Providence Monthly May 2018

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Photography by Brandon Harmon

Providence Monthly • May 2018

The long awaited pedestrian bridge is one of many exciting developments in the Jewelry District (p.27)

FEATURES

23 We're Fun-Sized

27 Time to Shine

The state's new tourism campaign goes big on small

The historic Jewelry District is primed to be the city’s next “it” neighborhood

DEPARTMENTS Every Month 9

Commentary

18 Local scribe Paul Di Filippo

Get Out

54 ON THE MENU: Pokeworks

tackles noir in his latest novel

41 THE MUST LIST: This month’s

brings trendy bowls to Thayer Street

can’t-miss events

Providence Pulse 11

Daredevils are jumping off a

20 Scene in PVD: Toasting 2018's Leading Ladies

building for the Providence Commu-

56 IN THE KITCHEN: Dessert gets 44 MUSIC: JeanLou takes control of

City Style

nity Library

12 The PawSox tip their caps to

57 IN THE DRINK: Rogue Island

33 AT HOME: The technicolor home

46 ON STAGE: TRIST gives Hamlet a

of Giraffes and Robots

21st century update

35 THE LOOK: Drew Schottler

48 ART: Art and cocktails collide at

shows off springtime style

World's Fair Gallery

Hidden PVD

36 GET FIT: Take your workout up to

Feast

Water Street's "Textured Gear"

11 at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp

51 TREND: 'Gansett's got a new

mixes up a tribute to downtown 60 RESTAURANT GUIDE

Latinx fans

13 A new exhibit explores

66 Meet the maker behind South

Providence's Chinatown

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snarky at Sarcastic Sweets

life, one track at a time

PVD rappers Sage Francis and

B. Dolan team up as Epic Beard Men

brew for lobster lovers 38 BEAUTY: Pampered head to toe

16 The Woman Project blends art

at Evolve Apothecary

with progressive activism

52 REVIEW: Wine and dine at Tavolo on Federal Hill

39 SHOP AROUND: Lane's on

17 Jane's Walk takes a street level

Broad packs a lot of style into a

tour of the city

small space

ON THE COVER: Artist's rendering of the currently under construction pedestrian bridge.

Photo by InForm Studios, courtesy of Rhode Island Commerce Corp.

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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CO M M E N TA RY SUPER FEEDBACK ON THE SPRING ARTS GUIDE

FREE APRIL 2018 #258

PAINT the TOWN ND YOUR MIND SHOW, AND EXPA ERIES, SEE A EXPLORE GALL

“Such a great resource for everything art related in Providence!” @Sabine S. via Facebook

MORE AWESOME APRIL ISSUE SHOUT-OUTS “Thanks for the love, Providence Monthly!

It’s no bull – ‘Get Gored for Good’ is a great, family-friendly fun raiser.” @AmosHouse on “That’s No Bull” via Facebook

PL US

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SPRING ARTS E GUID

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science The wild side of Lab at RISD’s Nature food comes A world of street ille together in Olneyv

“Awesome interview in Providence Monthly! Take a minute to check it out and share.” @RIBucketDrummers on “The Heartbeat of the Community” via Facebook “Thank you for the story about our last show on the Pawtucket stage and our September move to Warwick!” @SandraFeinstein-GammTheatre on “The Gamm Says Goodbye to Pawtucket” via Facebook

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Photography by Stacey Doyle (top), photography by Tony Pacitti (bottom)

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PULSE City • Scene in PVD

Fearless fundraisers will raise money for the Providence Community Library and for a chance to rappel off the Regency Plaza Apartments

A Real Cliffhanger

The Providence Community Library is turning to the city’s daredevils for fundraising Typically rappelling down the side of a building falls exclusively into the domain of stuntmen, cat burglars, and secret agents. Hence our surprise when the Providence Community Library decided to trade its usual literary events for a fundraiser where brave souls get to take a 12 story leap over the side of the Regency Plaza Apartments.

“We had been doing pretty standard fundraisers every spring, your cocktail party sort of things,” explains PCL Development Director Steve Kumins.

“But there’s a cap to what you can raise through those unless you’re expanding the audience.” So when Over the Edge, a Canadian outdoor events company that has been turning non-profit donors into daredevils for the last

decade, reached out to PCL, Kumins saw the chance to mix things up.

With a goal of raising $100,000 by June 23, the first 90 wannabe wall crawlers to raise $1,000 will get the chance to strap into a rappelling harness and walk down the 120 foot side of the building. Proceeds will go towards programming and equipment at PCL, with a lot of it specifically funding youth programs “But just about anybody who uses the library will benefit from it,” says PCL Public Relations Manager Janet Fuentes.

Whether or not there will be a crew of librarians on the roof hushing rappellers as they scream on their way down remains to be seen, but one can only hope. ProvComLib.org –Tony Pacitti

Photo courtesy of Over the Edge ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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PULSE • City

Béisbol in Pawtucket The PawSox celebrate the Spanish language and Latinx culture all season

This season, the PawSox will have a new identity for (almost) every Tuesday game: Osos Polares de Pawtucket. This new initiative is designed to recognize Rhode Island’s sizable Latinx community. To do this, the PawSox will trade their team name for a corresponding Spanish one and wear Spanish-language uniforms. The PawSox are just one out of 33 Minor League Baseball teams chosen to participate in this initiative, called the “Copa de la Diversión.”

“The goal is to let everyone in the community know that they are welcome at McCoy Stadium and they are welcome to PawSox games,” says Brooke Coderre, director of marketing and merchandising

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

for the PawSox, “regardless of background or the language they speak at home.”

“Osos Polares” translates as “Polar Bears,” referring to Paws and Sox, the PawSox’s beloved mascots. Tuesday games will feature Latin music playing throughout the stadium, PA and line-up information in Spanish, bilingual video board information, and even food trucks serving Latin American cuisine.

At the end of the season, the players’ jerseys will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to a U.S. Hispanic/Latinx-focused organization in the community.

“The key emphasis isn’t just the name change, but the celebration of Latino culture

through music, food, highlighting Latino and Hispanic players, etc.,” says Coderre.

“This initiative matters to the people in our community, and that is by far the most exciting thing about it.” The initiative was announced by PawSox Broadcaster Will Flemming at Ella Risk Elementary School, where the student population is 78 percent Latinx. When he switched the announcement to Spanish, the gym erupted in applause. “For as much planning that went into this,” Coderre says, “it was the unscripted reaction from the crowd of children that sent chills through my spine.”

PawSox.com -Katerina Batchelder

Photography by Brandon Harmon

The PawSox tip their caps to Hispanic fans this season by playing as the Osos Polares on Tuesdays

Providence’s Forgotten Chinatown

Photo courtesy of Irene Luke Hope

The walking tour exhibit Providence’s Chinatown will explore the history of the city’s Chinese American community

We talk a lot about certain moments in Providence’s past: we talk about the jewelry industry, about the historic mansions on Benefit Street, about Roger Williams, about Lovecraft.

But there are hidden pockets of the city’s history that have been all but forgotten. Providence’s Chinatown is one of them. This month, you can explore the city’s Chinese heritage through a downtown walking tour.

Between 1880 and the 1960s, the city was home to a large Chinese American community, with its epicenter on Empire Street, in what’s now the artsiest corner of downtown.

“Like Chinese populations in other cities, the Chinese in Rhode Island built a community center in downtown Providence for economic and social life,” says Julieanne Fontana, a curator of the Providence’s Chinatown project.

“Though small, it was an important part of the history of the Chinese in the United States, and is an integral part of the diverse cultural heritage of Rhode Island.” The self-guided walking tour of what was once Providence’s Chinatown exists in window displays, and explores different themes of Chinese American heritage, from immigrating to America (displayed in Trinity Rep’s windows) to building networks (at Providence Public Library) and establishing businesses (at 275 Westminster).

The exhibit, put together by grad students at Brown with the Chinese Historical Society of New England, also includes an extensive exhibit at the Rhode Island State Archives that they hope will become a permanent collection. A walking tour and screening of The Chinese Exclusion Act is happening May 12, and the project runs through May 31. RIChineseHistory.com -Julie Tremaine

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PULSE • City

Bearded Beats Sage Francis and B. Dolan’s free EP is a team up of epic proportions

Funky, fresh, timely and free; Providence rappers Sage Francis and B. Dolan have come together to lend us their rhythm and thoughts on just about everything. With a campy feel rooted in vintage imagery and sounds, the duo unite their conscious hip hop with equal parts dark humor, outright anger and social commentary as Epic Beard Men. Trading off verses tinged with sharp criticism of the current state of affairs, Epic Beard Men balances its more serious leanings with a dose of humor and goofiness. There is the Star Trekthemed album art, song titles like “Not Ur Uber” and “DIYMFS” (do-it-your-mother-f---ing-self) and tracks laced with heavy live drums, vintage

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

synthesizers, and back-spin mixing. Epic Beard Men: Season 1 is like a conversation between two old friends. While the traces of each performers’ solo work reveal themselves, the project is more clearly an outlet for trying out new sounds, different directions, and a shameless embrace of the things they love and love to hate.

