The Beantown Bloggery

Contest: Indie Music Song Contest

2009-07-10T00:04:00.000-04:00

This is one that I'm going to have to pass on, because I have no talent when it comes to composing. I used to play a mean piano and cello, but that was ages ago. This one's for all you musicians at Berklee or the New England Conservatory, and other places like that.

It's our YEAR OF THE INDIE Celebration and it started "Indiependents" Day July 4th! There are 16 genre categories to choose from to enter your song in, including Songwriting. The Grand Prize is a huge package that includes $1000 worth of musical equipment (whatever you need), 2 weeks stay in a condo suite at your choice of a number of US vacation spots, an iPod Shuffle, and a IAC Prime Perpetual Lifetime membership. But there are also 3 nice prizes in each of 16 categories and you can enter any original song. You will get a lot of additional exposure even by advancing to the later rounds of the competition.

The contest starts on July 4th, Independence Day and entries are accepted for 7 weeks. Cover songs are not permitted. Every 2 weeks half the songs are eliminated (in equal part by popular vote and by group of judges). On August 24th the finalists will be announced with a final competition determining 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category. Then out of the 16 first place winners, a 1st and 2nd grand prize will be announced.

Good luck to all you aspiring musicians out there!

Click (here) to enter the contest.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Contest: Ask Buzz Aldrin a Question

2009-07-10T00:03:00.001-04:00

It seems like just yesterday, or I guess a month, that Buzz Aldrin was in town (here). This time around, there's a contest going on to win a chance to ask him a question - courtesy of the Museum of Science.

As July 20, 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first steps onto the moon, Americans everywhere can use this special day to educate younger generations about exploration, space, and American history and recollect their own memories of this pivotal moment in time.

The Museum of Science, Boston is offering an unusual opportunity: if you’ve ever wanted to ask Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin about what it was like to join Neil Armstrong as the first humans to walk on the Moon, now’s your chance! People of all ages are invited to email their questions to askbuzz@mos.org by July 16th at NOON, and if their question is chosen, they will win the opportunity to call in their question to Buzz Aldrin live from the Museum of Science. There will be a live NASA broadcast from the Newseum in Washington, D.C. from 2:00 – 3:00 featuring a panel discussion including Apollo astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan L. Bean, Charles M. Duke, Jr., space shuttle astronaut John Grunsfeld, and the deputy director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Laurie Leshin. The lucky winner of the “Ask Buzz” contest will ask Buzz his/her question first!

That gives you a week to mull it over. I'm thinking right now as I type, and I can't really think of anything that I'd like to ask. Probably something about how he feels about the current state of space exploration and his thoughts on private companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

1000 Words - The Tall Ships

2009-07-10T00:02:00.000-04:00

I was busy working and packing (for the weekend) today and did not have a chance to make it over to see the tall ships. Luckily, Bloggery Reader Sammy was kind enough to send a link over to the photos that he took while he was there, and they're awesome. Here's a few of them.

I'm a little sad that I'm going to be gone all weekend and will miss seeing the tall ships. I have a great pirate impression that would go really well with these ships. Avast Matey!

Click (here) to check out the rest of Sammy's pics.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
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Jazz in July in Dtown Crossing

2009-07-09T00:04:00.000-04:00

Good lord, what happened to my first week of July? It's already the 9th? I'm a week behind in posting this, but better late than never.

The 9th Annual Jazz in July Concert series will kick-off on Wednesday July 1st at 12:00pm on Summer Street. Weekly daytime performances on Wednesdays and Fridays will take place on Summer Street and at Readers Park in front of Borders. Each evening a different restaurant- Avenue One, Ivy, Mantra, Max & Dylans or Vinalia- will host performances by different performances. Vinalia will also offer special "jazz-themed" cocktails to compliment the jazz music.

There's so much jazz going on and so many different locations, that you're just going to need to check out the site for the comprehensive list of events.

Click (here) to visit Jazz in July.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

TD Banknorth Garden Becomes TD Garden

2009-07-09T00:03:00.000-04:00

Remember when the Comcast Center was still the Tweeter Center? I do. Well with all the companies getting their butts kicked in the recession, it makes sense that there's going to be a little renaming of arenas going on. Next up: TD Banknorth Garden turning into TD Garden on 7/16 and there's a contest to go with it.

