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[Future Events]

FIRE AND ICE: Woosta homie Denis Leary is reprising his pros-versus-Hollywood ice-hockey exhibition to benefit his Leary Firefighters Foundation, which was established in the wake of the blaze that left seven Worcester firefighters dead, including a relative of his. Last year’s match raised $350,000. This year, the second annual Celebrity Hat Trick will see Leary, Michael J. Fox, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jason Priestley suit up for battle against Bruins alums including Phil Esposito, John Bucyk, Derek Sanderson, and Cam Neely. Bobby Orr will coach the bruisers; Elizabeth Hurley will be managing the stars. The contest takes place September 30 at 3 p.m. at the Worcester Centrum; tickets are $15 to $40. Call (617) 931-2000, or visit www.learyfirefighters.com.

BREAKING AND ENTERING: Bob Dylan stole back into the hearts of critics and fans alike with 1997’s Time out of Mind, and he’s hoping to pull off a copycat crime with the follow-up, Love and Theft (Columbia), which is due in stores this Tuesday. He’s also using the occasion to launch a fall tour that will bring him to the FleetCenter on Saturday November 24 — just in time for Cambridge Dylanophiles to give thanks. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.; call (617) 931-2000. There’s also an Internet pre-sale for fans who register at www.ticketmaster.com/jackpot/dylan.

NEXT WEEKEND:

Symphony goes squash

Although Symphony Hall has hosted everything from addresses by Mayor Curley and Admiral Robert E. Peary (after his triumphant return from the North Pole) and Communist Party meetings to automobile-and-powerboat shows and Jordan Marsh fashion extravaganzas, it has in its 100 years of existence never witnessed an official sporting event, unless you count that 1940s homemakers’ meat-cutting exposition. This is about to change, however, as the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops prepares to host next weekend’s 2001 US Open Squash Championships.

After three years at the Harvard Club, the event needed a new and bigger location — it had previously outgrown the Cyclorama and Hynes Auditorium. EventEngine president and tournament director John Mimick approached Symphony Hall about hosting the championships, which were first held in 1954. " It brings an immediate recognition of quality, " he says, noting the building’s value in promotion and attracting participants. He also — without apparent irony — suggests that Symphony Hall might help the sport grow past its exclusive, closed-door reputation. " There’s still a college and private-club feel, but this says it’s a public and a quality event. "

And how does Symphony Hall feel about hosting a squash tournament? The only thing the staff worried about, according to Melissa Jenkins, assistant to the director of event services, " was how we were going to protect the statues and the chandeliers. We were assured it was one-in-a-million that the ball would leave the court, and even then it ends up in the audience. "

The glass-enclosed court that will be set up at Symphony Hall has been used at similar events at the Allen Lambert Galleria at BCE Place in Toronto and Grand Central Terminal in New York City (in photo). The front wall, which will take two days to construct, will measure 24 by 34 feet; it will sit 12 to 15 feet from the stage, barely reaching the level of the first balcony. It’ll be surrounded by bleachers built specially for the event. And though the audience will be able to see through the glass, the players won’t be able to see out, since the inner walls will be covered by a plastic film similar to that used to wrap advertising around buses.

Eight of the world’s top 10 players, including reigning champion Jonathan Power of Canada, who is currently chasing 1998 winner Peter Nicol in the Dunlop Professional Squash Association Men’s World Rankings, will enter the hall through the same stage doors as maestros Koussevitzky, Fiedler, Ozawa, and Lockhart have before them. And though that will signal a subtle shift in tradition at Symphony, don’t expect to hear " Hit Me with Your Best Shot " or " Break Stuff " blasting from the speakers between sets. The integrity of Symphony Hall will be preserved. " Huntington Racquet Waltz, " anyone?

The 2001 US Open Squash Championships take place September 13 through 16 at Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston; call (877) 524-5685.

BY BRIAN GOSLOW

Issue Date: September 6 - 13, 2001