Providence Monthly November 2010

Another Season in Friartown

hundreds of Stars in one show

Get a Taste of haute cuisine

PROVIDENCE noveMber 2010 #168

MonThly

Go

out and

Play

+

Artful holiday shopping

From pub trivia to burlesque to naughty puppets, the new nightlife is all fun and games

Spend your Holidays in Tuscany!

“Best Restaurant in Rhode Island” ‘10 & ‘08

RI Monthly’s Reader’s Poll

e for at l b a l i a Av e on-line purchas.sienari.com www

Special Holiday Gift Certificate Offer Purchase $500. or more in gift certificates and receive 10% back in free Gift Certificates for yourself. Certificates are redeemable at both locations.

Visit Providence Byblos for a Warm Atmosphere and Great Conversation!

$10 HOOkAHS – 12-6pm Daily (Specials cannot be combined) 15% OFF FOr ALL STuDenTS wiTH iD – All day Sunday-wednesday LADieS nigHT every THurSDAy – Half off Appetizers

Now offering full service coffee bar and Wi-Fi access!

Chic Bar • Premium Hookahs • Outdoor Patio Traditional Lebanese Lounge • Appetizers

235 Meeting Street Providence 453-9727 • ProvidenceByblos.com Mon-Thurs 12pm-1am / Fri-Sat 12pm-2am / Sun 12pm-1am Check Facebook for Daily Specials

PrOviDenCe’S OriginAL HOOkAH BAr

An Escape From the Everyday

P

rovidence Byblos is the area's first Lebanese Hookah bar and café. Step into this departure from the ordinary and get a taste of a warm and inviting atmosphere. Ornamental premium hookahs with flavored tobacco are available, creating a centerpiece for relaxed conversation among your friends.

The experience is meant to be easygoing and take you away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Sit down and let the engaging house and middle eastern music transport you to an exotic place.

It is traditional in Lebanon for family and close acquaintances to socialize around the hookah. The owner of Providence Byblos remembers fondly doing this with aunts and neighbors, sharing their stories. The practice of smoking hookah by nature brings people together, and the artistic ambiance at Byblos is great for discussion.

The upstairs lounge was designed by renowned local designer Kyla Coburn who traveled to Lebanon to get a first hand experience of the culture. The floors are hand painted, and the cushions and ornaments were imported to create the perfect feel. Downstairs has a cosmopolitan look with dark woods and a beautiful sleek bar.

This is a family owned business where service is the number one priority.

The owner's mother still makes all the delicious food, from creamy hummus and smokey baba ghanouj to their lemony tabouli salad. The food is available until close everyday, so you can always grab a bite while having a cocktail or when enjoying the hookah with friends.

The owners consider Providence Byblos their family treasure – and you will be treated like a part of the family. The hookahs are only $10 from 12-6pm everyday, making this is an inexpensive way to try it out. There are over 15 flavored tobaccos to choose from, with apple and grape being the most popular. New arrivals are blueberry muffin and pink lemonade, and everyday there are daily specials with mixed flavors. Nothing goes better with hookah than delicious coffee, and Providence Byblos offers the full line of Illy brand. Of course they have traditional Lebanese coffee which is similar to Turkish coffee.

This place is perfect for private parties, with the upstairs holding up to 60 guests and the downstairs 50. Providence Byblos also caters to events of all sizes, from weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to holiday family gatherings. Their catering menu is huge with many food options and they can provide professional servers as well.

Come experience the warm hospitality of Providence Byblos – a little taste of Lebanon right here in Providence!

Blue Grotto

30

years ago this month, we

opened our doors for the first time.

Three decades later, the Blue Grotto continues to represent the ultimate in dining experiences. We provide a menu of long time Italian classics with our own contemporary twist, all served in a warm atmosphere that's full of local charm and appeal.

This November, come help us celebrate our 30th anniversary, and you’ll have a choice of one of our home made desserts as a thank you from us. A perfect ending to one of what we hope are many visits to the Blue Grotto.

For a special anniversary gift exclusively for Providence Monthly readers, please visit us at: BlueGrottoRI.Com/30years Make a reservation with us online: www.BlueGrottoRI.Com/Reservation We have your table waiting....

SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY | 210 ATWELLS AVE PROVIDENCE | 401 272 9030

Contents

Illustration: Eloise Narrigan, Photography: Kate Kelley

November 2010

33 This Month 28 The Crafty Holiday Shopper

57 43 City Style Serve Thanksgiving dinner in uniquely Rhode Island style 45 The Look 46 Shop Talk 49 Beauty

Making the rounds of seasonal art and craft sales

32 Nightlife with a Twist Get more than a bar tab from your night out

51 Feast Revisiting downtown’s temple of haute cuisine 53 In the Kitchen 54 On the Menu 57 Review 58 Behind the Bar 63 Dining Guide

Every Month

71 Get Out Famous legs are kicking up in Providence

9 From the Editor

72 Calendar 75 Art 76 Music 79 Theatre 80 Movies

19 Providence Pulse

84 The Last Detail

Buy art with pride this holiday season

Lost in the Big East

21 City 24 Malcontent 27 Scene in PVD

On the Cover: Photography by Kate Kelley

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

7

Editor’s Note

Providence MONTHLY

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre

A Toast to This Month When you think about it, November is really the perfect month. The city’s back in full swing after a season spent day-tripping (or, going to the beach), the weather is still temperate enough to enjoy being outside, and the pressure of the holiday season won’t fully descend on you until after Thanksgiving. Your time is your own this month, and we think you should spend it drinking. Our cover story is all about nightlife – but it’s not what you think. “Go Out and Play” is all about ways to have fun and be entertained while you drink, from late night laughs to the thinking person’s show-andtell, with plenty of ways to show off your smarts and talent besides tying a cherry stem into a knot with your tongue. Better yet, there’s something happening every night of the week. If your ideal (or dreaded) night out involves shots with dirty names or $2 beers at that dive

Editor Julie Tremaine Assistant Editor John Taraborelli

down the street, this story is for you.

If you’re looking for more wholesome (and possibly less drunken… though only possibly) fun, there’s a lot going on this month. Dana Rae Laverty gives us an overview of the big holiday art sales that are starting up soon – and you know you vowed to start shopping earlier this year. There are celebrity impersonators in town, chic new shopping on Westminster Street, and more arts and culture than you can possibly fit into one month. Cheers!

Graphic Designers Karli Hendrickson Jessica Yan

Photographers Jonathan Beller K Harber Photography Laurel Mulherin Mike Braca Dan Schwartz Stacey Doyle Kate Kelley Contributing Writers Stephanie Obodda Linda Beaulieu Cristy Raposo Emily Dietsch Dan Schwartz Scott Duhamel Jen Senecal Dawn Keable Alyssa Smith Molly Lederer Michael Madden Rosanna Ortiz Sinel Vikki Warner Andrea E. McHugh

Interns Lauren Knight Nicole Greenspun Whitney Smith Jennifer Liedke

Feedback

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Illustrators Ruth Chung Eloise Narrigan

Get your ticket to Friartown in The Last Detail

8

Assistant Art Director Alli Coate

Account Managers Danielle Claro Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher Nellie Lima Dan Schwartz Elizabeth Riel Jessica Webb

84

I am upset that your article on Sound Session (“Who Stole the Soul?” September 2010) did not hold Casby Harrison accountable for the $30,000 he owed to his community members and independent contractors. We all have signed contracts that the Chairman of the Board had no intention of paying. If I have a party for 10 people at my house, the first thing I say to myself is, “How much money do I have to spend?” This guy deceived us. According to your article, he knew one week before the festival began that he couldn’t pay anyone –why did he hide that from everyone? Why did he continue to promise payment after the festival ended? Why were these questions not asked?

I think the letter from “Kid Hyperbole” that was printed in last month’s issue (“Making Some Noise,” October 2010) shows the perspective of a dolt. Complaining about the addition of burlesque and indie rock bands – what? The parade

Art Director Allison Cole

was bigger and better than last year’s and the mayoral candidates made up less than 15% of the participants. Drums of Freedom and Samba were there, as always, on the main stage at the end of the festival. Was Kid Hyerbole in bed already? If you had to choose one letter to print, why that one? After reading the article and then Feedback, your coverage of this is incredibly disappointing.

Liz Collins

Got Two Cents?

Email providencemonthly@ providenceonline.com or find us on Facebook.

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Copyright ©2010 by Providence Monthly, All rights reserved. Printed by Gannett Offset.

Distributed by Special Delivery.

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Food is the first thing on my mind after work or daily activities.

If I have just a bite of certain foods, my eating may go out of control.

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

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3RD ANNuAL

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Survivor

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PROVIDENCE MONTHLY’S 10 PEOPLE PARTY

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TWIN rIver, LINCoLN, rI

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STARTS AT 5pm FoR cockTAIlS ANd Food STATIoNS

FEATURING

Harley Davidson Clothing & Formal Wear By The Gloria Gemma Dresses That Cure Boutique Cocktails & Food Stations Pop-Up Boutiques Jewelry, Shoe, Make-up, Accessory Vendors 30+ Racks of $20 Items

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SPECIAL APPEARANCE

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Providence Monthly

Find. Follow. Join Our Cause.

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

You’ll get to meet 10 dynamic people featured in our annual list of the “10 People You Don’t Know Now, But Soon Will.”

Russel Morin Fine Catering will be providing some damn good food.

Tickets are only $10!

It’s happening on January 12, which means it’s the first great social event of 2011.

So you’ve had some time to recover from the holidays, and in need of a good party.

Money raised will support the hub, the Providence After School Alliance’s newest initiative connecting students to their futures.

You get to explore the unique and interesting offerings of the hope artiste village.

Did we mention it’s cheap and for a great cause ?

You can buy your tickets online at providenceonline.com You can start taking notes on how to become one of next year’s “10 People.”

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NEW NutritioNal WEllNEss Program (with Body Composition Analysis offered)

NEW PilatEs stick Program!

469 Angell St. Wayland Square • 273.CORE • corefitprov.com

Mobil

Travel Guide 2010

Restaurants

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special advertising section

The PM List events / promotions / good deeds

Make the Trip to

Mister Sister Erotica

THIRD ANNUAL COAT DRIVE

Sharing the Warmth Once again, Providence Monthly has partnered up with Seven Stars Bakery and Courtesy Cleaners for our third annual Coats for Coffee coat drive to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence. Between October 31 and November 14, drop off a gently used children’s or adult’s coat at any of three Seven Stars locations (342 Broadway and 820 Hope Street in Providence, 20 Newman Avenue in East Providence) and receive a free small coffee. Last year we collected 300 coats – this year help us get to 500.

More Toys than the Devil has Sinners

PM SPONSORED

Buy Art and Celebrate Join Providence Monthly and the City’s Department of Arts, Culture + Tourism for a reception honoring the artists behind this years BUY ART pins.

This successful program encourages shoppers to buy local arts and crafts (including things like theater tickets, not just visual art) during the holiday season with a series of buttons proclaiming “I BUY ART.” Come to the lovely and cozy Duck and Bunny (312 Wickenden Street) on Thursday, December 9 from 5:30-8:30pm to get a look at this year’s designs and meet the artists. Light fare will be provided, and proudly showing off your BUY ART pin from any year will get you a free drink.

Open Monday 11am-9pm Thanksgiving thru New Year's!

