Contest - Be the Opening Band for Coldplay - 7/1

Do you have a band? I mean a real one - it doesn't count if you're playing Rock Band at home on your Playstation. This is pretty exciting, here's your chance to enter a contest to open for Coldplay when they come to to the TD Banknorth Garden on August 4th (here).

Imagine performing before one of the biggest bands in the world. The lights go down and the stage is yours. Here is your chance. Live Nation and WFNX are giving your band the opportunity to go on before Coldplay at TD Banknorth Garden on Monday, August 4!

To enter, simply sign up by following the contest link below. All entries must be submitted from July 1 - July 7.

Click (here) to sign up for the contest. It basically entails you making a video of yourselves and uploading it onto Youtube. I didn't read the rest of the rules because I don't have a band.

PS. If anyone needs a pianist, cellist, or guitarist for their band, I'm your man. Just kidding, I haven't played in years - you're way better off going to the New England Conservatory or Berklee School of Music.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

1st Ever Miss Boston Competition - 6/14

Felt (the club on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing) is holding the first ever Miss Boston Competition and it starts this weekend. The event will take place over the next three Saturdays (starting 6/14).

Felt Boston is producing and hosting the first ever Miss Boston 2008 Model Search. This three-week competition will give a beautiful, talented, and young Bostonian the opportunity to be crowned “Miss Boston 2008” with exciting modeling and exposure opportunities. The competition is dedicated to finding the ultimate local model to be the face of Boston for 2008.

What does the winner get?

1. An all-expense paid round trip to a tropical destination
2. A magazine spread in a local magazine
3. A Possible modeling contract
4. Cash prizes
5. A luxurious gift basket with items provided by event sponsors
6. A coaching session with high fashion model and Polina Fashion founder, Polina Raygorodskaya

Here's the schedule:

June 14 - Preliminaries
Bikini Competition

June 21 - Semi-finals
Personality Competition

June 28 - Finals & Crowning
Semi-formal Cocktail Wear Competition

Click (here) to go to the site and register.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

1 Year Anniversary Giveaway Winner!

Well folks, the contest ended about an hour ago (here) and I've written down all the names on slips of paper, stuck them in a hat, and drawn a winner.


The winner of the SanDisk Sansa 1GB c240 MP3 Player is................

Crystal Broyles

Congratulations to Crystal and thanks to everyone for entering. I will try to hold giveaways more often, as I am able to get my hands on stuff to give away. =D

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

1 Year Anniversary Giveaway Ends 5/22

Can you believe it's almost been a year since the Beantown Bloggery launched? My first post was made on May 22, 2007. The year has gone by pretty quickly. And in celebration of my blog's first birthday, I am going to hold a giveaway contest for you guys.

Here's the rules. From now until May 22, 2008 anyone is free to enter the contest. All you have to do is subscribe to my blog either through email or RSS using the widget on the upper right hand corner of the blog and then send me an email with the subject "Happy Birthday" and your name in the body of the email.

At 12:00 noon EST on May 22, 2008 (8 days from now) the contest will end and I will put everyone's name in a hat (I have a Stetson) and pick 1 winner. I will then email the winner and ask for his/her address so I can mail them the prize.

What's the prize? A brand new SanDisk Sansa 1GB c240 MP3 Player (here).

Good luck everyone!



Want to Enter the Contest?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Condom Wrapper Design Contest

You saw the title and immediately got curious didn't you? What is he talking about? How is this Boston-related? Well I'll tie it all together for you, dont' worry.

One Condoms - a Boston based condom company is holding a design contest from now until June 30th.

We've shown you ours ... now show us yours! We're looking for new designs for our next series of condoms, and we want your help .... The top 100 designs as determined by the public will be voted on by a panel of guest judges.

The winner gets year’s supply of condoms and also gets 5,000 condoms donated in your name. How many exactly is "a year's supply" - according to One Condoms that would be 365 of them. And who are those 5K other condoms getting donated to? I haven't the foggiest.

