Providence Monthly April 2019

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CO N T E N TS Photo by Christian Harder, courtesy of The Dean Hotel

Providence Monthly • April 2019

Inside the city’s recent hotel boom, plus a lesson in cool from The Dean (pg. 25)

25 The Suite Life The hospitality world is changing – and Providence is leading the way

DEPARTMENTS Pulse

13 A calligraphist adds a personal

23 RHODY GEM: Take a peek inside

Food & Drink

Art & Culture

Wickenden’s Beefit Street Antiques

43 SPOTLIGHT: Xaco Taco’s smoky

57 THE MUST LIST: Events you

Old Fashioned is a treat for the senses

can’t miss this month

touch in the age of e-vites

14 Aggressively Positive is a pod-

Life & Style

44 EXPERIENCE: Tom’s Bao Bao

60 MUSIC: Meet members of

cast rooted in people doing good

33 SHOP: Feed your face with

adds street food to the menu

The Callouts, an infectious band live or on record

goods from Herbalicious Skincare

15 The little-known history

46 FOOD NEWS: Providence Bagel

behind the Rhode Island

34 THE INFLUENCER: How a local

Chamber Music Concerts

jewelry designer adds panache to her wardrobe and HSN

16 New book coaxes people to write, one minute at a time

36 HOME: A recent empty-nester fills

prepares to schmear Mineral Spring

63 ART: Painter and muralist Sandy MacDonald draws from life

48 IN THE KITCHEN: The fine art of champagne sabering with

64 ON STAGE: A look inside this

Pot au Feu’s Bob Burke

eclectic music venue and hangout

her College Hill home with style

18 Wine and dine with Rhode Island PBS during An Evening Uncorked!

20 YEAR OF THE

CITY: Learn

51 RESTAURANT GUIDE: The details 40 WHOLE BODY: East Side

you need for planning a meal out

Pic of PVD

Skin Spas give new meaning

66 A snapshot from one

to ordering a BLT

of our readers

about a series of resident-led walking tours through the heart of two of the city’s barrios

ON THE COVER: The Dean put Providence on the map in the hotel industry. Photo by Christian Harder, courtesy of The Dean Hotel.

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre

Editor in Chief Elyse Major

Editor Megan Schmit

Staff Writer Robert Isenberg

Editor Lauren Vella

Art Director Nick DelGiudice

Associate Art Director Brandon Harmon

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Graphic Designer Taylor Gilbert

Staff Photographer Savannah Barkley

Marketing Coordinator Kim Tingle

Alphagraphics Providence 74 Dorrance Street • Providence, RI 02903 • (401) 648-0078 US785@alphagraphics.com • US785.alphagraphics.com

Account Managers Shelley Cavoli Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher Kristine Mangan Olf Elizabeth Riel Dan Schwartz Stephanie Oster Wilmarth For advertising information email: Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com

Contributing Photographers Brian DeMello

Tiffany Medrano

Stacey Doyle

Gina Mastrostefano

Grace Lentini

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Contributing Writers

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PULSE Joelle believes in making a memorable first impression, starting with setting the tone for special events with the invitations

THE WRITE STUFF Little Wing Lettering adds a personal touch in the age of e-vites Joelle Kanter has always loved writing – the pen to paper kind. Years of calligraphy workshops, journal entries, and addressing envelopes for friends’ wedding invitations later, she turned her craft into a business:

celebrations,” Joelle says. She squeezes in calligraphy projects when she can, between working as a planner for RIPTA and being a fulltime mom.

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The best way to describe her work is as a Pinterest lover’s dream: Perfectly swooping letters inked across colorful cardstock. The professional lettering service specializes in exquisite calligraphy for envelopes, place cards, and table numbers. “I love trying different styles, creating small works of art, and being involved in people’s

April is letter writing month, Joelle explains, so for the past few years she has partnered with Lore Collection to host the #Write_ On challenge. This year, the event will take place on April 11. Participants will craft a letter – pen and cards provided – enjoy refreshments, and best of all, get their envelope addressed with a flourish

by Joelle herself. LittleWingLettering.com -Megan Schmit

Photo courtesy of Lore Collection ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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PULSE • City

Podcast with Personality Aggressively Positive is a passion project rooted in people doing good

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Adam Theroux is known around Rhode Island as a musician, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. And as of January 2, he added “podcaster” to his repertoire.

Aggressively Positive is home to the newest incarnation of Theroux’s absurdist humor. “I decided to go with inspiring stories, motivation, and positive news, but I brought my aggressive personality and quirky style of comedy to the table,” he explains. The podcast also features weekly segments like One Minute of Random Facts, The Goodest Person of The Week, and a weekly visit from the character Big Bad Billy, “a fun way to bring some silly humor to the show and shed some light on how ridiculous adult bullies can seem.”

The podcast originated from Adam’s nonprofit, Good People Doing Good, which he started last January. “Good People Doing Good is my passion project,” he says. “People contact us about someone they know going through an emotional or financial struggle. We then surprise the person with a very unexpected act of kindness. We promote positivity and just being an all-around good person.”

All of the money raised each month –

which now amounts to over $800 – is gifted back to the community. “We recently surprised some people with 50 gallons of heating oil to warm a neighbor during the cold winter; we covered the airfare for a mother and her youngest son to fly out and watch her oldest son graduate; we surprised a college student with a new pair of glasses – and so much more!”

Although AP was created as paid content to support Good People Doing Good, Theroux believes it should be enjoyed by all. “I give everyone access to the content,” he says, contrary to most Patreon pages – a platform for subscription content – which give only supporters access. “If they feel inclined to become a Patron [subscriber], and financially get behind Good People Doing Good, then I super appreciate it! But I understand people aren’t always in a place where they can donate money. I don’t see that as a good enough reason to deny them access to being more positive and feeling inspiration!” Listen to the podcast on platforms like Apple, Google, and Spotify, and visit GoodPeopleDoingGood.Weebly.com or become a Patron at Patreon.com/GoodPeopleDoingGood. -Chuck Staton

Photography by Gina Mastrostefano

Aggressively Positive is a personality type-turned-podcast

“Those who admit actions influence the power of words build the door granting the world freedom.”

- Africia Ben

It’s hard to believe these public performances started as private house concerts

Writer/Poet Spoken Word Artist Providence Native

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Chamber of Secrets

Photo courtesy of RICMC

The history behind the Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts Nowadays, we think of entertaining as having friends over for the Pats’ game and putting out bowls of nachos and dip. But in the 1930s and ‘40s, Anne and Nicholas Brown took a more refined approach by hosting chamber music concerts in their home. According to Joseph Correia, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts organization, Anne herself was an accomplished violinist.

She joined Baltimore’s Peabody Conservatory Orchestra as a teen; spent six years as a reporter, columnist, and arts critic for the Baltimore News-American; and wrote prolifically about musical celebrities, theater, opera, and classical music concerts. It was only natural that music would find its way into the Brown home.

After the couple married in 1930, they began hosting house concerts at their Benefit Street residence, the Nightingale-Brown House. Performances featured celebrity string quartets that the couple admired, and Anne became well-known for organizing these private parties. Years later, in an interview for the Providence Journal, their son, John Carter, recalled how the evenings would start with a small dinner party that would later be joined by a larger group for the concert in the family’s library.

These concerts eventually turned public and formally became Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts (RICMC) sometime in the early 1950s.

It is now the oldest chamber music presenting organization in the state, and one of the longest running chamber music series in the country.

RICMC is a nonprofit staffed by volunteers, including Joseph and a 13-member board of directors. Concerts have been held at the McVinney Auditorium for the past three seasons, and they try to achieve a balance between classics and newer compositions, established and upand-coming musicians, plus a variety of instruments, he explains.

While there are only four concerts each year, two in fall and two in spring, Joseph says this means they can “present artists of the highest caliber at a very affordable ticket price for the community, which is a defining hallmark of this historic series.”

“We take pride in enriching the cultural life of Rhode Island by bringing the world’s leading classical music ensembles to perform here and share their vision with us,” continues Joseph. “It is a real treat to be able to hear them right here in Providence.” See RICMC’s next performance on April 25. RICMC.org -Ed McCarthy

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15

PULSE • City

Experience.

Integrity.

Results.

Meet the Author A new book by Leigh Medeiros inspires people to write, one minute at a time

Leigh is more than just a writer – she’s also a teacher, crafter, artist, filmmaker, and self-described spirit seeker

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Leigh Medeiros was in the middle of a tough year. Her husband was diagnosed with a serious illness, and they spent months visiting doctors and hospitals. Whenever she was stuck waiting for something important to happen, Medeiros would whip out her phone, open the “notes” app, and type out a thought.

Her husband thankfully recovered, and Leigh finally compiled all these notes.

The total manuscript was 125 pages – single spaced.

“By accident, I discovered the power of micro-writing,” recalls Leigh with a laugh.

“It’s the easiest way possible to do creative writing.”

Photo courtesy of Leigh Medeiros

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Her new book, The 1-Minute Writer, takes this approach to heart. The book contains 135 pages of writing prompts, nudging would-be scribblers to put pen to paper. Designed for “tired and busy people,” the prompts are wide-ranging: What genre would the movie of your life be? How would you describe your posture? Write the inner monologue of someone who has found one of your possessions. Users can decide how much time they have, from one to 20 minutes, and find a corresponding assignment.

