Calendar

Jan
11
Fri
Opening Reception: French Eyes on Boston at the French Cultural Center
Jan 11 @ 5:14 pm – 6:14 pm

The Center is proud to host the show French Eyes on Boston, a collection of portraits and landscapes painted by Marguerite Wibaux, who moved to Boston from France in 2017.



Marguerite’s landscapes marry the Renaissance perspective tradition with an American expressionist approach. The paintings engage with the artist’s perceptions of various points of view in Boston. From a pictorial standpoint, the landscape series explores various mediums and techniques, mixing oil and spray paint with acrylic and collage.

But what is a city without its people? The second component of Marguerite’s work explores Boston’s youth through portraiture.

These paintings aim to pay tribute to a rich diversity of styles, personalities, genres, origins, and cultures in a visually thriving and energizing series.

The gallery opening will include a presentation of Marguerite’s work and a reception with light refreshments. Registration required.

Jan
16
Wed
Irish Whiskey Dinner at Solas Irish Pub
Jan 16 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join Solas on Boylston Street for the first dinner of their Whiskey Wednesday series!

Enjoy an evening of dinner, drinks and laughs, while learning about the whiskey we all love, Irish Whiskey! Boston’s finest Irish Whiskey Ambassador, Cathal O’Connor, will share his expansive knowledge; while Solas Sous Chef, Alex Galvis, will speak on the inspiration behind her delicious three course meal. Slainte!

Cocktail (Half) Hour:
Featuring Kilbeggan Single Grain

First Course:
Irish Soda Bread Crostini – local bleu cheese, apricot mostrada, sorrel
Paired with Kilbeggan Single Grain

Second Course:
Coffee Rubbed Rack of Lamb – barley risotto, cirtus bok choy, fig butter
Paired with Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Third Course:
Cinnamon Apple Tart – vanilla bean ice cream, caramel
Paired with Tyrconnell 10yr Sherry Finish

PLUS, a Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey toast to end the night

Lookout for details on part two of their series January 30, where they will sample whiskeys from all around the world!

 

Jan
30
Wed
World of Whiskeys Dinner at Solas Irish Pub
Jan 30 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join Solas on Boylston Street for the second dinner of their Whiskey Wednesday series!

Why travel around the world to try new whiskeys when we have them all right here at Solas? Come join Solas for an evening of dinner, drinks & laughs! Beam Suntory’s Maggie Sinclair will share her expansive whiskey knowledge; while Solas Sous Chef, Alex Galvis, will speak on the inspiration behind her delicious three course meal. Slainte!

Cocktail (Half) Hour:
Featuring Canadian Club (Canada)

First Course:
Cucumber and Blood Orange Panzanell – pumpernickel crouton, thyme honey
Paired with Toki Japanese Whiskey (Japan)

Second Course:
Smoked Pork Shoulder – farro & stone fruit salad, shaved brussel sprouts
Paired with Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye (USA)

Third Course:
Pear Banoffee Pie – graham cracker, dulce de leche
Paired with Tyrconnell 10yr Sherry Finish (Ireland)

PLUS, a Japenese Gin Roku toast to end the night!

Lookout for details on part three of their series February 6, where they will sample luxury scotch!

Feb
13
Wed
Galentine’s Day Party @ OAK Long Bar + Kitchen
Feb 13 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year!” – Leslie Knope

Galentine's Day at OAK Long Bar

OAK Long Bar is throwing a party for ladies to celebrate ladies the day before Valentine’s Day, popularly known as Galentine’s Day. On Wednesday, February 13, from 6:00–9:00 PM, join The Food Lens and OAK Long Bar + Kitchen for a Galentine’s Day soirée, a night of sipping, snacking, and sweets—all while supporting a local charity that serves homeless women.

Here’s how they’ll be honoring the ladies:

  • With a cheese & charcuterie spread from female purveyors
  • With a tasting of standout wines produced by lady vintners
  • With decadent hors d’oeuvres by OAK’s Executive Chef Graham Lockwood
  • With a sweets station composed by OAK’s Pastry Chef Lindsay Le Blanc
  • With a raw bar featuring live-shucked shellfish
  • With chances to win gift bags filled with pampering and indulging items from local women-owned businesses
  • With a photo booth to snap shots with your WCWs

…and more!