Open Tue-Thur 11-9 Fri-Sat 11-10, Sun 11-5 268 Wickenden Street Providence • 421- 6969

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Downcity Providence and Providence Monthly encourage you to add a dash of fun and games to the holiday shopping season this year by playing Holiday Bingo. It’s simple: tear out the bingo card on page 47 of this issue and take it with you as you explore over 20 participating businesses. Shop at any one and get that square stamped on your card. Complete any row of five and be entered to win prizes worth over $1000, including hotel stays, gourmet dinners, theater tickets and shopping sprees. The contest runs November 15 to December 31, with the winners announced on New Year’s Day. indowncity.com

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Fashion for a Cause

Feel the Funk

Strawberry Banana

Enjoy a stylish evening out and aid in the fight against breast cancer at the third annual Gloria Gemma Fashion Show on Saturday, November 13 at Twin River. It features Harley-Davidson clothing and formalwear alike, as well as pop-up boutiques, 30-plus racks of $20 clothing and accessories, and a special appearance by designer/Project Runway alum Jonathan Joseph Peters. There will also be cocktail and food stations and a raffle to win Patriots tickets. It’s a great night out for an even better cause. 861-4376; gloriagemma.org

Check out our music column on page 76 of this issue, featuring the West African style dance grooves of the Double Decker Dance Band. If you like what you see, then join our Assistant Editor John Taraborelli at The 201 (201 Westminster Street) on Saturday, November 20 from 10pm-2am for Johnny Tabs’ Afrofunk Dance Party, Part 2 with the Liberian rhythms of Double Decker and the African-inflected pop of Boston’s Full Tang, plus John playing classic ‘70s grooves from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and more between sets. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes.

www.cupnrol.com 262 Atwells Ave. Providence November 2010 | Providence Monthly

13

BUILDING BLOCKS OF A GOOD LIFE? WHAT ARE THE

Job-skill development & financial stability “Building Futures and United Way of

Rhode Island are changing the lives of hundreds of Rhode Islanders who are now trained and active members of the construction industry. This program provides a tremendous opportunity for people to get on a better path in their lives.”–Andrew Cortes, Director, Building Futures

Andrew (right) helps student Marlo Jackson with window installation in Building Futures’ virtual classroom, which is completely constructed by students.

Please LIVE UNITED by investing in United Way of Rhode Island’s Community Impact Fund. Every dollar counts. YOU can make a difference in the lives of all Rhode Islanders.

For more information, visit www.LIVEUNITEDri.org.

facebook.com/LIVEUNITEDri

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No donor dollars were used to produce this advertisement.

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! e r o l a G s y o T

T GUIDE A HOLIDAY GIF

Holiday shopping has never been easier because Benny’s has all the hot toys of the season at famous low prices and free lay-a-way! Benny’s is your one-stop-shop for stocking stuffers, classic board games and the latest and greatest toys – Sing-A-Ma-Jigs by Fisher Price, Paper Jamz Guitars by Wowwee, Air Hogs Moto Frenzy and Zoobles by Spinmaster, Hot Wheels Stealth Rides and Monster High Dolls by Mattel, Scrabble Flash by Hasbro, the newest Lego sets and games, and thousands of other fantastic toys. Benny’s – making the holidays very merry. Since 1924.

Visit www.hellobennys.com to find your closest Benny’s

! e r o l a G s Gift GIFT GUIDE A HOLIDAY

Berk’s Shoes

offers a large selection of Frye classic and contemporary boots.

Keep your feet warm and dry with Uggs and Hunter rain boots. In comfort footwear we carry Dansko, Birkenstock, Sperry Top-Siders and many many more! Berk’s – a Rhode Island tradition since 1900.

272 Thayer Street, Providence • 831-0174 • Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-7pm

Caster’s Bicycles Rhode Island’s bike shop since 1919. We feature Trek, Scott (Providence only), Specialized (Warwick only), Haro and Redlines bicycles. Lifetime free tune-ups. Kid’s trade-up program. Bicycle accessories, service, strollers, tri wetsuits, auto racks and roof top boxes. Be a kid again. Ride a bike.

212 4th Street, Providence (behind Festival Ballet) • 274-5300 3480 Post Road, Warwick • 739-0393 • www.BikeRI.com Sun 12pm-5pm, Mon 9am-6pm, Tues-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm

Frog and Toad A special little neighborhood shop with an ever-changing

selection of gifts, from lovely and inspiring to odd and incredible, and featuring tons of locally-made goodness. Find out why Frog & Toad was voted Best Gift Shop Statewide

by Rhode Island Monthly.

795 Hope Street, Providence • 831-3434 • Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm

Kyureo

Looking for something different, something extra special this holiday season? KYUREO, located in the heart of Wayland Square, has an extraordinary selection of home decor and gifts from around the world. Uniqueness at affordable pricing, KYUREO was voted the #1 shopping experience in Rhode Island.

13 South Angell St., Providence • 437-6677 • www.kyureo.com

Zuzu’s Petals A unique, contemporary dress shop focusing on special occasion

dressing. Perfect for that special event. They also carry casual dresses, jewelry and seasonal items. Featuring Nicole Miller, Milly, BCBG, Max Azria, Tibi and more!

288 Thayer Street, Providence • 331-9846 • Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm 1000 Chapel View Boulevard, Ste 104, Cranston • 369-7440 • Mon-Sat 11am-6pm 165 Main Street, East Greenwich • 398-1199 • Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm • www.zuzusri.com • Visit us on Facebook

Norm’s Jewelers Make the holiday season sparkle this year with beautiful diamond earrings from Norm’s Jewelry, your hometown jeweler. Professional customer service, jewelry and watch repair done on premise. Free layaway and gift wrap. Get a present that shows you really care!

1160 North Main St., Providence • 351-3398 • Tues-Fri 9:30-5, Sat 9:30-4

NAVA

Stop by NAVA on Thayer Street this season to find the perfect holiday cocktail dress and check out their accessories including jewelry, hats, scarves and bags. Vintage cowboy boots and so much more. Perfect gifts for your loved ones this year.

281 Thayer Street, Providence • 453-6282 • www.shopnava.com • Monday-Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm

Southwest Passage

brings the best southwestern jewelry and crafts directly to Providence at wonderful prices. We’re the only store in Rhode Island dedicated to Navajo, Zuni and Hopi jewelry, Zuni fetish carvings and pueblo pottery. You’ll find pieces signed by highly regarded artists such as Jonathan Nez and Lillie Lovato, and lovely pieces by emerging artists. Join us for a southwestern holiday celebration with a Native American flair on Saturday, Dec. 4!

180 Wayland Ave, Providence • 751-7587

KC Shoes

KC Shoes brings city fashion to the Narragansett shoreline with its trendy, sophisticated and pocket friendly merchandise. Featuring our collection of Big Buddha handbags, fur vests, over the knee boots, Onex as well as resort, evening and bridal wear. Our fabulous footwear, signature statement accessories, day to evening and travel friendly clothing allows every woman to reinvent her style. Call for seasonal hours: 788-0895.

20 Pier Marketplace, Narragansett • 788-0895

Learn to Cook with World Renowned, Award Winning Chef

Walter Potenza Chef Walter’s International Cooking School Recreational Cooking Classes Corporate Events Team Building Couples & Brides To Be

Fresh Pasta Workshop

Ragús and Stews

November 2nd or 3rd or 4th

December 15th

The Art of Terra Cotta Cookery

Pasta Ripiena - Filled Pasta

November 9th or 10th or 11th

December 16th

Mediterranean Cuisine

Feast of the 7 Fishes

November 16th

December 14th

One Pot Meals in 30 Minutes

Class schedule available at chefwalterscookingschool.com

November 23th or 24th

ReseRve youR spot at the baR foR $20 cookiNg class tastiNg limiteD to 12

Wine, Women & Jewels Wednesday, November 17th & December 15th 6:30pm and 9:00pm $ 30 • Featuring name brand fashion jewelry • Receive 3 pieces of jewelry, 2 glasses of Sangria and small bites

Walter's Ristorante d'Italia Simply Italy, Feeding Your Inner Italian Body & Soul

On Historic Federal Hill 286 Atwells Avenue • 401-273-2652 www.chefwalter.com

Gift Certificates Available Online

Providence Pulse City / Malcontent / Scene in PVD

Buy Art This Year November is already here,

and I have realized that it’s time to hurry up and work on my hopes of starting my holiday shopping early, before I inevitably shatter them yet again. If you find yourself in the same boat, fear not, because Providence is way ahead of the game. Gearing up for the 2010 holiday shopping season, the City of Providence’s Buy Art campaign has recently selected four local artists – David Allyn, Andrew Moon Bain, Jason Brockert and King Xu – whose work will be featured on their new advocacy buttons, which will be released on November 18 (see p.13). These buttons present each of the art-

ists’ specialties, ranging from ceramics and printmaking to painting. All those participating in the campaign – mainly individual artists, local retailers and art venues – will provide buttons gratis to show their thanks and appreciation to all who support their local artists by purchasing any piece of artwork. This campaign is a great way for Rhode Islanders to become involved and aware of the local art scene, while at the same time expanding their horizons and shopping locally for unique holiday gifts. How many pairs of socks can one person have anyway? buyartprovidence.com.

–Jennifer Liedke

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

19

20

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Pulse | City

gourmet cupcakes & cakes

Locally Made

Seasonal Scents Around the holidays, local and homemade soap is a great gift that anyone from your closest of kin to your secret Santa will love. For three years and counting, Stella Marie Soap Company has been creating 100% natural and vegan-friendly soaps and is continuing to grow. They offer a vast assortment of deliciously scented soaps, scrubs, lip balms and more thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll keep you smelling fantastic for days.

Featured soaps for the fall months are spectacularly spiced with the perfect holiday blend. October, for

example, featured Smash, a soap so lavishly flavored with pumpkin pie, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be craving it for days. For November, Crantiniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whole dried cranberries and spices will permeate the entire room with the Thanksgiving scent. Once Christmas, Hanukkah and the other December festivities roll around, Snap!, a gingerbread soap is the one to choose. Stella Marie also has the perfect soap designed to calm, de-stress or even take you off your feet for a relaxing bath after a stressful day. stellamariesoaps.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Lauren Knight

www.thecupcakerie.net call us at (401) 467-2601 or email orders to Kristin@thecupcakerie.net 1860 Broad Street â&#x20AC;˘ Cranston

WWW.HARUKISUSHI.COM

:+(5( )$0,/,(6 *52: 67521*(5 72*(7+(5

Through the Looking Glass

Curiouser and Curiouser If the Victorian sensibility had a season and geography, early winter in New England would be it. More baroque than bleak, this season practically reeks of velvet, fireplaces and shadows. What perfect timing, then, for an entry into Victorian imaginariums courtesy of Curiouser, an innovative new exhibition at Roger Williams Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum of Natural History.

Taking its title from a line Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carrollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s veritable catalogue of period oddities, Curiouser delights in Victorian obsessions with weird science. Curators Emily Carpenter, who obtained her M.F.A. in creative writing at Brown University, and Eric J. Carlson, a Rhode Island-based architect and mixed-media artist, bring their creative perspectives to bear on the project by forsaking stodgy museum formulas.

Indeed, Curiouser blurs standard distinctions between science, art, nature and fantasy through six original installations by contemporary artists. Using real pieces from the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rarely seen yet vast collections of 19th-century miscellany, these installations lure visitors â&#x20AC;&#x153;down the rabbit-holeâ&#x20AC;? into a time when science and nature were the playthings of pop culture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and not merely the province of lab coat-clad technocrats. Specimen collections, taxidermied animals and other marvels from familiar and far-flung lands mingle in settings that rival, and even outdo, Mad Hatter-esque visions. Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Alice just be green with envy? November 6 through mid-September, 2011. 10am-6pm, seven days a week. $2 for adults, $1 for children aged 2-7. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 785-9457; rogerwilliamsparkzoo.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Emily Dietsch

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Visit us at the location of your choice...

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Newly Renovated Haruki Cranston 1210 Oaklawn Ave â&#x20AC;˘ Cranston 401.463.8338 Haruki East 172 Wayland Ave â&#x20AC;˘ Providence 401.223.0332 Haruki Express 112 Waterman St â&#x20AC;˘ Providence 401.421.0754

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

21

Pulse | City PM Experiment

Live by the Sword Finally, fitness with stabbing They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but after picking up the Sabre at Fitness Fencing, my feelings wavered in favor of the blade.

Lynn El-Hillow, an accomplished national level fencer, is pioneering this new workout. In October 2006, she opened Fitness Fencing, a concept that combines circuit training, conditioning, fencing strategies and the chance to spar with a partner.

As most circuit routines go, the workout is divided into six stations. The first two stations work on the steps a fencer must make while facing an opponent.

Similar to dancing, fencing moves like advancing, retreating and lunging require you to make decisive and balanced steps with a sword in hand. I saw just how calculated each move had to be and realized there was going to be more required of me than simply shouting, “En garde!” and fighting pirate style.