The arena will be officially renamed 'TD Garden' on Thursday, July 16, 2009. To celebrate the venue name change, the arena is hosting the 'TD Garden Golden Ticket Giveaway' that will award one lucky fan with a pair of season tickets to every TD Garden event for the 2009-10 season.

A major promotional contest celebrating the venue's name change, the 'TD Garden Golden Ticket Giveaway' will coincide on July 16 for one day only. Five TD Garden Golden Tickets will be hidden inside the wrappers of free, limited-edition TD Garden chocolate bars. One of the TD Garden Golden Ticket winners will win season tickets to every TD Garden event, including regular season Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and Boston Blazers games as well as concerts and family shows. Hundreds of other prizes will be awarded in the TD Garden chocolate bars including tickets and suites to sporting events, concerts, family shows as well as Garden Gold cards, TD Banknorth Visa® Gift Cards and discounts to the Boston Bruins ProShop.

The chocolate bars will be distributed for one day only, July 16, at the TD Garden and select TD Banknorth store locations in Massachusetts beginning at noon, while supplies last. A total of 19,600 TD Garden chocolate bars will be given out, one for each seat in the arena. The TD Garden chocolate bars are free of charge, and each person who visits the designated locations may receive one chocolate bar.

Well then, I think I know where I'll be on July 16th. I guess at the very least I get some free chocolate.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Sponty - Be Hangoutable

2009-07-09T00:02:00.000-04:00

Those of you who know me or have been reading this blog for long enough, know that I love local entrepreneurs and startups. A new one called Sponty just came across my inbox a week or so ago and it looks like a pretty interesting idea - a new social application.

Sponty's mission is to facilitate casual social events among friends. We have a platform that lets you very easily broadcast your social intentions to your friends so that they can see what you're up to and join you. Sponty uses the internet, through a mobile phone application, widget and web site, to bring people together in real life. We believe that seeing friends is way more fun than poking them online.

It works like this: to post an activity, you click on the appropriate time slot in Sponty's interactive timeline. Pop in the what, where and when for your activity and choose either your own phrase, or one of the suggested icons that have suggested events associated with them. Icon choices range from the football helmet "Are you ready for some football?" and beer mug "Let's get some beers", to the lady-friendly red pump ("Girls Night!"), or even a video-game controller for late night Rock Band marathons. Sponty also understands what you type and can automatically pick an icon for you. After you post, your friends can message you through your event and Sponty will relay the info. If nobody's is up for your event, just scroll through a timeline that shows what your friends are doing today. If you find something you want in on, click on your friend's hangoutable event and simply press "I'm Down".

Looks like I (along with all my friends) need to stop being hermits. It is summer afterall, at least it would be if it stopped raining. I also like the word "hangoutable." The only made up word that I really hate is "incentivize."

Click (here) to check Sponty out.

PS. Dear DanDan, for the love of god, when is that test of yours going to be over? It's time to man up and be more hangoutable.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Bastille Day @ The Intercontinental - 7/11

2009-07-08T00:03:00.001-04:00

Need a reason to go out? How about celebrating Bastille Day? It's a stretch, seeing as how we're not in France, but hey it's good enough for me.

On Saturday, July 11, 2009, from 5 - 10pm InterContinental Boston will join in on this historic celebration with a party on the gardens! For the second time this summer we will open up the InterContinental Gardens overlooking the historic Fort Point channel for a public party that you won't want to miss.

Bastille Day 2009, featuring:
* Grey Goose Vodka - offering $8 cocktails and free give-a-ways for the duration of the party
* Perrier - offering complimentary water and free give-a-ways
* RumBa will feature "St. James" rum cocktails inspired by the French Caribbean island of Martinique
* Sweet & savory Crêpes, $5 each
* Assorted French Baguette sandwiches, $5 each
* DJ featuring modern French and American music. Dancing encouraged!
* Le Mistral Club de Pétanque of Boston will demonstrate and provide instructions to guests followed by Petanque games. Grand Prize winner will receive an overnight stay at InterContinental Boston with breakfast for two!

Boules de Pétanque is a French sport which traces its roots to bowling games played centuries ago in Roman times. Similar to Italian bocce or British lawn bowling, pétanque is played with metallic balls on dirt surfaces in village squares throughout France, especially in Provence.

I think I'm due for a visit to the Intercontinental again soon. It's been a month or so since the last time i was there. Hopefully it'll stop raining so my friends and I can hang out in that terrace outside.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
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Tall Ships are Coming!