Leigh has long been an accomplished writer, editor, and painter. An East Greenwich native, she has worked on Hollywood movie sets, served as a script consultant, and helped develop books. She also runs an online forum called 48 Days of Creative Devotion, helping others focus their personal work. The program began as an informal Facebook group, but demand was so high that 48 Days has since ballooned into a full-on program.

The big rule: Don’t trash your own work.

“There’s this habitual negativity,” says Leigh. “People say, ‘This is no good.’ It’s a form of security, to protect themselves.”

But Leigh wants her mentees to own their verbal experiments and share them with others.

Leigh has been excited about the exploding literary scene in Rhode Island, such as the What Cheer Writers Club, the Frequency Writers and Grub Street writing classes, and reading series like Stranger Stories and The Cardigan Connection. She is excited that so many resources – and now her book – can help aspiring writers come out of their shells.

“People say, ‘I don’t have a creative bone in my body,’” she says. “They say, ‘I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler.’

Well, that’s just not true. And straight lines are boring. And literally, your existence is creative.” For more information about Leigh’s work, visit LeighMedeiros.com -Robert Isenberg

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PULSE • City

Keeping it Classy Wine and dine with Rhode Island PBS during An Evening Uncorked!

Edward Pontarelli Jr., CRPC® Financial Advisor Managing Director Beacon Point Wealth Advisors A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. 401.824.2532 1 Citizens Plaza, Ste 610 Providence, RI 02903 ed.pontarelli@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/team/ beacon-point-wealth-advisors

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An Evening Uncorked! may have changed its menu and location over the years, but not its sense of elegant fun

For the past 19 years, Rhode Island PBS has orchestrated An Evening Uncorked!, a fine wine auction and fundraiser to help the organization continue to educate and entertain. This year’s event is quickly approaching, and Lucie Raposo, Rhode Island

PBS’ Director of Public Information, has all the details.

“Starting at the Roger Williams Park Casino, the event has been held at such venues as the botanical gardens at Roger Williams Park, the Squantum Club in Rumford,

Photo courtesy of Rhode Island PBS

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2018 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

the Hope Club in Providence, and in recent years, at the Pawtucket Armory,” lists Lucie. More than just the location has changed: The menu, too, has evolved from food stations by a single caterer to wine tastings and small bites prepared by an assortment of restaurants and confectioners. But what hasn’t changed?

“The fun and elegant atmosphere, and the excitement of the live auction with competitive bidding on amazing wines.”

The event is refined yet relaxed – Lucie notes it was renamed to An Evening Uncorked! in 2003 or 2004 “to reflect the event’s more-fun/less-pomp aesthetic” – where you can sample some of the best of the state’s culinary scene.

“We have restaurants that come back year after year, like Pot au Feu and owner Bob Burke (read more about Bob on page 12), who has been with this event since 2010 – the first year we invited restaurants to participate,” says Lucie. Other returning stars include The Capital Grille, Bake.Eat.Love Bakery, Chapel Grille, The Coast Guard House Restaurant, David Burke Prime Steakhouse, The Dorrance, Fire Works Catering, Just Ellen’s, Luigi’s Restaurant and Gourmet Express, and Warwick Ice Cream. And this year, Gracie’s makes a comeback, and newcomers Caputo Trattoria, Celebrated, Sarto, Tony’s Seafood, and Yoleni’s join the ranks.

Wine and food aren’t the only attractions. The live auction includes many extravagant items and experiences, such as a Stewart Cellars Wine Tasting in Napa Valley (airfare included), a stay at Weekapaug Inn, and an autographed jersey from Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady.

And if that isn’t enough reason to pop the cork, “This year,” Lucie excitedly explains, “our celebrity guest is Lidia Bastianich, one of the best-loved chefs on television.” An Evening Uncorked! takes place April 6. Find tickets to the event – plus a pre-event champagne reception with Bastianich – at RIPBS.org -Chuck Staton

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PULSE • Year of the City (branded partnership)

LISTEN TO THIS CITY Exhibitions Performances Storytelling Lectures Walks Conferences

50+ EVENTS

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Walk This Way A tour takes walkers to the barrios and beyond All cities have a heart. That heart is not just a place, but a story, a community, and one that is sometimes hidden. In Providence, that heart is called El Corazón.

This month presents a chance to peek inside this lesser known side of the city. Este Es Mi Barrio is a series of resident-led community walking tours that take participants on an adventure straight to the corazón (heart) of two of the city’s barrios (neighborhoods) that are significant to the Latino community on the South Side and on the West Side. Learn about the first bodega on Broad Street, established by Josefina Rosario in 1960 as Fefa’s Market. Step into Sanchez Market for a Jarritos soda. Dine at La Gran Parada, the first Puerto Rican restaurant to open in RI, or enjoy fresh churros at Carmita’s Puerto Rican bakery on Cranston Street while hearing stories from local residents, who share their perspective on what makes those neighborhoods so special today, and how they have changed over time.

Marta Martínez, the project curator and Executive Director of RI Latino Arts, explains

that she recruited residents because “they are giving tours from their perspective, as residents of these communities. They are talking from the heart, from their own lives.”

They say to understand you must walk a mile in another’s shoes, and while Providence may be small, it’s global. A walk here, and you can go more than just a mile – you can traverse the world.

ESTE ES MI BARRIO Cranston Street: April 3 at 4pm & May 4 at 10:30am; Upper Broad Street: April 3 at 6pm & May 5 at 12pm (ends with Mariachi Festival and Cultural Celebration of Cinco de Mayo). Free but pre-registration is required at NuestraRaicesRI.org Year of the City: The Providence Project is an unprecedented year-long exploration of the history, life, and culture of Providence’s 25 neighborhoods through exhibitions, walks, lectures, and conferences produced by 50+ different curators. Together, these projects reveal new stories and new ways of thinking about the city we love. YearOfTheCity.com

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PULSE • Rhody Gem

Benefit Street Antiques We are pleased to introduce Rhody Gem, a new monthly column in Providence Monthly.

We’re always being thanked for spotlighting the “hidden gems” of the state, and in our ongoing efforts to leave no stone unturned, we’re putting the call out to our readership! Each month we’ll spotlight a Rhody Gem: a business, artisan, or place lead to us by our faithful readers.

Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly

What it is: A finely curated antiques and vintage shop filled with tidy displays of everything from dishware to furniture to light fixtures.

Where to find it: Despite its name, Benefit Street Antiques is located at the corner of Wickenden and Brook Streets under signage that reads Art & Antiques.

What makes it a Rhody Gem? Since 1999, Marian Clark has filled her shop with all things antique and vintage: chandeliers, furniture, jewelry, art, and more, all sourced with an eye towards design. A gem herself, upon being notified of this feature Marian said the best thing about being in business is that “every day someone new and wonderful walks in the door!”

Benefit Street Antiques 243 Wickenden Street BenefitStreetAntiques.com

To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com

HOTEL THE

Photo by Christian Harder, courtesy of The Dean Hotel

Boom

The hospitality world is changing – and Providence is leading the way By Robert Isenberg

A rendering of the interior lobby, First Bristol Homewood Suites “This is one of my favorite rooms,” says Jeff Karam, stepping through an open door. Jeff walks to the middle of the freshly laid carpet, and windows stretch on either side of him. The space isn’t quite finished; the bedframe is half constructed; the floor lamp has no shade. But all the important elements are here – fresh paint, electrical sockets, and the view. The room occupies a corner of the Homewood Suites, and the spotless vertical windows overlook the Woonasquatucket River.

“This is probably the smallest room we have,” says Jeff. “But the views are amazing.” In a few months, this room will be the perfect place to see WaterFire. From where he’s standing, a guest could watch the gondolas glide down the dark water, setting braziers ablaze. Jeff points to the small closet in the corner, which is wedged between sheets of glass. “The biggest challenge in here was trying not to block all the views.”

Jeff is leading a hard-hat tour through the nearly finished hotel. The building is eight stories tall and contains 120 rooms. Since its soft opening in late March, the Homewood Suites has become the first extended-stay property in downtown Providence.

The model is literally groundbreaking, catering to long-term guests in the heart of Downcity.

As vice president of First Bristol Corporation, a Fall River-based developer, Jeff is the portrait of the 21st century entrepreneur: thick black beard, leaden blue suit, and a starched white shirt with no tie. He walks purposefully from lounge to stairwell, from bedroom to kitchenette, and his voice quavers with excitement. In the gym, Jeff speaks with authority about top-notch exercise machines and noise cancelling windows. Again and again, he drives the point home: Guests can stay for weeks, or even months. Rooms have stoves, full-size refrigerators, and wheeled workstations. For consultants, contractors, and visiting nurses, Homewood puts the visitor squarely in the middle of Providence, with many of the comforts of home.

“It’s like renting an apartment,” says Jeff. “No one’s going to lease you something for two or three months. But we have everything you need, and you can stay as long as you want.”