From the get-go, Season 1 moves with energy and more thoughts than can be processed in a single listen. Epic Beard Men: Season 1 comes out strong with “Five Hearts,” a swaggering drum beat, swirling organ and more than a few contributing artists stepping on each other’s toes to get lines in. From there, each track takes the

album into new territory with the same two familiar voices holding it all together. The album is available for free (in true DIY spirit!) through Sage Francis’ Strange Famous label.

More than just a Sage Francis or B. Dolan record, Epic Beard Men reflects a collective, shared mentality and explores just what that mutual perspective looks like. Is it a way to cope? A way to reconcile the world we live in? Disguised anger? Turning over a new leaf?

Just two friends recording their barroom conversations?

Or is it the exploration of humor as the only way to truly make a point in 2018? StrangeFamousRecords.com –Adam Hogue

Photo courtesy of Strange Famous Records

Providence’s own Sage Francis and B. Dolan team up for the free EP, Epic Beard Men: Season 1

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PULSE • City

Stitching to the State House The Woman Project is taking its Petition 2.0 Quilt Project on the road

Founded after the 2016 election, The Woman Project uses art to connect activists across Rhode Island. “The election was a wake-up call that we need to be more involved,” says co-founder Jordan Hevenor. “We thought that if we used art and activism, we would be able to engage more people.”

Now in its second official year, the group the entirely volunteer-based group has meetings twice a month, hosted around the state. Their main goal is to foster the passing of The Reproductive Health Care Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade on the state level. “We thought if we had one piece of legislation to focus on, we could give it a boost,” she says.

To raise awareness about this issue, the organization has used artistic activism, events,

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

and installations to highlight the support for reproductive health care in the state. These initiatives have included a postcard campaign, petitions, and The Petition 2.0 Quilt Project. In the quilt, each piece represents an individual who supports reproductive health care. This year, the group is working to complete the quilt and include signatures from people all over the state.

“We have about 1,400 squares that have been signed so far,” says Hevenor. This month, TWP will also travel around the state on a quilt tour, visiting all five RI counties. “Hopefully we can meet new people and help them learn about the status of reproductive health in RI,” she says. “It’s an awareness tour and we think it will encourage and engage people.”

Hevenor feels the state has enormous potential if they can bridge the gap between different towns and cities. “You can go almost anywhere in the state in under an hour, and that’s pretty impressive,” she says. “We could be really connected.”

Overall, they’re looking forward to the new year and building on their progress. “It seems like we have been successful at creating a dialogue about reproductive health care,” she says. “And that’s really the goal – to hear voices you might not hear all the time because we just haven’t had the space for that. I think The Woman Project is definitely going to continue and keep creating those spaces.” TheWomanProject.org –Marrissa Ballard

Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly

Members of The Women Project presented a 1,400-panel quilt made in support of reproductive health care at the State House

A Street Level Perspective Explore the city on foot when Jane’s Walk returns this month

Photo courtesy of Jane’s Walk

Jane’s Wake participants explore the city on foot

Providence is many wonderful things, but it’s not a city where people’s preferred mode of transportation is by foot. From May 4-6, Jane’s Walk gives you a chance to ditch your car and experience the city’s neighborhoods in a different way, through walking tours.

The global festival, which had 225 cities participating last year, is based on the ideas of urbanist Jane Jacobs, who championed the idea of including the opinions of everyday people in urban planning.

“Part of what’s really special about Jane’s Walk is that it’s not a lecture, it’s a walking conversation,” says Providence organizer Joelle Kanter. Walks will happen through popular walking spots like Roger Williams Park, the 195 parcels and waterfront, North Burial Ground and College Hill, and some places that might not be on your daily commute, like South Broad Street, Fields Point, and the Pond Street area from Cathedral Square to Hoyle Square. Walk leaders encourage everyone to talk and contribute their knowledge to the discussion. “We have a conversation about things we see every day but maybe don’t notice, and you hear what other people have to say about them,” Kanter says. “It takes on a life of its own depending on who participates. You’ll never do the same walk twice.” JanesWalk.org –Julie Tremaine

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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PULSE • City

The Outer Limits After more than 30 books, local sci-fi author Paul Di Filippo is still trying new things

In his stories, Paul Di Filippo has journeyed to Victorian London, a Mesozoic ocean, and alternate dimensions. His characters are explorers, time travelers, and a furry humanoid named Storm. This year, his novel The Big Get Even infiltrates a gritty criminal underworld. After writing more than 30 books, Di Filippo’s imagination is still taking readers on fantastic voyages.

“As a kid, I loved science fiction exclusively,” Di Filippo recalls. “I was a total comic book

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

kid. There were role models within the science fiction world that showed you could write as beautifully and with as much impact as any naturalistic writer, and still do all these other weird things. They talk about ‘sense of wonder.’ That was the emotion I wanted to have triggered by whatever I was reading.”

Yet Di Filippo himself has contentedly lived in Rhode Island his entire life. He grew up in Woonsocket, went to Rhode Island College,

Photo courtesy of Blackstone Publishing

Providence author Paul Di Filippo goes hard boiled in his latest novel

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and started dating his wife Deborah Newton in 1976. He lives in the East Side, where he churns out mind-bending stories, as well as columns and reviews for speculative fiction magazines.

“I haven’t had a day job in about 15 or 20 years,” he says. Long ago, Di Filippo had a career as a computer programmer, working with punch cards on a basement mainframe.

“I liked programming. It was intellectually rewarding. But there was still this gap in my satisfaction. After saving up some money to fund this insanity, I quit the day job in 1982, and that’s when I really started doing the writing.”

Di Filippo is best known for his humorous storytelling and offbeat plots, and he’s considered a pioneer in the genre of steampunk.

When he started writing The Big Get Even, the noirish caper novel was a departure for him, largely inspired by friend and author Michael Bishop.

“I was in the mood to do a crime novel,” Di Filippo says. “My agent found a great [publisher], and they’ve commissioned a sequel. I actually think it’s an improvement on the first book.” Paul-Di-Filippo.com, –Robert Isenberg

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PULSE • Scene in PVD

On March 28, we toasted our 2018’s Leading Ladies at the RISD Museum. The event, co-sponsored by the PVD Lady Project, saw more than 100 inspiring women from all over Rhode Island come together for an evening of great music by Miss Wensday, food from Catering Gourmet, and wine from Gooseneck Vineyards. Photography by Brandon Harmon

Miss Wensday

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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S Photography by Cate Brown

IZE

DOESN’T MATTER

The state’s newest tourism campaign finds success by going big on small

By Tony Pacitti

W

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

Production on the campaign videos began last summer and is still ongoing. So far 14 videos have been released. Each follows an identical formula: open on a tight shot of a particular attraction, fast zoom out to an aerial shot, the slogan “Fun-Sized” appears, and a six-note jingle plays. The activities cover all seasons and interests, like bird watching on Block Island, bouldering in Lincoln Woods, the music and art scenes in Providence, surfing in Newport, tubing at Yawgoo Valley. “Everyone’s idea of fun is different,” says Salamano. “And there’s no other state so small that you can do so much in such a little amount of time.” The text treatment and the musical style of the jingle vary depending on what’s being promoted; think a dude ranch font and country western twang for horseback riding in Goddard Park, or heavy metal lettering and riffs for an iron pour at the Steel Yard.

“We obviously did a lot of prep work,” explains Salamano, who joined Commerce Corp several months after Cooler and Warmer. “Tourism is such an important part of this state.” According to Salamano, the state had 24 million visitors in 2016 and one out of every eight Rhode Islanders

Nail Communications worked with RI Commerce Corp, Westerly filmmakers Gnarly Bay, and Providence photographer Jesse Burke to create the state’s new tourism campaign

works in some field relating directly to the tourism industry. Wisecracks about Cooler and Warmer aside, the real stakes were maintaining Rhode Island’s visibility and appeal to those millions of potential 2018 visitors.

That meant thinking aggressively – and modernly – about how to approach this campaign and how people consume digital content. Research was done to determine the perfect seven-second run time for each of the videos, just long enough to tell a story without overstaying their welcome.

The campaign has targeted states across the Northeast, and cities like DC, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Raleigh, and Denver, with paid ads running on popular websites TripAdvisor, Yankee’s NewEngland.com, Lonely Planet, and

Photo courtesy of RI Commerce Corp.

hen the state’s new “Fun-Sized” tourism campaign debuted on social media, the comments could be interpreted as a whole lot of light bulbs going on over the collective heads of Rhode Islanders everywhere. The tagline seemed to have been there all along, hiding under our own noses.

“We have to be us,” says Lara Salamano, chief marketing officer at Rhode Island Commerce Corp. Working with award-winning Providence advertising agency Nail Communications – the firm who, among other things, famously split up candy duo Mike and Ike in a successful campaign in 2012 – and Gnarly Bay, a film and video production team out of Westerly, RI Commerce Corp managed to capture the spirit of the state’s appeal.

Of course Rhode Island is “Fun-Sized.”

Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?

The state’s small size has long been a source of tongue in cheek pride – think t-shirts that declare “Don’t Mess With Rhode Island Either,” with the shape of the state smack in the heart of a to-scale outline of Texas; or “Rhode Island: 3% Bigger at Low Tide.” Why not embrace that core quirk on a national level?

