Kettle Point East Providence From the High $400,000s 401.553.6389
130 Willow Street Providence $415,000 401.457.3400
See the Video Tour at 130Willow.com
23 Annie Street Providence $319,000 401.274.6740
See Video and Floor Plans at KettlePointHomes.com
#1 in RI Homes Sold Four Consecutive Years * Barrington Cumberland East Greenwich Narragansett Providence West Side PVD Relocation
401.245.9600 401.333.9333 401.885.8400 401.783.2474 401.274.6740 401.457.3400 800.886.1775
*This statement is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. The MLS does not guarantee and is not in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Based on information from Statewide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for 1995-2018 as of January 2019.
180 Shaw Avenue Cranston $405,000 401.274.6740
667 Wickenden Street East Side of Providence $325,000 401.274.6740
775 Potters Avenue #4 Providence $109,000 401.457.3400
10 Exchange Court #205 Pawtucket $350,000 401.274.6740
© Disney
ON SALE NOW!
OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 10
PPACRI.ORG • (401) 421-ARTS (2787) • Groups of 10+ contact Paul Hiatt: (401) 574-3162 BankNewport Family Night: Wednesday, November 6 at 7P - inquire at the Box Office about this special offer. FAMILY NIGHT PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ABC6 AND COAST 93.3
SLOTS | TABLE GAMES | DINING CONCERTS | HOTEL | NIGHTLIFE
UPCOMING ENTERTAINMENT AT TWIN RIVER!
LOVERBOY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
BILLY OCEAN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
AMERICA FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
JUST 10 MINUTES FROM PROVIDENCE!
Featuring over 4,100 big-hitting slots and over 120 table games, a poker room and now with sportsbetting too! Enjoy endless entertainment, first-class dining, non-stop excitement and stay and play at our new hotel, featuring 136 rooms and suites. Only at Twin River Casino Hotel, voted New England’s friendliest casino!
Plan your trip at TWINRIVER.COM or play online today at PLAY.TWINRIVER.COM.
877.82.RIVER |
100 Twin River Road | Lincoln, RI
Stay & Play
EAT DRINK PARTY BOWL
REPEAT AS NECESSARY!
225 Niantic Ave. Cranston, RI 401 944 0500 www.LangsBowlarama.com
Discover
LOFT STYLE
LIVING
2FREE MONTHS
*
Your new urban loft lifestyle starts here at US Rubber Lofts, a beautiful historic mill apartment community located just minutes from Federal Hill and downtown Providence! These elegant 1-4 bedroom/1-2 bath lofts have it all—style, location, comfort and convenience—all rolled into a chic, pet-friendly apartment community you’ll love coming home to!
Residents also enjoy access to an assortment of tastefully appointed on-site amenities including fitness center, theatre room, indoor putting green & basketball court, pet washing station, game room, rooftop deck and outdoor patio & grilling area. Convenient on-site storage and garage parking are also available! *Limited time offer, subject to change. New tenants only, not transferable.
Come take a tour!
Our leasing office is open Mon/Weds/Fri/Sat/Sun 8:30am5:00pm, and Tues/Thurs 8:30am-7:00pm. Call or stop by today!
12 Eagle St, Providence RI 401-204-1603 | usrubberlofts.com
Scan to learn more!
risdcraft.com
a juried sales exhibition of alumni & student work
Saturday, October 12 10"am – 5"pm Artwork clockwise from top: Richard Haining 05 FD Anna Boothe 81 SC Julia Samuels MFA 15 PR
Benefit Street between Waterman & Hopkins streets
LOOKING FOR
RESULTS? CALL JIM TODAY, HE’LL GET YOU MOVING.
THE NUMBER 1 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AGENT OVERALL IN TOTAL LISTINGS AND SALES* *Statewide MLS and public record
EAST SIDE
W NE
LI
ST
EAST SIDE
W NE
LI
ST
EAST SIDE
W NE
LI
ST
EAST SIDE
W NE
LI
ST
410 Cole Avenue $1,595,000
08 Slater Ave (land) $800,000
365 Cole Avenue $739,000
06 Slater Ave (land) $650,000
EAST SIDE
EAST SIDE
CUMBERLAND
EAST SIDE
N PE
DI
NG
N PE
288 Blackstone Blvd $4,950,000
DI
NG
LD
LD
LD
7 Sierra Court $624,000
LD
LD
DI
NG
LD
ST
EAST SIDE N PE
DI
NG
71 Edgehill Rd $429,000
DOWNTOWN LD
EAST SIDE SO
28 Bassett St #4D $635,000
EAST SIDE SO
LI
10 Creston Way $429,000
15 Cole Avenue $579,000
SO
349 Cole Avenue $679,000
EAST SIDE SO
N PE
EAST SIDE SO
59 Kettle Point Ave $764,076
EAST SIDE SO
NG
RIVERSIDE SO
24 Jennys Lane $770,000
DI
84 Fosdyke Street $669,000
BARRINGTON SO
N PE
EAST SIDE
W NE
LD
277 Benefit Street #2 $597,000
EAST SIDE SO
LD
OAK HILL SO
LD
JIM DeRENTIS 470 Lloyd Avenue $557,000
R E NT IS
61 Sessions Street $494,500
145 9th Street $456,500
127 10th St $441,100
280 Hillside Avenue $390,000
Serving Providence’s East Side & West Side, Elmhurst, Edgewood & Oak Hill RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LTD • 401.553.6383 • PVDREALESTATEGUY.COM
8
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
CO N T E N TS Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
Providence Monthly • October 2019
Learn the spectacular story behind New England’s famous pumpkin patch (pg. 32)
28 Fall/Winter College Sports Preview This season’s guide to your favorite university teams
32 Making a Spectacle Behind the state’s most famous Halloween display
DEPARTMENTS Pulse
13 What went wrong with JUMP
26 RHODY GEM: This month’s
48 FOOD NEWS: The new owner
60 ART: Live from the East Side it’s
shop is a must for WaterFire fans
at Waffle Providence isn’t messing
acclaimed set designer Eugene Lee
around
bikes – and how to fix the bikeshare system
16 Providence-based Cleverhood
Life & Style
39 SHOP: Must-try fresh-from-the-
50 EXPERIENCE: The transformative experience that is Plant City’s
64 ON STAGE: Four stage productions that embrace the possibilities of theater
farm bath and body care products
New Burger
18 Empty Bowls raises money for
40 HOME: Water damage leads to
53 RESTAURANT GUIDE: Loosen
RI Food Bank – and showcases
a dream kitchen rebuild
your belt - there’s a lot of delicious-
66 A stunning fall frame from
ness to be had
contributing photographer
keeps folks dry all over the world
both artists and chefs
20 Four ways to experience
43 INFLUENCER: The chic style of
Art & Culture
and around the city
22 City consulting group
hibition and forum connects plants
57 THE MUST LIST: Events you
Food & Drink
can’t miss this month
nuts unveils its “Night Cruller”
62 MUSIC: Why Olympic Records
45 SPOTLIGHT: KNEAD Dought-
restorative justice
24 YEAR OF THE CITY: Special ex-
Kayla Mandeville
health expert Dr. Yvonne Heredia
the good kind of scares in
fosters community through
Pic of PVD
gets the gold
46 IN THE KITCHEN: Nitro Cart’s co-owner gets candid about success, gender, and coffee
to policy and planning
ON THE COVER: A spectacular display of jack-o-lanterns at RWP Zoo. Photo courtesy of RWP Zoo. ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
9
DavidHasslinger.com/testimonials
David Hasslinger
Will Sherry
Introducing the
HASSLINGER/SHERRY TEAM
Call today for PERSONALIZED SERVICE to SELL your current home or FIND your first.
401.465.8625 “David is very responsive, knowledgeable, kind, generous and all around a wonderful agent and person.”
“I highly recommend working with David!”
“David’s knowledge, connections and welcoming personality were a real plus in selling our home.”
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!
“This was my first home purchase, and David made the process very easy.”
“David stood out as honest and genuine.”
“I’ve bought over 30 properties in my life, and it’s rare to find the whole package that is David Hasslinger.” MONTHLY
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell
Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre
Editor in Chief Elyse Major
Editor Megan Schmit
Staff Writer Robert Isenberg
Editor Lauren Vella
Art Director Nick DelGiudice
Associate Art Director Brandon Harmon
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas
Graphic Designer Taylor Gilbert
Staff Photographer Savannah Barkley
Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher Kristine Mangan Olf Elizabeth Riel Dan Schwartz Stephanie Oster Wilmarth For advertising information email: Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com
Candy Trays • Salt Water Taffy • Wide Assortment of Chocolate Assorted Chocolates • Buttercrunch • Turtles • Gourmet Truffles
Contributing Photographers Wolf Matthewson
Sugar-free Chocolates & Non-Chocolate Novelties • Gift Baskets Contributing Writers Bob Curley Adam Hogue Jackie Ignall
Looking for an internship? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com
GARDEN CITY • 401.942.2720
|
WAKEFIELD • 401.783.4433
WWW.SWEENORSCHOCOLATES.COM
Distribution Services Special Delivery
PROVIDENCE MEDIA INC. 1070 Main Street, Suite 302, Pawtucket RI 02860 401-305-3391 • Mail@ProvidenceOnline.com ProvidenceOnline.com
10
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Let’s Meet Here and Bsocial
OUT NOW
DINING 10 Trends Shaping the Restaurant Scene
+ STOCK YOUR PANTRY, RHODY STYLE
WHERE TO:
>> Eat Vegan in RI >> Take a Tequila Tour >> Brunch in Providence >> Sip Local Fruit Wines And Much More!
ell
Anatomy of an Iconic Avocado Toast
Dinners on the Beach Find Every Kind of Pizza
TUESDAY-FRIDAY
Our speciality magazine:
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Lunch: 11:30am-2pm Dinner: 5pm-11pm
Brunch: 10am-2pm Dinner: 5pm- 11pm
Pick up a free copy at hundreds of locations around Rhode Island.
ONLINE
WATERPLACE COMPLEX
200 EXCHANGE STREET, PROVIDENCE RIVER WALK LEVEL | (401) 256-5686 Valet Parking Available
THERIVERSOCIAL.COM THE_RIVERSOCIAL
Web exclusive:
Celebrating all the things we love about the East Bay.
Follow Us: @PVDMonthly
Sign up for our weekly email: ProvidenceOnline.com ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
11
Sunday, November 10 ❆ 10a.m. to 4p.m.
