Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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photography courtesy of greater Boston convention & visitors Bureau (regatta); eric levin (swan lake) Bostonians get the chance to travel back in time at the annual Ellis Boston antiques show. Returning for its fourth year, the four-day collectors' paradise will feature an array of items, including fne art, 20th-century jewelry, and furniture from 40 exhibitors. October 23–26. The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., 617-363-0405; ellisboston.com Swan Song Boston Ballet's production of Swan Lake wings into the spotlight. by Mitchell evan nugent The stage of the Boston Opera House will once again brim with Robert Perdziola's spectacular costumes when Boston Ballet presents Swan Lake. The designer gave life to Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen's new staging of The Nutcracker in 2012, and he'll bring the same dazzling creativity to this pro- duction, Boston Ballet's first of this piece in six years. "I felt that it should not become a historical documenta- tion of the ballet or be slavish to period detail," says Perdziola. "Yes, it needed to say period, but it also needed f lair and heart. I feel it to be a fa ir y t a le t hat should resonate f rom a point of emot ion. Somet imes in desig n, when det a iling becomes too labor ious, t he or ig ina l intent ca n evaporate. So for t his I needed to ma ke sure t hat scenes a nd cost umes reg istered w it h st rong st rokes." This production of Swan Lake also features new choreogra- phy by Nissinen, including a more in-depth prologue detailing Odette's kidnapping and Rothbart's spell. But the romantic tale of the Swan Queen Odette and Prince Siegfried remains t he sa me, w it h Tcha ikovsky's or ig ina l score per for med by the Boston Ballet Orchest ra. Ashley Ellis, Pet ra Conti, Misa Kuranaga, and Lia Cirio will be among the principal female ballerinas dancing the part of Odette/Odile, while Sabi Varga will dance the role of the villainous Rothbart. October 30 – November 16. 539 Washington St., 617-259-3400; bostonballet.org Back to the Future don't miss sport bibliofile Known for her leopard prints, bold hues, and mixed patterns, Boston-based interior designer Erin Gates has made a career out of creating outrageously chic home designs worthy of a magazine spread. Building on the success of her popular blog, Elements of Style, Gates's first book comes out in October. Titled Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life (Simon & Schuster, $35), it's filled with gorgeous photographs and Gates's essays, as well as tips for tweaking your own home design. "It's a blend of inspiration, reflection, practical knowledge, and laughs," she says. "If people take one thing away from this book, I hope it's that neither their homes nor themselves need to be perfect to be wonderful." elementsofstyleblog.com The Head of the Charles Regatta is the world's largest two-day rowing competition. Row, Row, Row YouR Boat Grab your blazers and cashmere sweaters and stake out a coveted space on the banks of the Charles River to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the venerable Head of the Charles Regatta. The race was inspired by traditional regattas seen in England and started by the founders of the Cambridge Boat Club as a nod to their British rowing instructor at Harvard University. At a gala on October 18, rowers old and new will enjoy a festive dinner and preview a commemorative documentary created by Fields of Vision, a Boston- based production company, and Olympian Mary Mazzio. The races take place October 18 and 19, and 400,000 spectators are expected to attend. With 11,000 athletes participating, competition is high, whether it's the men's or women's masters double or singles, Alumni Eights, or Club Fours. Teams come from as far away as Austria, but all eyes will be on the water when Harvard meets Yale in their annual epic showdown. 2 Gerrys Landing Road, Cambridge, 617- 868-6200; hocr.org golden year DIVINE DESIGN 62 BOsTOnCOMMOn-MAGAzinE.COM cuLture Spotlight