2009-07-08T00:02:00.001-04:00

Tall ships are on the way. Some arrived yesterday and the rest should be making there way over today. What's a "tall ship"? I looked it up and they're defined as "large traditionally rigged sailing vessel."

Have you noticed large vessels - 45 of them - filling Boston Harbor and making their way to the Seaport World Trade Center, Fish Pier, and the Charlestown Navy Yard? Sail Boston invites you to tour some of these international beauties until they depart for Halifax on July 13.

Sail Boston is an official Port of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 (TSAC). The trans-Atlantic regatta will start in Vigo, Spain. From there the fleet will race to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, en route to Bermuda. The fleet will then race to Charleston, South Carolina before racing to Boston, for Sail Boston 2009. From Boston the fleet will cruise in company north to Halifax, Canada. From there the fleet will race back across the North Atlantic to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Sounds reminiscent of the Volvo Ocean Race from earlier this year, except the boats will look more old school. I think it'll definitely make for some cool photos. I'm going to have to swing by one of these days if it can stop raining long enough for me to walk over there.

Click (here) for the Globe blurb.

Click (here) for the SailBoston site.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
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Boston Cougar Hunter's Club

2009-07-08T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's been a little over a year since my last cougar post (here). I guess I'm due for another one. In my inbox today was an Urban Daddy story about a new mailing list for the "Boston Cougar Hunter's Club." Fascinated, I clicked over to the page and this is what message I saw:

Due to the high interest from the Urban Daddy story, we are experiencing some bandwidth issues that we are working to correct. To sign up for the mailing list and join the hunt, please do not use the form below, but rather send an email to thehuntmaster@bostoncougarhunt.com.

I didn't sign up for the mailing list, but part of me is wondering how many people did - to the point where they crashed their servers.

To all the cougars out there, apparently y'all are in HIGH demand.

I have at least two friends that I am emailing this post to directly because I know they're going to be be interested.

Click (here) to visit the Boston Cougar Hunter's Club site.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Michelle Romano - Local Actress

2009-07-07T00:03:00.001-04:00

Congrats to Michelle Romano, a local actress from Boston with 4 feature films premiering this fall as well as the centerfold in this month's issue of SCARS magazine (July 2009).

Aside from the "horror" genre I am currently seen in The Butchery commercial that airs on Ch 4 Fox 25 daily. I have also recently starred in several other features, music videos and commercials throughout Boston and NYC.

My next film The Seals Guardian is a local Boston film in pre-production and stars many famous actors including my good friend Vinny Vella ( The Sopranos, Casino).

I remember a previous entry I wrote about a local actress that had gotten a part in Paul Blart: Mall Cop (here). It's lots of fun to hear about all the famous folks in town filming, but it's even better to hear about local Bostonians that are working their way into more movies thanks to the uptick in filming here.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Bela Fleck @ Coolidge Corner Theatre - 7/9

2009-07-07T00:02:00.002-04:00

I got to see Bela Fleck perform live a year or so ago, it was at an outdoor jazz festival in the Boston area (I think it may have been in Lowell). Some of you may be thinking, "Why would I want to go see something about a guy playing the banjo?" Believe me when I tell you that he is amazing. Especially when Victor Wooten is there with him playing the bass.

Correction: 7/7/09

Bela Fleck will give a brief performance after the film. He will also be introducing the movie and taking questions after the screening.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Mass. will present a preview screening of Throw Down Your Heart, a recent documentary featuring internationally acclaimed banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, on Thursday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m. The film, directed by Fleck’s brother Sascha Paladino, follows Fleck on his journey to Africa to explore the roots of the banjo and to record an album. Fleck, who has won multiple Grammy Awards, will be in attendance to introduce the film and to perform and answer questions after the screening. Throw Down Your Heart has earned tremendous advance critical praise and has won several awards, including the audience awards at both the Vancouver and the South by Southwest film festivals.

I have an early flight out on Friday morning, but I'm still thinking it may be worth it to go check out the new Fleck flick. =)

Click (here) to get tickets.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
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Amstel Amsterdam Live Event - 7/9

2009-07-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

The flyer below says it all. For those of you that are too lazy to click on the image below to blow it up and read the words, here's the gyst of it:

Amstel Light & Spin Magazine are hosting an event this Thursday 7/9 at Ned Devine's. RSVP to amstelboston@mirrorball.com and mention "stuff" or "boston phoenix" in your email.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Ned Devine's Wins Chowderfest!

