Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders visited Boston on Saturday, bringing in a record-breaking crowd. The Boston Convention Center quickly reached capacity, but that did not deter supporters as hundreds stood outside the venue in support. Inside, Bernie Sanders spoke his viewpoints on the most pressing issues of modern society including education, prison reform, the environment, climate change, employment, taxes, wealth distribution, immigration, and more. View photos from the rally that tell the story:
Disclaimer: All photos are, as always, original content. All content was captured from the official Press stage at the event. This piece is not an endorsement for Bernie Sanders.
New York City’s very own Manhattan Film Festival was celebrated for its ninth consecutive year, bringing in participants and attendees from all around the world. The 2015 Manhattan Film Festival honored the works of independent filmmakers and exposed their creations to expanding audiences. The spirit of visual media arts and calling for creativity and imagination were kept alive with every frame that was projected.
The festival began with a kick-off press party in Midtown. The evening event featured a classic red carpet and a full length MFF backdrop. Press crews gathered as directors took turns in front of the camera introducing themselves. They enthusiastically responded to questions posed by interviewers about their films being featured in the festival. Filmmakers paused to pose for photos and mingled amongst each other. The night ended with appetizers and drinks paired with music and plentiful conversation atop the roof of Local West.
The remainder of the festival look place at Players Theater, next to the famous Comedy Cellar on MacDougal Street. Viewers flocked to the Greenwich Village venue every night of the festival’s duration to support independent film and be entertained simultaneously. Films were screened before a classical theater-style room of red walls and velvet seats. Screenings began during the day time and went through the night, with the last screening taking place at 9:00 and typically being a feature film.
Prior to taking it to the big screen, all categories were accepted for submission into the festival. Genres ranged from comedy to science fiction to action to mystery to documentary to thriller and beyond. Features (40+ minutes) and shorts (under 40 minutes) were both considered. Independent films were judged and selected by the heads of the MFF.
Screenings took place through June from Friday the 12th through Thursday the 25th. Following each film was a talkback with the director, producer, and often cast members. Packed audiences were given an inside view on the processes of creating the films. Additionally, they were able to ask their own burning questions. The feeling of a close connection between the filmmakers to their audiences is a unique characteristic of the Manhattan Film Festival that sets it apart from other big festivals.
The Manhattan Film Festival closed with a grand awards ceremony – an exciting night filled with much hope and anticipation. Select filmmakers were honored for their hard work and thought-provoking works of art. Winners from each category made short speeches and took home their very own MFF trophies, a physical symbol of their success.
An after party celebration was held at the historic Café Wha next door, which is home to the first gigs played by renowned artists such as Bob Dylan. Directors, producers, and MFF crew alike mingled and sang along to classic hits played by the venue’s band. Business cards were exchanged and connections were made – because it’s never too early to start collaborating for an award-winning picture at the 2016 Manhattan Film Festival.
The Brazilian National Soccer team paid a visit to Beantown on September 8th to compete with good ‘ole Team USA. The countries faced off at Gilette Stadium with Brazil ultimately taking the lead in a sweeping 4-0 end score.
Screams weren’t only heard from inside the stadium. The Brazilian Men’s team had been staying at the Four Seasons Hotel on Boylston Street, and true fans knew they had to be checking out at some point. Barricades were set up from the hotel entrance leading to the street where the team’s official bus awaited. The situation was initially kept very discreet. To the average passerby, it looked to be some groups of people standing around two parallel facing slabs of wood. But to the fans, the anticipation of knowing the Brazilian National Team could walk out at any given moment built as the minutes slowly passed by.
“When are they coming out? They were scheduled to be outta here an hour ago,” said a male in a Brazilian soccer jersey to his friend.
As time passed, the crowd grew bigger and bigger. Fans were teased by the sight of security men pacing around, the lower storage doors of the bus being opened, and, of course, Louis Vuitton after Louis Vuitton bag being brought out by bellboys.
Just when the crowd thought they’d go crazy if they saw another LV logo pass by their faces, the doors of the Seasons opened. All heads jerked forward as fans excitedly whipped out their flags, soccer balls, and any scrap of paper they could find to get signed. Others extended their arms with phone in hand to prepare for a quick selfie.
