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On Saturday, August 21st, The North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) participated in the Annual West End Children’s Festival on Thorough Path in the West End. NEMPAC provided an Instrument Petting Zoo and a number of performances. Of the Instrument Petting Zoo, NEMPAC’s Executive Director Rebecca Griffin said: “Children get so excited when they get to try out an actual instrument. Adults do as well. We see folks having a great time trying an instrument for the very first time, or picking up an instrument that they used to play all the time. It is very rewarding to be able to provide an activity that connects so many.” NEMPAC performances included NEMPAC Instructors Gary Fieldman (Percussion) and Jeremy Sarzana (Guitar) playing with the North End band, Crosstown. NEMPAC student Sam Sullivan, age 7 also played a few songs on a full drum set with Crosstown. NEMPAC violin students Sadie O’Leary, Zoe Powell-McCroey and Evelyn Harper were accompanied on the violin or the keyboard by their instructor, Sarah Glenn. NEMPAC’s Adult Rock Band (a course that NEMPAC offers) played a seven song set, including “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones, “Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Joan Jett. The rock band members who performed are: Mikaya Emma and Carrie Johnson (guitar), Jeremy Sarzana (Bass), Brian Johnson (drums), and Emily Trask (vocals). NEMPAC’s involvement at the West End Children’s Festival was one of the first events planned by newly hired Private Music Instruction Coordinator, and voice instructor Sherri Snow. “Sherri did an outstanding job. We are very excited to have her with us at NEMPAC”, said Rebecca. NEMPAC offers private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, bass, saxophone, flute, viola, cello, percussion, and more. NEMPAC also offers classes for toddlers, teens, and adults in music, yoga, Italian and more. Need based scholarships are available. NEMPAC is a 501c non-profit located on the Prado in the North End. Its mission is “To provide affordable arts related programming to the North End/Waterfront and surrounding communities. To register for NEMPAC’s upcoming Fall Session or to find out more, visit www.nempacboston.org, or email Rebecca at becca0923@yahoo.com.

Congratulations to the Feast Committee of San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc. for a terrific three days at the 91st Saint Anthony’s Feast on Endicott, Thacher & N. Margin Streets. Also included are photos from the Thursday night BBQ where there was a film showing of "50 Years of the St. Anthony's Feast" on the screen. Mayor Tom Menino, Councilor Sal LaMattina, State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and State Senator Anthony Petruccelli also attended the event. Click on the squares to enlarge. (Photos by Matt Conti, August 2010)

The North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) held its Annual Summer Party at the Pilot House on August 18, 2010. NEWRA Executives present at the function included President Mark Paul, Vice-President Stephanie Hogue, Treasurer Sanjoy Mahajan and Secretary Katie Kulikowski. In addition, active committee chairs in attendence included Naomi Paul and Patricia Thiboutot from Clean Streets, Victor Brogna and David Kubiak from Zoning, Licensing & Construction and Mary McGee from Membership. Tom Schiavoni provided keyboard musical entertainment. Local elected officials in attendence included District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina, State Senator Anthony Petruccelli and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz. There was a bartender serving drinks and the food came from Galleria33. (Photos by Matt Conti, click thumbnails to enlarge.)

The prestigious Italian Navy training ship San Giusto docked in Boston. The ship was open to the public for tours. On Saturday, August 14th, Cardinal Sean O’Malley said a Mass aimed at Boston’s Italian community. The amphibious ship is making a four-day port visit during a training cruise that has taken second-year midshipmen from the Italian Naval Academy to locales including Madeira and Bermuda. This is the sailors’ first experience onboard the Navy’s fleet and allows the cadets the chance to demonstrate what they have learned at the academy in Livorno, Italy. (Photos: Matt Conti, Click on images to enlarge.)

During the first week of August, the annual North End Family Pride Week held lots of events sponsored by North End Against Drugs and the Nazzaro Center. This year’s program was in honor of Bobby DeCristoforo. Photos sent in by NEAD President John Romano.

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010, "Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles" entertained an outdoor crowd at Christopher Columbus Park. "New Collisions" was the first band to perform. (Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.)

In memory of Robert "Bobby D" DeCristoforo, a memorial service was held at St. Leonard Church, followed by a candlelight walk through the neighborhood to Bobby D's residence on Fleet Street, where signed balloons were released. The service took place on Sunday, August 1st, in conjunction with North End Family Pride Week, organized by NEAD (North End Against Drugs), founded and led by Bobby D. (Click on the images to enlarge.)

The big feasts kick-off with the St. Joseph’s Feast at the corner of Hanover & Battery Streets. Here are some photos and video clips from Saturday, July 24, 2010. On the Prado, international singing sensation Angelo Picardi, appeared with with Ray Cavicchio and his Orchestra.

Amazing photos of the North End sky and lightning over the North End parks toward Charlestown. (Photos by Brendan O'Brien)

Photos from the Summer 2009 North End filming of the movie, "The Town," created by and starring Ben Affleck. The film has a theater release date of September 2010. (Photos by Brendan O'Brien)

The St. Leonard Peace Garden on Hanover Street was recently renovated and it looks beautiful. Adding to the renovation, local artist Nathan Swain installed a mural on the back of Assagio’s restaurant. It is printed with a photo from the Arnold Arboretum. The mural covered the blank ugly wall with something green. Boston Building Wraps printed and install the banner. Also in this gallery are photos of the renovated St. Leonard's Peace Garden. (Click on a thumbnail photo to see the slideshow.)