The next station was conditioning training. This got my heart rate up and my muscles working as I did a set of push-ups, performed 15 sets of bicep curls/shoulder lifts/tricep dips with four-pound weights, and worked more on advancing and retreating with resistance bands around my ankles.

After some basic knowledge and conditioning, I was finally able to suit up and get my hands on the blades.

El-Hillow and I performed five-touch bouts, which were divided into three

minutes a piece. I reveled in the fact that I was using all the moves I had just learned, lunging and riposting as best as I knew how. El-Hillow was encouraging as she told me about the great advances and parries I was making, keeping me aware of what I was doing as I was doing it.

By the end of the session, I had completed a light workout while acquiring a new athletic skill. While the workout wasn’t intense, it was just enough to get my blood flowing.

El-Hillow provides both scheduled private sessions and walk-in and group sessions at various locations in RI. If you’re like me and have always wanted to try fencing but have never exactly gotten up the gusto, schedule an appointment or come in to one of the walk-in group sessions – and be prepared for the blade. fitnessfencing.com –Alyssa Smith

Good Cause

What’s better than a night of tasting culinary delights with a cocktail in hand as you bid with all your might on a ski trip getaway or a spa package? Doing it all for a good cause.

Providence Animal Rescue League gives you that opportunity with The Rescue: Eat, Drink & Bid Your Tails Off, their fourth annual fundraiser for our furry friends in need of a home.

Held at the Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Museum on November 6, the lively event will feature food and drinks from Aspire, Blaze, Grille on

22

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Main and many others. The exquisite creations you can taste will be sautéed, seared and tossed before your eyes at the first ever “Top Dog” Culinary Competition. Herb Mesa from The Next Food Network Star and Al Matthews from The Paul and Al Show on 94HJY will be choosing the winner. In between mouth-watering treats, be sure to make a bid or two at the silent and live auctions. Prizes include wine tastings, round-trip destinations, romantic date nights and much more. parl.org –Lauren Knight

Illustration: Ruth Chung

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

Virginia Democrat

Krystal Ball, a political newcomer running for congress, has already emerged as a candidate for a new generation, and perhaps rightly recognized that the controversy that has enveloped her young campaign is unlikely to be an isolated incident. The 28-yearold CPA, wife and mother rocketed into the national spotlight when a right-wing blog published photos of a then-22 Ball dressed in a sexy Santa outfit and pretending to fellate a bright red dildo affixed to her antler-wearing first husband’s nose.

Several “controversial” photos were published, showing the candidate in various stages of risqué, youthful mischief, indiscretions that might seem shocking in a congressional campaign in a heavily Republican district, but are actually shockingly normal for the so-called Millennial generation (those born after 1980).

Ball did not shy away from the situation, and instead assessed it thusly, and probably accurately: “It’s going to become increasingly common as my generation steps up and runs for office more frequently.”

This is all too true of a generation for whom public sharing of what used to be considered private lives is second nature. Facebook, Twitter, reality TV, TMZ and myriad other media-driven influences have all but rendered the line between public and private obsolete – couple that with a technological explosion that means we’re never more than arm’s length from a camera, and you have a lot of very well-documented lives.

What does this mean for society, or feminism, or politics, or the youth of America? I don’t know. I’ll leave that for sociologists, wonks, pundits and others to examine; I simply want to say, Stop. You’re embarrassing yourselves.

Almost nothing happens among the 35-and-under crowd these days without a phalanx of would-be paparazzi whipping out their cameras

and camera phones and snapping away. It’s as if every bar has been invaded by a hoard of Japanese tourists whose bus broke down on the way to Times Square. To these people, I say frankly and without reservation: your life is simply not that interesting. Your every night out for sushi, your every stop in front of a bathroom mirror, your every drunk face, your every margarita night at TGI Friday’s with your “besties” does not qualify as a priceless memory that must be enshrined in a photo. Furthermore, my every attempt to walk across a crowded bar should not involve dodging cameras and taking care not to interrupt photo ops, as if I’m some production assistant trying to navigate a movie set while carrying a tray full of lattes. Although, I suppose when you’re getting blackout drunk every night, having some documentary evidence on hand to piece things together in the morning is handy.

Which brings us to the aforementioned subject of risqué photos.

First, let’s address the subject of nude photos. Ladies, gentleman, this is the internet age. If you’re thinking of stepping in front of a camera with any parts of your bathing suit area exposed, stop. That picture will wind up on some website called JagermeisterandDaddyIssues.com. If you don’t think so, allow me to cite every single person who has ever taken a nudie picture since the advent of the internet as evidence to the contrary.

Even putting nudity aside, so much of what people are snapping with their iPhones and posting to their Facebook pages is probably best left behind closed doors. While pretending to fellate a Rudolph-esque dildo at a Christmas party might seem funny at the time (actually, it is kind of funny), it does not need to be immortalized.

Sure it can come back to haunt you in a professional setting, but beyond that, it’s just tacky. Put that camera down. You’ll thank me later.

Scene in PVD

| Pulse Thanksgiving To Go!

Providence Monthly’s sister publication, The Bay, celebrated our first anniversary with friends, supporters and well-wishers at 1149 East. There was food by 1149, wine from the Coastal Wine Trail, and plenty of thanks for a great first year. Photography by Mike Braca.

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

27

Pendants available at Craftopia

The Art of the Perfect Gift

This year, take the ho-ho-hum out of holiday shopping

By Dana Rae Laverty

Y

ou’ve battled throngs of shoppers at the malls. Cursed at that jerk who took your parking space at Target. You’ve even stood in line for a Zhu Zhu Pet for your niece.

Yes, it’s that time of the year again: the frenzied Holiday Season. This year, why not take a break from the commercialized, big-brand shopping experience and try something a little more crafty, handmade and personal?

Soon all of Providence will turn glittery and sparkly, and hard-working artists and artisans will proudly display the wares they’ve worked on all year. You’ll find artsy holiday sales on nearly every snow-dusted corner, and we invite you to sample one, two, or perhaps all of them.

So this year, try shopping indie. You’ll be supporting local artists, organizations and businesses. You’ll be surrounded by oodles of creativity. And heck, you’ll have more fun than being stuck in the neverending checkout lines – and the accompanying cacophony – of Wal-Mart. Trust us on this one.

Providence Art Club’s Little Pictures Show and Sale Here it is, the granddaddy of them all: At the ripe old age of 106, the Providence Art Club’s Little Pictures Show and Sale proudly lays claim to the coveted title of oldest holiday sale in Providence.

Shoppers here will find small works by more than 100 artists and club members.

Each piece measures less than 16 inches and costs less than $250: quite a bargain for fine – and local – art. Most of the pieces are two-dimensional paintings – think oils, watercolor and mixed-media works – but the sale will feature some sculpture and glasswork as well.

Since the show is cash and carry, you can pluck your treasure from the wall and bring it home with you that day. Translation: You can walk away with some really amazing pieces at really amazing prices, according to Kristin Grimm, the club’s gallery coordinator.

Because of the quick turnover (artists

28

only show six pieces of work at a time) the show changes every day – but not the prices. They’re always small.

Sunday, November 21 through Friday, December 24. Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, noon-5pm; Thursday, noon-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, noon-4pm. 331-1114, www.providenceartclub.org.

Craftland Know someone who needs a T-shirt emblazoned with the old Seekonk River Bridge – you know, that one forever stuck in the “up” position in the Providence skyline? How about a crimson and jet black pocketbook crafted from seat belts? If you said yes – or are just a fan of glittery, pretty and gorgeously handmade goodies – then Craftland’s annual holiday sale is for you.

More than 170 artists and crafters – from across the globe and right here in Rhode Island – will showcase their wares at this year’s show. Think handcrafted jewelry, paintings, stationery, puppets, clothing, housewares, knick-knacks and photographs – those are the sort of goodies you’ll find at Craftland.

From its humble beginnings in a drafty storefront in 2002 (now home to White Electric), Craftland’s annual holiday sale has morphed into a fulltime store at 235 Westminster Street.

This year’s show will take over the entire shop and gallery space from November 26 to December 31.

“We like to think that Craftland is the wacky younger sister or the weird uncle (as the case may be) to the other area shows,” says Deb Dormody, the store’s self-described Boss Lady.

“We prize quality craftsmanship and unique, distinguishing work, but we’re also not afraid of things that have swear words on them – as long as they’re painstakingly embroidered.”

Friday, November 26 through Friday, December 31 at Craftland, 235 Westminster Street. Hours: Monday, Tuesday,

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 10am6pm; Thursday and Saturday, 10am-8pm.

272-4285, www.craftlandshow.com.

Foundry Artists Holiday Show Now in its 28th year, the Foundry sale slightly edges out the RISD Alumni Art Sale for title of second-longest running Providence holiday art show. (RISD’s sale has been held for 25 years).

The show, which will be held over the course of two weekends, was started by a small group of artists who worked out of the Foundry Building in Providence. Although the Foundry now houses luxury apartments and office space, the name remains as a nod to the group’s history, says Michael Hauck, a furniture craftsman and the collective’s marketing manager.

Shoppers at this year’s sale – which features artists from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and one far-flung former New Englander who lives across the pond – will find handcrafted, high-quality work from more than 70 artists. Beautiful glasswork and vases, jewelry, photography, clothing, toys, handcrafted books, furniture and kitchen gadgets will all fill the vast hall of the Pawtucket Armory Center for the Arts, where the sale has been held for the past 11 years. “We’ll have a broad range of very distinctive gifts,” Hauck promises.

Friday, December 3, noon8pm; Saturday, December 4, 10am-8pm; Sunday, December 5, 10am-6pm; Friday, December 10, noon-8pm; Saturday, December 11, 10am-8pm; Sunday, December 12, 10am6pm. Pawtucket Armory Center for the Arts, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. www. foundryshow.com. Free admission, although donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted and donated to a local food pantry.

Craftopia Come for the funky, local goodies. For the DJ spinning sweet tunes. For the fun, festive atmosphere. But most of all, come to Craftopia for the fantabulous baconwrapped meatloaf sandwich from Hewtin’s Dogs Mobile, the Chez Pascal food truck.

Okay, maybe not most of all, because along with the cult-status wiener mobile, the one-day sale at Hope Artiste Village will feature 65 emerging and established crafters and designers selling everything from stationery, silkscreened prints, soaps, vintage jewelry, baby shoes, mixed-media collages and wares crafted from recycled goods – and it’s all local.

About half the artists hail from Rhode Island, with the remaining vendors coming from across New England.

“We have a really interesting, eclectic body of work,” says Kim Turner Clark, the show’s director and owner of Rhody Craft 100, a seasonal store that carries only handmade, locally crafted goods.

This is only the second sale for Rhody Craft – the first was held in April and was

A Sun Jar from the Foundry Artists Holiday Show

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Clockwise from top left: selections from Craftland (top two), the Little Pictures Show and Sale, and the Foundry Artsts Holiday Sale so successful that Clark and her cohorts decided to hold it twice a year. And yes, she wants you to sample the transcendent meatloaf sandwich. It will change your life.

Sunday, November 14, 10am-5pm.

Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. www.RhodyCraft100.com.

Admission: $1.

RISD Alumni Holiday Art Sale Take joyful heed, shoppers. This Rhode Island mainstay – now going on 25-plus years – is so big that the only venue that can contain it is the cavernous Rhode Island Convention Center. That translates into a whole lotta shopping for you. In fact, it’s so big that the school holds four such sales a year: three in Providence and one in San Francisco.

This December, more than 200 alumni from across the country – and even Australia – will turn the convention center into a veritable feast of crafty goodness. The thousands of items for sale will include greeting cards, fine art, jewelry, paintings, furniture, clothing, ceramics, glass, rugs and more. Fun fact: Your artful dollars will go to a worthwhile cause, as all proceeds go to the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Fund. Last year, the school’s art shows raised $18,000 and helped send six students to the prestigious art school.

Just what is it about the sale that keeps people coming back?

The show “gives people a view into a unique and original world,” explains Claire Robinson, associate director of alumni relations at RISD. “People enjoy looking at this world, even if they’re not

going to buy anything.”

Saturday, December 4, 10am-5pm.

Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street. www.risd.edu/alumni_sale. cfm. Admission: $7, general public; free, children under 14, current RISD students (with ID).

