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Get Konnected! Turns 5…
Bathed in lights of purple (Colette’s favorite color as I’m told), as opposed to its usual emerald green, the jam-packed Emerald Lounge was the site of the fifth anniversary of Colette Phillip’s popular networking event Get Konnected! on Tuesday, March 26. It was an evening of celebration with a wide array of friends and supporters (including Gov. Deval Patrick) mingling, reconnecting and celebrating five years of Phillips’ success at bringing together urban professionals in Boston.
Hey Young World…
Old school hip hop came alive for a packed 20- to 40-something crowd at the Wilbur Theatre last Friday. DJ Kaos got the party started as he spun the best ’80s and ’90s hip hop from artists such as Poor Righteous Teachers, Chubb Rock, Eric B. and Rakim, MC Lyte and Onyx, just to name a few. The air was filled with anticipation for Slick Rick and Big Daddy Kane to hit the stage. The audience cheered as Rick the Ruler came out dressed in all black, sporting his famous eye patch, and performed his signature hits “Mona Lisa,” “La-Di-Da-Di” and “Children’s Story.” Still smooth at the age of 48, Rick slow-bopped on stage to the delight of the crowd. Next up was the Smooth Operator himself, Big Daddy Kane. Decked out in all-white with light grey shell-toes Adidas sneakers, a grey scully and sunglasses, Kane ripped the mic with his classics “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “Raw” and “Smooth Operator.”
By The Way, Meet Vera Starck
The latest offering by The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is the witty, charming and entertaining production of “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. The comedy takes a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood through the life of Vera Stark, a headstrong African-American maid and budding actress in the 1930s, and her tangled relationship with Gloria Mitchell, her boss and white Hollywood star struggling to reclaim her career. Vera Stark, played by the delightful and engaging Kami Rushell Smith, pulls you in with her winsome personality and expressive eyes, and Hannah Husband portrays the role of Gloria Mitchell with good comic timing mixed with a dose of vulnerability, heart and chutzpah. A commentary on race in the 1930s, but also for the present time, Vera Stark is worth spending a couple of hours at the theatre. The comedy is directed by Summer L. Williams and runs through April 27. Tickets can be purchased at www.lyricstage.com.
Coming Up…
Tonight (April 4), the Boston Jewish Film Festival presents a screening of the documentary Koch, about former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, at the West Newton Cinema at 7 p.m.
This Friday night, celebrate “MFA First Fridays” featuring an evening of fine art, music, signature cocktails and delicious tapas all at the Museum of Fine Arts. Music will be provided by DJ Denise LaCarubba. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and is 21+.
On Saturday, April 6, World Music/CRASHarts presents Dianne Reeves at the Berklee Performance Center for one show at 8 p.m. For tickets and information call World Music/CRASHarts at (617) 876-4275 or purchase online at www.WorldMusic.org.
Back in town for their annual visit are The Harlem Globetrotters this Saturday, April 6 and this Sunday, April 7 at 1 p.m. at the TD Garden. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tdgarden.com.
“Girl on Fire” singer Alicia Keys brings her “Set the World on Fire Tour” to The Agganis Arena along with opening act Miguel on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
The Orpheum Theatre presents Ben Harper on May 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Something for the whole family: The Big Apple Circus has taken residency at City Hall Plaza now through May 12. Tickets are available at www.bigapplecircus.org.
If you would like me to cover or write about your event, email me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com.
