NKOTB at the Sense-ation gala

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Boston globe: New Kids back on the block for Mass. Eye and Ear gala

The men of New Kids on the Block have been performing for days.

From Thursday to Monday, they were on a cruise with fans from Miami to Grand Turk — a voyage that was recorded for the second season of “Rock This Boat” on the Pop network. After the trip was over, the group came straight to Boston to perform at Tuesday night’s 6th Annual Sense-ation! Gala for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

New Kid Joey McIntyre, who has served as an honorary co-chair of the gala since it launched in 2010, got involved with Mass. Eye and Ear after his son Rhyswas born with severe hearing loss in 2009. He told us he was humbled that his fellow New Kids (minus Donnie Wahlberg, who had a filming conflict) were able to join him at this year’s event, and added that the hospital is a big part of the Boston community for anyone who grew up around town.

“We’ve all been there as kids for one reason or another,” he said.

McIntyre and his family were at Mass. Eye and Ear Tuesday morning to tour the facility and meet with patients. He said the New Kids had a solid set ready for the gala crowd, which was expected to include Mass. Eye and Ear board chair Wyc Grousbeck, Mass. Eye and Ear president and CEOJohn Fernandez, and Joan Miller and Bradley Welling, founders of Mass. Eye and Ear’s new $200 million capital campaign, called “Bold-Science. Life-Changing Cures.” (The hospital announced during the gala that $100 million has already been raised.)

As for “Rock This Boat,” McIntyre told us the second season will feature more of the guys, as opposed to just fans on the cruise.

“This time we’re much more involved,” he said, adding, of the boat trip, “It really is a love fest.”

Boston Herald: Social Studies: New Kids bring ‘Right Stuff’

“The Right Stuff” kicked off the New Kids on the Block’s setlist at the Mass. Eye and Ear 6th Annual Sense-ation Gala last night, and the title captured the spirit of the evening.
More than 600 guests celebrated the launch of “Bold Science. Life Changing Cures. The Campaign for Mass. Eye and Ear” at the Westin Copley Place. Mass. Eye and Ear announced the campaign goal of $200 million, and raised more than $100 million in the so-called “quiet phase.” Last night’s gala raked in $1.3 million.
Donnie Wahlberg was absent (he was due on the “Blue Bloods” set in NYC) as Joey McIntyre and the rest of the “Kids” took the stage.

Bold Science. Life-Changing Cures. from Mass. Eye and Ear on Vimeo.
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