Sat. Nov. 13: Tour the Private Paradise!

Join us for a guided tour of the world exclusive exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) called "The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City." The exhibit was created from over 90 works of art which are being revealed to the public for the first time.

After coming first to Salem, the exhibit, organized by the PEM in partnership with the Palace Museum, Beijing, and in cooperation with World Monuments Fund, will travel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York and the Milwaukee Art Museum in 2011.

From 1736-1796, China's Qianlong emperor, who was one of the richest, most powerful men in the world, created a private compound filled with lavish palaces, hidden courtyards and finely manicured gardens. The pieces you'll see which come from this "glittering Asian Versailles" range from luxurious textiles and furniture to ornate Buddhist shrines, mandalas and other devotional objects. Other highlights include a massive jade-and-lacquer screen decorated with botanical images and a bamboo-inlay throne produced for the Qianlong (pronounced "chee'en lohng") emperor himself.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m.

WHERE: Peabody Essex Museum, downtown Salem, Mass
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COST: If purchased in advance from me, $8 per person. (Otherwise, tickets at the door: Adults $15, Seniors $13, Students $11, and Youth (16 and under), Salem, Mass. residents and members admitted free.)

To reserve a space, send check made out to "Beata Panagopoulos" and mail to me at: 28 Maple Ave., Apt. 3, Cambridge, MA 02139-1130.

We are very fortunate that BSLUG Board member, Paula Felsher, will be our tour guide. We will not only have a most excellent tour, but also more flexibility than a museum docent could afford us. In addition, with our own tour guide, we are able to use passes to get into the museum

If you haven't been to the Peabody Essex, now is the perfect opportunity to see this spectacular museum. Recently transformed, the PEM "presents art and culture from New England and around the world. The museum's collections are among the finest of their kind, showcasing an unrivaled spectrum of American art and architecture (including four National Historic Landmark buildings) and outstanding Asian, Asian Export, Native American, African, Oceanic, Maritime, and Photography collections. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens, and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture in the United States." (Excerpted from the Traditional Fine Arts Organization, Inc. webpage.)

All friends and family welcome. If you can offer a ride or need one, please contact Beata.

Join Us for a Fantastic BSLUG Theatre Night at the Huntington Sept. 17

We’ve purchased a block of orchestra tickets at $25 each to see the Huntington Theatre’s production of “Bus Stop,” a heartwarming, classic American comedy. What makes this event even more special is that UCSC alum Miranda Hoffman, class of ’95.*, who is the costume designer for “Bus Stop,” will meet with us before the play. You’ll not only have the opportunity to meet her and wish her well for this first performance at the Huntington, but you’ll also get to meet fellow alums before we’re seated. All friends and family are welcome.

WHAT: Performance of “Bus Stop” by William Inge. Costumes by Miranda Hoffman ‘95

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 17
7:15 p.m.: “Meet and greet”with Miranda Hoffman
8 p.m.: The play begins. After the play, there will be a post-show discussion.

WHERE: Huntington Theatre
264 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02115
Directions & Parking Information

HOW: Send me a check for your ticket(s) at $25 each, made out to: Beata Panagopoulos (I have prepaid the tickets by credit card.) Send to me at:
28 Maple Ave., Apt. 3
Cambridge, MA 02139-1130
DEADLINE to RSVP: Friday, Sept. 10

*Here’s a brief bio of Miranda, describing her accomplishments, from the Huntington Theatre’s website:

Miranda Hoffman (Costume Designer) previously designed A Civil War Christmas, Well, and Mauritius for the Huntington. She also designed the Broadway production of Well. Her New York credits include Stunning (Lincoln Center Theater); Beauty of the Father (Manhattan Theatre Club); Satellites and Well (The Public Theater); Essential Self Defense, Spatter Pattern, and She Stoops to Comedy (Playwrights Horizons); Landscape of the Body (Signature Theatre); and Othello (Theatre for a New Audience) among others. Regional credits include Twelfth Night and Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare Theatre Company), She Loves Me (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and productions for the American Repertory Theater, McCarter Theatre, and Glimmerglass Opera, among others. She is a Lucille Lortel, Helen Hayes, and American Theatre Wing Award nominee and a NEA/TCG grant recipient.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Save the Date - Sat. Aug. 14 Trip to Boston Harbor Islands

Mark your calendars! On Saturday, August 14, we’re heading out to the Boston Harbor Islands for a laid-back, relaxing day hiking, hanging out at the beach, and picnicking.

We’re taking the 10:30 ferry from Long Wharf-North Pier in Boston to Spectacle Island. Spectacle Island is only a short, 15 minute ferry ride from Boston. There are 5 miles of trails to walk around and two "summits" to get a better view of the surrounding islands and the city skyline. There are also proper facilities, a snackbar run by Jasper White (Summer Shack) and lots of benches, picnic tables, open grassy lolling areas, and a protected (buoys) beach. The ferry leaves hourly going back to Boston. You can also take a ferry from Spectacle to Georges Island, which is the ferry hub to all the other islands. The last ferry leaving Spectacle is at 6 p.m. For $14 (adults), $8 (kids 3 yrs-11 yrs) you get round trip fare to both Spectacle and Georges Islands. But if we have a group of 10 or more, we can get discounted ferry tickets.

Come check out this jewel of a park!

RSVP by Saturday, August 7

What to bring:

* Bring a bag lunch and plenty of water – unless you are happy to rely on the Jasper White.
* A bathing suit and towel (if you want to go swimming)
* Sunscreen and bug spray
* A windbreaker or something warm for the ferry -- even if it's a hot day, the ferry ride will likely be cool.
Optional: Frisbee, kite, cards, camera...?

Looking forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me or Zoe.

Beata
Tel. 617-491-3871
Email: beatapana at gmail.com

Zoe
Email: zrphoto at gmail.com