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and Artisan Fair Gingerbread + handcrafted goodies + an unlimited supply of Tootsie Rolls, gumdrops and marshmallows = Sweet, sweet holiday goodness.

That’s what you’ll find at the sixth annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and Artisan Fair, held by the good folks at the Artists Exchange in Cranston. The juried show – expanded to two days this year – will feature ten local artisans showing their holiday wares as well as a whole lotta frosting, graham crackers and happy, sticky kiddo (and adult) fingers.

The event is a way for families to steal away some quality time during the manic holiday season, says Christina Mealey, director of development at Artists’ Exchange, a nonprofit group that offers art classes, studio and gallery space, a theater and café. Here, decorators are told to think big: Intrepid designers last year crafted a replica of the Guggenheim Museum and the onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral out of gingerbread. Yum. Saturday, December 4, 10am-4pm, and Sunday, December 5, 10am-3pm. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, www. artists-exchange.org. Admission: $11 per gingerbread house.

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29

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

Go Out & Play

While we love Providence’s nightlife, there comes a point at which dressing up, waiting in a line, paying a cover and jostling for position at a crowded bar to overpay for vodka cocktails seems a bit gauche. But what’s the alternative?

We looked high and low, scoured nightclubs and dive bars and lounges, danced to DJs and jazz bands, saw puppets and PowerPoint, dined with geeks and partied with drag queens, all so that we could bring you a jam-packed (but by no means complete) guide to nightlife with a twist.

By John Taraborelli • Illustrations by Eloise Narrigan

Get Involved T

here's no point in going out and being shy. While wallflowers always hug the edges and darkened corners of bars and clubs, there are those in the center of things who are prefer to be the life of the party. They're the ones who are always the first on the dance floor, who are on a first name basis with the karaoke DJ, who dominate at beer pong, who aren't afraid to hop on a mechanical bull, and who might just wind up making a guest appearance behind the bar serving you with a smile. This is where the party people party.

Beer Pong Tournament Olives Wednesdays Admit it: there's part of you that just wants to call the cops on those damn rowdy kids every time there's a big college party on your street (some people have to work); but another part of you is itching to get out there and school these whippersnappers in a game of beer pong (it's like riding a bike, you know). Grab a partner, head down for this double elimination, $5 buy-in, winner-takes-all tournament of collegiate champions, and go all Frank the Tank on these young bucks. olivesrocks.com

Guest Bartender Night E&O Tap Every Monday If I ever owned a bar I would... I think I'd make a great bartender because... For all those (and there are many) who have engaged in such daydreaming and speculation over a pint, the E&O is here to make your dreams a reality. Every Monday, your favorite musicians, artists, regulars, cocktail slingers from other bars and neighborhood celebrities take to the other side of the bar to serve their friends and fellow patrons. It's bartending made into a participatory activity, and it's very popular. Right now, the waiting list extends for months at a time, with eager future guest bartenders rallying their bases to come out and tip generously.

Think of it as a Make a Wish Foundation for barflys and drunkards. Be patient, and one day it might be your turn manning the taps. facebook.com/eando.tap

Karaoke Downcity and Hot Club Mondays There are karaoke nights and there are karaoke nights. These aren't your run of the mill, lonely dudes waiting around to belt out Billy Joel, gaggle of drunk girls braying their way through “Total Eclipse of the Heart” karaoke nights. With the glamorous drag queen Miss Sabrina Blaze presiding over Downcity's Monday festivities, it's karaoke with a healthy dose of fabulous. On the other side of town, Hot Club provides a more boozy and populist take, with audience members lending their moral support (and dance moves) to total strangers, and the occasional overzealous performer whipping her top off and pouring beer on herself to the tune of the Doors' “Break On Through.” downcityfood.com; 8619007

Full Moon Party Rick’s Roadhouse Monthly, check website for exact dates We all know that full moons cause people to act a little crazy (or maybe just give them an excuse to do so). Take a lesson from our werewolf friends and don’t try to fight nature – embrace it. Go a little wild during the next full moon and head to Rick’s Roadhouse, where you’ll have the chance to hop aboard Providence’s only mechanical bull. There’s also music, prize giveaways and rampaging werewolves. (Okay, so we’re not exactly sure about that last one.) ricksroadhouseri.com

Drinking Liberally The Wild Colonial Fourth Wednesday of every month Perhaps you're a dyed-in-the-wool liberal who wants to meet other like-minded progressives dedicated to changing the world.

Or perhaps you're a patriotic American who just wants to keep an eye on “them types with their ideas.” Either way, this monthly meeting of the minds brings together leftleaning tipplers to talk shop over beers and convince the Fox News audience that they're up to something. livingliberally.org/drinking/ chapters/RI/providence

SalsaCity Providence Celtic Lounge Tuesdays

Secretly, everybody wants to dance. Oh, sure, you might sit there with your arms folded, claiming, “I don’t dance,” but that’s really just a cover for the fact that you A) don’t know how to dance, and B) are too reserved to go out there and risk sharing your arrhythmic, elbowy spazzing with others. Look, no one’s judging you here, but everybody knows that deep down, in the depths of your awkward, two-left-footed soul, you want to get out there and tear up the rug. The good folks of SalsaCity Providence recognize your inner turmoil, and they want to help. Every Tuesday, they’ll teach you the basics of Latin dance – salsa, meringue, cha-cha – in a friendly, non-judgmental environment, and then give you the chance to test out your new moves alongside dancers of all skill levels. It’s the perfect opportunity for beginners to make those first gawky, halting strides onto the dance floor. meetup. com/Salsalegre-Events-Providence

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

33

That’s Entertainment

B

ack in the good, olden timey days, people went out expecting not just to get zozzled and make time with someone whose inhibitions (and/or standards) had been sufficiently lowered, but to see a show. In various eras, nightlife meant anything from the Moulin Rouge to the Copacabana to Studio 54, but entertainment was always part of the equation. While the days of the grand old supper club may be long gone, it’s still possible to get a cocktail and a show in the same place.

Strictly Sinatra The Hi Hat Every other Wednesday Finally, there’s a place in Providence for people who love Sinatra – other than, you know, every restaurant on Federal Hill. Crooner Michael Dutra takes you back to the era when nightclubs served supper, men were men, dames swooned, and some wiseacre was always one smart alecky comment away from getting his clock cleaned by the Chairman of the Board. Ring-a-ding-ding. thehihat.com

Empire Revue AS220 First Sunday of every month This “fult-tilt variety show” is presided over by musician/storyteller Keith Munslow and features the sizzling, New Orleans-style boogie of The Superchief Trio. The menu could include comedy, music, burlesque, magic or “general devilment” – and when’s the last time you saw devilment of any sort? as220.org

Hardcore Comedy The Comedy Connection Every Friday As the name implies, this is standup comedy with an emphasis on the “better not bring your kids” variety. Expect the usual laughs, but with more swearing, more sex and bawdy humor, and, of course, a pretty good chance of winding up on the business end of a performer’s sharpest barbs if you don’t keep your trap shut. ricomedyconnection.com

Coyote Pretty Homestead Every Friday This self-proclaimed “hot mess of a night” takes the normally staid and bookish decorum of the gay bar and turns it surprisingly flamboyant. Hosted by Parys Hampton and Sarah Beyers with DJ Joey Dee, Coyote Pretty features dancing “showgurls” (hint: they’re not really girls), shot boys and girls, and bar top dancers. It promises to cater to “gay, straight and in between.”

Check The Homestead Providence Facebook page

34

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Glee On the Big Screen The Stable Tuesdays until January 25 How much fabulousness and spontaneous bursting-into-song can be packed into one night? Find out every Tuesday when kitsch lovers, recovering glee club members, fans of Jane Lynch’s track suits and, you know, gay dudes, gather at the newly redesigned Stable (the gay bar formerly known as wheels) to share their love of glee – and Glee, up on the big screen. facebook.com/ thestableprovidence

Blood from a Turnip

Perishable Theatre The third Friday of the month, every other month Are you tired of going out to see ridiculous characters and cartoonish behavior in a place so crowded you feel like someone’s hand is up your ass? Maybe what you need is a puppet show – a late night, adult-themed puppet show, that is. Blood from a Turnip has been delighting audiences with inspired madness since 1997.

Now it’s part of a suite of late night programming that includes the improv comedy troupe Improv Jones, Live Bait’s true confessions evenings and the live “radio plays” of Breathing Tube, but Blood from a Turnip remains a favorite for those who prefer their entertainment to be just a bit off-kilter. Four to five short-form puppet shows are punctuated by “Charming and Personable Musical Interludes” – it’s the perfect night out for people who are tired of having to sneak a drink during The Muppets or sneak in an episode of The Muppets while drinking. perishable.org

-T

nt xubera "…An eression of exp n voice ma the hu and spirit"t Pos hington he Was

Sweet Little Variety Show

Local 121 Third or fourth Thursday of the month – check website for exact dates Have you seen standup comedy? Probably.

What about burlesque? Perhaps. Okay, how about a group of grown men with ukuleles performing medleys of popular songs themed on religion or masturbation? Or a possibly drunk woman telling hilariously uncomfortable anecdotes about her troubled childhood? Or four guys with tubas playing “the greatest song by the greatest rock band of all time”? (Which turns out to be “Africa” by Toto, if you’re wondering.) Chances are the answer is none of the above, but now you have a chance to see that and more – all in one night. The Sweet Little Variety Show is a monthly potpourri of the madcap, the outrageous, the amusing, the borderline offensive and the downright bizarre, hosted with grace and aplomb by the incomparable Miss Eva Destruction. Everything from one-act plays to improv comedy to the aforementioned tuba ensemble might be in the mix on a given night, resulting in an experience that ranges from the truly inspired to the kind of uneven – but is always worth the (decidedly low) price of admission. local121.com

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For full festival schedule visit: first-works.org November 2010 | Providence Monthly

35

Think While You Drink

W

hile we normally don’t condone giving your brain and your liver a workout in the same night (you can pull a muscle that way), every once in a while it’s nice to combine drinking and thinking in a way that tests your wits and/or social skills. After all, this is America, and if we can’t encourage mixing the free exchange of ideas with the paid exchange of alcohol – well, I don’t believe I want to live in that kind of country.

Geek Dinner AS220 Third Wednesday of every month For those of you who enjoy going out to bars, but tire of having to shout over loud music in order for your thoughts about mash-ups, innovative business models and social computing to be heard, Providence Geeks have the answer. All are welcome at this free monthly gathering, and, of course, there’s Wi-Fi. providencegeeks.org Trivia Night Wild Colonial, Every other Sunday. Ri-Ra and Trinity Brewhouse, Every Tuesday.

Snookers, Every Thursday So you think you’re smart, eh? Put your knowledge, and ability to come up with a suitably corny yet risqué team name, to the test as you match wits with your peers in a no holds barred (unless you count your smart phone as a “hold” – that’s barred) battle to see just who can name the states containing the northern-, western- and easternmost points in the United States.

