Arts

Author: PebblesBen Affleck speaks at the screening of “The Town.”

“The Town” Premiere at Fenway

Once again, Hollywood came to the Hub! This time it was in Fenway Park for the world premiere of Ben Affleck’s new heist thriller “The Town.” What a night!  More than 1,000 locals — most of them cast, crew, family and friends — were invited to attend. The stars of “The Town” — Ben Affleck (who introduced the movie) Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively and Chris Cooper graced the red carpet, including Ben’s best bud, Matt Damon and his very pregnant wife, Luciana (they’re expecting their third child, in case you didn’t know).

Also attending were Penn Badgley (Blake Lively’s co-star and real-life boyfriend on the CW’s “Gossip Girls”), Paul Postelthwaite, who plays criminal master-mind Fergie in the made-in-the Hub flick, and mystery author Dennis Lehane (“Mystic River” and “Shutter Island”).

All of my radio peeps were in the house from KISS 108’s Billy Costa, Kendra and Rich to JAM’N 94.5’s Ramiro, Pebbles and Krazy Kulo, and let’s not forget the Sports Hub’s Rich and Adolfo from Toucher and Rich. All 1,000 plus of us were treated to free popcorn, peanuts and beverages, and on top of that kept warm with the free “The Town” fleece blankets that were placed in our seats before we arrived. All in all, it was a F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S night at F-E-N-W-A-Y!

Jaden’s Ladder partners with Intermix on Shop for a Cause fundraiser

Alright fashionistas, if you didn’t attend Intermix’s first collaborative fundraiser Shop For A Cause with Jaden’s Ladder, then you missed a very fun event for a most worthy cause. Jaden’s Ladder is a nonprofit organization that assists survivors of domestic violence, and provides life-enhancing programs that support the survivors, builds confidence and fosters self-reliance.  

The Newbury Street location included an evening of exclusive shopping with the latest designs in fall fashion and accessories by Diane Von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Dolce and Gabbana and one of my favorite jewelery designers, Alexis Bittar — all set to hip hop beats of Boston DJ Roy Barboza.

And the surprise of the evening, a good surprise by the way, was running into Tully Banta-Cain of the New England Patriots. He was in the house supporting Jaden’s Ladder and he told me later that in addition to his pursuits on the grid-iron, he’s also a rapper and t-shirt designer. We’ll revisit this another time.

While at Intermix I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Oneta Bobbett, co-founder and program Director for Jaden’s Ladder.  Of their collaboration with Intermix. Bobbett, a survivor of domestic violence said, “The most important aspect of Shop For A Cause is that it will help both women and children who face the unfortunate reality of living with domestic violence.”

A portion of all the sales proceeds were donated to the organization. A few days later I had the chance to ask a couple of questions Bobbett about the organization.

How has founding Jaden’s Ladder impacted your life?

It has made me a better person. I started Jaden’s Ladder six years ago as a survivor of domestic violence [and] it has put my life in perspective. Hopefully I’ve become a better parent, a better friend. 

How do you measure the program in terms of success?

When a woman leaves the program and doesn’t graduate (it’s about 10 percent of the program), some of the women call back and say they realize the opportunity that they had. We do give them the tools whether they’re in the program for a week or two years. [They] need financial and emotional support to help them change their lives.  Each family comes to us with a special need.  It’s not a cookie cutter program. The needs are tailored to each mother and child. That’s what’s special about Jaden’s Ladder.  At the end of two years they graduate. We focus on getting them education and working on themselves. 

What are the ways that someone can get involved?

The volunteers that we need are to help get the word out to more survivors and donors, and of course monetary donations. [They also accept gifts of goods and services.]  

Jaden’s Ladder is named after her son Jaden and the name “Jaden’s Ladder” was selected for two reasons. First, Jaden means “God has heard.” They believe the name “Jaden” highlights their commitment to mankind, helping those in need in times of trouble. The word “Ladder” represents climbing to new heights and reaching one’s goals, in this case, breaking the cycle of domestic violence, becoming an active member of the community and reaching new personal milestones.

To find out more about Jaden’s Ladder, visit www.jadensladder.org.

SG Fashion’s, Inc.

Fashion week is in full swing with shows and parties all around the city. I went to the launch of the official viewing of SG (SG stands for Shanna Gall, the designer) Fashion’s 2011 collection in the State Room at 60 State St., where the view of the city was absolutely breathtaking.

The collection pays homage to styles from the Victorian and Flapper Era with a modern day twist. One of my favorite designs that just seemed to float down the runway, was a beautiful black intricately designed strapless gown.

Gall’s collection features long colorful gowns to cocktail dresses that are fun and flirty. The Boston-born designer was inspired by how fashion has played a major role in the perception of beauty, social status and female rights and freedom.

From her debut, she partnered with a program called Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, which is part of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. The fashion show was called F.R.E.E., an acronym for Fashion Reminds Everyone to Evolve, and watching the show just reminded me that fashion is fun, romantic and flirty and that it can inspire you to take chances, be daring and bold. 

Coming Up…

Tonight, the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club presents its 2nd Annual Comedy Show at Showcase Live at 8 p.m. featuring the comedic stylings of Joe Wong, Kelly MacFarland, Lamont Price and Dave Russo.

The House of Blues presents Mos Def and Talib Kweli, formerly of Black Star, perform together on Sunday, Oct. 3.

Banner Publications, Inc. and Huntington Theatre Company host Exhale Magazine’s launch party celebrating its Fall Issue this Monday, Oct. 4 at the Calderwood Pavilion. The event is free but space is limited.  

RandB singer Eric Benet at Showcase Live on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

The Roxbury International Film Festival and Boston University present “An Evening with Spike Lee” at the George Sherman Union Metcalf Hall from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (located at 775 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor on the campus of Boston University).  The event is free and open to the public.  Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Coming to the stage at the Wilbur Theatre is Shaquille O’Neal Presents The All-Star Comedy Jam on Saturday, Oct. 9 featuring Aries Spears, DeRay Davis, Corey Holcomb and Michael Blackson.

On Oct. 14, Grammy-nominated international recording artists Les Nubians headline a CD release concert at the Middle East Downstairs in Central Square, Cambridge.

The 23rd Annual Steppin’ Out for Dimock Gala, featuring Eddie Palmieri, Walter Beasley, Rachael Price, Maysa and more will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Westin Copley Place.

If you would like me to cover or write about your event, e-mail me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com.