Boston’s local gospel scene will be represented by LeRoy Streat with Grace. The group specializes in the Christian worship music that Streat has been writing, playing, and producing for more than fifteen years, in addition to his work leading music ministries both in the United States and abroad. The local presence is increased by Major Choirboy, a native of Houston, Texas, and recent graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Headlining the event is Israel Houghton & New Breed, led by award winner Houghton, who, like Streat, is a full-service musician. His experience and talent writing, performing, and producing Christian and Gospel music resulted in a Grammy for his 2007 album Alive in South Africa (pictured above left), which was recorded in Capetown.

City Hall Plaza is conveniently located right next to the Government Center Station on the MBTA subway’s Green Line. Take a look at the video after the jump for Israel Houghton & New Breed’s track “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” to get in the mood before heading to GospelFest 2008.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art does much more than beautify Bean Town’s surroundings with displays of gorgeous visual art. In conjunction with Berklee College of Music, it also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the area by offering HarborWalk Sounds, a series of free outdoor concerts performed by Berklee students and alumni, each Thursday evening.

To enjoy the diverse musical styles that lean heavily toward jazz, just head over to Putnam Investments Plaza (100 Northern Avenue, Boston Waterfront, 617-478-3100) from 6pm to 8:30pm. The lineup for the series, which runs until September 11, follows. Visit the ICA website for additional details about the musicians and their work.

• July 17: Juan Chavez — Classical, Jazz, Afro-Cuban
• July 24: Tantanakuy — Argentinean, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, Uruguayan, Jazz
• July 31: Sol Melodiq — Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, Funk, Classic Soul, World Music
• August 7: Zach Hillyard Band — Pop, Funk, Soul, R&B
• August 14: Cole Degenova — Funk, Neo-Soul, Blues, Jazz
• August 21: Pat Carroll — Jazz
• August 28: Monterey Quartet — Jazz
• September 4: Manami Morita — Jazz
• September 11: Katie Thiroux — Jazz

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The Bard days of summer are almost here, and they’re free, too!

On Friday, July 18, Citi Performing Arts Center will kick off its three-week engagement on Boston Common performing William Shakespeare’s much-loved romantic comedy As You Like It.

The talented cast bringing the production to life includes Obie winners Marin Ireland as Rosalind and Fred Weller (of USA Network’s hit series In Plain Sight) as Orlando, along with Larry Coen as Touchstone, Johnny Lee Davenport as Duke Senior, Jennie Israel as Phebe, Ali Marsh (Weller’s wife) as Celia, Paul Melendy as Silvius, Dan Roach as Oliver, Fred Sullivan, Jr. as Jacques, and Noah Tuleja as Duke Frederick. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s founding artistic director Steven Maler directs.

As You Like It, set in the Forest of Arden, tells the tale of adventurous Rosalind and her quest to find true love. Banished from her home, she flees disguised as a man and eventually ends up with smitten Orlando after teaching him a thing or two.

Performances, which are suitable for all ages, will be held at the Parkman Bandstand on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and on Sundays at 7pm. When the run on Boston Common concludes, the production will then relocate to Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Visit Citi Performing Arts Center online for more information about the event or call 617-482-9393/617-482-5757 (TTY).

Post from: The Boston Traveler

As most residents know, the annual Independence Day festivities featuring the Boston Pops occurs over two days in the city, the actual holiday and the day before it. As a result, the Boston Pops will perform an 8:30pm concert on both Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4.

There is a difference between the shows, however. The first concert will end a half-hour earlier, at 10pm, and will not include the eye-popping 30-minute fireworks display set to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, special country music guests Rascal Flatts, host Craig Ferguson of the CBS program The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, or the 8:36pm flyover by the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing and the Air Force’s 131st Fighter Squadron.

Those who can’t make it to the Esplanade and surrounding areas on July 4th have a couple of alternative options to still reap the benefits of the production. Television station WBZ will broadcast it locally starting at 8pm, while the network CBS will do the same nationwide at 10pm.

Visit the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular website for more information.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The summertime tradition is taking a break this Friday due to Independence Day celebrations, but on Friday, July 11, WBZ NewsRadio’s annual run of Free Friday Flicks will resume at the Charles River Esplanade’s DCR Hatch Shell (100 David Mugar Way/Storrow Drive, Boston).

