Taste of Back Bay is hosted by the Neighborhood Association of Back Bay, a volunteer organization that aims to preserve and enhance the neighborhood. A portion of proceeds were donated to the Haley House, a Boston-based nonprofit that uses food as a vehicle to help alleviate suffering, build new skills, and bring communities together.
The event was a blast and culminated with a jam fest of 30+ artists on the stage with Adam Ezra Group. The awards ceremony and performances, including the final Adam Ezra Group concert, can be found here.
The ceiling of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Adam Ezra and many other artists performing on stage just before the show’s end.
In light of yesterday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon, I thought I’d share “The Devil Came Up To Boston” by Adam Ezra Group to further heighten our Boston love and pride.
It was my first SXSWand my first time in Texas. I loved Austin, met some incredible people, and cannot wait to attend next year’s festival. Below are highlights from some of my favorite parties during SXSWi.
1. #TheNewMRY Party
MRY, the agency that my good friend David Yarus works for in NYC, recently rebranded and hosted a loud, risqué, New York-meets-Austin party at The Belmont. Complete with impressive tech, free swag, dancers, live mixes by LA Riots, a photo booth, an ice luge, and a surprise downpour, this party was one of the best at SXSW.
My fondest memory of this event was standing in the DJ booth with David and looking out on the crowd of party-goers, dancing in the rain with their MRY sunglasses on. Everyone had a blast and left soaked and satisfied.
– A hula hoop dancer on the stage -
– Pole dancing on the rooftop -
– David in his MRY sunglasses -
– DJ, hula hoop dancer, crowd, and live tweets projected on brick -
– Behind the scenes with LA Riots -
2. {RV}IP Lounge & Karaoke Cabaret
This crazy party winnebago is a “transportainment” vehicle that picks up and drops off SXSW attendees at various events and locations in Austin. I spent some time on the huge bus (which had a full-service bar with drinks made by the founder of Barbarian Group, karaoke, a plush lounge area, and fuzzy tube lights that looked like a kelp forest) with a few new Snapchat acquaintances.
– The {RV}IP Lounge & Karaoke Cabaret -
– This party area looks like a… kelp forest? -
– Kelp forest party! -
3. Spotify House
This wasn’t my favorite party, but I have to hand it to Spotify… it was genius to rent out a house during SXSW, paint it neon green, have a café and bar with refreshing Honest Tea-inspired drinks, a photo booth, and live music. Also, the weather was perfect for outdoor mingling when I visited this venue.
4. Angry Birds
I attended this exclusive pool party during my last night at SXSW. It was held at the posh Ashton Luxury Apartments. Party-goers could swim and use life-sized slingshots to launch Angry Birds plush dolls, take photos wearing a giant inflatable Angry Birds costume, and enjoy the beautiful food, drinks, and view.
– The Ashton pool area -
– The pool and an Angry Birds slingshot launcher -
Where? Cambridge, MA When? 2/16/13 Who? Me + Na Eun + Ryana + E-Kay We went to The Donkey Show (A Midsummer Night’s Dream play mixed with burlesque and gay go-go dancing in Harvard Square) at Oberon. Puck was dressed in neon green, gold, and roller skates, Titania wore butterfly pasties, and I almost overdosed on glitter. The show was superb and I cannot wait to go again.
Where? Charlestown, MA When? 2/9/13 Who? Me + Vanessa (in spirit!) + McAlister Drive
McAlister Drive hosted a super fun show on Saturday, despite Nemo the Blizzard. The event was at Foundry24, an industrial co-working office, recording studio, and event space. Vanessa was supposed to accompany me to the party, but she was snowed in. You were there in spirit, my dearest!
Delicious soul food and unlimited alcohol (chilled in buckets of snow) were served. The show started with opening acts, Dave Tanklefsky, Oldjack, and Wild Adriatic. McAlister Drive followed with a set that had the whole warehouse dancing, jumping, and singing along. The audience and musicians fed off of each other, enjoying the music, refreshments, and good company. I wouldn’t have spent my Saturday night any other way.
Wild Adriatic
Wild Adriatic
– Christoph and the rest of McAlister Drive singing a Happy Birthday tune -
Where? Portsmouth, RI When? 9/29/12 Who? Portsmouth Abbey School, Class of ’07
I had my five-year high school reunion at the end of September. I enjoyed catching up with friends who I haven’t seen in a while, learning updates from classmates and professors, and just spending time on The Abbey‘s campus, which has grown and evolved a lot in the past five years.
– the annual Alumni Weekend football game -
– nature walk near the stream and dam -
– the railroad tracks on campus -
– down at the bay, by the marine science classroom -
– Manor House: my first dorm -
– St. Benet’s, St. Brigid’s, and St. Martin’s dormitories -
– half of Tuck Shop, our student center -
– Monks doing vespers. Yes, there is a monastery on campus. -
– Cedric & I at the cocktail reception before dinner -
The Gardner Museum, where I completed a marketing internship in Spring 2011, hosted a dinner for staff and friends, while Oficio, a boutique art gallery and co-working space on Newbury Street, had a summer art reception.
– NaEun in the ISGM’s new wing -
– we enjoyed music in the museum’s new outdoor courtyard, which was set up with beautiful green chairs, dinner, desserts, and drinks -
– I was struck by Oficio’s clean, airy, and beautiful loft-like space - - the fresh atmosphere, mixed with the sounds of cars and people walking outside on Newbury Street, create the perfect work setting - - we viewed works by three local artists, enjoyed live music by the Joakim Breicha Guitar Duo, and indulged in appetizers and mixed drinks by St. Germain Liqueur -
Overall, the food was good, but I see Empire being the destination of people who primarily crave its genre of atmosphere. I predict that financiers and other professionals who work downtown will frequent the space.
I respect BNEG’s drive to bring classier, swankier establishments to the Boston night scene. Their three recently-opened venues, Empire, Gem, and Red Lantern, could easily fit in around New York City, but they shine in Boston.
Thank you again for a great party, Ed and Randy!
– the co-owner of BNEG, Ed Kane, sent me an invite to Empire’s opening party -
– complementary rides to the party were provided by Uber - - my driver picked me up around 5:30 and picked up Ryana in FiDi, then we were brought to the party -
– my first impression of Empire was that it resembles Red Lantern - - both restaurants share the same designer, Peter Niemitz, and focus on Asian-fusion cuisine - - however, Red Lantern is themed around red lighting and decor, while Empire embodies more blue and green hues that channel its waterfront location -
– drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served -
– the open kitchen was busy preparing and sending out samples of the menu - - I enjoyed most the lobster rangoons, shrimp shumai, and mango dessert shots -
Where? Boston, MA When? 6/22/12 – 6/24/12 Who? Me + Ryana + Caitlin + Mu
– celebrating our friends’ MBA degrees with a game of cornhole at Caitlin’s home -
– wildflowers and chai and lavender macarons from SoWa Open Market - - SoWa features vintage vendors, original artwork for sale, and local food - - Mu met us at the market, too -
B&G Oysters - Ryana and I enjoyed local oysters and rosé on the charming outdoor patio of this restaurant, which is owned by Barbara Lynch - - the oysters were paired with a spicy cocktail horseradish sauce and a prosecco mignonette -
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