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Date Spot

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

Thursday, October 21: Gardner After Hours, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Gardner After Hours, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

On Thursday, October 21, pop over to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum at 5:30 p.m. for an evening of art, cocktails and music.  Officially called Gardner After Hours, this special event occurs on the third Thursday of every month and attracts a variety of hip Bostonians who enjoy the opportunity to mix and mingle in the museum’s unique, inviting atmosphere.

This month’s theme, Rhythm Muse, will take guests on a musical journey through several genres, including Brazilian in the courtyard and jazz from the Mark Whitfield Jr. Quartet in the museum’s Tapestry Room.  As a result, tickets to this month’s After Hours are $12 to the public ($5 for students) for general admission, but raise to $23 for entry into the jazz concert in the Tapestry Room ($10 for students), which begins at 7:00 p.m..  Inside, there will be a cash bar and nibbles from the The Gardner Café.

With the museum taking a break from the popular After Hours series in 2011 as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum prepares to open a new wing in 2012, there’s no time like the present to experience this gorgeous museum after dark!  For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, please click here.

BOSTON, RESTAURANTS

On the Town: Andala and Toscanini’s

I recently returned from a trip to the West Coast, where I frequently took comfort in cozy cafes and far too many sweet treats.  Still basking in vacation bliss, I was inspired to spend a weekend afternoon walking from the Back Bay, to Harvard Square.  During this jaunt, I popped into two local eateries in Central Square for small snacks or treats.  The result is a delicious snapshot of an afternoon savored in Cambridge.

Fresh Tabouli Salad Plate at Andala

I started the day by enjoying a light lunch at one of my favorite cafes, Andala in Central Square.  Inspired by Old Jerusalem, Andala has a great menu with light, yet flavorful plates for sharing, in addition to sandwiches, coffee and pastries.  It’s a great place for getting work done (don’t be surprised by the many local students lingering over their laptops), a casual date, meal with friends, or solo diner like myself.  As pictured below, I enjoyed a fresh Tabouli Salad Plate for $7.95.  Andala is located at 286 Franklin Street in Central Square, Cambridge.

Toscanini's Goat Cheese Brownie Ice Cream

Moving from savory to sweet, I celebrated (er, counterbalanced?) my day of walking with Toscanini’s Goat Cheese Brownie Ice Cream (see picture here).  Slightly tangy from the goat cheese yet sweet from the rich chocolate brownie chunks, I’d proceed with caution if you’re not a goat cheese fan.  Luckily, I adore goat cheese and really enjoyed this unique treat.  At $3.85 for one scoop, it’s a perfect treat for a foodie like myself who enjoys an opportunity to try unique flavors (next I want to try Salted Caramel and Bourbon).  Toscanini’s is located at 899 Main Street in Cambridge, near MIT.

BOSTON, EVENTS, FASHION, NIGHTLIFE

The Work Week in Boston: Monday, September 27 – Thursday, September 30

The Swapaholics Boston - Fashion Week Sip & Swap

Time flies when you’re having fun, right?  The weekend may have passed in the blink of an eye, but Boston is once again keeping the work week interesting.  In addition to nightly events for Boston Fashion Week, there’s networking with Boston World Partnerships and a lively night of belly dancing at The Beehive competing for your presence this week.

Monday, September 27 – Closet Couture at the W Hotel
Ever open your closet only to declare that you have nothing to wear? Happens to me frequently while playing the “outfit game” before work. Whether you’re seeking a fab find or a fun night out, head to the W Hotel on Monday night from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. for a fashion show featuring both high and low end pieces from Second Time Around.  An after-party with Stuff Magazine and a Second Time Around Pop-Up store kicks off immediately following the fashion show at 10:00 p.m. Admission is free and the event is 21+.

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BOSTON, EVENTS

The Weekend: September 25-26

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival

Now that it’s officially fall, I’m treating every final burst of warm weather as if it could be our last.  With temperatures on Saturday expected in the mid-80s and Sunday near 70, it’s a great weekend to get out and enjoy Boston. This weekend, free fun is the name of the game, especially when it comes to art and music. In addition to free entry at several of the city’s top museums on Saturday, there are a few amazing (and free) concerts to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Here are my top picks for events this Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday, September 25

Free Jazz Fest in the South End
From noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, follow the sweet sounds of live jazz to Mass. Ave and Columbus Ave. in the South End for the tenth annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival. Serving as the grand finale to a series of events and performances that have been happening throughout the city since September 15, this all-day, outdoor festival features three stages with great performers, including Al Kooper and the Funky Faculty, the Jonathan Batiste Trio, and more.  For a full schedule of today’s events, please click here.

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BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

Friday, July 30: MFA Hosts Free Community Day

MFA Boston by Lilbenne from Flickr

On Friday, July 30, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is opening its doors to the general public by hosting a free community day.  From 10:00 a.m. through 9:45 p.m, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a frequent visitor, or haven’t stepped inside the Museum in ages, because general admission is gratis courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation.

With ten exhibitions and seven guided tours available at various times during the day, visitors can decide whether they prefer to wander on their own and play art critic, versus tapping into the wisdom of a Museum-trained guide.  Also not to be missed is the current visiting masterpiece,  Vincent van Gogh’s The Sower.

While there are tons of family-friendly activities during the day, visitors over 21 can also enjoy alfresco cocktails and live music in the Museum’s Calderwood Courtyard from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

For more information about the MFA’s free community day on Friday, July 30, please click here.