First Bristol is a family company, and Alyssa Karam has joined the tour. She serves as asset manager, and she’s also Jeff’s sister. As she enters each new room, her eyes blaze with pride. “This is our tenth hotel,” she says, “and design-wise, we’re able to figure out from all our other products what works, what doesn’t work, what we need, what guests ask for, guest complaints.

That really helps us as we’re developing properties.”

This thoroughness is important, because Homewood Suites will face a lot of competition in the next year – from all the existing hotels in Providence, plus seven new ones. Beyond that, Homewood must adapt to changing demands. Hotel guests of 2019 aren’t the guests of 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago. And studio-like suites are just one accommodation that travelers are clamoring for.

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Public Kitchen & Bar

EAT LIKE A TOURIST

Providence hotels boast some of the most desirable dining in the city BACKSTAGE KITCHEN & BAR Located a couple of blocks from Trinity Rep, BackStage is a bar and restaurant with a theatrical flourish; even their theater menu is divided into “Acts” and is laid out like a Playbill.

A new addition to the Downcity dining scene, BackStage even has a large court for warm-weather dining.

Hotel Providence, 313 Westminster Street Facebook: BackStage Kitchen & Bar

Centro Restaurant and Lounge

BLUEFIN GRILLE

The Marriott’s restaurant bills itself as “casual dining,” but Bluefin showcases many Rhode Island specialties, from Roasted Littlenecks and Wellfleet Oysters to the Grilled Block Island Swordfish and Narragansett Lobster Salad. Once you’ve finished a platter of seafood, enjoy a dip and cocktails at AQUA outdoor lounge and pool.

Providence Marriott, 1 Orms Street MarriottProvidence.com

CENTRO RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE With its cherry-accented interior, Centro has one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Downcity. Here you’ll find such delicacies as Salmon Tartare, Cioppino, and (what else?) Grilled Pizza.

You can also try Fleming’s, the national steakhouse and wine bar.

Omni Providence, 1 W Exchange Street CentroProvidence.com

The Vig

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S

Photography by (top to bottom) Tiffany Medrano, Brian DeMello, Stacey Doyle

Photo courtesy of First Bristol Homewood Suites

You can find this seafood-and-steak chain in almost every major city in the U.S, but there’s no denying that the fare is delicious.

Providence Biltmore/The Graduate, 11 Dorrance Street ProvidenceBiltmore.com

NORTH There’s a lot to love about The Dean (see next page), but a major claim to fame is North, the beloved in-house restaurant.

The dishes are colorful and imaginative, and owner James Mark was just named a James Beard semifinalist. While you’re there, grab an inventive cocktail at the Magdalenae Room or pick a favorite tune at The Boombox karaoke bar.

The Dean, 122 Fountain Street FoodByNorth.com

PUBLIC KITCHEN & BAR Public’s motto is “Food for the People,” and it’s so true: Most of Public’s dishes are elegantly presented, but they also riff on familiar items like tacos, burgers, and pizza.

With its modernist decor and moody lighting, Public has a posh Mad Men appeal.

Renaissance Providence, 120 Francis Street PublicKitchenProvidence.com

THE VIG You could stop into The Vig and catch a game and feel perfectly content. But this place isn’t your ordinary sports bar: It’s decorated with vintage athletic gear and serves elevated pub food. You can even order a board of regional American cheeses.

Hilton Providence, 21 Atwells Avenue TheVigProvidence.com

McCormick & Schmick’s

Be O ur Guest Yes, Providence is in the middle of a “hotel boom.”

That’s the simple way to put it. Within the next year or so, occupancy rates will skyrocket. Visitors will find more options than ever before, from bunk beds to penthouses to micro-lofts. New eateries will open up, partnerships will be forged with local retail, and thousands more out-of-towners will be able to rest their heads. Unlike suburban chains, most of these hotels will be nestled among urban towers.

But what does this boom actually look like? The latest data comes from the 2017-2018 fiscal year: Until recently, tourists could pick from about 2,500 hotel rooms in Providence. According to the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB), conventions, meetings, and sporting events contributed $73.65 million in direct spending to the local economy. The PWCVB and the Rhode Island Sports Commission hosted 238 groups, which amounts to 112,464 “room nights,” as they’re known in the industry. Just the Dunkin Donuts Convention Center and Rhode Island Convention Center alone accounted for 71,904 room nights; if you don’t have a calculator handy, that’s the equivalent of 196 rooms being taken every night of the year.

The strength of conventions and local sports – plus leisure travel and the academic sector – may explain why demand for a place to stay is steadily climbing.

The average daily rate for a room jumped from $165.52 to $170.20 during those same 12 months. Occupancy ascended from 70.8 percent to 74.2 percent; typical occupancy for a city of our size is in the 60 percent range.

In short, Providence needs hotels. And if all goes well, the city will have nearly 1,000 more rooms within the next year or so.

The boom started about 13 months ago, when WoodSpring Suites opened on Corliss Street, about a mile north of Downcity. Like the Karams’ new project, WoodSpring is an extended-stay hotel, with 124 rooms designed for long-term habitation. From the street, WoodSpring is a standard low-rise building, its wide walls painted white and teal.

But WoodSpring’s completion was a landmark moment in the local hospitality industry; this venue is the first of eight new hotels scheduled to rise within city limits. Homewood Suites and the Residence Inn are on the verge of opening. The Hotel Beatrice, a boutique hotel, is expected to occupy the historic 1887 Exchange Bank building. At press time, four more hotels were still in development: Holiday Inn Express, Best Western GLo, Hotel Hive, and Aloft.

To a casual observer, all those new properties may seem like an overnight coup. But there’s more to the story than just a bunch of hotels going up.

The “boom” has been a years-long process, and each hotel reflects a changing landscape – not only for Providence, but for global tourism. Travelers are changing. People are changing. The market is rapidly evolving, and so is our city center.

The impressive Omni Providence Hotel lobby complete with stunning views of the city

A

A LESSON IN COOL FROM THE DEAN

Photo by Christian Harder, courtesy of The Dean Hotel

Photo courtesy of PWCVB

Providence’s hippest boutique hotel isn’t just for visitors

For a long time, Providence didn’t embrace the idea of the boutique hotel. Then The Dean happened, turning a downtrodden building with a seedy past into the must-stay destination in the city. And GQ noticed. So did Vogue, Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure, and Town & Country. But most importantly, Providence noticed.

The real difference between The Dean and other hotels in the city – some of which have tried to position themselves as destinations for locals to varying degrees of success – is that there are good reasons to hang out there, even if you’re not heading up to one of the 52 rooms filled with vintage art and local furniture at the end of the night. It’s not just a landing pad for out-of-towners when they come to Providence. It’s a part of the cityscape, and it feels so organic to what PVD is about that locals hang out there just because it’s a cool place to spend an evening. The fact that North, busting out of its West Side location, chose The Dean as its new downtown home says a lot about what the hotel is doing right.

Then there’s the rest. The Magdalenae Room is a sexy bar from Mike Sears of Lili Marlene’s and Justine’s, which has excellent cocktails and lots of dark corners.

The Boombox is an Asian-inspired private room karaoke lounge by The Salon’s Ethan Feirstein, with a fun selection of sake and Japanese candy. Bolt Coffee, which also has a location in the RISD Museum, roasts its beans on the West Side and keeps people caffeinated with really good brews. The bikes for guest use come from Dash Bicycle. The Dean gets Providence, and we, in turn, get to enjoy The Dean. They even do a partnership with Courtland Club, where some guests are put in an Uber and sent to an undisclosed location, which turns out to be the Federal Hill speakeasy, where they can drink from the private whiskey stash the hotel keeps there.

The thing is, though, that it’s not just that The Dean is cool. It’s that The Dean is showing people that Providence is cool, in an easy, Instagram-friendly way that’s readily apparent, even if you’re only staying for one night. That’s why all of those national publications focus on that particular hotel.

And because they do, they’re ushering the city into a new level of recognition - which means more tourists, more tax money, more investment and forward momentum for everything Providence is working so hard to become. -Julie Tremaine

“It isn’t sudden, it’s strategic,” says Kristen Adamo, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for PWCVB. “We’re not just getting more hotels. We’re getting different kinds of hotels.”

Providence already has a healthy and diverse hotel industry, especially for a city that is routinely labeled “second-tier.” We have the century-old Biltmore Hotel, which was recently acquired by AJ Capital Partners of Chicago and will metamorphose into Graduate Providence. We have stately hotels like the Renaissance, Omni, and Hotel Providence. There’s Hotel Dolce Villa, a boutique hotel in Federal Hill. We even have Esperanto Providence Hostel and Guesthouse, a comfy crash-pad for backpackers.

And even the existing hotels continue to evolve. The Providence Marriott, a resort-like hotel that is best known for AQUA, has undergone systemic renovations in recent months, with the intent of making the aesthetics more local and unique. “Soon we will reveal a new approach to indulgence in travel,” says Farouk Rajab, the location’s general manager.

“We have partnered with a local designer, DiLeonardo, to tell the story of our city through an innovative hotel design. This iconic building is destined to lead the local hospitality industry for many years to come.”

The most conspicuous hotel is The Dean. Here, guests find avant garde art, Edison lamps, and Bolt, the upscale coffee bar. The Dean offers the same basics as any other hotel – beds, bathrooms, an in-house bar – but the atmosphere is deliberately offbeat, like a European pensione decorated by Andy Warhol. With its vertical “Hotel” sign out front, The Dean is photogenic and fun; even the lobby looks designed for Instagram.

