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

Diner en Blanc Boston

Diner en Blanc painted the town this past weekend...

the color of choice was of course....

WHITE!

The event title translates in French to "Dinner in White." What began in 1988 when Francois Pasquier invited a small group of friends to meet for dinner dressed in white in Paris has grown to a world-wide phenomenon. 

Pasquier asked his friends to wear white to make it easier for group members to find each other. Now, the event takes places annually across the globe in Australia, Mexico, Singapore, and the UK to name just a few locales. Participants do not know where the event's precise location will be until moments before they arrive. The requirements: bring a table and chairs and dress in all white.

Fast forward to 2024: Diner en Blanc Boston. Despite inclement weather, Diner en Blanc proved that you can't rain on this parade! As always, Diner en Blanc takes place in an iconic location and this year was no different. The location for this year's Diner en Blanc: Downtown Crossing! This was the 8th Diner en Blanc but this was the first year the event was able to gain approval for the iconic site of Downtown Crossing in Boston.

Downtown Crossing was quickly transformed by white tables and chairs and participants dressed head to toe in white. Participant had the option to choose from a variety of food and wine options when registering. In addition, participants could choose to bring their own food. Live music kept an upbeat tempo throughout the night despite the weather. Performers on stilts entertained while participants dined and danced the night away in Downtown!

See photos from the 2024 Diner en Blanc Boston:

   Until next time: Au Revoir!

Taste of Downtown Crossing

The 2nd Annual Taste of Downtown Crossing takes place this Sunday, September 24th from 12 to 3 pm.

Boston's Avenue de Lafayette will be transformed to feature tastes from the best of downtown crossing restaurants paired with chef demonstrations.

This year's Taste will feature delectable dishes from:  Artisan Bistro, Avenue One, Back Deck, Boston Chops, Chicken & Rice Guys, Cultivar, Explorateur, Fajitas & 'Ritas, Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors, jm Curley, Legal Crossing, Marliave, The Merchant, Omni Parker House, Pabu, Papagayo, Roche Bros., Ruka, Ruth's Chris Steak House, SA PA, Salvatore's, Serafina, Shed's BBQ, Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, Taste Wine Bar & Cafe, and Yvonne's to name just a few!

Chef demonstrations throughout the day include: Chef Kelly Armetta (Avenue One), Chef Ben Steigers (Pabu), Chef Brian Young (Cultivar), and more.

For more information visit: http://tasteofdtx.com/

To view photos from last year's Taste of Downtown Crossing: https://theredballoonreport.blogspot.com/2016/11/taste-of-downtown-boston.html

To buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-downtown-crossing-tickets-36692415001?aff=redballoon

Happy Tasting Boston!

Taste of Downtown Crossing

This Sunday, the very first Taste of Downtown Crossing will take place.

Please see an excerpt from the official Press Release:

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District to Host The Inaugural Taste of Downtown Crossing 

A celebration of diverse food, culture and entertainment Boston, MA-

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting the inaugural Taste of Downtown Crossing, a celebration of diverse food, culture and entertainment. On Sunday, September 25, 2016 between noon and 4:00 pm Avenue de Lafayette will be transformed into a lovely street side café. Event attendees will enjoy the sounds of violinist Lewis Flores, opera singer Marshall Richard and piano player Brian John. The event will also feature a wine and beer garden, culinary demonstrations and food tastings from over 20 restaurants offering their distinctive cuisines. The Taste of Downtown Crossing will showcase many of the restaurants that have made Downtown Crossing a foodie hotspot. Since the formation of the Downtown Boston BID in 2011, thousands of Boston residents, employees, students and visitors have flocked to Downtown Crossing to enjoy the best food and shopping Boston has to offer.

“Taste of Downtown Crossing is a new destination event that will allow the BID to continue promoting the Downtown Crossing area as an active and welcoming neighborhood, and we are excited to celebrate the many restaurants of Downtown,” said Rosemarie Sansone, President & CEO of the Downtown Boston BID. Downtown Crossing restaurants to be featured in the tasting portion of the festival include:

Artisan Bistro,
Avenue One at Hyatt Regency,
Back Deck,
Boston Chops,
Central Bistro,
David’s Tea,
Fajitas & ‘Ritas,
Gordon’s Fine Wine & Liquors,
 JM Curley,
Kingston Grille & Bar,
Legal Crossing,
Marliave,
Mast,
The Merchant,
Oceanaire,
Papagayo,
Roche Bros.,
Ruth’s Chris Steak House,
SA PA,
Serafina,
Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, and
Yvonne’s

Happy Tasting!