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East Side/Wayland. Perfect Wayland Square brick Townhouse offers hardwood floors on the 1st and 2nd, spacious and sunny living and dining area with floor to ceiling book cases. Large bedrooms and well appointed kitchen with good cupboard space. Garage parking! $325,000.
East Side/College Hill. Spectacular 2000sf penthouse in historic building. 3 beds & 3 full baths. Soaring ceilings, skylights, stained glass details. Gleaming hardwoods. Laundry in unit. Freshly painted. Exceptional space. Walk everywhere! $319,000.
Downcity/Jewelry District. Fantastic corner loft in the heart of the Jewelry/Knowledge District. 1800sf with large windows, custom Brazilian hardwoods, exposed brick walls, central air, private deck, 2 car parking. $315,000.
East Side/College Hill. Spacious, sunny condo in the heart of College Hill. High ceilings, hardwoods, Large, private deck, private laundry and storage. Walk to Brown, Thayer St and downtown. Top location. $259,000.
East Side/Fox Point. Two 3 bedroom units available. Each unit overlooks park and also features hardwood floors, laundry in unit, 2-car parking. Walk to India Point Park, Wickenden St., Wayland Square. $224,000$229,000.
Cranston/Edgewood. Rosedale Landing. Affordable luxury in waterfront setting! Painstakingly remodeled 1 bed, 1 bed + den and 3 bed Condos w/hardwoods, granite counters, high-end appliances, ample storage. Fitness center, dock & moorings available. From $199,000.
East Side/Wayland Sq. Two 1st floor, 1 bedroom/1 bath units available at The Adway. Features include spacious floor plans, living rooms with fireplaces, high ceilings, hardwood floors, Only steps to vibrant Wayland Square! $189,000-$199,000.
East Side. Sunny 2nd floor unit! Living room with pretty bay window, 10 foot ceilings, charming pine floors. 1 bed plus study/2nd bed with pocket doors. Updated kitchen & bath. Central air. Deeded parking. Walk to colleges, train station, downtown. $179,000.
East Side. Why rent when you can own this lovely condo? This 1 bedroom, 1 bath unit has been freshly painted with neutral colors. Walk to Wayland Square, Blackstone Blvd. and the river. $125,000.
140 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 401.274.6740 • ResidentialProperties.com Barrington • CumBerland • east greenwiCh • narragansett • ProvidenCe • reloCation
Contents
Photography: Dan Schwartz (left), Stacey Doyle (right)
june 2011
27
37
This Month 27 Summer On the Cheap Get the most out of the season – and your wallet
45 Feast A Providence classic returns 47 Behind the Bar 48 In the Drink 51 Review 52 On the Menu
Every Month 8 Editor’s Note 13 Feedback
17 Providence Pulse Providence Kickball is ten years young
53 In the Kitchen 54 Dining Guide
57 Get Out Show your pride 58 Calendar 61 Music 62 Movies 65 Art 66 Theatre
68 The Last Detail Don’t forget to feed the meter
19 City 22 Malcontent 24 Scene in PVD
37 City Style
On the Cover: Photography by Jonathan Beller.
Stylish accessories for your workspace
Shot at the outdoor patio of The Stable on Washington Street.
38 Beauty 40 The Look 41 Shop Talk
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
7
Editor’s Note
Providence MONTHLY
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre
Here Comes the Sun After a winter
that felt like we were living in the Arctic Circle, and a spring that felt just about like a normal winter, it’s finally, blissfully summer. These few short months are going to be over before you know it, so you’re going to want to make the most of them. But, of course, doing that every day is going to put a serious drain on your wallet. Those al fresco lunches, trips to the beach and waterfront cocktails don’t pay for themselves. You can only make as much of it as your budget allows – which is why, this year, our an-
Executive Editor Julie Tremaine Special Projects Manager John Taraborelli
nual summer guide focuses on Summer on the Cheap. It’s filled with suggestions for fun and free (or nearly free) ways to spend your time this season, from free outdoor concerts and museum admissions to deals at local restaurants. We’ve also got the scoop on the new food trucks offering up delicious (and inexpensive) cuisine. Read on – and enjoy the season.
Art Director Alli Coate Assistant Art Director Karli Hendrickson Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas Graphic Designer Meghan H. Follett, Lauren Kauffman Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher Nicole Greenspun Nellie Lima Dan Schwartz Sharon Sylvester Elizabeth Riel Jessica Webb Illustrators Karli Hendrickson Ashley MacLure Robyn Ng
Read us online
Full issues available on www.providenceonline.com
Find us on Facebook Reach out to us at ProvidenceMonthly
Contributor Molly Lederer Writer
Photographers Kate Kelley Amy Amernates Laurel Mulherin Jonathan Beller K Harber Photography Mike Braca Dan Schwartz Stacey Doyle Contributing Writers Andrea E. McHugh Linda Beaulieu Stephanie Obodda Emily Dietsch Cristy Raposo Scott Duhamel Jen Senecal Dawn Keable Alyssa Smith Molly Lederer Vikki Warner Michael Madden
Interns Ashley Graham Carlee Carbone Chelsea Sherman Erin DeVito Ana de la Guardia Alfaro Christopher Sionni
Members of:
Molly Lederer is a long-time favorite of ours here at Providence Monthly. She’s been writing our theater column for years now, and recently launched a similar performing arts column in our sister publication, So Rhode Island. This month, in addition to going behind the scenes of Arlene Violet’s new mob musical, The Family, she rounds up all the cheap arts and culture you need to keep you busy all summer. “I am so excited to experience more of the bustling arts scene,” Molly says. “I want to see, hear and experience it all!” With all that work profiling theater, dance and music throughout the state, it’s hard to believe this is her second job. When she’s not taking in shows, Molly is toiling at her illustrious career in the natural chewing gum industry.
8
Providence Monthly | June 2011
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PAPER CONTAINS 20-25% POST-CONSUMER CONTENT Providence Monthly, 1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 • Fax: 401-305-3392 www.providenceonline.com providencemonthly@providenceonline.com For advertising rates call: 401-305-3391 We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright ©2011 by Providence Monthly, All rights reserved. Printed by Gannett Offset. Distributed by Special Delivery.
10
Providence Monthly | June 2011
YOUR MOTHER CARRIED YOU INTO THIS WORLD. DON’T LET HER CARRY YOU OUT.
Mary Jean Erler lost her son Charles to a drunk driver on December 23, 2003.
Help Prevent Underage Drinking and Drunk Driving. Photography: Richard Kizirian Art Direction: Carolynn Bucki-Lowe
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
Feedback
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New Summer Items Arriving Daily! Setting the Record Straight I wanted to write and ask if you can make a correction to last month’s story in the Pulse section (“Moving Pictures,” May 2011). I noticed a very grave error about the film Leh Wi Tok. It calls the work of the “independent” radios we covered “pirate” radio, which to me implies that they are operating without government knowledge or illegally – that is not the case. The issue I have is that they are “independent” and they are licensed to operate but they operate in a very tumultuous environment where it is still very dangerous for journalists. They have a very strict sedition law and these radio journalists are faced with imprisonment and harassment on a daily basis and their signals are monitored by roving trucks. I understand that the likelihood of it
reaching Sierra Leone is slim, but I am very fond of the friends I’ve met in Sierra Leone and they doing some amazing work – literally putting their lives on line as independent voices, not pirate. John Lavall Director / Producer, Leh Wi Tok
Feeling Good About Yoga I love love love the article (PM Experiment, May 2011). Thank you so much. You really captured the essence of the studio, and if I were reading it (and wasn’t me) I would want to check it out! Hope you guys come back for more classes. Thanks again. Elyse Rotondo OM Kids Yoga Center
Blue Suede 91C Main Street Warren, RI • 401-337-5877 (American Tourister/Samsonite Building)
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We All Scream For… In what we swear was totally just a coincidence, Karen Krinsky, owner of the Like No Udder vegan soft serve ice cream truck (as featured on page 29), stopped by our office on Friday afternoon to let us sample her wares. Thanks for the Friday afternoon treat, Karen, and congratulations on being named one of PETA’s “Top 5 Vegan-Friendly Food Trucks in America.”
CASERTA PIZZERIA
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Take out 272-3618 or 621-3618 or 621-9190
City Gardens Flower Shop Distinctive Cut Flowers & Plants for all Occasions
We’re Celebrating our Silver Jubilee Year! Cheers!
Got Two Cents? Email providencemonthly@providenceonline.com or find us on Facebook.
25th year 1986-2011 284 Wickenden Street, Providence • 351-1775 June 2011 | Providence Monthly
13
TexT by john cameron miTchell music and lyrics by sTephen Trask
DirecteD by megan sanDberg-zakian | music DirecteD by DaviD tessier with the original perishable cast featuring alexanDer platt as heDwig
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Providence Pulse City / Malcontent / Scene in PVD
Photography: Eddie Ramirez
Kicking It Adults playing kickball. It’s not necessarily something you think of in terms of its longevity or sustainability. But then, here we are, just mere weeks into the tenth – count ‘em, tenth – season of the Providence Kickball League. What started out as sort of a lark – adults playing kickball – now damn near verges on tradition. Oh, it still hasn’t abandoned its spirit of being ramshackle, loosely organized and sort of a lark – the league’s Facebook page boasts, or rather, shrugs, “Kickball is sort of a sport. This is sort of a league. We have a few rules, sure, but let’s not get carried away” – but with nine seasons under its belt, 14 teams signed on for the tenth and its own Hall of Fame, including two retired teams, PKL is showing signs of – well, we wouldn’t go so far as to say growing up, but at least making plans to stick around for a while. So while kickball might still only be sort of a sport, this is no longer sort of a league: it’s a summer tradition we can’t imagine the city without. Season 10 kicked off May 21. Games are held every Saturday at Stan Lutchka Field at the Dexter Training Ground on Parade Street. See providencekickball.org for more info. –John Taraborelli June 2011 | Providence Monthly
17
Anthony Tomaselli Fine Art Painting
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
Pulse | City
Happy Father’s Day from the Staff at :
Kristen Minsky photographed at the Lippitt House Museum on Hope Street
Authentic Indian Cuisine Right on Federal Hill! Mon-Wed Open for Dinner 4:30pm Thurs-Sun 11:30am - 10:30pm Sat & Sun Lunch Buffet
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Bringing Sexy Way Back
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The age of foxy, buxom pin-up girls may be far over, but the glamorous culture of the ‘40s and ‘50s is reintroduced in the photography of Kryzstyna Caldarone. Vintage Girl Studios, a special service of Caldarone’s modern Providence studio Kryzstyna Harber Photography, presents an exhibition of vintageinspired portraits titled The Creative Sessions, on display at the coffee shop Plan Bean until June 18. Caldarone’s appreciation for vintage photography roused her to embark on
Vintage Girl Studios. “There is beauty in the sensitivity of the film process that is conveyed in older images,” she explains. The portrait photography features local and regional artists, musicians and cabaret performers, with whom Caldarone deeply enjoys collaborating. “My photographs are my vision of them in their world,” she says, “and hopefully reveal my deep respect that I hold for their work.” The photos to be showcased were taken in local historic locations, including the Lippitt House Museum
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For Parents
Father’s Day(s) Don’t think there are any groups in the area for new dads? Think again. Providence Dads, started by Jesse Kenner with the help of a couple of friends, is “a place and time for dads to hang out with their kids and other dads.” Kenner, father of 14-monthold Clara, recognized the need that many fathers undoubtedly have. “My wife is part of mother’s groups, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot out there for fathers to spend time together with their kids,” he notes. We don’t think mothers mind the time off, either. The group, who first met
in Providence, Hearth Side House in Lincoln, the Quonset Air Museum in North Kingstown and the Corinthian Hall in Boston. This will be the first time Caldarone has exhibited her own work since a show at Gallery Z in 2001. “This has been a great year for me in terms of reconnecting to my work as an artist,” she enthuses. Caldarone has also produced short movies of The Creative Sessions, available on vintagegirlstudios.com. Wayland Building, 128 North Main Street. -Erin DeVito
about three months ago, currently consists of between four to eight dads and their children, newborns to ages two or three. In the colder months, the group met at OM Kids Yoga Center in Pawtucket, which was kind enough to lend them the space. Now that the weather is nice, Providence Dads and their kids will meet at a local playground. All dads are welcome and encouraged to join the group, which meets on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. 644-4066, providencedads. com -Erin DeVito
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June 2011 | Providence Monthly
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
Taking a Hit The Providence Rugby Football Club toughens up an old rookie I can barely hear
Pearl Jam playing through the speakers over the chug-a-chugging of the MRI machine. The pretty MRI technician asks me how I mangled my knee, so I tell her about the tackle during rugby practice that got me here. She smiles at my gray hair, and then looks casually at the computer monitor displaying all my personal information, including my birthday. I admit to being 38 before she has time to do the math. I also mention that it’s my first season ever and that I’m still learning the game. Her single word follow-up question is one I’ve been hearing pretty frequently lately: “Why?” Before we were married, my wife, seeing my short road to mid-life crisis, had the presence of mind to put the preventative kibosh on the following activities: fight clubs, firearms and dating. The Providence Rugby Football Club is not on that list, so I exploited this loophole in an attempt to recapture my youth shortly after my 20th high school reunion this past winter. The best way to describe rugby is as a Bizarro World, counter-intuitive mashup of football and soccer. You can only pass the ball backwards or sideways; you have to call the referee “sir”; big men are lifted into the air by their smaller teammates; and, in a game of flying elbows,
knees and heads, no one wears a cup. This is a sport populated by hardened young veterans with names like Peanuts and Sloppy, but even as a rookie, easily a decade (or in some cases two) their senior, they gladly bring me in and train me for the game. I’m told early on that the club can teach me how to play rugby, but it can’t teach me to take a hit. Lucky for me, I’ve taken my share of hits over the years – which is good, because it lets me focus on learning rules and technique instead of bruises. In line with traditional rugby education, all games play an 80-minute A Side for experienced ruggers, followed by a shorter B Side for rookies and infrequent players. I am okay being a B Sider. In fact, I revel in it. However, after countless Advil, five weeks of practice, two actual games and one questionable broken rib scenario, my season ends early when I tear the little shock absorber that prevents the bones in my knee from grinding against each other. The orthopedist calls it a “bucket-handle tear of my meniscus,” but my younger teammates call it being “old and too dumb to quit,” which is why I’m eagerly awaiting a shot at the fall season. If you’re tough enough, check out both the men’s and women’s teams at providencerugby.com.–James Pierce
Illustration: Robyn Ng
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Pulse | The Malcontent
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331-4380 22 jrsfineart@aol.com Providence Monthly | June 2011
is more than three times our size, hovering around 615,000 compared to our 175,000. Are similarly sized cities like Worcester, Fall River and Hartford stacking their arts, culture and food up against Beantown’s? Most of them are actually looking to us as a model. Think of Providence in terms of other comparable (again, by population size) cities and see if there’s any reason to feel inferior. Tallahassee, Florida. Aurora, Illinois. Brownsville, Texas. Salt Lake City, Utah. Would any of these even rank as the coolest city in their own states? Even cities that dwarf Providence would be envious of what it has to offer. Would anyone in this town want to pack up and head for Jacksonville, Florida, Indianapolis, Indiana or Columbus, Ohio – all of which rank among the 20 largest in the country – because of their thriving cultural scenes? As we head into summer – the best time of year in the city – let’s be proud, even boastful, of Providence. We have even more reason than usual to be excited. As we celebrate our 375th anniversary – making our city 140 years older than the country it’s in – let’s keep some perspective on the current woes. We’re scrappy. We’re tough. We do a lot with a little. Our size means we’ll never have as much as Boston or New York – and we’ll probably never be the home of a professional sports team, a Michelin-starred restaurant or an event that draws the crowds of Mardi Gras or South By Southwest – but what we have is damn good. That’s why I propose we take a cue from URI’s savvy marketing campaign touting Rhode Island as a “small, beautiful place,” and adopt a new slogan for promoting our little city: “Providence – It’s not the size, it’s how you use it.” Put that on your license plate.
