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Boston Globe
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Boston Family Days expands to include performing arts organizations
The performing arts organizations include the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Ballet, the Boch Center, The Huntington (formerly the Huntington Theatre Company), Boston Lyric Opera, the Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, and ArtsEmerson, a presenting and producing organization that operates under the aegis of Emerson College. The expansion brings to 20 the number of performing arts organizations and historical sites that will be accessible at no charge for students and their families under the ' Advertisement According to the release, 'more than 50,000 Boston students and their guests have already enjoyed free visits through Boston Family Days so far, including thousands who experienced these institutions for the very first time.' 'Boston Family Days' is described in the news release as a 'public-private partnership' between the city and 'civic, corporate, and philanthropic partners' that include Amazon, the Barr Foundation, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, Bob and Michelle Atchinson, and Jim and Cathy Stone.' Don Aucoin can be reached at
CBS News
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Boston's iconic Boch Center Wang Theatre celebrates 100th anniversary with special events
Boston's iconic Boch Center Wang Theatre is celebrating 100 years of bringing entertainment to the city, and there are some special events to mark occasion. When the Wang opened in 1925, it was the tallest building in the city. J. Casey Soward, the president and CEO of the Boch Center said, "It went from a movie theater to having a concert stage as the music hall for a number of decades, and then it had decades as the Wang Center where it became more of a performing arts center, to what it is today." With a capacity of 3,500 seats, it's the largest theater in New England, something Soward says is a big draw to big-name acts. "I think someone that's looking for that experience of the historic theater in a large seating capacity we're the first place they look," Soward said. "Like when Ed Sheeran was here last year, he was looking for exactly that kind of theater to complement his two shows he did at Gillette Stadium, and he ended up doing one night here and just blowing everybody away, playing an acoustic unplugged on the stage." New exhibits, 100 Acts of Kindness The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is another draw. A new exhibit, highlighting Joan Baez, is set to open in early March. The theater is also going back to its cinema roots, hosting free screenings of film favorites. "People have this need for nostalgia," Soward said. "And so being able to bring your child or your grandchild to see a movie that was really important to you when you were growing up, and sharing that experience in a historic theater, is something that I think will resonate with people." Another community initiative in the works is 100 Acts of Kindness. "We have a forum on our website where you can nominate someone for an act of kindness," Soward says. "We're doing things like upgrading people's tickets, giving them a special VIP experience or a tour, things like even having people's [names] on the marquee... It's just a fun way for us to give back to those who have supported us for 100 years." The Wang hosted its first free film fest over Presidents' Day weekend. Another is being planned for this summer.
Boston Globe
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- 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