This year marks the 23rd year the radio station is offering weekly outdoor movies, most classics appropriate for the entire family to view together, alongside the numerous other people who show up for each screening. Having the Charles River nearby is just a fresh-air bonus.

Another unexpected fun bonus comes courtesy of murky legal issues that prevent WBZ from releasing the titles of the movies that will be shown. As a result, the general public gets clues to decipher instead.

For example, on July 11, the presentation is described with the hint, “‘Bee’ there to watch a sociable insect befriend a human and learn secrets to the honey-making industry.” Sometimes it really helps to be a kid, I guess. Yet, at other times, descriptions like that for the August 22 flick — “Sing along to this ‘greasy’ musical as two teens discover that their summer may not be over” — are all too clear.

If the clues leave you stumped, there is recourse, however — simply call the special hotline number 617-787-7200 for further details, including cancellation news when Mother Nature’s in a bad mood. Then, provided that the show will go on, pack up your family and gear, including chairs or blankets to lounge on and snacks to cure the munchies, and head over to the Esplanade.

The earlier you arrive, the better chance you’ll have of beating the inevitable crowds, reserving a good spot, and still having enough time left over to drop by the WBZ Tent to grab whatever freebies are available before the opening credits roll at sunset, which is approximately 8pm. [More Information]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Here’s a little laughter for all of The Boston Traveler readers out there who happen to be fathers, courtesy of one of the funniest sitcoms currently on television, Tina Fey’s masterful 30 Rock.

Watch — and try not to choke — as Tracy Morgan’s Tracy Jordan and Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy participate in a very special and hilarious therapy session. I wonder how long it took the therapist to recover afterwards.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The best dance reality competition on television, Fox network’s So You Think You Can Dance, just wrapped up its six-city audition phase for the current fourth season earlier tonight. All of the candidates who make it through the first grueling phase then move on to an even more difficult level of competition in the Las Vegas second round. A final cut is made at the end of that stage, and the far fewer people who survive move on to the final level of competition that results in a single ultimate winner.

One of the first performers featured on the show today was 21-year-old Boston resident Kim, whose style is hip-hop. He actually made it to the second round in Las Vegas during the show’s second season, but he couldn’t handle the all-important choreography and partnering work with a female dancer.

When Kim showed up this year, judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Dan Karaty immediately remembered him because he’s a very talented performer in his style of dance. Surprisingly, after Kim completed his routine, instead of sending him to an optional choreography round where he would have to further prove his ability — which is what happens to most hip-hop performers — the judges sent him directly through to Las Vegas.

We’re all pulling for Kim this time and praying he was dedicated enough to take a few ballroom and jazz dance classes after his last tryout two seasons ago; tomorrow night’s episode will reveal the truth. In the meantime, take a look at Kim’s thoroughly entertaining audition in the video after the jump.

NOTE: If you require closed captions, you can enable that feature on the video players by clicking the CC symbol in the top right-hand corner.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Since Boston is a college town, bookstores abound wherever you go, some even housing convenient cafes where customers can grab a cup of coffee or tea to go along with their reading distraction of choice. Coming Up: Ten Boston-area bookstores worth visiting, in alphabetical order.

Borders

Helpful staff; nice prices with ample bargains; occasional events; good selection of books, movies, and music; one of those aforementioned cafes; and located near several subway and bus lines, not to mention directly down the street from the central Downtown Crossing shopping area. It’s not the only Borders in town, of course, but it is one of the better situated ones.
[10-24 School Street, Boston, 617-557-4476 | website]

Brattle Book Shop

Have a thing for rare and antique books, not necessarily just used ones? Search no more because this antiquarian bookstore founded in 1825 is the place to find more than you could ever imagine possible. The selection is simply tremendous, and they buy used books, too. Even better, you’ll never mistake it for a chain bookseller either.
[9 West Street, Boston, 617-542-0210, 800-447-9595 (toll free) | website]

Brookline Booksmith

New books, used books, and author readings. What’s not to like? Patrons recently voted the independent business the #1 Regional Favorite and the #1 Choice in Brookline for bookstores.
[279 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-566-6660 | website]

Comicazi

Yes, comics are books, too, and if that’s your thing, check out this full-service comic book retailer run by three guys who know the industry inside and out. You can even pick your preferred location — Davis Square in Somerville or Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington — and arrange to have new releases from your favorite comic book line(s) mailed directly to your home as they come out, often with no shipping charge. Now that’s what I call customer service; it almost makes me wish I was a comic book geekette.
[407 Highland Avenue, Davis Square, Somerville, 617-666-COMIX (2664) OR 1305 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, 781-641-2700 | website]