The grim
La La Love Your Hair
image of
Providence
S A L E
June 1-30
London’s Daily Telegraph, a newspaper of record, published an article declaring Providence “New England’s coolest city.” This follows on the heels of a GQ article several months back making the same claim. Providence also routinely ranks near the top of several categories in Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Favorite Cities” poll. By all national and international accounts, Providence is a cool, exciting city – so why don’t we have that same sense here? In my experiences both with this magazine and with Leadership Rhode Island, a nonprofit leadership development program, I have found that the grim image of Providence as a city that can’t live up to its state’s motto of “Hope” is largely the province of us natives – those who have settled here after living elsewhere are actually quite bullish on the city. What they can’t understand is why the locals are so damned pessimistic all the time, citing the city as its own worst enemy. To an extent, this is true. Sure, our economy is in shambles, with huge budget deficits and crippling pension burdens; the job market is shaky, at best; the housing market worse; the tax base barely exists; and corruption remains rampant – but what major city across the country isn’t dealing with most, if not all, of those same problems? However, many of them remain robust, thriving, exciting cities – and Providence does, too. Part of the problem is our innate inferiority complex. We’re small. We have limited resources. We live in the shadow of two much larger and better equipped metropolises. But the key is to recognize that we’re even in the enviable position of measuring our city against Boston and New York to begin with. In terms of population, Boston proper
is largely the province of us natives.
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Pulse | Scene in PVD Russell Morin Fine Catering celebrates a century of success this year. They welcomed hundreds of guests to their facility in Attleboro to mark the occasion with a grand 100th anniversary soiree; as always, the food was fantastic. Photography by Mike Braca.
Upscale Authentic Mexican Cuisine on Federal Hill Mon-Thurs
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Tuesday special: Manicure and Pedicure for $28! *Now Offering Shellac Manicure Pink & White • Acrylic Nails • Nail Overlay • Gel Nails Sculptured Nails • Manicure • Pedicure • Nail Art Air Brush Design • Waxing • Extra Massage Available Walk-Ins Welcome • Gift Certificates Available
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24
24 Hour Fitness Center 24 Hour Concierge 24 Hour Emergency Service Restaurant on site Tailor Shop on Site Salon on site
500 Angell Street, Providence • 751-7700 www.waylandmanor.com
Providence Monthly | June 2011
Corinne Britten, Stasia Anthony, Juliette Lamarre, Kristina Lamarre
Beth Watson, Francesca Campo
Pulse | Scene in PVD Providence Monthly launched the first Providence Cocktail Week in April with special drink menus and cocktail-themed events around the city. The week culminated on Saturday night with Chifferobe at Cuban Revolution, which included a costume contest inspired by the vintage cocktail menu. Photography by Mike Braca.
Julie Tremaine as the Hanky Panky, Lulu Locks as the Kir Royale, Kristin Brennan as the Bee’s Knees
Valeria Khislavsky, Jessica Robertson, Caroline Mailloux, Kaitlyn Frolich
James and Eileen Keck; Miss Wensday and the Cotillions
Rose Noir
Kristen Minsky
Chip Rascal and assistant
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
25
20 years of success doesn’t happen by accident Featuring: New Lunch and Dinner Menu’s Weekly Specials with Local Ingredients Small Plate Menu • Free Loyalty Rewards Program VIP Email Club • Outdoor Seating Private Rooms • Full Bar
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26
Providence Monthly | June 2011
We work to help you stay within your budget, not ours! Featured Rhode Island Caterer of TheKnot.com
Visit us at DecadentCateringRI.com
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Summer
on the
c| h e a p Our annual summer guide
Summer is here – but payday isn’t. We’ve got all the cheap arts and culture, food and fun that will fit your budget this season.
SUMMER ON THE CHEAP
Keep On Truckin’ Creative cuisine hits the road
For the past several years, food trucks have been the hot trend in dining. These aren’t the “roach coaches” of old, slinging burgers and egg salad sandwiches to construction workers on job sites – these are full-fledged culinary visions on wheels, serving up a staggering array of food
to flocks of happy customers who track down their favorite mobile eateries via Twitter and Facebook. And given the current vogue for them in cities across the country, they’re an inexpensive way to taste the wares of hot young chefs with gourmet aspirations.
Poco Loco Tacos The self-proclaimed “Best Damn Taco Truck in Town” carries on the legacy of serving late night tacos at West Side bars like E&O and Scurvy Dog that was started by the now-defunct Taqueria Pacifica. (They also pop up downtown during the day.) Their tacos, burritos and quesadillas have a decidedly Southwest/California flair – their bestseller, the PBJ, has pulled pork with a tangy, sweet BBQ sauce – and they embrace fun, creativity and bacon. Seriously, you can add bacon to anything on the menu for a mere 50 cents. twitter.com/pocolocotacos
Hewtin’s Dogs Mobile The food truck craze as we know it today really didn’t hit Providence until Matt and Kristin Gennuso, the husband and wife team behind Hope Street’s upscale Chez Pascal, launched Hewtin’s Dogs Mobile in 2009, on the heels of their Hewtin’s Dogs hot dog cart in Lippitt Park. The truck is a showcase for Chef Matt’s house made sausage and charcuterie, like his baconwrapped pork meatloaf, and a great opportunity to get a bit of the Chez Pascal experience at a fraction of the Chez Pascal price. It’s a frequent sight at farmer’s markets and downtown. twitter.com/chezpascal
Mama Kim’s Korean BBQ A mother and son team recently launched this operation on College Hill. From their very well appointed truck, they serve traditional Korean favorites like short rib, beef Bulgogi and kimchi, as well as more modern interpretations, like wraps and sliders filled with spicy pork or sesame chicken. The response has been immediate too, with huge crowds lining the sidewalks of Thayer at lunchtime. (They also do dinner and late night.) mamakims.us
Haven Brothers Of course, one could argue that food truck culture was born right here in Providence. Already known as the birthplace of the American diner, our fair city has enjoyed meals on wheels courtesy of Haven Brothers since 1888. Never mind that this truck has been in business since before the national food press started fawning over food trucks – they’ve been cooking up hot, greasy comfort food since before the national food press existed. Some local filmmakers are even working on a documentary, Haven Brothers: Legacy of the American Diner.
Over 20 Years Experience in Eyebrow Threading...
Providence Juice Company Providence Juice Company sells fresh juice and smoothies made with local produce. Founders Jay Nutini and Josie Morway debuted the truck last year at AS220’s Foo Fest, which proved to be an auspicious beginning: they were completely sold out by the end of the day. This is about as far as you can get from the old school, greasy-and-fried-everything model of food trucks, promoting healthy living and local agriculture. pvdjuiceco.com
4th Location NoW oPeN in Pawtucket 677 Central Ave.
We also do henna tattoos, facials, hair, waxing & other day spa services Sugarush Truck After restoring this 1950s International Harvester Metro Van, founders Kristin Amico and Erica Saladino brought gourmet cupcakes mobile, fusing two of the biggest trends in food over the past few years. Their signature salted caramel cupcakes were a big hit last summer, and they’re working on some new items, like cream puffs. They hit the road for the season at the RISD Alumni Sale on Benefit Street in April, and they’ve since been spotted outside Frog and Toad on Hope Street. sugarushtruck.com
In Pawtucket for more than 10 years Over 1,800 satisfied customers every week
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Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat: 9am-7pm, Fri: 9am-8pm, Sun:10am-5pm www.sukhysthreading.com 677 Central Ave. Pawtucket 401-726-5050 85 Power Rd. Pawtucket 401-728-6637 1800 Post Rd. Warwick 401-738-0150
Johnny’s Chimis No area of the city boasts a higher concentration of mobile eateries than the South Side. Among the 10-15 trucks that dot Broad Street at night, the most recognizable is Johnny’s Chimi Place, a big red trailer perched up on the sidewalk that almost always has a line of people waiting for its famous chimis (Dominican-style sandwiches) and fried yucca balls.
1200 Fall River Ave. Seekonk 508-336-6311
Like No Udder This is the world’s first all-vegan soft serve ice cream truck. Proprietor Karen Krinsky makes ice cream, shakes, floats, slushies, candy bars and, at special events, even hot dogs and sandwiches, using no animal products whatsoever. National acclaim came to Like No Udder in April, when it was named one of PETA’s “Top 5 Vegan-Friendly Food Trucks in America.” It frequently visits Grant’s Block downtown, as well as the Dexter Training Ground in the West Side’s Armory District. like-no-udder.com
vis-á-vis hair design There are a few others out on the road too – like the Julian’s Omnibus, a double-decker bus turned mobile restaurant, and RISD’s own Rosie’s food truck – and more on the way, including the LJ’s BBQ truck, a mobile operation from the Pawtucket-based restaurant. Here’s hoping there is a lot of mileage left in this trend. –John Taraborelli
377 Broadway Providence, RI 401.421.0123 visavishairdesign.com Appointments helpful but not always necessary
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
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SUMMER ON THE CHEAP
NO MONE Y ? NO PRO B L EM Arts and entertainment on the cheap
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Snuggle Under the Stars
The movie stars, that is. Take your favorite cheap date (no need to mention the cheap part) to the free Movies on the Block. At dusk every Thursday from June 2-September 29, you can cuddle up at Grant’s Block across from Tazza Caffe to watch cult classics and more. Corner of Westminster and Union Streets. indowncity.com/news
Get Juiced About Jazz Hands Deer Tick
Jam Out
Start your weekends off right with a warm breeze, a river view and free admission to the Friday Night Concert Series at Waterplace Park. New this year, the city joins forces with 95.5 WBRU to present rocking acts like The Wandas (June 17), Santa Mamba (June 24), Young the Giant (July 1) and Deer Tick (July 8). You can jingle all that glorious spare change in your pocket in time with the music. 7:30 pm, June 17–August 5. 1 Financial Way. cityof.providenceri. com/ArtCultureTourism
Fire It Up
Forget the grill, save your charcoal, and head downtown for WaterFire. There’s no cost to watch scores of beautiful bonfires light up the Providence and Woonasquatucket Rivers. It’s also a guaranteed way to impress out-of-town guests – without having to buy them dinner. Lightings begin around 8pm on select evenings, including June 3, July 2, 16 and 30, and August 13. Memorial Boulevard. waterfire.org
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
tell on you. June 19. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 785-3510, rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org
Picnic at the Park
Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, chowder and chips at Colt State Park on July 31. It’s part of the annual Governor’s Bay Day celebration, which includes free admittance to all state beaches – so you can make a day of it. 12–2 pm. Route 114, Bristol. riparks.com
$10
For more Thursday evening entertainment, pop by the Providence Public Library’s film series Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em – Offbeat, Contemporary Movie Musicals. At just $2 a ticket, you can judge for yourself the relative merits of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (June 2), The Big Gay Musical (June 9) and Road, Movie (June 16). Central Branch, 150 Empire Street. 455-8000, provlib.org
When humidity demands indoor activity, take the opportunity for an elegant (and air-conditioned) stroll through the RISD Museum of Art. Meander among the masterpieces and ogle exciting exhibits like Cocktail Culture: Ritual and Invention in American Fashion, 19201980 (through July 31). Admission is “pay-what-you-wish” on Sundays (10 am-1 pm) and free on the last Saturday of every month. 224 Benefit Street. 4546500, risdmuseum.org
Raise a Glass as Buses Pass
There’s a lot more than public transportation happening in Kennedy Plaza these days. Stop by the Bank of America City Center this June to be dazzled by a 14,000-square-foot art installation made entirely of painter’s tape, depicting Roger Williams’ historic arrival in the city. In July and August, stick around after work for Thursdays on the Plaza, featuring a beer garden, live bands and games. 4:30-7pm, Burnside Park. kennedyplaza.org
Lions and tigers and bears… and dads! Roger Williams Park Zoo offers free admission to all proud papas on Father’s Day, if accompanied by a kid. You can bond by discussing which relatives resemble other members of the animal kingdom. Only the parrots are liable to
of the month, listen to incredible storytelling at Live Bait: True Stories from Real People. Every Thursday and Saturday, laugh yourself silly at the comic antics of Improv Jones. Shows start at 10 pm. 95 Empire Street. 331-2695, perishable.org
Feast Your Eyes
On the third Thursday of the month, schedule time to explore the arts and, occasionally, the associated delights of cubed cheese. Gallery Night offers an opportunity to visit 22 local galleries by foot, bike or bus. Tightening your purse strings doesn’t mean you can’t indulge. Treat yourself to a peek at fine art, if not an actual purchase – and some more of that cheese. 490-2042, gallerynight.info
Stargaze
Feel Cultured
Man Up and Monkey Around
WaterFire
once said, “He who does not economize will have to agonize.” And who wants to worry during the one season that doesn’t involve snow shovels? Relax and enjoy these great local options for high times at low – or no – cost. Come fall, you’ll be rolling in dough (the fried kind, at least).