❆
CRAFTOPIA HOPE ARTISTE VILLAGE
3.1394 RI ❆ Free Parking Behind Bldg. ❆ 1005 MAIN STREET, PAWTUCKET,
Sponsored by:
Visit our NEW STORE 769 HOPE STREET, PVD
RhodyCraft.com
MONTHLY
Highest Quality, Easiest Access For a List of Patie nt Se rv ice Ce nte r Locations:
4 0 1 -7 9 3 -4 2 4 2
8 0 0 -9 8 0 -4 2 4 4
Life spanLabs.org 12
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
$1
admission just a buck
PULSE
SWITCHING GEARS What went wrong for JUMP Bikes - and how to fix the bike-share system The drama started with an armed robbery. And it only got worse from there. The victim was an unnamed man in his 40s. He was outside, on a West Side street, when a stranger approached with a handgun. He struck the victim, injuring him. At the time, it was unclear whether anything was stolen. But the details hardly matter. The point of this story – the reason anyone remembers a random mugging – is the getaway vehicle. The assailant rode away on a JUMP bike. Two months ago, this sounded ridiculous. Who would use a 70-pound bicycle, painted fire-engine red, to flee a scene? How did the suspect
even use the bike? Didn’t he need a smartphone, a special app, and an approved credit card? Couldn’t the police just track the bike’s GPS? No, no, and no. A week earlier, the Providence Journal reported that JUMP bikes are “easily broken into.” An unidentified teen explained to reporter Madeleine List how vulnerable the locking mechanism was; a bike could be hacked in minutes. Rumors circulated that a rider could dismantle the onboard computer, so the bikes couldn’t be tracked. There was only one drawback: A hacked JUMP bike doesn’t have power-assist. Otherwise, it was a free – if cumbersome – new bicycle. And because JUMP had expanded so
Photography by Nick DelGiudice ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
13
PULSE • City
14
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
and after acts of vandalism on JUMP bikes we have decided, in partnership with the city, to temporarily remove bikes from operation in Providence.” Spokes in the Wheel On paper, a bike share program is a great idea. The bicycle is small and efficient. They’re cheap, compared to cars. They’re carbon neutral. Most Americans know how to ride a bike. In a dense city like Providence, you can navigate the labyrinthine streets nearly as fast as cars can drive; parking is instantaneous. Providence isn’t that hilly, and with a power -assisted motor, you can fly up College Hill without breaking a sweat. The electric motor is a dream for riders who may find biking challenging. And in practice, bike share programs are still a great idea. Customers run errands on borrowed bikes all over the world. Pittsburgh has never canceled its own system, Healthy Ride. Phoenix has never been overrun by an army of Grid Bike thugs. Taiwanese aren’t beaten up by random strangers on YouBikes. So why Providence, a small city with moderate street crime? And why now? Part of the problem was technical: A bike that can get stolen will get stolen. Once that vulnerability was exposed, JUMP struggled
to keep up with thefts and misuse. The safeguards they had relied on – GPS in particular – couldn’t protect the bikes from abuse. But residents were filing complaints long before any “bike mob.” Much of the misbehavior may stem from the JUMP model itself: Any adult can download the app and start riding, whether they know bike etiquette or not. In theory, this policy democratizes the system. Yet taking an Uber to the airport requires no skill; bicyclists must obey traffic laws. Curiously, Rhode Island does not require a helmet for any cyclist over the age of 15, but a power-assisted JUMP bike can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour. You don’t have to be a physicist to know how deadly that velocity is, especially in Downcity traffic. JUMP started with a 400 bikes last September, then ballooned its fleet to 1,100 in April. As Providence drivers attempted to adjust to all these new bikes on the road – many of them operated by rookie riders – residents dealt with another problem: the “dockless” system. Riders were free to leave their bikes anywhere within a certain zone. JUMP hires workers to retrieve stray bikes and re-charge them, so they eventually end up neatly displayed at their “hubs”. Riders are also rewarded with a $1 credit when they return their bike to a hub. But this incentive wasn’t enough. “One of the problems is that, after they’re being used, they’re just being left on someone’s
In September 2018, a 13-year-old girl was struck by a car while riding a JUMP bike to school
Photo courtesy of NBC 10 WJAR
quickly, there were more than 1,000 units to choose from, standing on street corners, just waiting to be stolen. From there, the ProJo headlines were fast and furious. “Misuse of JUMP bikes a problem in Providence.” “Police see increase in crimes connected to JUMP bikes.” “Teens on JUMP bikes beat, robbed man on Federal Hill.” And finally, on August 16, just a week after the West Side assault: “Mob on bicycles blocks traffic in Providence, assaults people, steals snacks, police say.” JUMP was already under heavy scrutiny, after its parent company, Uber, unexpectedly raised its rental fee from $2 per 30 minutes to $9, a 350 percent increase that infuriated many subscribers. In the wake of public outcry, Uber lowered the rates to $3 per 30 minutes. This didn’t look good for a company that had received a $400,000 federal grant to install the bikes in the first place. That wasn’t all. The “dockless” bikes were turning up everywhere, “littering” streets and parks with expensive motorized vehicles. “I have received numerous daily complaints about these bikes… being left on sidewalks, blocking walkways and driveways, and being a hazard for those with mobility issues,” said Michael Correia, Council President Pro Tempore, in a statement. “I have even had complaints of bikes being vandalized by young people. I believe that we need to provide alternate and economical forms of transportation across the city, but I’m concerned that a safety plan or retrieval plan are not in place.” All of this was bad news, whether you cared about JUMP bikes or not. But that last report – of 100-plus teenagers running rampant in Downcity – was the final nail in the innertube. Local media identified the event as a “Rideout,” a kind of two-wheeled flash-mob organized on social media. One man was reportedly punched in the face. Adolescents reportedly flooded a store and snatched items from shelves. The stories of “hooliganism” were graphic and grotesque. And at the center of it all was that bright, red bicycle. JUMP had been taken for a ride. On August 22, nearly one year after the bikes hit Providence, JUMP pulled its entire fleet. A much-circulated quote came from Harry Hatfield, a spokesman for Uber: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do,
front sidewalk,” Councilman Correia told Providence Monthly. “They’re dumped in the middle of the street. Just left unattended. I believe they need to be brought back to a specific location, like a bike rack.” Correia was a vocal critic of JUMP bikes, as well as the Bird and Lime scooters that operate in much the same way. Correia called for a suspension of service at the end of July, before the “bike mob” started making headlines. JUMP, and the City, eventually agreed with him. But Correia remains a supporter of the concept. “I’m not opposed to the bike-share program at all,” he said. “I think we need to offer alternative forms of transportation. But the
across the country. We remain supportive of the concept and will continue to collaborate with JUMP management as it works toward solutions that ensure the safe and proper use of its bikes.” A New Path Many concerns remained, of course, and answers were few. After all, JUMP had hiked rates before, shocking its subscribers. Would this happen again, and would it preclude low-income users? Uber is a controversial brand, and management has scrambled to address ride-share safety concerns; would it do the same for amateur bicyclists?
nization, but Recycle-a-Bike is arguably the opposite of JUMP: simple, educational, and deeply invested in the community it serves. Much of that community includes young residents from low-income homes – the very demographic spotlit in the “bike mob” headlines. “Bike shares can be really great ways to get folks active and using bicycles if they weren’t using them before,” said Sankey. “They’re also great for that ‘last mile’ of someone’s trip that public transit couldn’t take them. Drawbacks or problems aren’t inherent in bike share programs, they’re products of design. If bike share programs are affordable, accessible, safe, scalable, and their
policies and procedures need to be tightened up a lot more, to make sure these bikes don’t become a nuisance to the city.” Indeed, a critical mass of people wants JUMP to work, and it’s often hard to believe that so much fuss has been made over a bicycle. A major JUMP sponsor is Lifespan Health System, which has a vested interest in daily exercise. Following the suspension of service, Lifespan decided to stay its course. “Lifespan is committed to sponsoring a bike-share program with the intention of promoting exercise and easy, accessible, environmentally friendly transportation in and around Providence,” read a Lifespan statement. “This has been very successful in other markets
And in the end, should JUMP bikes take all the blame, or did those fault lines already exist? “Asking what band-aid solutions an international corporation can offer us is not useful,” wrote Gregory Sankey, in an email. “What problem are we asking them to fix? It is of our city’s creation: public transportation, access, mobility.” Sankey is well versed in Providence’s bicycle culture: He is director of operations at Recycle-a-Bike, a volunteer-based organization in Olneyville. The facility refurbishes donated bikes, instructs locals in bike maintenance, and provides an open shop. Sankey’s opinions don’t necessarily reflect his orga-
owners are accountable, then they are likely to be successful.” He added: “Uber was given $400,000 [in federal money] to provide goods and services to the city of Providence. If our organization and our peers (Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council) were given even half of that money, we could have given hundreds, if not thousands of Providence residents bicycles that they would be personally responsible for. Not only that, but we could have given them helmets, locks, lights, and instruction on how to fix their own bicycles and how to properly ride their bicycles on the road.” Perhaps it’s time to switch gears.
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
15
PULSE • City
Experience. Integrity. Results.
Under the Hood Providence-based Cleverhood keeps folks dry all over the world Shown: The CleverTrench Rain Jacket
CALL Gerri Schiffman (401) 474-3733
gerrischiffman.com
residentialproperties.com gerri@residentialproperties.com 16
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
The Cleverhood design looks like a lot of things – a poncho, a cloak, a shawl – and at the same time, there’s nothing quite like it. Each item is sleek, ergonomic, and
smartly zippered. Reflective lines are invisible during the day, but they glow urgently at night. The fitted hood is often compared to Sherlock Holmes’ deerstalker
Photo by Meg McMahon, courtesy of Cleveerhood
A Trusted Advocate for Buyers & Sellers for 26 Years
gorham silver designing brilliance 1850 –1970
through dec
1, 2019
Gorham Manufacturing Company, Fruit Stand (detail), 1872. The Gorham Collection. Gift of Textron Inc.
f ies ed
or body &
ho
m
e
rem
224 Benefit Street Providence, RI 02903 RISDMUSEUM.ORG
evo lve P
O
Y
A
cap, shielding the face from drizzle. All versions are unisex, and perfect for fall. “We’re the only business really committed to rain capes,” says Susan Mocarski, founder of Cleverhood. “And Providence is a really great hub for us.” The company is turning eight years old, and it’s come a long way: They ship to countries as distant as Estonia, and they make appearances at trade shows all over the world. They’ve released a line of dog hoods, called Cleverpup, as well as CleverFur, which looks like animal pelts but is actually waterproof poly nylon. The apparel is especially popular in rainy, bikeable cities, such as Brooklyn and Seattle. And although California isn’t known for its precipitation, Cleverhood has a big following among Silicon Valley startups. Repeat customers are common, and many people will pay for the capes with long-collected bundles of cash. Cleverhood apparel is sewn and cut in three different factories – in Fall River, Philadelphia, and Oakland, California – and the sealing process is surprisingly technical. Because industrial buildings are always in danger of closing from lack of use, Cleverhood has started the unusual practice of sharing those manufacturing sites with other companies. The company is headquartered in a cozy, well-lit building in Federal Hill. Despite its success, Cleverhood is still a niche market, and the company only has four employees; the most recent hire was Isaac, Susan’s son. “People call in and ask to talk to customer service,” says Emmett Conway, co-owner of Cleverhood, “and they don’t realize it’s just us.” The latest creation speaks to their environmental concern: The green-tinted cape is covered in little boxes and numbers. Look close, and you’ll learn that these numbers are statistics about U.S. national parks, which Susan describes as “data art.” Environmental awareness never looked so cool. Cleverhood.com -Robert Isenberg
T H E C A
R
OUR NEW SPA ROOMS ARE OPEN, COME AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU! couples treatments | friends facials | body treatments + SO MUCH MORE!
769 Hope St. Providence, RI 02906 |
401.383.3089 |
evolveapothecary.com
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
17
So Many Reasons to Visit
PULSE • City
THE ARCADE PVD Hope-Full Empty Bowls raises money for RI Food Bank – and showcases both artists and chefs
Find nearly 1,000 locally crafted ceramic bowls at this one-of-a-kind fundraiser
DINING • COFFEE & COCKTAILS BOOKS & ODDITIES • JEWELRY & ANTIQUES VINTAGE CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES SALON SERVICES • SPECIAL EVENTS
65 Weybosset Street / 130 Westminster Street 454-4568 • Downcity Providence www. ArcadeProvidence.com
AV FALL S
INGS 25-75 % OFF
VINTAGE | POST MODERN ART DECO | ORIENTAL RUGS VINYL RECORDS | FURS
Reliable
F U R N I T U R E G A L L E RY We Buy & Sell Quality Furniture 881 Westminster Street, Providence 861-6872 | rjlgallery@gmail.com ReliableJewelryAndLoan.com
Wed-Fri 11-6 • Sat & Sun 10-4 | Mon & Tues by Appointment 18
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
“I think the metaphor is really nice,” says Kelly Seigh, event manager for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We’re helping fill bowls in the community. It’s a kind of reminder.”
The idea is catchy: Ceramic artists donate nearly 1,000 clay bowls to the Food Bank. On October 17, more than 800 people will show up at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, along
Photo courtesy of Empty Bowls Media
Largest Selection of Vintage Furniture
with 40 local restaurateurs. Each visitor will pick a preferred bowl, fill it with gourmet samples, and have a total blast. For five years, the Empty Bowls party has been the Food Bank’s most lucrative fundraiser. Kelly didn’t invent Empty Bowls, but she introduced the concept to Rhode Island, and the party has been a raging success since its inception. “We went big from the very first year,” she says. “There are just so many artists and restaurants that are donating their time. There’s so much good buzz in the room. We want this to be an event that anybody can come to.” Excitement builds long before the actual celebration. Ceramic artist John Mitchell has hosted “Empty Bowl parties” at Dew Claw Studios in Pawtucket, where crafters shape artisanal bowls specifically for the event; other ateliers do the same. Similarly, chefs were originally asked to make different kinds of soup and stew, but the menu quickly expanded to pasta, ribs, bread pudding, mac and cheese, donuts, and cupcakes, among countless other items. Basic admission (booked in advance) is $50, which means unlimited food and a one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl for each participant. There is a VIP table, where some of the more elaborate objets d’art are displayed, but Kelly says that there is plenty of creativity to browse. The Food Bank also has a number of sponsors, including Citizens Bank, which provides “a small army of volunteers.” Last year, the Food Bank raised a total of $117,000. Ironically, Kelly herself has never walked away with a bowl, because she’s so busy organizing. “But my friends come every year,” she says. “Whenever I go to their house, I see their collection of bowls in their cupboards.” Empty Bowls takes place October 17 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Cranston. RIFoodBank.org -Robert Isenberg
• bagels • lox platter • schmears Yom Kippur: We have you covered! Order online by Friday 10/4 use code PVDM10 for 10% off rebelleartisanbagels.com
110 Doyle Ave (corner Camp St.) • certified by Lighthouse Kosher
Christine Noel Artistic Director
an extraordinary one-night event
100 voices, orchestra & classical ballet
Fauré’s REQUIEM
LUMINOSITY
Original choreography by the State Ballet of Rhode Island
Saturday November 9, 2019, 7pm
McVinney Auditorium, Providence Order early for the best seats!
www.providencesingers.com ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
19
Put this on your Fall bucket list!