2009-07-06T00:02:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Ned Devine's for winning yesterday's Chowderfest 2009 (here)! Sadly I didn't make it back from NH in time, but I did get a call from my friend Carl saying that he and a group of folks were heading over to check it out. I'll have to ask him what he thought of the Ned Devine's chowder when I see him next.

Ned Devine's Irish Pub has won a New England clam chowder contest called Chowderfest for the third time and has been elected to the event's Hall of Fame.

Manager Greg Springer says it's fantastic New York City chef Sean Ryan's 20-year-old recipe did so well.

The 28th annual Chowderfest was held Sunday as part of Boston Harborfest, a Fourth of July festival showcasing the city's heritage.

My friend Michelle is visiting in a few weeks from Arkansas. I wonder if I should take her to Ned Devine's instead of Legal's. What do you think?

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Save The South Street Diner! - 7/7

2009-07-06T00:01:00.002-04:00

I got word a few days ago that there's a group of residents & businesses in the South Station area that are trying to force the South Street Diner to eliminate its "Always Open" policy and close at 2am. Their hearing is tomorrow 7/7 - and they're looking for folks to come out and show support. See below for the email.

South Street diner is looking for your support.

We have a hearing July 7th Tuesday, 10am at Boston city hall room 809a . Please attend to save our diner.

We have a few new neighbors that want to roll back the hours of the diner and force us to close at 2 A.M. This would put us out of business.

We have been supportive of this neighborhood and our city. We have become a landmark that attracts students, workers, and the affluent.

We have tried to communicate with our few detractors. Unfortunately, they have chosen to ignore our efforts to meet and our attempts to address the issues irritating them. We have supplied a doggie refuse door, We have supplied security every night, We have changed our garbage pickup times.

This appears to be a case of a few neighbors who bought their properties at peak prices and now want to blame our a little business for their misfortune and declining property values.

Our diner has been in business since 1947. The residents that have an issue have been here for only 2 years.

Boston is a vibrant city. We enjoy being part of it we need your attendance to continue to serve you. Thank you for your patronage and your support.

Did these new neighbors not research their neighborhood before they bought? Also, there's definitely a handful of restaurants in Chinatown that are open past 2am serving food. I used to go all the time to grab food after a night of clubbing. Why should the South Street Diner have to close by 2? I'm open to hearing arguments from both sides.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

28th Annual Chowderfest - 7/5

2009-07-03T00:03:00.001-04:00

Whenever I have friends from out of town visit, one part of my Boston tour is to take them to Legal's for some clam chowder. I love that stuff. And most visitors do too. I honestly haven't done a sampling of chowders from different area restaurants, I usually just go to Legal's. So the Chowderfest this Sunday, July 5th might be a good opportunity for me to broaden my chowder horizons.

This year's Chowderfest is Sunday July 5th, 2009 from 11am to 6pm, and it attracts restaurants from all around metro-Boston to compete for the title of "Boston's Best Chowder." More than 2000 gallons of New England's signature dish will be ladled out to a crowd of over 11,000 enthusiastic chowder-samplers in this fun-filled Boston tradition. Admission: $10 adults/$7 children under 12.

The 2009 competitors are:

Yankee Lobster Fish Market
Ned Devine's Irish Pub
Algonquin Club
Boston Beer Works
Farmer Brown's
House of Blues
Parker's Restaurant

Click (here) for more info.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
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List of July 4th Events

2009-07-03T00:01:00.002-04:00

I've got my fingers crossed that it doesn't rain on July 4th. I won't be here this year, I'm going to head up to my buddy's lake house in NH - but July 4th in Boston is definitely way up there on my list of favorite things about Boston.

Due to constrained budgets and what not this year, a lot of cities have had to cancel/rework their usual Independence Day festivities. There's a state site that has compiled all the info for what I'm guessing are most of the cities in the state so you can double check what's going on in your town.

My recommendation (as usual) - befriend someone with a roofdeck that lives on Beacon Street. They have the BEST unobstructed view of the Charles River & fireworks show that I've ever seen. If you know of a better spot (and you're willing to share) leave a comment. I'm sure we'd all love to check it out.

Click (here) to get July 4th info on your town.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

1000 Words - Ben Barnes in Boston

2009-07-02T00:03:00.001-04:00

I'm borrowing this pic from Perez because I couldn't find another source. Ben Barnes - from those Narnia movies - is in Boston as part of Eliza Dushku's movie Valediction (here).