Tickets are $55 and include all food, two specialty cocktails, the wine tasting, and a charitable monetary donation. *OAK Long Bar will donate $10 from your ticket* to Women’s Lunch Place, a daytime shelter on Newbury Street offering a safe sanctuary, nutritious meals and critical support services for Boston women experiencing poverty and homelessness.

“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year!” – Leslie Knope. The holiday was created by the show “Parks and Recreation” and has since transcended the TV screen to become a beloved tradition of celebrating female friendships annually on February 13, whether that be your friend, sister, co-worker, mom, partner, or whoever!

ABOUT THE FOOD LENS
The Food Lens is a curated website that enables the culinarily curious to discover or rediscover Boston’s dining scene. Eternally curious and always hungry, female founders Molly Ford and Sarah Jesup have eaten their way through the city, culling the most authentic dining experiences Boston has to offer.

Feb
15
Fri
French Eyes on Boston Painting Workshop at the French Cultural Center
Feb 15 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

French artist and Boston resident Marguerite Wibaux will lead a workshop on alla-prima, a technique made famous by Matisse.

 –
Marguerite will lead this fascinating workshop, which will begin with an explanation of the technique and a presentation of the model. The attendees will then be invited to pick up their brushes and produce their own portraits, alla-prima.  Easels, canvas, brushes and acrylic paint provided will be provided to all attendees.

About Marguerite Wimbaux

A member of the Center since 2017, Marguerite has quite the atypical career. After graduating with an MBA from the prestigious HEC Paris, Marguerite worked in advertising for the most-renowned French Maisons, from Cartier and Hermès to Van Cleef, Hennessy, the Italian Cavalli, and Armani.

These past experiences in the realm of couture translate into Marguerite’s art. There is a passion for patterns and an obsession with composition and structure, while staying true to the energy and character of her subjects.

The colorful diversity of Marguerite’s artwork is also influenced by her childhood. Marguerite was born in Argentina, and has lived in Peru, Italy, China, France, and the USA.

Currently, Marguerite’s pieces are commissioned and sent to galleries across the globe, from Milan to New York. 

To learn more, visit Marguerite’s website: https://margueritewibaux.com/

Jun
7
Fri
National Donut Day at OAK Long Bar + Kitchen
Jun 7 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Celebrate Pride and National Donut Day with OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

National Donut Day is this Friday, June 7, coinciding with Boston PRIDE week. Fairmont Copley Plaza is waving its PRIDE flag loud and proud outside in Copley Square, and to further celebrate with the community OAK Long Bar + Kitchen will give away complimentary mini PRIDE donuts to its patio customers from 4–8PM on Friday, with the purchase of any drink or food, while supplies last. The three-inch minis baked by OAK’s Pastry Chef Lindsay Le Blanc will be a Funfetti Brioche Donut with Rainbow Glaze.

Chef Lindsay is known for her creative donuts and crullers. Every weekend she bakes a new flavor for the Brunch menu’s “French Cruller” special. Last weekend’s cruller was Orange Creamsicle, and past flavors include Vanilla Bean w/ Peanut Butter, Mexican Hot Chocolate and Raspberry Hazelnut.

Aug
21
Wed
Two Centuries of French Fashion at the French Cultural Center
Aug 21 @ 5:53 pm – 6:53 pm

An Ephemeral Exhibit with the Lasell Fashion Collection and Boston Fashion Week

Join the French Cultural Center in celebrating Boston Fashion Week with a unique look at curated French pieces from the Lasell Fashion Collection. This unique exhibit and separate private tour of the collection are for one evening only!

Free and open to the public, the general reception will start at 7:00 PM and run through 9:00 PM, with light refreshments.

Ephemeral Exhibit: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Fashion Collection team at Lasell University have curated an exceptional intimate fashion retrospective spanning two centuries and multiple designers. On display will be 17 pieces from the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, Jeanne Lanvin, and Comme des Garçons among others. These select pieces, including an original 1880 Parisian opera costume, will face each other in an exhibition that tells the story of their eras through their designs and the techniques used in their creation.

Jill M. Carey, Professor and Curator at Lasell University, Stephanie Hebert, Collections Manager, and their team of passionate students will be available to guide guests in this exceptional journey enriched by interactive components.

This event will mark the launching of the website and digital catalog of the University’s own permanent fashion collection.

Private Tour: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Limited tickets to a private tour and presentation of historic French hand fans with fan historian and collector Shelly Goncalves, former president of the Fan Association of North America, are available for purchase.