(Answer: Alaska, Alaska and Alaska.) wild-

36

Providence Monthly | November 2010

colonial.com; rira.com/rira/providence; trinitybrewhouse.com; snookersri.com Free Speech Thursdays AS220 Thursdays, obviously This weekly showcase keeps the oral tradition alive by spotlighting spoken word poets, writers, rappers, ranters and ravers. It’s open mic, so sign up and let the crowd know what’s on your mind. Something tells me someone there shares your feelings on that last WTO conference. as220.org Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School The Hi Hat Fourth Wednesday of every month This monthly event recently celebrated its third anniversary in Providence, but it’s actually just one chapter in a worldwide Dr. Sketchy’s movement. It’s a live drawing session with a burlesque twist, combining dames, drinks and your own meager drawing skills. Bring a sketchpad because this is the only time you’ll be able to pass your creepy ogling off as part of the “artistic process.” facebook.com/provsketchy SlamMondays The Spot Underground Twice monthly Join host Shamusideen Onikoyi for a twicemonthly showcase of local talent that brings their best rhymes, verses, deep thoughts and iambic pentameter (okay, probably not that last one, but we can hope) to the Spot’s stage. thespotprovidence.com

Pecha Kucha

Date and location change monthly – see website for details This unpronounceable (well, not really – try it: puh-CHA kuh-CHA) global phenomenon began in Tokyo in 2003 and has since spread to almost 250 cities worldwide. It’s a format for sharing ideas - think of it as show-and-tell for grownups (because adult show-and-tell has a whole different connotation). A series of presenters are given the chance to present 20 slides for 20 seconds each on any topic of their choosing. What ensues is six minutes and 40 seconds of “PowerPoint performance art,” with presentations ranging from Mayor Cicilline’s “Hey look, it’s pictures of me embracing diversity” slide show to an eightyear-old boy recounting the history of commercial aviation to an audience participation piece based solely around the difficulty of pronouncing Pecha Kucha. It’s got a large and loyal following and is one of the most uniquely compelling events in the city, so start honing your mad bullet point skills and check it out. pecha-kucha.org/night/providence

Scrabble Night Julian’s Every Monday night

Finally, someone’s come up with a way to combine the increasing difficulty of articulation after a few drinks with the pressure of trying to quickly think of a word that can be spelled using a Q without a U. The Providence Scrabble Club invites players of all skill levels to join them – no fee, no membership charge – for a funfilled night of spelling made more palatable (which could score that ever elusive bingo if you build off a two-letter word) by the presence of a carefully curated and oft-changing list of unique (and often high octane) beers. So brush up on your obscure two-letter words (AA, FE, TI and XU are all acceptable according to the official Scrabble Dictionary) and take comfort in the fact that as long as you can still spell, no one will notice how slurred your speech is. juliansprovidence.com

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

37

Music to Your Ears

Floyd Fridays The Duck and Bunny Every Friday It’s Friday night. Come midnight, there’s nothing better than turning down the house lights – maybe throwing in a trippy strobe or disco ball for good measure – and throwing on that psychedelic staple, Dark Side of the Moon. The Duck and Bunny will provide the beer and wine – and if you choose to engage in any other Floydappropriate enhancements beforehand, don’t worry, they have plenty of cupcakes. theduckandbunny.com Freestyle Madness Forbidden City Tea Room Monthly – check Facebook for exact dates Oh, the ‘90s: riding in my sister’s Cutlass with that ridiculously loud boomin’ system in the trunk (two 12” Crunch woofers) bumping “Diamond Girl” or “Louder Than Love.” Relive the big hair, Chess King clothing and blissful dance grooves of freestyle as DJ Manny F drops actual needles on actual records.

632-4311

38

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Creation Tuesday The Spot Underground Weekly This weekly event combines elements of open mic, jam bands and networking into a full night of hot musician-on-musician action. Creation Tuesday is a chance for musicians of all stripes and skill levels to meet and greet, and exchange info, ideas, inspirations and business cards. There’s an open mic, followed by featured performers, and it all culminates with one damn big jam session at 11pm. thespotprovidence.com Paint It Pink Venues and dates vary – see Paint It Pink!

Facebook page for details Paint It Pink is not so much an event as a mini-movement in the Providence music scene. By combining queer culture with a love of local music – and in particular its fringes, where things like “whimsy-core puppet theatre and punkelele” and “femme genderqueer folk-punk” flourish – the organizers behind Paint It Pink have brought a rush of underground energy and helped to bridge the gap between gay and straight bars. facebook.com/paintitpinkplease After Hours at Therapy Club Therapy Saturdays from 2am-6am Providence’s only legal after-hours club brings the noise well into the wee hours with a revolving cast of local DJs, and special events featuring theme parties, as well as national and international acts from the club music scene. It’s the only place in town to dance all night – other than your living room, which frankly, is getting a little old as far as your neighbors are concerned. clubtherapyri.com

Chifferobe

Cuban Revolution Check Facebook page for exact dates next show is Friday, November 19 Vintage nights are all the rage across the country, bringing back pre-Prohibition cocktails, burlesque, jaunty hats and, of course, jazz. (Though, sadly, not monocles.) Flapper, tapper and gal about town Kristen Minsky, with her TropiGals, knows how to put on a show. What with all the semi-naked ladies, feather boas, Miss USO pageants, Carmen Miranda-inspired fruit hat competitions and all manner of intriguing entertainment, it would be easy to overlook the well-curated musical accompaniment, courtesy of frequent guests like Providence’s own bayou-style Miss Wensday and the Cotillions or New York’s malefemale duo (plus backing band) Gelber and Manning. This is good, old timey jazz, reminiscent of the music’s Depression Era golden age, but minus the bread lines and illegal booze. So put on your nattiest attire and try out some classic Jazz Era dance moves like the Lindy Hop, the Charleston and the “God, Could FDR Hurry Up and Invent Social Security Already.” chifferobecabaret@gmail.com

Photography: Krzystyna Caldarone

C

ombining music and nightlife is hardly novel – it’s pretty much what nightlife is. However, not all DJ nights, juke joints and music venues are created equal. Some offer something a bit more unique, thoughtful or obscure for the avid appreciator. Some will expose you to new sounds, others will reintroduce you to favorites long since forgotten, and still others are just – well, they’re just kind of awesome. So do like that great one-named, one-hit siren of the ‘80s, Shannon, once said, and let the music play.

Thank you for your vote and patronage!

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State Lounge First Friday of every month This eclectic collection of five DJs formed around the tragically defunct Black Rep to share “deep rooted Afro soul musik,” often accompanied by live percussion, with eager audiences of party people.

Now they take their show around town, including Forbidden City Tea Room, Firehouse 13 and this monthly throwdown at State Lounge. The music could cover anything from Chicago house to Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. It’s a creative and refreshing antidote to the monotonous nature of most club music - the endless iterations of Lady Gaga smashes, the Journey mash-ups and the “everything sounds better with Auto Tune” hip-hop hits. With five distinct musical personalities taking turns behind the decks you’re sure to hear something unexpected, unfamiliar and unmistakably propulsive. afrosonic-ri.blogspot.com

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965 Fall River Ave. Seekonk, MA • 508.336.1149 November 2010 | Providence Monthly

39

PROMOTION

FOCUS ON

FALL FASHION JUST ELIZABETH Fall Must Have: “I’m really excited about the new jewelry designs this fall. I’m expanding the very popular Virgins, Saints & Angels line, which has a great vintage look. Local artist Jessica Ricci has some great pieces that are perfect for fall (pictured here). Lori Bonn has a new line of customized charm bracelets called Bonn Bons that uses fine stones and silverworks.” -- Elizabeth Rainone What You Can Find at Just Elizabeth: An exquisite selection of jewelry, handbags PLUS accessories by United States manufacturers Rebecca Ray and KBD Studio. Get the Look at: Just Elizabeth, 141 Elmgrove Avenue; 401-490-0321; www.justelizabeth.com

RELIABLE GOLD Fall Must Have: “I am very excited about new contemporary pieces that have beautiful lines and give an alternative to the way we look at things. I just love good design. Perennially beautiful old jewelry is always an attraction. Pieces that have lived through time and will continue to live through time are very special. They become heirlooms.” – Rena Abeles What You Can Find at Reliable Gold: Featuring an eclectic selection of unique estate jewelry along with contemporary designs. Now offering a growing selection of jewelry by local artists. Get the Look at: Reliable Gold, 181 Wayland Avenue, Providence; 401-861-1414; reliablegold.com

OCEAN STATE HARLEY-DAVIDSON®, INC. Fall Must Have: “The women’s Activewear jacket and pant are perfect for relaxing fall weekends. Available in cream, black, orange, and pink, we have the right color for everyone’s taste!” What You Can Find at Ocean State Harley-Davidson®, Inc.: More comfortable fall gear like hoodies, fleece jackets, and knit caps. Get the Look at: Ocean State Harley-Davidson® Shop, 5 Albany Road, Warwick, RI 02888, 401-781-6866; www.oceanstatehd.com

LOLA Fall Must Have: “Boots...boots...boots! Any height, length or color. From Western to vampy platforms, they look great on everyone.” -- Rachel Wills-Russell What You Can Find at Lola: Anything one of a kind and beautifully crafted! Specializing in flirty, feminine dresses from casual to formal. Handbags, shoes, boots and eclectic jewelry. I like to think of it as a huge closet with lots of eye candy. Get the Look at: Lola, 120 North Main Street, Providence; 401-383-0021

M.R.T JEWELERS Fall Must Have: “Gold will continue to be popular. Especially gold in tones of pink or rose, as seen in the Rebecca brand we carry (pictured here) Rebecca jewelry has already been embraced by celebs such as Beyonce and Pink. Amethyst is doing very well through the late summer and will probably continue to do so through the fall. Purple is a great color for the season.” – David Audette What You Can Find at M.R.T: A wide selection of fashion and fine jewelry that ranges from traditional to cutting edge. We are a full service jeweler and offer in house repairs, custom design, diamond setting, mounting and engraving. Get the Look at: M.R.T Jewelers, 927 Warren Avenue, East Providence; 401-435-3500, MRTjewelers.com

FOR EXPANDED INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS WITH THESE BOUTIQUES, VISIT THEPROVIDENCELIFE.COM

PROMOTION

ZOE & CO. Fall Must Have: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The colors this fall are going to be a little bit darker. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing some of the denim blues, deep purples, chocolates, certainly warmer colors. We just got in some really nice blue and silver two-tone bras that are lacey and available in all cup sizes.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Michelle Pendola What You Can Find at Zoe & Co.: We offer an intimate setting with professional and personalized bra fitting. We cater to pretty much anyone who wears a bra, from 13 year olds to 90. We carry every size -- from the double A cups all the way through the Double J cups. Get the Look at: Zoe & Co., 69 High Street, Westerly; 401-596-8050, www.zoeandcompany.com

Highlights? Funky Color?

FLAUNT BOUTIQUE Fall Must Have: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The trend of animal print is staying strong through the fall. A great way to wear animal print is with accessories like this leopard clutch handmade from recycled materials.â&#x20AC;? What You Can Find at Flaunt: Flaunt offers you a unique selection of gifts and accessories. We carry handbags such as Vera Bradley, Big Bud-

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dha and Maggie Bags. Also, an assortment of bead and costume jewelry including Angela Moore, Viva Beads and Bee Charming. Spanx, SwitchFlop, Lolita Glasses, and our new baby boutique lullaby make Flaunt your ideal shopping destination. Get the Look at: Flaunt Boutique,19 Saunderson Road, Smithfield; 401-949-4849, flauntboutiqueri.com. Open Monday-Saturday.

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

41

C o n d o m i n i u m s

East sidE. 3 level Townhouse Condo. 4 beds, 2 baths. Open floor plan with granite kitchen, dining room, living room w/ fireplace. Master w/walk-in closet. Many updates yet original details remain. Garden and garage. $365,000.

East sidE. One side of side-by-side antique duplex home-share only center wall. 1400 sq ft 3 floor townhome w/ exquisite early 19th century colonial detail. Exposed beams, over-sized fireplaces, pine floors. Charm, charm, charm in exceptional location. $349,000.

East sidE Commons. Ease of modern living! Fabulous 2 bedroom, 2 bath Condo built in 2005. Great layout, balcony, 2 car garage parking, fitness center and more! 2 blocks from Wayland Square. $335,000.

East sidE. Striking 2 bed recently renovated condo near the Boulevard and Wayland Square. Two marble baths, kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, large private deck, laundry, A/C, garage. Open and airy-feels like a loft. $335,000.

East sidE. Spacious Townhouse Condo. Completely renovated with original details preserved. Hardwoods. 2 fireplaces. New custom granite/stainless kitchen. Terrific master w/fireplace & luxury bath. Family room w/fireplace. Private yard. $319,000.

East sidE. College Hill Townhouse style Condo with 2 large bedrooms and 2 full baths. Updated kitchen w/breakfast bar, granite & stainless appliances. Large office, balcony, A/C, integral garage. Walk to universities, downtown & Whole Foods. $299,000.

downCity. Fabulous south-facing unit. Expansive views from 5th floor loft/1 bed, new bath & eat-in kitchen. Office area, newer mechanicals & windows, 2 car parking. Jewelry/Knowledge district urban living. Seller to pay condo fees for 1 year! $249,000.

