The Blockbuster Musical Comes to the Boston Opera House
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September 10–23, 2018 THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO BOSTON PANORAMAEVENTS | SIGHTS | SHOPPING | MAPS | DINING | NIGHTLIFE | CULTURE WHAT THE FLUFF? IN SOMERVILLE BOSTON FILM FESTIVAL FALL ARTS GUIDE HAMILTON in the HUB The Blockbuster Musical Comes to the Boston Opera House bostonguide.com September 10–23, 2018 THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO BOSTON Volume 68 • No. 9 contents Feature PANO’s Guide 8 to Fall Arts As the temperature drops, the music, theater and art scene heats up in the Boston area Departments 7 5 A Peek at the Past Alexander Hamilton in Boston 6 Hubbub Three festivals, two new beer gardens and one block party 10 Boston’s Official Guide 10 Multilingual 15 Current Events 21 On Exhibit 25 Shopping 29 Cambridge 32 Maps 8 38 Neighborhoods 42 Sightseeing 46 Beyond Boston 49 Freedom Trail 51 Dining 62 Boston Accent Hamilton star Nicholas Christopher ON THE COVER: Hamilton at the Boston Opera House (refer to listing, page 20). Photo: Joan Marcus. 62 PHOTOS (TOP TO BOTTOM): COURTESY OF NIGHT SHIFT BREWING; JAZZ ALONG THE CHARLES BY ROBERT TORRES; NICHOLAS CHRISTOPER COURTESY OF HAMILTON BOSTONGUIDE.COM 3 THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO BOSTON bostonguide.com September 10–23, 2018 Volume 68 • Number 9 Tim Montgomery • Publisher Scott Roberto • Art Director/Acting Editor Laura Jarvis • Associate Art Director Annie Farrell • Senior Account Executive Olivia J. Kiers • Assistant Editor Tim Montgomery • President & CEO Tyler J. Montgomery • Vice President, Operations Rita A. Fucillo • Vice President, Publishing Jacolyn Ann Firestone • Vice President, Advertising Melissa J. O’Reilly • Business Manager Lenard B. Zide, Butters Brazilian LLP • Corporate Counsel PANORAMA is published bi-weekly by New Venture Media Group LLC. Editorial and advertising offices at 560 Harrison Ave., Suite 412, Boston, MA 02118. Telephone (617) 423-3400. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. No part of this publica- tion may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission of the publisher. PANORAMA is a member of the Massachusetts Lodging Association, The Back Bay Association, The Greater Boston NEW ENGLAND’S Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Boston Concierge Association, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Newbury Street BEST VIEW League, the South End Business Alliance, the Downtown Crossing Association, the Kendall Square Association and the BOSTON’S MOST ROMANTIC Central Square Business Association. FINE DINING EXPERIENCE a magazine affiliate BRUNCH LUNCH COCKTAILS DINNER FOLLOW US! Facebook.com/PanoramaBoston ND FLOOR OF PRUDENTIAL TOWER Twitter.com/PanoramaBoston Instagram.com/PanoramaBoston TOPOFTHEHUB.NET CALL: Pinterest.com/PanoramaBoston 4 PANORAMA A PEEK AT THE PAST Taking the Mystery Out of Boston History ALEXANDER HAMILTON IN BOSTON ith the immensely popular, critically ac- Wclaimed musical Hamilton (refer to listing, page 20) making its Boston debut beginning Sep- tember 18, now is the perfect time to examine the life of our nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Although New York may have more of a connection to this critical figure to the formative years of the United States, the Hub can also make a small, yet important, claim on this Founding Father who has been thrust into the spotlight thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ground- breaking masterpiece. Born on the island of Nevis, a part of the British West Indies, in about 1757, Hamilton later moved to St. Croix of the Virgin Islands, where he was orphaned after his mother’s death in 1768. Finding work as a clerk, the young man had grander am- bitions, and eventually found his way to England’s North American colonies seeking an education. This is where the local connection enters the picture. Emigrating from St. Croix, Hamilton first landed in what would eventually become the United States in 1772 at the port of Boston, not far from Faneuil Hall, which, in those days, sat on the town’s waterfront. Faneuil Hall had been the site of many tax protests, and although Hamilton passed through the area in the relatively quiet pe- riod between the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, a revolutionary fervor no doubt still persisted that purportedly had a great influence on the patriot-to-be. From Beantown, Hamilton proceeded quickly to New York City, where he soon entered studies at King’s College, the precursor to Columbia then-Vice President Aaron Burr, a bitter political University. The rest, as they say, is history: while rival of whom Hamilton had been sharply critical. still a student, he spoke publicly (and also wrote Today, Hamilton’s connection to this area anonymously) in defense of the colonists’ cause extends beyond the musical set to dazzle Boston’s against the