Photos by Matt Conti. NEMPAC held it’s first ever Halloween themed fundraiser on October 28th at a packed Filippo’s Restaurant on Causeway Street. NEMPAC’s Hoot & Howl provided a HOWLIN great time!
The evening included a fabulous meal, live music and dancing, a silent auction and the best ever Halloween costume contest with celebrity judges: State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, City Councilor Sal LaMattina, North End Branch Children’s Librarian Miss Jennifer, BPS Eliot School Principal Traci Walker Griffith, NorthEndWaterfront.com’s Matt Conti, and Bobby from Polcari’s.
Costume categories and winners were:
- Best North End Theme, Jodi Piazza as Madonna Del Soccorso di Sciacca
- Best Couple, Pat and Marcia Gookin as John Lennon and Yoko Ono
- Best Humor, Dave Griffin as Red Sox Pitcher Jon Lackey
- Fairest of Them All, Amanda Mendoza as Pink from Grease
- Spookiest, Patrick McMahon as The Grim Reaper
- People’s Choice, Lauren Nelson as Sally from Nightmare before Christmas
The Live Music line up included NEMPAC’s instructors Chris Schroeder on Trumpet, Jeremy Sarzana on Guitar along with Suffolk University work study student Brian Bernhard. The headlining band was jam packed with local celebrity and character: Alba from Alba’s Produce on Drums, Jeremy Sarzana, NEMPAC’s guitar instructor, Mark Petrigno from the Connah Store, Sandro Carella from Crosstown,
John Gray also on drums, and Bobby Eustace from Polcari’s as lead singer. Bobby surprised EVERYONE with his outstanding stage presence. Impromtu performances were given by NEMPAC’s own vocal instructor, and Private Music Instruction Coordinator, Sherri Snow, NEMPAC’s Emily Trask, and Courtney LaFlamme, and a very tall mermaid – no one really knew who she was, or where she came from, but she could sing extremely well.
The silent Auction boasted great prizes including a 2011 playoff game used signed Hockey Stick from our friend and neighbor Andrew Ference, a 1928 seat from the Boston Garden, donated by Filippo, a framed photo of the lucky winner with Filippo to be hung in the restaurant forever more, overnight stays at the Fairmont Battery Wharf, and The Liberty Hotel, gift certificates to Chuan Body + Soul Health Club and Spa, located on the Third Floor of The Langham, Boston, Exhale Spa, Vinoteca di Monica, Neptune Oyster, Modern Pastry, Sedurre, Salumeria Italiana, Pizzeria Regina, Golden Goose, Verve Yoga, Lulu’s, Mike’s Pastry, Shake the Tree, Mercato Del Mare, Sunflower Candles, North Street Grille, In Jeanius, Volle Nolle, 1-800-Flowers, Matter of Face, The Stylish Eye, Twilight, NEBO, Boston Ballet Tickets, Bruins Tickets, New England Aquarium tickets, Carousel Rides on the Greenway, a personal 4 hour boat cruise for four around the Harbor, A Monkey Joe’s Birthday Party Package, a Polcari’s gift basket, a private tour of the Old North Church, and a Nazzaro Center Birthday party complete with party planning help. The amount and level of community support is amazing. THANK YOU to all the friends and neighbors who contributed donations to support NEMPAC’s event.
Proceeds from NEMPAC’s Hoot and Howl support programs and operations. Donations are still being accepted on our website: www.nempacboston.org.
Because of the support of those contributing to, and those attending the Hoot and Howl fundraiser, NEMPAC is able to offer neighborhood events, kids music and arts programming, our film festivals and stage productions, as well as, low cost music instruction to the greater North End community.
Big plans are underway for a “Jingle Jam night with Jeremy” with Bobby, and hopefully others. This will be an informal jam night with some holiday tunes rock and roll-ized, during which you can jump in and play along – whether you are a trained musician, or a budding rock star with no experience whatsoever. Details are being finalized and will be available soon.
NEMPAC’s mission is to provide affordable arts related programming to the North End/Waterfront and surrounding communities. Visit NEMPAC’s website for upcoming events and offerings: www.nempacboston.org.