PULSE • City
A WARM APPLE PIE WAFFLE Get Your Haunt On Four ways to experience the good kind of scares in and around the city Every Wednesday night through October: Haunted Boat Tours
Tues-Thurs: 11am-10pm Fri & Sat: 9am-11pm • Sun: 9am-2pm
Photography by Wolf Matthewson
45 Weybosset Street | 808-6569
20
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Have you heard the news?! Providence Picture Frame is moving! It’s officially fall – for some of us, this simply means changing leaves, pumpkin pie, and sweater season. But for the thrill-seekers, it’s also time for everything spooky and scary in honor of Halloween. Whether it’s a skin-tingling tour downtown or a terrifying maze just outside city limits, we’ve got you covered with a selection of local haunts – if you can handle them. Haunted Boat Tours You might be familiar with Providence River Boat tours, but Wednesdays through the end of October, their usual river ride gets a spooky twist. The dark water, cobblestone walkways, and centuries-old architecture provide a fitting backdrop for stories of Providence’s not-so-dearly-departed denizens. ProvidenceRiverBoat.com/Haunted-BoatTours, Fox Point Marina
Well, after 150 years I guess it was time for them to buy their own building.
Vintage Providence Picture Frame ad, circa 1900
27 Dryden Lane, Providence, RI 02904 M-Sat. 8:30–6:30 401.421.6196 www.ProvidencePictureFrame.com
Slater Park Haunted Tunnel This 200-foot concrete maze houses nine rooms, each designed to bring one of your worst nightmares to life. When you’ve made it out alive, wander their additional attractions, including a cemetery, industrial corn maze, and pumpkin patch. Facebook: Haunted Tunnel RI, Pawtucket The Haunted Labyrinth This is the longest-running haunted house in New England, and after 35 years, it’s safe to say they’ve mastered the art of the perfect scare. You’ll get lost in twists and turns full of various nightmares, complete with strobe lights, frightening characters, and dead-ends sure to leave your heart pumping. It’s hard to believe the entire thing is housed in a youth center. HauntedLabyrinth.com, Cranston
Learn. Connect. Grow. at Nicol Squash Club
Providence Ghost Tour If you’re looking for horror with a side of history, then this lantern-led walking tour is the perfect fit. Learn about the local legends and things that go bump in the night, many of which still keep college kids up in their beds. Prospect Terrace Park, ProvidenceGhostTour.com
The largest, community based squash facility in New England Located on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island Featuring membership and programming for all ages and levels
Nicolsquashclub.com info@nicolsquashclub.com • 401-831-7350 ext: 764 ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
21
PULSE • City
Specializing in Historic Property on the West Side, Broadway Armory District and Historic Elmwood for the past 18 years.
YRP believes in approaching conflict through person-toperson rehabilitative efforts
Justice League
Call Jane Driver 401.641.3723 Happy to assist you with all of your real estate needs
jdriver@residentialproperties.com 22
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
“We can’t hurt people into healthy behavior,” says Trinice Holden, the impassioned Executive Director of the Youth Restoration Project (YRP). Trinice is referring to the ways that punitive institutions in Rhode Island and the greater US seek to discipline and keep order. As early as the 1970s, research shows that the criminal justice system is all but rehabilitative; it rarely gets to the root of the larger issue, only determining who is “innocent” and who is “guilty”, and oftentimes reinforces – even perpetuates – the same criminal or undesired behavior. YRP recognizes this and believes in the effectiveness of restorative justice: A person-to-person rehabilitative model that can help change the way we think about resolving conflict of all kinds. What is restorative justice? Historically, the practice derives from a Native American tradition that is community-focused. When one individual hurts another, it affects the surrounding collective, not just the parties involved. According to the YRP, restorative
practices seek to get to the root of the conflict by understanding the motivations of the offender and for that offender to understand the hurt they’ve caused others. This, Trinice says, leads to productive healing on both sides and integrates both parties back into the community. YRP works mostly with schools and organizations (both non- and for-profit) to implement conflict resolution training. The group steps in to improve workplace culture or train faculty and school staff on how to deescalate heated interactions. Trinice relays that most common challenges in schools are fights and social media bullying, and the students involved do not realize the complete effect they have on their classmates. Recalling a school altercation, Trinice says, “The fight made the [other] students worried and anxious. They weren’t sure if the participants were safe or if the fighting would spread. While talking about the incident in the meeting the student realized that he
Photo courtesy of Youth Restoration Project
Providence consulting group works to foster community through restorative practices
CITY KITTY Veterinary Care for Cats Walter! Paws what you’re doing right now!
!
ME-WOW
You’re right, Stanley! It’s time for another cuddle purr-scription!
Find us on Social Media @citykittypvd
Taking care of cats since 1999
400 Hope Street, Providence • 401-831-MEOW (6369) • city-kitty.com
TWIN OAKS CLASSICS hadn’t even thought about the other classmates as affected parties and was far more remorseful for what he had done.” However, YRP does not want to stop at schools and companies: They’ve begun to scratch the surface of local government and the administration is currently speaking with government members that are interested in restorative practices. YRP is not the only organization that is implementing restorative practices into their work. A fact, Trinice says, that is very exciting. “It’s not just us. There are so many grassroots organizations in Rhode Island that are working within different parts, different fills, whether it’s within policies or procedures, or housing advocacy, or making sure that people who have been incarcerated are at the table when it comes to having those conversations.” To volunteer for the Youth Restoration Project, email Trinice Holden at Trinice@YRPOfRI.org. YRPofRI.org. -Lauren Vella
NEW AND CLASSIC MENU ITEMS DAILY AND WEEKLY SPECIALS
Celebrating 85 years | Family Owned and Operated 100 SABRA STREET, CRANSTON • 781-9693 • TWINOAKSREST.COM ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
23
Artwork by Leslie Bostrom
PULSE • Year of the City (branded partnership)
Forces of Nature Special exhibition and forum connects plants to people, policy, planning
Exhibitions Performances Storytelling Lectures Walks Conferences
events in Providence neighborhoods Visit YearOfTheCity.com for a full calendar of events @YOTCProvidence2019 24
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Showcasing the work of 20 exceptional artists from across New England, ReSeeding the City: Ethnobotany in the Urban opens to the public this fall in the historic State House. The special exhibition, curated by Judith Tolnick Champa, was developed under the aegis of the Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art for The Year of the City: The Providence Project. The Rhode Island People’s House is a just-right, civic-minded site for this contemporary project. Through their work, artists refresh and “re-seed” our perception of urban life – particularly through plants. How might we strike sustainable balance in our environment? they ask, as they ponder our ecosystems curiously yet carefully, and ever-creatively. The art exposes a range of imaginative responses to the often-contending forces of people and plants in the urban setting. The exhibition is launched by an inaugural forum, both components overseen by Jennifer Dalton Vincent of Providence ¡CityArts! for Youth. The forum at Brown University, organized by Sam Coren, Aja Grande, and Alexandra M. Picker, offers space for art and science to inspire activism, policy, and planning. Distinguished speakers – invited artists, academics, and community practitioners from New England and beyond – join with RI residents to re-envision the urban as a hub of more-than-human social worlds; the forum
looks to plants as models, metaphors, and partners in urban placemaking. It explores what it means to hold tightly to the rich assemblage of life forms that take root in our midst – in gardens to roadside margins. RESEEDING THE CITY: ETHNOBOTANY IN THE URBAN Exhibition runs October 25-November 27 in the Rhode Island State House Lower Level Gallery | 82 Smith Street Forum on October 26, 9:30am-5pm in Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs in Stephen Robert ’62 Hall | 280 Brook Street State House Reception on October 26, 5:30-8pm | 82 Smith Street
This project is generously supported by the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism; Brown University’s Cogut Institute for the Humanities, Department of American Studies, John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage, Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative, and Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs; Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art; Providence ¡CityArts! for Youth; Providence Tourism Council; Rhode Island Council for the Humanities; Rhode Island Department of State; Rhode Island State Council for the Arts; Rhode Island Wild Plant Society; Tomaquag Museum; and by many individual donors.
Call for Specials! Now Leasing!
Brand New, Pet-Friendly Apartments with River Views
Located in Providence’s Innovation and Design District
Cyber Café with Complimentary Coffee, Wifi and Printing
24-hour Fitness Center with Cardio Studio
MyRiverHouse.com | 401.859.2390 | 1 Point Street, Providence, RI
Authentic Syrian & Lebanese Cuisine on Federal Hill
ON
WESTMINSTER
FINE DINING RESTAURANT AND BAR
1551 Westminster St. Providence, RI • Reservations: 401-273-0111 • TheShopOnWestminster.com ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
25
ROCK YOUR RIDE
PULSE • Rhody Gem
The WaterFire Store
1 CLASS IS $10 ST
FOR LOCAL RHODE ISLAND RESIDENT’S!
CALL THE STUDIO TO BOOK YOUR BIKE!
Gift Shop
We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it!
What it is: A shop filled with books, artwork from neighborhood artists, and WaterFire inspired gifts.
401-680-0228
23 PROVIDENCE PLACE, PVD
Where to find it: Within the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence’s Valley neighborhood.
What makes it a Rhody Gem? If you’re a fan of museum gift shops, you’re sure to enjoy the WaterFire Store. Focusing largely on art books, the large and airy space is filled with a diverse literary collection curated by Symposium Books, the indie bookseller on Westminster Street. The WaterFire Store also displays sculpture, pottery, and prints by area artists, including items from Gather Glass. Many contributors work right across the river in the Valley and Olneyville neighborhoods. Every purchase directly supports WaterFire’s creative placemaking events and programming, enriching the cultural experience in Providence and beyond.
— AVAILABLE AT —
Twice Told Tales 2145 BROAD STREET, CRANSTON 785-9599 • TWICETOLDTALESRI.COM 26
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
WaterFire Arts Center 475 Valley Street 443-5553 Store.WaterFire.org Instagram + Twitter: @waterfireartscenter Facebook: WaterFire Arts Center
Photography by Robert Isenberg
To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
27
Fall Providence College
Team Name: Friars Home Field: Providence campus/ Dunkin’ Donuts Center Tickets: Friars.com or 865-GO-PC Grab some doughboys at the concession stand and settle in for some PC Friars action but don’t sit until the home team scores if you want to honor school tradition. Despite an average 18-16 record last season, PC men’s basketball at the Dunk remains the hottest college sports ticket in town. The Friars hockey team also draws big, passionate crowds to Schneider Arena. Coach Nate Leaman has compiled a 0.619 winning percentage and a 2015 NCAA National Championship during his tenure, and the team is coming off another Frozen Four appearance in 2018-19. The women’s ice hockey program is strong as well, with the 2018 team going 2411-2 and advancing to the conference quarterfinals. PC men’s soccer returns its top six scorers from a 2018 team that went 10-7-2 in the Big East, the women’s soccer team has been to five straight Big East tournaments under just-renewed head coach Sam Lopes.
