Arts

Celebrity stylist and House of Culture owner Patrick Petty (l) and actor Donnie Wahlberg attended The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation’s “Send a Kid to Camp” Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Tewksbury Country Club Saturday, April 2.

4th Annual Wine Tasting Gala

Seekonk, Mass. doesn’t normally come to mind as a location for a gala, but on a recent Saturday night it was the locale for former New England Patriots and current Houston Texans defensive lineman Jarvis Green’s 4th Annual Wine Tasting Gala.

I spoke to Green before the fundraiser and he said, “The foundation’s goal is to help disadvantaged single mothers in low income areas” and that single mothers were chosen “… because during the storm [Katrina] the mothers had a harder time coping. It’s just how life is. The fathers left their families during the storm or died. [Some] didn’t want to pay child support.”  

The annual fundraiser benefits disadvantaged single mothers in New England and other major cities. I made the drive down to the Johnson and Wales Inn to see what it was all about. Guests were greeted by the New England Patriots Minutemen Mascots.

It was a little disconcerting to see at first, especially with their muskets in hand, but that thought quickly faded to the background as I set about sampling some of the fabulous red and white wines from California, New Zealand, Argentina and Spain. Supporting Green at his annual event were current Patriots Logan Mankins, Mike Wright and Brian Hoyer, actress/model Melyssa Ford and former New England Patriot Patrick Pass with his lovely wife, the “first lady” of Touch 106.1FM Phyllis Clemons and midday jock Courtney Boston.

I headed out a bit early (I was off to the next engagement in Foxborough), but not before being treated to some culinary delights, music from the Nate Mott Band and a little shtick by comedian D’lai (from TVOne’s “Who’s Got Jokes?”).

Cynthia Rowley spring ‘11 preview

Spring is definitely in the air with feminine and flirty dresses at the Cynthia Rowley boutique on Newbury Street. I stopped by for a preview of their spring wear (ok, it was the cupcakes that brought me into the store), but nevertheless I had a yearning for spring. I was enchanted by the wonderful colors of tangerines, apricots, blush rose and the deep blues of Rowley’s shift and ruched dresses, shell tops and pocket skirts.

“Send a Kid to Camp” Celebrity Poker Tournament

I couldn’t tell you the difference between a full house or a flush but I’ll tell you this, the celebrities that attended the “Send a Kid to Camp” fundraiser definitely had their game face on before the start of the tournament. Each table featured one celebrity player and as I made my way around the room I spotted a bevy of men from Celtics coach Doc Rivers with new Celtics Guard (and cutie!) Carlos Arroyo, Boston Bruins Defenseman Shawn Thornton, “The Wire’s” Jamie Hector, “Coach” Willie Maye, captain of the 1980 Winter Olympics United States national team Mike Eruzione, comedian Tony V., Lowell’s very own Micky Ward and, of course, the host of the evening, Donnie Wahlberg.

During the break, I chatted up Hector who you may not know by name, but you will know by face very soon. He starred as drug kingpin Marlo Standfield on HBO’s “The Wire” and was recently in the drama “Night Catches Us.” All Jamie could tell me is that he just shot a pilot in Los Angeles, and hopefully it will be picked up for the fall season. I hope to have more on that for you in the near future.

I didn’t get a chance to see who the big winner was for the night, but I do know that the grand prize was a poker table autographed by all the celebrities. And, let’s not forget that all the winnings benefitted The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which sends kids to Camp Northbound Program, a one week overnight summer camp program for 150 inner-city youth held at and run by Camp Micah in Bridgton, Maine.

Coming Up

Tonight (April 7) and this Friday, April 8 – Fourplay returns to Scullers Jazz Club for two shows each night at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.

Hibernian Hall presents Café Tatant on Thursday, April 14 with a performance by Yoron Israel and High Standards. Dinner and show packages are available.

Comedian John Witherspoon brings the funny to the Wilbur Theatre on Friday, April 15 at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. Grammy Award winners Boyz II Men perform at The Wilbur Theatre.

PEACE BOSTON presents the play “Hip Hop 9.1.1.,” featuring Ebony and the Ghosts of hip hop past, present and future at Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center on Saturday, April 23.

On Tuesday, April 26, Rapper Talib Kweli hits the Paradise Rock Club at 8 p.m.

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