The Red Balloon: Retrospective

There's no better time than now to look back at just some of the stories that The Red Balloon has had the privilege to cover. Here is The Red Balloon's Retrospective:

January 2012: Fenway Park celebrates 100 Years

Vericon March 2012: Author R.L. Stine

August 2012: Bruce Springsteen at Fenway Park (in the pouring rain): The Boss doesn't let anything stop him and neither does The Red Balloon

August 2012: Lenny Kravitz Tour

August 2012: Seinfeld Soup Nazi

Harvard Arts Medal Ceremony April 2013: Recipient Matt Damon with John Lithgow

May 2013: Rhianna Tour

November 2013: Red Sox World Series Parade

June 2014: Pedro Martinez  

August 2014: Swan Lake on the Swan Boats

August 2014: The stars of the film The Giver

August 2014: Michael David Rosenberg, better known as Passenger at the House of Blues

October 2014: Jake Gyllenhaal exclusive

May 2015: Natalie La Rose

May 2015: Ella Henderson

May 2016: Taste of Back Bay

July 4th: Boston Pops

August: Boston Seafood Festival

September 2016: Taste of Downtown Boston

2017 Highlights:
Boston Wine Expo
New England Food Show
Flower and Garden Show
Taste of Downtown Crossing
Perks Convention
TechJam

2018 Highlights:
Cirque du Soleil: Luzia
King Richard's Faire
Hasty Pudding Man of the Year
Taste of Back Bay
Dirty Dancing
Diner en Blanc

2019 Highlights: 
City Winery
Ice Castles
Cape Cod
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
Travel and Adventure Show: Boston
New England Auto Show

Where will The Red Balloon be next in 2020? Follow along and find out!

City Winery: Harvest Fest

"Bottle of Red?

Bottle of White?"

So goes the indelible Billy Joel tune but at the City Winery you don't have to choose for the winery boasts so many options of wine that any oenophile would feel right at home here.

On October 20th City Winery celebrated the season with its very own Harvest Fest. The festivities featured live music, local artists, tours of the winery, pumpkin painting, food sampling, and of course, wine! 

The winery recently received over 10 tons of grapes and attendees were able to view those grapes first-hand as well as taste freshly pressed grapes. Tour guide and winemaker, Richard, guided participants through the wine making process from the moment the grapes arrive to the time that they are placed in kegs or bottled. Fun fact: only a very small percentage of the wine at City Winery reaches the bottle. Much of their wine remains in stainless steel kegs and is able to be conveniently available on tap at the restaurant. This eliminates the need for packaging, bottling, labeling, and corking thus cutting down on the carbon footprint.   

Below, musicians captivated audiences during City Winery's Harvest Fest with their eclectic musical range including originals as well as covers from Fleetwood Mac and Katy Perry.

City Winery Boston is open daily and located on 80 Beverly Street in Boston.

Boston TechJam 2019

Boston TechJam brought music, art, and the latest tech to City Hall Plaza. Now in its 7th year, Tech Jam still had many of the same traditions as well as new, cutting edge tech. As tradition, Boston TechJam did not allow the weather to rain on its parade. Although the rain was relentless, those entrepreneurs set up their tables and tents and despite enormous puddles of water pooling in all all sides, one participant announced, "Step right up: beachfront property here!" TechJam continues to be a tradition here in Boston.

The Battle of the Interns returned once again in which teams of interns explore Boston via a scavenger hunt. Food trucks were part of this year's jam along with the band Time Flies, who headlined.

Each year the event brings together entrepreneurs, students, and tech companies all right in the heart of the city. The event is an accelerator for both new ideas as well as innovations. For all things, tech related, be sure to mark your calendars for next June when TechJam returns to Boston!

For more information, visit: https://www.bostontechjam.com/

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

Cirque du Soleil's new show Corteo is unlike any other. The show is written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca. This time around Cirque du Soleil came to town sans the tent but they brought just about every other element of the show that bring the crowds to see their performances night after night. They brought talented performers, dangerous acts, amazing performances, and MAGIC!