As the hotel scene expands, so will its intended audience. Tom Riel is vice president of sales and service for PWCVB, and he uses himself as an example: Tom is in his 50s, and when he travels for work, he prefers to stay in his room, attend scheduled meetings, and grab a nightcap at the hotel bar. Yet he’s fully aware that younger travelers are moving away from this tradition.

“The majority of travelers today – who are the Gen X, Gen Y, Millennials – they come in, drop everything, and they want to get out and experience what the city’s all about,” he says. “They want to live like a local. And that’s been a generational shift.”

“I think it has a lot to do with social media,” says Kristen. “If you travel, what do you do? Do you post your pictures on Facebook? You want to have a more immersive experience. You might be a hard core foodie who wants to get to those Asian fish markets on Broad Street. Or you might be someone who really likes green space and wants to run on Blackstone Boulevard. What it’s about is curating an individual experience.”

Providence is ripe for this kind of sojourn: Downtown is walkable and easy to navigate. Guests find restaurants, JUMP bikes, and novelty shops on on every major street. Most visitors can easily pick up a car at T.F. Green Airport and park downtown; meanwhile, a fleet of taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts may render car rentals unnecessary. Providence appeals to demographics that even Rhode Islanders may not think of, such as LGBTQ tourism and military reunions. Without much planning, our capital is a perfect launchpad for day-trips across the state. Scan the Internet for a few minutes – or visit GoProvidence.com for handy neighborhood guides – and you can embark on a localvore adventure with little more than a wallet. You may not even have to cross the street.

“We really sell the destination on its walkability,” says Tom. “We tell our customers about it, but when we get them here for a site visit, they always have an ‘ah-ha moment.’ They say, ‘Oh, you told me, but I didn’t realize.’”

Photo courtesy of PWCVB

Hyper-local and Individual

Omni guests can take the skywalk directly to Providence Place Mall

Hive Mind

Photo courtesy of PWCVB

The Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel boasts modern décor

“We studied the new millennial mindset,” says Jim Abdo, the visionary behind Hotel Hive Providence. “When I say that, I don’t mean this is a millennial-based hotel. But we think the millennial mindset has had an impact across all age groups. Less is more. A shared economy makes sense.”

The first Hotel Hive opened in Washington, DC, in 2016, and it was a game-changer for the nation’s capital. Set in an historic building in Foggy Bottom, Hotel Hive offers “micro-loft” accommodations for far less than a typical inside-the-Beltway hotel room. The rooms are simple but trendy, with exposed brick, visible wood beams, and inspirational quotes that look like they’ve been typewritten into the walls.

Jim’s next project is Hotel Hive Providence. He will renovate two long-dormant buildings, the formers offices of the Providence Journal and the former site of Kresge’s department store, both located on Westminster Street. If Hive DC was a revelation for that city, Hive Providence is a total paradigm shift: The hotel will incorporate 129 micro-loft rooms, plus rentable apartments, restaurants, retail, a rooftop entertainment venue, and Hive HQ, its own coworking space. Hive won’t just be a place to stay the night; it will be a mixed-use community unto itself.

“We call it refined minimalism,” says Jim, who speaks with the precise intensity of a TED lector. “When people are traveling, more often than not, they will spend more time in a social space than sequestered in their rooms.

We want to encourage people to all come together. When you think of what a hive is, there’s a lot of energy, a lot of buzz, and it’s an efficient use of space.”

Hive is an outlier, but it may become the face of this new mentality: Abdo Development hired a Rhode Island architect, Eric Zuena, to design the $30 million structure. While Jim himself isn’t as well known in New England, his DC developments are legendary, and he’s spent more than 30 years as an “adaptive reuse and historic preservationist.” Jim says he wants the hotel to be a “multi-generational” business, not a real estate investment that he can quickly flip for profit. His research seems impeccable, and he talks about downtown Providence like a longtime resident – or, at the very least, someone who cares deeply about the city’s future.

“I want to go to cities that are on the verge of a transformation,” says Jim. “We try to get people to think inward, not outward. We like to celebrate the historical integrity of the buildings we target. Westminster is already a great street. I tip my hat to all the businesses and pioneers who preceded us. We want to help make those businesses stronger. And we feel very honored.

As buildings continue to go up, most of us may struggle to imagine them until they’re complete – and travelers will learn them more quickly than full time residents. But our city is becoming a destination as never before. And for the foreseeable future, there will be room at the inn.

I live here.

I work here.

I love it here!

Call Joe Roch

401-440-7483 Happily helping buyers and sellers in Providence and throughout Rhode Island

JoeRoch.com jroch@residentialproperties.com ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

31

Take over all 40 lanes!

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LIFE & STYLE Home • The Influencer • Shop • Whole Body SHOP

by Elyse Major • photography by Brandon Harmon

Feed Your Face Between the frigid temps and the blasting of radiators, fireplaces, and other heating elements, most of us emerge from winter with skin as dry as can be.

Herbalicious Skincare founder Carolyn Balint believes that the products we put on our skin should not only cleanse or moisturize, but nourish. Since 2015, she has been whipping up gentle, restorative formulas, all made from organic and botanical ingredients that read like a farmer’s market shopping list. Think things like goat’s milk, oats, and pomegranate seed oil. Together with business partner Robin Plaziak, Herbalicious Skincare offers an ever-growing line of small batch products made in Narragansett and sold at small businesses statewide or online at HerbaliciousSkincare.com.

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Herbalicious Skincare Available at Evolve Apothecary 769 Hope Street

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

33

LIFE & STYLE • The Influencer

by Jackie Ignall

Nicole Romano

“I feel most comfortable in a T-shirt, jeans, motorcycle jacket, eyeliner, heels, and layers of jewelry. I would call that my signature look. I gravitate towards adventurous combinations, uncommon looks, and intriguing yet carefree style – it all tells a story. There is not much overlap in my work and non-work worlds (I design at all hours), so my attire is not differentiated.

Jewelry is always my starting point. It reflects my personality and exactly what I’m feeling at that moment – everything else in my outfit falls into place. Jewelry is the strongest representation of oneself. Shoes are my indulgence, and I invest in classics when it comes to handbags.

My sources of inspiration have been an intriguing historical character, metropolitan architecture, colorful Italian desserts, stellar constellations, exotic plant life…the list goes on. Essentially, I’m inspired by my client – the woman who has a confident, individualistic sense of style, who seeks unique and alluring designs because they tell her story and represent her captivating personality.

I love Rhode Island because it is the essence of my brand. As a young girl, I was so inspired by the historical jewelry industry that my family was involved in for generations. I then received my degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and went on to start my own business, building my manufacturing headquarters here in my home state and dedicating myself to the revival of the industry that I fell in love with.

When I come back to Rhode Island, I go to The Woods Yoga and Lenore Rae Salon for beauty. My favorite gathering place to enjoy crespella and a glass of wine is at Bacaro in Providence.

I’m launching a new collection and will be returning to HSN to showcase more of my jewelry in the next few months. To be on HSN has been a dream come true. I also have a shoe collaboration with Ser Verde! The collection will consist of jewelry-accented espadrilles, arriving just in time for summer.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Photo courtesy of Nicole Romano

Jewelry Designer

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The Providence Downtown Improvement District ambassadors invite you to visit downtownprovidence.com to find all there is to see, eat, and do downtown—events, shopping, dining, self-guided tours, news, and more!

Photo: Rachel Hulin

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

35

LIFE & STYLE • Home

by Elyse Major

Fresh Start An interior designer downsizes to a College Hill charmer without sacrificing any style

When Michelle Cortizo of Cortizo Interiors LLC, and her husband Jorge, became empty nesters, they decided to downsize from their Canton, Massachusetts, home to swap acreage for less maintenance. While Boston seemed “busy and expensive,” Providence and an historic house on College Hill felt like just the right size. The pair fell for an 1850s clapboard home with features like two brick fireplaces, nine-and-a-half foot ceilings, wide plank floors, and an eat-in kitchen. “Manageability and walkability played a key role in our choice,” says Michelle.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Photography by Grace Lentini

An expansive wallpaper mural based on Dutch Masters artwork creates a stunning backdrop in the living room

GET RHODY STYLE Interior Designer Michelle Cortizo shares how and where to get her Trad-Chic look: FLOOR SHOW One of Michelle’s decor go-tos for herself and her clients is Loominous. Tour their North Main Street gallery for custom-made rugs from far away places.

LOCAL ACCENT To connect homes with their locations, Michelle suggests seeking goods from local artists and makers.

SHOP SMALL For accessories, Michelle heads to Providence’s Nava and Simple Pleasures, and Re in North Kingstown.

GOOD VIBRATIONS “I love the vibe. Providence has that mix that keeps life and good design engaging and interesting,” says Michelle.

This change of scenery also sparked some liberation in Michelle’s personal design scheme. “Two things I thought I’d never have: a mural, and so many flowers in a room,” she begins. “For some reason, at this point of my life and our history, feminism is speaking loud and clear in my home.” The mural to which she’s referring is an expansive Dutch Masters rendering of flowers, purchased from JF Fabrics in Canada; there is also a ticket from the Women’s March proudly displayed on her desk.

