rewind: Former FP Artists Show: Opening 8/12

When artists first began moving into the Fort Point Channel section of Boston, they were true pioneers, showing the way for communities nationwide to rejuvenate old manufacturing properties for use as art studios and meccas. The Fort Point neighborhood, with its warehouses and lofts, was the home of thousands of artists since approximately 1975.

Many of those trendsetters will return for “rewind: The Former Fort Point Artists Show" at the FPAC @12Gallery

rewind: The Former Fort Point Artists Show
August 1st through Sept 17th
Reception, Thursday August 12th, 5-8 PM
Made in Fort Point
12 Farnsworth St. (off Congress)

This show reviews the work of 27 artists who have lived and/or worked in Fort Point and moved out of the neighborhood in the last 35 years.

Studio Soto Concert Thurs (7/22)

CONCERT WITH KAFFE MATTHEWS (LONDON) AND DEREK HOFFEND (BOSTON)
THURSDAY JULY 22nd 7:30 pm
Art@12, on 12 Farnsworth St., Boston



On Thursday, July 22nd at 7:30 pm, Studio Soto presents the dynamic London sound artist Kaffe Matthews in a special Boston appearance. Joining her on the bill will be Boston's Derek Hoffend. Both artists share an interest in creating autonomous sound environments and special frequencies through sonic furniture, though this performance presents their concert works' modalities.

The concert is being held at and is produced in collaboration with the Fort Point Arts Community venue Art@12, on 12 Farnsworth St., Boston. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10.

Kaffe Matthews - making architectural music to feel through your body as well as your ears.- was born in Essex, England and lives and works in London.

Since 1990 she has been making and performing new electro-acoustic music worldwide with a variety of things and places such as violin, theremin, Scottish weather, desert stretched wires, NASA scientists, melting ice in Quebec and the BBC Scottish symphony orchestra. Currently she is researching 3D composition through Hammerhead sharks in Galapagos and Atlantic salmon in Northumberland rivers. Acknowledged as a pioneer in the field of electronic improvisation and live composition, Kaffe has released 6 solo CD’s on the label Annette Works.

Often collaborating, her present projects are with sonic furniture project ‘music for bodies’ and climate change activist fan band The Gluts with Café Carbon.

http://annetteworks.com/
http://www.kaffematthews.net/


Derek Hoffend is a visual and audio artist who creates sound-sculpture installations and electro-acoustic music. Installations examine intersections between sound, objects, body, and environment, combining electronic, acoustic, recorded, and self-generative audio processes with found and constructed objects and spaces. Live performances traverse immersive, evolving, textural soundscapes, combining composed and improvised digital and analog processes for computer, hand-made circuits, and modified electronic and acoustic instruments. Recent work has explored immersive audio, multi-channel arrangements and sculptural forms (4 to 12 speakers), tactile interfaces, viewer participation, resonant objects and spaces, and architecture and site as instrument.

http://derekhoffend.com/
http://www.studiosoto.org/

Waterside Place Mtg, 7/26

Please be advised that there will be a community meeting regarding the
Waterside Place Project on Monday, July 26, 2010, 6:30 ­ 8:00PM, at the
Condon Elementary School, in the cafeteria, 200 D Street, South Boston. The
Core Development Group LLC, the Project Proponent, filed a Notice of Project
Change on June 30, 2010 for a phased approach to the Waterside Place
Project. Phase I, which will be located along Congress Street, is
approximately 372,300 square feet and will contain approximately 235
residential rental units, up to 185 parking spaces, approximately 72,000
square feet of retail, including a grocer and pharmacy, and approximately
14,000 square feet of office/flex space for entrepreneurial and developing
companies.

The 30-day public comment period ends on Friday, July 30, 2010.

Please mail comments to:
KRISTIN KARA
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ONE CITY HALL SQUARE, 9TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02201



or email to: kristin.kara.bra@cityofboston.gov


Kristin Kara
Senior Project Manager
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
Phone: 617-918-4263
Fax: 617-742-7783

Casino Developer Wynn Eyes Seaport

Waterfront gambling
Casino magnate Stephen Wynn sizes up Seaport, eyes Fan Pier

By Thomas Grillo  |   Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Bay State casino game has shifted to South Boston’s waterfront as Las Vegas mogul Stephen Wynn eyes key sites for a gambling resort in one of the most prized development districts on the Eastern Seaboard.

Wynn, chief executive of Wynn Resorts Ltd., has hired a local lobbyist and public relations firm and raised the idea of building a Bay State casino with analysts in April.

“Our next project will undoubtedly be in China, unless we get involved in Massachusetts,” the billionaire said in the conference call with analysts.
Meanwhile, a source told the Herald that a Wynn representative has approached Joseph Fallon, owner of Fan Pier on the city’s waterfront, about the possibility of locating a resort casino in the Seaport District overlooking Boston Harbor on a portion of his spectacular 12-acre site.