At high noon on Sunday, July 4, 2010, the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," made her annual jaunt into Boston Harbor around the North End to Fort Independence on Castle Island. After a 21-gun salute she did her famous turnaround back toward her berth in Charlestown Navy Yard. On her return sailing, she gave a 17-gun salute at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in the North End. Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world that is still in the water and sailing. Old Ironsides was in her prime during a series of victories over Britain in the War of 1812. (Photos by Matt Conti)

Local Artist and North End resident, Nathan Swain, is currently displaying his art at the New Spin Laundry. This is not the first time that Swain has chosen unusual places for his work. Last year, the artist painted and installed large murals in the "windows" of the old Edison Powerhouse building at the corner of Salem & Prince Streets. Nathan Swain can be contacted at or-nathan@hotmail.com.

District 1 Salvatore LaMattina held a fundraiser on June 23rd at Monica's on Richmond Street in the North End.

The brainchild of State Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Mass.), the North2South Baseball Classic is an All Star baseball exchange that seeks to bring together two prominent Boston neighborhoods, the North End and South End. The mission of the North2South Baseball Classic is to annually unite these neighborhoods in the spirit of friendly competition and good will. The North End won the Friday, June 25th game at Langone Field with a score of 3-7. Pizzeria Regina donated 40 pizza pies and Lucia's Donato Frattaroli donated the soda.

Brendan O. sends in these photos of the GDF Suez Neptune LNG tanker arriving and leaving Boston Harbor. The $330m GDF Suez Neptune, built in 2009, is the first of two 145,000 cubic metre sister vessels to be deployed on the Neptune Project, a "deepwater port", some 22 miles northeast of Boston in Massachusetts Bay, US. The two vessels will transport LNG in liquefied form to the offshore terminal, regasify it using plant on board, before sending it ashore by pipeline. It will then be distributed to consumers in Massachusetts and New England via the regional gas grid.

The 3rd Annual NEMPAC (North End Music & Performing Arts) Bocce Tournament was held on May 27, 2010 at the Langone Park bocce courts and on the indoor Bocce courts in Steriti Rink. There was Pizzeria Regina pizza and the NEMPAC Rock Band provided musical entertainment. City Councilor Sal LaMattina also played in the tournament.

The 16th Annual Taste of the North End,was Friday, May 14, 2010, at the New England Aquarium. Featured was food from 34 popular North End restaurants and libations from area wine vendors. Food stations lined the large center tank inside the New England Aquarium, with dancing and desserts in the tent to round out the night. The 2010 Teammates Community Service Award was presented to Lucia's Donato Frattaroli, presented by Jim Luisi, CEO of the North End Health Center and Honorary Co-Chairs, Mayor Tom Menino and State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz. City Councilors Sal LaMattina and Felix Arroyo also attended. The evening benefited The North End Community Health Center, as well as the schools and recreation centers of the North End providing services to children and neighborhood senior programs. (Photos by Matt Conti)

This photo gallery captures the history of the Boston's North End and Waterfront community. Click on the thumbnails to see the enlarged slide show. We love your old photos too. Send them to info@northendwaterfront.com.

May 1st was opening day at Langone Park for the 2010 Majors Youth Baseball League for the North End Athletic Association (NEAA) and the Nazzaro Community Center. Team sponsors include North End Against Drugs, St. Agrippina Society, Regional Review, St. Anthony's Society and Tomasone Club. Pre-game entertainment was provided by the NEMPAC Rock Band (Jeremy Sarzana, Mikaya Emma, Carrie Huisingh, Tim Griffin, Brian Johnson). There was also a players barbecue, a tribute in memory of Frankie Vilar and a moment of silence for Bobby DeCristoforo. Baseball Coordinator John Romano and President Dom Campochiaro led the opening ceremonies with Commisioners Frank Iudiciani and Peter Sherin. Several elected officials attended including State Senator Anthony Petruccelli, State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina and Councilors-at-Large Felix Arroyo and Ayanna Pressley. (Photos by Matt Conti; Click on the images to enlarge.)

An Easter Egg Hunt was held on the Prado by the North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC). As seen in the pictures, face painting was very popular with the North End kids. (Thanks to Becca Griffin, NEMPAC Executive Director, for submitting the pictures.)

On April 22, 2010, the Freedom Trail Map was unveiled on Cross Street. The map was a joint effort by Citizens Bank, the Freedom Trail Commission and the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Elected officials, Mayor Tom Menino and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz were also present at the unveiling. A reception followed at the neighboring Nick's Famous Deli. (Click on the thumbnails to enlarge and see the slideshow.)

The North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) held their 10th annual Spring Fling fundraiser on April 10th at Tecce's Restaurant in the North End. Proceeds go to the affordable culture, arts & music programming offered to the North End / Waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods. Photos of the event highlight the NEMPAC Rock Band as well as several attendees. Many thanks to Becca Griffin for sharing the photos from the event. (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

The North End Music and Performing Arts Center held its annual benefit for scholarships at the Old North Church on February 27, 2010.

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy hosted a tree lighting of the elm tree on the North End parks on February 11, 2010. NEMPAC bell ringers participated, local restaurants donated food and public officials spoke including Councilors LaMattina and Arroyo.

Santa flew in from the North Pole by helicopter landing on the fields at Puopolo & Langone Parks. The Christmas Parade followed with marching bands, singers, horses and Santa down Commercial Street, North Street then over to Hanover Street. (Click on the thumbnails to view a slideshow.)

Retail shops in the North End welcome residents and visitors to "stroll" in the North End with treats and specials in their stores.

Councilor LaMattina shares these pictures from a recent visit to a Cambridge sidewalk plaza as an example of long-term options for what could exist on the Cross St. sidewalk plaza at the entrance to the North End.

October 11, 2009 - Columbus Day Parade in the North End. (Photos courtesy of Jason Aluia and the Columbus Day Committee)