So, if you're bored - and really good with photoshop - click (here) to go to the official contest website.

And no, I never thought I'd use the word "condom" that many times in one blog entry.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Destination Alcatraz: Urban Race Challenge

Looking for something fun to do outdoors this Saturday? I got an email earlier this week about an event called Destination Alcatraz - some sort of scavenger hunt that will probably have you running around Boston all day. It'll give you and your friends a good excuse to get outside and enjoy the warm weather that we're finally having.

~~~~~~~~~

WHO: Boston urban thrivers who possess the brawn and brain to outrace their peers in a physical and mental contest to navigate Boston are encouraged to enter the upcoming BlackBerry® Curve™ Challenge. The Challenge is limited to 150, two-person teams. Participation is free and open to adults aged 18 and older.

WHAT: Challengers will compete in this qualifying leg of the BlackBerry® Curve™ Challenge: DESTINATION ALCATRAZ, a timed multi-mile, multi-disciplinary race that will incorporate Boston’s layout and landmarks in a competition that tests a two-person teams’ urban orienting skills, physical ability and mental prowess.

Additionally, each team will be provided a critical, multi-functional tool: The new BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone. Savvy teams will maximize the advanced functions of this next generation BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphone to optimize their race performance. This enhanced smartphone will provide participants a variety of race-day solutions including navigating turn-by-turn to and from each checkpoint with its built in GPS, researching clues via the Internet, fulfilling requirements to digitally document finds, and obtaining input from friends and family via mobile phone and text.

WHERE: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 Faneuil Hall Market Pl
• Serves as the Start & Finish line
• Will also be the site for the BlackBerry® Curve™ Challenge Village, featuring entertainment, prize-awarding contests and BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone demonstrations; is open to the general public

WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 10
• 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Team Orientation
• 10 a.m. Start
• Average time required to competitively complete the race: 2 – 3 hours

HOW: Registration is free; Advance registration suggested
Register online at http://www.BlackBerryCurveUC.com (Day-of registrations accepted on-site if race slots are still available)

PRIZES: The top 30 teams will receive one BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone for each participant. The winning Boston Challenge team will compete in the Ultimate Challenge in San Francisco on June 14th. Both members of the team will receive an all expense paid, three-night stay in San Francisco for themselves and one guest. Members of the winning team of Destination Alcatraz, the final challenge in San Francisco, win an all expense paid trip for two to their choice destination of Maui, Paris, Rome or the Mayan Riviera.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Celine Dion Concert Contest

TD Banknorth Garden is holding a Mother's Day contest. Winner will get a pair of Celine Dion tickets, a limo ride, and dinner for two.

Does your mother deserve the best Mother's Day gift yet? Has she done something thoughtful for others, does she never make time for herself, is she Celine Dion's biggest fan?

Send us an email (200 words or less) to InsidersContest@tdbanknorthgarden.com and tell us why your mom deserves this amazing Mother's Day gift. Make sure all entries have a contact name and phone number included!

One lucky winner will receive a pair of tickets to see Celine Dion on August 13, a limo ride courtesy of VIP Limousine*, and dinner for 2 at Tresca Restaurant* in the North End. Entries will be accepted today through Wednesday, May 7th at noon. The winner will be chosen and notified by Thursday, May 8.

Click (here) for official contest rules. Warning: It's a pdf.

PS. Don't make up a fictitious story about your dad dying in Iraq. It's bad taste and it's already been done before (here).

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Updown.com $10K Student Stock Contest

Sure, it's no Lemelson Prize (here), but $10K goes a long way when buying pizza and beer - or as college students call it .... breakfast.

Updown.com is a virtual investing website started by three Harvard students. They are starting a new contest tomorrow, March 1st for students (undergraduate and graduate) and the prize is $10K.