To be sure, the elephant in the room was 2016’s appropriately maligned “Cooler and Warmer” campaign. The backlash was swift and fierce, with outrage directed at the campaign’s cost, the inclusion of b-roll footage in a promotional video from Massachusetts and of a mysterious skateboarder in Iceland, and the fact that Milton Glaser – famous for the “I Love New York” logo – was tagged to create an off-tone slogan and logo instead of turning to the state’s homegrown crop of art and design talent.

Considering the anger over Cooler and Warmer, this campaign really needed to stick the landing. More than just “being us,” it had to bear the burden of expectations most state tourism campaigns don’t have to deal with.

Earlier this year, the first batch of the Fun-Sized videos made their appearances online. They lived up to their title – short, high energy, and clearly coming from a place of personal love for all things Rhody.

The best part? Not a single Nordic kickflip in sight.

Fodor’s among others. The total cost of the campaign has been $1,875,000, which includes $250,000 for the first 18 videos and media buys across web and TV, plus print ads shot by local photographer Jesse Burke through the end of June. When we spoke with Salamano, the campaign had already brought in $800,000 in hotel bookings (that was in late March after a string of successive weekly snow storms, so at least some folks had summer on the brain). Salamano was quick to point out that that’s just a portion of what they’ll spend when you take into account the money those visitors will drop on food and entertainment at local busniesses during their stay.

Another dozen ads are set to be filmed in the coming months. The team plans to shoot the state’s warmer months and, later in the year, some more season-specific attractions. There’s a lot to compete with in New England alone – Maine calls itself Vacationland, for crying out loud – but “Fun-Sized” seems to be telling the rest of the country what locals have known all along: it’s not about how big your state is, it’s what you do in it.

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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The historic Jewelry District is primed to be the city’s next “it” neighborhood • By Amanda M. Grosvenor •

P

rovidence has been eagerly watching the rapidly-developing Jewelry District for the last few years. But when the neighborhood received a gushing article in the New York Times last November, it confirmed what we’d all been thinking: something special is happening here. The feature, “Building a Buzzy Hive of Invention and Collaboration,” suggested that Providence was on its way to becoming the next “bustling hive of invention and collaboration, usually huddled around major research universities or tech companies, and often with dense infusions of retail, restaurants and housing,” and that the Jewelry District was going to be on the ground floor of that growth.

It's been a long, painstaking road to bring such a vision to life, but many public and private entities are determined to make Providence's very own innovation district a reality – and we are finally seeing some long-awaited, tangible results. More importantly, we’re seeing an important neighborhood that is coming into its own, with an influx of residents coming in to take advantage of the area’s growing potential. The Jewelry District has always had a name, but now it’s getting a new identity, one as unique as the West Side’s, College Hill’s, or Downcity’s.

Welcome to the new Jewelry District.

Photography by Small Frye Photography

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

early days of the highway relocation project at the start of the new millennium, Jewelry District business owners, residents, and city officials knew that the neighborhood was a diamond in the rough: 25 acres of soon-to-be cleared waterfront property, and the chance to build a physical bridge connecting the East Side to downtown Providence surrounded by beautiful public park area.

“We have always realized that we were a work-in-progress,” says Steele. “We have been given an amazing opportunity to literally create the neighborhood that we desire. And with that clearly comes great responsibility.”

One of the crown jewels of the neighborhood will be the long-anticipated pedestrian bridge, which is finally arching its way over the Providence River. After delays caused by a fierce battle with PawSox owners who

The long awaited Pedestrian Bridge, finally making its way across the river, is expected to be finished in the fall

sought the land for a new ballpark, the project is on track to be completed and usable this fall, with an opening ceremony slated for sometime in October. Steele says the JDA has been “shepherding [the bridge] since 2006” through its offspring organization, Building Bridges. The vision she describes is of a “green necklace” of park land around the river, “spaces where we want the public, citizens, and tourists to have easy access and heavy use of that area.”

It’s easy to picture that vision. On the South Water Street side of the bridge, regular outdoor events like the Providence Flea and 10,000 Suns – the sunflower-based art

Photography by Brandon Harmon

T

he Jewelry District takes its name from the neighborhood’s most famous industry, costume jewelry manufacturing, which earned Providence the distinction of being the jewelry capital of the world. But in the 1960s, the area became literally overshadowed by the former I-195 highway overpass, and although a few of the original mills continued manufacturing baubles and findings, most of the industry left the area as American manufacturing slowed down.

Sharon Steele has been involved with the Jewelry District Association since 1987 and is currently serving as the group’s interim president, so she is very familiar with its past.

Steele has also helped to actively usher in the exciting changes happening right now as the district seeks to reassert its legacy of leadership within a new era of technology. From the

Phoitogreaphy by Tony Pacitti

installation – have made the area a destination. On the Jewelry District side, you have the Dune Brothers’ seafood shack, which just reopened after an inaugural pop-up run late last fall. A gathering place for residents, workers, and visitors amid the new construction happening in the neighborhood, Dune Brothers offers a front row seat for all the exciting changes in the works.

Peter McNally, Executive Director for the 195 Redevelopment District Commission, agrees with Steele’s vision for the district: “We can't overstate how important [the pedestrian bridge and the park] are,” he says, pointing out that it's tough to attract developers and owners without them. “Those are things within our control, and they will be magnificent.” The public sector is working hard to create “that sense of place.”

The 195 Redevelopment District Commission has played a key role in shaping the new direction for the neighborhood. There had long been talks of developing an incubator for learning, development, and technological growth all in one place in Providence and with the availability of the 195 land, the Jewelry District was the perfect location, especially given its history as an Industrial era leader of innovation. South Street Landing is the poster child of the new Jewelry District. The $220 million project has converted the long-derelict South Street power station into the new consolidated home of all of Brown University’s administrative offices and the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center, a joint venture between the nursing programs at RIC and URI. The next two phases of the project include the adjacent, 250-bed River House Student Housing Project and a 744-space garage.

The Wexford Innovation Center, which broke ground last fall on two acres of 195 land, will be home to anchor tenants Cambridge Innovation Center – a firm that invests in and nurtures young tech entrepreneurs – and the Brown School of Professional Studies. All of this is on top of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, which has called the Jewelry District home since 2011. “[These companies] want to be right next to Brown Medical School,” McNally says. “Being in Mansfield, Massachusetts doesn't cut it.” Young professionals, in kind, view Providence as “a cool city. They want to be here.”

And both the commission and the JDA are eager to bring them here: “Delivering an environment where they can live, work, and play is a critical demand of the Millennials who will make up the lion's share of the workforce,” Steele says.

S

teele estimates that 200-225 residents currently live in the district based on rough condo counts for longstanding complexes like Imperial Place, but that’s already begun to change. The lack of residents and huge parcels of clear land have been a blessing for planning purposes, because unlike other more densely populated neighborhoods, like Olneyville, there are few communities to feel displaced by the coming changes.

Right now, the Jewelry District is as close as a centuries-old American city will likely ever come to having a “blank slate” – a historic gem ready to be polished and repurposed.

Several residential housing developers are getting in on the ground floor of the new district. The 95 Lofts, a six-story residential complex at 95 Chestnut Street owned by Waldorf Capitol Management Investors, was an early arrival to the party. They made the most of the 114-year-old former Irons & Russell pin and

charm manufacturing building's historic accents when designing the conversion, keeping its ornate birdcage elevator, wooden beams, maple floors, and exposed brick walls while making it completely green, even down to the air filter system. By fall 2017, all 59 units were rented out to a mix of Brown medical students, RISD and Johnson & Wales graduates, young professionals, and a few families. Many have already renewed their leases, according to property manager Kristen Viveiros of Acropolis Management Services, who feels that the neighborhood is already becoming much more resident-friendly.

“It's nice to see people walking around the streets, and it's definitely nice to see it growing,” says Viveiros. She cites South Street restaurant and bar The District as a popular go-to spot for After years of neglect, the South Street power station buzzes with new life as the heart of South Street Landing

residents. PPAC is right around the corner, universities are within walking distance, and amazing restaurants are nearby. “It's still up and coming in this area, and I think everyone's excited for that,” she adds.

Another residential projects in the pipeline is 44 Hospital Street, which will feature commercial use on the first floor and residences above. A parcel adjacent to 95 Chestnut Street hasn't broken ground yet, but is expected to have about 90 units. Overall, Steele estimates roughly 1,000 new units are in development between the Jewelry District and Downtown.

“When you just think about what we have smack in the middle of the district, we have all of the required elements,” Steele says, listing advanced education, developable parcels, and housing being constructed specifically for it. “We are literally creating this neighborhood as we go along.”

Photos courtesy of Brown University

Of course the Jewelry District is not actually a blank slate. Restaurants like CAV and Olga's Cup & Saucer, watering holes like Art Bar and Nicka-Nees, and organizations like the Providence Animal Rescue League have been thriving there for years and form a constellation of welcoming neighborhood go-tos for newcomers as foundations are poured for new businesses.

Another mainstay is the Providence Children's Museum (PCM), which relocated to South Street from its original Pawtucket location more than two decades ago thanks to the affordability and space offerings of the 17,645 square-foot, 100-plus-year-old former jewelry factory. For nearly 40 years, PCM maintained a strict “no digital technology” policy for its little patrons, instead using colorful displays involving water, simple physics, history, art, nature, and more.

This stance evolved under the leadership of Caroline Payson, who joined as Executive Director two years ago.