British, and later, after the Battle of Theatre District. His influence was such that a Lexington and Concord, joined the war effort, town on Boston’s North Shore was named after eventually rising to the level of chief staff aide to him in 1793. Former Massachusetts governor George Washington himself. When the war ended, Alexander Hamilton Bullock, who served from Hamilton became a key advocate for the United 1866–69, also bore his name. And for those who States Constitution, and was a founder of the Fed- want to stand in Hamilton’s virtual presence, two eralist Party as well as the first Secretary of the pieces of art depicting his likeness crafted by Treasury under Washington, a role in which he laid prominent artists—an 1806 oil portrait by John the foundations for America’s financial system. Trumbull on display at the Museum of Fine Arts All these accomplishments didn’t save Hamilton and a statue crafted by William Rimmer erected from an ignominious end, however, when, on July on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall in 1865 (pic- 11, 1804, he was mortally wounded in a duel with tured above)—reside in the city. —Scott Roberto PHOTO: FREDERICK M. SMITH, C. 1870–79/COURTESY OF BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOSTONGUIDE.COM 5 HOLLYWOOD IN THE HUB Now that summer blockbuster season is over, we move on to the next phase of the entertainment calendar: prestige movie season. Taking place from September 20–23, the 34th annual Boston Film Festival (bostonfilmfestival.org) is a harbinger of this time-honored tradition, presenting plenty of films and documentaries you may be seeing on year- end best-of lists as well as 2019 Oscar ballots. Regardless, movie buffs can look forward to experiencing many outstanding narratives, special guest appearances by actors and filmmakers strolling the red carpet, a handful of world premieres and lots of local flavor, all centered around downtown Boston venues. WHAT BOSTON’S BUZZING ABOUT LUCKY THIRTEEN How do you top the 100th anniversary of the invention of Marshmallow 9.10.18 Fluff in Somerville’s Union Square that was marked in grand style at the What the Fluff? (flufffestival.com) festival last year? By adding a supernatural twist! In honor of this 13th annual affair, the organizers have themed this year’s party “Fluff the 13th” and introduced imagery of black cats, fortune tellers and other magical mysticism to the usual mix of musical performances, food, cooking and costume contests, Fluff-inspired games (think Fluff jousting, Fluff bowling, a marshmallow toss and the like) and other family fun. Head down to the streets of Union Square September 22 from 3–7 p.m. to get in on this sweet, sticky and silly celebration for all ages. 6 PANORAMA HUBBUB AFTERNOON DELIGHT A staple of late-night dining in the Hub, the South Street Diner (178 Kneeland St., 617- 350-0028, southstreetdiner.com) has been a local fixture in one form or another since 1947. Thanks to an annual tradition, however, non- night owls can enjoy all this classic eatery has to offer and more at the freeSouth Street Diner Block Party. This family-friendly fest taking place September 16 from 2–6 p.m. between Kneeland and Beach streets features pony rides, face painting, cartoonists, an ice cream stand, a live DJ and even one of the area’s latest entertainment sensations, Archery Games Boston, which hosts an area for its foam-tipped bow-and-arrow combat contests. And did we mention the free hot dogs, hamburgers and other refreshments that are available? Who says you can’t have a good time and still get to bed early? A PHAN-TASTIC FENWAY FESTIVAL The folks behind the local restaurant-focused television program “Phantom Gourmet” have been enticing New England viewers for a quarter century, so when they throw a party, there’s definitely a reason for foodies to take notice. Just witness the annual Phantom Gourmet Food Festival (phantomgourmetfoodfestival.com), which takes place on the streets and at indoor venues right around Fenway Park on September 22 from noon–4 p.m. Packed with hundreds of samples from the area’s finest eateries and food vendors, all included with the price of a ticket, this bash also boasts live music and a purple-themed costume contest. For those who just can’t wait to get in, VIP tickets are available that allow early access along with entry into a private party featuring special dishes and more live music. Leave the kids at home, though: this festival is strictly 21-plus. BREWS ALONG THE RIVERBANK Night Shift Brewing’s Owl’s Nest beer garden (nightshiftbrewing.com/ owls-nest) was a late yet welcome addition to Boston’s summer scene when it debuted at Fiedler Field along the Charles River Esplanade in early August. The good news is, even if you didn’t make it over to the banks of the Charles to sip on Night Shift’s array of award-winning brews along with beer and cider from guest breweries and vintages from Backpack Wine, you haven’t missed the boat.