EdgEwood/Cranston. Waterfront condominiums! Resort living in a newly restored art deco inspired building! Dynamite kitchens and baths. Loads of closet space plus private storage, in-unit laundry & fully equipped fitness center, boat moorings and bayside boardwalk! Starting at just $239,000.

East sidE. Blackstone/Wayland Sq. Pristine one bed corner unit (2nd flr) in professionally managed/maintained building.

Wood & ceramic floors, replacement windows, great storage.

Views of neighborhood park. $176,900.

140 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 401.274.6740 • ResidentialProperties.com Barrington • CumBerland • east greenwiCh • narragansett • ProvidenCe • reloCation

City Style the look / shop talk / beauty

Photography: Stacey Doyle

Dishing Up for the Holidays It’s time to pack up those iced tea pitchers and florally decorated patio plates (if you haven’t done so already), and whip out the stylish serving dishes and festive decorations that will set just the right ambiance this season. Once again, fall has appeared out of nowhere, and you know what that means: it’s your turn to host a holiday party. And who are you kidding? When it comes to impressing your family, it’s all about the presentation.

So why not invest in the Quonset Dish ($30)

designed by Pawtucket’s Studio Dunn. This elegant and stackable, “handmade, hand detailed and hand finished” piece was originally designed for sushi and soy sauce but is also a great serving platter that would be perfect for cheese and crackers, hors d’oeuvres or other delicious edibles. Even if you’re not hosting Thanksgiving this year, don’t your snacks deserve a little local style? Hope Artiste Village, 999 Main Street, Suite 701, Pawtucket. studiodunn.com –Jennifer Liedke

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

43

WEDDING RECEPTIONS • REHEARSAL DINNERS ANNIVERSARIES • BIRTHDAYS • REUNIONS • SHOWERS HOLIDAY PARTIES • COMPANY MEETINGS SPACIOUS, ELEGANT ROOMS FOR UP TO 200 GUESTS

Eastern and American Banquet Available Jacky’s Galaxie Restaurant & Sushi Bar 383 Metacom Ave., Bristol, RI • Tel: 401-253-8818 1764 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI • Tel: 401-333-4700 1449 Mineral Spring Ave., N. Providence, RI • Tel: 401-354-4570

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5:30 – 8:30 PM Thursday, December 9

WEAR YoUR BUY ART BUTToN AND REcEIVE A FREE DRINK !

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Meet this year’s artists • Mingle with the arts community Celebrate the Buy Art season • Sample light fare

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44

Providence Monthly | November 2010

bunny a snuggery

Girls Just Want To Be

(L)Sara Bruno: “My expertise includes creative styling and cutting as well as updos and makeup for special occasions and beautiful brides!“ (C) Karyn Tantimonico: 28 years of hair styling and color experience plus a unique talent with protein straighteners and relaxers gives Karyn a calm condence in her salon at RGE. (R) Michelle Rodriguez: “My specialties are hair styling for weddings and formal events, dry and wet hair cutting and blending away those greys. “

Makeup by Sheila Venditto of RGE Clothing by RGE

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BOMBERS

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Kastell Rouge Lindemans Framboise Magners Iri Irish Cider

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City Style | The Look Jessica Ricci Jewelry Designer

by Caitlin Quinn

A piece of sentimental jewelry ties things together and keeps the idea of ‘style’ more personal.

What kind of jewelry do you design?

I have a jewelry collection based on going to markets and bazaars around the world and finding objects to be reworked into jewelry. I found 200-yearold lace in a Paris flea market, cast it into metal and worked it into jewelry. I have scoured these markets in Nepal, Tibet, Argentina, Iceland, Rome and France. The idea is to be more than just inspired by travel and cultures, but translate it into jewelry.

Describe your fashion style.

I guess I am eclectic with a mix of bohemian and vintage pieces pulled together with a Mad Men silhouette. I almost always wear a belt and love the flash of a scarf. I like to look slightly romantic in a way without calling too much attention to myself, if that makes sense. I lived in Italy for almost four years so I appreciate having a few nice classic pieces that never go out of style but can be reinvented.

Our

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Little Black Dress

Any professional and personal style similarities?

They are similar in the sense that they are both very feminine and often derived from the past. I reworked my grandmother’s ostrich handbag by adding a bamboo handle and adorned it with cast Roman lace from my jewelry collection. Like with my jewelry, I find vintage pieces and restyle them with new buttons and tailoring to get the look I want. My style, like my jewelry, is understated and simple, but unique in that it doesn’t fall into a trend.

Photography: Krzystyna Harber Photography

Tell me about this look.

I bought that lace top in Rome about six or seven years ago. I have always loved lace, which is probably why I have my lace jewelry collection now. I love that it is feminine and romantic but still demure.

This is an outfit I would wear to an event or to a nice dinner. I made all of the jewelry in the picture and I chose to layer the lace pieces as homage to the lace top.

What does a jewelry designer wear to work?

Day to day I wear something that looks like what you see people wearing to get coffee on a casual Sunday. You know the look: jeans tucked into boots, solid top and scarf. Even when I am casual, I like to mix textures, but I keep things basic with muted hues and solids.

How have your travels influenced your designs?

I have always been active with volunteering and I really wanted to incorporate it into my business somehow. So when I go to a developing country I spend a few weeks volunteering. This allows me to get a deeper understanding of the place and a different perspective. This in turn helps me to find something culturally reflective to make into jewelry while satisfying my need to help others. jessicariccijewelry.com

A Specialty Boutique THE VILLAGE CENTER 290 County Road, Barrington • 247-1087 Open Daily 10-5:30 Saturday 10-5

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

45

Gain ExpEriEncE MakE connEctions HavE Fun!

City Style | Shop Talk

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46

Providence Monthly | November 2010

You could say

that Karen Beebe is a pretty creative person. The owner of the artsy downtown boutique Queen of Hearts, Beebe is also a fashion designer who helms the vintage-inspired Lucille line (which she showed at this summer’s StyleWeek Providence and will be showing again there in January). Because those creative outlets weren’t enough (and really, who needs sleep anyway?), she has just opened Modern Love, a shoe and accessory boutique.

Modern Love, which is directly next door to Queen of Hearts, is all about the finishing details. “I had wanted to venture into shoes, but I didn’t have the space to make Queen of Hearts a destination for them,” says Karen. The new store is in the space formerly occupied by Oop!, and has a surprisingly large selection of stylish women’s flats, heels and boots, along with tights, hats, jewelry, handbags and clutches. (She’s also thinking about carrying men’s styles, but give her time – the store only celebrated its grand opening on October 16.) “I want to have something for everyone,” she says.

The store carries shoe lines like Frye, Seychelles, Chelsea Crew, Poetic License, Irregular Choice and Nicole. The bags

are by Hobo, and hats by Brixton. While there are plenty of really affordable choices (shoes start as low as $18), the selection also includes slightly more expensive items. “Fryes can be hundreds,” Karen says, “but they’re boots that will last you a lifetime.” There are great, textured ballet flats in the store, as well as some shoes by Irregular Choice that are so beautiful that you could call them wearable art.

But with a successful store that’s been around for four years, why not just expand that one instead of opening a completely new business? “Queen of Hearts is a handcrafted boutique,” Karen says. “We have 50 artists in there. It took a lot of work to get people to know what it is.” Also, she says, “I had a whole different vision of what I wanted [this store] to look like.”

There’s no better time to think about shopping locally than the holiday months, but if you need another reason, here are two: Downcity offers free parking at Grant’s Block; and Beebe offers a rewards program for both stores, where you get $50 off a purchase when you build up $500 in spending. Sound like a lot? You have as long as you need – even years – to shop. You’d better get started. 220 Westminster Street. 421-1475; modernloveshoes.com

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City Style | Beauty

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Glazed Over, in a Good Way

Illustration: Karli Hendrikson

Hair color for the commitment-phobic

Mashed potatoes

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Unless it involves imminent bodily harm (cliff diving, roller coasters, getting anywhere near a clown), I’m pretty adventurous, especially when it comes to aesthetics. For this column, I’ve been wrapped from head-totoe in what looked like insulation from a space pod; had extensions glued onto my eyelashes (sharp implements and superglue millimeters from your eyeballs? Not scary at all.); had my face zapped with electricity; and gotten sprayed a color that can only be described as Oompa Loompa. And do you have any idea how many treatments necessitate stripping down to nothing in front of a total stranger? A lot.

When it comes to hair color, however, I’m a commitment-phobic mess.

Too many things could go wrong: I could hate it and end up dyeing my hair over and over until it all falls out and my wallet is completely empty, or I could love it and end up dyeing my hair over and over until it falls out and my wallet is completely empty. But, I had this problem: I was a beach bum this summer, and all that time in the sun left me with frizzy, bleached-out locks. So there I was, having transitioned to sweaters and boots, but still sporting unsightly beach hair. It was time to face my fears, and there was only one man to help me: Greg Moore, a color-andcutting specialist at the Coiffurium.

He and his wife Melissa have been running the Hope Street salon for two decades now, and I knew I was in good hands the minute I sat in his chair. I explained to him my problem and the complicating phobia of hair color commitment, and we settled on a hair glaze. It’s a heavy-duty conditioning treatment that also delivers semi-permanent color. While I had thought I might go much darker with the glaze, Greg wisely talked me into a coffee-hue that would darken my hair slightly, but still flatter my skin tone. He explained to me

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that they use Tocco Magico, a color line from Rome that has a superior depth of conditioning and isn’t used much locally.

This is how it worked: I had some caramel-colored goo painted on my hair, I sat under the dryer for 15 minutes (which is really hot, but which I always enjoy in a retro-beautyparlor way), and then Greg rinsed out the glaze. It’s that simple. As he blew out my hair afterwards, he told me how to care for my new color: it would last three to six weeks, depending on how often I wash my hair, but I could preserve the look by using a magic conditioner that seals the hair’s cuticle and prevents the color from fading. Greg also said that the color can be made more permanent using the same process – that is, if I ever decide to commit – and is the kind of treatment that won’t leave those unsightly lines between color and roots because it washes out gradually.

Finished straightening my hair, Greg showed me the finished product, and it was amazing: dark, luminous, sophisticated color that looked totally natural in a bitch-with-perfect-genes way. I left the salon having one of those shampoo-commercial moments, and the color is just as great a week later. I might be ready to commit, after all. To star in your own shampoo commercial, visit coiffurium.com.

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

49

7

Best Bets for Breakfast & Brunch

Aspire

Cav 14 Imperial Place, Providence. 401-7519164, cavrestaurant.com. Cav’s sophisticated lofted atmosphere offers a contemporary bistro lunch and gourmet dinner menu with international influences. SAT/SUN brunch menu includes delicious dishes with exquisit flair such as pistachio encrusted Maryland Blue Crab cake with a poached egg. W $-$$

1149 Located in Warwick, 401-884-1149, and in Seekonk, 508-336-1149, elevenfortyninerestaurant.com. Offering an omelet station of every imaginable ingredient, seasonal fruit, pasta and salad stations, fresh squeezed juice and more, Sunday brunch couldn’t get any better. The huge buffet will be sure to keep you full for hours. S $$-$$$

LJ’S BBQ 272 East Avenue, Pawtucket.

401-305-5255, LJsBBQ.com. Southern spins on traditional favorites include award-winning benedicts, sweet potato pancakes, crab cakes, and buttermilk bacon crumble corncakes.

Brunch redefined, LJ’s style. W $-$$

Louis Family Restaurant

Tazza 250 Westminster Street, Providence.