After decades of feeling like “a lone outpost,”

Brown University administrative office and the collaboration between nursing schools at RIC and URI call the Jewelry District home at South Street Landing

the museum fully supports the innovation district concept and wants the community to remain cognizant of the fact that “technology is scaffolded up,” says Payson. “It starts with giving kids a hammer, or letting them cut out paper.” Certainly all of the Elon Musks and Larry Ellisons of the world started out as small children. In January, PCM will launch a three-year Creativity Takeover with constantly changing maker and design-oriented programming geared towards “engendering creative confidence in kids.”

“We're a crucial part of the process,” Payson says. “We really embrace being in this kind of innovation technology corridor,” and that having programming focused on the cultivating the early roots of technological development “makes us an even better fit.” Payson is excited about the vision of families strolling

across a pedestrian bridge from downtown to visit the museum.

I

t’s all moving forward. Cranes are hard at work erecting scaffolding. New shoots of growth are sprouting up all over, and it's all coming together thanks to the many collaborations and partnerships forged between the private and public sectors, industry and academia, national and local businesses and governments, arts and technology, and employing the skills, creativity, and engagement of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Through this careful, deliberate approach, a literal and metaphorical bridge is being built not just to connect city districts, but to leadProvidence from its historic past into a leadership role in technologically-optimized design.

“It's been beautifully planned for years and years,” says Steele. “This is sort of the final leg of this extraordinary reawakening of this beautiful, central part of Providence.”

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

31

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Saturdays in Lippitt Park, May 5 to Oct 27, 10am-2pm

Handmade local art and fine crafts, featuring paintings, jewelry, glass, accessories, mixed media and more! Also experience the Hope Street Farmers Market, offering prepared foods and food trucks along with fresh fruits and veggies by local farmers!

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

CITY STYLE At Home • The Look • Shop Talk • Whole Body • Get Fit

Sunny Vibes A local artist’s home reflects her love of color and smiles Atabey Sánchez-Haiman is a former scientist and zookeeper turned pop artist and owner of Giraffes and Robots Studio in Hope Artiste Village. She is also the creative mind behind this beautiful, sunny home. The space is decorated with cool and quirky toys and accessories, handed-down pieces, Providence Flea finds, and pretty much anything that comes in shades of yellow, orange, or red – or, as Sánchez-Haiman calls them, “colors that make you

smile.” She takes the same approach to her art as she does to her home, focusing on items that make people happy.

One of her favorite pieces in this space is the giant bunny lamp “Miffy,” created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna – a Christmas gift from her brother and sister-in-law. There’s also a bevy of creatures to keep Miffy company, like the “Remoteasaurus” from a fellow Flea dealer, a runaway squirrel on the wall made by a fellow

Brown grad, and a selection of stuffed Dino heads by the company Zooguu. Also on display throughout her home and studio space is Sánchez-Haiman’s globe collection. She likes seeing how the world has changed over time.

There’s also the rug made of Astroturf – fun and functional.

Sánchez-Haiman likens her style to Marmite.

“You either love it or you hate it,” she says. “But I decided to own it. I like what I like.”

Words and Photography by Meghan Follet ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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CITY STYLE • The Look

by Jackie Ignall

Classy Street Style

Photography by Stacey Doyle

Drew Schoettler on neutrals and the one item you will never find him wearing in the summertime

I definitely lean towards LA street style, with lots of basic layers, bombers, long cardigans, distressed bottoms, and joggers. I tend to stay away from heavy graphic pieces and stick to neutral colors. I feel most comfortable wearing all black and add pops of color in either accessories or shoes.

I look for pieces I can wear with more than one outfit and in multiple seasons.

Since I prefer neutrals, my color schemes are usually all the same – brown, tan, white, black, darker green, and navy. I do not like to stand out with color, but for someone to look at my outfit and comment based on my choice of threads.

The comments I receive can be comical at times – things like, “You have enough zippers?” or “Aren’t you hot? You’re wearing, like, five layers.”

For work, I stick with trendy pieces or take a traditional shirt-and-tie outfit and add something a little more interesting.

Sometimes I wear a monkey suit if need be, but luckily in advertising most clients understand how uncomfortable those get with us creative types.

I like to shop at stores such as H&M, Zara, and Forever 21 (yes, men’s Forever 21 has some gems here and there), but I do lots of online shopping from retailers outside of the state, [including] shops in Portland and Los Angeles, and a few European ones. New England weather has drastically changed my style since I lived in Los Angeles for four years. I do enjoy the cold, though, because I can put together interesting outfits, combining street style with touches of class. I keep everything in layers – nothing too big and bulky. When the weather warms up, you will never see me wearing shorts.

Short sleeves? Sure. Fewer layers? Sure.

Drew Schoettler is an advertising executive at DDL Advertising in Cranston

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

35

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

Providence Fit Body Boot Camp works you hard and fast at their 30-minute sessions

Regular readers of this column know that I love a workout that gets a lot done in a little time. That’s exactly what Matt Espeut and his team offers at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp. Their 30-minute sessions give you a full-body workout – including warm up and cool down – in less time than it takes to listen to Motley Crue’s Theatre of Pain. (It’s their shortest album, and that comparison will make sense in a few paragraphs.)

Fit Body Boot Camp uses high intensity interval training (HIIT), which jacks up the heart rate with short bursts of intense activity and brief rests in between. HIIT has a number of benefits, one of which is that it boosts metabolism and maintains it for up to 30 hours – burning calories both during and after the workout.

Though the specifics of each session vary, they all incorporate cardio, strength,

and resistance to build overall health and fitness, rather than focusing on activity-specific gains (like running faster or lifting more weight).

“I don’t train you to be good inside the gym, I train you to be good when you leave the gym,” Espeut explains. “We focus on functional movements so you don’t get hurt at home when you’re just carrying groceries.”

That means a lot of rotational movements that are common in sports training precisely because they help prevent injury.

This is important to Espeut’s practice because he also trains the Shea High School football team, and his goal is to keep everyone in shape and on the field. “Our workouts are high intensity, not high risk,” he maintains.

The session I attended was structured into two “conveyors” with five stations

Photography by Ian Travis Barnard

BO

each. The class was divided into two groups; we began at one station and cycled through them in quick session, barely stopping to recover in between.

The stations were simple and straightforward: heavy ropes, dumbbells, medicine balls, TRX suspension straps, and a plain old wall.

Before we started, Espeut asked us if we had a music preference. “Put on the hair metal mix,” one of his regulars quickly responded. Thus, with Motley Crue and their spectacularly coiffed ilk blasting on the stereo, we were off and running. The first conveyor started with two-armed rope slams, followed by sumo dumbbell squats, alternating medicine ball shot puts (basically slamming the ball into the wall as hard as you can), TRX shoulder presses and wall sits, to which we added medicine balls for extra resistance. There were no reps to count or specific milestones to achieve – the point is to keep moving and exert maximum effort at every station.

With hearts pumping and sweat pouring, we completed the first conveyor – but that’s only half the battle. After a brief rest, the second conveyor took us through the same set of stations, but with different activities, all intended to activate the entire body rather than isolating one specific muscle group. It’s not an easy half-hour, but it’s not supposed to be. The intent is to make it the most challenging and rewarding part of your day.

After a brief cool-down (and a transition to a more mellow playlist), we adjourned and Espeut encouraged us, “You worked hard. Now you can go home and eat guilt free.”

Not a bad reward for less than a Motley Crue album’s worth of effort.

Providence Fit Body Boot Camp 1284 North Main Street 453-3200, FitBodyBootcamp.com

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Natural spa services at Evolve Apothecary promote beauty from within

In the year and a half since it’s been open, Evolve Apothecary’s approach to skin care has been distinctive. For starters, the boutique on Hope Street stocks only as-chemical-free-as-possible body, face, and home products, and it’s the only independent store in Providence dedicated to that kind of mindful self-care. They also offer classes and educational events about removing chemicals from your life. But what got my attention was their spa, which recently expanded and now offers more natural face and body treatments – so, of course, I had to try them.

First up: myofascial release, an alternative to massage that achieves similar results in a different way. Instead of working muscles like a massage does, myofascial release works the body’s connective tissues, which need longer periods of lighter pressure to relax. Before we started, Jenny, the masseuse, and I discussed my sore spots: neck, back, and wrists from typing all day. I lay down on the massage table, and she started to push lightly on the persistent knots I can never seem to get rid of. After an hour, I felt looser and lighter – not the kind of jiggly, dizzied-by-relaxation you feel from a really good massage, but comfortable in a lasting way.

After, in a totally calm state of mind, I went across the hall to the facial room, where Gina was waiting to give me a Pure Results Facial.

The spa recently brought in Naturopathica products, which are as clean and natural as possible while still delivering powerful results.

I’ll admit: I was skeptical, because “natural” and “results” don’t usually exist together when it comes to skin care, but I’m working to be more and more chemical free as I get older, so I was hopeful, too. The facial started with a dose of relaxing aromatherapy, Sweet

Lupine Makeup Remover, and Aloe Cleansing Gel, which restores the skin’s pH level and preps it for further skin care. Next, Gina applied a Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel, which removes dead skin cells, and brightens and evens skin tone. (Even though the idea of something fizzling away the grime in my pores is a little upsetting, I recently got on the enzyme peel train, and my skin has never looked better.) Then, an Aloe Replenishing Gel Mask to boost hydration, a facial massage using Sea Fennel Massage Wax to increase blood flow to the skin and promote healing, and a White Tea Antioxidant Mask.

