Arts

Brandon Bates, realtor Tasha Ramnarine and clothing designer Brian Stevens were among the attendees at the Boston Connects, Inc. Dream Gala: Celebrating the Journey on Jan. 13. This gala celebrated BCI’s success in helping to revitalize neighborhoods over the past 16 years. (Colette Greenstein photo)

WBZ-TV sports anchor Steve Burton (left) and Troy Brown, former receiver for the New England Patriots took part in the 7th Annual Flutie Bowl to Strike Out Autism. (Colette Greenstein photo)

Among the sold-out crowd at the Hot Stove Cool Music Concert were, from the left, Jared Banner, assistant in amateur scouting for the Red Sox; Raquel Ferreira, director of minor league operations and Erik Stamps, applications engineer for Yorktelecom Communications. (Colette Greenstein photo)

Thursday, 1.21.10
A time for celebration….
Hot Stove, Cool Music Concert

It was my first time attending the Hot Stove Cool Music Concert this year at the House of Blues and it was rockin!   Hot Stove, Cool Music, which was founded by Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons, started out as a far-fetched idea of, maybe, one concert. It has evolved over the last decade into a series of successful shows. Actor Mike O’Malley from CBS’ “Yes, Dear” and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis hit the stage to help with a live auction. Gammons and the Hot Stove All Stars performed along with Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein.  I’m an R&B/Hip Hop/House girl, but the bands and the music, although not what I normally listen to, were really good, and the nearly sold-out crowd of 25- to 45-year-olds loved the vibe, the show and all the performances.  All proceeds benefited Theo Epstein’s A Foundation To Be Named Later, which raised funds and awareness for non-profit agencies serving disadvantaged youth in the Greater Boston area, such as Roxbury Youthworks, West End House Boys and Girls Club, City Year, Room To Grow and The Home for Little Wanderers.

What an awesome night!

The 7th Annual Flutie Bowl to Strike Out Autism
Lucky Strike Lanes was host to The 7th Annual Flutie Bowl to Strike Out Autism.  More than 400 people attended the sold-out event and proceeds benefited the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.  It was the 10th Anniversary of the foundation, a charity that Doug and his wife Laurie established in honor of their son Doug Jr., who was diagnosed with autism at age three.  The night featured celebrity bowling, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a performance by The Flutie Brothers Band (featuring Doug Flutie on drums) and a silent auction.  One of my favorite things of the night was the ice cream bar sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s.  Even though it’s winter, I can’t resist. Taking a turn on the lanes that night were former Patriot receiver Troy Brown and WBZ-TV sports anchor Steve Burton.  I caught a glimpse of them and I can tell you they’re much better bowlers than I am; that’s for sure.  Also out to support the Flutie Bowl was Red Sox Kevin Youkilis, comedian Steve Sweeney, WCVB sports reporter Mike Dowling and Cheers owner Tom Kershaw.

The Regal Beagle
I was tickled pink when I heard that a restaurant called the Regal Beagle was opening in Coolidge Corner in Brookline.  It’s so easy to get to.  You can either drive (there’s plenty of street parking) or catch the ‘C’ train on the Green Line.  For those of you who may not know, it was named after a bar of the same name on the 1970s sitcom “Three’s Company.”  It’s a comfortable and very inviting neighborhood spot. When you enter the Regal Beagle you walk through a plush, red velvet curtain into the restaurant, where you immediately feel at ease.  There are a combination of tables and booths along the walls on both sides of the restaurant, with a cozy bar and additional booths in the back. The food is very good, especially the Crab Rangoon Empanada — my favorite appetizer on the menu! The empanada is light and flaky and with the combination of the crab rangoon it just melts in your mouth. I had such a good time on my first night that I returned two days later with another friend to have a bite to eat and we hung out at the bar and watched the Celtics on the flat screen. I think the Regal Beagle may just become my new hang out!

Dream Gala: Celebrating the Journey
How fitting it was that Boston Connects, Inc. (BCI) held their closing celebration, Dream Gala:  Celebrating the Journey, a few days before the holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I didn’t realize all the great work they’ve done over the past 16 years in revitalizing neighborhoods, supporting job growth for residents of the Empowerment Zone as well as providing assistance to small and local businesses — and that’s just what I can remember off the top of my head.  BCI is a federally funded non-profit that was charged with community revitalization of Chinatown, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, Roxbury, the Seaport District, South Boston and the South End. It was truly a celebration on this night, with Latin music by Ricardo Monzon and soul, funk, R&B and jazz by the band WeJazzUp.  Karen Holmes Ward, host of WCVB-TV’s long-running “CityLine” was the Mistress of Ceremonies and opening remarks were made by Reggie Nunnally, president of the BCI.  Helping to celebrate the accomplishments of the BCI on this night were: Kelley Chunn, owner of Kelley Chunn & Associates; The Word’s Pat Williams; Charlotte Golar Richie; Steve Tompkins, spokesperson for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Dept.; Linda Monteiro; Chip Greenidge; NexGraphix & Printing’s Terrell Calloway; Mark Koeck, co-owner of Rudi’s Resto Café; attorney Joe Feaster; Leonard Lee and former WBZ-TV reporter Sara Ann Shaw.

Sinbad at the Wilbur Theatre
I love comedy and always try to support the comedy scene whether it’s a show with local comics or a national comedian who’s in town for a gig.  It had been about two years since I saw Sinbad doing stand-up and I had forgotten how truly funny he is.  His shows are never the same and he is truly genuine. You can see how much he enjoys doing stand-up, even after all these years, and his comedy appeals to young and old, black, white or other, and from the moment he hit the stage riffing on Bostonians to discussing relationships, marriage and raising kids, the crowd was with him all the way. You couldn’t help but leave happy, and it was great to see him both on stage and after the show.  What a great way to begin the weekend!

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