Roller Derby
Roll with It
Skip the latest blockbuster action flick to cheer on the bold and brave ladies of Providence Roller Derby. For about the same price as a movie ticket, you can watch local teams battle it out on the flat-track. In the August 13 double header, watch the RI Riveters and the Killah Bees take on two teams from Montreal. Yeah, Canada’s going down. RI Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street. www. providencerollerderby.com
Providence residents visit the Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium for free on the first Saturday of the month. Be sure to check out Alien Worlds, an innovative exhibit about the planets beyond our solar system. Can’t make it on a Saturday, or live outside Providence? Tickets range from $2-$3 the rest of the time. You can even bring that cheap date of yours. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Roger Williams Park. 7859457, cityof.providenceri.com/museum
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Listen to the Sweet Sounds of Summer
Find a shady spot with space to tap your toes at the Concerts under the Elms. Hear swinging tunes from the likes of the Duke Robillard Band (July 14) and the Greg Abate Jazz Quartet (August 4), plus evenings of folk, Celtic and pops music. Tickets are free for members of the RI Historical Society and children under 12, but cost just $8 for everyone else. 6:30 pm, select Thursdays. John Brown House Museum lawn, 52 Power Street. 331-8575, rihs.org
Stay Caffeinated
After the sun goes down, don’t leave town. You’ll want to see the late night programming at Perishable Theatre – all for a mere $5 a ticket. On the first Friday
July 4
Party Hearty
Your fair city celebrates her 375th birthday this year. The old gal is looking good! Toast PVD the way any fine, frugal citizen should: by attending all the free events to be held in her honor. From block parties and fireworks to a special production by the kid playwrights of the Manton Avenue Project, the Providence 375 committee has great events in store. Citywide, through October. providence375.com –Molly Lederer
Providence Roller Derby Photo: George Ross
Spending summer in the city? Don’t lose your shirt over it. Sipping frozen lemonade by day, swilling margaritas by night, and blasting the AC like it’s your job all tend to add up fast. There’s no shame in trying to pinch a few pennies while having fun in the sun. As the wise Confucius
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The Delicious Deal
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Eating and drinking for less
There’s nothing like seafood from the raw bar in the summer. Think about it: perfectly chilled shrimp, a bit of horseradish… it’s the whole season encapsulated in one bite. But, at something like $3 per piece, it’s also really pricey. On Monday nights, Hemenway’s offers halfprice raw bar at the bar – which means you can enjoy their Grand Shellfish Platter, with cold baby lobster, shrimp cocktail, oysters and littlenecks for only $24. On Tuesday nights, New Rivers has dollar oyster night, when locally sourced selections like Plum Points (from Rhode Island) are on the menu. Hemenways: 121 South Main Street, 351-8570. hemenwaysrestaurant. com. New Rivers: 7 Steeple Street, 751-0350. newriversrestaurant.com
2 for 1
NewportComedy.com 800.745.3000 Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches
You’d be surprised at how much just giving away your email address can get you. Restaurants both high-end, like Rue de l’Espoir, and casual, like Pizza Pie-er, offer deals to recipients of their email blasts. While The Rue gives patrons the scoop on special events and deals, Pizza Pie-er offers up random discounts, like its recent coupon for a large three-topping pie and two sodas for $20. The Rue: 99 Hope Street, 751-8890. therue.com. Pizza Pie-er: 374 Wickenden Street, 351-3663. pizzapieer.com
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New Rivers
An always-reliable option for dining on a budget is to eat at the bar, where, especially during the afterwork period that every other state except ours is allowed to call Happy Hour, there are some nice deals to be had. On weekdays from 4-6pm, Waterman Grille offers Be Happy, Pay Half: all of the appetizers on their dinner menu, including grilled pizza and a Mediterranean plate with house-made hummus, are half price at the bar. The Bar, Mediterraneo’s newest addition, is attached to the restaurant and offers free appetizers from 3-6pm with the purchase of a cocktail. Waterman Grille: 4 Richmond Square, 521-9229. watermangrille.com. The Bar at Mediterraneo: 134 Atwells Avenue, 331-7760. mediterraneocaffe.com
LISA
The deals extend beyond dinner, too. At Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches, two-for-Tuesdays mean that sandwiches are buy one, get one free (we recommend the Providence Monthly). On Thayer Street, Gordito Burrito offers buy one get one free burritos after 5pm; both that and sister restaurant Antonio’s Pizza offer reward cards for customers, who get a free meal after a certain amount of visits. Geoff’s: 163 Benefit Street, 751-2248. Gordito Burrito: 258 Thayer Street, 455-3666. Antonio’s: 258 Thayer Street, 455-3600. While it’s against the rules for establishments in Rhode Island to offer deals on alcohol they serve, it isn’t the case with liquor stores – which is why Campus Fine Wines can offer such nice discounts on an everrotating selection of buy one, get
one half off bottles. Swan Liquors offers a discounts on its wine selection, starting at 5% on one bottle and going up depending on how much you purchase. Campus, ENO Fine Wines and Bottles all offer complimentary wine tastings (Campus on Saturday afternoons, ENO on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, and Bottles on Thursday evenings, with beer tastings on Fridays). Campus: 127 Brook Street, 621-9650. campuswines.com. Swan: 806 Hope Street, 421-5760. ENO: 225 Westminster Stree, 521-2000. enofinewines.com. Bottles: 141 Pitman Street, 372-2030. bottlesfinewine.com –Julie Tremaine
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June 2011 | Providence Monthly
31
Spend Your Day in Splendor
J OIN THE CRO W D
Get in a festive mood with these events Now Conveniently Located on the East Side of Providence!
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perusing the work of a hundred or so artists while enjoying some walking entertainment and delicious local food. It’s free, and runs on August 6 from 10am to 5pm. festivalfete.com
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On July 30, Providence’s art freaks and geeks — the “Woolies” — will gather for the seventh annual Wooly Fair at the Steel Yard. The theme this year is “To the Moon!” and the event itself, a conglomeration of artistic endeavors, musical performances and participatory art, will be centered on the Wooly Space Station, with 21 individual pods representing different groups’ visions of the future. It promises to be a jamboree of creative insanity, with family friendly activities running from 2 to 6pm, and even more wild and Wooly highjinksfrom 8pm to 1am. 27 Sims Avenue. thewooled.com
Foo Fest
Another fine example of artfully schizophrenic local intensity, the AS220401-272-4266 spawned Foo Fest invades Empire Email us at: germanmotorshelp@gmail.com Street in Providence once again on August 13 with a variety of entertainments from comedy (Andrew W.K. will headline), to music, to art installations, and interactive exhibits from Providence Media the Providence Children’s Museum and Spot ads: 2.125" x 2.875" the Rhode Island Museum of Science May 9, 2011 and Art. The festival will run from 1pm to 1am, and in that 12 hours, provide just about as much to do and see as is Monday and Tuesday special possible to fit on one broad avenue. 115 2011 Providence Monthly, Manicure + Pedicure for $28 June Issue Empire Street. as220.org 879 North Main Street, Providence, RI 0290
If you’re looking to make a lovely day trip outside city limits, plan to stop in Cranston’s Garden City Center on June 11 and check out the juried artists plying their wares and showing off their skills. Another relaxed event, and the first annual art event at Garden City, it promises an afternoon of shopping with an enticing backdrop of local artists and artisans, and a hearty social element with a cooperative art piece to be created by attendees. Rain date is June 12. festivalfete.com.
Rhode Island International Film Festival
Presented by Flickers, this festival involves the screening of 175 films over six days from August 9 to 14. This will be the 15th anniversary of the event, which attracts thousands of attendees. Venues for the screenings will include the Bell Street Chapel Theatre, the Paff Theatre at URI, the VMA Arts & Cultural Center, and many more. Day passes are $20; single shows are $10; a festival ticket is $120. film-festival.org
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
Festival
On the same weekend that the Rock n’ Roll Marathon brings thousands of teeming bodies into the city, its calmer, art-oriented counterpart will have you strolling through Burnside Park and
mock-burning of the Gaspee, a British military ship set to patrol Rhode Island’s waters in 1772 that was burned in port by revolutionary colonists. The event includes a parade (June 11 at 10am, along Narragansett Parkway), a fashion show (June 12, 3pm), musical skits (June 12, 11am to 3pm), children’s activities and demos (June 12, 1pm), and ultimately, the burning of the Gaspee (June 12, 4pm). gaspee.com
84th Annual Grecian Festival
Experience traditional Greek food, music and dance, and browse authentic Greek imports in the indoor Agora at this longtime Pawtucket festival mainstay. It runs on the weekend of August 19-21 at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at 97 Walcott Street. There’s also shuttle access from the Roosevelt Street parking lot across from City Hall. greekfestivalri.com
Federal Hill Stroll
One of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods in Providence, Federal Hill has ample food and entertainment on any given Saturday to draw a crowd. But on June 7 from 4:30-7:30pm, the denizens of the Hill will combine their efforts to create a festival atmosphere as you stroll down the street sampling drinks, food, and wares from the many participating venues. The $30 admission fee gets you two drinks and discounts at the restaurants, and there will be musical entertainment in the evening. goprovidence.com/visitors/ federalhillstroll.com
West Broadway Neighborhood Association Block Party
Gaspee Days
Gaspee Days
Perhaps the quirkiest festival of the year, the Gaspee Days weekend from June 10-12 centers on a Revolutionaryera military encampment in Warwick’s Pawtuxet Park, and culminates with the
For the second year the WBNA takes over Sycamore Street for a day, and the neighborhood and its extended family come out to play. This year, on June 25 from 2-8pm, there will be live music, roving entertainment from Chifferobe, tons of food, beerv and sangria, and kids’ activities including a bouncy house, face painting, and a demonstration by POW! Science. Find the WBNA on Facebook. –Michael Madden
Wooly Fair Photo: Stephanie Alvarez Ewens
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
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Work Space Done Right Think about your desk. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at home or at work. There are probably piles of paper scattered everywhere, and somewhere underneath is that mouse and keyboard, and somewhere under that, a mouse pad you got for free from the last expo or meeting you went to. Wouldn’t it be nice to have one of those chic, Martha Stewart-inspired workspaces? Start with this stylish mousepad, made by Kim Gilmore of Barrington’s Gilm-
ore Creations. Gilmore makes every piece by hand out of unique fabrics, so no two are alike. They come in a variety of graphic, modern patterns, and she makes other products, like bags and coasters, too. “I love anything that is whimsical, fanciful, colorful and fun,” she says. Add a touch of polish to your workspace – it might just make that next project seem a little bit more manageable. gilmorecreations.etsy.com
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
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Make the Trip to
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Nice Plumes Channel your wild side with feathers
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
729 East Avenue
Top of the East Side, next door to Rite Aid
has taken hold in Providence as quickly as the phenomenon of the feather hair extension. The idea of clipping real, semi-permanent feathers into your hair went from, well, that’s kind of weird to wow, that’s kind of fabulous in a matter of a few short weeks. At least it did in my head. When over the course of a weekend I saw an enchanting songstress and a punk-loving friend sporting them at a concert, and then a bohemian-looking beauty owning them the next morning at brunch, I was sold. If feathers could look equally at home on three people with totally different aesthetics, then I could probably pull them off, too. So, I called Kristen Marrah of Gloss and Glamour Salon in North Providence for my own walk on the wild side. Here’s what you need to know about feather extensions: they’re super versatile, meaning they look equally good in straight or curly hair; they take about seven seconds to put in; and once they’re in, they last anywhere from three to six months. They can be washed, blow-dried, curled or straightened with an iron, and aren’t affected by product all that much. They also don’t have to be expensive – Kristen offers one for $10, up to seven for $52. I, with my more is more attitude, went for six. Kristen showed me a huge selec-
tion of colors, ranging from natural gray and beige feathers to tinsel feathers to an array of brights. I opted for a wider crimson feather, and thinner ones in purple, turquoise and grizzly (turquoise and black stripe). To match my hair’s texture, she cut some pieces shorter and left others long, then clipped them in with a tiny piece of metal. I dashed out the door to a party, and have been talking about my new accessory with every woman I’ve met since then. Seriously, they’ve all been asking; that’s how much of a phenomenon feather extensions are right now. People have two responses: they ask me if I’ve dyed a streak in my hair, or immediately identify them as feathers and ask me how I like them and where I got them. I do really love that this is a way to play with fun color that doesn’t involve bleach or any kind of regular maintenance. I also love that they are subtle enough to be hidden and look equally at home whether I’m wearing a tweed blazer or bold, graphic stripes. I came out of my walk on the wild side, unsurprisingly, wanting more – bigger feathers, different colors, something that can’t exactly be covered up by a creative part of the hair. Who knew that such an out-there trend could be so natural, or so fun? To get back to nature with feather extensions, visit gloss-glamour.com.
