Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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photography courtesy of outside the Box festival One of the biggest sequels to hit Boston this summer won't feature a costumed super- hero at the Cineplex. Instead it will star one of the city's most die-hard champions of the arts, who is bringing his performing arts festival, Outside the Box, back for a second run. But considering that this multimillion-dollar event is privately funded and free to everyone, perhaps Ted Cutler should don superhero garb after all. A noted philanthropist, Cutler launched Outside the Box in 2013. The nine-day summer festival brought 650,000 visitors to Boston, he says, and now it's returning after a two-year hiatus. Running July 14 – 19 on Boston Common, it will feature a mix of theatrical performances, music, dance, magic, and culinary demonstrations. Cutler has a straightforward approach to programming. "Good is good and bad stinks," he says. "We keep away from what stinks and we stick with what's good—for kids, for adults, for everybody." But children are the audience Cutler is most mindful of. He was amazed by the number of children from all over the city he met in 2013, many of them receiving their first exposure to the performing arts. "What we do is so important for kids," he says. "A lot of them can't afford the ballgame ticket anymore, or tickets to the theaters." With that in mind, puppet shows and educational arts activities have been pro- grammed to attract the smaller set. Cutler has long espoused the power of the arts in cities (he is the Cutler behind Emerson College's Cutler Majestic Theatre). He spent millions of his own money— which came from organizing technology trade shows— to produce the first festival and estimates that he'll spend another $2 million this year. For the upcoming Outside the Box festival, he tapped award-winning local actress Georgia Lyman to serve as artistic director, and he has invited a host of local arts groups, including the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, the theater troupe Liars & Believers, and the Renaissance Charter School, to fill the bill. The festival has cast its net inter- nationally, too. "We have agreements from 10 or 12 different countries to bring their dance and theater companies," Cutler says. Outside the Box has also partnered with a local radio powerhouse: Greater Media Boston, owner of the country sta- tion WKLB, WMJX (Magic 106.7), and WBOS, 92.9. On Friday evening, WKLB will bring headlin- ing country artists to the stage, while on Saturday night the alternative-rock station WBOS will pres- ent cutting-edge indie acts. "Eclectic" is the byword for Outside the Box, because Cutler refuses to be boxed in. July 14–19 on Boston Common. For a schedule of performances, visit otbboston.com. BC King of Arts PhilanthroPist ted Cutler foots the bill for the seCond Outside the BOx arts extravaganza. by jared bowen The first Outside the Box festival brought 650,000 visitors to Boston to see performers like Gentleman Hall (left) and Rhythm of the Universe (below). Jump InsIde the Box Starting with the opening ceremony, Outside the Box presents must-see, must-do, must-hear performances and events. Opening CeremOny Fifty percussionists scattered across the Boston Common will launch the Outside the Box festival with a John Luther Adams soundscape that invites the audience to participate. The performance will be followed by a puppet parade, the Boston Circus Guild, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, and the Turkish dance group Fire of Anatolia. Tuesday, July 14, at 5 pm on the Main Stage SuppOrt yOur COuntry Grammy Award – winning country music artist Kacey Musgraves takes the stage in a performance presented by the radio station WKLB-FM, Country 102.5. Friday, July 17, at 7 pm on the Main Stage grOwing a ChOruS The elementary school students who make up the Voices of Renaissance—the choir of the Boston Renaissance Charter School, which has performed for President Obama—will sing their hearts out for the rest of us. Saturday, July 18, at noon on the Main Stage mOther earth The Radio 92.9 EarthFest presents performances from Guster, New Politics, Atlas Genius, and other top indie acts. Saturday, July 18, at 3 pm on the Main Stage 52 bostoncommon-magazine.com CULTURE Around Town