The Third Decade

Bravo for Boloco

The boys at Boloco continue to impress me with their customer response! After my last post, I received an email from the CEO. In a nutshell, he said that the company has taken a look at Dudley Square before and is interested in the area. The square presents some challenges, but if any potential retail locations were to open, he suggested that I send a note. I don't have enough experience in the restaurant business to know what size or kind of space would be appropriate. However, if anyone reading this does, feel free to send me a message and I will forward responses.

Let's bring burritos - and other types of eateries - to the people! Neighbors, we are responsible for the development of our community. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a JP Licks down Dudley, too. FYI, these are local companies. As we develop the heart of Boston, let's be sure to support Boston-based businesses.

One final tangential thought: why not have a one day food fair in Dudley with samples of Boloco burritos, JP Licks ice cream, Upper Crust pizza, and food from other local eateries? Although it falls very short of opening retail locations in the square, at least it would be an introduction to the community and demonstrate an openness in reaching out to a new market. I'm just sayin'.

No burritos for the people...yet

It's always great when businesses get back to you with a personal response.

Earlier this week I sent an email to Boloco asking them to open a shop in Dudley Square. Well, actually, I wrote "Bring burritos to the people. Please open a store in Dudley Square." I never really thought about whether I'd get a response, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to send the suggestion.

To my surprise, I received an email from their marketing guy today. Unfortunately they have no immediate plans to come to Dudley, but they say it's on their "list with about a thousand other places in and around the city of Boston."

So maybe Roxbury Crossing or Jackson Square then?

Hello, 2005.

Hello, 2005.

Yes, I realize that it's now 2010, but I was sent back 5 years in time earlier this week. While at a function at the Park Plaza Hotel, I passed by one of their computer rooms and saw this nighttime street image as the screen saver on every monitor:

 

What you see above is actually from their website. But, follow this link to see why I was transported through time.

Yup...you can imagine my shock. Years later and there it is being used without my knowledge. After a couple of days of contacting various people at the hotel, I've finally been in touch with the Marketing person. I expected to hear denial or be ready for a fight, but she's been quite lovely. She admits that they didn't know who the photographer was and she's interested in working out rights, crediting, and possibly future job ops. Woo hoo!

Wish me luck, and send advice on this kind of thing if you have it.

Happy New Year!

Annual ArtROX! Holiday Bazaar

The artists of Roxbury will be holding their annual holiday bazaar this Saturday. Stop by Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley Street, from 11am to 6pm for holiday gifts and original works of art.

 

ArtROX! at the MFA

 It's been a full week since the end of Roxbury Open Studios ended and I've finally looked at the photos I took during the October 2nd ArtROX! opening reception at the Museum of Fine Arts. It was a labor of love getting that together, but having a the event come together successfully was a beautiful thing. Local artists participating in Roxbury Open Studios (including me) had their work displayed in the second floor rotunda as part of a juried viewing and we interacted with MFA and ROS patrons during a night featuring music and food. It was a great experience and one I hope we can repeat next year.

I'll also give credit where it's due. My involvement in bringing ArtROX! to the MFA comes as a direct result of being a part of the initiative which I roundly criticized a year ago. Turns out the museum is serious about engaging communities of color and diversifying its programming and audiences. With another year left in my tenure on that committee, I hope to continue building connections between the museum and the communities around it.

Jamaica Plain Open Studios

JP Open Studios is this weekend. Over 200 artists - including me - will display work throughout the neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday. The opening reception is tonight, 6pm-10pm, on the third floor of 670 Centre St. Refreshments will be served. Come out for the day or for the weekend and support local artists.

