The Associates of the Boston Public Library is pleased to invite you to the 29th Annual Literary Lights awards dinner.
Join the BPL on Sunday, April 23, 2017, at the Boston Park Plaza for a spectacular black tie (optional) evening honoring distinguished authors from the Northeast for their contributions to literature and the written word. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the awards program at 7:00 PM.
The Associates of the Boston Public Library are honored to recognize the following authors as their 2017 Literary Lights:
Presented by: Hentry Louis Gates, Jr.
Appiah is a philosopher, novelist, professor and cultural theorist. He grew up in Ghana and earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Cambridge University in London. Professor Appiah has lectured around the world and taught at Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Duke and Harvard Universities before moving to New York University where he now teaches in the Department of Philosophy. In 2009 Forbes Magazine named him one of the world’s most powerful thinkers, in 2010 he was on the list of Foreign Policy Magazine’s top global thinkers, and he was awarded the National Humanitarian Medal at a White House ceremony in 2012. Appiah, the author of numerous books and articles, has traveled around the world giving lectures on multiculturalism, global citizenship, courage, identity, and religion. One of his early books, In My Father’s House, which explores the role of African American intellectuals in shaping contemporary African life, won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and the Herskovits Award for the most important scholarly work on African studies published in English. Appiah is well known for his columns and podcasts as the Ethicist for the New York Times.
Presented by: Christopher Lydon
Faludi is a journalist and author who has written extensively on gender issues. In 1991 she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism for a piece on the leverage buyout of Safeway Stores, focusing on the “human cost of high finance.” After graduating from Harvard University, where she wrote for The Harvard Crimson, she was a contributor to the New Yorker, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Nation, as well as many other publications. In the 1980s Faludi wrote several pieces on the feminist movement and the resistance to it, resulting in her 1991 book, Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women, for which she won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction. She went on to write Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man, The Terror Dream, and, most recently, The Darkroom, which was inspired by her father’s transsexuality. She was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies in the 2008-2009 academic year and a 2013-2014 Tallman Scholar in the Gender and Women’s Studies Program at Bowdoin College.
Presented by: Andre Dubus III
Lamb is the best-selling author of She’s Come Undone, I know This Much is True, The Hour I First Believed, and Wishin’ and Hopin’. His first two books were selected for Oprah’s Book Club, were New York Times best-sellers, New York Times Notable Books of the Year and, between them, have been translated into 18 languages. His latest novel is We Are Water. Lamb has also edited two volumes of essays: Couldn’t Keep it to Myself and I’ll Fly Away, written by students in his writing workshops at a women’s prison in Connecticut. He has taught creative writing in the English department at the University of Connecticut, was founder and director of the Writing Center at Norwich Free Academy, has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Connecticut Commission for the Arts, and was honored with the Connecticut Center for the Book’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Presented by: Gregory Maguire
Selznick graduated from RISD where he studied illustration and, while there, took classes in set design at Brown University. After graduation, he worked at a children’s book store in New York City while writing his debut book, The Houdini Box. In 2008 he won the Caldecott Medal from the American Library Association, for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the first such award for a book this long; 533 pages with 284 illustrations. The book was adapted into a 2011 film, Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese. He has also been awarded a 2002 Caldecott Honor for his illustrations of Barbara Kerley’s The Dinosaurs of Waterhorse Hawkins. In addition, Mr. Selznick has received the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award and the Christopher Award, given to media which “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”
Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall (Keynote Speaker)
Presented by: David Leonard
Marshall was born in South Africa where, as a student, she led the National Union of South African Students, working to end oppressive minority rule and achieve equality for all South Africans. Marshall first came to the US as a high school exchange student in Wilmington, DL in 1962, as the civil rights battles were beginning to boil over, and later returned to the US for graduate school, where she became involved with the anti-war and the women’s movements. After Yale Law School, she entered private practice, became President of the Boston Bar Association, Vice President & General Counsel for Harvard University, and then went on to the State’s Supreme Court, where she became the first female Chief Justice of the oldest continuously serving appellate court in the Western Hemisphere. Though she has had many accomplishments, Justice Marshall is most renowned for her 2003 opinion which led Massachusetts to become the first state in the nation to outlaw the ban on same-sex marriage. Although she loved her time on the bench, Justice Marshall stepped down in 2010. She now mentors young lawyers at her former law firm, Choate Hall & Stewart, and teaches at Harvard University.