401-421-3300, tazzacaffe.com. The best coffee makes tazza’s brunch even better! Stellar coffees & espresso, eclectic cocktails & an array of delectable brunch specialties. Mon-Fri 8am-11:30am Sat & Sun 8am-2:30pm. Full brunch served 7 days per week! D $-$$

311 Westminster Street, Providence. 401-521-3333, aspirerestaurant.com.

Sleeping in; warm breezes; summer sunshine; fresh fruits and juices; hot coffee; time with friends; crossword puzzles; newspaper stories; lazy mornings, hangover munchies, alfresco dining; live music. D $-$$

286 Brook Street, Providence. 401-861-5225, louisrestaurant.org. Featured on Diners, Driveins and Dives, Louis’s homestyle cooking has impressed everyone from the locals to the Food Network. Oversized omelettes, huevos rancheros and legendary pancakes. Open everyday at 5am! D $

D = daily, W = weekend, S = Sunday $ = under 10, $$ = 10-20, $$$ = 20+

Thorton’s Grille

50

Providence Monthly | November 2010

145 Spruce Street, Providence. 401-270-5444. Thorton’s knows how to do breakfast right. They make everything from waffles to eggs Benedict to scrambled and poached. The Texas round omelet is a favorite of many. D $

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TheProvidenceLife.com

Feast

IN THE KITCHEN / on the menu / behind the bar / review / in the drink

Photography: Kate Kelley

57 REVIEW Gracieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Pumpkin Cheesecake: Maple granola, cranberry chutney, pumpkin seed brittle

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

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Feast | In the Kitchen

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Labor of Love

Authentic Indian Cuisine Right on Federal Hill!

Siena’s Anthony Tarro believes good food takes time

145 Dean St. (Off Atwells Ave) Providence 273-6363

What defines Tuscan cuisine?

Tuscan cuisine, like many other regional cuisines in Italy, starts with ingredients that are indigenous to the area. Tuscany is known for its great wheat and breads, cheese, olives and an abundance of sausages and cured meats. The region has wonderful coastlines with plentiful seafood. The vineyards and olive orchards yield some of the finest wines and olive oils in all of Europe.

Tuscan cooking is very simple. The cooking style can be embodied in a simple phrase: “less is more.”

How is this philosophy reflected in your food?

We try to focus on this principle every day. We cook over hardwood charcoal and let the quality of the product shine through, limiting the amount of heavy sauces or unnecessary accompaniments. We commit ourselves to bringing DOP or IGP (“Protected Destination of Origin” and “Protected Geographic Origin” – two certifications issued by the Italian Minister of Agriculture guaranteeing quality and authenticity) products from Tuscany and other parts of Italy. We only use Prosciutto di Parma, ParmigianoReggiano cheese and imported cured meats, cheese and olives from Italy. I think it makes a big difference.

What are some typically Tuscan dishes on your menu?

The Pollo al Diavolo (wood grilled chicken with our house made hot chili and herb rub), the Gamberi con Timo (sautéed shrimp in a garlic, thyme and butter sauce served over Parmesan ri-

Photography: Mike Braca

sotto), and our Branzino (Chilean Sea Bass with a creamy scallion and ocean scallop sauce) are just a few of the Tuscan dishes on our menu.

What was the role of food in your family? Do you have any favorite food memories?

I am an Italian-American who grew up watching my mother, aunts and grandparents (who were from Naples and Sicily) prepare holiday dinners and everyday food. Food wasn’t just important, it was everything!

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basement, which had a full kitchen.

My aunts would make fresh polenta, sauce, meats and antipasti.

How did your interest in food transition to a culinary career?

As a child I was always intrigued by the way food was prepared. When I was in high school, I used to help my mother cook at home. I loved cooking for her dinner parties and helping prepare our family dinners; I always loved to cook and bake.

In college, I began in pre-med but quickly found that I didn’t have a passion for medicine. After a year, I switched to Culinary Arts at the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated in 1983 with a Certificate of Apprenticeship in Culinary Arts. I had the great opportunity to work for Nick Janikies at Quidnessett Country Club and the Jan Companies. During that time, I went to night school at Johnson and Wales University and received a B.S. in Food Service Management. I worked as a country club chef and a club manager for almost 20 years before I decided to open Siena with my brother Chris.

When did you first visit Italy?

My first visit to Italy was in the late 1980s when I had the opportunity to

attend classes at the Regional Cooking School of Emilia-Romagna in Bologna. A family friend introduced me to the school, where I was treated like royalty. They cooked for me, brought me around the city and showed me the markets and food. It was a surreal experience.

What were your first culinary impressions of the country?

The generations of tradition really made an impression on me. Kitchens were staffed by seasoned chefs that had been there for 30 years, older women hand-making pasta in a subway tiled room, and cooks grilling over open pits and hardwood charcoal. It was a true sign that methods had not, nor would ever, change to the contemporary styles in America. Everything in Italy is a labor of love. Few things that are truly good are quick to produce. There is something to be said for handmade.

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Feast | On The Menu

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The original home of JB Morin’s diner in 1911

This month brings

big news for two local restaurants and one caterer.

Two are raising a toast to longevity: Federal Hill’s famous Blue Grotto turns 30, and Russell Morin Fine Catering turns a whopping 100. The third is celebrating a phenomenally successful debut, as Cook and Brown Public House will be featured in the November issue of Esquire magazine as one of its “Best New Restaurants 2010.”

While the Blue Grotto (210 Atwells Ave.) is no doubt familiar to most Rhode Islanders, Russell Morin might be a bit less so – at least in name. However, with 100 years of weddings, fundraisers, receptions and myriad other events under its belt, there’s a good chance this company has fed you at least once in your life.

The family business began in 1911 when Jean Baptiste Morin opened a 24-seat diner next to the Attleboro train station. The catering jobs began in 1914, with workers in the factory behind the diner lowering their lunch pails to be filled. In 1930, the family bought a second diner on South Main Street, which is still the home of Morin’s Hometown Bar & Grille. Russell Morin, Jr., the current owner, entered the family business in 1957, working the pot sink at the diner.

“Certain standards of behavior and excellence have been passed down through the generations,” says Russ, a third-generation owner. His attention to quality and service, as well as con-

Providence Monthly | November 2010

siderable charity work, catering fundraisers and special events, led him to be named “Caterer of the Year” by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association in 1999 and “Small Business Leader of the Year” by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in 2004.

The Blue Grotto’s history doesn’t go back quite so far, beginning on Thanksgiving Day in 1980, but it remains one of the old lions of Federal Hill. Current owner Michael Danahy, who began his career there as a 16-year-old busboy, made it his mission to update a classic for the modern diner. “We have gotten rid of the tuxedos and tableside service, looking for a slightly more contemporary feel,” he notes. “We are holding on to some of the old world dishes, but we have brought contemporary twists into the menu as well.”

Some renovations of the interior are still in the works, as well as a remodel of the exterior. The spirit of the Blue Grotto remains the same, however. “This restaurant being open for 30 years says a lot about how well respected it is,” Danahy summarizes.

“The reputation as an icon in the Providence restaurant scene still remains.”

Meanwhile, Esquire’s Food and Travel Correspondent John Mariani, one of the preeminent food critics in the country, traveled coast to coast assembling the magazine’s annual “Best New Restaurants” list. He settled on Hope Street’s newest hotspot, Cook and Brown, as one of 20 that are worth

the trip. Mariani applauds husband and wife team Nemo and Jenny Bolin for opening in the middle of a recession “without the slightest pretense that they want to do anything more than cook wonderful, personalized food.”

OPENING SOON >> The folks at Garden Grille are expanding into the space next door with Wildflour Vegan Bakery and Juice Bar (727 East Avenue, Pawtucket).

Opening in December, the bakery will feature a 100% vegan dessert menu, sprinkled with some gluten-free offerings as well. There will also be a seasonal café menu of raw live food small plates and an organic “Juice Farmacy.”

EATING LOCAL GETS COMPETITIVE >> The first Pawtucket Wintertime Farmer’s Market at the Hope Artiste Village (1005 Main Street) is upon us, Saturday, November 6. On opening day, Farm Fresh, the nonprofit that runs the market, will host its second annual Perfect Pickle Contest. Competitors are encouraged to sign up at www.farmfreshri.org and start jarring their favorite recipe (which must contain at least one local ingredient) in four categories: Best Pickle (traditionally brined cucumbers), Best Brine (any produce, any flavor), Best Ferment (i.e. sauerkraut or kimchee) and Best in Show.

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

Feast | Review

by Linda Beaulieu

Still a Star A new chef continues the fine tradition at Gracie’s Let me first say

Photography: Kate Kelley

that I can’t help but think of Gracie’s as more than a restaurant. It’s also a persona, a character or personality, with a philosophy.

I first met “Gracie” more than a decade ago when she had her coming out party on Federal Hill. Starting with that original location, stars have always been the theme of Gracie’s, whether they be star-shaped drink coasters back in the day or the many stars that adorn the restaurant’s current location on Washington Street.

The pretty debutante of 1998 has matured into a confident, beautiful, successful woman. The food was extraordinary right from the start, and continues to surprise and delight us today. Great chefs have come and gone, and Matthew Varga is now in charge of the very talented kitchen.

My dining companion this night would be Tim Kelly, the masterful chef for many years at Café Nuovo, who is now working on the opening of a new restaurant, Chapel Grille, in Cranston.

After we placed our dinner order, an amuse bouche found its way to our table for two. Only the finest restaurants serve this type of appetizer, a little something for guests, compliments of the chef. Tonight it was barely a bite of salad, composed of a delicate rad-

Vegetable Samosas and Vegetable Pakora

ish shaving and baby heirloom tomato on a stark white Asian-style spoon.

I ordered the Hudson Valley Foie Gras ($22) as my appetizer, while Tim was intrigued by the Slow Poached Zephyr Farms Egg ($12). “I’m not even that much into eggs,” he admitted, “but with the corn grits and pork belly, it sounds like brunch.” The deep bowl placed before him did indeed seem like a hearty brunch dish with the Anson Mills white corn grits, the braised Berkshire pork belly, and the green tomato condiment. Tim’s reaction? “Fantastic! The grits were creamy as well as the egg, due to the slow poaching technique,” he said. “The green tomato jam added a nice acidic balance.

The pork belly was pretty good. All in all, it was a great dish.”

On my side of the table, a large white plate was centered with a generous cut of sautéed goose liver, topped with tangy huckleberry sauce.

These savory and sweet flavors were nicely countered with a small wedge of moist cornbread, hazelnut nougatine and preserved lemon salt.

As we waited for our entrees, still mesmerized by the succulent pork belly and decadent foie gras, yet another complimentary item was offered: petite scoops of passion fruit sorbet to

Oven Roasted Rabbit cleanse our palates. With our palates cleansed and still tingling, the main course was served: Local Skate Wing ($27) for Tim, Wolfe’s Neck Farms Prime Ribeye ($38) for me.

We’re both fans of skate wing, and we had never seen it served like this.

The ultra-thin fish had been rolled into a plump bundle and then roasted, alongside creamy polenta, braised Swiss chard and tomato celery salad.

Tim said the skate was fresh and the cooking technique was perfect, but he did think that the acid (probably balsamic vinegar) on the tomatoes threw the balance of flavors off slightly.

My large serving of ribeye was cooked to order, medium, and still pink on the inside. I especially liked the tiny tomatoes escabeche and the black garlic bordelaise. The ovenroasted new potatoes were acceptable. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated broccoli rabe was too salty for my taste buds.

After just the right amount of time for us to digest our satisfying dinners, dessert ($10 each) arrived: Goat Cheesecake for Tim, Local Stone Fruits for me. Both were fine, with the cheesecake being the better of the two. Tim said it was “on the money, with clean lines and perfect balance.”

The round serving of creamy goat cheesecake over a savory sage cornmeal crust was topped with Black Mission figs, port sauce and candied pine nuts – a seemingly simple dish

with an appealing complexity. The menu promised me peaches and honey plums with a black pepper scone, but the chunks of scone were hardly peppery. The stone fruits came with a scoop of lavender ice cream. Lavender is one of those trendy flavors that I just can’t appreciate. But that’s me, not any reflection on the amazing accomplishments achieved by Chef Varga and his kitchen at Gracie’s.

This had been a very special night with extraordinary food, sincere service, and nonstop conversation with a fellow foodie. My car was waiting for me at the curb when I exited the restaurant. As I drove home, I noticed two delicate paper bags on my center console, once again compliments of Gracie’s. Inside each bag were quite possibly the very best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had. A special night indeed!

Linda Beaulieu is the author of The Providence and Rhode Island Cookbook, available at stores throughout the state.

Gracie’s 194 Washington Street 272-7811 graciesprov.com

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

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Class is In Session

Providence Monthly | November 2010

How did you discover your love for wine?

Originally, just from spending a lot of time in restaurants after shows. (Before this, I taught dance and choreographed.) Everyone was into enjoying wine. It was an easy passion to get into. It’s fascinating. I found the juxtaposition of wine with food to be exciting. Going from being a broke and starving artist to eating and drinking for a living was a good change.