“I believe a home should have a sense of history but should also function and reflect the world you live in. Your home should tell your story.”

Michelle describes her style as Traditional Chic, offering that she likes a mix of relaxed and elegant, old and new, with no clutter. “Editing has always been a part of how I curate my home. I believe you should only live with what you love and need. Everything should speak to you visually and if it doesn’t, then it should be edited.” She also notes that every home she has ever lived in has been very different, and setting informs her choices. “Each has been a reflection of the architecture of the home, of course, but also where I am in my life and how I see things.”

Constants in Michelle’s designs are the use of color, fabrics, and lighting. “Lighting is the mother of enhancers: No matter what

house I’m in or the style I’m emphasizing, every light is on a dimmer. From living spaces to bookcase interiors and bathrooms – dimmers!” says Michelle, who also notes that she indulges in filling her home with flowers, music, and the daily burning of candles. “I don’t wait for special occasions because you can never be sure if there will be another one. Every day is special so why not celebrate daily?”

Want your home featured in Providence Monthly?

Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

CAMP

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Call Jane Driver 401.641.3723 Happy to assist you with all of your real estate needs

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

by Julie Tremaine

The BLT Facial East Side Skin Spa has a new perspective on skin treatments Before we go any further, let me just say: this facial is not what you think it is. In a perfect world, yes, you would get served a sandwich at the end of a spa treatment. But in this case, BLT means “brighten, lighten, and tighten,” according to East Side Skin Spa owner Dena Lynn Pilla. It’s her nickname for the Vitamin C Rejuvenating Facial, a treatment that uses cutting-edge skin technology for a major anti-aging boost.

I feel a little bit queasy when talking about my skin these days, because I have to say those dreaded words: anti-aging. But you know what? There’s no shame in that game. In the hour I spent with Dena, she managed to make marked improvements to all the problems I pointed out (and the ones she saw without me pointing them out, too). “Oh wow,” she said as she took off my final mask and applied moisturizer to my skin. “Your skin looks amazing.”

She was right. In addition to the little whisper lines that are reason #1 I should no longer look in magnified mirrors, there were two other major issues – some hyperpigmentation spots from old breakouts, and significant end-of-winter dryness.

Dena started my Vitamin C Facial with some intentional breathing. “Take a deep, nourishing breath,” she began, “and exhale, releasing everything down through your fingertips.” I appreciated that. It’s not often I remember how much a couple of deep, grounding breaths can do. She then did a lymphatic drainage pressure point massage on my face and neck, which helps to eliminate toxins, followed by an enzyme treatment and a 15 percent Vitamin C Mask, full of hyaluronic acid, which strengthens skin cells for a brighter appearance, and antioxidants, which work to photorepair dark spots. During the mask, Dena did a hot stone massage on my arms and legs, which felt like heaven on that cold day.

After that, it was time for a dose of LED Light Therapy, which used blue light as an anti-

aging boost. “It’s the most collagen-stimulating thing you can do for your skin,” Dena said. It’s also a mood booster, like a dose of sunshine.

When I looked in the mirror afterwards, I was awed. It looked like those dark spots had healed by a week, and my skin glowed for days afterward. That whole afternoon, I was in a great mood, not just because I looked great, but because I really think there was something to that blue light, especially on a gray winter day.

If you’re going for a brightening, tightening, and lightening treatment, here’s what to know: Go with a clean face, wearing something you’ll be comfortable in while lying in a spa bed. You’ll be good to go back to work or to evening plans – this isn’t a service you’ll feel goopy after – and your skin will look so great that you won’t even need makeup.

East Side Skin Spa 144 Waterman Street #1 • 480-5453 EastSideSkinSpa.com

Illustration by Lia Marcoux

Specializing in Historic Property on the West Side, Broadway Armory District and Historic Elmwood for the past 18 years.

LIFE & STYLE • Whole Body

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521 Atwells Avenue, Providence ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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EXPERIENCE

CAV

EVERY DAY IS EXTRAORDINARY In addition to serving lunch (Monday-Friday) and dinner nightly, CAV offers unique daily offerings: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Saturday: Sunday:

Martini Specials, Bistro Menu Bistro Menu Half-Priced Bottles Of Wines, Live Jazz, Bistro Menu Brunch Brunch

BISTRO MENU HIGHLIGHTS Offered Monday-Wednesday evenings, the new Bistro Menu presents a collection of CAV favorites, new chef specialties, and smaller plates. All Bistro items are $20 or less – perfect for sharing and sampling.

Fried Cauliflower in Garlic and Ginger Sauce with Lemon Sour Cream $7.95 pictured Truffle French Fries tossed in Truffle Oil and Parmesan Cheese $5.95 Steak, Scallion, Manchego Cheese Quesadilla, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo $14.95 Vegetarian Black Bean Chipotle Quesadilla $11.95 Parmesan Baked Gnocchi, Artichoke Tomato Vodka Cream Sauce $15.95 Fettuccini Alfredo, Grilled Chicken, Mixed Vegetables $17.95 Stir-fried Brussel Sprouts and Tufu with Peanuts and Tamarind Shallot Sauce $8.95

EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS

A Providence destination for nearly 30 years, CAV Restaurant is an experience like no other.

Tucked in the historic Jewelry District, CAV features creative cuisine from several cultures in a worldly setting. The award-winning, loft-style restaurant is an exceptional space for private functions, such as business meetings, pharmaceutical dinners, holiday parties and bridal events. Offering Prix Fixe menus in a variety of price ranges depending on guest count, the restaurant also offers ample free parking for the entire party.

Please call Alexus Lee at 401-447-8677 for more information on a custom CAV event.

14 Imperial Place, Providence. 751-9164. CavRestaurant.com

FOOD & DRINK In the Kitchen • Food News • Experience • Restaurant Guide

SMOKED, NOT STIRRED Xaco Taco’s Smoked Old Fashioned is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds When you see Harrison Elkhay burning a small plank of wood with a blow torch, at first you think, “Is this man an arsonist, or is he making me a cocktail?” Then the magic happens. A flourish of a long, copper spoon, a flick of the wrist, a flash of smoke, and you’ve got it: the Xaco Taco Smoked Old Fashioned.

Gone are the days when old fashioneds were only for bourgeois older men wearing velvet smoking jackets. Xaco Taco has put a Mexican twist on a classic cocktail for everyone. This bourbon drink is a harmonious concoction of Old Forester bourbon, sugar, cherry, orange, and mole bitters, garnished with fresh fruit and served in a smoked glass. Harrison, Vice President of Operations for the Chow Fun Food Group, says that he wanted Photography by Brandon Harmon

to give patrons the ultimate sensory experience. “Creating this drink, flaming the wood, it creates that visual sense, it creates a great smell for the drink – an added smell you don’t get a lot with other old fashioneds.”

Inspiration for the smooth libation also comes from Harrison’s love for Kentucky bourbon – a passion he discovered while on a birthday trip in Louisville. Previously, the restaurateur lived in San Francisco, where he was exposed to high-end cocktails, but he never experienced authentic bourbon culture. He recalls fondly, “From there, it’s been an appetite that has grown.” It’s this experience and passion that Harrison wants to share with his customers – with a special “flare” of course. 370 Richmond Street. XacoTacoRI.com - Lauren Vella

FOOD & DRINK • Experience

by Stephanie Obodda

Beyond the Bao Tom’s Bao Bao adds street food to the menu

Pork Belly Bowl

linguine, and, just like the ones I’ve had in noodle shops in New York’s Chinatown, slightly chewy. The bowl was attractively topped with julienned carrots, sliced cucumber, cilantro, scallions, and ground pork with hot pepper (a vegetarian option is available). I will definitely return for a second bowl.

The Rice Bowl is also available with chicken, pork, or vegetables. Though it was not quite as memorable as the noodles or dumplings, the chicken thighs were tender, and it would make a solid meal.

It seems like the new street food items are somewhat of an experiment, and one I had hoped to try was already pulled from the menu – Jianbing, a sort of Chinese crepe. The Hand Pulled Cold Noodles also seem to be perpetually unavailable lately. This was upsetting news, but it was understandable to keep the menu trim for a restaurant like this.

Another recent addition to the menu is milk or Thai iced tea with boba (large tapioca pearls). In addition to teas and some

Pork Dumplings and Pork Cold Noodles

bottled drinks, Tom’s has a small selection of beer and wine.

For me, it would be impossible to visit Tom’s without getting at least one bao, a Chinese steamed bun with filling. Bao is an ideal fast food item. It’s somewhat healthy, easy to transport, not too messy to eat, and at Tom’s, made right in front of you.

The buns are fluffy, warm, and fresh, with the requisite sheen on the outside. Bao are best served fresh, so you might have to wait a few minutes for the flavor you want.

When I’m in a rush, I just ask which are available immediately.

I make a point to try the rotating seasonal bao, which are sometimes untraditional but always fun. On this visit, both were great.

