Restaurant Week Boston Features over 200 Great Dining Spots

Boston’s semi-annual Restaurant Week is upon us, and there’s no better way to enjoy the city’s hospitality at its finest than by sitting down to a meal.

This year Restaurant Week in Boston runs from August 19-24 and 26-31, 2012.  Over 200 restaurants are participating, according to Patrick Moscaritolo, head of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes the event.

Moscaritolo says it’s a chance for the city’s best chefs “to get creative and showcase seasonal New England ingredients, farm fresh herbs and produce, and local seafood all at a tremendous value to diners. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the region’s outdoor cafes, patios and harborside dining.”

Numerous restaurants with live jazz are participating, here is a sampling:

• Boston's Downtown: Les Zygomates, Avenue One at Hyatt Regency Boston, BOND at Langham Hotel
• Boston's South End: Beehive Jazz Club and Petit Robert Birstro
• Boston's Back Bay: Skipjack's Restaurant and Top of the Hub Restaurant
• South Boston/Seaport District: Aura at Seaport Hotel, 606 Congress at Renaissance Hotel
• Cambridge: Upstairs on the Square
• Brookline: The Fireplace
• Belmont: Savinos

For more details on Restaurant Week Boston, visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau web site at http://www.bostonusa.com/
 
For more information on jazz in Massachusetts, visit http://www.massjazz.com

Wanda Houston Performs at Castle Street Cafe on August 17

Chicago jazz singer Wanda Houston and her band perform at the Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.  There is no cover charge.

Houston is a seasoned jazz vocalist, actor and teacher who has performed around the country in jazz venues and on stage. 

Castle Street Cafe has been serving up great food and live jazz for 23 years.  Check out the jazz schedule at Castle Street Cafe, or follow it on facebook.

You can find year round jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Salem Jazz & Soul Festival Takes Place on August 18-19

Joel Larue Smith

The 6th annual Salem Jazz & Soul Festival is taking place on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 11:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in downtown Salem.

The live, outdoor event, located at Salem Willows, 167 Fort Avenue, is free and open to the public.  For a printable schedule, click here.

Among the performers: Joel Larue Smith, Silvina Moreno,  the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Salem High School Jazz Band, and North Shore Jazz Project All Stars. 

Here is a full schedule of jazz festivals in Massachusetts this summer and fall.

For year round details on live jazz throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information go to MassVacation.com.

Jazz Drummer Roy Haynes Performs at Rockport Jazz Festival on August 17

Legendary jazz drummer and Boston native Roy Haynes is performing with his group, the Fountain of Youth Band, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 8:00 p.m..  The concert is the final event of the first annual Rockport Jazz Festival, which debuted this week.

Haynes, who grew up in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, is considered one of the world's best jazz drummers.  In February 2011 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 51st annual Grammy Awards.

Boston Herald jazz writer Bob Young noted, "Roxbury-born Roy Haynes has kept some pretty good company in his nearly seven decades in the music business. Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Pat Metheny have all shared the stage with the man known as the father of modern jazz drumming."

Here is a schedule of upcoming jazz events presented by Rockport Music this fall.

For year round details on jazz in Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For tourist information visit MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Waterfront Performing Arts Series - Free Dancing and Music at Boston's Christopher Columbus Park on August 14

The City of Boston's Waterfront Performing Arts Series is presenting free dance lessons plus a night of swing at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m.

Boston Swing Central, based in Charlestown, is providing free dance lessons for the first hour, then Phil McGowan and the Easy Winners Band brings everything to full swing with an hour of dancing.

The event is free and open to the pubic, and is part of the City of Boston's summer music series taking place all around the city.  For more information, visit the Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events.

For year round details on live jazz throughout Massachusetts, visit MassJazz.com.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com and BostonUSA.com.

Jazz Vocalist Tierney Sutton Performs in Rockport on August 15

The Tierney Sutton Band  is performing at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $31-$52 and can be purchased online or at the venue.

The band features acclaimed jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton,  pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry, and drummer Ray Brinke. 

The concert is the kick-off to the 1st annual Rockport Jazz Festival, which debuts this week with a great line-up of jazz performances from August 15-19.  

Rockport Music has an exciting schedule of jazz and other music this summer and fall.

Find year round details on live jazz in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com.

For tourist information, go to MassVacation.com.

Provincetown Jazz Festival Runs August 11, 13 on Cape Cod

Sharon Clark 

The 8th annual Provincetown Jazz Festival on Cape Cod is taking place on Saturday, August 11 in Provincetown and Monday, August 13, 2012  in Cotuit this year.

Tickets to the event are $25 and can purchased online or at the door. Here is the full schedule.

Among the performers on Saturday, August 11, at Provincetown Town Hall, are jazz vocalist Sharon Clark, saxophonist Paul Carr, pianists Chris Grasso and Alex Brown, drummer Joe McCarthy and bassist Will Slater.

Performers on Monday, August 13, at the Cotuit Center for the Arts,  include Steve Ahearn on trumpet and flute, Bruce Abbott on sax and flute, Fred Boyle on piano, Ron Ormsby on bass, and Bart Weisman on drums.  Mr. Weisman is also the founder and producer of the Provincetown Jazz Festival.

You can find more details on jazz festivals in Massachusetts by visiting MassJazz.com/festivals.

For visitor information, go to MassVacation.com.