Haute Weekend Roundup in Boston

From college graduations to haute happenings in the arts, here’s a look at the weekend’s best events.

Yesterday, Oprah Winfrey was in town this weekend to deliver the 139th commencement address at Smith College. She told the class, “This understanding that there is an alignment between who you are and what you do is the real, true empowerment.” The commencement speaker added, “Shift the paradigm to service and the rewards will come.”

Red Sox legend David Ortiz delivered the commencement address at Boston University and also received an honorary degree with special recognition for the work his foundation has done to assist children in the Dominican Republic.

Tom Brady is now the face of Aston Martin kicking off a long-term partnership with the luxury car brand. He will be sharing his affinity for The Love of Beautiful via a new content series entitled Category of One premiering later this year.

News in the Arts:

The Tony award winning production of Annie wrapped up its 13-day run at the Wang Theatre this weekend.

Camelot opened this weekend at Lyric Stage Company and will be running until June 25. The performance tells the romantic yet tragic tale of King Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table through songs written for the musical stage, including “If Ever I Would Leave You”, “I Loved You Once in Silence”, and the title song “Camelot”.

The Museum of Fine Arts wrapped up The National Center for Jewish Film’s 20th Annual Film Festival this weekend. The festival introduced new independent films and restored classics from around the world with visiting filmmakers and scholars attending many screenings. This year’s festival included Avi Nesher’s film Past Life, which tracks the late 1970s odyssey of two sisters, an introverted classical musician and a rambunctious scandal sheet journalist, as they unravel a wartime mystery that has cast a dark shadow on their lives.

Haute Upcoming Events You Will Want to Add to Your Calendar:

Tonight, a viewing party is being held at Empire for the Bachelorette Season 13. This is your chance to hang out in the Seaport District with Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise stars Vinny Ventiera and Jared Haibon while enjoying an a “All You Can Eat Sushi” special.

This Wednesday, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square is hosting a wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. with pairings from California’s Seghesio Family Vineyards. The four-plus-course dinner being held in the wine cellar will feature dishes like red snapper ceviche, slow braised cornish hen, prosciutto wrapped swordfish and molasses brined grilled pork chops (paired with Seghesio Family “Old Vine” Zinfandel. Reservations are required.Photo Credit: Legal Sea Foods

Next Thursday, June 1, The W Hotel is celebrating the solo exhibit of Markus Sebastiano’s style at a haute opening party from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening will showcase the multidimensional artwork that includes the use of spray paint, translucent print, acrylics, torch & water, stain, metal, vintage paper, steel, wood, industrial hardware, and resin.

Also being held next Thursday, you won’t want to miss the third annual Seaport Sangria Smackdown being held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the The Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center’s Headhouse Concourse featuring bartenders from various establishments around the Seaport District and Fort Point Channel area competing for the championship title. Guests will enjoy sangria tastings paired with light hors d’oeuvres. Participating restaurants include: Blue Dragon, Empire Restaurant and Lounge, Legal Test Kitchen, MJ O’Connor’s, Nebo, Oak + Rowan, Outlook at the Envoy Hotel, Smith & Wollensky, TAMO Bistro & Bar and The Barking Carb. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, an organization that provides lifesaving heart surgeries for children in the Dominican Republic and New England through its partnerships with the World Pediatric Project and MassGeneral Hospital for Children.