In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of these outstanding writers, proceeds from Literary Lights support the David McCullough Conservation Fund, William O. Taylor Art Preservation Fund, Associates Endowment Fund, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library’s operations. The Associates created the McCullough Fund in 2001 to provide a consistent source of funding for the conservation and preservation of books, manuscripts, works of art and historic documents in the BPL’s Special Collections.
If you would prefer to receive a mailed invitation or for more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Associates office at associates@bpl.org or (617) 536-3886. Thank you.
Everyone loves brunch in Back Bay
Dillon’s invites you to join them for their second Boozy Brunch of the season featuring brunch buffet, booze, live music and games on Sunday, July 23rd at Dillon’s in Back Bay.
They’re serving up an all you can eat brunch buffet and tasty mimosas compliments of Martini & Rossi. Thanks to Social Boston Sports they’ll have tailgate and party games running all afternoon to keep you busy and you can pop over to our photo booth to snap some silly photos. DJ Sprino will be DJing all afternoon to get you in that Down to Brunch spirit (although we have a feeling Martini & Rossi will help with that, too).
Tickets To This Event Include:
- All you can eat brunch buffet from 10AM – 1 PM
- Two drinks at our Martini + Rossi Mimosa Bar
- Live Music by DJ Sprino
- Corn Hole sponsored by Social Boston Sports
- Party games and activities
- Photo Booth
- Brunches of Boston swag
*Additional alcohol can be purchased directly at the bar at Dillon’s
*GF and vegetarian options will be available
*Must be 21+ to attend this event
Tickets non-refundible within 24 hours of event
Shop Vince and Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Research
Vince at 71 Newbury Street invites you to join them in raising funds for breast cancer research with Lion Heart. Twenty percent of all sales on November 18 will be donated to Lion Heart’s breast cancer research fundraising team.
Lion Heart is committed to finding a cure for breast cancer. Founded and led by Kathleen van Rijn, Lion Heart supports Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and the Yale Cancer Center by endowing breast cancer research grants. 100% of all money raised is donated to Breast Cancer Research.
To learn more about Lion Heart, please click here.
To learn more about Vince, please click here.
Fall is cool and all… but honestly, what would it be without pumpkin spice!?
It’s the flavor of the season that you don’t even need to be #basic to obsess over… and it’s coming to City Table in a BIG way!
City Table is devoting an entire weekend to the sacred pumpkin spice– their special themed menu will be available on both Saturday & Sunday from 10am – 2pm (in addition to their regular brunch menu). They will offer a variety of mouthwatering #pumpkinspice creations, both sweet and savory. From french toast to pasta, they’ve covered it all– check out some of their offerings below!
Cocktail specials coming soon – head to bit.ly/pumpkinspicemenu to view the menu on their website.
Food Specials:
Pumpkin Spice Beignets
– Cinnamon sugar, espresso crème anglaise for dipping
Basic Parfait
Housemade granola, pumpkin spice yogurt, fresh berries
OMG (Oh My Gourd)
Two eggs baked in an acorn squash, smoked maple bacon
Maple French Totes
Griddled sourdough French toast, maple pecan topping,
cinnamon whipped cream, bourbon syrup
#PumpkinRavioli
Candied walnuts, fresh sage, smoked maple cream
Fall is cool and all… but honestly, what would it be without pumpkin spice!?
It’s the flavor of the season that you don’t even need to be #basic to obsess over… and it’s coming to City Table in a BIG way!
City Table is devoting an entire weekend to the sacred pumpkin spice– their special themed menu will be available on both Saturday & Sunday from 10am – 2pm (in addition to their regular brunch menu). They will offer a variety of mouthwatering #pumpkinspice creations, both sweet and savory. From french toast to pasta, they’ve covered it all– check out some of their offerings below!
Cocktail specials coming soon – head to bit.ly/pumpkinspicemenu to view the menu on their website.
Food Specials:
Pumpkin Spice Beignets
– Cinnamon sugar, espresso crème anglaise for dipping
Basic Parfait
Housemade granola, pumpkin spice yogurt, fresh berries
OMG (Oh My Gourd)
Two eggs baked in an acorn squash, smoked maple bacon
Maple French Totes
Griddled sourdough French toast, maple pecan topping,
cinnamon whipped cream, bourbon syrup
#PumpkinRavioli
Candied walnuts, fresh sage, smoked maple cream
Celebrate 20 Years of Sex and the City with The Lenox
What better way to celebrate 20 years since our first introduction to the fabulous four than their religious weekend practice… Brunch!