When I looked in the mirror afterwards, I was pleasantly surprised: my skin had gotten a huge boost, but with super gentle, natural products. I noticed a difference afterwards, and so did other people. It’s a change I can definitely get behind.

Evolve Apothecary and Spa 769 Hope Street 383-3089 EvolveApothecary.com

Illustration by Lia Marcoux

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Lane’s on Broad offers pieces you won’t want to miss A former project manager with a love for thrifting, Julie Lefebvre finally caved to her passion for fashion in December 2016 when she opened Lane’s on Broad.

A cozy little fashion boutique in Pawtuxet Village named after Lefebvre’s daughter Delaney, the store is tucked into a small but cute space that Lefebvre just couldn’t resist and offers both new and “pre-loved” clothing and accessories. Lefebvre carries a wide range of sizes from XS to 3X, as well as locally made goods and gifts. She packs a surprising amount of goods into

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GET OUT Calendar • On Stage • Art • Music

May 18: Witness a live iron pour at the Steel Yard as part of RIPR's 20th anniversarry celebration

Pour One Out For RIPR May 18 and 19: Rhode Island Public Radio has been the voice of independent journalism on the FM dial for two decades, and to celebrate they’re throwing a two-day anniversary bash. Some of the city’s most exciting artists are joining with musical performances from Neutral Nation and Rose Weaver, and glass-blowing

demonstrations from Gather Glass. The Steel Yard hosts on May 18 with a special iron pour, and on May 19 acclaimed storyteller Len Cabral will host an evening of spoken word, dancing, and more at the WaterFire Arts Center.

RIPRSoundVision.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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GET OUT • Calender

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May 1-27: Trinity Rep performs Ragtime, the Tony-winning musical story of American life at the turn of the 20th century. Washington Street, TrinityRep.com

2

May 1-27: The Gamm’s last production in Pawtucket before they move to Warwick, As You Like It, is Shakespeare’s beloved comedic tale of love and mistaken identity.

Pawtucket, GammTheatre.org

3

May 3: Fleetmac Wood turns Fete Music Hall into a 1970s dance party, with remixes of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic album at Rumours Rave, on world tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rumours’ release. Dike Street, FeteMusic.com

4

May 4: At Live Bait, an evening of live storytelling at AS220, you can either put your name in a fishbowl and

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hope for six minutes on stage to share your story, or just enjoy other people telling theirs. Empire Street, AS220.org

5

May 5: Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style at Big Night Out - Kentucky Derby, a fundraising gala for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State with live music from Brass Attack. West Exchange Street, BBBSOS.org

6

May 10: Brian Regan, who has been called “the funniest stand-up alive”

by Vanity Fair, brings the funny to PPAC for one night of stand-up comedy. Weybosset Street, PPACRI.org

7

May 12: After ten years, Roz and the Rice Cakes are going out on a high note with their final show ever at the Columbus Theatre. See the trio one last time along with Last Good Tooth and FINE. Broadway, ColumbusTheatre.com

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May 17: Global Eats is a fundraiser celebration of Rhode Island’s international foods, with local chefs preparing recipes from the Dorcas Institute, which works to place immigrants in steady jobs in the restaurant industry. Dike Street, GlobalEats.org

9

May 25-28: It doesn’t get more all-American than a baseball game followed by fireworks on Memorial Day weekend. The PawSox play four games against Lehigh Valley, with the postgame festivities on Saturday night. Pawtucket, PawSox.com

10

May 26-28: The Gaspee Days Arts & Crafts Festival kicks off the annual Revolutionary War celebration, with arts vendors, food, kids’ fun and live music. Pawtuxet Village, Gaspee.com

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

43

GET OUT • Music

by Adam Hogue

Taking Control, One Track at a Time JeanLou’s debut album is a soulful search for answers

Two years ago, JeanLou emerged as an official musician.

With an ear for catchiness, R&B artist JeanLou was looking to channel life experiences into relatable pieces of music. With a philosophy grounded in keeping things close to the vest, JeanLou says, “You don’t tell everyone about the plans in your life.” With that mentality, JeanLou has worked to put himself on the local map. In that short time as an artist, JeanLou has gone on to open for Wyclef Jean at Fete, release a killer debut album, and work as an inhouse artist and part owner of Slick Mix Studio

CAN’T-MISS TRACKS “Baby Oh” Subtle beat and meditative lyrics drive this track from start to finish with mood swings building up and slowly deconstructing this questioning love song.

“Vengeance” The lead track from Since You’re Listening… sets the tone for the album with a reflection on love lost that floats over spacious beats and pulsing drums. A building hook and clever wordplay show JeanLou’s craft as a lyricist and vocalist.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

on Charles Street.

With sharp wit, JeanLou’s music and lyrics evoke deeply personal, vulnerable experiences that point not only to things falling apart, but a struggle to control them. On his debut album Since You’re Listening… – available on iTunes and Spotify – JeanLou makes the personal public through eclectic rhythms, moods, and styles that bend to the needs of the lyrics. Through songs such as “Baby Oh,” JeanLou uses movements to build on each other, weaving auto-tune-tinged hooks in and out of building and crescendoing moments of lyrical clarity.

“I want people to be aware of the vices that we use to get over things,” JeanLou says. The cathartic nature of Since You’re Listening… pushes into a space of a shared sense of control over what is ultimately out of control. With the flatline beep as a segway motif between tracks, JeanLou keeps pointing to the end of something under the most catchy circumstances. Dynamic songs such as “Seasonal Love” and “Distant Lover” drive with a smooth metaphor-rich poeticism about lost love on one hand with the more hip-hop influenced “smooth-talking playboy” track “Lost Souls” on the other, all tied together with JeanLou’s tireless search for what gets us “over it.”

JeanLou’s choice to fully pursue music comes

from a deep place of always being an artist. As one-third of the band WavyBunch and in-house artist at Slick Mix Studio, JeanLou keeps himself available as a songwriter and source of material for other artists while looking to be an artist on his own terms, fully in control of the art he makes. JeanLou puts it this way: “I don’t look for monetary success, [just] enough to get things done and enjoy life. The more money you have, the more you have to worry about.”

Over the next year, JeanLou is looking to release a trilogy of EP’s called Melodies and Remedies Volumes I, II, and III, each with a different emotive state and statement reflecting on the human condition. In addition to the trilogy, JeanLou is looking to release short films to accompany his music and perform select concerts around the US with the promise of a free Providence show this summer.

For JeanLou, the music he makes is his way of being in control of and defining who he is.

“There are a lot of things in this world that you share,” JeanLou says. “My music is my words, this is how I feel, this is what I think. This is my vulnerability.”

JeanLou Facebook: Jean Lou

Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly

In two short years, JeanLou has released a can’t-miss debut and opened for rap legend Wyclef Jean

GET OUT • On Stage

by Marrissa Ballard

Classic Tale, Modern Twist Shakespeare gets a smartphone for TRIST’s updated outdoor production of Hamlet

Upcoming Performances: Thursday through Sunday: 8pm, May 31–June 17

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

TRIST returns to Roger WIlliams National Memorial with an updated take on Hamlet

the piece with the viewers in mind, which often means making significant changes to the original text.

“I’m more concerned with the audience than with scholarship,” says Colonna. “I want to get that story told, and sometimes, you really have to work at that.”

To accomplish this, he focuses on clarity – making sure that the characters and words are understood. This can be especially challenging in the outdoor setting, where audiences are often far away from the action. To combat these issues, he comes up with innovative ideas like sourcing some actual Wittenberg University shirts to costume Hamlet, Horatio,

Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly

The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater (TRIST) has a history of delivering lively plays to audiences across the state. For the last seven seasons, they’ve found a home at Roger Williams National Memorial, where they offer free performances each summer, and this season they will play out one of Shakespeare’s classic tragedies, Hamlet, with a modern flair.

For Artistic Director Bob Colonna, the most important aspect of the performance is ensuring that the audience both understands and enjoys the story. “I’d like it if the audience is curious and having fun,” he says. “I want to keep it very much alive and moving.” From the outset, he plans

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Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern as students, making their characters more easily identifiable for the audience.

His vision is grounded in both his own opinions about Shakespeare’s work and lessons learned from past productions.

“We’ve learned a lot over the years, so now we do the shows in contemporary clothes and set them in a nice place in Providence,” he explains. “And I’ve discovered the ultimate Shakespeare prop – the cell phone.” For Colonna, using cell phones solves many Shakespearean problems and plot holes while also adding a bit of modern humor to the piece.

In Hamlet, audiences can look forward to watching Gertrude cross the stage with a phone in her hand, reading off Ophelia’s fate.

Many of Colonna’s changes have to do with Ophelia’s character, as he gives her more stage time and presence. “I’m thinking of the play as “Hamlet and Ophelia” because she is very central to his life and I think it costs him to be rotten to her,” he says. “Our company has gotten really strong, and we have a great Hamlet and a great Ophelia.”

Colonna is also very excited to welcome Michael Grando, an internationally known mime artist, who will pantomime Hamlet’s famous play-within-a-play. “I’ve seen his performances and he is absolutely brilliant,” Colonna says.