/ Win ter college
There’s a bit of a nip in the air at night now, fields more than 30 varsity sports teams in Bryant University leaves are starting to turn, and the pumpkin the Ivy League. Brown’s football team may Team Name: Bulldogs lattes are flowing again, which can mean just not win many games these days, but attendHome Field: Smithfield one thing: water polo season has begun! Just ing a Bears home game is worthwhile for the Tickets: BryantBulldogs.com/tickets or 319kidding, we mean football, although water old-school atmosphere at historic Brown StaTIXX (8499) polo is one of the six fall college sports sancdium in Providence. New head coach James tioned by the NCAA, along with football, socPerry is looking to turn the Bears around after First year head football coach Chris Merritt cer, field hockey, cross-country, and women’s back-to-back winless seasons. Bruins basketleads a Bryant team coming off a 6-5 seavolleyball. While Rhode Island schools aren’t ball has enjoyed more success, going 20-12 son. Former Cranston and Bishop Hendricken national powerhouses in any of those sports, last season (including 13-3 at home) and makquarterback Chris Hindle starts under center, we are home to at least one pretty good cying an appearance in the College Basketball and Pawtucket’s Alfred Dorbor returns to cling team. Invitational in winter 2019. Brown competes in the backfield after rushing for seven touchBY BOB CURLEY Here’s a quick look at what to expect and Division 1 ice hockey, and last year the men’s downs last season. The Bryant men’s soccer There’s a bit a nip the air at gets night now, leaves are starting turn, andAthletic the pumpkin lattes are flowing again, can that where to catch the of action asin competition team advanced to the to East Coast team returns 20 players fromwhich a squad mean in just thing:college water sports polo season begun! Just kidding, we mean football, polochampionship is one of thegame six fall underway theone 2019-20 sea- has Conference semifinals despite a middling 8-9- although went towater the NEC a year
sports preview
withinfootball, soccer, field hockey, cross-country, women’s volleyball. While son: college sports sanctioned by the NCAA, along 5 record the regular season. ago, alsoand returning to the soccer pitch on the Rhode Island schools aren’t national powerhouses in any of those sports, we are home to women’s at least one pretty good cycling team. squad is star forward Ali Guilmette, who missed last season with an injury. TwenHere’s College a quick look at what to expect University and where to catch the action as competition gets in the 2019-20 Providence of Rhode Island ty-three yearunderway head women’s volleyball coach college Team Name: sports Friars season: Team Name: Rams Theresa Garlacy will look to guide her squad Home Field: Providence campus and the Home Field: Kingston to a repeat of its 2018 NEC Championship Dunkin’ Donuts Center Tickets: GoRhody.com/NavBar-Tickets or season, the first in program history. The men’s Tickets: Friars.com or 865-GO-PC 874-RAMS basketball team tripled their win total in 201819 (to 10-20), while the women’s hoops squad Grab some doughboys at the concession The Rams football team has a rare winning will be led by Sydney Holloway, a two-time Team Name: Bears Team Name: Rams Team Name: Bulldogs stand and settle in for some PC Friars action record (6-5) and climbed into the NCAA DiviAll-NEC selection. Home Field: Providence Home Field: Kingston Home Field: Smithfield but don’t sit until the home team scores if sion I-AA national rankings in 2018, a positive Tickets: BrownBears.com Tickets: GoRhody.com/NavBar-Tickets Tickets: BryantBulldogs.com/Tickets you want to honor school tradition. Despite sign for a program that has historically strugRhode Island School of Design or 863-2773 or 874-RAMS or 319-TIXX (8499) an average 18-16 record last season, PC men’s gled. The men’s soccer team won the AtlanRISD’s phallically inspired club ice hockbasketball at the Dunkremains the hottest tic 10 championship in 2018-19 and earned a ey team, the Nads, earns some laughs (Go PC and URI get more attenThe Rams football team has a rare winning record First year head football coach Chris college sports ticket in town. The Friars hocktrip to the NCAA Region 1 tournament. The Nads!), but the art school has actually been tion, but Brown fields more (6-5) and climbed into the NCAA Division I-AA Merritt leads a Bryant team coming ey team also draws big, passionate crowds women’s soccer program was picked to finish very successful in its only varsity sport: cythan 30 varsity sports teams national rankings in 2018, a positive sign for a prooff a 6-5 season. Former Cranston to Schneider Arena; coach Nate Leaman has last in the A10 in the coming season, which cling. RISD Cycling competes in the Eastern in the Ivy League. Attending gram that has historically struggled. The men’s and Bishop Hendricken quarterback compiled a 0.619 winning percentage and a should provide coach Megan Jessee’s squad Collegiate Cycling Conference and is the only a Bears home game is always soccer team won the Atlantic 10 championship Chris Hindle starts under center, and 2015 NCAA National Championship during his with plenty of motivation to prove the exart school in the country with a cycling team: worthwhile for the old-school in 2018-19 and earned a trip to the NCAA Region Pawtucket’s Alfred Dorbor returns to tenure, and the team is coming off another perts wrong. Second-year head coach David last winter, rider Jane Rossi won the school’s atmosphere at historic Brown 1 tournament. The women’s soccer program was the backfield after rushing for seven Frozen Four appearance in 2018-19. The womCox will look to improve on one of the best first-ever sports championship by finishing Stadium in Providence. New picked to finish last in the A10 in the coming seatouchdowns last season. The Bryant en’s ice hockey program is strong as well, with in school history for URI men’s basketball, first in her division at the 2018 Cyclocross Nahead coach James Perry is son, which should provide coach Megan Jessee’s men’s soccer team returns 20 players the 2018 team going 24-11-2 and advancing to which surged to a 26-8 record and notched tional Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. looking to turn the Bears squad with plenty of motivation to prove the exfrom a squad that went to the NEC the conference quarterfinals. PC men’s soccer a first-round win over Oklahoma during the around after back-to-back perts wrong. Second-year head coach David Cox championship game a year ago, also returns its top six scorers from a 2018 team NCAA national March Madness tournament. winless seasons. Bruins baswill look to improve on one of the best in school returning to the soccer pitch on the that went 10-7-2 in the Big East, the women’s The women’s basketball team has a new head ketball has enjoyed more suchistory for URI men’s basketball, which surged to women’s squad is star forward Ali soccer team has been to five straight Big East coach, Tammy Reiss, a former assistant at cess, going 20-12 last season a 26-8 record and notched a first-round win over Guilmette, who missed last season tournaments under just-renewed head coach Syracuse. Both the men’s and women’s ice (including 13-3 at home) and Oklahoma during the NCAA national March Madwith an injury. Twenty-three year head Sam Lopes. hockey teams play home games at the Boss making an appearance in the ness tournament. The women’s basketball team women’s volleyball coach Theresa Ice Arena, with the men coming off a 21-15College Basketball Invitationhas a new head coach, Tammy Reiss, a former asGarlacy will look to guide her squad 1 season but an early exit from the Eastern al in winter 2019. Brown comsistant at Syracuse. Both the men’s and women’s to a repeat of its 2018 NEC ChampiBrown University States Collegiate Hockey League playoffs. petes in Division 1 ice hockey, ice hockey teams play home games at the Boss Ice onship season, the first in program Team Name: Bears The women, however, won the East Coast and last year the men’s team Arena, with the men coming off a 21-15-1 season history. The men’s basketball team triHome Field: Providence Women’s Hockey League championship and advanced to the East Coast but an early exit from the Eastern States Collepled their win total in 2018-19 (to 10Tickets: BrownBears.com or 863-2773 competed for a national title. Athletic Conference semifigiate Hockey League playoffs. The women, how20), while the women’s hoops squad nals despite a middling 8-9-5 ever, won the East Coast Women’s Hockey League will be led by Sydney Holloway, a twoPC and URI get more attention, but Brown record in the regular season. championship and competed for a national title. time All-NEC selection.
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Bryant University
Rhode Island School of Design
Cordially Invites You To A
Give Back Night
RISD’s phallically inspired club ice hockey team, the Nads, earns some laughs (Go Nads!), but the art school has actually been very successful in its only varsity sport: cycling. RISD Cycling competes in the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference and is the only art school in the country with a cycling team: last winter, rider Jane Rossi won the school’s first-ever sports championship by finishing first in her division at the 2018 Cyclocross National Championships in Louisville, Kentucky.
FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS RHODE ISLAND THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 6:30PM TO 9:30PM Storewide discounts on all 2020 products With a portion of the proceeds donated to:
Rhode Island 105 CHESTNUT STREET, WARWICK (401) 781-4444 / WWW.RISKISHOP.COM
Providence Bruins
Celebrate 25 years
of Trinity Brewhouse with us at our new downtown beer garden 2 Kennedy Plaza Biltmore Park, Providence RI
www.trinitybrewhouse.com 30
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
The Providence Bruins’ home season begins October 12, with the team looking to extend their playoff streak to eight consecutive seasons in pursuit of the Calder Cup. Players to watch include forward Jack Studnicka, who enters his first full professional season after scoring 36 goals in 60 games in the Ontario Hockey League; defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, entering his second season with the P-Bruins, and new goaltender Kyle Keyser, who won 32 games in the Ontario Hockey League with a 2.75 goals-against average. Highlights of the team’s 2019-20 schedule include opening night against the Rochester Americans and a rematch with the Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers on January 4. The team calendar is packed with promotional events as usual, including Pink in the Rink Weekend (October 26 and 27) benefitting the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation. ProvidenceBruins.com
Photography by Megan Schmit
MAKING A SPECTACLE BEHIND THE STATE'S MOST FAMOUS HALLOWEEN DISPLAY By Robert Isenberg Photos courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
An “intricate” Jack-O-Lantern doesn’t look like a carving – it looks like a painting. Take Queen Nefertiti, for example: Her gaze is regal, her smile sly. You can see her high cheekbones, the contours of her slender neck. Every detail of her headdress and earrings is meticulously rendered, as if by brush. There’s shading and foreshortening, depth and personality. As the LED light glows within the pumpkin, the golden hue of her skin seems to breathe with life. Queen Nefertiti debuted at last year’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo. Now multiply this one pumpkin by 200 intricates, then add nearly 5,000 regular Jack-O-Lanterns. Remember that each pumpkin starts to decay the moment it’s gutted. Every week, artists must re-carve every last gourd, from the simplest to the
CARVE THIS WAY
The Spectacular requires about 20 artists who carve relentlessly throughout the four-week festival. Most of them are professionals, who have a ready portfolio of their sculptural work. Many were originally found on Craigslist. Once they join the Passion for Pumpkins talent pool, they tend to stay. “It’s pretty much the same people,” says John. “They come back every year.” Nearly all of the pumpkins
most photo-realistic. To sustain the Spectacular, organizers build and rebuild the exhibit, removing and replacing, lighting and relighting, for one exhaustive month. By November, more than 100,000 people will have walked the Jack-O-Lantern path, gazing in wonder at those glowing images etched in squash. In 147 years, the Spectacular is the biggest event ever hosted by the Roger Williams Park Zoo. Visitors have traveled around the world to see it firsthand. Media outlets like CNN and USA Today have showered the event with praise. The Spectacular is one of the most revered Halloween events in the country. But where did it come from? And how does such a massive event come together? Even regulars may not know the spectacular story behind our state’s favorite pumpkin patch.
are grown on a single farm in Connecticut. As a rule, weather can have a massive impact on the event, including the autumn harvest. In emergencies, John has traveled to Pennsylvania to purchase replacement pumpkins from Amish farmers. At a bare minimum, the show requires more than 20,000 pumpkins, which have to be quickly gutted, carved, and arranged. Originally, the pumpkins were lit up with candles. They hit a snag, however, after a visit from the fire marshall. While the tiny
flames weren’t technically a fire code violation, the marshall didn’t like their proximity to combustible wood. That year, each pumpkin was perched on aluminum foil, to prevent a conflagration. Since then, carvers have used LED lights, both for carving and the final presentation. This has radically improved the entire process; traditional light bulbs raise the temperature inside the pumpkin and weaken the skin, while LED bulbs give off no heat, so each carving lasts longer.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
The Spectacular is a year-round project, usually starting in January. John comes up with a theme, which can be almost anything. Last year’s theme was “Magic”; this year’s theme is “Four Seasons,” based on John’s recent affection for Vivaldi. “We start touching base at certain times throughout the year,” says Ron Patalano, director of operations at the Zoo. Once they know the theme, the staff starts compiling props and scenery. To enrich the environment, they’ve added an erupting volcano,
34
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
a gondola full of pumpkins, and the Honeydukes sweet shop from Harry Potter, among countless other tableaux. “If John is looking for some additional support from our facilities department – additional power or better sound – we make sure we budget the time to get that worked on,” Ron adds. Originally, the Spectacular was displayed along the “Dino Trail.” This narrow walkway was generally used for paleontology exhibits, but John urged Zoo staff to move the Spectacular to the Wetlands Trail. “It’s wider,” he says. “Much longer. The other one was narrow and caused a lot of congestion.”