How do you win? I'm a little unclear on the rules, but I believe it's based on highest portfolio returns and also some sort of stock analysis report that you have to write during the competition.

Click (here) to go to the contest site and sign up. The contest ends May 31st. Contest starts in 9 hrs, 50 mins, 33 secs (they have a counter on their webpage).

I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but I read an article a while ago about one of these virtual investing sites that was tied to a hedge fund that was basically using other people's picks on the site that had good track records.

I've also heard that if you do well on some of these sites, you could get offered a job in the financial industry.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Twin City Contest - VOTE FOR BOSTON!

Oh whiskey, how I love thee. Let me count the ways: bourbon, scotch, and last but not least Irish whiskey.

Boston is one of 3 finalists to be selected as America’s Twin City to Bushmills, a region of Ireland that is the home to Bushmills Irish Whiskey, which is celebrating the anniversary of its original license to distill.

The finalist cities were selected based on an application outlining why they embody the four quintessential values of Bushmills—pride of place, hospitality, craftsmanship, humor and wit. People of legal purchase age across the U.S. can vote online at Bushmills400years.com until March 17, 2008. The winning city receives a $40,000 grant--$20,000 for the preservation/advancement of local culture and $20,000 for local responsible drinking programs-- while each voter is eligible for an expenses-paid trip for two to Ireland.

And here I was thinking they'd choose based on capacity to drink whiskey, in which case Boston would clearly win. Anyway, I just voted and for the time being Boston is in the lead, but let's make sure we DOMINATE. Here's a screenshot of the current standings.

Click (here) to vote. Yes, you have to have pop-ups enabled. And then when you're done voting, make your coworkers vote, and then your friends, and then your enemies. We're a pretty competitive city here in Boston and I don't think we want to lose to Kentucky or Maine.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Upromise$25K Tuition Contest and Scholarship

We've got a lot of colleges/universities in the Boston area. What does that mean? Lots of broke students that will be paying off loans for the next fifteen years (me included, although I guess I'm down to twelve years now)

Upromise, a local company based in Newton, is holding a video contest where the winner will win $25K towards college tuition.

Think you or someone you know deserves $25,000 for college? Create a personal video and tell us why. Make us laugh. Make us cry. Just make it you. It's simple. Anyone - student, parent, grandparent or graduate can enter on behalf of themselves or their family members and friends. Just upload your video between now and March 23, 2008. We'll pick ten finalists then YOU - the voting public - decide the grand prize winner by casting votes online! Each finalist walks away with a $500 Bed Bath & Beyond® Gift Card, only one walks away with $25,000 for college! Aaaand, Action!

Click (here) for a link to the Tuition Tale contest. This should be easy for all you kids out there that are putting yourselves on YouTube anyway.

In addition to the Tuition Contest, Upromise also has a scholarship fund where they're giving away a total of $250K to 100 winners ($2500 each for those of you who aren't good at math).

Click (here) for a link to all the requirements to enter the scholarship contest.

Many thanks to Bloggery Reader Bethany for letting me know about this. Good luck to all the students out there. Dear Upromise - where were you about 7-8 years ago when I needed you?

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Introducing Ingrid Gerdes & Prize Giveaway

I was contacted recently by local artist Ingrid Gerdes about her new cd that debuted earlier this month - The Eclectic Collection. Her email couldn't have come at a better time.

I recently cleaned off all the music on my laptop to make more room for ......... more work files .... *gasp*. Yeah, I know - boring. Anyway, I just used Pandora.com to stream music while at the office. I was in for a rude awakening this morning when I discovered that Pandora is only available in the U.S. As a result, I've been listening to Ingrid's songs nonstop all morning off of her Myspace page (here) and let me tell you, it's awesome. Amy Winehouse eat your heart out.

Here's a little more information about Ingrid's new cd:

Ingrid releases her original debut album, The Eclectic Collection, in January 2008. The album mixes blues, soul, Motown, R&B, reggae, classical and pop—into one unique compilation. With original pieces, both personally written and produced, this album epitomizes her appreciation and passion for honest music.

Ingrid has also been kind enough to offer up 3 autographed copies of her new CD as a prize to three lucky readers. Here's how to win:

1. Goto Ingrid's Myspace Page (here) and listen to her songs.
2. Leave a comment here with the name of your favorite.
3. Email me with your name and address to enter the drawing for one of the autographed CD's.

Winners will be chosen on Friday 1/18 at Midnight EST.

If you can't wait until then, you can purchase tracks or the entire CD off of Ingrid's Myspace page. I've always been a fan of local artists. When I was growing up in Dallas, I was (and still am) a huge fan of Bowling For Soup. Good Luck Ingrid - I've heard your music - and I think you're going to do great!

I'm going to kick things off with my personal pick: My favorite track is "It's Too Late."

Want to enter the Contest? Email me.
beantownblog@gmail.com

Feast of Seven Fishes WINNER!

Congratulations to Beantown Bloggery reader Christine Delany for winning the Feast of Seven Fishes Contest (here). Apologies to everyone for not posting earlier. Due to inclement weather, I've been stuck in Chicago all day with no internet.

Christine, I'll put your free copy of The Feast of Seven Fishes in the mail tomorrow (as long as they stop delaying my flight and I actually get home today). Stay warm everyone. Have a great weekend!

PS. To all those PR and Marketing folks out there with things to promote - SEND ME STUFF! I will give it away on this blog. My readers love getting free stuff (who doesn't?).

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?

Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Feast of Seven Fishes Contest

Have you ever heard of The Feast of Seven Fishes comic? I hadn't either until now. It's a comic book that is part comic and part cookbook. Intriguing combination. I've got a copy now (Thanks, Christina!) and just started reading it.

A little salty, a little racy, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is always honest. From the moment it debuted in September of 2004, the online comic strip developed a loyal audience who rabidly followed the romantic and culinary adventures of an Italian-American family preparing for and celebrating the traditional Christmas Eve seafood feast.

Well, the Feast of Seven Fishes crew is on tour this week and will be stopping in Boston on 12/14 at the Boston Beanstock Coffee Co (10 High St. Boston) from 4pm - 8pm. In honor of this, I'm giving away a free copy of the book to one lucky reader. It's been a while since I've given something away - so I figure it's about time.

If you'd like a chance to win a free copy of The Feast of Seven Fishes, subscribe to the Beantown Bloggery via RSS or email. Then, send me an email with your name and address (I'll be mailing the comic book to the winner) with "Feast of Seven Fishes" in the subject heading.

The winner will be chosen on Friday, 12/14 at noon EST.

PS. Feast of the Seven Fishes is currently in pre-production to be made into a movie set for release around Thanksgiving 2008

PPS. Click (here) to get more information on this comic strip or go (here) to read their blog.

Want to enter the Contest? Email me.
beantownblog@gmail.com

Winner of Free Tickets to NEFVF

Congratulations to Joy Xi for winning the latest contest for a pair of free tickets to Opening Night of the New England Film and Video Festival on 10/4 (here).

I hope you and your friend have a great time. Feel free to leave a comment or email me photos after the event to let everyone know how it was.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Free Tickets to NE Film & Video Festival

It's that time again. I've got a pair of free tickets to Opening Night of the New England Film & Video Festival (see here) to give away to 1 lucky reader.

Opening Night festivities start at 6pm on Thursday October 4th at the Coolidge Corner Theater and will feature an opening night reception along with an afterparty starting at 9:30pm. I will provide more details as I get them.

*Update on Opening Night:

6pm - Reception
7pm - Screening of Play by Play Men
9:30pm-11:30pm - After Party at Khao Sarn Cuisine 250 Harvard St

So how do you win? Same as usual. Subscribe to my blog via either email or rss, and then send me an email with "NE Film & Video Festival" in the subject and you'll be entered for the drawing to win a pair of tickets for you and one of your friends. The contest ends on Monday at 12pm NOON.

