FREE

Boston’s largest single free day of arts and cultural events is back for the 8th year. The Fenway Alliance’s Opening Our Doors 2009 takes place from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day). Kick Off is at 10 AM on the Christian Science Plaza in Boston (219 Mass Ave). Opening Our Doors 2009 features free museum and gallery admissions, musical, dance, and theatre performances, and more. Hear a concert at historic Jordan Hall for the first or eighth time. Paint from real artists’ models in the Fenway’s beautifully renovated Evans Way Park. Step inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library’s Mapparium and understand your place in the global world a bit better. Dance to the beat of an Afro-Brazilian samba group from Berklee College of Music. Explore the magical palace of art treasures designed with masterpieces hand-picked by an extraordinary woman—Isabella Stewart Gardner. “Particularly in these challenging economic times, our member institutions believe it is important to provide free cultural experiences to our community—all of Greater Boston. And we feel it is as important to encourage people to create art as well as to see great art displayed and attend concert halls for complimentary performances,” comments Executive Director Kelly Brilliant. “There will be several opportunities for people young and old to express themselves through art, music and dance.”