The Fallon Co. broke ground in 2007 on a $3 billion neighborhood proposal spanning nine city blocks. While the first 500,000-square-foot office building is slated to open later this year, and a temporary building houses upscale retailer Louis and a restaurant, the project has stalled due to lack of tenants and financing.

Since the 1970s, Wynn has created some of the world’s most famous casinos including Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island at The Mirage and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, as well as the Atlantic City Golden Nugget and Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss. In April, Wynn opened Encore at Wynn Macau, an expansion of its existing casino with a new 414-room luxury hotel with restaurants and retail in a region of China.

While Wynn declined to comment yesterday, he is among those lobbying the Legislature to approve a measure to authorize resort-style casinos.
Development Associates LLC, a Wynn subsidiary, has paid nearly $400,000 to Boston lobbyist ML Strategies to advance the company’s interest in a casino here. In addition, Wynn has hired Howell Communications, a Boston public relations firm run by political strategist Ray Howell, to promote a bid.

Former City Councilor Michael J. McCormack, who represented Donald Trump in 1993 when the New York real estate developer sought to build a casino on Long Island in the middle of Boston Harbor, said if there’s to be a casino in Boston it should be built where people want to go. “What’s better than a casino with phenomenal views of the Boston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean?” he said. “I think it’s a fabulous location.”
Others agree. “The waterfront is a perfect location for a casino,” said Dean Stratouly, a Boston developer. “It’s close to the convention center, the airport and the downtown hotels. A casino at Seaport would bring more hotels and lots of entertainment venues.”
But Vivien Li, executive director of the Boston Harbor Association, said she’s not convinced there’s enough space for a casino and all the parking required for gamblers.
Concerns about a waterfront casino and its impact on the South Boston neighborhood have already prompted an ill-fated effort to quash such a development.
State Sen. Jack Hart, a South Boston Democrat, introduced an amendment to the Senate’s casino legislation that would prohibit a casino in South Boston, the Boston neighborhood that includes the Seaport District. The measure never came to a vote because it was ruled unconstitutional, according to a spokesman for Senate President Therese Murray.
“I’m not surprised that a developer would consider the waterfront for a casino given its location next to the convention center,” said Hart. “But I think I speak for the majority of the people of the neighborhood when I say that folks would rather see a casino at Suffolk Downs.”
If Wynn secures a Boston site and the Legislature authorizes casinos, it could set up a high-stakes battle against at least two other development proposals for an Eastern Massachusetts license.
Suffolk Downs has proposed a $600 million resort casino that would feature a hotel, 5,000 slot machines, 200 table games, restaurants and shops at the 75-year-old racetrack. In Milford, David Nunes and Warner Gaming have proposed the Crossroads resort off Interstate 495. The 26-acre complex would feature a 267,000-square-foot casino, a 250-room hotel and amenities such as retail, bars and restaurants.
A law allowing casinos in Massachusetts is stuck in committee on Beacon Hill as lawmakers try to hammer out a compromise between House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, who also supports slot machines at racetracks, and Gov. Patrick, who doesn’t. Success for the gambling legislation would likely open a floodgate of bidders for lucrative Massachusetts casino licenses.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1268038

 

Silk Road BBQ on Greenway

As part of the Greenway's pilot program to bring in food vendors, Silk Road BBQ has setup a stand near Rowes Wharf. 

 
They're open Mon-Fri, 11:30 - 8 and serve Asian-style skewers of meat cooked over charcoal.

Neighborhood Association Meeting Tomorrow Night!

FPNA Community Meeting

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

7-9 PM

FP3 Lobby, 354 Congress St.

Mitigation Funds Being Used for Congress St. Bridge

Hub developer giving $3M for Southie bridge - BostonHerald.com
Boston Herald 6-28-10

Boston Properties is putting up $3 million in mitigation funds to improve
the Congress Street Bridge to South Boston¹s Fort Point area.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved the transfer of the cash
from the Atlantic Wharf project, formerly Russia Wharf, under construction
along Fort Point Channel with an expected occupancy date in February.

The developer is providing public improvements to the area, including
Harborwalk, a plaza and promenade that connects to the water transportation
facilities at 500 Atlantic Ave., and Children¹s Wharf Park. It will also
expand the Congress Street sidewalk.

The attached bridge tender¹s house on the Congress Street Bridge has already
been demolished and will be replaced. Construction is expected to start this
summer.

BRA officials said a new facility is necessary to match the upgrades to the
area¹s public realm and to accommodate the expected increase in pedestrian
activity from those who live, work and visit the area.

Atlantic Wharf is a mixed-use development that includes up to 709,500 square
feet of office space, about 92,000 square feet of residential space with 65
residential rental units, 69,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and civic
space with 650 below-grade parking spaces.