Overall, Colonna is excited – and a bit nervous – to bring such a big show to the outdoors. “It’s a very complicated story that requires a lot of work, but I want people to leave saying, ‘That play is good!’” he explains. “This is not a melancholy, brooding Hamlet – this is a feisty, out-of-control Hamlet.”

The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater Roger Williams National Memorial 282 North Main Street

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47

GET OUT • Art

by Amanda M. Grosvenor

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Willa Van Nostrand is Providence’s own Renaissance woman; when she’s not busy running her own successful artisan cocktail catering business, Little Bitte, she’s writing for publications like Edible Rhody, performing live as half of folk duo The Van Nostrand Sisters, or managing her own art gallery, World’s Fair, on Broadway. It’s an ambitious schedule, but for Van Nostrand, “It really comes down to living life as an art form.”

Her various artistic and entrepreneurial passions weave together in a way that appears seamless, and the gallery – which opened in May 2017 directly adjacent to the Columbus Theatre’s entrance and also serves as tasting room for catering clientele – is the physical embodiment of that creative fabric.

“There’s always been art in one hand and cocktails in the other,” says Van Nostrand, who studied theater, printmaking, drawing, and “all kinds of art forms” as an undergraduate at Sarah Lawrence College. “I find it to be a very helpful pairing, because they both just enhance each other so much.”

Van Nostrand is cultivating a taste revival in both senses of the word: the intangible trait of exquisite style, and the literal physical gustatory sense. Willa Van Nostrand is a tastemaker, eagerly “encouraging” the arts, good food, and good humor at every chance.

At the gallery’s bimonthly or quarterly openings, a glassmaker or ceramicist will produce drinking vessels – glass tumblers, or ceramic cups – which are then paired with a painter or printmaker’s works (and in a couple of cases, one artist has provided both).

Guests are invited to purchase the cup or glass and receive a complimentary Little Bitte cocktail to sip during the event before taking the vessel home at the end.

“I’ve found over the years that people are afraid to either touch or buy glassware because it’s too precious or beautiful, and I want to encourage them to incorporate beautiful vessels into their everyday lives,” Van Nostrand explains.

So far, all artists have been primarily young women “in an early part of their career or

branching into mid-career,” but that’s not a deliberate choice nor an exclusive standard, she emphasizes; rather, “It was who I thought and who I know need a lot of support in terms of showcasing work.” Artists also must be willing to work around installation challenges resulting from the gallery’s hollow cinder block walls, and artwork must be affordable to World’s Fair regulars.

Artists exhibited thus far have shared “a vision of color palette and kind of the spirit of life, the joie de vivre,” Van Nostrand says.

Painter Alexa Guariglia’s vibrant “Birds of a Feather” show occupied the space through April 12; printmaker Lois Hareida and ceramicist Shea’la Finch are exhibited starting April 19; and Joan Wyand’s solo show will open on June 14 with slipcast ceramic sculpture and mugs.

World’s Fair Gallery is open “by appointment or by chance” and is available for private

Photography by Brandon Harmon

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party rentals, workshops, collaborations, pop-ups, and more. Before it found a permanent physical home, World’s Fair was a “roving curation project” that Van Nostrand brought to venues like Pawtucket’s Machines with Magnets, launching their gallery and helping build out their bar program for several years before pursuing Little Bitte full time.

The name World’s Fair connotes “everything good and beautiful and of quality,” she says.

For Van Nostrand, the name “encapsulated the fact that art can be anything:” food, drink, painting, color... “Fill in the blank.”

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FEAST In the Kitchen • On the Menu • Review • In the Drink • Dining Guide

Reel in a Cold One Narragansett’s Fresh Catch arrives just in time for prime seafood season On each can of Narrangansett Beer, there is a familiar, iconic image: the porter shows a tall-ship weathering the sea. “It’s About Time” features downtown’s Shepherd’s clock. Now there’s Fresh Catch, a pint of blonde ale decked out with a lively red lobster. Described as a tribute to New England mariners.

‘Gansett’s latest creation is dry-hopped with citra and has a grapefruit finish, making it the perfect complement for whitefish and (you guessed it)

lobster. The new brew is here for the long-run, and you can “catch” one of its pint-sized cans in pubs and distributors across the state. If you’re feeling peckish after a hard day at sea, the company also offers beer-based recipes on its website, including a Fresh Catch-battered Fish & Chips. Winslow Homer would be proud. NarragansettBeer.com –Robert Isenberg

Photo courtesy of Fresh Catch ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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FEAST • Review

by Stephanie Obodda

Wine and Dine

Prosciutto Wrapped Cod

Because I write restaurant reviews, friends often ask for recommendations, especially on Providence’s celebrated Atwells Avenue. When new restaurants open on Federal Hill’s main drag, I consider it my duty to try them. Such was the case when Smithfield’s Tavolo opened a second location in Providence.

Wine features heavily in the decor of Tavolo’s brown-and-mustard interior, and it’s clear that the owners want diners to know the restaurant’s priorities: Tavolo not only has a good number of bottles, but also a long by-the-glass list. Their secret weapon is Coravin, a system that taps into a bottle of wine without popping the cork, keeping the wine fresh for longer.

Tavolo’s sommelier regularly features a few bottles, including best value and special occasion selections.

Our waiter, Victor, was a highlight of our experience. He was friendly, attentive, and conversant about the menu. We chose the

featured “sleeper pick,” Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre, a full-bodied red with blackberry notes from Veneto, Italy. If I hadn’t been drawn to this particular bottle, I would have explored the list with a three-sample flight.

Every meal at Tavolo starts with a few slices of the house bread – an old-school fluffy loaf – with a signature mix of spicy oil and parmesan for dipping.

We had enjoyed the Grilled Tuscan Provolone Sausage at the Smithfield location.

Here, the sausage was just as enjoyable.

It’s also a relatively healthy starter, since it’s accompanied by sautéed broccoli rabe.

The Tavolo Meatballs were two large globes of meat served over creamy polenta. Lacking an Italian upbringing, I’ve never had the credentials to judge a meatball, but I found these specimens delicate and well seasoned.

I was drawn to the Pan Seared Salmon, although it certainly wasn’t classic Italian fare, with its black bean edamame salad,

whipped avocado, and charred poblano butter. This entree was fine but outshined by the more traditional dishes: my husband’s Braised Pulled Beef Shank grew on us with every bite. It was served over a generous portion of fresh gnocchi, with asparagus tips, mushrooms, and the hearty flavor of truffle butter. We remembered a favorite side from our last visit and ordered the Porcini Stuffed Purses & Truffle Butter.

The loosely formed pasta shapes were fun to eat, and the creamy sauce was suitably acidic. We agreed that the purses were even better on second taste.

At Tavolo, the house-made desserts are a must. On a previous visit, we shared the decadent Dessert Sampler, showcasing miniature versions of the restaurant’s most popular desserts. This time we each ordered full-sized versions of our favorite

CUISINE: Italian PRICES: Appetizers: $10–$18; Entrées: $16–$33 Roasted Beet Salad

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

Desserts: $7–$24 ATMOSPHERE: Casual Elegance

Photography by Stacy Doyle

Tavolo brings its wine-focused approach to Federal Hill

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samples. I recommend the S’Mores Chocolate Brownie, topped with house-made marshmallows and a scoop of decadent graham cracker ice cream. Whichever dessert you choose, I’m sure you’ll be able to find a wine to pair with it.

Tavolo 289 Atwells Avenue • 274-6000 TavoloWineBar.com

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

53

FEAST • On The Menu

by Robert Isenberg

Polynesian Perfection The poké bowl is a pretty simple dish: just add rice, raw fish, and some coastal greens. But once you see the Pokéworks menu, you’ll be astonished at how much you can customize it: there’s tuna and salmon, sriracha and wasabi, edamame and seaweed, and you can order a bowl or roll it into a wrap. The local Pokéworks opened on Thayer Street in February, the first brick-and-mortar restaurant in the state to specialize in the fish-infused bowls, and lunchtime lines already run out the door.

The name may sound funny, but poké bowls are a staple of Hawaiian cuisine and have triggered a typhoon of popularity. Pokéworks franchises are everywhere, from San Francisco to Harvard Square – astonishing for a company that was founded in 2015.

Hawaiian culture is less recognizable on the East Coast, but Thayer Street is the perfect place for Pokéworks to lay anchor, with its blocks and blocks of multi-ethnic restaurants.

The restaurant is bright and fastpaced, and if guests can’t find a stool, the poké bowl is extremely portable.

Fresh fish is never cheap, but the regular bowls and wraps don’t cost much more than, say, a Chipotle burrito. The only real challenge for customers is figuring out what they want.

“It’s really invigorating,” says owner Jason Sugarman. “We have a breadth of options to pick from. You can taste something totally different each time.”

The mix of seafood and global greens can also be quite nutritious, depending on what you order. The seaweed wrap, for instance, provides 15 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement, while the ahi tuna packs more than half of your vitamin A. Plus there’s a rainbow of spice options, catering to every level of tolerance.

“My favorite is the Thai chili peppers,” adds Sugarman. “It punches you right in the face.” Thayer Street, Pokeworks. com/Rhode-Island

Photography by Robert Isenberg

Pokéworks introduces Hawaiian cuisine to Thayer Street

In mid-March, the announcement hit Providence like a lightning bolt: Benjamin Sukle, owner of the upscale restaurant Birch, was a finalist for a James Beard Award. On May 7, the James Beard Foundation will reveal, at its annual awards gala in Chicago, whether Sukle takes the prize for Best Chef Northeast.