One little request from me, PLEASE enter only if you can actually attend the event. Last time I gave out free tickets, some folks had the audacity of not showing up. Yes, I understand that they're free for you so you don't lose anything from not going. But, all you're doing is taking the chance away from someone who really does want to go.

Want to enter the Contest? Subscribe to My Blog and Email me.
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

8/31 Entrain Contest Winners

Congratulations to the following winners that each won a pair of tickets to the 8/31 Rock and Blues Concert Cruise. I hope you enjoy Entrain's performance.

Margaret Cheng
Shiori Moy

Congratulations to the winners. Each of you will be added to the guest list for the cruise along with a +1 for whoever you'd like to bring along. Thanks to all my readers and those who entered the contest.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Free Concert Tickets Contest - 8/31

Just a reminder. Only 12 hours left before I do the drawing for 2 pairs of tickets to the Rock and Blues Concert Cruise on Friday 8/31 featuring music from Entrain.

Click (here) for details. If you win, your name will be added to the guest list so you and your friend can enjoy the cruise for FREE.

Here's how you win. Send me an email with "Entrain" in the subject line and a link to your favorite post on the Beantown Bloggery in the body of the email. Per usual, I will collect all the names, and do a drawing. The contest ends on Wednesday 8/29 at midnight. Winners will be contacted via email and names will also be posted online.

Want to enter the Contest? Email me.
beantownblog@gmail.com

Free Concert Ticket Contest - 8/31

The first concert ticket giveaway was a great success. I got great feedback from some of the winners. As a result, I'm going to host another giveaway for this week's Rock and Blues Concert Cruise featuring music from Entrain. This time around, I have two pairs of tickets to give away to two lucky readers ($54 value per winner).

Here's how you win. Send me an email with "Entrain" in the subject line and a link to your favorite post on the Beantown Bloggery in the body of the email. Per usual, I will collect all the names, and do a drawing. The contest ends on Wednesday 8/29 at midnight. Winners will be contacted via email and names will also be posted online.

Want to enter the Contest? Email me.
beantownblog@gmail.com

8/23 Rock & Blues Concert Cruise Winners

And the winners are...............drumroll please................

Melissa Carruth
Margaret Suda
Kristy Lam
Megan Curtis-Murphy
Tim Brantley

Congratulations to the winners. Each of you will be added to the guest list for the cruise along with a +1 for whoever you'd like to bring along. Thanks to all my readers and those who entered the contest. I will be sure to post another giveaway as soon as I can.

If there are event sponsors out there that would like to give tickets away to the illustrious population of Beantown Bloggery readers, please send me an email. We love going to Boston events, especially when they're on the house.

Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com

Free Concert Cruise Contest - Time's Almost Up

Only 12 hours left in my first ever contest giveaway. Reposting the rules for any last minute entrants.

The August 23rd concert, features the band Another Planet, and I've got 5 pairs of tickets to give away to my readers. That's right, a total of 10 tickets ($25 value each) to give away to 5 lucky readers ($50 value per winner).

Here are the rules. If you'd like be entered for the drawing, subscribe to my blog via email or rss (shortcuts are on the upper right corner of my blog) and then send me an email at with "Another Planet" in the subject heading and your name in the body of the email. That will count as 1 entry for the raffle.

If you're a blog owner, I'll give you a chance to earn 5 entries. Add a link to The Beantown Bloggery to your site and then add your blog's web address to the body of the email under your name so that I can verify it and I'll enter your name 5 times into the raffle.

The contest will run until Midnight eastern time on Tuesday 8/21. Winners will be contacted via email as well as having their names posted on my blog. Your names will then be added to the cruise guest list for the 8/23 Rock and Blues Concert Cruise so you and your friend can get in for free.

If the response is good for this contest, I will be sure to host more in the future. Good Luck to Everyone. And have a great weekend.

Want to enter the Contest? Subscribe to My Blog and Email me.
Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com