Click (here) for a link to Perez's post.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Amy Adams Joining "The Fighter"

2009-07-02T00:02:00.001-04:00

I'm a fan of Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg, but it's always infinitely more awesome when a hot actress joins the cast of a movie filming in Boston. That way I can always harbor the glimmer of hope that I might be able to meet them. That being said, Amy Adams is joining the cast of "The Fighter"

Amy Adams is in final negotiations to star opposite Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg in "The Fighter," which David O. Russell is directing for Relativity Media. Paramount is distributing the drama domestically.

Adams will play Charlene, a tough, gritty bartender and former college high-jumper from Massachusetts who ends up dating Mickey.

There's been a fair number of casting calls lately for this movie, and from what I've been reading it should start shooting this month. Shooting is going to be predominately done in Lowell. Oh and if you want to be a spectator in one of the scenes check out this post (here). I'm definitely going to try to make it down there for one of the days.

Click (here) for the Hollywood Reporter article.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

David Ortiz Invests in Restaurant

2009-07-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

Red Sox player David Ortiz has invested in a restaurant out in Framingham. If I remember correctly, I think ito's on Route 9 a little past the Natick Mall. From everything I've read, restaurants have been hurting due to the recession and and that's partly why we've been getting all these great deals at restaurants. But on the otherhand, maybe it's a good time to buy in cheap as an investment.

The Red Sox slugger has taken a financial stake in Metro 9 Steak House in Framingham, which will be renamed Big Papi’s, the restaurant’s owner confirmed with the MetroWest Daily News late Tuesday.

Peter Sarmanian, president of Classic Restaurant Concepts LLC, which owns Metro 9 along with The Kinsale in Boston, The Asgard in Cambridge and Desmond O’Malley’s in Framingham, told MetroWest the revamped eatery will complete its transition by the end of July, but remain open in the interim weeks.

This one's probably going to be a pass for me. I'm big on celebrity chef owned restaurants. Not celebrity owned restaurants. If Thomas Keller or Nobu Matsuhisa opened up a place, I'd be there in a heartbeat. Sorry, Big Papi, but good luck with the restaurant venture.

Click (here) for the BBJ article.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

50% Off Bottles of Wine @ STIX

2009-07-01T00:25:00.006-04:00

I was out for drinks on Monday at Minibar to celebrate a friend visiting from out of town, and I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw the wine list. The prices didn't look too bad until I looked at the heading and realized that those were prices for a half a bottle. So to get the real cost of a bottle of wine, I'd need to double what I was looking at. Hence, the vomiting in my mouth.

Luckily for all of us, starting today, STIX is doing the exact opposite. They're cutting the price in half, not the amount of wine you get.

Starting July 1, STIX Restaurant & Lounge will slash its bottled wine prices in half, offering every bottle of wine on the menu at 50%, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5-11pm. STIX will rewrite its wine list to compete with recent reports that more people are buying bottles of wine and drinking at home in order to save money. With almost 40 different wines to choose from, STIX boasts an impressive wine list that now even those on a budget can enjoy.

“We’ve seen great success with our $1 Raw Bar at STIX. “We don’t want people to continue to stay at home, we want to encourage them to come out and enjoy themselves, and in the process help nurse the economy back to health.”

I invited myself over to my friend DanDan's place when 33 first started their $3 bar menu (here). Looks like I just got another reason to do it again.

Click (here) to visit the STIX website.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
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Review: The Barbershop Lounge is Awesome

2009-07-01T00:03:00.005-04:00

It's been quite some time since I've written about the Barbershop Lounge on Newbury Street. If you'll recall, last time it was to give away a $50 Gift Card to one lucky reader (here). The funniest part about that contest is that despite the Barbershop Lounge being geared towards men's grooming, most of the contest entrants were women ... women who had decided that their significant others needed a haircut.

Anyway, I swung by there today to check the place out for myself. I've been growing my hair out for the last 3 months because I wanted to get it long enough to try out a new hairstyle. So this morning, with a photo of who I wanted to look like loaded onto my iphone (see pic to the left), I headed over to the Barbershop Lounge.

The Lounge itself is very nice, it's got a modern feel (great fixtures) as well as plasma tv's and a pool table in the back while you wait.

Let me take a step back and describe my usual hair cutting experiences which consist of SuperCuts or a random place in chinatown where they don't speak english. Yes the haircuts are cheaper there, but I always left the place mumbling under my breath "at least it'll grow back in a couple of weeks."