Security tried to tame the chaos as shrieks and shouts were released at the sight of the men in green polos. The team trickled out from the hotel doors, many of the players taking time to stop on either side of the barricades to say hola and offer an autograph. The screams got increasingly loud – notable from the females – when Ricardo Kaká made his strut toward the bus. The last ones to step into the vehicle were the coaches, who actually put the most effort in pausing to speak with fans.
“I got it!!! I GOT IT!” a man exclaimed as he waved around his soccer ball covered in black Sharpie markings from Luiz, Neymar, Silva, and Vieriea amongst others.
And, as rapidly as they appeared, they were gone. The bus drove off and Boylston Street returned to normal – whatever that may be.
Former Major League Baseball Joe Torre is known for his greatness in regards to the New York Yankees and Mets. But now he has another admirable title to wear: domestic violence changemaker.
Joe Torre is the founder of Safe At Home, a foundation with a mission of using education as a tool to end the cycle of domestic violence and to save lives. Safe At Home has helped to educate thousands on the effects of domestic violence. The foundation has also worked to create “safe rooms” called Margaret’s Place (after Torre’s mother) throughout various schools. These safe rooms serve as a comfortable space for students to go to learn about healthy relationships and abuse prevention, and to help those who are currently facing violence or domestic abuse in their lives. The Margaret’s Place program features individual / group counseling, peer leadership groups, faculty training, family outreach, and anti-violence campaigns.
Joe Torre and his Safe At Home foundation recently sought a new medium to get their message of putting an end to domestic violence out: through film. The film, titled Stuck in Traffick, is about a teenage girl’s troubles coping with domestic violence. Her abusive home life leads the teen to harmful choices, such as isolating herself from her friends, hanging around the streets late at night, and entering the world of human trafficking. The film was directed by five youths who are Peer Leaders in Safe At Home Margaret’s Place Program.
Stuck in Traffick made its debut in Player’s Theatre at the Manhattan Film Festival. The screening of the film was followed by a live panel discussion with the youth filmmakers and Joe Torre himself. The audience was welcome to ask any questions they had and offer any comments on the film. In addition, Joe Torre spoke about his personal experiences with domestic abuse and not feeling safe at home. It showed a lesser known side to the man who has always been known for his baseball fame.
Stuck In Traffic is the latest of the many ways Joe Torre and those involved in his foundation are raising awareness of domestic violence and providing resources to those who experience it. It speaks for the hope that the youth filmmakers, the workers at Margaret’s Place, and Joe Torre share for a world where everyone can feel safe it home.
[ Click play on the video above for an inside look at Boston’s InstaMeet. ]
From the sea of thousands of phone applications built for passively staring at a screen emerges a tidal wave to break the monotony: Instagram. Instagram is a popular smartphone application made for sharing photographs and videos. Instagram promotes interactivity by allowing users to engage with one another. Users post their own content as well as follow and explore the works of others. Though digital, the impact of Instagram has extended far past the online world. Instagram’s motto is “Community First” – and the tag couldn’t be more accurate. Instagram prides itself on connecting people, both online and in person. It has blossomed into something far more experiential than just scrolling and tapping. It has become a way for like-minded individuals to share their passions and develop a sense of togetherness.
Perhaps the most powerful example of Instagram’s “Community First” slogan in action are the InstaMeets held around the world. An InstaMeet is a get-together of Instagram users that gather to take photos and exchange photography skills. A WorldWide Instameet happens once a year and is coordinated by popular users/accounts in an area. They take place in cities around the globe and promote exploring and capturing your home city while bonding with others.
The 11th World Wide InstaMeet saw an exceptional turnout from the Boston photo community. The event was hosted by @igboston, an account with roughly 50,000 followers (and growing) that features stunning photos of Boston’s scenery as captured by different users and hand picked by a team of moderators. The InstaMeet kicked off with a photography discussion at District Hall, a dedicated civic space for innovation and creativity. By the time the discussion began, virtually all of the seats of the expansive gathering room were filled. The forum began with a greeting by the IG Boston moderators and a behind-the-scenes discussion of how @igboston is run.
Next came the icebreakers. Each person in the room went up one by one and introduced themselves by writing their Instagram handle on a giant whiteboard and offering a fun fact about who they are and why they chose to attend. Through this activity, attendees were able to get a feel for who was in their photo community – and they were not only Boston locals. Instagrammers from countries such as South Korea, Mexico, Russia, and many U.S. states were present. Some introductions were humorous (“I’m from Kazakhstan. Trust me, it’s not as dangerous as it sounds.” “I’m single.. I like long walks on the beach..”) while others were more honest (“I’m just starting out and this is my first camera, but I’m hoping to learn from all of you.”)