Illustration: Karli Hendrikson
Now Open Monday 12pm-8pm! Tue-Thur 11-9 Fri-Sat 11-10, Sun 11-5
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19 Sanderson Road Smithfield, RI 02917 401.949.4849
www.elevenfortyninerestaurant.com June 2011 | Providence Monthly
39
Summertime City Style | The Look Fun!... Leah Carlson Hair stylist/musician
by Caitlin Quinn
Your hairstyle is a reflection of your personality.
How does hair contribute to personal style? It’s the one accessory that you can’t take off. It’s always connected to you and showcases who you are or what kind of person you are. You are a makeup artist too? Yes, I’m basically self-taught. I’ve taken a few courses over the years, but started experimenting on my friends at age ten. I love makeup. I originally went to school for makeup, but a woman there said that if I ever wanted to open a business then I should learn hair, too. So, I ended up going for hair and it was the best decision I ever made. Hair and makeup compliment each other and my clients like that we offer both.
Open Daily 10-5:30 Saturday 10-5
The Village CenTer 290 County road, Barrington 247-1087 40
Providence Monthly | June 2011
What are some ways to look a little glam? If you want to go rock and roll, then put in a feather hair extension that matches your hair color to add texture. You can add a little glamour by taking the extra five minutes to do your hair, and it will do more than you can imagine. You can put a shine spray on, or even do a couple curls; a little bit goes a long way. Leah owns LaLa Luxe Salon (lalaluxesalon.com) and performs with Leah Carlson and the Heartless (leahcarlson.net).
Photography: Krzystyna Harber Photography
A specialty boutique
Describe your personal style. I have a little bit of everything from different eras. I don’t like to choose just one style or time period. I like to pick and choose what I wear based on how I’m feeling that day, or what I want to showcase that day. People tell me I lean toward retro, ‘60s, mod – but not pin-up. I like a mix. Tell me about this outfit. This is something I would tell people I would wear on stage, but really, I would just take the hat off and wear this during the day, then work it into night. How? I would put on a really cute, cropped tuxedo jacket. I have on some pretty high, six-inch wooden clogs. They’re Woodies by Jeffrey Campbell. They’re the only things I can wear with this dress so that it doesn’t touch the ground. What is your stage style? Some type of a disguise. I like to hide, so that people look at the band, not at me. My first year playing, I was 16 years old and wore a black wig. It was like wearing a hat. Hats are a little more reasonable, though; people don’t think I’m goth. I get stage fright! I think it goes back to doing duets with my sister as a child. Best versatile haircut for summer? Something layered; that does not have to be styled: anything like a shoulder length, or even collarbone length, long, layered bob. Something that’s easy and will work with natural texture and doesn’t need to be blow dried.
City Style | Shop Talk
by Erin DeVito
Welcome to
Baker Street Rue
Weight Loss • Diets Work Out Programs
Your Neighborhood Bistro
75 Baker Street Providence, RI 02905 t. 401-490-5025 / f. 410-490-5026 open mon-fri. 7:30-4:30 sunday brunch 8-2:30
Keith Dennis – 53 years old, went from 228 to 153
the newest member of the
Rue De L’Espoir Family and don’t forget our little sister bistro
Something Old, Something New Vintage flair meets modern chic on Thayer Street
Photography: Laurel Mulherin
Look no further
for original, trendy fashion than NAVA (New and Vintage Apparel) on Thayer Street. The ample collection of vintage and modern apparel makes it easy to compose a complete outfit to suit any occasion. Owner Ali Burns-Nachwalter believes that combining vintage pieces with contemporary styles allows for a “more fun, eclectic mix” that reaches a broader market. Rid your mind of the stigma that vintage is expensive – Burns-Nachwalter prides herself on NAVA providing the “boutique look without the boutique prices.” And don’t think of NAVA as a thrift shop: many of the vintage items have never been worn, and all are in flawless condition. The front of the store is all new merchandise, while the vintage selection is in the back of the store. From the selection of adorable dresses, trendy tops and blazers, and stylish denim shorts, fashion-lovers can be confident that they will find truly original, affordable looks. NAVA also features a colorful assortment of men’s clothing, ranging from cool patterned button-up shirts to funky ties and stylish boots. Only a few pieces of each item are ordered to guarantee that shoppers find something unique. Burns-Nachwalter finds many of the new items in the store from apparel and accessory trade shows in New York and Las Vegas. Much of NAVA’s vintage selection is the product of years of col-
lecting by the owner, whose passion for vintage is long-standing. It is not just the unique clothing that catches my eye; NAVA is stocked with funky jewelry and accessories, including shoes, scarves, belts, handbags and my all-time favorite, vintage sunglasses. The jewelry is fun and timeless: the perfect accent to any of the clothing on the store’s racks. I can’t help but notice the sizeable array of boots of all styles and colors and am not surprised when Burns-Nachwalter tells me she lives in cowboy boots. “They are so comfortable and can be worn year-round,” she enthuses. In the summer, she suggests pairing them with cutoff jean shorts, summer dresses and floral chiffon skirts to add an edgy appeal to chic, feminine classics. Other NAVA summer musthaves are oversized tanks, printed skirts, feathered jewelry and straw hats. The end of May marked NAVA’s threeyear anniversary, and it embarked on exciting new changes. A recent installment is an online community created and managed by a friend and business partner of Burns-Nachwalter, RISD graduate Elliott Olson. Although the website only features a fraction of what is available instore, NAVA plans to expand it over time. In a world filled with unoriginal, mass-produced clothing, NAVA is a rare gem. 281 Thayer Street. 453-6282, shopnava.com
95 South Street Providence, RI 02903 t. 401-490-9966 / f. 410-490-9955 open mon-fri. 7:30-3:30
Rue De L’Espoir American Bistro Cooking
1385 Mineral Spring Ave. North Providence, RI Fitness-technologies.com 401-353-7580
open daily breakfast, lunch, dinner 99 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906 info/reservations 751-8890 www.therue.com
Where the east Bay meets the Left Bank steak frItes sundays
P mouLes frItes mondays
P 1 LoCaL oysters
$
sunday & monday nIghts
LeCentralBristol.net 483 hope street, Bristol, rI 401.396.9965 June 2011 | Providence Monthly
41
Summer
IN SOUTH COUNTY Where to dine, shop + have fun!
11am - 2am 920 Matunuck Beach Rd Matunuck RI 401.533.2019 Toppings Locally Sourced
Opening Memorial Weekend
outside Waterfront dining now available open 7 dayS a Week yeaR Round
CAP’N JACK’S
The best of Broadway
all summer long!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee june 1–june 19 SPONSORED BY
706 SuccotaSh Rd. Wakefield • 401-789-4556 WWW.capnjackSReStauRant.com
The hilarious tale of six adolescent overachievers. Show contains adult language and mature content.
Man of La Mancha
Laurie’s Art Learning Center Summer full day teen programs – Call for details!
Artist supplies available (401) 596-5969 • 17C Railroad Ave, Westerly www.lauriesartstudio.com Summer in South County
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june 22–july 16 SPONSORED BY
One of the most popular musicals of all time! Features the classic hit “The Impossible Dream.”
ALL SHOWS PRODUCED BY OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY, INC., A NOT-FORPROFIT 501(c)(3) ORGANIZATION
for tickets call (401) 782-tkts (8587) or visit us online anytime at
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Oceanside Dining Overlooking Narragansett Bay
Catch A Good Time With The
Seafood Steaks & more!
FRANCES FLEET 1/2 DAY FISHING: Mid-June - Sept. 5 Trips Sailing Daily
Ask about our Family Day Discounts!
Full Day/Night Trips Available for Fluke,Cod, Striped Bass, Scup & Tautog! Offshore Trips for Tuna!!
Serving lunch, dinner & Sunday brunch indoor & outdoor seating available • Live entertainment (401) 789-0700 • 40 Ocean Road, Narragansett www.thecoastguardhouse.com | office@thecoastguardhouse.com
TuesDay Thru sunDay 4pm – 6pm half-price Off enTire fOOD menu!
R.I.’s ONLY Whale Watching July 1 - August 30 Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Sun. 1:00 p.m. Call for Reservations!
783.4988 • 33 State Street, Narragansett • www.FrancesFleet.com • FrancesFlt@aol.com
Private Sailing Charter
weDnesDay Only! 4pm – 10pm half-price Off enTire fOOD menu!
East Greenwich’s Newest Restaurant and Martini Bar
Where All The Top Designers Hang Out
gucci • Coach st. John louis Vuitton Ferragamo Prada • Chanel Armani • Valentino escada • Versace ting CeleBrA 14 yeArs
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Open Daily TuesDay - sunDay aT 4pm 149 main sT, easT Greenwich • 401-885-8580 • cenTrOmarTini.cOm
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Royal Crustacean Charters 401.742.3978
Aboard “Victoria” Beautiful 42’ Sailing Ketch Sailing from East Greenwich
• Full Day & Half Day Charters • Block Island Weekends • Sunset Cruises • Air Show Sail • Special Events
Peter B. Dupré U.S.C.G. Licensed Captain
401.742.3978 royalcrustaceancharters@hotmail.com
RoyalCrustaceanCharters.com
Summer in South County
Attention Restaurant Owners & Employees
We Can Help You!
Services offered Restaurant Consultants Food Manufacturing Restaurant Menu Development Food Styling & Photography Culinary Training Gold Standard Recipes Nutritional Analysis Media Training Nutrition / Diabetes
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Seekonk | 353 Highland Avenue • 508.336.4204 bucadibeppo.com
44
Providence Monthly | June 2011
Feast
IN THE KITCHEN / on the menu / behind the bar / review / in the drink
Photography: Kate Kelley
51 REVIEW XO CafĂŠ
Black Pepper and Goat Cheese Cheesecake
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
45
New expanded Spring & Summer Menu Mobile Resource and Wellness Center
( Italian Regional and Gluten-free ) New Cicchette Selection
One $6 | Three $15 | Five $25
Wine Flights
Back by Popular Demand A Taste of 3 Distinctive Wines The Gloria Gemma Foundation’s Mobile Resource and Wellness Center is a special outreach program serving all of Rhode Island, with a special focus on the following socioeconomically marginalized individuals and communities: uninsured • low-income underinsured • minorities
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Ristorante d'Italia Private Function Room • Gift Certificates Available Complimentary Valet Parking
249 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 201 Pawtucket, RI 02860 401-861-HERO (4376)
On Historic Federal Hill 401-273-2652 www.chefwalter.com
gloriagemma.org The Hope Bus is made possible by a grant from the Halkyard Family Fund
125 Sockanosset Cross Rd, Cranston, RI
(next to Whole Foods Market in Garden City)
401.270.5500
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
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Feast | Behind the Bar
Welcome to Paradise
by Cristy Raposo
Try one of these delicious tropical inspired cocktails
Sister Act
Keeping it cool with Hot Club’s favorite family Meet Hot Club’s bartending duo, sisters Becky Ilsley and Emily Noel.
Pour ABSOLUT
RUBY RED over ice.
Is there any sibling rivalry here? Becky: No, not yet. (Laughs) Emily: Hot Club is like a big family. There’s another pair of sisters that work here. A few married couples. My husband is the door guy on Fridays.
Add grapefruit and lime juices. Sweeten with simple syrup and top with a splash of club soda.
What are your signature cocktails? Becky: My signature drink is “Spring Fever.” Jessa [another bartender at Hot Club who is often mistaken for Becky’s sister] and I concocted this drink for a Jameson drink competition; it won top honors. It’s made with Jameson, Barenjager, ginger ale and bitters with a twist of lemon. Emily: I’m still figuring mine out. This is all new to me. I make a really good margarita. How new is bartending to you and why’d you start pouring drinks? Emily: A lot of my friends and my sister bartend and it looked like a lot of fun. I’ve been coming to Hot Club forever. Last year, I started hounding the boss asking if they needed any help. I started off as a waitress and now I bartend. I prefer to bartend over waitressing – I get to talk to people more at the bar.
Photography: Mike Braca
Becky, how did you end up behind the bar? I bartended Bristol neighborhood parties here and there. I was offered a bartending gig at E&O, a beer and shot bar, four years ago. I’m still there on Saturday nights. My first weekend at Hot Club was Memorial Day weekend. I had never made a margarita or martini before. It was crazy here. I got thrown into the fire. That’s the best way to learn. What are some of the most popular warm weather cocktails? Becky: Margaritas, Sea Breezes, Bay Breezes, Corona and Bud Light Lime. There’s just something almost archetypical about a hot day with a margarita or Corona. We make our margaritas with house made simple syrup, fresh lemon and lime juice. What’s are some summer drinks you love – or hate? Becky: I have certain opinions about Michelob Ultra. Enjoy your beer.
ABSOLUT RUBY RED PARADISE
Becky and Emily
Emily: I’m just a beer drinker – lighter pale ales in summer, Guinness in winter. We’re both beer drinkers. Becky: Since our margarita mix is not premade, I’m not a fan of customers ordering six margaritas during a crazy peak. A lot of people drink Bacardi and Diets during the summer. Just get the regular Coke and enjoy the full flavor. What’s your advice for men who want to enjoy a good summer cocktail, but don’t want to be seen drinking something pink with an umbrella in it? Emily: Just go for it. Our husbands don’t give a crap. Own it. Becky: Own your drink, but stay away from the white wine spritzers. What will you be sipping on this summer? Becky: I love the Loose Cannon IPA. At 7% alcohol though, I can’t drink too many of them. Emily: Blue Moon’s summer seasonal. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen here during the summer? Emily: A woman paddled up in a kayak, attached it to our private deck (which you’re not supposed to do), and then
came up to the bar in her bathing suit with her oar and life preserver. It was the funniest sight. Becky: She got wasted. Her husband had to come pick up her and the kayak. How does Hot Club stand out from other waterfront bars? Emily: It’s a really relaxed environment. It’s been around for a while and goes on its own reputation. Drinks aren’t expensive. Prices are reasonable. There’s an awesome, relaxed happy hour. Becky: The cheeseburgers are amazing. I didn’t eat burgers before I worked here. They’re the best burgers I’ve ever had. One great thing that sets us apart is Captain Tom and his Proud Mary. From the bar’s dock, you can hop on his boat for $10 per person and he’ll take you on a ride down the Providence River and back. It’s totally worth it. It’s fun to see where the wood for WaterFire gets stacked.
