BELMONT, Mass.–On Fri., Oct. 4, the Greater Boston Armenian community had the pleasure of enjoying a monologue performance by Vahe Berberian entitled, “Yete,” at the Chenery Middle School in Belmont. The event was hosted by the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Cambridge “Shushi” Chapter. The chapter’s president, Heather Krafian, welcomed the 425 guests in the auditorium and thanked the ARS members for their many years of dedicated and tireless service to the Armenian community. She noted that with the success of the evening’s event, the chapter can continue to Continue reading >>>

As a recent spat between Pat Moscaritolo, the head of the Greater Boston Convention Visitors Bureau, and his counterparts in Las Vegas showed, the people of Nevada seem to think Sin City and Puritan Boston are indistinguishable from each other. According to a recent Globe article, lawyers from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority threatened Moscaritolo with legal action because they felt a tagline used to promote Boston as a convention destination — “What Happens in Boston Changes the World” — was too similar to Vegas’ trademark slogans “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” Continue reading >>>

BOSTON — Leaders of two gambling companies are considering their next steps after voters in Palmer and East Boston on Tuesday rejected plans for proposed casinos, possibly further reducing the number of applicants to open the state's first destination resort casino. The Mohegan Sun said Wednesday it would file a petition in Palmer, seeking a recount of votes on Tuesday as soon as possible, while 78-year-old Suffolk Downs in East Boston said it is examining the possibility of moving its project to Revere. Clyde W. Barrow, director of the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts Continue reading >>>

Boston will soon have its first new mayor in 20 years. Longtime state legislator Martin J. Walsh defeated City Councilor John R. Connolly in Tuesday’s election, leveraging the support of labor groups and a significant cross-section of residents throughout the city. He will take office in January. Steven Poftak, the executive director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, talks about Walsh’s victory and what this means for the city of Boston. QUESTION: Are you surprised by the results? POFTAK: These results are not surprising. The race was close and Continue reading >>>

Business and leisure travelers boosted occupancy and prices at Boston area hotels in September. Greater Boston’s hotels reported strong operating results for September as leisure and business travelers filled the region’s hotels. Thomas Grillo Real Estate Editor- Boston Business Journal Email Continue reading >>>

As one of the oldest festivals in the region, the Boston Jewish Film Festival looks just as appealing as ever with an impressive program spanning 12 days across 12 venues in the Greater Boston region. After the Nov. 6 premiere of “The Zig Zag Kid” with Isabella Rossellini, the BJFF will move on to nonconventional fare, including its first midnight movie, a dark comedy, steamy romances, a spotlight on Jews in Africa, and social hours for young attendees. With an entire program focusing on younger filmgoers, the FreshFlix program is a mix of young filmmakers’ short films and Continue reading >>>

Voters in East Boston rejected the Suffolk Downs casino application Tuesday, in a referendum that drew large turnout in that section of the city.The Boston Globe reported that voters in East Boston rejected the casino application by 56 percent, with 44 percent in favor. Voters in Revere approved the casino question, with 61 percent in favor. Revere had a say in the application because the property crosses into Revere.The Suffolk Downs proposal had been one of three resort casino prospects for the greater Boston region. Milford's Foxwoods Massachusetts casino application will Continue reading >>>

Josh Hutcherson gives the spotlight to Zachary Kerr in this new shot in anticipation of the upcoming 2013 TeenNick Halo Awards. Growing up as one of three identical triplets, Zachary, 19, spent years battling gender identity issues before making a transitional journey from female to male. After facing tough challenges, he became a positive advocate for the transgender community, facilitating educational programs through Greater Boston PFLAG and paving the way for more acceptance and equal treatment for others like him at both state and national levels. Celebrating real-life teens who are Continue reading >>>

During this year's event, Marc Maron, best known for his WTF podcast and sitcom on IFC, will receive the Comedian of the Year Award. Emmanuel Lewis, known for his role on the TV show Webster, will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Other featured shows include a Battle of the Improv Troupes; Funny Females, hosted by Kelly MacFarland (pictured); and individual shows spotlighting renowned comedians like Darryl Lenox, whose CD Blind Ambition was named "one of the Top 5 Comedy Albums of 2012" by Stage time Magazine. Here are a few of the shows you can head to during the Boston Comedy Continue reading >>>