The Wetlands Trail affords other benefits, as well: The route meanders past the elephants, offering a rare glimpse of pachyderms at night. Fountains on the water can be illuminated with colored lights; Jack-O-Lanterns reflect in the glassy pond. The trees form a natural corridor along the path, lending a Sleepy Hollowlike atmosphere. In all, the Zoo requires about 70 people to run the show, from ticket sellers to security personnel. Most of them fade into the nocturnal background. “If they don’t notice us, we’re doing our job,” says Ron.
THE FOUNDER
At 73 years old, John Reckner is a folksy man with an easy smile. Before he retired, John worked as a postal worker for nearly three decades. When he was young, John studied art at a college in Cincinnati, but he doubted his prospects. “I never foresaw myself as making a career out of art,” he says. Pumpkin-carving was an incremental obsession. During a family getaway to Bristol Falls, Vermont, John noticed some unusually large pumpkins on a local porch, and the orange skin struck him as a ripe canvas. A year later, John was walking his dog and daydreamed about meticulously crafted JackO-Lanterns. In theory, he could conscript others into carving with him. Together, they could arrange the carvings into thematic “skits.” They could create an entire show – and in 1988, John did just that, in his hometown of Oxford, Massachusetts. Nowadays, “intricate” Jack-O-Lanterns are fairly common, and you can buy professional kits. You can find YouTube tutorials and learn how to craft them yourself. But at the time, neither option existed. “We kind of figured it out as we went along,” says John. “We’d make our own tools – like a wood-carving tool, somewhat. They peel the skin off the pumpkin. We don’t go in too far, maybe a quarter of an inch. The deeper you carve, the brighter the light.” In the 30 years since, John has turned a self-taught hobby into Passion for Pumpkins, Inc., a multimedia production company with offshoots in Kentucky and Minnesota. By 2000, the Spectacular had become a major attraction in Massachusetts, drawing visitors from across the region. One of those visitors was Jim Wood, then-President of the Greater Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. Inspired, Jim proposed the idea of bringing the Spectacular to the Roger Williams Zoo. In 2001, the Zoo hosted its first edition of the Spectacular. The timing was peculiar; the September 11 attacks had just transpired, and the world was in flux. The show featured many skits, but John decided to add memorial artwork to commemorate the tragedy. The Zoo projected about 30,000 visitors. By November, 78,000 people had shown up.
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
35
TOTALLY TOTALLT LIT
It’s an understatement to describe the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular as “popular.” The maximum capacity for a single night is 10,000 visitors, and the Zoo has reached that number. To keep crowds under control – and prevent endless queues – the Zoo uses “timed admission,” so that attendees arrive in scheduled waves. The Zoo also hosts sensory-friendly nights, which take place an hour before the regular show. This allows people with sensitivity issues to enjoy the skits without extra lights or sounds. Typically, “sensory-friendly”
experiences are associated with autism spectrum disorder, but the special event has become popular among nursing homes and anyone aversive to crowds. If a dark zoo sounds like a great place for teenagers to sneak away for same late-night shenanigans, the staff has found otherwise. “It’s adults, most of the time that are the trouble-makers,” says Director of Visitor Services Cheryl Vieira. “We watch a lot of people. But we never have much of a problem.” “We have a very good security team,” says Ron. “If you looked like you were going to cause trouble, we would spot you before
you go through the gate.” The goal is to create a universal experience – tinged with the suspense of Halloween, but also an homage to autumn and the luminous power of art. “We have three elements that come into play,” says John, in a philosophical tone. “You’ve got the illuminated artwork. You have the background music for each skit. And you just have a nice landscape. If you had this in some sterile environment, it wouldn’t work. The environment is such a big part of the show.” Something wicked this way comes. And it looks better than ever.
Discover how SPS will make a DIFFERENCE for your child!
OPEN HOUSE
NURSERY – GRADE 12 COED INDEPENDENT
With two campuses — city and rural — in Providence, RI and Seekonk, MA
For Children — Ages — 3 Years Thru 8th Grade
• • • • • •
Faith Formation Academic Excellence Differentiated Instruction Centers Based Learning Blended & Personalized Learning Leadership Opportunities
BUSING FROM 12 DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES
216 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906 618 Putnam Pike, Greenville 401-949-1130 • StPhilipSchool.com
401.421.8100 wheelerschool.org
the Wolf School
Think differently|Learn differently
Join us for Moses Brown’s annual Open House and Homecoming Extravaganza! A fun fall festival of performances, classroom demos, and community events, come and see Quaker values in action. Tour our historic campus, Robotics lab, and state-of-the-art Woodman Family Community and Performance Arts Center. rsvp today:
K-8 Special Education School Fall Open House - October 20th Learn more at thewolfschool.org
mosesbrown.org/admission
Oct. 19, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
MOSES BROWN SCHOOL
Providence, RI Mosesbrown.org Nursery-Grade 12, Co-Ed
See how a Quaker education can make a difference.
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
37
BACK to SCHOOL
Learn about Forest Fridays for N-K, Cityside for Gr. 8 and the NuVuX Innovation Studio for Upper School
Annual Open House Saturday, October 26 9 AM –NOON
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd 1 pm to 3 pm
COME EXPERIENCE
“joyful learning”
OPEN HOUSE: November 2, 10am –1pm
PRESCHOOL - 5TH GRADE
BACK to SCHOOL
Come see what an international education can offer your child.
Call now to schedule a tour!
401-456-8127
#ExcellenceThroughBilingualism
C O-ED E A R LY CHI L DHO OD PRO G RAM • ALL G IRLS IN K–G RADE 12
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE • LIFELONG SUCCESS • THE ALL-GIRLS ADVANTAGE
Open House Sunday, November 3, 2019 1–3 p.m.
Learn more at www.lincolnschool.org. 38
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
75 John Street Providence, RI 02906 401 274–3325 preschool–eighth grade fasri.org
LIFE & STYLE Shop • Home • Influencer SHOP
by Elyse Major • photography by Brandon Harmon 1
Garden Variety
2
If you are a fan of simplicity, Rhode Island Soapworks is the brand for you. Simple ingredients, simple production methods, and simple packaging, all result in body care products that are not only all-natural but smell nice, work well, and look pretty enough to display. Joy Schuyler started the business back in 1998 when she tried her hand at making a batch of soap, brought a supply to a craft show, and was pleasantly surprised when it all sold out. Over the years, Joy has expanded her range to include everything from bath salts and shaving products to a cold remedy repair kit. Products contain no preservatives, fillers, animal, or petroleum products. Made in the rural village of Chepachet, the small-batch line uses home-grown herbs and flowers, and is instantly recognizable with its signature kraft paper labels bearing an illustrated sheep. “When we created the logo we wanted it to represent our connection to the past, to show our products were simply made, and we had sheep on our farm,” Joy explains. In addition to being carried at select shops around the state, find Rhode Island Soapworks on Etsy and this month at the Scituate Arts Festival, held October 12-14, and at the upcoming Foundry Artists Holiday and PVD Artisans Holiday shows in Pawtucket.
3
4
5
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Bath Salts, Stress Relief Coffee Sugar Lip Scrub Lavender Eye Pillow Tootsie Balm Hand & Body Lotion, Zucchini Flower
Rhode Island Soap works Frog & Toad Scituate Arts Festival, October 12-14
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
39
LIFE & STYLE • Home
by Elyse Major
THE BRIGHT SIDE A Blackstone neighborhood dream kitchen is rebuilt in the wake of water damage If you’re a homeowner in New England, chances are you’re no stranger to some property damage. However, for Bob and Sharon, their East Side home received such extensive water damage that it required reconstruction to the first floor, which led to some rethinking: why not use this as an opportunity to redesign, refurbish, and create their dream kitchen?
“We looked at a lot of home decorating magazines,” Sharon begins. “Bob and I both agreed we wanted a bright kitchen – white and light – with the kitchen island a dark color.” The couple called Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath Design + Build, a resource for design build projects, and were introduced to designer Billie Senzek. Want your home featured in Providence Monthly? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more
40
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Photos by by Image Ten Photography, courtesy of Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath
The dark green island serves as a dramatic focal point and draws in the outdoor views
First came the rebuild: walls were removed to enlarge the existing space, which enabled the inclusion of wish list items like an island, dry bar, and under window seating. They also wanted appliances to disappear so the dishwasher, refrigerator, and a beverage fridge were all outfitted with custom appliance panels. Bob and Sharon love the color green and selected a custom shade for the island from the cabinet company which was then incorporated as an accent in the dining room via both furniture and window treatments to create a sense of flow.
In designing the new space, Billie started with a neutral wall color so that the countertop and island would be a combined focal point. Says Billie, “The countertop also had a bit of bling with soft green veining, which really solidified the color we selected for the island.” She adds, “I love the fun style in their home – a lot of clients shy away from doing a true color, but it was one of the defining elements of the kitchen.” Fifteen years since taking ownership, Sharon still recalls falling for the house at first sight. “I loved the banister and curved
archways. There was a lot of warmth and charm.” With everything brand-new, it was important to Sharon to keep the classic aesthetic of the 1920s Colonial. Fixtures like chandeliers and the traditional dining room set balance perky items like the scalloped wall clock, resulting in a cheerful and elegant mix. “Sharon has a very transitional style of decorating,” Billie explains. “There’s a lot of traditional elements that tie in with the true charm of the home, but she loves to have pops of fun colors, shapes, and a touch of bling.”
GET RHODY STYLE Sharon shares her go-tos for bringing Ocean State love into your lifestyle. CURTAIN CALL Add personality to windows with custom shades and curtains. Sharon uses The Drapery House on nearby Mineral Spring Avenue: “I sat down with the owner and we worked together.” STORY TIME “I have fond memories of walking to Books on the Square on Monday mornings when [our son] he was a baby for storytime. I always bought a book every time. I wanted to support the local business. He still loves to visit the bookstore and play in the children’s section,” says Sharon. PERFECT SQUARE “The East Side is so much fun,” says Sharon. “We love to walk to the park, stop at my husband’s office on Wayland Avenue, freshen up, and have dinner at Wayland Square.” ENDLESS SUMMER Even if you’re not along the coast, surround yourself with images of the seaside. Sharon has a picture in the shape of Rhode Island filled with pictures she had professionally taken at the beach in Narragansett.
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
41
Decorating Southern New England One Beautiful Rug at a Time
FALL SALE STORE WIDE 15-50% OFF
Room Size and Scatter Rugs
Open Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5 One Governor Street Providence • (401) 751-5100 www.rustigianrugs.com
LIFE & STYLE • Influencer
by Jackie Ignall
Dr. Yvonne Heredia Population Health & Advanced Analytics Subject Matter Expert
Photography by Wolf Matthewson
My personal style is a combination of chic and business professional. I love wearing dresses as they make me feel beautiful and classy. I definitely dress differently for day versus night. Usually during the day, I wear work attire catered to my job (Manager of Case Management at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island) which requires me to dress in chic, business attire. At night, depending on whether or not I’m going to an event, I dress more casual. If I do end up having a special event to attend, I may dress up in an evening gown or cocktail dress. Anyone who knows me, knows I love bling, so expect to see some injected into my wardrobe during the day or night. I love to match my shoes to all outfits and will add jewelry to coordinate enough to not outshine my wardrobe. One thing I own a lot of are Kentucky Derby hats for when I need to be on my diva status. I love to coordinate my wardrobe details and accessories down to my purse. I tend to shop at multiple stores to put my wardrobe together. I shop mostly at Macy’s, online boutiques, and local retail shops, to name a few. I like the variety and I get by shopping from multiple places and putting outfits together using various trends, which allows me to have my own unique style. I love so many things about Providence. When the weather is warm, it’s so nice to see people out and about enjoying the city. Providence is very cultural and being able to walk around town seeing the different cultures represented is so blissful. I believe we live by the saying Rhode Island is the biggest little state in the union.
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
43
WORKS OF ART EDUCATORS
glass
Experience The Art Of GL ASS BLOWING
FEDERAL HILL
I absolutely loved everything I tried here –Saurav S.
