For Rebecca Li and Michelle Gong, Boston’s walkable historic cityscape was a pleasant travel alternative to New York’s fast-paced skyscraper congestion, which resembled their native Beijing all too much. “Boston is a combination of history, beautiful scenery and very nice people,” said Li. “Everybody can feel a lot of history here,” Gong added. Greater Boston’s historical, cultural, educational, environmental and pedestrian appeal, as the heart of the American Revolution and a haven of world-renowned attractions Continue reading >>>

Now in its fifth season, OperaHub has graced Greater Boston with productions ranging from the sublime (Monteverdi’s “L’incoronazione di Poppea”) to the blissfully ridiculous (a German-art-song cabaret called “Goethe Your Hand off My Heine”).

Ching’s opera, which premiered in Memphis in January 2011, does have an orchestra of sorts — what he calls a “voicestra,” 14 vocalists who ground the soloists in harmony and rhythm, and whose number includes a “vocal percussionist” (here J.J. Lee). This “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a kind of “popera” — appropriate for a play about puppy love and spoiled royals. Ching’s vocal lines are mostly recitative and don’t vary much from character to character. And despite the muted volume level of the voicestra, much of the Bard’s text doesn’t come through.But OperaHub puts Continue reading >>>

Where are Fourth of July fireworks displays in and around Greater Boston? Here's a list. Click on the links for more information about each event: Thursday, June 28 Somerville: Trum Field. Live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. (Rain date July 5.)  Saturday, June 30 Wilmington: Town Common. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. "Family Day." Fireworks at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 Andover: High School. Fireworks at dusk. Lynn: Red Rock Park. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Danvers: Plains Park. 5-10 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Needham: Memorial Park. 5-10 p.m. Fireworks after dark. Wednesday, July 4 Acton: Continue reading >>>

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has announced the full cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE, the Tony Award-winning 1960s rock ‘n’ roll-inspired musical parody of what happens to a small Midwestern community when an Elvis-like singing sensation swings through town looking for one last kiss before entering the Army. Bye Bye Birdie runs July 13-22 in the Robinson Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham. Tony Award nominee Anita Gillette stars as Mae Peterson, the comical mother of all martyred mothers who nearly loves her son Albert to distraction. With more than 75 stage and screen credits to her Continue reading >>>

For years, Silicon Valley – home to companies like Intel, Apple, Google and Facebook – has been America's (and the world’s) undisputed high-tech center. But recently, urban centers from San Francisco, home to Twitter, to New York City – which has surpassed greater Boston to become the nation’s second leading center for venture capital investment – have become high-tech hubs as well. This is happening in Europe, too—London’s Silicon Roundabout and Berlin are both emerging as technology centers.  Which cities and metros are America’s high-tech leaders? (Click the map Continue reading >>>

1) Somerville resident recognized for work with homeless childrenAmy Gardner of Somerville received the 2012 PAL of the Year Award from Horizons for Homeless Children, according to an announcement from the organization. PAL stands for "playspace activity leader," and in receiving the award, Gardner was recognized for her work with homeless children in area homeless shelters. Garnder has worked with homeless children through Horizons for about three years, and she also helps coordinate and check in with the 1500 PAL volunteers in the area. Congratulations. 2) Tall Tales From a Large Man: Aaron Continue reading >>>

Starting new businesses — and starting them more quickly — are key to jump-starting the economy, the co-chairman of President Obama’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship said today. Each year, about 500,000 businesses are started in the United States, creating about 4 million jobs annually, Desh Deshpande told members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. But starting a successful business requires a good idea, a good entrepreneur, a good mentor and access to capital, said Deshpande, co-founder and chairman of Sycamore Networks and founder of the Deshpande Center Continue reading >>>

Starting new businesses — and starting them more quickly — are key to jumpstarting the economy, the co-chair of President Obama’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship said today. Each year, about 500,000 businesses are started in the United States, creating about 4 million jobs annually, Desh Deshpande told members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. But starting a successful business requires a good idea, a good entrepreneur, a good mentor and access to capital, said Deshpande, co-founder and chairman of Sycamore Networks and founder of the Deshpande Center Continue reading >>>

Minneapolis-based furniture retailer Room Board will search for a Greater Boston distribution center for customer deliveries for its Newbury Street store slated to open late in 2013. The company, which sells modern American-made furniture and accessories, plans to open its 13th U.S. store at 407 Newbury St., on the corner of Newbury Street and Mass. Ave. It will occupy the entire building with a multi-level showroom encompassing 39,000 square feet. The company plans to add a new, modern glass structure to the rear of the building, which also will include a second-floor terrace and a sidewalk area Continue reading >>>