Paris: Photo Tour

Next Stop in The Red Balloon's travel series: Vive le France!

The Red Balloon recently visited the iconic city of Paris.

Here's a photo tour to enjoy!

Adieu!

Travels in Italy: Amalfi Coast

 Travels in Italy: Part III  ~

Amalfi Coast

Planning to explore the intense beauty of Italy's Amalfi Coast? You are in the right place because The Red Balloon has just returned and what an absolute breathtaking experience it is! The photos do not do it justice. Within the Campania region of Italy lies the Amalfi Coast, a 50 kilometer stretch of land that is beyond compare. 

The coast is located between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. Filled with gorgeous views, port cities, beautiful beaches, and pastel colored fishing villages. The beaches here are considered to be the best and most beautiful of the entire Tyrrhenian Sea. Tip: Check the weather since temperatures in some months (ie. summer) can get extremely hot. 

Whether you are seeking the posh life of Positano 

Or the artwork in Amalfi, the coast has it all!

The Amalfi Coast is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It officially earned its spot as a UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1997. 

Below see the inside of the Parrochia Di San Gennaro, the Church of St. Gennaro, built in 1589. The church is divided into three naves. The church is a site to behold. 

Throughout each town in the Amalfi Coast is no shortage of things to see and do. Il Sentiero degli Dei or the Path of the Gods, was once the sole connection between the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast. What are the 13 villages of the Amalfi Coast? 

Glad you asked! They are: Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca de' Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri su Mare. Each with their own unique and distinct ambience.

See a photo from the Path of the Gods:

Tip: Be sure to bring water with you on the trail. If you are traveling during a time of year when temperatures heat up, it is best to start early. 

Be sure to bring a camera. You will be glad you did.

Tip: While on the Amalfi Coast be sure not to miss a visit to Capri. The Blue Grotto is the most visited site in Capri and The Red Balloon took a boat from the town of Amalfi to Capri and then a second boat to then board a row boat into the Blue Grotto. Behold you will be entered into a whole new world!

Stay turned for more tips from The Red Balloon's Travel Series.

Travels in Italy: Florence

Check out the Photo Preview as The Red Balloon takes over Florence, Italy!

See Travels in Italy Part II: Florence, Italy

                                       

Stay tuned for the next stop in The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy tour!

Travels in Italy: Venice

Travels in Italy: Part I    ~

Venice Photo Tour

Stay turned for more from The Red Balloon's Travels in Italy Series.

WNDR Museum Boston

"Wisdom begins in Wonder." ~ Socrates

A new museum has moved into Boston's downtown crossing: WNDR! The museum lives up to its title, which is pronounced "wonder," leaving all who enter left to wonder, wonder how downtown has been without such an establishment for so long when it is an epicenter and hub of art in Boston.

The Red Balloon had the opportunity to sit down with General Manager Giancarlo Natale for an interview. When asked how WNDR came to fruition, Giancarlo stated that the museum actually began as a pop-up by founder Brad Keywell in Chicago. The windy city was the site of the first brick and mortar WNDR. The museum has now grown to three locations: Chicago, San Diego, and Boston. The Boston location just opened in February of 2024.

WNDR Boston is run by 95 employees and Giancarlo reports that many employees are local art students. All employees of WNDR are called ambassadors as they are promoting and supporting the arts and wonder. 

As for how the museum selects the art within its walls, Giancarlo credits WNDR's creative team who select everything that you will see within the museum. WNDR is always adjusting and what Giancarlo sees as unique to WNDR is that what you see one day at WNDR will not necessarily be there on your next visit as the museum is ever-evolving and exhibits do not have any strict timeline. When asked what the museum title WNDR means Giancarlo recalls when he first visited iconic Fenway Park with his father as a child to see a ballgame. He remembers the sense of wonder that he felt. He believes that the museum's goal is to transform guests, ignite a fire, and sense of wonder within patrons.      