Works of RI Artist–Educators OCTOBER 3 — NOVEMBER 3 — OPENING RECEPTION —
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 5-9PM
FUN ART & UNIQUE GIFTS Only gift shop located on Historic Federal Hill — A TAX FREE ZONE —
A Fine Art Gallery
ONE-HOUR CLASS LESSONS UP TO FOUR PEOPLE GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
SIGN UP AT: GATHERGLASS.COM
— Est. Jan. 2001 —
Visit our online store at
223 Atwells Avenue Providence • 383-4774
259 ATWELLS AVENUE, PROVIDENCE • 401-454-8844
Upscale Mexican Cuisine on Historic Federal Hill
Famous for Italian Cuisine
www.galleryzprov.com
B LOW ING ST UD IO & GALLERY
521 Atwells Avenue, Providence
THE ORIGINAL
CASERTA PIZZERIA
A Rhode Island Tradition for over 50 years
Margaritas & Sangria Over 70 Premium Tequilas!
3 Course Dinner
LOBSTER | VEAL | STEAKS CHOPS | CHOICE LIQUORS & WINES
t eating If you’re nRoTA’S, CASE ng pizza! eati you’re not
Monday thru Thursday
7 Days A Week For Lunch & Dinner Brunch Saturday & Sunday
LUNCH SPECIALS
1. OFF
$ 00
Under $10
A DELICIOUS 12-PIECE PIZZA
THERE’S ONLY ONE CASERTA
121 Spruce Street, Providence On the Hill • Parking Available
351 Atwells Avenue, Providence 454-8951 • DonJoseTequilas.com 44
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
120 Atwells Avenue / 751-5544 www.TheOldCanteen.com
TAKE OUT
272-3618 | 621-3618 | 621-9190
FOOD & DRINK In the Kitchen • Food News • Experience • Restaurant Guide
OPEN LATE KNEAD Doughnuts’ “Night Cruller” window is the hot sweet treat you always knew you needed Think about the magic of a freshly fried doughnut: That hot, golden-brown, buttery, light dough, glazed with the luscious sweetness of hot sugar or a delicate vanilla coating. The image propels one to salivate profusely, then go on the hunt for the nearest doughnut shop. Now, imagine those glorious confectionary sensations just down the street, or a five-minute drive to KNEAD Doughnuts’ West End location on Cromwell Street. At the new “Night Cruller” window, the artisanal shop vows that customers will “never eat a cold donut again.” And honestly, that’s the most comforting thing we’ve ever heard. The idea came to Adam Lastrina and his business partners when they realized that their staff get to wake up each morning and sample bits and pieces of fresh-made doughnuts themselves. That experience, coupled
with a window right next to their fryer at KNEAD’s West End location, propelled the owners to open their Night Cruller station. “[The doughnuts] highlight what we do best,” says Adam. “There’s nothing like it.” Maybe Adam’s words are a bit of an overgeneralization, but in a way, he’s right. There are very few culinary experiences that come close to sinking your teeth into hot, fried, glazed dough. The window on Cromwell focuses on simple menu items since they are made-toorder. There you’ll find doughnuts like chocolate cake, vanilla old-fashioned, and vanilla brioche. For more information about the Night Cruller window, check KNEAD’s Instagram account, as opening depends on seasonal weather! 55 Cromwell Street, KNEADDoughnuts.com.-Lauren Vella
Photo courtesy of KNEAD Doughnuts ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
45
Creative financial plans designed with, and around, you.
Food & Drink • In The Kitchen
by Lauren Vella
Higher Grounds Co-owner Audrey Finochiarro talks gender, success, coffee, and entrepreneurship
Edward Pontarelli Jr., CRPC® Financial Advisor Managing Director Beacon Point Wealth Advisors A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. 401.824.2532 1 Citizens Plaza, Ste 610 Providence, RI 02903 ed.pontarelli@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/team/ beacon-point-wealth-advisors
WE TAKE CARE OF THE DETAILS YOU CAN'T GET TO w
w w
w
Wait Services for Deliveries and Repair/Service Calls Travel Arrangements Business Support and Administrative Services Other Miscellaneous Services
SANDY TREMBLAY
401-543-6630 VISIT US ONLINE FOR FULL DETAILS
ProvidenceConcierge.com 46
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Behind Audrey Finochiarro’s calm and collected exterior lies the tough experiences, hustle, and drive that fostered this demeanor. Her business, Nitro Cart, went from a Brown University Waterman Street grind to an artisanal Rhode Island phenomenon over the course of just four years. Now, with multiple wholesale accounts and two brick-and-mortar spots in Providence and Newport, Audrey looks back on a process fraught with growing pains, doubt, and, dare we say it, sexism. In the summer of 2015, Audrey and her business partner Sam graduated from college and began making cold brew coffee in her parents’ basement for family and friends. For those of you who are not familiar with the rich elixir that is the nitro cold-brewed drink, think “Guiness of coffee.” Nitro has a rich, frothy texture and a creamy taste due to the nitrogen that is infused during and after the brewing process. It also doesn’t hurt that you get more bang for your buck – the smooth liquid is higher in caffeine
than regular-brewed coffee and has a sweeter taste without added sugar. The passion turned into a business idea and the two fashioned a cart and camped out in Downtown Providence during the summer to sell their coffee. Business dragged on eight hours a day at a glacial pace until the two parked their wooden contraption on Waterman Street at Brown. After that day, Nitro Cart had found its niche. Recalling the “ah-ha!” moment, Audrey said Sam called her that day to say, “I just had a line of 20 people for the last two hours and we are completely sold out!” The business grew when owners of PVDonuts approached Sam and Audrey with a proposition. They wanted to sell Nitro Cart coffee on tap at their new, Instagram-viral donut shop. This was Audrey and Sam’s first wholesale account, and a step in a more profitable direction. That winter, the pair called all of their favorite restaurants to secure accounts for their product to be delivered by the keg-load. This
Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2018 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
process, says Audrey was “humbling” – to say the least. “It taught us a lot about being rejected, and you really can’t care how much of a loser you look like walking into a restaurant where someone working could be like ‘No, we think you’re crazy.’” Rejection is to be expected as a business-owner. But one thing that Audrey did not predict was the difficulties she faced as a young woman in the industry. Remembering that period of time with frustration, Audrey says, “I had just gotten back from school in New York City at a liberal arts college [where] everyone looks at everyone as equal. And then, coming home to Rhode Island, and starting my own thing, and being a female, and being young, that’s when I definitely started to get it – that’s when I started running into difficulties.” The then 23-year-old would walk into a restaurant to sell coffee wholesale, only to be patronized by the older male manager on shift. This experience, she says, made her lean further into her economics education, do her homework, and developed the confidence she needed to make the sale. Difficulties aside, Audrey maintains that she gained something positive from her time pounding the pavement. Along her way to success, other female business owners (from Rebelle Artisan Bagels, Stock PVD, PVDonuts, and Vic’s Ice Cream to name a few) like herself were incredibly supportive, acting as a venting sounding board. The group has formed a kind of unofficial women’s small business association, offering encouragement and advice when they’re having a bad day. “From this group of women that I’ve found, they take me so seriously, and we all congratulate one another. Having that support system has just been crazy for our business.”
Nitro Cart 228 Broadway, Providence TheNitroCart.com
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
What changes do you want to see? Let’s make Rhode Island better, together. UWRI_PM_SeptAd_20190801.indd 1
www.uwri.org
8/1/192019 12:29 PM ProvidenceOnline.com • October 47
FOOD & DRINK • Food News
by Lauren Vella
Come For The Beer, Stay for the Beer More brews and renovations make this Admiral Street spot a continued favorite
VIETNAMESE ENTRÉES & PHO FAVORITES!
MON-THUR 11AM-10PM FRI-SAT 11AM-11PM | SUN 11AM-9PM
50 Ann Mary Street, Pawtucket 401-365-6278 • PhoHorns.com
Design Center&Hardware
1919-2019 f 173 WICKENDEN PVD 401 421-5157 www.adlersri.com 48
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
One-hundred twenty-five beers at an abbey? Without context, that tidbit sounds strange, especially when you picture Maria VonTrapp cracking open a cold one after a hard day governessing. With context, the prospect sounds better – the beers are served at a restaurant and paired with mouth-watering burgers. This year, the Admiral Street comfort
sauce. The eatery will also have its signature burgers on the menu, but the difference, really, is the beer. The Abbey offers a craft beer selection that covers a large swath of geography, from California to Europe. More importantly however, the business owner has paired up with Rhode Island breweries to offer beers they
food bastion The Abbey underwent a menu and dining room makeover. Now, the LaSalle and PC-goer favorite is back with a facelift and a bigger, hyper-local selection of brews. Katie Hawksley, who’s owned The Abbey for 20 years, says that the renovation of her restaurant was inspired by her most devoted patrons. “[The renovation is] our way of welcoming our neighborhood into their home away from home. A way for us to thank them for all their support over the years and to let them know we appreciate their business,” she says. Katie also notes that the menu hasn’t been totally overhauled. You’ll still be able to get your Abbey favorites like the Giant Pretzel, Baconaki, and homemade pota-
can only get here. “We have brought in local crafts from Beer On Earth, Proclamation Ale, Newport Craft, Greysail, Smug, Skyroc and more.” Katie and her staff have also done research to find local beers from Belgium. You can find products from companies like Chimay, Gulden Draak, and Duvel, an esoteric variety that you most likely won’t find at any other place in the state. Katie says that she and her staff are very knowledgeable about drinks and which foods best pair with a particular brew. When customers come in, they take the time to walk you through the flavor profiles. This is all part of the elevated experience that The Abbey hopes to give its customers. 686 Admiral
to chips with housemade gorgonzola cheese
Street, 92Beers.com
Photo courtesy of The Abbey
On Providence/Pawtucket line behind LA Fitness
Sure, a pancake is great, but there’s something about a waffle that takes flour, baking powder, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract to another level. Maybe it’s the texture: perfect, square craters that catch pools of syrup and melted butter and a bit of whipped cream. Or, maybe it’s the larger surface area, or their plain versatility that makes them so great. Whatever that elusive X-factor is, Waffle in downtown Providence certainly has it. The Liege-waffle eatery hasn’t been open for a long time, but over the course of it’s short street life, ownership has changed. In January of this year, Nikki Medeiros took over with a plan in mind: expand the menu and make the waffles larger. Originally, the waffle joint wasn’t Nikki’s vision. The seasoned businesswoman was looking for more of a diner setup, but when a mutual friend shared the Waffle property on Facebook, she was immediately intrigued. With a passion for dessert and a hankering for starting a new project, Nikki took Waffle off of the previous owner’s hands. This Weybosset joint produces the culinary delights of dreams. Before you ask – yes, they sell the old stand-bys like banana, strawberry, and nutella waffles. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll hit the chocolate jackpot. Try the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup waffle served with house-made chocolate ganache, Reese’s peanut butter sauce, peanut butter cup crumble, and peanut butter cup ice cream. However, the kicker on this menu is the Grilled Cheese Waffle. A creation worthy of Food Network Instagram envy, this waffle is served simply: a brioche base with a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese on top. 45 Weybosset Street, WaffleProvidence.com
Charles Dickens’
Don’t wait! Shows will sell out!
