This Week’s Best Boston Happenings

Bostonians certainly had their share of events to choose from this week to attend. From the opening of a concert series in the courtyard at the Boston Public Library to a summer soiree held at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, here’s a look back at this week’s best Boston happenings.

On Wednesday night, the Boston Public Library kicked off its summer concerts in the courtyard series. Running now through August 28, the Copley Square library hosts one-hour concerts in the main courtyard of the central library twice a week in their hidden courtyard. Musicians include classical, jazz and folk and performances are held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. The first concert this week featured the Aliya Cycon Project showcasing traditional Arabic music. The concert series will still continue even if it rains, but it will be held inside at the Commonwealth Salon.

Also held on Wednesday evening was the Summer Soiree held at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Attendees dressed up in summer chic attire, snacked on hors d’oeuvres and sipped on cocktails at the garden party hosted by Friends of Music Chairs Cindy Curme, Corinne Grousbeck, Beth Martignetti, Laura Rehnert, and Katherine Chapman Stemberg. The event was held in Calderwood Hall and featured a performance by violin and viola duo Chargaux.

Last night, the North End Music and Performing Arts Center hosted its summer soiree where guests enjoyed music, cocktails and food under the stars. The event was held under the tree canopy in the Prado on Paul Revere Mall. Sponsors of this year’s benefit included Mayor Marty Walsh, City Councilor Sal LaMattina and State Rep Aaron Michlewitz along with local restaurants Al Dente and Benevento’s Restaurant among others.

A new exhibition arrived this week at the Institute of Contemporary Art – the Scott Patrick Wiener curated by Ricardo De Lima. The Foster Prize visual art winner (a biennial recognition of emerging artists whose work is not contained to tradition) and curator of Spectacle Boston presents his sculptural installations here through the end of the month. The exhibition is support by Louis Vuitton.

Photo Credit: Fairmont Copley PlazaThe Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition hosted its annual Give Liberty a Hand gala at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel this week. The New England organization that promotes the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees this year honored Stan Rosenburg (President of the Massachusetts State Senate), Heloisa Galvao (Executive Director of the Brazilian Women’s Group), and Scott Fitzgerald (Managing Partner of Fragomen, Del Rey, Bersen, and Loewy LLP). The honorees are chosen for their achievements to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees, and who serve as exemplary Americans.