Hot Club
2 oz. SAiLOR JERRY SPicED RUm ½ oz. crème de
banana liqueur
Add orange juice and grenadine and mix. Serve on Rocks
SAILOR JERRY RUM RUNNER
575 South Water Street 861-9007
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
47
We Buy, Sell & Trade New + Used Commercial Restaurant Equipment Custom Metal Fabrication Exhaust Hood Design & Installation From ranges to smallwares, we have it all!
Feast | In the Drink
by Emily Dietsch
Mother’s Milk Southern summer sipping with help from the Portuguese
(open to the public)
Gain ExpEriEncE MakE connEctions HavE Fun! now accepting resumes for:
• Editorial internships • Marketing internships
Send reSume TO
providencemonthly@providenceonline.com
Never too late for breakfast
234 Wickenden Street 751.2477
brickwayonwickenden.com
DentPlus Dental Center
• Veneers • Crowns • Dentures • Family Dentistry • Tooth Whitening Come in and Schedule an appointment today!
Where you’ll always find the brightest SMILES! Your DownCity General and Cosmetic Specialist 66 Kennedy Plaza Providence www.dentplus.net | 401-454-3000
48
Providence Monthly | June 2011
Summer in Rhode Island comes sharp and swift. Collective PTSD from months of snow, sleet and rain barely ebbs before we’re thrust, squinting and kvetching, into hot sun and hotter tempers. June is the turning point: residents start bemoaning the state’s lack of universal AC. Household patriarchs restock charcoal and beefsteak supplies. Coffee addicts trade hot for iced, and Del’s carts go forth and multiply. And the bibulous crowd, we switch allegiances from winter spirits to more summery pours: icier, longer-sipping, a tad less hard-bitten. This summer, I’ve settled upon Portuguese milk liqueur after a few false starts and odysseys. Semi-sweet, and languorously seductive, it’s a Southern-esque charmer with an Old World pedigree. About said false starts and odysseys: initially, I had aimed for something truly Southern, rather than “Southernesque.” All those below the MasonDixon know a thing or two about sultry weather, after all – and, rumor has it, they like their booze. Upon learning about Milk Punch, a kooky Southern original, I went mad for the concept and went to work. According to cocktail maven David Wondrich, Milk Punch is “one of the more ancient medications in the pharmacopoeia,” once gulped by health-conscious lushes up and down the Mississippi. Billed as a nutritive drink in the 19th century, the beverage mixes virtue and vice in spectacularly uneven fashion: dark liquor, confectioner’s sugar, full-fat milk and, sometimes, a scoop of ice cream, just because. Like most outrageous Southern cuisine, however, Milk Punch functions better on paper than in 3-D. Paula Deen’s rabid, butter-crazed fans may disagree, but I insist there is such a thing as “too much.” And Milk Punch in practice? Too much. On the cocktail matrix it falls somewhere between White Russians and eggnog, and calls to mind the spiked milkshake fad that briefly swept bar culture. Arguments against excess,
Licor de Leite Makes 3 1/2 cups
The following recipe is a base formula, which can be tweaked depending upon the flavor components you’d like to add. Try the two variations listed below the base formula for starters, or leave it unadulterated. Either way, beware ugliness before straining – it’s natural – and, once strained, store in a cool place for up to six months. Serve as an aperitif or digestif, or try mixing with bourbon or other dark liquors.
these drinks stand proof that a whole can rate far less than the sum of its parts. After committing a tragic amount of good bourbon (and milk and sugar) to make Milk Punch work, I declared the project a failure – and thus stumbled onto a happy accident. When I lamented my woes to a bartender friend, who confused Milk Punch with Portuguese “milk liqueur” (licor de leite), he promptly offered his family’s recipe for the latter. Licor de leite, he explained, is a Portuguese warm-weather staple, rich but not ornate. Further, it’s not widely marketed in Portugal or elsewhere, and mostly brewed at home like the French craft eaus de vie. In sum, it’s cheap and rustic, like the best of summer’s trappings. Intrigued, I gave it a go. More complex than simply steeping fruit in grain alcohol, brewing licor de leite flirts with alchemy of the most transfixing sort. Potent clear liquor – preferably grappa – serves as the base, to which milk, sugar and select flavor components like orange peel and chocolate are added. After shaking this highly questionable mixture every day for ten days, a truly hideous burgoo results. Hideous. But courage, friends: Strain it, and a gorgeous, golden-hued liqueur emerges, tasting of caramelized sugar, citrus, and almonds. Dare I say it? Here comes the sun.
2 cups grappa (Everclear will also do) 2 cups whole milk 2 cups raw sugar Start with a pristine glass gallon container. Pour in the grappa and milk, then the remaining ingredients (including the additional flavor components, if using). Cover tightly and shake well to dissolve the sugar. Leave container in a cool, dry place and shake once a day for ten days. Line a sieve with paper coffee strainers. Place a clean bowl under the sieve, and pour the liqueur through it. Let it strain fully, which can take about 24 hours. It may be necessary to change the filter if it becomes clogged. Repeat if necessary to clarify the liqueur, then bottle and store. Variations: • Chocolate: Add 2 ounces of chopped dark chocolate and half a lemon, seeded and chopped with rind, during the brewing stage. • Citrus: Add 1 orange and 1 lemon, seeded and chopped with rind, in the brewing stage.
Illustration: Ashley MacLure
221 Admiral Street Providence, RI • 421-7030
Gracious Assisted Living
Successful Short-Term Rehabilitation
Life Blossoms
at EPOCH with Our Exceptional Bouquet of Services! Quality Skilled Nursing
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During the month of June, come in for a scheduled tour and be entered in a raffle for a $100 gift certificate! Assisted Living on the East Side One Butler Avenue • Providence, RI
401-275-0682
Senior Living on Blackstone Boulevard 353 Blackstone Boulevard • Providence, RI
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Travel & Cook in Central Italy October 17-24, 2011
FEATURED PROPERTIES
15 Westford Rd $775,000
Gracious center hall colonial boasts a master bedroom suite with 4 additional bedrooms and three full baths. French doors off the living & dining room to a sunlit family room. Central air, hardwood floors, sprinklers and stunning park like grounds.
315 Olney St $849,000
Exquisitely renovated 9 room Colonial Revival, features meticulously renovated kitchen and baths, private patio and deck. Sumptuous master suite and first floor family room. New 2-zone heat and A/C, new energy efficient windows, fully insulated!
VIlla SuSanna deglI ulIVI
Join Chef Walter Potenza in Italy and immerse yourself into the culinary treasures of Rome, Abruzzi, Marche & Umbria For complete details on the trip visit
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24 Channing Ave $749,000
Storybook Colonial designed for entertaining. Gracious formal rooms blend seamlessly with casual living areas. Beautiful EIK, gorgeous master suite, four additional bedrooms, 2.5 baths, sun splashed spaces, wood floors, 2 car garage.
60 Oak Forest Dr $569,900
Dramatic Post & Beam contemporary! Open floor plan with cook’s kitchen, soaring ceilings, FP w/slate hearth, warm wood floors, MBRw/bath on 1st, screened porch & wrap around deck. 2 additional BR’s, 2.5 baths + guest suite or studio. Buyer pays LCAT.
Markham + DeRentis Associates - Residential Properties Ltd. Jim DeRentis | Nancy Markham | Office: 401.274.6740 www.markhamderentisassociates.com
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
49
Look Hot This Summer!
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ARE YOU VERY CONCERNED WITH
YOUR APPEARANCE?
Learn How to Cook with Chef Walter Potenza
Do you worry about your looks often? Do these thoughts upset you? Does anxiety about your appearance interfere with your life - for example, school work, job, social life or dating? Do you wish you could change?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP. Our Body Image Research Program offers: • Evaluation of your body image concerns • Treatment with medication or therapy • Compensation for adults who qualify Our world renowned Body Image Program is located at Rhode Island Hospital. To learn more, call 401-444-1644 or visit www.BodyImageProgram.com.
Northern Italian Piedmont to Veneto Tuesday, June 14th OR Wednesday, June 15th • Foods of the Islands Sicily to Sardegna Tuesday, June 21st OR Wednesday, June 22nd • Sauce Workshop The Classics Tuesday, June 28th • Essential of Tuscan Cooking Wednesday, June 29th
Cooking Parties are Deliciously Fun Corporate Achievements • Team Building • Entertaining Clients Rewarding Employees • Special Occasions
On Historic Federal Hill 401-273-2652 www.chefwalter.com 50
Providence Monthly | June 2011
Feast | Review
by Linda Beaulieu
Hello, Old Friend A beloved restaurant is reborn
Photography: Kate Kelley
John Elkhay continues to mix it up and keep things interesting. I’ve been writing about restaurants for decades, and I have never heard of one closing, reopening with a new name and concept, only to close again and reopen with the original concept. That is just what this prolific restaurateur has done with his beloved XO Café. XO Café first opened in 1997, closed and reopened as Café Noir in 2009, which recently closed and was reborn as XO Café. Diehard fans are delirious with this news. They all liked Café Noir, but for many there was something rather special about XO. The French brasserie ambiance of Noir is gone, replaced with the arty vibe of XO, still sexy after all these years. “Life is short – order dessert first” is once again the mantra of XO, which irked me back in the day and still irks me. What if after dinner I’m too full for dessert? But I caved in and did as the menu suggested. I ordered the Study in Chocolate – more on that later. What’s new and different about XO is the chef. Simon Keating is a native of Devon, England. The night we were there, Keating popped out of the kitchen to make sure his dinner guests were pleased with an amuse bouche he had sent out. It was a precious presentation
English bread pudding
of charcuterie and paté, served with thin slices of airy bread that had been lightly toasted. We gobbled up the petite cube of exceptional cheese and savory little bites of sublime ground meat. If this kind of French culinary art is your thing, it’s on the menu as an appetizer – the Selection of Charcuterie & Pate ($9). It didn’t take me long to select an interesting appetizer, the Black Pepper and Goat Cheese Cheesecake ($8). I was presented with a generous circle of slightly tangy cheesecake, heavily peppered, on a simple cracker. Goat cheese can be cloying, but in a good way, and this first course was quite pleasing with a glass of dry sparkling wine. Across the formally set table, Brian enjoyed “The Original” XO Caesar Salad ($8), made with impeccably fresh greens and topped with just the right amount of dressing – and not the usual gloppy, creamy stuff. A dusting of freshly grated cheese graced the top of the salad, along with wonderfully salty anchovies. This was a Caesar salad done right. The menu at XO Café seems to reflect a current trend with hot, new restaurants: a limited number of entrées, with some dishes being quite unusual. There are 10 entrées, and four of them are beef dishes, an homage perhaps to the five interim years that XO traded in its café status
Caramelized bomster scallops to become known as XO Steakhouse. There’s the XO Filet with seared scallops, asparagus and macadamia nut butter and three grilled steaks (an 8-ounce filet mignon, a 14-ounce New York sirloin and an 18-ounce prime rib eye), all certified Hereford beef aged for at least 28 days to maximize flavor and tenderness. The steaks come with a choice of four sauces: a rich red wine demi-glace, a tropical tamarind, a tangy blue cheese au poivre and the herbaceous chimichurri. Brian chose the New York Sirloin ($26) with demi-glace, with a side of pommes puree ($5), the French version of mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked medium as requested, and it was all that you’d expect a good steak to be. The incredibly soft potato puree was a silk and satin dish made with, I suspect, an outrageous amount of butter. Taking a walk on the wilder side of the menu, I chose the Duck Menage a Trois ($26). This threesome consists of tender grilled duck breast, sliced thin and shingled on the white oblong plate; plump ravioli stuffed with duck confit; and one of Elkhay’s signature dishes, a spring roll of more duck with shiitake mushrooms. The accompanying cherry sauce is made with Griottines, a special type of wild Morello cherry that is macerated in Kirsch liqueur. This is clearly the work of a chef who knows food. Other entrees include Mushroom Bolognese and Scottish Salmon Lasagna. Accompanying sides are equally eccentric: Parmesan cream and truffle oil with the former, creamy leeks and beet coulis with the latter. The new menu is a celebration of the “farm-to-table” concept, with nearly two dozen local purveyors listed. Baffoni Farms, for instance, is a 75-year-old poultry farm in Johnston that provides Chef Keating and his crew with chickens for a
chicken and waffle appetizer, as well as a roasted chicken entrée. Now back to that dessert: it is simply not to be missed. A Study in Chocolate ($15, serving two or more) has five components, each more luscious than the next. Chocolate ice cream is served in a sugar snap basket, an imaginative confection made with flour, sugar, butter, syrup and ginger. Next there’s a decidedly rich chocolate and pecan brownie. The creamy crème brulee is made with white chocolate. The chocolate marquis is a rich mousse that you won’t want to share. And then, just for fun, there are a half dozen sticks of dense chocolate and cranberry fudge. What’s old is new again at the transformed XO Cafe. The private wine room has been replaced with an intimate lounge. The lace curtains are gone, and the main dining room now has a moody, rich look with a massive ornate mirror and wild animal print upholstery on the seating. Art and photos from the original XO hang on the dark walls. “We have connected the history of XO Café’s dynamic past with the future and evolution of food,” Elkhay said. “XO Cafe turns back the clock with our Executive Chef Simon Keating at the helm, producing farm-to-table culinary cuisine worth crowing about. This is the revival of a great culinary tradition.” Linda Beaulieu is the author of The Providence and Rhode Island Cookbook, available at stores throughout the state.