Walking through the museum it is clear that WNDR is an immersive experience. The multi-sensory exhibits allow you to hear, see, and even taste, yes that's right taste in order to fully experience all that is WNDR. It is clear that art and technology are interacting within many of the exhibits within the walls of WNDR. Among The Red Balloon's favorite exhibit was the AI generator in which you get one of many opportunities to be the artist. See below the art that The Red Balloon created!

See the WNDR for yourself in Boston's downtown crossing. 

WNDR Boston's website: https://wndrmuseum.com/location/boston/

See above: Artwork from The Red Balloon

Provincetown: Photo Tour

The Red Balloon takes on Provincetown. Below take a photo tour of the art, monument, and history on the tip of Cape Cod. The best part: you don't have to leave your front door for this tour!

 Follow along and take a trip abroad as The Red Balloon takes over Europe: coming soon!

Hasty Pudding: Woman of the Year 2024

The Red Balloon's favorite line from The Hasty Pudding's announcement of Annette Bening as Woman of the Year: “That said, I can promise earning her Pudding Pot won’t be as difficult as swimming from Cuba to Florida.”

 THE HASTY PUDDING THEATRICALS ANNOUNCES

ANNETTE BENING

AS 2024 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

 

Annette Bening is a Tony Award and five-time Academy Award nominee, and two-time

Golden Globe, and Screen 

Actors Guild Award winner. Most recently, she starred in 

NYAD, directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy 

Chin, and JERRY AND MARGE GO LARGE on 

Paramount+, opposite Bryan Cranston. 

Upcoming, she will be seen in POOLMAN, alongside Danny 

DeVito and directed by/co-starring Chris Pine. 

Additional film credits include DEATH ON THE NILE, 

HOPE GAP, THE REPORT, GEORGETOWN, LIFE ITSELF, 

THE SEAGULL, CAPTAIN MARVEL, FILM STARS 

DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL, 20 TH CENTURY WOMEN, 

RULES DON’T APPLY, DANNY COLLINS, THE 

SEARCH, THE FACE OF LOVE, RUBY SPARKS, GIRL 

MOST LIKELY, GINGER & ROSA, THE KIDS ARE 

ALRIGHT, MOTHER AND CHILD, BEING JULIA, 

AMERICAN BEAUTY, IN DREAMS, THE SIEGE, THE 

AMERICAN PRESIDENT, MARS ATTACKS!, RICHARD III, LOVE AFFAIR,

BUGSY, REGARDING HENRY, THE GRIFTERS, GUILTY BY SUSPICION,

VALMONT, POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE, and THE GREAT OUTDOORS. 

On stage, Bening was last seen in Jack O’Brian’s Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s classic

ALL MY SONS alongside Tracy Letts, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination.

Previous stage credits include: Public Theater’s 2014 Shakespeare in the Park production

of KING LEAR; RUTH DRAPER MONOLOGUES at Geffen Playhouse; Anton Chekhov’s

THE CHERRY ORCHARD at Mark Taper Forum; Alan Bennett’s TALKING HEADS at

Tiffany Theater; Henrik Ibsen’s HEDDA GABLER at Geffen Playhouse; and MEDEA at

UCLA. 

Bening also received a Tony Award nomination and won the Clarence Derwent Award for

Outstanding Debut Performance of the Season for her role in COASTAL DISTURBANCES. 

Bening graduated from San Francisco State University and trained at the

American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco until she joined the acting company.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 175th production, Heist Heist Baby, visit

https://www.hastypudding.org/buy-tickets/, email tickets@hastypudding.org, or

contact the HPT Box Office at (617)-495-5205. The show will be performed at

Harvard University’s historic Farkas Hall at 12 Holyoke Street from February 2ndto March 3rd.

The company then travels to NYC for a performance on March 9th. They will then travel

to Hamilton City Hall in Bermuda for performances from March 13thto 15th. 

Tips during a Pandemic

While folks it has been quite a Spring!

The vernal equinox may have just begun less than 48 hours ago but the world has changed dramatically within the last few months.

