Opera Comes to South Boston

was seated around the thrust stage. As a warm welcoming touch, audience members relaxed for a while in a glittering entrance lounge in Flynn Cruiseport before “Bluebeard’s Castle/Four Songs” began. Bluebeard, performed by Ryan McKinny, is the lord or king of an unspecified (but very rich and very dark) domain. His story is quite ancient. A summary of the “Grimm’s Brothers Tales”, published more than 500 years ago, contains one version of Bluebeard’s story; there are older references to him in “1001 Tales of Arabian Nights”. He had seven wives, who brought large dowries to his kingdom. Judith, performed by Naomi Louisa O’Connell, was his seventh wife. She was insatiably curious about what happened to the first six Wives. Composer Bela Bartok chose the name “Judith” because that was the name of the woman in the Old Testament writings about Holofernes in the Promised Land.

Of course, opera is music. Ryan McKinny’s bass/baritone as Bela Bartok’s Bluebeard the King was nothing short of magnificent. Naomi Louisa O’Connell’s mezzo-soprano softly reflected Judith’s emotions, as her questions were more and more forcefully pushed aside by Bluebeard. The “Four

Songs”, composed by Alma Mahler and sung by O’Connell, bracketed “Bluebeard’s Castle”, ultimately asking for peace, a bursting forth, and light, light, light. David Angus, Conductor of the 30-piece Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra, expertly guided his musicians through Bartok’s expressionist, partly dissonant phrasing and sequences. The solo pianist, Yukiko Oba, entertained in the Cruiseport’s reception area and accompanied “Four Songs”. And Bluebeard’s “other six”, non-singing wives (in the BLO version) were played by Victoria L. Awkward, Aliza Franz, Marissa Molinar, Olivia Moon, Sasha Peterson and Cassie Wang. Credit is due to Anne Bogart, “Bluebeard’s Castle/Four Songs” Stage Director. Her four decades of experience range from “South Pacific”, through operas such as Verdi’s “MacBeth”, and to a professorship at Columbia and the authoring of five books. The challenge of converting the Flynn Terminal into an operatic thrust stage was well handled by her “groundbreaking artistry” – to quote from the program’s write-up by R. Scott Reedy. Set Designer Sara Brown and Movement Director Victoria Awkward also deserve mention. We believe all factors in the production were executed uniquely and flawlessly. For your information, the Boston Lyric Opera’s next production will be “Omar” by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels in May, at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre (log onto BLO.org).

Mayor Wu and Councilor Flynn attend Women Veterans Roundtable

O

Women veterans are the fastest growing population at the Department of Veterans Affairs today. Women comprise nearly 20% of active military personnel and 10% of the veteran population. Since serving on the Boston City Council, Councilor President Flynn has partnered with his colleagues to advocate for women veterans. He has held hearings to discuss the need for better gender-specific care and

n Tuesday evening, Mayor Wu and Council President Flynn attended the 2023 Women Veterans Roundtable organized by the City of Boston’s Office of Veterans Services. Held annually, this event invites a number of women veteran panelists to speak on different topics. This year, the topics included education, professional development, wellness and health.mental health support for women veterans. In 2020, he met with Senator Markey and Senator Warren to support the passage of the Deborah Sampson Act, which expanded various programs related to health care and benefits for women veterans at Veterans Affairs (VA). Recently, Councilor Flynn and Veterans Commissioner Rob Santiago attended the 2023 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) MidWinter Conference in Arlington and met with congressional members to discuss issues such as ensuring equity in veterans care, including services and benefits for women, LGBTQ+ and minority veterans, as well as bolstering mental health resources and expanding the VA’s capacity to deliver timely and high quality care to veterans.

“Thank you to all of the incredible women veterans for their service and for sharing their experiences to advocate for the larger community. I am grateful to the Office of Veteran Services, Commissioner Santiago, Council President Flynn and the Massachusetts Women Veterans’ Network for their partnership and relentless work to provide these leaders with the resources they deserve.” said Mayor Wu.

“I would like to thank the Administration, Veterans Commissioner Rob Santiago and the Office of Veteran Services for organizing today’s Woman Veterans Roundtable and to the panelists for sharing their insights with us. This is an event I look forward to every year to listen and learn about the experiences of our women veterans and what kind of support they need and deserve.” said Councilor Flynn. “I will continue to be an advocate for our women veterans, who

FUTURE YOU IS SO PROUD not only served our country with honor and bravery, but who are also resilient, tenacious and offer valuable insights and perspectives to what it means to be a veteran. They earned their benefits and I wish to recognize and celebrate their service and sacrifices for our country.”

