Image of proposed footbridge courtesy of Beacon Hill Times.

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