How big is this? Well, if you’re in the food industry, the James Beard Awards are the highest honor you can receive. The regional chef awards are a major accomplishment: the “Northeast” includes all of New England and upstate New York. By rare coincidence, Sukle is up against four Boston-based chefs.

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

A Johnson & Wales alum, Sukle has made a national splash with Birch, which he runs with his wife, Heidi, and garnered a lot of acclaim, including a “People’s Best New Chef” award from Food & Wine magazine. But winning in this category would be a tremendous honor.

The only Rhode Islanders to ever to win a Beard Award were Johanne Killeen and George Germon, owners of Al Forno; back in 1993, the couple came home with the same Best Chef award. Germon recently passed away, but Killeen was again a semifinalist this year, along with Champe Speidel of Persimmon. Washington Street, BirchRestaurant.com

Photo Ccourtesy of Jesse Burke

BIRCH’S BENJAMIN SUKLE NAMED JAMES BEARD FINALIST

FEAST • In The Kitchen

by Chuck Staton

Duh, It’s a Food Truck Full of Desserts The pastry chef behind Sarcastic Sweets talks community, mobility, and mixing classic pastries with adult beverages Nina Reed relocated to Providence from Alaska to attend Johnson & Wales University. From there, she guest-starred on the Food Network’s Sweet Genius before starting her own pastry truck, Sarcastic Sweets. The truck features an extensive pastry menu with over 40 different types of cupcakes and specializes in desserts infused with wine, beer, and cocktails.

But before you get to the sweets, she’d like to be up-front about her personality.

Nina Reed serves desserts and snarky remarks from her pastry shop on wheels

What made you decide to start a dessert truck instead of a traditional bakery?

I had a small online presence because of the Sweet Genius Food Network show I was on. I received some online orders, pick-ups, deliveries, as well as catering. I felt it was better to build a presence in the community by being mobile and readily accessible.

would be for the colleges. Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Brown University, and University of Rhode Island are all great schools and they have supported my business. The students are very polite and friendly.

lot of new things in Rhode Island, one of which would be Del’s Lemonade. So we feature a lemonade cupcake with fresh lemon rinds. It’s extremely popular. We garnish it with a pretzel stick. We also have a clam cake cupcake, for those who like a slightly different savory item.

What does the Sarcastic Sweets dessert truck have to offer?

The dessert truck offers on-the-menu or made-to-order cupcake flavors, as well as various cookies and brownies. We also feature cake pop bites, specialty lemonade, hot drinks, and trifle mason jars. Our most popular items are our cocktail cupcakes. We can turn any cocktail into a cupcake.

What would you recommend for new customers to try first?

If you’re an adult, I would recommend you try the margarita cupcake – any flavor of margarita would be great. That’s my favorite; I’m a little biased. But our most popular item (that isn’t a cupcake) would be the Oreo Madness Brownie. I try to rotate my menu every week, and I can’t seem to take that one off the menu.

Having a dessert truck must make it easy to hit it off with people.

I absolutely feel like having a truck helps me connect better with people. When I’m on the truck personally, the customer gets to ask the pastry chef directly any question they want.

It also gives me an opportunity to express to people that we do parties, catering, wedding cakes; it expands our business. We’re more

Do you have a favorite event that you’ve catered?

I would have to say my favorite events to cater

Has being in Rhode Island influenced the business?

Since moving here from Alaska I have tried a

S ARCASTIC SWEETS

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

SarcasticSweet.com

Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly

I love the name Sarcastic Sweets. Where did it come from?

I really wanted the name of my business to reflect the person behind the product. So when you come up to my truck, or come into my shop... you know, don’t take it personal, but everything is sarcastic and everything is sweet.

One of my closest friends said that the customers “need to know who they’re dealing with, so you should let them know that you’re real sarcastic. [Service] might come with a little quip at the end.” So he came up with Sarcastic Sweets.

FEAST • In The Drink

by Robert Isenberg

Blake's Tavern, Where Everyone Feels At Home!

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Downtown in a Glass At Rogue Island, it took a village to create the Downcity The Downcity is sweet and spicy, tangy and tough, and as complex as its namesake. The versatile blood orange has been particularly popular in recent years, getting pulped into everything from margaritas to sours, and it blends smoothly with two New England liquors. All the Rogue Island cocktails are worth a taste, but

Photography by Robert Isenberg

THE DOWNCITY * 1 1/2 oz. Sons of Liberty Bourbon Whiskey * 1/4 oz. simple syrup * 4 drops Bittermens Boston Bittahs * 1 1/2 blood oranges Muddle blood orange wedges. Mix whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters in shaker. Rim with vanilla, cayenne pepper, and sugar.

the Downcity is one you can easily make at home, putting that dusty jar of cayenne pepper to good use.

There was no single genius behind the Downcity, but rather the entire Rogue Island bar staff: Jacqui Macek, Kandace Richmond, McKenzie Buckley, and Amanda Leigh all contributed to its contents, with guidance from owners Bill Pietras and Ryan Bessette. They workshopped the drink together, refining its precise recipe. This communal approach is in keeping with Rogue Island’s farm-to-table mission, not to mention the cocktail’s name, which ensures that no one ever forgets where they enjoyed it.

Rogue Island 65 Weybosset Street • 831-3733 RogueIslandGroup.com

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Through May 27 Tickets start at $25 • (401) 351-4242 • TrinityRep.com 201 Washington St., Providence SUPPORTED by

SEASON SPONSORS

L TO R: RAchAEL wARREN, wiLkiE FERgUSON iii & chARLiE ThURSTON

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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SIGN UP FOR RED SHED BIKE CAMP

ROWING & SCULLING CLASSES

Located on the East Side of Providence

FREE HELMET AND LOCK PROVIDED FOR ALL CAMPERS Limited space. Reserve your spot now! For children ages 8-13.

OPEN TO YOUTH & ADULTS No rowing experience necessary Sign up for an introductory rowing lesson at 9:00, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:15am for these OPEN HOUSE DATES

JUNE 9 • JULY 21 • AUG 25

PRESENTED BY

SPONSORED BY

wrwc.org/gwybikecamp.php 401-484-7351 • redshed@wrwc.org

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ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

For more information, including class schedule and rates, call or visit our website

RowNBC.org / 401.272.1838

Margot Royer–Johnson Volleyball Camp 2018 July 10th — July 13th Providence College GIRLS AGES 12-18 REGISTER ONLINE NOW providencevolleyballcamp.com

CAMP

RAMSBOTTOM • • • •

June 25 – August 17 Convenient, safe, affordable Professional, caring staff 50+ years of creating lifelong memories!

TED NEWLY RENOVA !

POOL FOR 2018

SUMMER PROGRAM JUNE 18 – JULY 13, 8am-4pm

A bilingual day camp on the East Side of Providence for children ages 3-10 years old.

Call 401.722.8840 or visit bgcpawt.org to learn more!

Use code PM when registering and be entered to win one of five free sessions at Camp Ramsbottom (entry deadline 7/1/18).

75 John Street, Providence | 401.274.3325 | www.FASRI.org

SUMMER CAMPS & COURSES

2D, 3D, AND DIGITAL ART & DESIGN STEAM OFFERINGS, TOO! Full-day camps and half-day courses

Providene Monthly (Summer Camps Section) Size: 1/6 page 2.375”w x 4.75”h

KIDS & TEENS AGES 6 TO 17

ce.risd.edu RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN Division of Continuing Education

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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RESTAURANT GUIDE

VINE OF DREAMS BRACELET

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

Sterling silver & Murano glass

Limited Edition

Twice Told Tales

F E AT U R E D R E S TA U R A N T

IRON WORKS TAVERN

Uno de 50 • Trollbeads • Crabtree & Evelyn 2145 Broad Street, Cranston • 785-9599 • twicetoldtalesri.com

CAV LUNCH & DINNER DAILY BRUNCH SAT. & SUN.

Private Parties & Functions

MASTER ELECTRICIAN ns

ed & Ins ur

ed

Lic e

WITH 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Call Bill Hendrickson for Quality Service with Pride!

Step back in history while experiencing the best in American cuisine at the Iron Works Tavern. This restaurant is in a 19th century restored mill, but the unforgettable experience and the inventive food are thoroughly modern. Choose from appetizers like Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with bourbon maple butter over cornbread crumble, Crispy Brussels Sprouts with truffle oil and parmesan,

or grilled pizzas (which are available gluten free). The Macaroni and Cheese comes with guest choice of preparation: signature with garlic-toasted breadcrumbs; with chicken, bacon and chives; or with pulled short ribs. IWT burgers and sandwiches, including the signature Lobster Roll, and entrees like Bacon-Infused Meatloaf round out the enticing menu.

697 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick 739-5111, TheIronWorksTavern.com

401-769-7992 PROVIDENCE AREA

LICENSED & INSURED

New & Used Food Service Equipment EXHAUST HOOD DESIGNS & INSTALLATION

Custom S/S Fabrication NFPA & BOCA Member

WALK-IN INSTALLATIONS

221 Admiral Street, Providence • 421-7030 A1RestaurantSupply.com 60

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$ Blake’s Tavern Premier Irish pub with two event rooms in the heart of downtown Providence.