ArtROX! kick off

If there's one thing I'm learning to appreciate, Roxbury's artists know how to do a lot more than just create works of art. Last night the collective artists of Roxbury kicked off a series of events, leading up to Roxbury Open Studios, with our first fundraiser dance party at Slades. I'm happy to say, however, that this wasn't just any night at a club, the artists (and our supporters) were tearing up the dance floor! The DJ played the music of the soulful 60's, disco 70's, one-hit-wonder 80's, nostalgic 90's (at least they're nostalgic for me), and the present day. I had never been to Slades before, but I felt that it was just the right venue to give the event a cool "uptown" vibe, especially given the dance floor's embedded lights and retro 70's look. Some artists had their artwork mounted around the club and we were joined by filmmakers from this weekend's Roxbury Film Festival, further adding to the energy of the event. The was so good that some people are already talking about doing it again next year and making it a regular part of the film festival schedule.

Anyway, this party was just the kick off to a series of arts events happening throughout the summer and leading to ROS. Artists and local organizations are working together to introduce and expose the public to a range of activities, most of which are free. Below is a short calendar of events, so start saving the dates:

Aug 11, 5:30pm-6pm: Free talk by E. Barry Gaither, Director of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, at the old Playhouse in the Park. The talk will focus on the history of the playhouse and Mr. Gaither's work with Elma Lewis, the Playhouse and Museum's founder, and will be immediately be followed by the smooth jazz of Andre Ward. The Playhouse in the Park series is currently run by the Franklin Park Coalition.

Aug 15, 10am-12pm: Free tour of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, led by E. Barry Gaither. RSVP for the tour by emailing Discover Roxbury at [email protected].

Aug 27, 6:30pm-8pm: Join Roxbury artist Ekua Holmes on a free evening art walk around the Highland Park/Fort Hill area. The tour, organized by Discover Roxbury, will visit some of the area's public art and stop by the home studios of artists Bobby Stevens, Lee Farrow, and Wendy Ellertson. If you'd like a preview of what's to come at ROS and/or are interested in touring one of Roxbury's most historic areas, this is a must attend.

Oct 2, 5:30pm-9:30pm: Celebrate the arrival of Roxbury Open Studios at a reception inside the Museum of Fine Arts. This reception is being organized in conjunction with the MFA's Multicultural Audience Development Committee, as a way of bridging the gap between the institution and the community and bringing new life and energy into the museum. A juried exhibition of art from Roxbury artists will be on display and a cash bar will be available. This ArtROX! reception is part of the MFA's First Fridays series (entry is free for museum members and free for non-members with museum admission).

Oct 3-4, 11am-5pm daily: ArtROX!, the 11th annual Roxbury Open Studios, takes place at artist studios and group shows across the neighborhood. Like all open studios, the event is free (but the art is not). Wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes, bring your checkbooks, and show your support for local artists. Maps and directories of ArtROX! will be available in early autumn. Discover Roxbury is also planning to offer a walking tour. Visit their website a few weeks prior to ROS for details on times and areas.

So, there you go. See you around Roxbury!

Louie

This is a great video. I've seen this man biking around town before, but never gave much thought about his background story. I hope the filmmaker does more videos about people around town.

Louie from Brian Moore on Vimeo.

Found on UniversalHub.

Photography exibition: Carnival

Shameless self promotion:
My latest exhibition, Carnival!, is on display throughout February at The Savant Project. As the name implies, the show features scenes from Boston's annual Caribbean Carnival. I'm excited to show this collection as it's all new work, it's the first time I've focused on people, the first time I'm doing large format images, and the first time I have work on canvas. Phew, that's a lot of firsts!

All are welcome to visit the opening reception next week on Tuesday, February 10th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at The Savant Project, 1625 Tremont St on Mission Hill. The owner of the Savant will also be mixing Carnival-themed drinks. C'mon out or stay in touch online.

Secretary of the Arts

There's a petition circulating the net urging President-Elect Barack Obama to create a Secretary of the Arts. The idea is attributed to Quincy Jones and it seems like something that could greatly enhance the quality of life nationwide. As the email notes, other countries have Ministers of Art and Culture. So why shouldn't the U.S. have someone who promotes the arts here? 

Click here to see the petition and sign.