The Buffalo Chicken Bao was juicy and had classic buffalo sauce flavor in every bite. Because the seasonal bao are often playful, I was

CUISINE: Chinese steamed buns and street food PRICES: $1.62 - $10.19 ATMOSPHERE: Fun fast food with seating

44

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Photography by Brandon Harmon

Tom’s Bao Bao, the young chain that brought Chinese steamed buns to Providence and Boston, is expanding its repertoire with street food. Adding variety to the menu with this handful of additional items makes the restaurant more compelling for a dinner out.

If you’ve been to Tom’s, you’ve seen staff artfully rolling, folding, and filling the bao in the front window. That handmade ethos continues with the new menu items.

To start, dumplings are offered in three varieties: pork, chicken, and vegetable. If you’re having trouble deciding, as I was, you can order the Two-Two-Two sampler. The dumplings are available steamed or fried; I enjoyed them both ways. The steamed vegetable dumplings I ordered were adorable, folded and then pinched into a rose-like circle. This variation was especially tasty, too, with extra texture contributed by cellophane noodles, and a slightly spicy, tangy sauce drizzled over the top.

The Hand Cut Noodles are a bit thicker than

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Seasonal Bao Steamed bun with seasonal filling

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dumplings, available steamed or fried

expecting the Barbecue Pork Bao to be filled with western barbecue, but was pleasantly surprised to find a hoisin-flavored Chinese barbecue filling instead.

I like to end every visit to Tom’s with a Mini Red Bean Bao. Not too sweet and not too big, there’s always room for one.

Tom’s Bao Bao 326 Westminster St., Providence • 714-0250 TomsBaoBao.com

401 861 1770 ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

45

FOOD & DRINK • Food News

Hole New Level When Providence Bagel owner Chris Wietecha opened his little bagel shop back in 2016, he didn’t know if his business would flourish. Flash forward to 2019, and the 30-something bagel purveyor has found himself with a packed bagel shop, a bustling drive-thru window, and a bakery that is at capacity. Not bad for a bagel business that is barely three years old.

Providence Bagel is expanding to include a larger store in North Providence – a move that Chris says has always been in his original business plan. “From day one, when I sort of came up with this idea, it was always to make it into a regional chain versus a oneoff thing.” The new store will provide the fledgling chain with the equipment it needs to make more bagels, pastries, and catering items on a much larger scale. The owner is also excited for a bigger seating area and hopes that it can be used for evening events with live music, partnerships with local breweries, and food/drink pop-ups. The new store boasts several varieties of breakfast drinks on tap, including various brews of coffee, teas, and locally made kombuchas.

So, why North Providence? According to Chris, the spot had all the trappings of a successful business location – close to Providence College, on a main thoroughfare with high traffic, and a sizeable building. But, selling bagels was not the only thing on his mind when he took over the new space. Chris is also going to use the new store to help feed hungry neighbors. This mission-driven business has always been involved in helping others,

but with increased capability to make food, it can double its collective impact.

“We want to stay involved with our community... at the end of every single day we donate all our end-of-day pastries to the Elijah Project (an organization that helps with food insecurity)... we’ll be able to double that now.”

As Providence Bagel’s populatirty grows, who knows where this chain will pop up next? North Providence, ProvidenceBagel.com -Lauren Vella

GEE GEE’S BRINGS SOUTHERN COOKING TO PROVIDENCE Growing up, Tameka Gass would travel all the way to Boston in search of a restaurant that would serve the home-style Southern cooking that she craved. Now, she doesn’t need to. Last summer, Gee Gee’s Southern Cuisine was born – serving up collard greens, fried chicken, mac n’ cheese, shrimp chowder, pork chops, yams, fried fish, and cornbread, right out of Olneyville.

For first-time restaurant owner Tameka, Gee Gee’s is as much about food as it is about family and community. The restaurant, which is named in honor of her mother “Gee Gee,” serves the kind of food that her mother and grandma ate growing up Florence, South Carolina.

“They moved here when I was about one-year old. Everything we cook is authentic Florence, South Carolina, style food,” says Tameka. Her family would always keep a refrigerator stocked full of the food that they made, and would often invite neighbors into

46

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

their home to join them. As a result, Tameka and her brother Richard became “foodies at a young age,” and loved going out to restaurants, especially local “mom and pop” shops. Naturally, when it came time to start her business, she made it a family affair, with her brother as the general manager and family friend Alyssa Bardarelli as the chef.

For Tameka, the goal of Gee Gee’s was to create “a cozy environment where you can come in and get really good food and really good conversation.” This place can cater to everyone, with fish dishes on Fridays, “Gee Gee’s Late Night” offerings like piping hot wings and fries, and daily specials based on what Chef Bardarelli wants to cook that day. Tameka is working to make sure that customers don’t have to trek all the way to Boston for authentic Southern cooking like she used to. Olneyville, GeeGeesSouthern.Wixsite.com -Isabella DeLeo

Photo (top) courtesy of, Providence Bagel, photo (bottom) courtesy of Gee Gee’s Southern Cuisine

Providence Bagel owner has big plans in North Providence

! s t a l F e h t o t n i g Sprin

355 Hope StreeT, Providence • 401.751.6777 • tortillaflatsri.com ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

47

LARGEST SELECTION OF VINTAGE FURNITURE

Food & Drink • In The Kitchen

by By Robert Isenberg

The Swordsman The owner of Pot Au Feu has a distinguished history “sabering” champagne bottles

VINTAGE | POST MODERN ART DECO | ORIENTAL RUGS VINYL RECORDS | FURS

Champagne sabering takes pouring the bubbly to a whole new level

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AdvancedEyeCareRI.com 780 North Main Street Providence • 401-331-2020 48

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

If there was ever a true bon vivant, it’s Bob Burke. A gregarious raconteur, Burke owns the French bistro Pot Au Feu. He founded the Independence Trail through Providence and recorded an audio tour for history buffs.

He’s even served as Grand Marshall for Gaspee Days in Cranston.

And when asked, Bob can pick up his cavalry saber and slice the top off a bottle of Moët et Chandon champagne, spewing bubbly toward the ceiling like a carbonated fountain.

“It really is fun to be part of something that has been carried on for centuries,” says Bob. “I never anticipated this. I had

no idea I would ever have people pay me to be flown around to gorgeous events – corporations, weddings – to have this moment. It’s really special.”

All this dates back to 1987, when Bob met a “sabreur” named Robert Gourdin. The Frenchman was renowned for his champagne cascades, and he had stopped into the Down Under restaurant in Warwick for an event. “He would go all around North America,” remembers Bob. “And whether it was the Golden Globes, or Grand Prixs, or openings of hotels, Robert was at all of these events. That night, he sabered a bottle of champagne. We were kindred spirits. We knew right away that we

Photography by Wolf Matthewson

Leaders in Eye Care since 1927

Pot au Feu 44 Custom House St, Providence • 273-8953 PotAuFeuRI.com

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were going to be friends.”

The sabering tradition dates back to the Napoleonic era, when the Emperor’s personal guardsmen would use swords to open their daily ration of champagne. Today, the tradition is carried on by the Moët et Chandon Club des Sabreurs, based in Epernay, France. Only French nationals had ever been inducted, but Gourdin decided to invite some North Americans, about 15 in all. Julia Child was one. Bob Burke was another.

Once initiated – to the chagrin of many members – Bob was presented with a diploma and replica saber. He has performed thousands of saberings since then; indeed, the second floor of Pot Au Feu is painted black, to obscure the splash-marks on the walls. About two years ago, Bob committed the heretical act of sabering on French soil beneath the Eiffel Tower to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of a Rhode Island woman. Bob tells this story with his usual vivacity, recalling how he performed the ritual, then ushered celebrants into a limo before the police could arrive and fine them.

Bob also loves the strict tradition, which requires he open only Moët et Chandon champagne. Before each presentation, Bob tells its origin story, then asks his audience to shout, “Bonne chance, Robert!”

(Good luck, Bob!) He loves the wild explosion, which can propel a cork skyward and soak a carpet in suds. While any amateur can learn the trick, Bob says that showmanship is key, and the bottle’s contents should be spewed liberally.

“Once you have had a bottle sabered for you, that is the bottle that stays with you for the rest of your life,” he says. “It’s worth sending all that champagne up into the air. When you create a memory, nothing is wasted.”

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PIZZA’S ON THE LINE. 401 632 0555 ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

49

LET’S DO

Brunch

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let’s do brunch at Red Stripe

Sundays 10am-3pm

All You Can Eat

Sunday Brunch Buffet

Carving Station • Omelet Station Eggs Benedict • Sweet Bread French Toast

and so much more!

Creative American Cuisine LUNCH Wed-Sun: 11am-3pm

DINNER Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pm Fri-Sat: 4pm-11pm Sunday: 4pm-9pm

Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm

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771 Hope Street, Providence • 331-4100

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

14 Imperial Place, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 751-9164 cavrestaurant.com

186 Wayland Avenue, Providence 270-3737 • SaltedSlate.com

RESTAURANT GUIDE Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+

ON THE WEST SIDE

The Grange

212 Westminster Street Providence • 401-272-4285 craftlandshop.com @craftland

With a seasonal, vegetarian menu that is completely dependent on what’s growing regionally, The Grange works closely with the Farm Fresh network and directly with a handful of farmers. Using only in-season produce can be challenging, but it also

fosters creativity. That innovative spirit is evident everywhere at The Grange, where everything is handcrafted. Even the bar, which has been lauded for its progressive cocktail program, uses scratch syrups and herb-infused spirits.