The next phase of the forum was a photo discussion including tips and tricks from a few of Boston’s most highly praised Instagrammers. The presentations offered something for everyone, from iPhone users to professional DSLR camera shooters to strictly Instagram-only photographers. New photo editing apps were introduced, as well as tips for more popular photo apps such as Snapseed.
Soon after, a bag was passed around containing slips of paper with the usernames of those present at the InstaMeet written on them. Each attendee drew a name and faced the challenge of finding the person behind the handle. This person was to be your “buddy,” and the goal was to photograph him or her at the InstaMeet. Seeing how packed the large lecture room was, the hunt for the “buddy” was an adventure in itself. People flaunted their nametags while holding up the slips of paper, calling out and asking around in order to find their elusive match. Among the chaos of running around and eventually uniting with this new other half came the excitement of potential friendships and the opportunity to engage with new faces. No longer was this a room full of strangers – it was a gathering of “Insta buddies.”
As the confusion died down and the hunt came to an end, it was time to head out. The main attraction of the InstaMeet – the walking tour – was beginning. Walking tours allow for attendees to discover cool spots around the city and take spectacular shots, all the while engaging and collaborating with other photographers. The first stop on the tour was the Courthouse T Station. Underground and featuring futuristic architecture and neon lights, the location is reminiscent of being inside a space ship (if it’s possible to be reminiscent of such a thing). ‘Grammers mingled and followed each other on the app as the tour continued outdoors in the Seaport District. Prime photos were taken of the Boston Harbor and its beautiful boats and buildings as seen from across the bridge. More creative shots were taken from up on top of the bridge of the Instagrammers gathered below. Some of the more adventurous photographers dodged cars as they got down on the pavement to capture the perfect angle of a friend posed in the middle of the road.
The walking tour continued across the bridge and into Boston’s Financial District. Mother Nature was on the InstaMeet’s side with pure blue skies and full sunshine, making for some spectacular lens flares and fun opportunities to play with the light. This was no silent point-and-shoot session; the attendees helped each other frame shots and even posed for one another, all the while bonding and creating friendships. Lively conversation was heard all throughout the walk with smiles exchanged as frequently as usernames (who doesn’t love new followers?!). The IG Boston family may be of all different ages, backgrounds, and photography levels, but their common passion creates something beautiful.
Now fully acquainted, the InstaMeet finished off with a reception at Sip Wine Bar & Kitchen in the Theater District. ‘Grammers socialized and ate delicious appetizers with VIP treatment in a private room of the restaurant. As the event drew to a close, among the laughter and smiles echoed a shared feeling of community. What was previously an assortment of digital strangers had morphed into a family, united by identical interests.
“We’re all photo nerds,” IG Boston moderator Brian said jokingly. “It’s fun to meet other people who do the same thing.”
Moderator Ash agreed.
“All of us local photographers getting together and meeting in person beyond just online.. that truly is community.”
We’re kicking off Live Music Week 2015 at WERS 88.9 with in-studio performances, on air band interviews, and plenty of free giveaways to listeners who call in and pledge!
Indie pop band Alvvays visited the studio and gave a phenomenal performance of songs off of their self-titled album. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, band members Molly Rankin, Kerri MacLellan, Alec O’Hanley, Brian Murphy, and Phil MacIsaac are currently on tour with The Decemberists and have two sold-out shows at the Boston House of Blues on April 3rd and April 4th. The band performed at SXSW in March and have a handful of music festivals and a UK tour awaiting them this summer.
Alvvays’ sound is the musical equivalent of a day spent on the beach on the west coast. Their lyrics add depth to the calm tone of Rankin’s voice and the nostalgic guitar strokes, telling stories of love, loss, and the ups and downs of living.
Tune in to 88.9 to hear the band’s performance of “The Agency Group,” “The Ones Who Love You,” and “Next Of Kin,” and hear them answer your burning questions. Check out wers.org to see how you can get involved in Live Music Week. (Who wouldn’t want a chance to win sweet merch, Boston Calling tickets, and a trip to Iceland?!)