122 Washington St, Providence. 274-1230.

LD $$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting.

14 Imperial Pl, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$

Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Character’s Cafe & Theatre 82 Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee, and theaterinspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 4909475. BL $ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$

Photo by Tony Pacitti courtesy of Iron Works Tavern

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

Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi.com.

LD $-$$ Heng Authentic Thai street food served – including noodles and rotisserie chicken – in Providence’s College Hill neighborhood. 165 Angell St, Providence. LD $

It’s time to celebrate at

Iron Works Tavern A wide variety of signature American dishes in the historic Thomas Jefferson Hill Mill. 697 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111. LD $-$$$

We have all your needs covered for Mother’s Day, Graduations, First Communions etc…

Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years.

318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770.

BBrLD $$

1290 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence • 722-3222 PaulyPentasDeli.com • pp@paulypentasdeli.com

LaMei Hot Pot Authentic Chinese cuisine in a unique, casual setting. 256 Broadway, Providence, 831-7555. LD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 455-0045, LuigisGourmet.com. LD $$ Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steak Mixed grill selections and signature fish dishes sourced locally and seasonally. 11 Dorrance St, Providence, 351-4500. BLD $$-$$$ Meeting Street Cafe BYOB eatery with large menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner served all day. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-1066.

BLD $-$$

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Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331.

D $$$

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

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Nickle Creek VINEYARD N C

12 King Road Foster, RI 401•369•3694

Hours: Fri: 12-5pm Sat. & Sun: 11am-5pm

www.NickleCreekVineyard.com

D. SEPE

TREE SERVICE Providing the finest quality services in the industry!

Call for a free estimate

276-2828

• Emergency Tree Removal • Tree Removal • Tree Stump Removal • Trimming, Pruning & Tree Care • Lot & Land Clearing

AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY!

www.sepetree.com

Providence, RI • Attleboro, Mass.

Rhode Island’s Premiere Piano Care Specialists

We Do Tunings • Repairs • Restoration And Whole Lot More!

Visit us online for our full suite of services

419-6509

RESTAURANT GUIDE For full restaurant profiles, go to ProvidenceOnline.com

Ocean State Craft sandwiches Westminster St, BL $-$$

Sandwich and hearty Providence,

Company sides. 155 282-6772.

Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks and handcrafted cocktails. 1200 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 273-1444. LD $-$$$ Pizza J A fun, upbeat atmosphere with thincrust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options.

967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$ Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily specials. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro.

465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900.

BrLD $$

and late-night menus. 186 Fountain Street, Providence, 453-2337. LD $-$$ Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$ XO Cafe Acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine with a fantastic Sunday #PajamaBrunch.

125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090.

BrD $$

SOUTHERN RI Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$ Celestial Cafe Fresh, locally sourced ingredients from farms and fisheries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 567 South County Trail, Exeter, 295-5559. BLD $$

Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine.

Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$

Chair 5 Locally sourced and seasonally inspired menus with a main restaurant and rooftop lounge. 1208 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 363-9820.

BrLD $-$$$

Tavolo Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille Classic Italian cuisine with an extensive wine and beer list. 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 349-4979. LD $-$$

Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$

The Grange Vegetarian restaurant serving seasonal dishes with a juice bar, vegan bakery, and cocktail bar. 166 Broadway, Providence, 831-0600. BrLD $-$$

Coast Guard House A new American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine list, open seven days a week. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. BrLD $$$

The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$

Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Pizza Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $

Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$

Dante’s Kitchen American food with Southern flair. 315 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-7798. BL $-$$

OR

Book Online

PianoPracticeRI.com

BEAUTIFUL PRE-OWNED JEWELRY

1271 North Main Street, Providence • 437-8421 358 Broad Street, Providence • 273-7050 62

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

Trinity Brewhouse American pub fare and craft beer in a downtown setting, with lunch, dinner,

Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 8841149. LD $$$

Frankie’s Italian Bistro Fine dining with imported wines from around the world. 1051 Ten Rod Rd, North Kingstown, 295-2500. D $-$$$ Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 228-3901.

D $-$$ George’s of Galilee Fresh caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306.

LD $-$$ Jigger’s Diner Classic ‘50s diner serving breakfast all day. 145 Main St, East Greenwich, 884-6060. BL $-$$ Maharaja Indian Restaurant Indian cuisine and traditional curries in a warm setting. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 363-9988. LD $-$$ Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks, and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284-3282. LD $$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$ Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food with a great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield, 783-4073. BBrLD $

PIZZA’S ON THE LINE. 401 632 0555 FREE FAST EASY

Saturday, June 16 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Department of Public Works 700 Allens Ave., Providence

Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch.

Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, and Narragansett, TsRestaurantRI.com. BL $ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/

Make an appointment and drop off your household toxic chemicals, pesticides, sharps (medical needles) and leftover paints at an upcoming Eco-Depot event.

For a complete list of locations, dates and the types of waste Eco-Depot accepts, please visit EcoDepotRI.org or call 401.942.1430 x241.

ProvidenceOnline.com • May 2018

63

Always a FUN Place to Visit & Shop! ™ Unusual Gifts + Ecletic Fashions + Feel-Good Services

Singing Bowls

Tie Dyes & Batiks

Healing CBD Products

*

Dreadlocks Services

*

Healing Reiki

*

Energy Crystals

Eyebrow Threading

Henna Art & Parties

SPECTRUM-INDIA

*

Ganesh and More

*

Tarot Readings

*By Appointment @SpectrumIndia

252 Thayer Street • 401-421-1010

RESTAURANT GUIDE

American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 2945771. LD $$ The Cove A traditional bar and grill serving burgers, sandwiches, and classic New England seafood favorites. 3963 Old Post Rd, Charlestown, 364-9222. LD $$ Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere.

865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$ Tong-D Fine Thai cuisine in a casual setting. 156 County Rd, Barrington, 289-2998; 50 South County Common Way, South Kingstown, 7834445. LD $-$$

EAST BAY / NEWPORT Aviary Creative, locally sourced menu featuring

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rotating craft beers and from-scratch cocktails.

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

BrLD $$ Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$ Blount Market & Kitchen Traditional New England seafood summer favorites offered year-round for dine-in and takeout. 406 Water St, Warren, 245-1800. LD $$ Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$ Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring awardwinning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St, Warren, 289-2324. D $$

East Bay Oyster Bar Local seafood meets innovative preparation in a rustic setting.

308 County Rd, Barrington, 247-0303. LD $$ Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi, and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$ Redlefsen’s European-style dining with a waterfront view focusing on traditional German foods. 444 Thames St, Bristol, 2541188. LD $$ Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231. D $$ The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, 508-336-8460.

LD $-$$$

the perfect spot for MOTHER’S DAY, GRADUATION, WATERFIRE AND OUTSIDE DINING

PARKSIDE ROSTISSERIE AND BAR 76 South Main Street, Providence / (401)331-0003 www.ParksideProvidence.com

HIDDEN PVD

by Robert Isenberg

Wheel Life You know “Textured Gear,” if not by name than certainly by appearance.

The sculpture, residing along the Providence River, is the giant silver ring, standing upright on the pavement. One half is rough, like salmon skin, while the other half has jagged, industrial teeth. Pedestrians pass it every day; drivers glimpse it as they coast down South Water Street. It’s a familiar fixture, but who put it there?

“Textured Gear” is the creation of Rob Lorenson, an artist and educator based in Fall River, Massachusetts. His studio is housed in a massive warehouse, sharing space with Concentric Fabrications, a custom metal company that Lorenson co-owns. Since settling in Massachusetts in 1999, Lorenson has crafted hundreds of large, stainless steel sculptures, most of them incorporating circular shapes.

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“Metal itself is so durable and enduring,” says Lorenson. “And the circle is a special shape in nature – the sun, the moon, the center of a flower, the iris – so it seemed like a natural shape to utilize in a sculpture.”

Lorenson grew up in Chicago and speaks with an affable Midwestern accent, but he’s also eloquent about his work, having taught fine art at Bridgewater State University for nearly two decades. As for “Textured Gear,” Lorenson didn’t create the sculpture for any particular place, but Providence feels like the right spot.

“The piece was conceived before I had any idea where it was going,” he recalls. “But now it sort of reflects its original intent, with the industrial skyline behind it. It’s a little bit like the history of Providence.” RobLorensonSclulpture.com –Robert Isenberg

Photography by Tony Pacitti

Meet the artist behind South Water Street’s “Textured Gear”

173 175 Sessions Street East Side of Providence $549,000 401.274.6740

14 Imperial Place #302 Providence $345,000 401.274.6740

108 Williams Street East Side of Providence $899,000 401.274.6740

#1 in RI Homes Sold For Three Consecutive Years (PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS BOOK OF LISTS)

Barrington Cumberland East Greenwich Narragansett Providence Relocation

401.245.9600 401.333.9333 401.885.8400 401.783.2474 401.274.6740 800.886.1775

ResidentialProperties.com

24 Benefit Street East Side of Providence $649,000 401.274.6740

55 Windsor Road, Unit #3 Cranston $167,500 401.274.6740

9 Vaughan Street Providence $189,000 401.274.6740

3 Hidden Street East Side of Providence $615,000 401.274.6740