Boston Properties has pledged a total of about $10 million in mitigation
funds for the Fort Point neighborhood.

Hidden Costs of War, 6/24, Art @ 12

The Hidden Costs of War Closing Reception

Thursday, June 24, 4-5pm

Harbor Gallery, UMass Boston

The reception will be followed by a reading in Fort Point:

Grace Paley & Sandra Taylor Memorial Reading:
Patrick Sylvain, Brian Turner, Bruce Weigl, Ellen LaForge Poetry Prize Winner Mary Legato Brownell
June 24, 7pm
Art @ 12, 12 Farnsworth Street, Boston MA

Distillery Redevelopment Meeting

There will be a Distillery Redevelopment Impact Advisory Group (“IAG”) Meeting on Thursday, June 24, 6:00-7:30PM, at the Boys and Girls Club, 230 West Sixth Street in South Boston. The purpose of the meeting is for the development team to update the IAG on the project, which was approved by the BRA Board in September 2009.

All members of the public are welcome to attend IAG meetings.

Boston Public Market on Dewey Square

Boston Public Market
Tuesdays and Thursdays in 2010
May 27 through November 23
11:30AM - 6:30PM
Dewey Square (the greenspace in front of South Station)

History

The Boston Public Market at Dewey Square opened in June of 2006 as the first activation of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Located near one of Boston's busiest transit stations, as well as numerous office buildings, the Leather District, Fort Point and Chinatown, Dewey Square is host to tens of thousands of people who pass by every day.

Vendors

A list of vendors is available on the Federation of Mass Farmers Markets website. Click the "Change page" links on the bottom of the page to see the entire list.

New vendors are always welcome at Dewey Square; please email bostonpublicmarket@gmail.com or call 541-521-0728 for more information.


http://www.bostonpublicmarket.org/dewey.html

Pappa Gallo Liquor License

As mentioned in a previous post, the 'Legendary Restaurant Group' is seeking a 2 AM liquor license for a new restaurant/bar called Pappa Gallo at 283 Summer St.

Even if you don't live across the street from it, this license will set a precedent for what future bars and restaurants will be allowed to do, so it's important for the neighborhood to speak up.  The Licensing Board wants to hear from residents and does listen (as we saw with Artistry and Barlow's).


If you have not, please consider writing a letter with your thoughts.  It only takes a minute and can be a brief as you like (two sentences is fine).  You can email Casey Hines at the Mayor's office and she said she would get them to the board: Casey.Hines@cityofboston.gov

A few concerns/suggestions I've heard from residents:

• 2 AM is too late for a residential neighborhood and will attract a "last call" crowd.  For the first year, one option would be to make the license end at 11 PM (patrons out by 11:30) M-Th, and 12 (out by 12:30) on Friday and Saturday. 
• Ensure that there is someone at the door to help patrons find taxis and to control noise.
• Prohibit how late private parties can go.

Opening Receptions and Artists' Talks

The FPAC Gallery at 300 Summer Street

The Adventures of Innocence, June 04, 2010 - July 09, 2010
Chris Fitch and
Erica von Schilgen

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10, 5:30 - 8 pm
opening sponsored by The Channel Cafe

Artists' Talk:
Friday July 2, 6:30 pm

The artists Chris Fitch and Erica von Schilgen are known for their charming and eccentric mechanical creations. "The Adventures of Innocence" presents new work in a variety of media ranging from the silly to the serious that explores perspectives on personal and cultural relationships with the notion of innocence in American society and how these perspectives evolve as we age.

Made in Fort Point (12 Farnsworth Street)

Meg Weed, Vehicles of Mass. Construction

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10th, 5-7pm
complimentary refreshments from
FPAC, Sportello and Sagarinos

Artist's statement: "The inspiration for this work began about 15 years ago. I started sketching and taking photos of cranes, trucks and earth moving vehicles. As an architect I had access to some construction sites but found I had a selection of views living in the Fort Point neighborhood."

Conversations Made in Fort Point
an art and video installation
Jason Agee and Kippy Goldfarb

Through July 24, 2010

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10th, 5-7pm
complimentary refreshments from
FPAC, Sportello and Sagarinos

Conversations Made in Fort Point presents 10 complete interviews with artists working and living in the Fort Point Area of Boston. Interviews were conducted by Kippy Goldfarb, artist and photographer and documented by videographer Jason Agee, both of Fort Point Conversations chart a course from how each artist came to the neighborhood, to the reasons why they do what they do, in an exploration of what makes the Fort Point Arts Community a unique place. Gallery installation pairs candid interviews with artwork from each of the artists.

The artists interviewed are:

Don Eyles, Liliana Folta, Amy MacDonald, Karen McFeaters, Jen Mecca, Leslie Miller, Jason Pechinski, Claudia Ravashiere, Nick Thorkelson, Karen Stein and Ben Gaydos