XO Café
125 North Main Street 273-9090 xocafe.com
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
51
Feast | On The Menu
…a touch and taste of Providence, without the drive
by John Taraborelli
Downtown Buzz
Two long-awaited eateries open SHOPPE
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Waterfront Dining without the drive
Huge deck overlooking beautiful Providence Harbor, at the base of the Washington Bridge fresh seafood and raw bar
270-4245 28 Water Street, E. Providence www.deckfortytwo.com 52
Providence Monthly | June 2011
Two new downtown hot spots that foodies have been eagerly awaiting are finally open: the completely redesigned Tazza (250 Westminster St., 421-3300) and the second location of Sura (232 Westminster St., 277-9088), a Korean restaurant based in Johnston. The former has undergone as thorough and dramatic a reboot as I’ve seen. Gone are the bright oranges and reds, the semi-circle bar and the stage for performers. Most important, however, is that the schizophrenia of being a place that was a jack of all trades and master of none is gone. What emerged in its place is an elegant restaurant and bar, with a high-end coffee bar for good measure. The ambience is all rich woods and metal, giving it a feel that is equal parts old school warmth and sleek industrial modernity. The menu too is more cohesive and fully realized. Now there are hot and cold small plates and a handful of sandwiches, entrees and desserts. Though it skews a bit trendy – i.e. Korean-style short rib, ceviche, a Vietnamese sandwich – it now reads like that of a full-service restaurant that knows what it wants to do, and is not afraid to challenge diners’ palates with roasted bone marrow or whole prawns wrapped in Serrano ham. A few doors down, Sura expands the Korean BBQ for which it’s already known into sushi and Japanese cuisine. There is a full sushi bar and an izakaya (Japanese bar food) section of the menu, as well as noodle bowls, along with a vast selection of Korean favorites – kalbi (short rib), spicy pork bulgogi – and some interesting stews (abalone, anyone?). It’s a sprawling and eclectic menu – perhaps a
bit too extensive for its own good – but definitely a welcome influx of new flavors into downtown dining. Of course, we would be remiss not to mention the designer responsible for the handsome look of both restaurants, Libby Slader. After a successful run at Morris Nathanson Design, Slader quickly racked up several impressive projects on her own. Downtown is turning into a veritable showcase for her, with Tazza and Sura now open, and her biggest project, the office of Curt Schilling’s video game company 38 Studios, on the way. You can see more of her work at LibbySlader.com NEWS BITES McCurdy’s Junction House (79 Ives St., 228-3883), the family restaurant that has been serving creative comfort food since opening last winter, is now offering fullservice dine in. They previously only did take-out and counter service, which was a shame, given the restaurant’s cozy interior. In addition to the new and welcome table service, they are also doing BYOB with no cork fee. Stop in and try their updated spring/summer menu, with new dishes like Red Quinoa Stuffed Summer Squash and BBQ Cornish Hen. Gracie’s (194 Washington St., 2727811) continues to create excitement with its Star Chef Dinners, featuring culinary stars from around the country collaborating with Chef Matthew Varga on five-course, wine-paired dinners. June 30 brings Chef Maria Helm Sinskey, culinary director of Napa Valley’s Robert Sinskey Vineyards. The cost is $100, and, of course, will include Sinskey Vineyards wine pairings.
Photography: Kate Kelley
Tue-Thurs. 11-10 Fri & Sat. 11-11 bar till 1 Sunday’s 4-9
Feast | In the Kitchen
by Stephanie Obodda
The New Taste of Wickenden Yodit Itebrek and Amanuel Gebrehiwot bring Ethiopian cuisine to Providence How did you end up in Rhode Island? Amanuel: We are originally Eritrean. We were placed in Rhode Island after years of difficult refugee life in Yemen. We’ve been here for about five years. It was so hard to find a job in Rhode Island, we thought we were going to have to move. But we are so excited about the opportunity that this restaurant has given us. We are very happy to be able to stay. Why did you decide to open a restaurant? Is it your first? Yodit: Yes, this is my first time being a chef in a restaurant – before, I was working at Job Lot – but I have cooked food for large events in the past. Friends encouraged us to open a restaurant, because there are no Ethiopian restaurants in Rhode Island. Wickenden Street, with a lot of different kinds of restaurants, is a good place to be. We opened about a month ago and we have been very busy, especially at night. What are some typical Ethiopian ingredients? Are they difficult to find in the area? Yodit: The ingredients in Ethiopian food, especially spices, are difficult to find. Even the garlic we use is different than American garlic – it is organic and often used after being sun-dried. We go to an Ethiopian grocery store in Boston to buy ingredients.
Photography: Mike Braca
Amanuel: Sometimes we also get spices directly from Ethiopia, but it’s difficult. We have to wait until someone will be traveling from Ethiopia. We just got a big bag of mitmita, which is a spiced chili powder mix. It’s used in many of the dishes, and you will also find a shaker on each table – you can use it to season dishes that aren’t spicy. The ingredient that is almost impossible to find here is the traditional Ethiopian butter, called Neter Kibe. Since it is fresh, it can’t be imported into the country. It is clarified butter with added spices like cardamom. You can buy some versions of it in the United States,
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but they are not the same. In Ethiopia, it is made from fermented milk, so it tastes strong, very different. The best substitute we were able to find in this area was $35 a pound and was only available in very small quantities. Is there an Ethiopian community in the Providence area? Amanuel: There are 20 to 25 Eritrean and Ethiopian families in the area, not a lot. Yodit: We have a few people from Ethiopia working with us at the restaurant – some have been here for a lot less time than us. My brother was just able to come to Rhode Island recently, and works here. What are your favorite menu items? Yodit: I like them all, but especially Doro Wot (chicken with a variety of spices, served with a hard boiled egg) and the vegetable dishes. All of our vegetarian dishes are vegan – they have no animal product. Amanuel: Lega-Tibs, which is fried beef with vegetables.
Do you have any plans for the restaurant and menu? Yodit: We want to start an Ethiopian coffee ceremony once a week. In Ethiopia, coffee is a big part of life. Drinking coffee is a ceremony that we take part in usually three times a day. The coffee beans are roasted over a stove and the coffee’s prepared in a special clay pot.
For anyone who yearns for a better life and has the guts to go for it. Steven M. Kane, Ph.D. Providence, RI 401-454-5700 kanesmk@verizon.net Inquiries invited
Amanuel: A few people have requested dishes that we would like to add to our menu one day. Kitfo is a favorite dish in our country – it is raw beef (like steak tartare) seasoned with spicy mitmita seasoning. Also, Dulet, which is a dish made with tripe and liver. Also, we want to do more takeout and maybe even bicycle delivery.
Abyssinia 333 Wickenden Street 454-1412 abyssinia-restaurant.com
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June 2011 | Providence Monthly
53
Feast | Dining Guide
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CASERTA’S PIZZERIA 121 Spruce St.; 621-9190. This Rhode Island tradition serves big pizzas with generous toppings and thick, rich tomato sauce. The Wimpy Skippy, a spinach pie with cheese and pepperoni, is not to be missed. LD $-$$
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76 South Main St.; 331-0003. Chef/owner Steven Davenport’s Parkside offers innovative foods ranging from spicy crab cakes to grilled tenderloin and Portobello salad. The menu also includes creative pasta dishes and Parkside’s signature rotisserie meat. LD $-$$
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54
Providence Monthly | June 2011
Andreas 268 Thayer St.; 331-7879. For a taste of Greece, head to Andreas. Their menu includes souvlaki, moussaka and a variety of kabobs, along with specialties like Lemon Oregano Lamb Chops and Spanakopita, an appetizer of spinach and feta in flaky phyllo dough. BrLD $-$$
BAKER STREET RUE 75 Baker St.; 490-5025. Chef Twillia Glover expands the Rue De L’Espoir empire with this comfortable neighborhood café serving “upscale diner food” with an emphasis on local ingredients. BBrL $
CAV 14 Imperial Pl.; 751-9164. The New York Times’ choice as one of Providence’s five best restaurants, CAV’s contemporary upscale cuisine is available al fresco for lunch and dinner daily. They also feature weekend brunch. BrLD $$-$$$ DON JOSE TEQUILAS 351 Atwells Ave.; 454-8951. Don Jose’s digs a little deeper than your average Mexican restaurant, with all the basics you love alongside more artfully composed entrees and a wonderful selection of house-made tequilas. LD $$ DOWNCITY 50 Weybosset St.; 3319217. DownCity has raised the bar for downtown dining with a menu makeover by Chef Gordon Ramsay of Kitchen Nightmares. Enjoy creative New England fare in a gorgeous, high-energy setting. BrLD $$-$$$
ASIAN BISTRO 123 Dorrance St.; 3833551. Chinese, Japanese and Thai, hibachi and sushi – they’re all under one roof at Asian Bistro. For the freshest flavors in a convenient downtown location, this is the place. LD $-$$$
BOMBAY CLUB 145 Dean St.; 2736363. Taste authentic North Indian cuisine in the cozy atmosphere of Bombay Club. The extensive menu includes Indian specialties such as lamb, seafood, vegetables and more. Weekends offer a lunch buffet. LD $-$$
ASIAN PALACE 1184 North Main St.; 228-7805. All the flavors of Asia are here: from Chinese classics to new Thai favorites to fresh, impeccably prepared sushi. The gorgeous banquet room is available for private functions. LD $-$$$
BRAVO BRASSERIE 123 Empire St.; 490-5112. Enjoy lunch and dinner at this American bistro with the French flair. Located downtown across from Trinity Rep, it’s the perfect place for a pre-theater dinner or cocktail after the show. LD $$-$$$
HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Ave.; 2230332. For authentic Japanese dining, try Haruki’s large variety of sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, soba noodles and delicious specialty entrees. Enjoy the chic atmosphere and the freshest sushi around. LD $-$$$
Aspire Restaurant 311 Westminster St.; 521-3333. Aspire offers an exquisite fine dining experience with a number of delicious small and large plates, numerous fine wines and full bar – with an emphasis on local ingredients. BBrLD $-$$$
BYBLOS 235 Meeting St.; 453-9727. Providence’s original hookah lounge offers more than just a relaxing smoke and chic atmosphere. You can also enjoy classic Lebanese dishes and light cuisine with your cocktail. LD $
HEMENWAY’S 121 South Main St.; 3518570. A true Providence classic, Hemenway’s has been serving top-notch seafood for 20 years. Their oyster bar features everything from the famed Prince Edward Island variety to the local favorite, Poppasquash Point. LD $$-$$$
Key
Br Brunch B breakfast L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
GOURMET HOUSE 787 Hope St.; 8314722. Beautiful murals and decor set the mood for delicious Cambodian and Southeast Asian cuisine, spicy curries and noodle dishes. The tamarind duck is a must. LD $-$$
Photography: Kate Kelley
Wings Done Right
HUDSON STREET DELICATESSEN 68 Hudson St.; 228-8555. For a true neighborhood deli, head to the West Side. Try one of their delicious specialty sandwiches, using only quality Boar’s Head meats, including the biggest and best grinder in town. BLD $ Kartabar 284 Thayer St.; 331-8111 This European-style restaurant and lounge offers a full menu of unique dishes such as Champagne Sea Bass and Gorgonzola-stuffed Filet Mignon. They also offer a gourmet wine list and martini menu. LD $-$$ McFADDEN’S RESTAURANT AND SALOON 52 Pine St.; 861-1782. Looking for a great sports bar that also offers top-notch dining? Look no further. For game night, a quality lunch or dinner, or a great after-work cocktail, stop by McFadden’s. LD $-$$ MILLS TAVERN 101 North Main St., 272-3331. The only restaurant in RI to receive The Mobile Four Star Award for five consecutive years, Mills Tavern provides traditional American cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. LD $$-$$$ MU MU CUISINE 220 Atwells Ave.; 369-7040. Get a true taste of China in the heart of Federal Hill. Mu Mu mixes the best of familiar stateside favorites with a selection of authentic Chinese specialties. LD $-$$ NEW RIVERS 7 Steeple St.; 751-0350. Long considered one of Providence’s finest restaurants, the James Beard Award-nominated New Rivers serves creative New American cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients in an intimate setting. D $$-$$$ NOT JUST SNACKS 833 Hope St.; 8311150. Indeed, it’s not just snacks, but rather some of the tastiest, most authentic Indian food around served in a comfortable, homey setting right in the heart of Hope Street. LD $-$$ Pizzico Ristorante 762 Hope St.; 421-4114. Pizzico sets the standard for Italian cuisine on the East Side, with award-winning food, a wide variety of wine and a rustic yet eclectic atmosphere. LD $$-$$$ Red Stripe 465 Angell St.; 437-6950. It’s classic comfort food with French influences. From their Grilled Cheese
with Tomato Soup to ten styles of Moules & Frites, Red Stripe’s menu is reasonably priced and made with passion. LD $-$$$ RUE BIS 95 South St.; 490-9966. This intimate eatery provides breakfast and lunch in a cozy, neighborhood bistro atmosphere – all with the gourmet pedigree of Hope Street dining staple Rue De L’Espoir behind it. BBrL $ Rue De L’espoir 99 Hope St.; 7518890. In business for over 30 years, the Rue has only gotten better. Beautifully prepared with the freshest ingredients, the innovative, constantly changing menu keeps diners on their toes. Superb brunch. BBrLD $$-$$$
Delighting palettes with award winning cuisine for over 20 years
New RIveRs
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 10 Memorial Blvd. (at the GTECH Center); 272-2271. Come celebrate their fifth year overlooking Waterplace Park by treating yourself to the best USDA Prime steak in Providence. Change your life one bite at a time. D $$$
7 Steeple St., Providence (401) 751-0350
Siena 238 Atwells Ave.; 521-3311. Federal Hill’s Siena features authentic Tuscan cuisine in a warm and lively atmosphere. The extensive menu includes wood-grilled veal, steak and seafood entrees along with signature pasta and sauté dishes. D $$-$$$ TAMMANY HALL 409 Atwells Ave.; 831-3180. This Irish pub and parlor is the place to be for food, drink and a relaxing smoke. Enjoy their friendly service and great pub fare while lighting up your favorite cigar. LD $ TASTE OF INDIA 230 Wickenden St.; 421-4355. Providence’s first Indian restaurant delivers on its promise of serving real (and really delicious) Indian cuisine, with seafood delicacies and Tandoori specialties, made with authentic Indian spices. LD $-$$
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TRATTORIA ZOOMA 245 Atwells Ave.; 383-2002. Located on historic Federal Hill, Zooma offers award winning Neapolitan cuisine in a beautiful, upscale setting, specializing in house made pasta, local fish, meats, vegetables and authentic wood fired pizza.LD $$-$$$
The Saltzman family has been servicing all of Rhode Island’s watch needs for 70 years and three generations.
