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Arts

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Tony Terry (l) and Elan Trotman pose for a photo at The Hi-Hat in Providence on Feb. 13. (Photo: Stevenson Boyce)

Friendship…

Lately, the events that have been on my radar have ranged from baby showers and dinners to shows and fund-raisers all given by friends. It’s been an exhilarating run and I keep attending them knowing that my friends need support. What else is a girl-on-the-go supposed to do?

‘The Vagina Monologues’

My girl Pebs (some may know her as Pebbles from JAM’N 94.5), recently performed in a local production of  “The Vagina Monologues” at the First Parish Cambridge church in Harvard Square. The original production starred Eve Ensler with a slew of celebrities. This version featured students, actors and professional women and proved to be just as impactful. Each monologue spoke about the effects of violence against women and girls in powerful one-on-one stories about women from all walks of life.

I was saddened by some of the stories, yet uplifted at the same time knowing that we have the power and ability to make changes. I was so proud of her involvement and taking the chance in trying something new, which we all need to do in our lives. If I say so myself, Pebs could be a budding actress.

Coach’s Superbowl Party at Kings, Back Bay

I dropped by Coach’s annual Superbowl party not for the game mind you, but for the commercials, the much-talked about half-time show and the chance to catch up with friends. I was slightly disappointed with the commercials (my favorite was the one for Sleepy’s mattresses), but enjoyed the half-time show with The Black Eyed Peas and Usher. I, of course, was not rooting for any team, but in the house rooting for the Packers were Lisa Simmons, producer for The Roxbury International Film Festival; Mary Skelton Roberts from the Barr Foundation; Catrina Pitts, die-hard Celts fan; Audra Robertson; Tito Jackson; and DJs T. Clark and “Captain” Kirk. It was a great turnout with new faces, good food (the wings and onion rings were fab) and lots of fun.

Dinner and A Movie

The Color of Film Collaborative partnered with The Haley House Bakery Café for their quarterly event “Dinner and A Movie” which showcased a love of Roxbury, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The films shown at this sold-out event included Lisa Simmons’ “What I Love About Roxbury” and Ken Schlossberg’s “Sidewalk Memories,” a feature-length documentary about the Jewish community that once inhabited Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan.

It was great to see an audience composed of both Jewish and African American inhabitants who used to live in Roxbury or presently live in the neighborhood. They regaled us with stories from when they grew up and how the neighborhood really was from the 1930 to the 1960s and how people got along. It really was about community.      

Just listening to the stories reminded me of my own family history that I’ve recently learned about the Greensteins living in the Roxbury/Dorchester area all those years ago and what is was like when Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester were predominantly Jewish.  It’s a reminder that we’re not so different after all … that family and community are very important across all ethnicities and that we’re more similar then we are different.  

Elan Trotman and Tony Terry

I headed down to the lovely city of Providence for a “Valentine’s Show to Remember” with saxophonist Elan Trotman and RandB crooner Tony Terry at The Hi-Hat.  It was a fantastic show with a performance by local singer Ray Greene who beautifully covered the songs — Quincy Jones’ “The Secret Garden” and Ne-Yo’s “Miss Independent.”  

As always some comedy was thrown in for good measure with Boston’s Bad Boy of Comedy, Jonathan Gates.   As I comfortably sat in an armchair, Trotman made his grand entrance winding through the audience as he played his sax. He hit the stage and began a blistering set backed by a red-hot four-piece band before Terry made his way to the stage. Terry sounded great after all these years.  The last time I saw him perform was during my WILD days when he came to town to promote his single “Lovey Dovey.” What a blast from the past!

He didn’t sing “Lovey Dovey” this time around, but he made it a special night performing his ballads “Everlasting Love” and of course, the piece de resistance, “With You.” It was a night to remember indeed.

Coming Up….

Tonight (Feb. 17), the hit Broadway musical “Mary Poppins” begins its run at the Boston Opera House through March 20. The Gypsy Kings, featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo, are also in town at the Citi Performing Arts Center.

Scullers Jazz Club presents Lizz Wright for one night this Friday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

On Feb. 23, French singer/songwriter Violette plays at Berklee’s Café.

Berklee’s Africana Studies Concert Series presents “Sing Song with Bobby McFerrin” on Feb. 24 at the Berklee Performance Center.

The Wilbur Theatre presents Sinbad on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Tracy Morgan on Saturday, Feb. 26.

World Music/CRASHarts presents Acoustic Africa featuring Habib Koité, Oliver Mtukudzi and Afel Bocoum on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre.

Roxbury Community College Black History Month Movie Series presents “Sally Hemings: An American Scandal” on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

Saxophonist Elan Trotman performs at Scullers Jazz Club, Tuesday, March 1, in support of his new CD “Love and Sax.”

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