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The Roxbury International Film Festival planning committee mingled with actress Octavia Spencer from “The Help” July 14 at Burton’s Grill. Pictured (from l to r) are: Sharif Butler, Delilah Dasilva, Octavia Spencer, Lisa Simmons and Colette Greenstein. (Photo: Colette Greenstein)

Author: Colette GreensteinThe Roxbury International Film Festival planning committee mingled with actress Octavia Spencer from “The Help” July 14 at Burton’s Grill. Pictured (from l to r) are: Sharif Butler, Delilah Dasilva, Octavia Spencer, Lisa Simmons and Colette Greenstein.

Author: Colette GreensteinThe Roxbury International Film Festival planning committee mingled with actress Octavia Spencer from “The Help” July 14 at Burton’s Grill. Pictured (from l to r) are: Sharif Butler, Delilah Dasilva, Octavia Spencer, Lisa Simmons and Colette Greenstein.

Prodigy Fashion and Trunk Show

I met up with Pebbles for dinner at Kingfish before we headed over to Ned Devine’s in Faneuil Hall to check out Santi DeOleo’s fashion show for his line of T-shirts called the Modus Collection. The shirts are really funky, fashionable and fun. The night kicked off with a VIP reception mixed with a little bit of food, drink and music, and most importantly a catwalk of young and nubile models strutting down the runway to techno and hip hop beats. Included in the array of models was Tyisha Fernandes of FOX-TV and actress Chanty Sok from the movie “The Fighter.” Kudos to Modus Collection! 

When I heard last year that Sade was coming to town, I knew I just had to go. And, I made it to the show! This was my third time seeing Sade in concert and what more can I say about Sade that hasn’t been said before?

Her show was absolutely magnificent and she is so well worth the 10-year wait. Her voice is even better than ever and just filled the arena as she glided across the stage. Her movements are effortless and she is absolutely gorgeous to boot! At times, you could hear a pin drop in the Garden. It’s almost as if the crowd couldn’t believe she was there in the flesh.

Sade opened the show with a bass-thumping version of “Soldier of Love.” During the two-hour show, she performed so many of her classics from “Your Love Is King” and “Color of Love” — one of my absolute faves — to the “Sweetest Taboo” and “Smooth Operator.” She ended her spectacular performance with an encore of “Cherish the Day” dressed in a stunning red dress that hugged all of her curves. No wonder men are so in love with her and women too! It was an experience I won’t soon forget.

‘The Help’ screening and reception

The Color of Film Collaborative co-presented an exclusive screening of the film “The Help” with DreamWorks Pictures and WGBH at the Fenway Theatre. Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer and director Tate Taylor came to town to introduce the film. This was my second time seeing the movie and I really enjoyed it. I cried in all the same places again.

What struck me about the story is that it’s really about friendships between women who seem to be very different on the surface, but in reality are very much the same and go through many of the same issues.

After the movie, Spencer and Taylor hosted a QandA with Karen Holmes-Ward as moderator, and then we hopped over to Burton’s Grill for a private reception. Spencer was so warm and friendly and dare I say, sweet as pie. She took the time to introduce herself and mingle with the guests, which included JAM’N 94.5’s Pebbles and New England Patriot Sammy Morris and his lovely wife Leslie.

The evening was topped off with a feast of mac and cheese, clam chowder, mini cheese steaks and lots of wonderful sweets.

Coming Up …

Rihanna hits town with her “Loud” tour at the TD Garden on Sunday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. with opening act  J. Cole.

Budweiser Superfest presents: Jill Scott’s Summer Block Party with Anthony Hamilton at the Bank of America Pavilion on Tuesday, July 26.

Haley House Bakery Café presents the exhibit “From Pickin’ Cotton to Pickin’ Presidents” by Napoleon Jones-Henderson from July 25 to September 17, 2011 with an artist’s reception to be held on Wednesday, July 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Roxbury International Film Festival premieres Thursday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, July 31 offering more than 50 film screenings, an Opening Night celebration, Master Acting Workshops for adults and teens, a free Youth Day and a Gospel Brunch.  For more info, visit www.roxburyfilmfestival.org.

Comedian Lavell Crawford hits the stage at The Wilbur on Saturday, July 30 at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, July 31 Showcase Live presents Tank and Noel Gourdin.

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