United BBQ 146 Ives Street, 7519000. Barbecue is an art form here. Feed the inner man with a classic rack of ribs (sold in half or whole racks) or
Watch repairs for most makes and models including Crystals, Batteries, Straps, Complete Restoration, and more! Full time Watchmakers on premises!!
The Store That Service Built
Visit Saltzman’s Watches and More, Inc. on Facebook for upcoming events and specials.
1024 Reservoir Ave. Cranston • 946-0930 53 Old Tower Hill Rd. Wakefield • 789-0065 June 2011 | Providence Monthly
55
Feast | Dining Guide
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make it light with a “Tofurkey” kielbasa sandwich from the menu’s Weird Stuff section. They deliver. LD $-$$ WALTER’S RISTORANTE D’ITALIA 286 Atwells Ave.; 273-2652. Experience the authentic flavors of Chef Walter Potenza, a name long synonymous with Italian food in Rhode Island. This is a must-stop for foodies, and caters to gluten-free diners. D $$-$$$ WATERMAN GRILLE 4 Richmond Square; 521-9229. An exquisite waterfront dining experience, Waterman Grille offers a plethora of delectable dishes including grille and seafood plates with a focus on seasonal flavors and local offerings. BrD $-$$$ WINGS AND THINGS 250 Brook St.; 369-7551. This family run business offers fresh, never frozen, chicken wings bathed in hot sauce made by hand from freshly ground chili peppers, plus 20 sauces, appetizers, sandwiches and soups. LD $
East Bay
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Please join us on June 4 from 12pm-4pm to Help raise funds to build a community center for the hungry and homeless children of Haiti. Refreshments, raffles and 10% of sales will be donated to the cause!
DECK FORTY TWO 28 Water St., East Providence; 270-4245. Enjoy fresh seafood and Italian favorites at family friendly prices, along with the best waterfront view of the city. It’s a convenient trip from downtown, just off the East Bay bike path. LD $-$$$
Your destination for chic summer style 349-4611 • 20 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield www.RockandRoseBoutiquellc.com
Sign up online to join the McFadden’s Club and receive a $10 gift certificate and monthly food specials.
52 Pine St, Providence • 401.861.1782 www.mcfaddensprovidence.com 56
Providence Monthly | June 2011
HORTON’S SEAFOOD 809 Broadway, East Providence; 434-3116. Enjoy the finest of fresh seafood at this family-owned-and-operated restaurant. Horton’s is famous for their fried clams and fish and chips, and offers takeout. LD $-$$ Ichigo Ichie 5 Catamore Blvd., East Providence; 435-5511. The name roughly translates as “one encounter in a lifetime,” but you’ll want to visit again and again for the enchanting Japanese décor, and of
Key
course, the sushi and hibachi menus. LD $$ JACKYS GALAXIE 338 Metacom Ave., Bristol; 253-8818. Jacky’s offers an eclectic taste of Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese. Enjoy traditional recipes combined with modern technique and flair for a unique dining experience. LD $-$$$
South County ELEVEN FORTY NINE RESTAURANT 1149 Division St, (Warwick/ East Greenwich line), 884-1149. 965 Fall River Ave., Seekonk; 508-3361149. Metropolitan chic comes to the suburbs at this super stylish restaurant with a raw bar, outstanding menu, and some of the best cocktails around. LD $$-$$$ SIENA CUCINA 5600 Post Rd., East Greenwich; 885-8850. Siena features authentic Tuscan cuisine in a warm and lively atmosphere, plus over 20 wines by the glass and an Italian “tapas” menu. D $$-$$$
North RASOI 727 East Ave., Pawtucket; 728-5500. Rasoi, Hindi for “kitchen,” is the fruition of a dream by Chef Sanjiv Dhar to balance healthy food, personalized service and Indian culture. Featuring a full bar and famous weekend buffet. LD $-$$
West Bay CHAPEL GRILLE 3000 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston; 944-9900. Nestled in the hills of Cranston’s Chapel View complex, this restaurant offers great food and views. Enjoy a Mediterranean inflected menu while admiring the Providence skyline in the distance. LD $$-$$$
Br Brunch B breakfast L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
Get Out
Events / art / music / MOVIES / theatre
Show Your Pride June 18:
Remember the time that you went to Disney World on a family vacation and Mickey Mouse was gyrating on a float to house music, shirtless, wearing white boxer briefs, throwing beads to the crowd? Oops. Must have confused the Main Street Electrical Parade for a second, with the Illuminated Night Parade – minus the mouse ears and nose of course. Providence’s after dark floats, showcasing an equal number of completely clothed partici-
pants, snakes through downtown to a reviewing stand at PPAC, not Cinderella’s castle. It’s the grand finale of RI PrideFest, a daylong festival of music, education, intense joie de vivre, as well as more proof that gays can throw a celebration. And why shouldn’t their happiness bubble all the way out onto the street? Cramped, closeted life was way too dark, and went on way too long. So party on. 467-2130, prideri. com - Dawn Keable
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
57
Get Out | Calendar
by Dawn Keable
This Month June 4 Volunteer to be chief cauldron stirrer at the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport. newportwaterfrontevents.com June 7 Stroll Federal Hill at a civilized pace, instead of your normal dash. federalhillstroll.com
Casual Dining Tues. – Sunday Open for Lunch Sat. and Sundays Live Entertainment Thurs, Fri, Sat.
48 West Wrentham Road Cumberland, RI 410-658-5151 thedancingpigri.com
June 9 Lunch with Hope on a themed Downtown Walking Tour in honor of the city’s 375th birthday. providence375.com June 10 Groom your caddie for the Junior League of Rhode Island Golf Tournament at Triggs. jlri.org June 11 Celebrate the Revolution 1772 style during the Gaspee Parade in Warwick. gaspee.com June 12 Let your dog drive to Cause for Paws Classic Car Show in Warwick benefiting the Warwick Animal Shelter. petfinder.com/shelters/RI59.html June 18 Hitch a ride on the Providence and Worcester Railroad to the Roger Williams Park Zoo depot. pwrr.com June 23 Test psychic medium John Edward by not revealing any identifying details at the RI Convention Center. johnedward.net June 24 Lend comedian Aziz Ansari your Dangerously Delicious tag for the Newport leg of his tour. newportcomedy.com June 25-26 Turn your eyes towards the sky for the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show at Quonset. riairshow.org Got a cool upcoming event? Send the details, with plenty of advance warning, to dawn@providenceonline.com.
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History in the Making June 4: In the Providence lexicon, having a Blackstone Boulevard address means you’ve got it made. But it wasn’t always this way. This part of the East Side was considered the boonies until 1894, when the Olmstead brothers arrived to do a bit of landscaping. Add in a trolley line, a couple miles of stately homes, a walking path and bike lane and the rest is history. But can you imagine the stress that must go with living on this illustrious address – Butler Hospital did set up shop here after all. What if you don’t feel like cutting your lawn? Not to mention that every thief in the city heads out of their neighborhood for yours. The Providence Preservation Society takes away some of the mystery with the 32nd annual Festival of Historic Homes showcasing the Boulevard, and giving you the whole story. You know, for perspective. 11am-5pm. $35 advance, $40 day of. Blackstone Boulevard. 831-7440, ppsri.org
Photography: John Rogers
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
Get Out | Music
by Alyssa Smith
Concerts DJ Save
Micah Salkind (right) of Micah Jackson
by Dawn Keable
Analog Vs. Digital
Do records still matter in the era of the digital DJ?
Photography: Amy Amerantes
Most music lovers
have embraced playing and listening to music digitally. While many love the convenience, that sentiment doesn’t always ring true for DJs, especially those who still actually spin records. Yes, a great number of DJs are seen with computers these days, but some turntablists have resisted the change boldly, continuing to lug records to every show they play. DJs who spin digitally – using tools like CD “turntables,” iPods, laptops and Serato, software that emulates a traditional turntable setup – say the mode offers convenience, savings and access to the latest tracks. Micah Salkind, a DJ dedicated to digital, says he can’t go back to vinyl. His music archives were in both digital and vinyl formats, but “materially,” he says, “it became too overwhelming.” He also realized many of the artists he wanted to feature weren’t pressing vinyl, leaving him content to make the switch. Similar sentiments are echoed by another digital DJ, Dox Ellis (Justin Sayles), who DJs in bars and clubs, as well as for the local hip-hop collective Poorly Drawn People. He continues to hold on to a vinyl collection he sometimes uses for sampling. When it comes to performing, however, he’s typically bringing a computer, not crates of records. Spinning mostly ‘90s hip-hop and newer dubstep, Dox says it’s simply easier to rock a party when you can play a song with the touch of a button. “When you have a
busy room with a lot of people dancing, it’s easy to throw on one song after another,” he explains. With digital’s convenience and low bar to accessibility, allowing just about anyone to become a DJ, Dox and Micah realize some of the culture of DJing is lost in translation. “The performance tradition and physicality of what it means to DJ has definitely changed,” Micah admits. “It’s similar to when Adobe [graphic design software] became available and anybody could use Photoshop.” Dox calls this accessibility “democratization” in the DJ world, noting, “It’s not necessarily a bad thing. It creates more competition, but it forces you to be more creative.” Micah and Dox feel their skill and crowd pleasing abilities outweigh the old school showmanship, but two other local DJs (and frequent collaborators), Ty Jesso and DJ Save (Mike Curtis), say vinyl is still the way to DJ. One major factor that has kept them dedicated to records is the unparalleled sound quality. Both say digital tunes can’t touch the sound they can get from a spotless record. “Good clean records can sound just as good and loud as the most advanced digital medium,” Ty contends. The pair also points to the idea that truly knowledgeable music fans feel the art of DJing only occurs when records are spun. After DJing around the world for over 20 years, Ty Jesso can speak firsthand about how highly respected the vi-
Check out this month’s awesome shows
nyl DJ continues to be. “There are clubs in London that purely use vinyl,” he explains. “If you brought in CDs, they’d probably laugh at you and tell you not to bother.” Save and Ty seem to share the innate belief that records aren’t just music, but a form of art to cherish and share with others. Save compares his large vinyl library to other types of collecting. “It’s the same thing for somebody that collects books,” he contends. “They wouldn’t want the e-book version of Allen Ginsburg’s Howl – they’d want the original copy.” Constantly trying to find rare tracks and privately pressed LPs, Save thinks of his work as part DJ, part art curator, maintaining, “When you find rare things from deep soul or funk artists in the ‘60s and ‘70s, it’s kind of like you’re preserving history.” All four DJs have their preferred medium, but none see vinyl fading out. “For people playing on a more global stage, vinyl isn’t the industry standard,” Micah notes. “But I think of vinyl the same way I think of folk musicians holding on to certain traditions. People want to retain it as a performance.” And while DJs like Save and Ty Jesso are aware their style might come off as antiquated to some, their skill set continues to be revered by fellow DJs and music lovers. “I’ve gone to shows where once I break out my records, people throw money at me,” Ty recalls, proving that there is some worth left in those dusty 45s.