Boston got an exclusive glimpse into the fashion world with the Trilogy of Style at the Liberty Hotel. The “trilogy” aspect of the name stems from the three fashionistas featured in the event: Ali Ehlrich, fashion stylist and personal shopper; Cindy Wurderman, professional men’s stylist; and Cibeline Sariano, women’s fashion designer. The event featured personal style advice, on-spot fittings, and a fabulous array of men and women’s clothing and accessories. The sweeping city views from atop the Ebersol Penthouse Suite made for the perfect backdrop to this spectacular fashion fiesta. Missed the event? Experience the latest styles, live music, skyline views, and personal interviews below!
Special thanks to the glamorous and inspirational Ali Ehrlich for making this all possible! To learn more and to book an appointment, check out http://www.rightupyourali.com.
Energy. That is the first word that comes to mind when asked to describe a Fitz & The Tantrums show. I advise you rest well before attending a F&TT concert, because you will be in for a night of jumping, dancing, and singing your heart out.
Fitz & The Tantrums rocked Boston on the 15th when they performed at the House of Blues in Fenway. Upon entering the venue, each attendee was given a free F&TT bracelet featuring a heart that lit up to the surrounding volume levels. The setlist of their headliner tour was full of variety, featuring crowd favorites, cover songs, upbeat dance tunes, and slow melodies that had you reaching for a lighter to wave in the air (or, considering this is 2014, your cell phone screen).
When it comes to stage presence, Fitz & The Tantrums never fail to impress. Lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick, whom the band’s name originates from, is constantly dancing and moving about the stage. He speaks directly to the audience several times, giving the show a highly personal feel. The band make it a priority to interact with the crowd. Fitz’s comments range from quirky stories as a prelude to songs (one was about having a great day only to come home to find your significant other in bed with a different lover) to extensive thank you’s to all the fans (his speech about how much the band loves Boston and are grateful to every person in the crowd went on for minutes straight – all of which I couldn’t stop smiling through). The other band members are also on par when it comes to bringing the energy. Singer Noelle Scaggs both appears and sounds absolutely flawless, constantly smiling and moving to the beat. Her soulful voice makes for a superb combination with Fitz’s. And who needs a guitar solo when you can have a saxophone solo? James King blows the crowd away every time with his incredible saxophone skills. I’m still in amazement by how long he can hold his breath for.
At one point in the show, the crowd was demanded to get down on the ground. Anyone still standing was personally called out by Fitz himself. The crowd was directed to simultaneously jump up on his cue as the music got louder. This is just one of the many ways F&TT make it a point to not just play music, but to entertain. Notably was the set design and lighting of the stage. Behind the band was a giant electric heart, mirroring the one on the album cover of their most recent release More Than Just A Dream. The heart changed different colors to mach the theme of each song. During “Fools Gold,” the heart was gold; during “Money Grabber,” it was green; and during “House On Fire,” it glowed red. Additional lights fired out at the crowd and around the stage. Toward the end of the performance, loads of confetti rained from the ceiling, making for a memorable closing.
By the time I left the venue, my voice was gone, my feet were sore, and my pulse was pounding. And that is how you know it was a good show.
With its 14th year of music, food, and community, the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival has proven to be a boon to Boston’s South End. This year’s Jazz Fest brought in big names and local artists alike. See and hear more by watching below.
In honor of Boston Fashion week, vintage favorites The House of Findings put on an incredible fashion show boasting pieces from all around the world. Titled Global Citizens, the show was hosted by Mayra Gonzalez, The House of Findings’ creative director. Mayra buys beautiful clothing and accessories for the brand’s online boutique and traveling pop-up shows. She says the inspiration behind the looks of Global Citizens come from her travels and all different cultures. The fashion show was held at the Liberty Hotel in Boston. Once a prison, the Liberty is now a top-rated luxury hotel. It made for the perfect location for a highly unique fashion show. The lobby of the Liberty features 4 open floors that see down to the main ground (such was the setup of the original prison). For the fashion show, the models began at the bottom level, making their way up the escalator to give an up-close view to attendees on the main floor. They posed on makeshift pedestals and even concierge desks. The models, accompanied by a male counterpart, then walked on to the next level, posing on the above floor for those below to see when looking up. It was a dazzling show with a “runway” unlike anything viewers had seen before. Global Citizens truly brought Boston Fashion Week a world of color and culture.
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I produced and interviewed at the event with YourMag TV. Check out footage below!
Amanda Weisman 