FESTIVAL BETANCES ANNOUNCES LINEUP
The annual Festival Betances at IBA’s Villa Victoria development in the South End has another great lineup for the two-day event in the South End – beginning on Saturday, July 15, at 1 p.m. with a Parade through the neighborhood.
Previously, the Parade has taken place on Friday night, but this year it has been moved to Saturday afternoon.
Saturday will also include the famous Domino tournament, youth performances from the IBA Youth and the annual basketball tournament. Performers on Saturday include Alexander Faria y su Orquestra, Eric German y su orquestra and Vinny Rivera.
Sunday begins at 1 p.m. with that famous Greased Pole climbing contest, dedicated this year to former D-4 Community Service Officer Jorge Dias. Performers on Sunday include Jorce Arce/El Bombazo, Zayra Pola, Ray de la Paz y su orquestra, and El Amable De La Salsa with Johnny Rivera.
HALL SIGNS OFF AS PRESIDENT OF ELLIS SOUTH END
The Ellis South End Neighborhood Association had a change of the guard this past week as long-time President Betsy Hall signed off.
“I have been honored to serve in this role for the past three years and will certainly miss the opportunity to communicate with you on a regular basis,” she wrote in a communication this week to neighbors. “Thank you for your support, comments, contributions and good humor. You are a great group and, accordingly, we are a great neighborhood.”
The incoming president is Ellen Sheets of Chandler Street.
Additionally, several members of the Board of Directors have retired from neighborhood service and new directors have been added. Outgoing directors include: Leo Delaney, Tony Gordon, Gordon Holmes, Ed MacLean, Toby Rodman, Jane Siegel and Mike Worhach.
The new Directors for 2017-2018:
Dawn Chin – Berkeley Street; Cheryl Dickinson – West Canton Street; Jennifer Girvin – Chandler Street; Robin Johnson – Tremont Street; Matthew Rhoades – Lawrence Street; Rebecca Roth Gullo – Gray Street; and Scott Semel – Dartmouth Street.
HAYES PARK SUMMER PICNIC
The summer picnic in Hayes Park is scheduled for July 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Friends of Hayes Park will be grilling up burgers and hot dogs while the Stacey Peasley Band provides the music. Bring friends and a picnic dish to share.
FENWAY COMMUNITY COOKOUT
The Fenway Community Center is holding the first Community Cookout of the season on Sunday, July 9 from 3 – 7 pm at the Fenway Victory Gardens located at 1200 Boylston Street.
Appearances are expected from State Senator Will Brownsberger and State Representative Chynah Tyler.
Fun activities will include lawn games, art stations, a giant typewriter party and live music from the Dave Ehle Band. It will be $5 per plate at the cookout. Visit Fenwaycommunitycenter.org to learn more.
ELLIS SCHOLAR WINNER NICO ANTOINE
The Ellis Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that Nicolas (Nico) Antoine is its first Ellis Scholarship recipient. Antoine is from Villa Victoria, and after a year at Bristol Community College, is transferring to Mt. Ida College with the goal of becoming a funeral director to help families in their time of greatest need.
The Ellis Scholarship Committee will be holding its first fundraising dinner for next year’s effort at Banyan Bar & Refuge on Sunday, September 24, 2017. The Committee looks forward to many years of supporting South End and Lower Roxbury students fulfill their goals.
TITO PUENTE CONCERT SERIES
Created in honor of Latin music icon, Tito Puente, this series is celebrating 11 years of bringing live Latin music with a strong salsa influence to Boston parks.
This series is sponsored in part by Berklee College of Music, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, Zumix, Hyde Square Task Force, and Sociadad Latina.
Free salsa lessons led by MetaMovements at select concerts.
- Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m.
O’Day Playground, South End
Eric Germán y su Orquesta
- Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m.
O’Day Playground, South End
Zayra Pola
- Thursday, August 3, 7 p.m.
O’Day Playground, South End
Conjunto Barrio
CANDIDATE NIGHT FOR DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL
Jon Santiago, the Ward 4 Democratic chair, reported that the Committee will hold a candidate nights for City Council District 2
The District 2 race will have a candidate night on July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Calderwood Pavilion. The event is in association with the Ellis South End Neighborhood Association.
SOWA MARKET ANNOUNCES THEME PARTIES
Boston’s largest outdoor market is in full swing, with the SoWa Open Market now bringing 100+ artisans, 50+ local farmers and food makers, a dozen iconic food trucks, craft beers, live music, and good vibes every weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October.
As part of the weekly beer garden and food truck bazaar, attendees will be able to enjoy themed dishes from food truck favorites on seven special weekends throughout the summer alongside tasty beers and ciders from top local breweries.
“The SoWa Beer Garden and Food Truck Bazaar is a great place every Saturday and Sunday and the family friendly block parties make weekends in the SoWa Arts & Design District even more fun,” said Aaron Cohen, Founder of Eat Boston. “I look forward to bringing back the popular Boston Lobster Party and Tacopocalypse and many more themed parties throughout the summer.”
To kick off the themed block party series by Eat Boston, more than 20 food trucks will gather at the SoWa Open Market on Saturday, May 27th and Sunday, May 28th for a Backyard BBQ followed up by additional themed block parties throughout the summer, including:
- Boston Lobster Party
Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9
After 7 years, the Boston Lobster Party is back to celebrate the New England specialty.
- Oyster, Oyster Block Party
Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6
Shuck’em, suck’em, and slurp’em down.
- Grilled Cheese & Mac and Cheese & Steak and Cheese & Beer Festival
Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10
When the worlds of cheese and beer collide. Don’t miss this exclusive festival!
- Sausage Fest
Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 16
From brats, dogs, wursts and craft beer – is there anything better?
ADULT NIGHT AT RINGGOLD PARK
The Friends of Ringgold Park thought it’d be nice to hold a few adult Tuesdays in the park. The group is proposing the second Tuesday of July, August and September. The idea is to mix and mingle with neighbors – meet new friends and connect with old friends.
The first on kicks off on Tuesday, July 11, from 7-8 p.m. in the Park.
UNION PARK ANNOUNCES EVENTS
The Union Park Neighborhood Association (UPNA) announced its upcoming social events throughout the rest of the year. Some of the events include:
- Sunday, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, (5-7 p.m.), Evening in the Park, Union Park.
- Saturday, October 7 (rain date October 8), 8 – 5 p.m., Pictures in the Park, Union Park.
- Sunday, October 8, 1-6 p.m., Crime Walk, City of Boston.
- Friday, December 1, 6-8 p.m., Holiday Party, Benjamin Franklin Institute.
ELLIS SOUTH END TO SPONSOR TREE FENCES
This summer, The Ellis will install 19 tree fences along Berkeley Street between Columbus and Tremont. The initiative has been supported by the Association and seven generous businesses along the route, including Trophy Room, Chandler Studios, D4 Condo Association, Benjamin Franklin Institute, Berkeley Perk Cafe, Ellis Memorial and D’Tails Pet Boutique. The Ellis said it hopes to expand the initiative to other streets. Similar tree fence installation programs have successfully been implemented in the Back Bay and on Beacon Hill.