State officials have stars in their eyes
In the hope of luring more big-budget movies to Massachusetts, state officials are sweetening the pot for Hollywood. Today, Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray , and Speaker Sal DiMasi will gather 'round the Grand Staircase and announce they've simplified -- and made more generous -- the tax credits for film and TV projects. The change, which must be approved by lawmakers, would give just about everyone making a movie in Massachusetts a financial reward for shooting here. (Previously, only projects with budgets of a certain size qualified for cash back.) The impetus for the new rules is the state's intense desire to attract "The Fighter," Paramount's $100 million movie based on the life of Lowell boxing legend "Irish" Micky Ward . The movie, which would star Mark Wahlberg as Ward and Matt Damon as his manager, could begin shooting here as early as this summer if the enhanced tax incentives are passed. "But Paramount could decide to go to Connecticut for an extra $7 million credit," warned state film czar Nick Paleologos . "They could say, 'New London looks like Lowell, we'll do it there.' " Paleologos said
Coppola hosts screening at ICA
Oscar-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola hosted a screening last night at the Institute of Contemporary Art to show some of his most recent work. The man behind the "Godfather" trilogy and "Apoc alypse Now," Coppola recently finished "Youth Without Youth," his first directing foray in years. He was here to screen a one-hour documentary about his career he made while filming "Youth."Avalon architect keeps his focus
The architect enlisted by Patrick Lyons to turn Avalon into a world-class club is on the job. We ran into Gary Johnson of Cambridge Seven Associates at Tuesday's Elvis Costello show, and he seemed more interested in the masses than the music. "One of the perks of this job is hanging out with Patrick," Johnson joked. In truth, he and Lyons were doing more legwork than lounging . "I was just bouncing around looking at the club from every angle," said Johnson. Lyons hasn't set a timetable for the $14 million makeover, but Johnson said the goal is "as soon as possible."Bello pitches his tune to Big Papi
Remember in June '04, when Ken Casey and the Dropkick Murphys played "Tessie" at Fenway? It be came something of a Bosox anthem, and the team went on to win its first World Series in 86 years. Hyde Park's Louie Bello is hoping his tune, "We Can't Lose," becomes the "Tessie" of '07. "We gave the song to Big Papi, and we're told he likes it," said Billy Dufresne, Bello's mana ger. The song, whose chorus is "On fire feel the heat from the bat/ On fire Big Papi is back / En Fuego, Prendelo Prendelo/ We can't lose," is on iTunes and Bello's MySpace page.A salute to folks who help Darfur
Boston PR maven Doris Yaffe opened her Lewis Wharf home Monday night to recognize those who are trying to make a difference in Darfur. Among those honored were the Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond and WBZ-TV newsgal Liz Walker, who's making a documentary on White-Hammond's travels to Sudan. On hand were John Hancock's Carol Fulp, civic volunteer Wendy Shattuck, retired lawyer Donald Winter, and Jean Nganji, a producer of the film "100 Days," about the Rwandan genocide.'Charmed' star Milano shows her colors
We're not complaining, but why is Alyssa Milano wearing a tight-fitting Sox jersey on RedSox.com? According to our friends at Fenway, the "Charmed" star has designed a line of ladies apparel for Major League Baseball, and as part of the deal she's on every team's website wearing a different shirt. The clothing line, called Touch, includes fashion tops, denim, and dresses. Charming indeed.Berklee College's president, Roger Brown, kept the beat at Bob's Southern Bistro the other night, performing with his nine-piece R&B collective called the Stealth Band. (Bob's plays host to Berklee staff and students every Monday.) Brown's band features guitarist Thaddeus Hogarth and saxophonist Daryl Lowery, who recorded with Dizzy Gillespie. . . . Elvis Costello was well-fed for his sold-out show at Avalon, having dined with Peter Wolf at the Bristol Lounge beforehand.
The original "Annie" Andrea McArdle and Broadway legend Ben Vereen joined "American Idol" finalist Ayla Brown and a slew of local theater types Tuesday night when the North Shore Music Theatre honored high school students at its Spotlight Awards.
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