Greatest Show on Earth pulls into Manchester, N.H., Boston By Jill Diver Flying dogs, and clowns, and elephants, oh my! No, it’s not a new twist on “The Wizard of Oz,” and there won’t be any flying monkeys. But The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to town with its all new presentation, Over the Top. The show, long known as The Greatest Show On Earth, runs at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. from Thursday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 4 and at the TD Bank Garden in Boston from Oct. 14 to 18. Donning his top hat, Ringmaster Chuck Wagner presides over this 138th edition of the… Keep Reading
Keys in a New York state of mind
By Jill Diver After entering the music scene nine years ago, Alicia Keys’ musical repertoire is constantly growing and changing. The 29-year-old singer released her fourth album, “The Element of Freedom,” last December. Already platinum and climbing the charts, it is at No. 6 on the R&B/Hiphop chart for the week of March 20. And it shows off her love of her native New York and reflects feelings of her personal life in songs such as “Put It In A Love Song” and “Love Is Blind,” as well as the title track “The Element of Freedom.” “I feel (that) we all feel what’s going on in the world,” Keys said. “I’ve always been a very empathetic person, so it’s natural.”
Lowell Summer Music Series lineup boasts some big name acts
In its 21st year, the Lowell Summer Music Series is featuring some big-name performers, including artists such as Lyle Lovett, the B-52’s and Cake. “We have been growing the stature of the artists and the quality of performers,” said Peter Aucella, programming director for the series. “The bigger names define the character of the summer series.” The Lowell Summer Music Series kicks off on Friday, June 25 with two-time Grammy winner and blues legend the Taj Mahal Trio at Boarding House Park in Lowell. There is something for the kids, too, with the 2010 Free Fun For Kids Series, including 10 free weekday morning programs, presented by… Keep Reading
‘Mamma Mia’: ABBA, romance and whole lot more
By Jill Diver It is probably not often that an aspiring actress’ first role out of college is in a well-known Broadway hit. But that is exactly what happened for 22-year-old Liana Hunt, who plays Sophie Sheridan in “Mamma Mia.” “Mamma Mia,” the musical based on the songs of ABBA, is in its eighth year on Broadway and currently headed to the Boston Colonial Theatre with Broadway Across America. The script, which also was made into a movie starring Meryl Streep, is about an independent single mother, Donna, whose daughter, Sophie, is about to get married on a Greek island where Donna owns a small hotel.
Wild about Harry
By Jill Diver Whether invited by friend, foe, dark arts professor or an owl post, muggles can visit Hagrid’s hut, play Quidditch, travel through the forbidden forest, and view The Daily Prophet — sadly, there is no web version — all here in Boston. Viewers get to see everything from Harry’s Nimbus 2000 broomstick to The Triwizard Cup, all at the Boston Museum of Science in the East Coast premiere of “Harry Potter: The Exhibition,” through Feb. 21, 2010. “I think kids fall in love with some of the creatures like Buckbeak, or going into Hagrid’s hut, I think young and old there is something here for everyone,”… Keep Reading
Sharing Time: Public invited to bare their own souls, at PostSecret project event
By Jill Diver
Imagine revealing your darkest secret to a complete stranger.
Now imagine allowing that stranger to publish that secret in a book — a very popular book — for widespread reading and scrutiny.
The PostSecret project, a social experiment, asks people not just to imagine this scenario, but to actually follow it through. Read more here
New art and wellness center celebrates grand opening in Georgetown
By Jill Diver GEORGETOWN — Artisans ranging in age from young children to senior adults now have a place in their community to practice their crafts, attend and rent out space for workshops and meetings, and even for the bride-to-be to shop for dresses with the opening of Scala Art Center. “We don’t have anything for the kids in the community,” said Lisa Scala, 44, of Georgetown. “It seems likes everyone goes to every other town for things that they do. I said, ‘We need something for our middle school and older kids to do something good.’”