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Boston Globe

Ernie Boch extends naming rights sponsorship of the Boch Center for ten more years

Advertisement Boch, who's owned numerous car dealerships over the years, said he'd always loved the Wang. He recalled that he saw his first concert there (Cat Stevens) and later slept on the sidewalk for Deep Purple tickets. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I kind of get a little nostalgic for that theater,' said Boch, who first Boch added that he admires how the performing arts center has evolved, launching the But the past five years, he said, were pivotal, as his relationship to the theater deepened. 'I decided to re-up because we went through COVID with that theater,' said Boch, recalling the pandemic-era lockdowns. 'That was touch and go. That was emotional. It's like having a friend sick in the hospital, and they survived. There was extreme bonding there.' Soward, 'That's something he's very passionate about,' said Soward, adding that Boch started Though today it's known as the Wang Theatre, the playhouse started life as the Metropolitan Theatre, one of largest movie theaters in the country. It was renamed the Music Hall in 1962, when it became home to Boston Ballet and host to a mix of dance, opera, film, and other performances. The theater, which became a nonprofit in 1980, was later rechristened the Wang in honor of Dr. An Wang, whose sizable gift galvanized the philanthropic community to fund extensive renovations. Advertisement Soward said the Boch Center is planning a variety of programs over the next year to celebrate the Wang's 100th birthday, including movies, concerts, and an open house. The Boch Center is also launching a year-long initiative called '100 Acts of Kindness' that will feature giveaways, complimentary ticket upgrades, and the chance for patrons to be featured on the theater's marquee, among other things. Soward added that the movie screenings, which start Valentine's Day weekend, will be pay-what-you want. He said it will take the erstwhile moviehouse 'back to our roots,' featuring a slate of movies with local ties, including 'Good Will Hunting,' 'Legally Blonde,' and 'The Departed.' The Boch Center will also host an open house later this year, which Soward said will likely include live performances, special guests, and will spotlight the center's education programs. 'We will also be announcing some major concerts with some major artists,' said Soward. 'Some of them are iconic artists that have played here throughout the decades that will be announced throughout the year.' He added that the Folk Hall of Fame is also planning to open new exhibitions this year, including one on Joan Baez's career and activism, and another on the late Levon Helm, formerly of The Band. Advertisement 'People have been so generous to keep us in business for 100 years,' he said. 'A lot of it's just going to be about giving back.' Malcolm Gay can be reached at