My haircut this time around was awesome. Granted I still don't look like Andy Lau (see pic above) but at least I have his haircut.

I definitely recommend you check this place out the next time you need some grooming done. And if you're getting a haircut, ask for Anna. She was great.

Click (here) to checkout their website.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Casting Call: America's Biggest A$%hole - 7/13 & 7/15

2009-06-30T00:58:00.003-04:00

All I can say is one: this is a pretty hilarious sounding show, and two: my friend Eric would be PERFECT for this show. Casting call details are below.

OPEN CASTING CALL FOR NEW SPIKE TV
REALITY SHOW
'AMERICA'S BIGGEST A**HOLE'

Monday, July 13, 10 AM- 4 PM at
Boston Casting
and
Wednesday, July 15, 6 PM - 9PM at
Red Sky, Faneuil Hall

Can you irritate a perfect stranger? Are you quick on your feet? Can you handle a very strong personality? Are you a practical joker?

Do your friends tell you that you have all the charm of Vince Vaughn, Denis Leary, and Stiffler rolled into one?

EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE HYSTERICAL, DO YOU HAPPEN TO PISS A LOT OF PEOPLE OFF?

Win cash, fame, and respect for your ability to say what mere mortals could only dream of saying! Audition for the new reality show 'America's Biggest A**Hole'!

Come to one of the Open Calls, bring a photo and bio, and tell us your story!

Open Call Information:
Date: Monday, July 13, 2009
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Location: Boston Casting, 129 Braintree Street, Boston

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
Location: Red Sky
16 North Street, Boston (Faneuil Hall)
In conjunction with Boston's "A" List!

If you are unable to attend an Open Call, e-mail a photo, contact information and a few lines about why you should be on the show to Julie@bostoncasting.com.
Must be 18 years or older.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Be in "The Fighter" 7/14-7/16

2009-06-30T00:48:00.003-04:00

So I post quite a bit about casting calls, this one is sort of like a casting call but even better. This is for folks that want to be a spectator in the upcoming movie "The Fighter" which features Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.

Wanted to give you a heads up that the producers are allowing BeInAMovie.com to invite people to Be In The Movie as spectators during the big fight scenes. No headshots, auditions, stress required. This is about coming out, having fun, and giving people an opportunity most never get.

These are not paid extra positions but it is a great way to experience a day on a real movie set with all the stars and see the industry from the inside out. Plus its all FREE! Anyone 16+ can be our guests on a movie set for a day and receive free food, entertainment and eligibility to win prizes throughout the day's activities.

The filming will be taking place in Lowell, MA on July 14, 15, 16. Participants choose which day to attend and do not need to come to all three days (although, given how fun it is many may come more than one day)

I'm going to be relatively free those days so I'm thinking about doing it myself. How cool would it be to be in a the movie? I'd totally buy multiple copies of the dvd and send it to my friends and tell them exactly when the 1.5 seconds occur that you can see my face as the camera pans across.

Click (here) for details.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

The Lemonheads Signing - 6/30

2009-06-29T00:46:00.003-04:00

I spotted this sign outside the Newbury Comics on Newbury Street. The Lemonheads will be here on Tuesday 6/30 at 6pm for a performance and signing.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Review: House of Blues Gospel Brunch

2009-06-29T00:34:00.004-04:00

So I went to the House of Blues yesterday for their Gospel Brunch (here). It was pretty delicious! As the billboard advertised, it was a southern style brunch buffet with almost all my favorites: fried chicken (which I ate on waffles), cheese grits, hash browns, roast beef, bread pudding ... the list goes on.

Here's how it went for those that are interested. I showed up a few minutes before 11:30am (when doors open) and stood in line. Once they open the doors, they show people to their tables (assigned seats) and you're put at a long table that seats 12. There's three stations for food: a carving station, the main buffet station, and a dessert station. I'll spare you all the exhaustive list of food that was there, I think you can find the menu online, but it was all quite tasty.

After about an hour of eating, the gospel singers came out and performed for about 45 minutes to an hour. I've never heard gospel music live before - only seen it on tv or in movies - it was pretty awesome.

According to the site, there's at least one more Gospel Brunch left this season (on 7/5). I highly recommend you check it out.

Click (here) to get tix for the 7/5 show!

PS. When I said they had almost all of my favorites, they were missing one thing: fried okra.

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