 

About the Lasell Fashion Collection
Established in 1996, the Lasell Fashion Collection (LFC) contains approximately 3,000 objects and currently resides in the Donahue Center for Creative and Applied Arts. While the collection spans 200 years of fashion history, the LFC is notable for its 20th century designer fashions, with an emphasis on couture. In 2018, over 1,200 artifacts were transferred to the LFC upon the closure of the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA. This important acquisition enriched the breadth and depth of the LFC’s holdings, specifically in 19th and early 20th century everyday wear, undergarments, and accessories.

About Boston Fashion Week
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Boston Week! Boston Fashion Week was founded as a civic initiative in 1995. The force behind the week has been dedicated to creating opportunities that increase the viability and visibility of the local industry. The series of fashion related events throughout Greater Boston and beyond serves as a platform for both established industry professionals and aspiring newcomers to showcase their work as well as network with peers and the public.

Sep
19
Thu
Battle of the Breweries at the Lenox Hotel
Sep 19 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The second annual Back Bay Battle of the Breweries returns with all of your favorite local craft brewers in one spot!

Enjoy samples from over 20 New England Breweries and then place your vote for your favorite!

The winning brewery gets a Tap Takeover in City Table, City Bar and Solas!

Ticket price includes unlimited beer samples, customized tasting glass, hors d’oeuvres created by Chef Sean MacAlpine, live music with Jason Silverman of Hot Mess and a night full of good eats, brews and fun!

Be sure to get your tickets early – the last Back Bay Battle of the Breweries sold out quickly!

PARTICIPATING BREWERIES:

Night Shift Brewing – Everett, MA

Idle Hands – Malden, MA

Lord Hobo – Woburn, MA

Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers – Framingham, MA

Cambridge Brewing Company – Cambridge, MA

Devil’s Purse Brewing – South Dennis, MA

Widowmaker Brewing – Braintree, MA

Westfield River Brewing Company – Southwick, MA

Bantam Cider – Somerville, MA

Bent Water – Lynn, MA

Aeronaut Brewing Company – Somerville, MA

Turtle Swamp – Jamaica Plain/Roslindale, MA

Naked Ox – Dorchester, MA

Small Change Brewing Company – Somerville, MA

Notch Brewing – Salem, MA

Definitive Brewing – Portland, ME

Great North Aleworks – Manchester, NH

Athletic Brewing Company – Stratford, CT

Castle Island Beer – Norwood, MA

Citizen Cider – Burlington, VT

Cisco Brewers – Nantucket, MA

Winter Hill Brewing – Somerville, MA

*All attendees must be 21+ with a valid ID. Nobody will be allowed into the event who is under 21 or who doesn’t have a valid ID.

For more information, check out the Lenox’s BLOG!

Sep
20
Fri
Art on Science, 26 Études Opening Reception at French Cultural Center
Sep 20 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join the French Cultural Center and the Boston / Strasbourg Sister City Association for a gallery opening.

“In the fields of science and art, new paradigms emerge only when we dare to go beyond what is established.” – Irene Georgakoudi, Tufts University, Biomedical Engineering 

The French Cultural Center is exploring science as the catalyst for artistic expression and art as the catalyst for scientific observation! Join them for the launch of their fall cultural programs with an intriguing gallery opening presented in partnership with the Boston/Strasbourg Sister City Association. The gallery opening will include a reception with light refreshments.

Free and open to the public, registration required.

Event in English with French transcripts.  

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Art on Science: 26 études (AS26) is a collaborative international art project sponsored by the Boston/Strasbourg Sister City Association (BSSCA) that crosses the lines between art, science, and culture. Thirteen artists from Boston and Strasbourg each were paired with scientists from their home city to explore a scientific theme. The result? A testament to the power of curiosity and creativity and 52 incredible works of art accompanied by written scientific commentaries.

Artists took tours of laboratories. Scientists made studio visits. Some pairs worked shoulder-to-shoulder with live specimens, while others communicated virtually to share ideas and resources. Come explore the fields of art and science with us as we unveil these intriguing works!

Oct
6
Sun
Back Bay Beer Festival at Back Bay Social!
Oct 6 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Celebrate National Beer Day at Back Bay Social’s Back Bay Beer Festival!

Your ticket includes:

  • Admission to the event
  • Food truck inspired snacks
  • Tasting with 12 different beers — including Down Eat Cider
  • “Back Bay Brew Card” to you can keep track of everything you tried
  • Giveaways & swag from all of our beer sponsors!

OUR SPONSORS