Here the world is living through something which no one was prepared for: a pandemic.

Many of the daily routines and activities that have been so vital to one's livelihood have vanished.

Want to go to the gym?
The gym is closed.

What about going to see a film?
Movie theaters are closed.

Thinking about some retail therapy?
The malls are closed.

Want to experience first-hand a sporting event?
Sporting leagues and teams have had to suspend all further games this season.

Want to go out to eat?
Restaurants are serving take-out and delivery only.

Things that were everyday activities have ceased to exist along with so many fun, recreational activities.

At this point, you're probably wondering what it is there is left to do when everything appears so dismal.

Here are some tips:

Go for a walk, jog, or bike ride.
Call a friend.
Make a craft.
Start a new exercise routine.
Keep a journal.
Read a book.
Draw, paint, create.
Start a new hobby.
Write a letter.

In other words, there are still recreational activities out there (many of which you can complete at home.) Feel free to comment if you have an idea not on the list or if you try something on the list and have feedback.

Remember, stay safe ~

The Red Balloon.

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/

Ice Castle NH: Know before you go!

Hey Boston: Would you like to build a SNOWMAN???

If you are interested in spending some time this winter season immersed in a real ice castle, you don't need to travel to Canada: one exists in the great state of New Hampshire!

This year, the ice castles of New Hampshire have a new location in North Woodstock. Here's what you need to know: you can purchase your tickets in advance on-line. See the link at the bottom of this post.

The most popular day and time appears to be Saturdays between 4 pm and 7 pm. So be prepared for waits for those infamous ice slides that are popular since they may have a line.

You choose a 30 minute window of time when you purchase your ticket. Be sure to arrive within that window since if you are late, you may not be able to enter.

When you enter the exciting news is:
                                                     You can stay as long as you like! Which means you can explore the vast ice sculptures and beautiful structures of the castle at your leisure.

Every year, the castles are entirely brand new. As in, if you have gone in the past, you haven't seen what they have in store for you this year! To build the structure is time consuming and begins with LED lights and a sprinkler system (you can bring that fun fact with you in your travels to the ice castle and impress all your friends!) A team of artisans hand craft the ice castle, creating the masterpiece that is for you to explore and experience. Some 5,000 to 12,000 icicles per day are harvested in preparation for the creation of an ice castle truly worthy of a king or queen! What a wonderful way to spend the winter season (and live out the film Frozen in real life)! This year ice castles are located in: North Woodstock, NH; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Excelsior, Minnesota; Dillon, Colorado; Midway, Utah; and Edmonton, Alberta. But remember, the ice castles are seasonal and typically that season ends in early March. So, as Dr. Seuss (whose birthday was yesterday) would say: "Get on your way!"

Here's to the marvels of the ice castles!

                                                                                                           Photo Credit: Ice Castles

To purchase tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/ice-castles-new-hampshire-2019

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.

Dirty Dancing: Boston

Dirty Dancing will work its fancy footwork over to the Shubert Theatre next month. Come see the classic story live on stage from June 13 through the 17th. You will find yourself having the time of your life in Boston! Be sure to check back here for exclusive offers on Dirty Dancing the musical. For more information be sure to visit: www.bochcenter.org/DirtyDancing

Boston Flower & Garden Show 2018

The 2018 Boston Flower & Garden Show invaded the Seaport World Trade Center with an array of sights to marvel. This year's theme was: Savor Spring and though the weather outside may still have been frigid, the climate inside the World Trade embodied the epitome of Spring.

The arrangements were masterpieces; true works of art. Demonstrations and talks throughout the week engaged and educated attendees.










Here's to Boston in bloom!

The Humans

The Humans took home the 2016 Tony Award for best play. Stephen Karam's The Humans examines a family as they return home for Thanksgiving. See The Humans's at the Shubert Theatre from March 13th to the 25th. For more information and tickets: http://www.bochcenter.org/thehumans


Stay tuned to The Red Balloon for all the information on more upcoming shows at the Boch Center!