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166 Broadway, Providence 831-0600, ProvidenceGrange.com

PROVIDENCE AREA

Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000

10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime

Chapel View Blvd,

Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$

steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$

Character’s Cafe & Theatre Hybrid art space with

Lindsay has years of experience helping people realize their goals of homeownership. Let her guide you in the process from the very beginning to the end.

all-day breakfast, coffee, and theater-inspired Caserta Pizzeria Casual kid-friendly pizza spot

entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $

offering traditional Italian crisp-cut pizza and calzones.

121 Spruce St, Providence, 621-3818. LD $-$$

Don

Jose

Tequilas

Restaurant

Homestyle

Mexican fare plus beer, wine, and cocktails in CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14

a colorful setting. 351 Atwells Ave, Providence,

Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$

454-8951. LD $-$$

LINDSAY F. PETTINELLI • 401.439.0582

lindsay@domainrealestate.com 275 Westminster Street, Providence ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

51

SAME LOCATION - NEW SHOWROOM IS 10,000 SQ.FT. OF FLOORING FOR YOU

Carpet • Vinyl • Wood • Ceramic • LVT • Laminate • Area Rugs

FOR ALL OF YOUR FLOORING NEEDS 25 Esten Ave., Pawtucket • 401-723-6996 www.FactoryCarpetOutlet.com HOURS: 9-5 MONDAY-SATURDAY, THURSDAY TIL 8 PM

RESTAURANT GUIDE Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in

Julian’s

staple

Ocean State Sandwich Company Craft sandwiches

America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St,

celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway,

and hearty sides. 155 Westminster St, Providence,

Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336.

Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$

282-6772. BL $-$$

A

must-taste

Providence

LD $-$$ Luigi’s Haruki

Restaurant

&

Gourmet

Express

Parkside

Rotisserie

&

Bar

American

bistro

carte

Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods

specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St,

selections with casual ambience. Locations in

to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston,455-0045.

Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$

Cranston

LD $$

Japanese and

cuisine

and

Providence,

a

la

HarukiSushi.com.

Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks,

LD $-$$ Luxe Heng

Authentic

Thai street

food

served

–

including noodles and rotisserie chicken – in

Burger

Bar

Build

Your

Own

Burger:

You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd,

and handcrafted cocktails. 1200 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 273-1444. LD $-$$$

Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Pizza

Providence’s College Hill neighborhood. 165

J

Fun,

upbeat

atmosphere

with

thin-

McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub in Wayland

crust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options.

Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000.

967

LD $$

LD $-$$

Hill Mill. 697 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111.

Meeting Street Cafe BYOB eatery with large

Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing

LD $-$$$

menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner served

daily specials. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050.

all day. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-1066.

BrLD $-$$

Angell St,Providence. LD $ Iron Works Tavern A wide variety of signature

Westminster

St,

Providence,

632-0555.

American dishes in the historic Thomas Jefferson

Joe Marzelli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant High-

BLD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465

end Italian restaurant serving up specialty dishes and drinks. 120 Atwells Ave, Providence. 751-5544.

Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American

Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East

LD $$$

gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$

Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$

52

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

RESTAURANT GUIDE Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in

Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive

Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring award-

Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-

selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra

winning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St,

3311. D $$-$$$

St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$

Warren, 289-2324. D $$ East

Sydney Providence Australian-inspired cafe and EAST BAY / NEWPORT

coffee shop featuring breakfast and light lunch

Oyster

Bar

Local

seafood

meets

County Rd, Barrington, 247-0303. LD $$

options. 400 Exchange St, Providence, 648-4994.

BL $-$$

Bay

innovative preparation in a rustic setting. 308

Aviary Creative, locally sourced menu featuring rotating craft beers and from-scratch cocktails.

Ichigo

Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille Classic Italian

2229 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA, 508-379-6007.

creative sushi, and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East

Ichie

cuisine with an extensive wine and beer list. 970

BrLD $$

Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$

Traditional

Japanese

cuisine,

Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 349-4979. LD $-$$ Black

Bass

Grille

Classic

seafood,

historic

KC’s Burger Bar Burgers, hot dogs, and sides

The Grange Vegetarian restaurant serving seasonal

waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth,

enjoyed

dishes with a juice bar, vegan bakery, and cocktail

MA, 508-999-6975. LD $$

Fall

in

River

a Ave,

retro

car-themed

Seekonk,

MA.

diner.

1379

508-557-1723.

BLD $$

bar. 166 Broadway, Providence, 831-0600. BrLD $-$$ Blount Market & Kitchen Traditional New England The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant

seafood summer favorites offered year-round for

Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and

with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence,

dine-in and takeout. 406 Water St, Warren, 245-

seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231.

270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$

1800. LD $$

D $$

Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern

Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with

The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over

fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St,

modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music.

the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA,

Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$

32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$

508-336-8460. LD $-$$$

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

53

Rhode Island ’s Premiere Event Venue

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

|

(401)331-0003 | www.ParksideProvidence.com

A R T & C U LT U R E Calendar • On Stage • Art • Music

PROVIDENCE TURNS PAMPLONA April 28: Get Gored For Good is a twist on Spain’s “Running of the Bulls” tradition – in this case, with the women of Providence Roller Derby sporting horned helmets and red paint, chasing down participants during a 5K or 1.5 mile short obstacle course.

Celebrate post-run with local food, drink, activities, and music. It’s a race, it’s a party, but most of all, it’s for a good cause – proceeds benefit the Amos House. One Sabin Street, Providence, GetGoredForGood.com

Photo courtesy of Get Gored For Good ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

57

ART & CULTURE • Calendar

THE MUST LIST 10 essential events happening this month

April 27: Nika Lomazzo brings her one woman show to AS220

JAPANESE SUSHI

& STEAKHOUSE FOR FULL MENU & EVENTS

Please Visit NAMIPROV.COM

FEDERAL HILL | 401-383-6559 198 ATWELLS AVENUE, PROVIDENCE Open Monday-Thursday 12pm-11pm Friday & Saturday 12pm-2am and Sunday 1pm-11pm

Photo courtesy of David Bluvband

Express yourself HEADSHOTS | EVENTS | FOOD

1

BRANDON HARMON PHOTOGRAPHY 508-498-9584 hello@brandonharmon.com brandonharmon.com

58

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

3

April 4: Get Smart! celebrates The Learning Community, with a spring party featuring music, dancing, an auction, and buffet dinner, emceed by WJAR’s Alison Bologna. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, TheLearningCommunity.com

April 6: Amenity Aid holds its 5th Annual Benefit & Auction Spectacular to continue their mission to provide basic hygiene items – like soap, shampoo, and feminine care – to organizations like food pantries and shelters. 65 Weybosset Street, Providence, AmenityAid.org

2

4

April 6: Let your imagination run wild at the Designer’s Ball, a soiree celebrating the power of design with costumes, drinks, food, dance, music, performance, and installations. 475 Valley Street, Providence, DesignXRI.com

April 7: Venture just outside the city for the Hope Artiste Village First Annual Art Walk. Meet and buy from local artists and try a special brunch at BOOM restaurant. 999 Main Street, Pawtucket, HopeEventsOnMain.com

5

April 12-13: It’s about to get noisy at PPAC. International percussion sensation STOMP plays anything but traditional instruments – think matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, and hubcaps. According to USA Today, they find “beautiful noises in the strangest places.” 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, PPACRI.org

Join roger Williams Park Zoo in conserving wildlife and wild places

for the

planet April 16+17

6

April 13, 14, 19 & 20: Hop on over to the Carousel in Roger Williams Park and bring the little ones to see the Easter Bunny. Don’t forget to bring the camera for some cute, cuddly photos. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RWPZoo.org

party

(rAin dAte April 18)

rwpzoo.org

7

April 17: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, America’s first fully multicultural ballet company, presents rock-inspired show “From Bach to Bowie.” Part of the FirstWorks Artistic Icons Series.

220 Weybosset Street, PPACRI.org

8

April 19: Spring is here, and so is the line-up for Food Truck Fridays in Carousel Village. End your week sipping and savoring local offerings, plus live music and activities for kids. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, FoodTrucksIn.com

9

April 26-27: It’s the first-ever Providence Book Festival, featuring author readings, book signings, workshops, panel discussions, and so much more, with statewide talent like Richard Russo, Ann Hood, and Tom Cobb. ProvidenceBookFestival.org

10

April 27: Providence native and comedian Nika Lomazzo brings her one-woman show to AS220, navigating the world of politics and mental illness as a young trans woman. 115 Empire Street, AS220.org

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ART & CULTURE • Music

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Sing Along The Callouts capture their live stage energy on Give Up

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The Callouts are a refreshingly all-in band. With a simple bass and drums to kick things off, the two guitars, bass, drums and vocals that make up the band come in fast, brash and make themselves heard the whole way through. The Callouts’ new record Give Up is the kind that immediately brings out the distinct spirit and nostalgia of blasting a record in your teenage bedroom or high school locker room through headphones and a Sony Walkman, not necessarily giving a hoot what people are saying or doing because you’ve got your album.