October 20th 10:00 - 5:00
NOV. 7– DEC. 29 Tickets start at $27 (401) 351-4242 TrinityRep.com 201 Washington St. Providence PRESENTED BY
PICTURED: JUDE SANDY
Photo courtesy of Waffle Providence
WAFFLING AROUND
SUPPORTING SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSORS SEASON SPONSORS
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
49
FOOD & DRINK • Experience
by Robert Isenberg
No Bones About It New Burger, the casual option at Plant City, defies the meat comparison created the restaurant to celebrate plantbased cuisine on its own, independent terms. Plant City, the new food emporium on Water Street, houses multiple venues: a cafe, a smoothie bar, a tiny market, a gourmet pizzeria, and a cocktail lounge. No animals were harmed in the creation of these places – and that includes New Burger, the hip-casual restaurant on the first floor. But to answer that question: no. The burgers at New Burger don’t mimic cow flesh in any
way. The taste is different. The texture is different. The patty is surprisingly squishy, and too much pressure will cause it to ooze past the bun. The sunflower cheddar would never pass for dairy cheese. The beet ketchup is so unlike processed tomato paste that New Burger also provides regular ketchup. Instead, the Classic Burger is its own kind of pleasure, a messy, earthy experience that doesn’t weigh you down. The beet ketchup is naturally sweet; like Heinz, it dominates the
Photography by Brandon Harmon
But does it taste like a real burger? That’s the first question people ask. They’ve heard of meatless burgers, and they want to know whether a vegan version will fool their brains into thinking it’s beef. In the era of the Impossible Burger, plantbased substitutes are like a magic trick. This is the wrong question, of course. Instead, you should ask: Is it good? When you walk into New Burger, you’re not just entering a no-kill copy of a regular burger joint. Matthew Kenney, the acclaimed chef behind New Burger,
50
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
PROVIDENCE ART GLASS & LIGHTING Custom Quality Lighting / Made in Rhode Island
www.providenceartglass.com
Sophisticated Outdoor
palate. In place of mayonnaise, the sweet potato fries mix nicely with a cup of chili sauce. As the bartender informed me, the Classic Burger is the least-remarkable thing on the menu; the staff favorite is the Truffle Burger, incorporating wild mushroom and truffle aioli. There’s a Barbecue version as well, which has won its own following. For omnivores, one of the biggest surprises of a vegan lifestyle is how friendly it is to alcohol consumption. The New Burger bar is elegant and well-stocked; you’ll find a range of local beers, from Revival to Proclamation Ale. Plants also make for great cocktails, and the Sangria and Mezcal Mule are elixirs that almost anyone will love. As a nod to health food trends, there’s also the Basil Smash: There’s vodka and basil, but it’s mixed with fizzy kombucha. All of
CUISINE: Vegan Burgers PRICES: $$ ATMOSPHERE: Hip-Casual
Must-Try Items
SOLAR LANTERNS for your Backyard
Truffle Burger Vegan patty with wild mushroom and truffle aioli; available with gluten-free bun
T-BLAT Sandwich Avocado, chipotle, lettuce, and tempeh bacon
Caramel Apple Cobbler Because caramel and apple are plant-based, FYI
these beverages nicely complement the menu. The bar is cozy, and New Burger stays open until 1am on weekends. A plant-based burger joint might seem like an odd place to spend time in the wee hours, but in the wise words of Dr. Suess: Try it, try it, you will see.
New Burger 334 South Water Street • 429-2029 MatthewKenneyCuisine.com
kreatelier.com ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
51
RESTAURANT GUIDE Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
F E AT U R E D R E S TA U R A N T
LaMei Hot Pot
ALL-NEW MENU & ENTERTAINMENT THIS FALL (same good times & happy vibes)
New Musical Acts Nightly
256 Broadway, Providence 831-7555, LaMeiHotPot.com
New Seasonal Dinner Menu & Craft Cocktails Open 7 Days a Week, Rain or Shine Complimentary Valet Parking 100 Dorrance Street, Downtown Providence rooftopattheg.com
PROVIDENCE AREA 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Fashionable prime steakhouse with award-winning sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$ Caserta Pizzeria Casual kid-friendly pizza spot offering traditional Italian crisp-cut pizza and calzones. 121 Spruce St, Providence, 621-3818. LD $-$$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Character’s Cafe & Theatre Hybrid art space with all-day breakfast, coffee, and theaterinspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 4909475. BL $ Don Jose Tequilas Restaurant Homestyle Mexican fare plus beer, wine, and cocktails in a colorful setting. 351 Atwells Ave, Providence, 454-8951. LD $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Called the “Best Burger
in America” by CNN. Over 50 craft beers. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambience. Locations in Cranston and Providence, HarukiSushi.com. LD $-$$
D
Joe Marzelli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant High-end Italian restaurant serving up specialty dishes and drinks. 120 Atwells Ave, Providence. 751-5544. LD $$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating more than 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express Handmade Italian classics and prepared foods to go. 1457 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 455-0045. LD $$ Luxe Burger Bar Build Your Own Burger: You dream it, we build it! 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $
E Q
through Coffee & Cold Drinks Fresh Produce & Specialty Foods Food trucks & Prepared Meals Demos & Workshops
Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Hosted By
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
53
BEAUTIFUL PRE-OWNED JEWELRY
224 Thayer Street Providence Under New Ownership Mention This Ad to
Save 20% on Your Ice Cream Cake Order in October When You Order Online
1271 North Main Street, Providence • 437-8421 358 Broad Street, Providence • 273-7050
benjerry.com/providence
Fridays & Saturdays 9:00pm In the Lounge 267 Main St. Woonsocket | 765.1900
RESTAURANT GUIDE Pizza J Fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin-crust pizza, pub fare, and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$
Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun, and Southwestern fare, cocktails, and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$
Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery Pizza Calzones and baked goods made fresh daily. 91 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-8086. BrLD $
Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$
Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$
The Shop on Westminster Authentic Middle Eastern favorites served for dinner. 1551 Westminster St, Providence, 273-0111. $$-$$$
SOUTH COUNTY
Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. $$-$$$
Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$
Sydney Providence Australian-inspired cafe and coffee shop featuring breakfast and light lunch options. 400 Exchange St, Providence, 648-4994. BL $-$$
Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$
The Salted Slate An agri-driven American restaurant with global influences. 186 Wayland Ave, Providence, 270-3737. BrLD $$-$$$
54
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Coast Guard House A new American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine list, open seven days a week. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. BrLD $$$
George’s of Galilee Fresh-caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$ Mariner Grille Seafood, steaks, and pasta in a fun setting, with live entertainment. 40 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284-3282. LD $$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro.
COATS f COFFEE 12TH ANNUAL
COAT DRIVE
Donate on the first day of the drive for a
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Donate a gently used coat to any Seven Stars Bakery or Courtesy Cleaners and receive a voucher for a
FREE
FREE cup of coffee
Accepting all coats but children's coats are particularly needed
good at any Seven Stars location
pastry!
ADULTS & KIDS SIZES ACCEPTED Coats will be donated to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Providence
SPONSORED BY
MONTHLY
RESTAURANT GUIDE 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ The Shop on Westminster Authentic Middle Eastern favorites served for dinner. 1551 Westminster St., Providence, 273-0111 D $$-$$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, and Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ Sophie’s Brewhouse Espresso drinks and sandwiches with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. 699 S County Trail, Exeter, 295-4273. BL $$ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/ American bistro. 16 West Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$ The Cove Traditional bar and grill serving burgers, sandwiches, and classic New England seafood favorites. 3963 Old Post
Rd, Charlestown, 364-9222. LD $$ Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$
EAST BAY / NEWPORT Aviary Creative, locally sourced menu featuring rotating craft beers and fromscratch cocktails. 2229 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA, 508-379-6007. BrLD $$
Chomp Upscale comfort food featuring award-winning burgers and sandwiches. 440 Child St, Warren, 289-2324. D $$ East Bay Oyster Bar Local seafood meets innovative preparation in a rustic setting. 308 County Rd, Barrington, 247-0303. LD $$ Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi, and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$ KC’s Burger Bar Burgers, hot dogs, and sides enjoyed in a retro car-themed diner. 1379 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA. 508-5571723. BLD $$
Blount Market & Kitchen Traditional New England seafood summer favorites offered year-round for dine-in and takeout. 406 Water St, Warren, 245-1800. LD $$
Tav Vino Waterfront dining with an Italian and seafood focus. 267 Water St, Warren, 245-0231. D $$
Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating, and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$
The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA, 508-336-8460. LD $-$$$
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
55
ONE OF NEW ENGLAND'S LARGEST CONSIGNMENT SHOPS
ESTATE SERVICES
Two Floors, 28,000 square feet, antique to modern art, books, collectibles, electronics, furniture, glassware, kitchenware, linens, musical instruments, pottery, rugs, sterling flatware and holloware, tools, vintage clothing and more.
CALL TO CONSIGN YOUR ITEMS
401-825-7670
For Terms visit: mikesestateservices.com/consign
65 Manchester Street, West Warwick
56
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
SUN. 11AM-4PM | MON, WED, THURS, FRI, SAT 10AM-5PM — CLOSED TUESDAYS —
A R T & C U LT U R E Calendar • On Stage • Art • Music
HEAVY METAL October 19: Sparks fly at the annually anticipated Steel Yard Halloween Iron Pour. It’s a phenomenon of fire and art at the newly renovated hub as the crew carefully pours over 2,500 pounds of molten iron. It’s a live demonstration of casting iron – in an
unconventional way. Watch large-scale sculptures come to life, admire the numerous steel and iron props, and enjoy local music and food. You could say it’ll be one lit night. 27 Sims Avenue, Providence, TheSteelYard.org
Photo courtesy of The Steel Yard ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
57
FALL FE ST PARTY
ART & CULTURE • Calendar
by Megan Schmit
THE MUST LIST 10 essential events happening this month October 26: Halloween at the Castle
Photo courtesy of Barnaby Castle
Sun., October 6, 11am-5pm Sale through Sat., November 2
Bring in the ad for an additional
15% OFF For a total of
35% OFF *Layaways, special orders. Previous sales not included
a specialty boutique Contemporary Woman Apparel, Lingerie & Accessories
THE VILLAGE CENTER
290 County Road, Barrington • 247-1087 OPEN DAILY 10-5:30, Saturday 10-5 58
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
1
3
2
4
Through October 20: Buddy Cianci’s infamous legacy lives on in Trinity Rep’s onstage production, The Prince of Providence. 201 Washington Street, Providence, TrinityRep.com
October 5: Nothing says fall quite like blazing foliage, and nothing says Providence quite like our blazing river. While the weather may be brisk, WaterFire keeps things hot downtown, with a full-lighting and artisanal market. Waterplace Park, Providence, WaterFire.org
October 5: Now in its eighth year, TEDx comes back to Providence, inviting talented speakers like author Jose Rosario and public art advocate Yarrow Thorne to address the central theme: Advance. One Avenue of the Arts, Providence, TheVetsRI.com October 10: Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts brings the Daedalus Quartet to Providence. The string quartet has performed in the world’s leading concert halls, and finally makes a stop at McVinney Auditorium. 43 Dave Gavitt Way, Providence, RICMC.org
5
October 11: Catch American singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne’s acoustic tour as it stops at PPAC. Featuring folksy blues and rock sound and special guest Kacy & Clayton. Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, PPACRI.org
6
October 15: Get into the spirit at AS220’s Halloween Show with bands Searchlight Souls, Stone Nobles, Nadyene Luchon, and Truth Bypassed – costumes welcomed. 115 Empire Street, Providence, AS220.org
Open House Saturday, November 2nd, 9am Learn more at gordonschool.org
7
October 26: Experience Halloween at the Castle, an annual fundraiser to support the restoration of public spaces at a West Side Victorian mansion. General admission is pricey at $100 but it’s for a good cause and has an open bar. Barnaby Castle, 299 Broadway, Facebook: BarnabyCastlePVD
Nursery through eighth grade • East Providence
8
October 29-November 10: Discover a whole new world at PPAC through the Broadway production of Disney’s Arabian classic, Aladdin. Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, PPACRI.org
9
October 30: It’s a grown-up Halloween party with Marc Trachtenberg and The Ladies of Lounge, featuring happy hour concert, cash bar, and snacks. Guests are welcome to dress up for the special occasion. Lippitt House, 199 Hope Street, Providence, PreserveRI.org
10
October 30: It’s witty, it’s political, it’s fun – it’s RI NOW’s Haunted House of Political Horrors. Join the national women’s organization for games, costume contest (see if you can win Best Feminist costume!), food, themed drinks, and dancing. 24 Stimson Avenue, Providence, Facebook: Rhode Island NOW
FOR TICKETS AND SCHEDULE GO TO
THESTRANDRI.COM
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
59
WE SERVICE & REPAIR
ART & CULTURE • Art
by Robert Isenberg
VOLKSWAGEN The Masters at Work Local art educators showcase their own portfolios at Gallery Z
Lexus • Honda • BMW • Chevy • Isuzu • Mercedes Mini • Porsche • Mazda • Saab • General Motors • Volvo Hyundai • Audi • Saturn • Subaru • Mitsubishi (ALL foreign and domestic models)
Tomasso Auto Swedish Motors
ASE Certified RI Inspection & Repair Station #27B
729 EAST AVENUE, PROVIDENCE 723-1111 • MON-FRI 8AM-5PM Top of the East Side, just past Lippitt Park
DISCOVER & TRY Pain & Anxiety Relieving
CBD
CBD Oils, Creams, Serums, Gummies
FUN Gifts + Fashions + Incense + Sage Crystals + Stickers + Charms + Plants
Reiki Sessions* + Tarot Reading* Life Coaching w Astrology Reading* Eyebrow Threading* + Henna Art* CALL for an * Appointment
401-421-1010
252 Thayer Street, Providence Check out our Website — SPECIALS at
www.SpectrumIndiaStore.com
@SpectrumIndia 60
OPEN LATE
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
Ben Weiss, Hillside Village, oil on canvas
As with Sykes, Bérge has a strong personal relationship with each of the artists showing at Gallery Z. The roster is diverse, as are their backgrounds: There’s Nilton Cárdenas, who grew up in Peru and paints colorful expressionist landscapes. There’s Bob Dilworth, who uses lively mixed media in his portraits, much of it exploring the African American experience. Bérge knows all their life stories, and he speaks glowingly of their careers; he notes that two of the featured artists are deceased, and for them, Works of RI Artist-Educators serves as a kind of retrospective. Curated by Julian Penrose, the exhibit features art instructors of all levels. Bérge himself will show at the exhibit, although he is bashful about this fact. After he earned his master’s degree from Rhode Island College in 1982, he briefly taught
Artwork by Ben Weiss
PLUS
Toyota • Kia • Nissan • Chrysler • Infinity • Ford
Years ago, when Bérge Ara Zobian was an art student at Rhode Island College, he submitted a photograph to his professor, Larry Sykes. In class, Sykes examined Bérge’s print and complimented it. Then he tore it, violently, in front of the other students. Bérge was shocked. His eyes welled with tears. He’d spent three days developing that silver-gelatin image. He had tried 30 or 40 prints before perfecting his portrait. Now it was ruined. The reason: Bérge had cropped the photo paper with scissors, not a scalpel or paper cutter. The edges were noticeably uneven. Sykes wanted to teach him a lesson – not to take shortcuts, even at the end of a laborious process. Bérge never forgot, and he was ultimately grateful for that harsh lesson. Today, Bérge is a respected pro photographer. He has owned Studio Gallery Z in Federal Hill for the past 18 years, representing more than 400 artists from all over the world. When he describes his incident with Sykes, Bérge is affectionate, even good-humored. He harbors great respect for his old mentor. Indeed, Sykes is one of a dozen fine art professors showing work at Gallery Z this month, in an exhibit called Works of RI Artist-Educators. “The idea came from staff members, sitting around a table,” says Bérge. “The theme is to showcase artists that have a foot in Rhode Island. These people are professors. It’s a group of people that are very independent, very hungry to create art. They’re waking up at five in the morning to work on their portfolios.” Teaching is a common day-job for visual artists. The benefits are manifold: paychecks, networks, intellectual stimulation, and the satisfaction of grooming young talent. Yet students often wonder what kind of art their instructors make when they’re not in an academic setting. Works of RI Artist-Educators is a chance to showcase that extracurricular work, to demonstrate the depth and range of their own creations.