The premise behind Corteo lies in a dream of a clown named Mauro, who imagines his own funeral. While the theme of this show may sound dark, the show is anything but. Corteo brings bright lights, beauty, music, trampolines, acrobatics, and many other crowd-warming performances. And this show, unlike any other seen before by The Red Balloon, also brings talking. While past performances have been void of any voice, this one brings quite a voice as Mauro speaks, sometimes in Spanish, and despite the language barrier, he seems to always be able to convey his message to the audience.

Pictured above and below: The Little Clown who floats over the audience and receives assistance from the audience to return to the stage. Catch the truly larger than life performances of Corteo before it floats away. Coreto continues in Boston at Agganis Arena through June 30th.

For more information visit: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/corteo 

                                             

King Richard's Faire: Insider Info

If you haven't yet been to King Richard's Faire, what are you waiting for? Only two weekends remain: this one and the next as the Faire will come to a close after October 21st.

Hailed as New England's largest and longest running Renaissance Faire, King Richard's offers entertainment for all ages: rides, games, unique artistry, food and drink, and endless characters.

Upon entering the enchanted forests you will enter a whole new world. The faire welcomes those who enter to dress up and if you don't have a particular outfit to suit the Renaissance era, never fear for the faire boasts a costume shoppe with an extensive collection of pieces from the period. Once you have your wardrobe, you will be set to explore the forest more in-depth. Within its wooded surroundings, all things of beauty abound for there is a show at the faire for all. Acrobats, magicians, singers, dancers, stilt walkers, and even knights joust on horseback. The faire will take you back in time!

The faire offers special events/themed weekends on particular dates so be sure to check out the official website, listed below. On the weekend of The Red Balloon's visit, there was the HIGHly anticipated Highland Hunks/Men in Kilts Competition. For those who have never before attended a Men in Kilts Competition, it is recommended that you place the date on your calendar for 2019. This year's competition brought so many onlookers that it was standing room only by the time the contest began! Keep in mind that none of those in the competition yet knew what was in store for them, nor did they know what the prize would be, but all gave their renaissance best in order to be crowned this year's Highland Hunk!

For all the details on special events/themed weekends or to purchase tickets: https://kingrichardsfaire.net/

Insider tip: The faire offers extensive free parking, just be sure to check which colored flag you are parked closest too in order to find your car on the way out!

TechJam 2018

TechJam invaded Boston's historic Government Center bringing with it a tech block party like no other. Now in its 6th year, TechJam allowed participants to explore all aspects of technology along with music, food trucks, and interactive art experiences. The event showcases new ideas and innovations. One company brought a "Back to the 80's" theme along with neon colors, scrunchies, and....(you may have already guessed it) fanny packs!  Robots and mechanical bull riding were also included in the festivities this year.

The Sound of Music

   An all new production of the Sound of Music is heading to Boston! The show features music from Richard Rogers and promises to provide audiences with more than a few "favorite things!" You can catch the show at the Boch Center from May 1st through the 13th. The Red Balloon is pleased to offer an exclusive discount.

Stomp: Boston

    Stomp invades Boston from April 20th to the 21st. This time the show promises new surprises with the addition of two new full-scale routines using everyday objects in unique ways. See what all the noise is about when the show stomps into the Shubert Theatre. Stay tuned to The Red Balloon for an exclusive offer on tickets to Stomp in Boston.

Rain

On February 17th and 18th, Rain invades the Boch Center. The Beatles tribute show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band! Get ready to re-live all the songs and sing along!

Hip Hop Nutcracker

You have probably heard of the classic tale of the Nutcracker. Well the Hip Hop Nutcracker, coming this December is a contemporary re-imagining of the Tchaikovsky's classic tale. A cast of all-star dancers together with a DJ and violinist come together to create a new take of the beloved story of the Nutcracker.

The show will be in Boston from December 21 through the 23rd. For more information visit:
http://www.bochcenter.org/buy/show-listing/hip-hop-nutcracker

Rudoph the Musical

The beloved TV classic Rudolph returns this holiday season to light up the stage in Boston! Come see all the characters come to life: Santa and Mrs. Claus, Clarice, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, and Rudolph! The show will run from December 14 through the 17th at Boston's historic Shubert Theatre. A show for all ages, be sure to get your tickets while they last.