Harvard Book Store

One of many well-respected booksellers in close proximity, this particular Harvard Square bookstore — which isn’t affiliated with Harvard University across the street, mind you — is a browser’s heaven, complete with excellent author events and plentiful bargains on both new and used titles, whether academic or general interest.
[1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-661-1515, 800-542-READ (toll free) | website]

McIntyre and Moore Booksellers

This bookstore that specializes in well-priced and uncommon used books recently moved a hop, skip, and a jump from its previous Davis Square location in Somerville to nearby Porter Square in Cambridge. A poster child for dedication, the business employs four book buyers who will even make house calls if they’re not too busy and a potential seller has an enticing collection that meets strict standards.
[1971 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-229-5644 | website]

Raven Used Books

A specialist in scholarly used books, this Harvard Square seller purchases used scholarly books, as well.
[52-B JFK Street, Cambridge, 617-441-6999 | website]

Schoenhof’s Foreign Books

Not a native English speaker, learning a new language, or brushing up on your second, third, or fourth language skills? This is the place to find everything you need, no matter which group you fall into or which language you seek in a book (the store stocks learning materials in over 700 separate languages!). Yes, it’s yet another bookstore in the Harvard Square location, and with an establishment date of 1856, it also claims to be the oldest foreign language bookseller in the United States, period.
[76A Mount Auburn Place, Cambridge, 617-547-8855 | website]

The Children’s Book Shop

All children’s books, all the time, plus relevant titles for those who rear and teach young people.
[237 Washington Street, Brookline, 617-734-7323 | website]

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

More into magazines than books, perhaps with a side snack, beverage, or full meal? Located right in the bustling Newbury Street shopping district, this bookstore can’t be beat … even if you secretly like books, too. Free WiFi is available, as well.
[338 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-267-8688 | website]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

EdgeFest, now in its fourth year, is a Boston Pops concert series that pairs the orchestra with contemporary bands and artists. Not surprisingly, the different musical focus attracts a significant number of 30-something attendees, in contrast to the customary Boston Pops audience, which has an average age of over 50.

Merchant’s last studio release was 2003’s The House Carpenter’s Daughter. According to a recent Boston Globe interview, she’s been focusing much of her time since on her daughter Lucia, who was born the same year.

The music artist is not only looking forward to her upcoming appearances, her first ever with an orchestra, but she actually approached the Boston Pops about the possibility of participating in EdgeFest after hearing about the series from the alternative country group Cowboy Junkies, who took part in the third annual concert last June, and an editor at Paste Magazine. Wisely, the Pops were more than interested in working with Merchant, leading to next week’s dates.

Fans can anticipate significant input from Merchant, too. She wrote two of the arrangements, for new songs “Autumn Lullaby” and “The Man in the Wilderness,” included in the EdgeFest concert and will perform a number of additional old, new, and unreleased songs, as well. Also on the schedule are Boston’s own indie-rock band The Everyday Visuals.

Natalie Merchant performs with the Boston Pops for EdgeFest 2008 on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28. Both 8pm dates take place at Boston Symphony Hall (301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, 617-266-1492), with tickets ranging in price from $25 to $100. [More Information]

Learning about Merchant’s visit made me remember how much I love her hit single “Carnival” from the 1995 album Tigerlily. Take a look at the original video and a smokin’ live performance of the tune after the jump. I’ve been playing the concert version on a continuous loop while composing this post — there’s nothing better than rediscovering forgotten favorite songs.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Warm weather and outdoor concerts go together so well, the only thing that makes them better is when the latter are free. People who realize this and share an appreciation of the planet we call home are in luck, then, because Saturday, May 24th, marks the 15th Annual EarthFest hosted by WBOS Radio 92.9.

Performing this year for free in honor of Earth are alternative rockers Cake, the headliners, as well as The BoDeans, Cracker, The English Beat, and various Boston-based groups. The event will also offer environment-friendly activities, including many targeted specifically towards family and children.

EarthFest has been a local tradition for well over a decade, so if you’re in the area, it’s highly recommended. Gather the entire family and head over to the DCR Hatch Shell along the Charles River (100 David Mugar Way/Storrow Drive, Boston) to make the celebration a daylong outing filled with live music. The good times start at noon.

Post from: The Boston Traveler