You get it, it gets you, and you know every chorus.

TOP TRACKS: Amelia – A light, catchy chordal intro before the pounding drums on the pick-up beat present a concise, speedy, and everso-catchy head bobber that showcases the elements of what The Callouts do best.

Love that bass-driven verse two.

Reverse Clooney – The chiming riff after the back-and-forth, two-chord intro, and the ascending vocals of the chorus, with some many riffs and airy background vocals, lead into a call-and-response chorus between Missa and the rest of the gang that makes you an immediate part of the team. Worthy of any sweaty VFW hall on a Friday night out.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

Without sounding like anyone in particular, The Callouts carrying out an anthemic new album, full sing-along chorus, and indulgent guitar solos that carries the torch of albums like Weezer’s The Blue Album or Alkaline Trio’s Goddammit in the sole pursuit of loudly proclaiming itself in each and every song by not only being something to listen to, but something to be a part of. I challenge you to not sing the chorus on “Amelia.”

Despite often being labeled pop-punk (not by this writer!), The Callouts offer music that relies on energy above all else. Gang vocals, memorable licks, and diverse guitar tones bring multiple layers to Give Up that might be written off under the umbrella of pop-punk. “I think our band gets pigeon-holed into the pop-punk title a little too much. Do we sound like a pop-punk band? Yes! However, with our new album, we’re kind of like the kids who are going away to college,” the band notes. “Sure, we’re bringing things along that helped shaped us, but we’re growing up and learning new things and having life changing experiences.”

The Callouts are a live band, and that is clearly conveyed in the recordings. Some records are a listening experience and it can be left alone, but other records are put on, listened to, and the next thought is I’ve got to see that live.

The Callouts are that kind of band. They have the unique ability to invite the listener in as an

Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly

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As the band puts it, “the best way to experience our band is live – there’s a few things we do differently when we play live than on the album, and like we said before, we are a high energy live band. A good show for us is reminiscent of VFW hall shows where people are crowded towards the front, bumping into the band, screaming back the lyrics at us, or stealing our microphones to belt out the part that means the mostto them.”

Part of the cohesiveness and inclusiveness of The Callouts comes from the communal practice space they share in Pawtucket with a number of other local acts. Oftentimes, the atmosphere where a song is created lends a certain feel or movement to it that might otherwise go unrealized if not for that place in time.

“Having a space that bands can call their own just loosens up the musicians, which leads to more inspired work,” they say. “We even had a song on the record that was written 100 percent organically in that rehearsal space on a random Tuesday where it seemed everyone who shares the space stopped by during our practice for one reason or another – it’s called ‘Hot Tuesday’.”

The Callouts are Missa Hills on vocals, Drew Peasley and Mike Grillo on guitar, David Delmonico on bass, and drummer Dan Ulmschneider. Give Up was produced and engineered by Chaimes Parker, and mastered by Bradford Krieger at Big Nice Studio in Lincoln.

Good friends of the band Linda Ragusa and Sean Carney (of the Scandals) did some work on backup vocals.

You can find the album on their website or Bandcamp site. It’s also available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Youtube, as well as in the merch bin at their live shows. The Callouts will be playing May 9 at The Parlour with Stereoflower, North by North, and Heartsick Satellite. Search Facebook for more info.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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• SPONSORED CONTENT •

Lawn Care With Quiet Electric Motors CITY ESTATE GARDENER is making the great leap forward and investing in battery-powered electric mowers, hedge trimmers, and blowers. These machines

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are much quieter than their combustion engine counterparts, and they also don’t emit exhaust into the faces of the crew and up into the atmosphere. Business owner Thomas Bennett explains, “We are trying to be better partners with the community. The East Side is one of our primary areas of work and we are utilizing any technology to better our company in how we look and how we sound.”

The regular Providence yard is perfect for the new electric equipment. Tom is committed to improving the overall aesthetic of each client’s property, by viewing each yard as an individual green space. “We’re trying to raise the level of professionalism in the landscape industry,” he says.

These are increasingly busy times and to leave the yard work to the pros is a true affordable luxury; then you can spend more time enjoying your property.

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ART & CULTURE • Art

by Amanda M. Grosvenor

Off the Wall

Photo by Janet Moscarello, courtesy of Sandy MacDonald

Muralist and painter Sandy MacDonald newest collection draws inspiration from an unlikely source Sandy MacDonald likes to mix it up with her artwork and keep things interesting.

“I get bored doing the same thing, so I just keep adding,” she says. “I just throw another ball into the air.”

Sandy’s repertoire currently includes both residential and commercial mural painting, signs and lettering, fine art painting, and decorative finishes on furniture walls, ceilings, and floors – but it all started with a bachelor’s in fine arts degree in painting and printmaking from Rhode Island College. She didn’t discover decorative painting, however, until she moved to the Bay Area in 2006.

Sandy, a Smithfield native, began apprenticing for an established decorative painter on the West Coast. She picked up the trade quickly, and by 2008 was earning her own clients. She had finally found a niche; before she had waitressed in Providence, worked at Rag & Bone Bindery, and did painting on the side, but she wasn’t really committed to her art. California brought it all into focus, and she moved back to the Creative Capital in 2012.

Sandy describes her style as “versatile” but also “bold,” citing Lucian Freud and his portrait work as a major influence.

“He really observes, and what he sees is what he puts down,” she notes. “That’s kind of the way I work as well. I don’t delve into myself like other artists… I just really try to get down on canvas what I’m seeing.” She feels that the most important thing for artists is to observe and “really look at things,” although obviously the artist’s mood and personal style will influence his or her work.

Murals on children’s bedroom walls led to vibrant backdrops for Roger Williams Park Zoo’s rainforest installation and other exhibits. Sandy also started doing pet portraits at the request of a friend who admired a painting of her own dog.

“I stopped doing them for a while, then recently did a call out asking, ‘Who wants a pet portrait for Christmas?’” She received seven commission requests.

Behind Sandy hang some pieces from her Toy Portrait series, including renditions of a toy gun and cartoon character Olive Oyl

Although Sandy enjoys portraiture, she finds it most enjoyable to paint subjects who won’t micromanage her work – such as dogs – and recently found creative inspiration in an unlikely place: Her extensive Pez dispenser collection.

A toy lover in general, Sandy didn’t have the heart to throw out the Pez characters she acquired, and neither did her friends – they dropped them off with her instead. The Pez heads inspire the paintings, which all tell a story. Although each vignette is meaningful

for her, “I don’t tell people that, because I want them to observe [the painting], to place themselves, and to come up with their own little scenario of what it’s about.”

Sandy’s Toy Portrait series is on display in Warren at the The Collaborative, an artist collective and gallery where she also serves as installation coordinator.

S andy Macdonald Studio SandyMacStudio.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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APR 11 - MAY 5

TRUE WEST

BY SAM SHEPARD

ART & CULTURE • On Stage

by Guy Benoit

Live From The Jewelry District A look at Providence’s eccentric music venue Local talent is aplenty at Askew, from the musicians heard on the house radio to the artwork hanging on the walls

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Askew is the name of an eclectic bistro and entertainment venue located on Chestnut Street in the Jewelry District. The vibe is welcoming, loose, mellow, and improvisational. This cool spot hosts everything from rock shows to birthday parties, poetry and fiction readings, and all manner of combinations of the aforementioned. There’s also liquor, coffee, and food–some of which is appropriately served on skewers.

Windsong Hadley and John Difruscio, Askew’s “Circus Director” and “Commander in Chief,” respectively, actively cultivate such an eccentric ambience. “One thing that has always been supremely important to me is that everyone should be welcome

and comfortable,” says Windsong. “We are open to everyone, not bound by one age, race, genre, religion, craft, sexuality.

[There’s] punk rockers and jazz musicians; a comic and an artist, straight and queer…

I like to joke and call us the Land of Misfit Toys. We’re all a little askew, and askew people need friends too!”

The quasi-subterranean decor lends cozy beatnik-atmospherics to any live performance. Eclectic wall art includes eye-catching posters by esteemed graphic designer Swamp Yankee, along with autographed cymbals donated by Stumpy Neckritz, drummer for perennial Providence punk band Neutral Nation. Painters

Photo courtesy of Askew

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and illustrators are encouraged to hang pieces, many of which are for sale.

Askew’s support extends to music, writers, and visual artists. Check their events listings, which include everything from Martinis and Massage, to Funk Night Tuesdays, to their monthly Wordsmiths and Storytellers series, where authors, poets, journalists, and others can take to the stage to read new (or old) work in front of an audience. There’s something for everyone who is slightly askew.

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400 Hope Street, Providence • 401-831-MEOW (6369) • city-kitty.com ProvidenceOnline.com • April 2019

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Pic of PVD Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Rebecca and Savannah (mom and daughter) have done a tulip session with me two years in a row, and they have the most incredible bond. It was a no-brainer to document their love through their matching, mud-stained Chuck Taylors at Wicked Tulips.

Submitted by Hallie Jade. Follow her on Instagram @halliejadepictures

Want to see your photo featured in Pic of PVD? Tag us on social media, use #PVDMonthly, or email your photo to Mail@ProvidenceOnline.com

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