‘Tis the Season of Giving…

Betsy Gonzalez (l) of Liberty Mutual and Mary Skelton Roberts of The Barr Foundation were among the attendees at El Jolgorio Navideño at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Dec. 10. (Photo: Colette Greenstein)

‘Tis the Season of Giving… 

Give Back With The Grill
I knocked another restaurant off my very, very long list with a timely visit to Ashmont Grill in Dorchester. Every Monday in December, the restaurant offers a four-course meal with wine pairings for just $35, with five dollars from each meal being donated to ABCD’s Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center.

I went on the first night and the theme was a “European Holiday,” which included one of my favorite apps, salt cod fritters with aioli, which I pretty much inhaled. They were delish!      

Next up was the spicy Moorish pork kebabs (which weren’t too spicy), followed by a French beef stew, aptly named pot au feu. And the pièce de resistance was a coconut panna cotta with pineapple. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it because of panna cotta’s custard-like texture. But it was surprisingly good and it was paired with a wonderful and very smooth Moscato that was aged in oak and slightly tasted like a brandy or port.

I was so glad that I was able to make it to the first night. The best part is that it supports a worthy cause. You’ve got two more Mondays in December to “Give Back With The Grill” and take advantage of this fabulous deal at a really cool neighborhood restaurant. Make your reservations today for “Cabernet All The Way” on the 19th or for “Holiday Sparklers” on the 26th. 

El Jolgorio Navideño 2011
It was my first time attending the 22nd Anniversary of El Jolgorio de Massachusetts’ annual fundraiser at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and I didn’t realize that it was such an anticipated event in the city. I had a ball. It was festive, fun and so good to see people smiling and celebrating the holiday season with such flair.

Of course, I planned it so I would arrive fashionably late and it worked. As soon as I arrived, one of my colleagues directed me to the food before they started clearing it away. It’s a good thing she did because I would have missed out on the exceptional rice and beans and pernil (roast pork),which tasted like mom’s home cooking. Oh, and the flan was outstanding.      

There must have been more than 1,000 guests, with the women decked in their finest cocktail dresses and ball gowns ranging from fire engine red and hot fuchsia to the little black dress. The men were looking suave in their tuxedos and suits.

So, what is El Jolgorio Navideño? Well, it’s New England’s largest Latino gala, which not only celebrates the holidays, but also raises awareness and funds to support educational and cultural programs that preserve Hispanic culture.

As part of the festivities, they honored Jose Buscaglia, a world-renowned sculptor; José Massó, host of the long-running bilingual radio program ¡Con Salsa!; and Jenny Cintrón, director of ABCD’s Citywide Hispanic Center. And, of course, there was lots of good salsa music and dancing. Next year is already in the works, so mark your calendars for Dec. 8, 2012!

The Modus Collection Pop Up Shop
It was one of those laid back afternoons where the worlds of shopping, art and music all collided. Santi DeOleo, designer of Modus Collection hosted a “pop- up show” to showcase his latest line of designer men and women’s tees and hoodies at Laced/BRB in the South End.

It was really cool because as I browsed the store, DJ Pup Dawg and DJ Jazz of JAM’N 94.5 were spinning old school hip hop and RandB. There’s nothing like live music and djs! I absolutely love it! My head was bobbing nonstop as I roamed the store eyeing all the merch. And, in between the music and chatting up folks, there was live “graffiti” art by Acoma Design, who began and finished a canvas painting in the two plus hours that I was there.

I must say, pretty awesome.

The painting will be auctioned off with proceeds donated to Horizons for Homeless Children. Not too shabby. Oh, and in the house was Ramiro, Pebbles and Melissa of JAM’N’s “Ramiro and Pebbles Morning Show.” If you’re looking for designer tees, hoodies or sneakers, add Laced/BRB to your shopping list.  

Coming up …
BalletRox presents Anthony Williams’ the Urban Nutcracker at the Wheelock Family Theatre through Sunday, Dec. 18.

This Sunday, renowned jazz vocalist Fulani Haynes will present her second annual holiday concert from 6-9 p.m. at Hibernian Hall.

The legendary Roots perform at the House of Blues on Monday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m.

On Wednesday, Dec. 28, The Wilbur presents Wu-Tang Clan.

Photographer Don West’s exhibit “Portraits of Purpose” runs through March 2012 at the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill.

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