HEALTHY
FRESH
DELICIOUS
SUSHI IN A BOWL. BROUGHT TO YOU BY TWO QUIRKY GAL PALS. 185 CAMP STREET ⎸PROVIDENCE ⎸RI ⎸02906
G allery Z 259 Atwells Ave • 454-8844 GalleryZProv.com
137 Main Street, East Greenwich • 401-885-8787
photography and instructional technology for the college. He has also judged art contests and presented lectures, and his colleagues felt that Bérge more than qualified as a “RI educator.” “I feel it’s a conflict,” says Bérge. “But they said, ‘You’ve taught. You’ve traveled. You should be in this exhibit.’” He finally relented and will show three of his own photographs. This is the first exhibit of its type at Gallery Z, and it’s hard to say whether there will be another. “We try not to repeat,” says Bérge matter-of-factly. “I cannot predict the future.”
at SPECIALIZING IN
sso Espre
EURO STYLE CAFÉ & BAR
inis Mart since 2007
Enjoy our cozy friendly atmosphere with seasonal outdoor seating and gallery room with fireplace MARTINIS • BEERS • WINES SPECIALTY COFFEES • DESSERTS LUNCH & EVENING MENU
open 7 days a week
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
61
ART & CULTURE • Music
by Adam Hogue
Off the Wall Waxing poetic about vinyl at Olympic Records and sales in the last few years I get every type of shopper. We have a great mix, many regular weekly customers, and first-time record buyers or travelers coming through Providence visiting.
Rows of LPs at Olympic Records
Providence is home to a healthy host of earnest and vibrant record shops. Each has its own vibe, philosophy, content, and album playing in the store. This month we will continue our record store prowl with a Fox Point mainstay, Olympic Records. If anyone has traveled down Wickenden Street in the past year, it is clear that things are changing. It feels like just yesterday I was renting in Fox Point and suddenly it seems like everytime I pop into the neighborhood for coffee something new has opened up. Thankfully, some places stay rooted, dependable, and just like you remembered it. Olympic Records is one of those places. Since 2011, Kevin Morosini has made Olympic Records a go to place for new indie records, rare finds, and tried and true classics. With an ever-changing display wall, up-to-date local stuff and a consistently rotating “new stuff” bin, Olympic is the spot to find that record you forgot you wanted to check out. What do Alkaline Trio, Miles Davis, and Titus Andronicus all have
62
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
in common? I stumbled upon them at Olympic. So, pick a lazy Sunday morning, grab a coffee, and discover some vinyl. What genres of music would you find in your shop? I sell all types of music on both LP and 45rpm singles. I sell mostly used records so my stock is always changing depending on what type of collections I’ve recently bought. What record would be playing when you walk in? I usually pull stuff off of the wall and play it, but I probably listen to Bruce Springsteen more than anyone else. What kinds of people would you find perusing your shelves? (Do you have regulars or a mix of different people?) With the boom in record player production
What’s the single-most exciting/unique/ baffling vinyl record you have sitting on display in your shop? Nothing super baffling or unique but I was excited to find a UK copy of Pink Floyd’s third album Ummagumma with the original unedited cover, it will be a little while before another one of those walks through the door. Why do you think it is important to have neighborhood record shops curating, collecting, preserving and sharing music? I think small neighborhood shops of all types are important and are a huge part of what makes Providence great. Small business run by people who care about what they are doing can be very inspiring places
Olympic Records Facebook and Instagram: @OlympicRecords 580 Wickenden Street Monday-Saturday 10:15am-6pm, Sunday 10:15am-1pm
Photography by Savannah Barkley for Providence Monthly
What is different about discovering and listening to vinyl in a shop from streaming an album off the internet? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Both also have their place in someone’s life and there is no need to pick one or the other. You can’t take your records to the gym or out jogging, so digital music and streaming are a great option. On the other hand, when you are at home and want to sit down and enjoy some music, putting on a record will most likely beat out the streaming music, experience wise. They are like the opposite of each other, so they work perfectly together. Record stores are so rich with things to see and learn about, it makes finding music much different then using a streaming service.
Contemporary Women's Clothing & Accessories
AG DENIM MARGARET O’LEARY KRISTA LARSON CHAN LUU ROBIN KAPLAN JOHNNY WAS VIVE LA DIFFERENCE
NEWPORT
24 WASHINGTON SQUARE 401-849-6612
CAPE COD | Wellfleet 11 WEST MAIN STREET 508-349-6378
K A R O L R IC H A R DS O N . C O M
! S U O I C I L E D T U O FLAT
355 Hope StreeT, Providence • 401.751.6777 • tortillaflatsri.com ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
63
CAV
ART & CULTURE • On Stage
by Robert Isenberg
Stage Tricks Four stage productions bend rules, surprise audiences, and embrace the possibilities of theater LUNCH & DINNER DAILY BRUNCH SAT. & SUN.
Private Parties & Functions 14 Imperial Place, Providence | 751-9164 | CavRestaurant.com
September 26: Ensemble/ Parallax performs at Rhode Island College
A Community-Owned Grocery Store Welcoming All Shoppers 93 Cranston Street Providence UrbanGreens.com Open Daily 8am-8pm
HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Avenue, Providence / 223-0332
HARUKI CRANSTON 1210 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston / 463-8338
HARUKI EXPRESS 112 Waterman Street, Providence / 421-0754
WWW.HARUKISUSHI.COM 64
ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
JQA John Quincy Adams wasn’t a Founding Father. Contemporaries described him as bookish and reclusive. Yet, the sixth President of the United States was full of personality: He got into fierce debates with his mother, his wife, Frederick Douglas, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay. In JQA, the recent play by Aaron Posner, the four actors perform multiple parts, so John Quincy receives four different treatments. This unconventional
approach comes naturally to Aaron, who took Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull and morphed it into the acclaimed Stupid F**cking Bird. The Gamm presents this New England premiere, a fascinating crash-course in the Adams legacy – and a timely exploration of what it means to be president. October 24-November 17. GammTheatre.org Waiting for Godot In the first act of Waiting for Godot, two
Photo courtesy of Ensemblle/Parallax
The Place For Sushi
men wait for a mysterious figure named Godot. After the intermission, two men continue to wait for a mysterious figure named Godot. Samuel Beckett’s existential masterpiece took some time to win over audiences, but now the play is considered one of the greatest works of the 20th century. The Wilbury Theatre Group has performed Godot before, and this production has been labeled a revival. Why is the absurdist comedy so surprisingly watchable? Because Vladimir and Estragon are so goofy, as are their wacky visitors, Lucky and Pozzo. Catch this production the second time around with local favorites Richard Donelly and Tom Gleadow. September 26–October 20, TheWilburyGroup.org Ensemble/Parallax When we listen to music, we start to daydream. This is one reason the music video has become such a beloved medium. Providence-based Ensemble/Parallax is taking this connection between aural and visual stimulation to the next level: Performances incorporate video projections by Wolfgang Lehmann, a multimedia artist from Germany. Primarily, E/P is known for its top-notch instrumentalists, and their latest tour includes compositions by Salvatore Sciarrino and Patricia Alessandrini. If you act fast, you can catch their season premiere at Rhode Island College’s Sapinsley Hall, just before they begin their northeastern tour. September 26, EnsembleParallax.com The Producers Two con men, one horrifying script, and an “incredibly guilty” verdict. The Producers started its run as one of the greatest film comedies of all time; in 2001, it became one of the greatest musical comedies of all time, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks himself. The Players kick off their 111th season with this convention-breaking farce. October 4–20. PlayersRI.org
THE ICONIC KIMONO COAT
Leaders in Eye Care since 1927
OFFICIAL EYE CARE PROVIDER OF THE PAWTUCKET RED SOX PROVIDENCE BRUINS
Habitat Eileen Fisher Cut Loose Clara Sunwoo
Salaam Dansko L’Artiste and more!
VISIT US IN PROVIDENCE! — Open 7 Days —
DR. JOHN D. CORROW DR. CARL D. CORROW DR. J. LAWRENCE NORTON DR. MATTHEW D. DOYLE DR. MICHAEL R. MARTINEZ DR. SCOTT SYLVIA
AdvancedEyeCareRI.com 199 Wayland Avenue, Providence • 421-0250 89 Brown Street, Wickford • 294-6266
780 North Main Street Providence • 401-331-2020 ProvidenceOnline.com • October 2019
65
Ph oto cour tesy of Kayla
Pic of PVD
Autumn afternoon in Roger Williams Park
ABOUT KAYLA @k___elizabeth Awkward millennial sarcastically MacGyvering my way through marriage, motherhood & life with my camera in hand.
presents
EL THROUGH A SEASONAL V A R T
Wonderland October 3 – November 3
Celebrate the wonders of New England and all its glory and magic at the nationally acclaimed Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Feast your senses on autumn’s beauty, winter’s swirling snow, spring’s first blossoms and summer’s ocean breezes intricately carved on thousands of pumpkins displayed along the Zoo’s beautiful Wetlands Trail.
For more information visit rwpzoo.org/jols
ENJOY AN UNPARALLELED DINING EXPERIENCE AT TEN PRIME STEAK & SUSHI. INDULGENT STEAKS & DESIGNER SUSHI, ACCOMPANIED BY CREATIVE COCKTAILS & AWARD-WINNING WINE SELECTION.
55 PINE STREET, PROVIDENCE, RI 401.453.BEEF (2333) TENPRIMESTEAKANDSUSHI.COM