Back Bay / Beacon Hill

Summer Events Schedule

 

 

Back Bay/Beacon Hill: The what

July 26-August 16
92.9 WBOS Summer Concerts
Copley Square
607 Boylston St.
Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.
Local radio station fave, WBOS, brings you hip music from hot artists in their summer concert series. Highlights include Fountains of Wayne, most recently seen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Latin-rock group, deSol. This is a perfect way to end the work day and celebrate the impending weekend.
Free
www.wbos.com

July 24-29
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Boston Common, Parkman Bandstand
July 24-27-8 p.m., July 28-3 and 8 p.m., July 29-7 p.m.
The much-loved Shakespeare tale takes to the stage in a picture-perfect setting. Presented by the Citi Performing Arts Center and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, you’ll delight in one of Shakespeare’s earliest and most popular romantic comedies.  
Free
www.freeshakespeare.org

July 27-29
Skate Boston 2007
Hilton Back Bay
40 Dalton St.
Are your rollerblades gathering dust in the closet? Break ‘em out and join fellow bladers throughout the weekend while taking in the sights and sounds of Boston. Various routes are available, though the event is not designed for beginning skater.  Bicyclists are welcome. 
$55-$85
www.skate-boston.net

August 6 & 13
Mayor Menino’s Monday Night Movies
Boston Common, Parkman Bandstand
Dusk
Come enjoy what has become a summer tradition for Bostonians of all ages. Dorothy and her ruby slippers take over the screen in The Wizard of Oz on the 6th and groove to the King in 1957’s Jailhouse Rock. 
Free
www.cityofboston.gov/parks

September 14-21
Boston Film Festival
Loews Boston Common
175 Tremont St.
Dates and times TBD.
To the delight of many, this year’s BFF will not run concurrently with any other large film festivals, including the Toronto Film Festival. Expect nothing but the best from the festival that debuted award-winning movies such as American Beauty and The Piano.
VIP and General Admission tickets vary by price.
www.bostonfilmfestival.org

September 22 & 23
Boston Blues Festival
Hatch Shell
12-6 p.m.
Established in 1996, this annual event is the highlight of Boston Blues Week, which showcases blues-related performances at local nightclubs and restaurants. Each year, festival presenters, Blues Trust Productions, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an individual’s contributions to American Music. This year’s recipients are Sir Mack Rice, Chicago Bob Blues Band founder Chicago Bob Nelson and the “Disciple of the Blues” Sonny Rhodes. 
Free
www.bluestrust.com


Back Bay/Beacon Hill: The where

Museum of African American History
In Boston’s storied history, it is often overlooked that Beacon Hill once had a thriving black community. This museum, comprised of four landmarks, stands to tell the tale of important historical moments in the abolition of slavery. Most notably, the African Meeting House was where many anti-slavery organizations originated.  The famed 54th Regiment was comprised of many African-Americans recruited at the Meeting House.  Visitors can follow tours along the Black Heritage Trail and view exhibits in the old Abiel Smith School.
46 Joy St.
www.afroammuseum.org

Newbury Street, Back Bay
It’s hard to come to Boston and not hit up the city’s most famed street. While the shops and restaurants define the street, there is a rich history behind it. Until the mid 1800s, Newbury was actually a part of Boston Harbor and was slowly filled in as most of its European designed buildings were erected. For the best people watching in town, dine on Stephanie’s (190 Newbury St.) outdoor patio or in Ciao Bella’s coveted window nooks (240 Newbury St.). Visit any of the upscale or specialty shops for an exceptional shopping experience.
www.newbury-st.com

Beacon Hill Notables
Walk the narrow, cobblestone streets and admire a neighborhood deemed a National Historic District, complete with working gas lamps and 19th century row houses. Take time to explore another street that embodies the rich history of Boston, Charles Street, otherwise known as the “Flat of the Hill” and shop its unique stores like home goods mecca, Koo de Kir (65 Chestnut St.) and women’s clothing boutique, Wish (49 Charles St.).  Finally, down some brewskis at the Bull & Finch Bar, best known as the pub that inspired the setting of the hit TV show, Cheers (84 Beacon St.).
www.beaconhillonline.com

The Massachusetts State House
Referred to as the New State House, this dramatic building sits on top of Beacon Hill and is the state capitol and seat of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. An act of legislature in 1969 gave birth to the State House Tours Division and visitors today have the opportunity to learn about the architecture and history of the building as well as the legislative process. The building’s signature, gold-leafed dome is a nod to the history of the site, where a signal fire once warned ship captains they were in Boston.
www.mass.gov

Boston Common and The Public Garden
The Common, one of the Hub’s natural beauties, is actually the oldest city park in the United States, dating back to 1634 when it was established as common grazing land for cattle farmers.  It is home to such landmarks as the Frog Pond, where you can ice skate in the winter and cool off in the summer, the world-famous Swan Boats, and the family-friendly Make Way for Ducklings statue that memorializes the trip the Mallard Family ducklings made from Duck Island in the Public Garden.
Bound by Tremont, Park, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.


Back Bay/Beacon Hill: The skinny

• Notable Beacon Hill residents include American novelist Louisa May Alcott, Massachusetts State House architect Charles Bulfinch, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, award-winning singer-songwriter Carly Simon and billionaire Jack Welch.
• Back Bay’s streets, particularly Commonwealth Avenue with its central park, were laid out to resemble the boulevards of Paris.  
• You may not think twice walking by 44A Charles Street.  But here was where the infamous Boston Strangler, took his last victim, Mary Sullivan.
• The last shot of Martin Scorscese’s Best Picture The Departed showed rats crawling along a balcony with the State House’s gold dome in the background.
• Visitors and Bostonians alike can witness parts of history along the Freedom Trail, a red, mostly brick path through downtown Boston.  The 2.5 mile walk begins at the Boston Common.