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

JUMBO

4.18%APY*

REGULAR MINIMUM $500 DEPOSIT MINIMUM $50,000 DEPOSIT

Senator Collins, Representative Biele Help Pass $388.6 Milliom Supplement Budget

State Senator Nick Collins and State Representative David Biele joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing a $388.6 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The legislation funds vital services that support vulnerable populations and address food insecurity, housing instability, economic development, and more.

The bill further authorizes $740.3 million in bonding to bolster the Commonwealth’s clean water and other public works projects for cities and towns, as well as to support the Commonwealth’s ability to compete for competitive federal grant funds.

“This legislation provides critical funding to support our childcare system, emergency shelter and food assistance programs, and economic development initiatives.” said Senator Collins. “The supplemental budget reflects our Commonwealth’s values, and I am proud to support it.”

“This supplemental budget provides for our children and our most vulnerable residents, while authorizing crucial investments in capital expenditures for economic development and local manufacturing.” said Rep. Biele.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for these key investments in our communities, while ensuring that Massachusetts remains competitive for federal grants.”

The bill invests $388.6 million to address several time sensitive needs for an array of programs relied on by some of the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth, including $130 million for SNAP food assistance benefits to provide a path for families who were receiving enhanced SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, $68 million for the Early Education C3 stabilization grant program, $65 million for the continuation of free school meals, and $45 million for emergency shelter assistance.

The bill also authorizes $740.3 million in capital expenditures to support economic development projects. Notably, these include $400 million for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to cities, towns, and other public entities for infrastructure projects, and $125 million for state matching funds to compete for federal grant opportunities, including those funded through the CHIPS and Science Act, which encourage innovation in Massachusetts.

Other bonding items authorized by the bill include:

$104 million for the Clean Water Trust Fund

$34 million for a program to revitalize underutilized properties

$30 million for state matching funds to compete for federal broadband expansion grants and improve state broadband infrastructure

$15 million for the

Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative, which supports innovation within the state’s manufacturing industry, including by offering technical assistance to manufacturers and attracting talent from outside of the state $14 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program

$9.3 million for broadband middle mile supports $8 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund.

Having been passed by the Senate and the House, the supplemental budget now goes to the Governor for her signature.

All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) invite Boston girls ages 9 to 14 to join us during the April school vacation week for the annual All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival. Due to its popularity last year, the City is hosting the festival for two days.

The free event will take place on Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BCYF Leahy-Holloran Community Center, 1 Worrell Street, Dorchester. The All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival will feature a variety of programming including sports, games, health and wellness speakers, self-defense tactic lessons, and aquatic activities.

Participants will find a variety of fun ways to exercise mind, body, and spirit, and try out a variety of sports with expert instructors including basketball, self-defense demonstrations, fitness, rock climbing, swimming, ultimate frisbee, and more, with additional support from local non-profits and City of Boston agencies.

Pre-registration is required at boston.gov/sports. Event check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants must be Boston residents and should bring activity-appropriate clothing

(including swimsuits and towels for those wanting to participate in aquatic activities). Free lunch will be provided. For more information please call (617) 961-3047 or email jennifer.misiaszek@boston.gov.

To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, call (617) 6354505, visit Boston.gov/Parks, join our email list at bit.ly/Get-ParksEmails, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes

LENT 2023

Wednesdays During Lent 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Prayer, Reflection, Adoration & Confession

6:30 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

6:40 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Spiritual Talk

7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Confessions & Adoration

Wednesday, April 5th – Gate of Heaven Church

Presenter: Rev. Michael Steele

This Evening (April 5th) will include our Holy Week Reconciliation Service and there will be 4 Priests for Individual Confessions

Fridays During Lent Stations of the Cross

Every Friday during Lent 3:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church

Daily Mass

Gate of Heaven Church: Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. St. Brigid Church: Monday through Friday at 7 a.m.

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel

Holy Week Schedule April 5 - 7

Wednesday of Holy Week

6:30 - 7:30PM

Reconciliation Service - Spiritual Talk by Fr. Michael Steele

Gate of Heaven Church

Holy Thursday Mass

7:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Church

Good Friday Service

Veneration of the Cross with Holy Communion

3:00 p.m. - Gate of Heaven Church

4:30 p.m. - St. Augustine Chapel

7:00 p.m. - St. Brigid Church

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel

Easter Mass Schedule

Saturday, Easter Vigil - April 8 - 7:30 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Church

Easter Sunday Mass - April 9 6:13 a.m. Sunrise Mass on Castle Island

Saint Brigid Church - 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Gate of Heaven Church 9: a.m. and 12 Noon

Hola y Bienvenidos!

The 5th and 6th grade students presented their chosen Spanish-