June 3-5 All the recent swingin’ is not a new development nor exclusive to Johnston, as Opera Providence demonstrates with Mosart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, and a fiancee swapping theme dating to the 13th century. Park Theatre, 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, parktheatreri.com
June 4 Get seduced – musically speaking, of course – by Chanteuse, a showcase for female vocal talent, both local and regional, organized by our own local chanteuse, Jess Powers. Firehouse 13, 41 Central Street. thejespowersproject.com
June 15 First Lil’ Wayne. Now Eddie Vedder, in support of his solo album Ukulele Songs. Who would have thought our little city would be workin’ as the jump-off point for so many tours? Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street. 421-2997, ppac.org
June 18 Oh, the questions going into Disco Nights: Will Deney Terrio showcase some moves? Will there be any Evelyn “Champagne” King shame? Will you be able to walk in the a.m.? Dunkin’ Donuts Center, One LaSalle Square. 331-6700, dunkindonutscenter.com
June 25 Demonstrate your good, old fashioned patriotism as Chifferobe and Cuban Revolution present Stars and Stripes: a USO Tribute Show, featuring jazz, burlesque and a Miss Stars and Stripes pageant. 60 Valley Street. 632-0649, chifferobecabaret.com
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Get Out | Movies
by Scott Duhamel
Film Here’s what’s showing on the local big screen. by Dawn Keable Bridesmaids
Lady Parts The bro-mantic comedy gets its female counterpart Like most pop culture
vultures, or at least those who deign TV to be an acceptable medium, I’ve had a long-term, on-again, off-again relationship with Saturday Night Live over its long and storied run. I’ve come back as a regular viewer in recent years, blithely ignoring those occasionally dead-on-their-feet sketches as a nature-of-the-beast thing. What’s brought me (and many others) back to the late night comedy altar is the succession of smart, sly and vibrant women – Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and currently, Kristen Wiig – who have continually nudged large portions of the show back into uproarious regions. I headed to a screening of Bridesmaids recently, an unusual detour down the unfamiliar back roads of the chick flick, solely because the new comedy was co-written and starred Wiig – and I went with heightened expectations. Wiig co-scripted Bridesmaids with comedian and Groundlings veteran Annie Mumolo, although the movie was made under the signature imprint of producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and directed by Apatow collaborator Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks), also a noted TV helmsman (The Office, Nurse Jackie). Wiig plays Annie, an attractive but perpetually unkempt single woman stuck in Nowheresville, suffering from the pangs of failure produced by a small business bakery failure, stuck in a unabashed booty call relationship with a handsome cad (Jon Hamm), slowly imploding while waiting on couples in the bloom of romance from behind the counter in a jewelry retailer. Her only anchor is her lifetime gal pal Lillian (Maya Rudolph), who shatters her fragile existence by announcing her sudden and impending nuptials. Wiig’s Annie, a good sport and perpetual onlooker, mutates into a wedding anarchist, prodded even fur-
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ther by her discovery of a potential new BFF for Lillian: Helen (Rose Byrne), a snotty control freak bent on shaping the wedding into a dream affair. The movie, a sly feminine answer to The Hangover, follows this triangle, along with three additional bridesmaids – Becca (Ellie Kemper), Rita (Wendy McLendon-Covey), and Megan (Melissa McCarthy) – as they go on a notso-magic carpet ride that encompasses pre-wedding sartorial choices, a trip to Las Vegas, and eventually the ceremony itself, with Annie comically and frenetically unbalancing all the way. (The male characters in this movie don’t mean a thing, and that’s a remarkably refreshing observation to note.) Obviously Bridesmaids has a bit more up its chiffoned sleeves than pratfalls and outlandish female behavior. The movie, which doesn’t offer much visually or formally, gently prods at the troubling conditions of both romantic resentment and class covetousness. Wiig’s everywoman is much like the lost male souls that Apatow’s features usually revolve around – although not quite akin to those characters’ essential manchildness, because Wiig’s downright hilarious portrait of a woman on the brink holds at its center an emotive weight that somehow resonates, despite the comedic machinations that propel the movie. Bridesmaids is a rambunctious tale, and it does feature a fairly raunchy centerpiece that will be debated as being too much or perfectly over-the-top, but most certainly will draw the approval of the male audience the movie needs to ensure its commercial success. Is Bridesmaids an exquisite leap into a new age of protofeminist mainstream comic cinema? I don’t think so, but it is legitimately funny, has a ton of heart, and features the absolutely first class Wiig operating on all cylinders – and that combination makes it worth seeing.
June 2 Yup, that’s kid doctor Doogie Howser, M.D., continuing his white coat obsession in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long, a musical miniseries about an aspiring supervillian. Providence Public Library, Auditorium Theatre, 150 Empire Street. 455-8057, provlib.org
June 5 LA, you can keep your out-of-control plastic surgery. It’s your hip philharmonic director Gustavo the world can’t get enough of. Watch as Dudamel Conducts Brahms live. Showcase Cinemas Warwick, 1200 Quaker Lane, Warwick. 885-1621, nationalamusements.com
June 10-12 The Providence GLBT Film Festival Preview is for all the times that you’ve tried to picture yourself up on the screen, only the over-the-top Hollywood heterosexual couple got in the way. Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street. 861-4445, film-festival.org
June 12 What were they doing for two days in London, Rome or Johannesburg? The Best 48 Hour Film Project Double Feature lets you scope out the international competition. The Spot Underground, 15 Elbow Street. 383-7133, 48hourfilm.com/providence
June 27 and 30 Night number one at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Fest brings you The Music of Erich Zann and Fear of the Unknown, with AM 1200 and Pickman’s Muse keeping you awake on the second. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street. 272-3780, provcomlib.org
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Providence Monthly | June 2011
•
Sunday, June 26
6:30 PM: The Patterson Smith Quartet 7:45 PM: Detroit Breakdown •
Monday, June 27
6:30 PM: The Superchief Trio 7:45 PM: Roomful of Blues
Tuesday, June 28
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Wednesday, June 29
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Thursday, June 30
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Friday, July 1
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Get Out | Art
by Vikki Warner
Exhibits Get inspired at this month’s artsy events by Dawn Keable
Ongoing Get in on the artistic experiment of Cuban born Evans Molina Fernandez, painter and performance artist, who emigrated to the US in 2004, with ideas of adding live percussion, music and dance. Gallery La Naive, 13 Bond Street. 751-5610, gallerylanaive.com
Double Your Pleasure The Providence Art Festival returns – twice Winter’s over, quite suddenly, and everything’s looking good. Flowers are in bloom, long walks are again on the docket, and the grill’s had its inaugural mission. Still feel like something’s missing? Clearly, you need a street festival. It’s time for The Providence Art Festival, and with two festivals this year, on June 4 and September 10, they’ll help you bring summer out of hiding, and then put it away for safekeeping. Both iterations of the festival, which is in its third year, will showcase the creations of about 80 artists and crafters, plus food and entertainment from a diverse list of local vendors, on a closed-to-traffic stretch of Westminster Street downtown. Artists must apply to participate in this juried show, so the selection is carefully curated to provide a quality mix of locally-made fine art, jewelry, gift items for adults and children, and super-fun localisms. Organizer Joanna Levitt of Cornish Associates says that this year’s festivals will include both new and returning artists; the latter have enjoyed past festivals so much – and found the audience so supportive – that they’ve practically demanded an additional festival. This year, the offerings range from the artfully odd plush creatures of The Beast Peddler, to the natural patterns of Nancy Reid Carr’s photos on aluminum, to stuffed Li’l Rhodies from FeltLikeIt, feathery jewelry from Larkin and Larkin, fine silver baubles from K. O’Brien, and stylish, cute hand-sewn and embroidered pillows and plush matroyshka dolls from The Story of Kat. Oh, and fun gifts for kids, tasteful housewares, apothecary items,
soaps, and t-shirts – all hand-made by your New England brethren. Levitt says the festival has several aims: to bring people downtown; to support local artists, crafters and businesses; and to provide family-oriented exhibits and activities. She also notes that this event attracts a demographic willing to not just come out to a party, but to open their wallets in support of small businesses in Providence. Apparently, they’ve done well in that area: the festival’s word-of-mouth among participating artists and crafters is good, and each year brings an increase in applicants. The festival is well promoted – so artists can focus on making quality work, Levitt says, and not on marketing it. On a summer day, downtown can be very good at bringing you out to just wander around – and then keeping you there for the people and the party. The Providence Art Festival will take place (rain or shine) on June 4 and September 10 from 10am to 6pm on Westminster Street between Eddy and Mathewson Streets. In addition to artists and crafters, the festival will include street performers, the Big Nazo puppets, food and drink from Ebisu Restaurant, El Rancho Grande, the Like No Udder Ice Cream truck and Tazza Caffé, face painting, and free children’s craft activities. There will be live music at both festival dates from 1pm to 6pm at the Grant’s Block (corner of Westminster and Union). Visit providenceartfestival.com for more information.
Through June 11 If you’re looking for attention, of deities or otherwise, you’d be wise to break out the shine. Witch Doctor showcases Cody Thompson’s beaded and sequined flags in Haitian Vodou style. Craftland, 235 Westminster Street. 272-4285, craftlandshop.com
June 7-30 It’s not like you haven’t appreciated the sticky stuff. Hello, sharp paint lines. But the Tape Art Installation, a large-scale piece for PVD’s 375th birthday, continues to elevate. Bank of America City Center, Two Kennedy Plaza. 331-5544, kennedyplaza.org
June 11 That cookie-cutter dress you just bought at Banana Republic? Today it’s easy to accessorize it with something unique, thanks to the Garden City Arts Festival, showcasing the high quality wares of over 100 artists. Garden City Center, Route 2, Cranston. 942-2800, festivalfete.com
June 27 You might as well turn a profit; there are only so many holidays for which you can craft gifts for before they start really piling up. Handmade Business: Selling Your Work on Etsy shows you how. RISD Continuing Ed, 20 Washington Place. 4546200, risd.edu/ce
June 2011 | Providence Monthly
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Get Out | Theatre
by Molly Lederer
On Stage See what’s going up this month
An Offer You Can’t Refuse Arlene Violet debuts her musical about the mob Are you still smarting
over the end of The Sopranos series? Still pondering such tough decisions as whether to leave the gun and take the cannoli? Still hoping for a chance to enliven casual conversations with the line, “Say hello to my little friend”? Then The Family has arrived just in time. This new musical about made men, inspired by Rhode Island’s own, contains all the drama and danger you crave — with none of the risk. Capiche? Development of The Family: A Musical about the Mob began in 2007, when two local celebrities joined forces. Former attorney general Arlene Violet and prolific composer Enrico Garzilli, a South County resident, discussed a show concept drawn from Violet’s experiences investigating the Mafia in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Collaborating weekly, Violet and Garzilli completed a working draft in ‘08 and started shopping it to producers. With investors interested in seeing the show “on its legs,” as Violet puts it, they decided to mount a full-scale production locally. The musical premieres this month in Providence—a fitting location, given the roots of Violet, Garzilli, and the story itself. Violet’s groundbreaking career path led the former nun to success in law, government, talk radio, journalism, and even theater — she performed in two separate runs of Nunsense at PPAC. But the role of playwright is a new one for her. A musical theater fan since the age of 12, Violet enjoyed exploring the genre. She explains, “As a writer, you write right up to the point where you want the emotional expression to be in a song. That’s different from the books, for example, that I wrote… And it’s sure different from the political column I write every week, which is like a nothing but the facts, ma’am kind of a thing.” The Family takes place in 1970s Rhode Island and centers on Don Marco, the Godfather of a New England crime syndicate. Don Marco is grappling with some serious problems, including unwanted pressure to sell dope, betrayal by some of his men, and disobedience from his closeted gay son, who is unwilling to take over the family business. As the Don struggles to maintain power, things get ugly — and fast. Sound familiar? Locals especially those who remember reputed mob boss Raymond L. S. Patriarca, Sr., may draw parallels to past events. Violet jokes, “The names have been changed to protect the guilty!” And while the story
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is fictionalized, she remains unafraid of hitting too close to home. Should anyone with whom she crossed paths as attorney general see the show, she notes, “I think they will agree it’s an authentic portrayal.” Violet hopes that The Family will reveal a more complete picture of the mob, without all the usual stereotypes. Her experience taught her that the “bad guys” were also capable of doing good things sometimes, and the “good guys,” bad. Unbeknownst to outsiders, those good deeds of mobsters often helped them to gain the control and even support of their communities. Violet also hopes audiences will relate to the universal struggles of families, as depicted in the show — how different expectations, warring ambitions, and poor decisions can wreak havoc. She adds, “People think sometimes their own family is dysfunctional. But they have to see this one to get a perspective on their own.” Peter Sampieri directs a largely local, top-notch cast, headed by Tom Gleadow as Don Marco and Mark Colozzi as a hit man who defects. At a recent May rehearsal, the excitement over the show was palpable; many of the actors expressed their thrill at originating roles in a brand new musical. Audiences can expect moments of humor but also serious drama, a flavor more Les Miz than Guys and Dolls — and Rhode Island accents, of course. To evoke Federal Hill, the set showcases Broadway, Atwells and Dean Street. A live orchestra of seven brings Garzilli’s lush musical score to life. And keep your eyes peeled for our February PM cover gal Miss Wensday, playing a neighbor who wants favors from the Don. Think you can find wise guys singing and dancing anywhere else in this state? Fuhgeddaboudit.
The Family: A Musical about the Mob June 2-July 1 Special Engagement at the Chace Theater at Trinity Rep 201 Washington Street, 351-4242 www.trinityrep.com
by Dawn Keable
Through June 5 Think this well-versed creepster would have gone out quietly? The Completely Fictional – Utterly True – Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe considers his last days. Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, trinityrep.com
June 6 Celebrate! Grandpa Hugh Is One-Hundred-And-Two! Yahoo!, in which the Manton Avenue Project continues to unleash the creative voices of neighborhood kids. Angell Blackfriars Theatre, Providence College, 549 River Avenue. 331-7007, mantonavenueproject.org
June 9-18 Go international as Spanish theater company Rompecabezas teams up with locally-based Strange Attractor Theatre for If You Shoot a Boot You Might Get Wet, a post-apocalyptic, two-person comedy. Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire Street. strangeattractortheatre.org
June 9-19 Travel back to 1998 Wyoming for The Laramie Project, as the reaction of the whole community is documented, giving all a chance to speak to the gay hate crime murder of Matthew Shepard. The Fire Barn, 340 Prospect Street, Fall River. 508-675-1852, littletheatre.net
June 10-19 Yeah, some dads just check out and stick you with a will. Catherine’s father in Proof leaves behind not only an unauthored prime numbers proof, but a rich legacy of mental illness. Jenks Auditorium, 350 Division Street, Pawtucket. 7266860, thecommunityplayers.org
Photography: Amy Amerantes
Mark Colozzi as Joe Barros in The Family
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The Last Detail
Feed the Meter Photography: Jonathan Beller
$1.3 million. That’s how much revenue the City’s parking meters generated last year. 35 percent. That’s how much of the possible revenue from them the City claims it lost due to under-enforcement. When a city’s as cash-strapped as ours – to the tune of a $110 million structural deficit projected next year – every dollar starts to count. That’s why you may have noticed more stringent parking enforcement lately. That’s why you may have seen more cars getting booted. That’s why you may have gotten a ticket on Saturday, when you might not have normally. In the past, parking tickets after 3pm, even on weekdays, were rare, because the cost of paying overtime for Parking Enforcement Officers (go ahead,
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call ‘em meter maids – they dare ya) outweighed the benefits. Now, with a new agreement from the public employees union, the City has more flexibility and will be enforcing those posted limits for all the hours they’re posted. That doesn’t mean you have to start lugging around pockets full of quarters, however; $10 and $20 ProvPass parking cards are available from the City. Of course, with the befuddling jumble of meters around town – traditional coin-op, multi-space meters that only take coins, multi-space meters that only take cards, none of which are clean enough to actually read in bright sunlight – you may still find yourself struggling to feed that meter. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you. -John Taraborelli
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