EC Boston English Language School

Here’s some great ideas for things to do in and around Boston this Saturday:

Beacon Hill Walking Tour 11 a.m. – This tour starts at the historic Otis House Museum at 141 Cambridge Street.  and continues with a tour of Beacon Hill’s historic streets.  You will be able to enjoy the beautiful architecture and ambiance of the neighborhood, as well as learn about the historic figures that shaped it.

Art and Architecture Tour 11 a.m. – This tour meets at the Dartmouth Street entrance of the Copley Square library.  It focuses on the architecture of Charles Follen McKim and Philip Johnson and works of art by many famous painters and sculptors.

Free Summer Tennis Program 12 p.m. – Enjoy free tennis lessons for all ages and levels offered by the Franklin Park Tennis Association.  Check franklinparktennis.org for more info on locations and times.

Copper Plate Printing Demonstration and Colonial Remedy Demonstration 1 p.m. – Watch a demonstration of the techniques Paul Revere used to engrave broadsides, political cartoons, and currency used to pay soldiers during the American Revolution.  Also learn the different remedies and techniques herbalists and surgeons used to treat ailments in the 18th century.  This will take place at the Paul Revere House in the North End, which is also open for tours daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. for $3.50.

Caliente Latin Music Concert 7 p.m. – This celebration of Latin music and culture will take place at City Hall Plaza.  It is a collaboration with the Tito Puente Latin Music series and will feature salsa great Jerry Rivera.

Here are some events featured for Sunday:

Annual Art Encampment 10 a.m. – Experience art and nature on Bumpkin Island, one of the Boston Harbor Islands.  There will be a variety of art installments from nearly 40 artists that will include interactive art, performance art, sculpture and more!  To get to the island you can take a ferry from Long Wharf in Boston to George’s Island and take another boat from there to Bumpkin.  Go to http://www.bostonharborislands.org/mainland-piers for more information!

Jazz Brunch in Boston with Patricia Adams 10 a.m. – Enjoy a delicious brunch in a relaxed, fun atmosphere while listening to a live jazz quartet at the Ryles Jazz Club at 212 Hampshire Street in Inman Square in Cambridge.

Sunday Parkland Games 2 p.m. – Enjoy a day outdoors playing games and activities such as badminton, bocce, croquet, tetherball, horseshoes, hula hoop, lawn toss, volleyball and more!  Games will take place at the Charles River Parklands Weeks Footbridge at Dewolfe St and Memorial Dr in Cambridge.

Have a great weekend!

On July 21, I saw two exhibitions in the ICA, the Institute of Contemporary Art, in Boston. I want to tell you about my favorite exhibition, by the artist Charles LeDray.
 
Charles LeDray is an American artist.  He was born in Seattle in 1960.  Now, he lives and works in New York. He started to make sculptures using fabric, carved bone and wheel thrown clay. Before he was an artist, he had never trained as a fine artist.  He opened his first exhibition in west London. He made all his sculptures using his own hands and the sculptures are really tiny so he spent a lot of time to make the sculptures. For example, he spent three years to make, “Mens’ suits.”
 
When I saw his sculptures, I thought I entered a dolls’ house, because almost all of them were really small. There were many vases. The sculpture’s name is, “Throwing Shadows.” All vases are black and they are also small. Each vase has different shapes. The vases make shadows because of the light. The vases were put on a white table so it is easy to distinguish. In the other glass display case, there are vases that are colorful. They are a little bit different shapes from the black vases, but they are also attractive. If you think the vases aren’t detailed, you are wrong. All the sculptures are really detailed, so I can understand  why he spent a lot of time to make a sculpture.
 
I want to recommend this exhibition to everyone. Especially, I recommend it to people who love dolls, and who are interested about fashion. The sculptures are really small, but they have a lot of details and they are fashionable. If you see the sculptures, you can feel a child’s perspective. I’m sure that you will also love his sculptures and you will recommend this exhibition to other people like me.

There are some great upcoming activities in Boston this week!

On Tuesday, grab lunch with Nick at the Farmers Market in Copley Square.  Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as various other foods from local farms across the state.

Sign up for the photography trip with Paul Thursday at 4 p.m.  if you are interested in art or photography!

Or if high speed and adventure are more your style, take a high speed boat ride with Mai Friday at 4 p.m. for $25. 

Starting this Wednesday Shakespeare’s Othello will be performed every night at 8 p.m. at Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common.  The shows are performed by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and are free!  For more information check out their website at http://www.commshakes.org/shows/current_show/Othello/shows_current.html.

Keep checking back for more upcoming activities and events!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

There is a Classical Music Picnic at Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.

Or check out the festival in the North End all weekend!

See everyone on Monday!

This week has some great activities to enjoy!

On Tuesday July 20 see Inception with Jen at 3 p.m.  This fantasy action thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio is already a boxoffice hit and is sure to be entertaining!

On Thursday July 22 sing along to your favorite Beatles tunes at a guitar sing along with James at 2:45 p.m.

Enjoy a free movie outside at the Hatch Shell on Friday evening.  This week’s movie is Where the Wild Things Are, based on the classic children’s book.

Throughout the entire weekend in Boston’s famous Italian neighborhood the North End there will be a Feast Day Festival.  Enjoy music, food, and a parade and explore this unique part of Boston which is always full of excitement and action!

Check the activity calendar for more fun things to do this week and the rest of July!

This weekend will be another hot one!

There are plenty of great things to do around Boston!

Enjoy the heat at the beach and check out the Sandsculpting Festival at Revere Beach.  Or just enjoy the sun and hot weather at any of the various beaches in and around Boston.

Another fun activity to check out is the Free Sailing Open House offered by the Boston Sailing Center on Saturday July 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.   The center is offering sails conducted by the teaching staff for visitors of all levels.  This event is a great way to beat the heat on the water and see Boston’s historic waterfront from a new perspective!

If you are more interested in cars than boats, there is also a Classic American Car Show at the Larz Anderson Car Museum on Sunday July 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The museum is located at 15 Newton Street in Brookline and admission is $10.

Have a great weekend!

EC Boston is proud to weclome our new Student Counselor and Homestay Coordinator Justin Kirkpatrick!

Formerly a teacher at the school, Justin will now be working in the front office.

Stop by and say hello to welcome him to his new position!

This week and the rest of July are full of activities to participate in and take advantage of!

On Tuesday July 13 there is a free Soul Music Concert at the Boston Harbor Hotel at 6 p.m.  Check out some music while enjoying a waterfront view!

Starting on Thursday July 15, a Sand Sculpting Festival will take place at Revere Beach.  There will be many giant and unique sand sculptures on display on the beach throughout the weekend.

Another good way to spend time outdoors is to sign up for kayaking on the Charles River with Hayley on Saturday July 17.  It would be a great way to see the city from a different perspective and enjoy a day on the water!

Check the activities calendar for more fun ways to enjoy July!

Today was Todd’s last day at EC Boston!

He will be leaving to teach in the Marshall Islands.  We will miss him but know he will do great there!

Check out these pictures from his going away party!

Good luck Todd!

School will be closed Monday July 5.

There’s no school  in honor of the 4th of July holiday this weekend!  Take advantage of the time off by celebrating the holiday and relaxing with your friends!  

Or check out some of the activities and events going on this weekend as a part of Boston Harborfest!

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday sample chowder from many restuarants around the area at the 29th annual Chowderfest on the Plaza at City Hall.  Try different recipes of a classic New England favorite at this fun festival!

School will open Tuesday July 6 at 8:30 a.m.

Have a great long weekend and Independence Day holiday!