Grab your leading ladies & join The Lenox in the beautiful Dome Room, Sunday September 30th, for their first ever Sex and the City Brunch. Be transported to the chic streets of Manhattan with their breathtaking terrace and bouquet arrangements.
Your ticket includes:
- Open La Marca Bubbly Bar
- Made-To-Order Omelette Station with farm fresh eggs
- Sweet & Savory Waffle Bar with toppings to include fresh berries, candies, whipped cream, warm Vermont maple syrup, and more
- Build-Your-Own Yogurt Parfait
- Union Square Donuts Custom Donut Wall
- Sex and the City Inspired Games
- Fun Prizes
- Gift Bags
- & More!
The movie and soundtrack will be the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of gossip & glamour. Refresh your memory on everyone’s favorite seasons to prepare for Sex and the City trivia and games sprinkled in between the fun.
Please let The Lenox know the names of everyone in your party during checkout and they will try their best to seat you with your preferences. The best way to guarantee seating with your entire group is to purchase a full table at a discounted rate.
This event is 21+ with a valid ID. All sales are final, sorry no refunds.
Join Taj Boston for a Pop-up Rooftop Brunch and Book Signing featuring Kim Foley MacKinnon and her new book 100 Places to See in Boston Before You Die.
A featured destination in Ms. MacKinnon’s book, the Rooftop at The Taj boasts one of the most dramatic views in Boston of Back Bay and beyond. Each adult ticket includes a copy of 100 Places to See in Boston Before you Die, a curated compendium of the best of Boston, with ideas, essential sights, can’t-miss dining and more. In addition, author Kim Foley Mackinnon will be in attendance to sign books and share her Boston expertise.
The hotel’s culinary team has created a menu that includes something for every palate from omelet and waffle stations, soups and salads, raw bar display, cheese and charcuterie and more. Enjoy assorted entrees, a sushi station, and an Asian station. Brunch has a sweet finish with a selection of desserts.
Join the 5th Annual Dana-Farber Unmask Cancer Gala to Benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.
This exotic rainforest-themed evening will include dancing, dinner by-the-bite, creative cocktails, and music by DJ Joey Carvello. There will also be a live and silent auction, as well as exciting opportunity drawing items from various sponsors.
UnMask Cancer will begin at 8 p.m. Cocktail attire is suggested, and masks are encouraged. Tickets start at $350 and sponsorships are available starting at $5,000. Visit www.unmaskcancer.org for ticket and sponsorship information.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute doctors and researchers work tirelessly to unmask the secrets of cancer and discover the latest developments and breakthroughs to treat patients. UnMask Cancer will raise critical funds to support this lifesaving mission and is made possible by a dedicated committee led by co-chair Mark Scribner.
The historic Swan Boats kick off another season in the Public Garden.
On April 13, the Swan Boats officially open for the 2019 Season, bringing joy to families from near and far until Labor Day, September 2.
Spring hours (April 13 – June 20) are 10 am to 4:00 pm. Summer hours (June 21 – Labor Day) are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Swan Boats are open every day, weather permitting. We cannot operate in rain, high winds or extreme heat.
Purchasing Tickets
The Swan Boat ride lasts about 12-15 minutes while the driver pedals you around the Public Garden lagoon. Tickets are purchased at the Swan Boat dock prior to boarding the boat. No reservations are needed. We accept cash or credit card. The wait for a ride is typically no more than 5-10 minutes.
Adults $4.00
Children $2.50 (age 2 to 15 years)
Under 2 yrs. Free
Seniors $3.50
Ex’s and Ohhh’s they haunt us… So off to the Valentine’s Day themed Drag Brunch…
Hosted by Robyn Edges and Neon Calypso-OH-OH-OH
Whether you’re trying to find your squeeze or forget them, join Back Bay Social at our Valentine’s edition Ex’s and Ohhh’s Drag Brunch on Saturday, February 15th. Doors at 11am, Show at 1pm.
One, two, three they’re going to bring the mimosas to me.
We always want to come but we never want to leave!
Performances by Mizery Mcrae and Teasha.
Check out the brunch menu here