What exactly is a sommelier?

A fine wine specialist. Sommeliers just work in restaurants though. I sell wine to all fine restaurants and fine hotels.

How do you become a fine wine specialist?

There are multiple different certifications and levels, for example Harriet Lembeck’s Wine and Spirits Program and Windows on the World Wine School, both in New York City. I spend Fridays at wineries learning about the different wines. Wines themselves are always changing.

Also different wineries, such as the Chateau Ste. Michelle estates, make you become certified in their own wine. You receive a direct education from that winery and then have to pass a test to become certified. There is a lot of depth – it’s not a boring subject matter.

What’s your advice to wine amateurs who would like to become experts on the subject?

Start with what your taste profile is attracted to, whether it’s sweet or dry.

There are different fruit characteristics that your palate is normally attracted to. Then try something that is slightly similar. If you usually prefer a sweet wine, then try a semi-sweet wine next to develop your palate. When you drink wine, take that first sip to figure out what you actually enjoy about it.

Also, engage in on-site training. Go out to eat and drink a lot. Go out to restaurants around the state and build up you education base. WineSpectator.com and WineEnthusiast.com, as well as some wineries, have online education available.

What is your favorite wine?

From a personal and professional

point of view, there’s no answer to that question!

on a plane. Sakonnet Winter Wine is one of the best dessert wines.

‘Tis the season for holiday parties!

Which wines do you recommend guests bring to a gathering?

Delightful sparking wines from California are only $12-$20 a bottle. Some of them are made by the famous Roederer – the same people that make Cristal, but with a cheaper price tag.

Can a wine amateur taste the difference between an inexpensive and expensive bottle?

No. It’s fun to pop open an expensive bottle, but it’s unnecessary when there are so many good, inexpensive wines.

We’re living in the golden age of wine right now. Save your wallet for when you know you can appreciate it.

What’s your advice for ordering wine at a restaurant?

If you smell it and you don’t like it, there’s probably something wrong with it. If something smells a little off, tell your server and they’ll give you a new fresh glass. Never feel bad about that. Don’t be afraid to experiment and deviate off your given path. Visit restaurants where they offer flights so you can try a few different wines. Expand your wine horizons.

What local vineyards can your recommend for those who can’t make it out to California wine country?

Visit Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton to get a taste of what it’s like to go to a California vineyard. It’s a high-tech winery with a beautiful plantings and a wonderful wine tasting room right on our coast. You get the whole experience without hopping

Where can aspiring oenophiles learn more about wine from you?

I speak at a lot of different wine dinners at restaurants throughout the state. Once a month, I host “Vino Versity,” an inexpensive wine tasting event at one of the Marra Restaurant Group locations. The next is November 17 at Post Office Café. I sometimes will speak on radio programs such as Dining Out with Bruce Newbury.

Post Office Cafe 11 Main Street East Greenwich 885-4444

Photography: Mike Braca

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

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The Muir String Quartet 60

Providence Monthly | November 2010

with guest Ann Hobson-Pilot, Harp

Feast | In the Drink

by Emily Dietsch

The Lost Inca An obscure beer makes for surprising cocktails I am a restaurant groupie, unabashedly. Among other perks, groupie status allows a person to eat and drink (and even cook) like one of the crew, and to linger without thought to closing time. At Los Andes, for instance, a family-run spot on Chalkstone Avenue, my co-groupie J. and I have supped as insiders thanks to jovial proprietors Cesin and Omar Curi. We have dined far past reasonable hours, ordered offmenu, intoned on menu and décor, lent a hand in a busy dining room, guarded the store whilst one Curi dashed for cigarettes, and joined the other Curi on a charter fishing trip. If merit badges for gastronomic groupiedom existed, J. and I would have full sashes.

After one particularly extended and enthusiastic meal at Los Andes this past summer, Omar eased into our booth to unwind. Rather than share a glass of our red, he sipped a frothy, dessert-looking concoction from a brandy snifter. Chastised roundly for apparent teetotaling, he revealed that, in fact, his “dessert” was a Bolivian beer cocktail – Bi-Cervecina de batido, to be exact.

Curious but skeptical, I inquired after the ingredients. Learning that beer, egg, a pinch of sugar and cinnamon were involved did nothing to dispel my skepticism. Not only that, but the very idea of raw egg, sugar and beer curdled in my imagination. Greeting my narrowed eyebrow with raised conviction, Omar insisted I try. One hesitant sip won me completely: it tasted neither particularly beer-y nor too sweet, and just sudsy enough to soothe a full stomach.

Omar relayed that a Bolivian customer had introduced it to him as sort of a nourishing tonic. “You can drink it in the morning, before the gym,” he suggested, with slimmest irony. Point taken, though

“hangover curative” was a likelier usage given the Dionysian crew seated at our table. Omar kindly shared the recipe, which I transcribed in cramped lettering on a business card. Too tipsy to properly scrawl the beer’s name for future reference, I snatched an empty bottle before tumbling out towards home.

Studying the pocketed bottle in morning light, I gleaned a sense of why this particular beer works so well when spun with egg, sugar and cinnamon. “El Inca”, an iconic brand pervasive in Bolivia but rare in the States, is fairly low in alcohol (3%) and significantly malty. As a result, the beer is friendlier in general to mixing, and especially compatible with sweet and spicy elements.

Determined to add Bi-Cervecina de batido to my drink repertoire, I spent months casually hunting in liquor stores for El Inca. In Providence, New York, Washington, D.C., and Boston, I struck out routinely. Meanwhile, I experimented with a few alternatives recommended by store clerks. I discovered, through trial and error, that one dark beer is not another – or, more to the point, not El Inca. Pious Monk Dunkel, Negra Modelo, and a handful of others made for viable substitutes in a pinch, but El Inca remained the elusive, superior option.

Thankfully, serendipity replenish my drinking life with the real McCoy. Over lunch recently in a Bolivian-Salvadoran neighborhood in D.C., I spied a nearby table of employees swilling El Inca from the bottle. Chatting about mutual beer adoration, we bonded enough that a six-pack was mine for the taking. Now perched atop my refrigerator like a prized stag over a hunter’s mantle, the dwindling six-pack will soon need replacement. Curi Brothers, if you’re reading, please send beer.

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Bi-Cervecina de batidos Illustration: Emma Tripp

If El Inca beer is unavailable, as it likely is, substitute a malty, dark beer that has nutty or chocolaty undertones.

2 eggs, split ½ tsp of sugar, or less

cinnamon 1 beer

Add eggs to blender and froth until foamy, about 2 minutes. Add sugar, and reduce speed of blender. Slowly pour in beer. Turn off blender, and distribute in glasses. Top with a dash of cinnamon and serve.

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

61

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

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Feast | Dining Guide

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BYBLOS 235 Meeting St.; 453-9727.

Providence’s original hookah lounge offers more than just a relaxing smoke. You can also enjoy classic Lebanese dishes and light cuisine with your cocktail. LD $ CAFÉ PARAGON 234 Thayer St.; 3316200. This hip eatery serves sandwiches, pasta, and entrees at prices lower than the chic décor would have you believe. BrLD $-$$ CARLITTO’S CUCINA AT OLIVES 108 North Main Street; 751-1200. Enjoy dinner and drinks at one of downtown’s best nightspots. With grilled pizzas and Italian classics, you can make it a great night out at Olives. D $-$$ CASERTA’S PIZZERIA 121 Spruce St.; 621-9190. This Rhode Island tradition serves big pizzas with generous toppings and thick, rich tomato sauce.

The Wimpy Skippy, a spinach pie with cheese and pepperoni, is not to be missed. LD $-$$

Hemenway’s 121 South Main St.; 351-8570. A true Providence classic, Hemenway’s has been serving top-notch seafood for 20 years. Their oyster bar features everything from the famed Prince Edward Island variety to the local favorite, Poppasquash Point. LD $$-$$$

Providence Andreas 268 Thayer St.; 331-7879. For a taste of Greece, head to Andreas. Their menu includes souvlaki, moussaka and a variety of kabobs, along with specialties like Lemon Oregano Lamb Chops and Spanakopita. BrLD $-$$ ASIAN BISTRO 123 Dorrance St.; 3833551. Chinese, Japanese and Thai, hibachi and sushi – they’re all under one roof at Asian Bistro. For the freshest flavors in a convenient downtown location, this is the place. LD $-$$$ ASIAN PALACE 1184 North Main St.; 2287805. All the flavors of Asia are here: from Chinese classics to new Thai favorites to fresh, impeccably prepared sushi.

The gorgeous banquet room is available for private functions. LD $-$$$ Aspire Restaurant 311 Westminster St.; 521-3333. Aspire offers an exquisite

fine dining experience with a number of delicious small and large plates, with an emphasis on local ingredients.

BBrLD $-$$$ BLUE GROTTO 210 Atwells Ave.; 2729030. “An old friend with a new attitude,” the Blue Grotto is an icon of Federal Hill, and one taste of their old world classics and contemporary Italian will remind you why. LD $$-$$$ BLUEFIN GRILLE 1 Orms St. (Providence Marriott); 272-5852. The Bluefin Grille is a hideaway of casual elegance with a nautical atmosphere.

The cuisine is globally inspired, utilizing fresh, local ingredients with an emphasis on responsibly caught seafood. LD $$-$$$ BOMBAY CLUB 145 Dean St.; 273-6363.

Taste authentic North Indian cuisine in the cozy atmosphere of Bombay Club.

The extensive menu includes Indian specialties such as lamb, seafood, vegetables and more. LD $-$$

CAV 14 Imperial Pl.; 751-9164. The New York Times’ choice as one of Providence’s five best restaurants, CAV’s contemporary upscale cuisine is available al fresco for lunch and dinner daily. They also feature weekend brunch.

BrLD $$-$$$ DON JOSE TEQUILAS 351 Atwells Ave.; 454-8951. Don Jose’s digs a little deeper than your average Mexican restaurant, with all the basics you love alongside more artfully composed entrees and a wonderful selection of tequilas. LD $$

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EBISU 38 Pontiac Ave.; 270-7500. Ebisu serves Japanese classics like Yakitori and Shabu-Shabu in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Their full bar features many Asian specialty drinks. LD $-$$ GOURMET HOUSE 787 Hope St.; 8314722. Beautiful murals and decor set the mood for delicious Cambodian and Southeast Asian cuisine, spicy curries and noodle dishes. LD $-$$ HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Ave.; 2230332. For authentic Japanese dining, try Haruki’s large variety of sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, soba noodles and delicious specialty entrees. Enjoy the freshest sushi around. LD $-$$$ HUDSON STREET DELICATESSEN 68 Hudson St.; 228-8555. For a true neighborhood deli, head to the West Side.

Try one of their delicious specialty sandwiches, including the biggest and

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November 2010 | Providence Monthly

63

Gift baskets in multiple sizes and patterns filled with lots of goodies Quality Chocolates, Gourmet Truffles, Chocolate Novelties, Candy Trays and Tins, Gift Baskets, Caramel Apples, Sugar Free Chocolates

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

Located in the historic renaissance hoteL

Feast | Dining Guide best grinder in town. BLD $ Kartabar 284 Thayer St.; 331-8111 This European-style restaurant and lounge offers a full menu of unique dishes. They also offer a gourmet wine list and martini menu. LD $-$$ McFADDEN’S RESTAURANT 52 Pine St.; 861-1782. Looking for a great sports bar that also offers top-notch dining?

Look no further. For game night, a quality lunch or dinner, or a great after-work cocktail, stop by McFadden’s. LD $-$$ MILLS TAVERN 101 North Main St., 2723331. The only restaurant in RI to receive The Mobile Four Star Award for five consecutive years, Mills Tavern provides traditional American cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. LD $$-$$$

the world’s finest beef with first class service in an upscale Manhattan-like atmosphere. It’s one of Providence’s premier steakhouses, bringing you the best USDA Prime beef. D $$-$$$ Red Stripe 465 Angell St.; 437-6950.

It’s classic comfort food with French influences. From their Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup to ten styles of Moules & Frites, Red Stripe’s menu is reasonably priced and made with passion. LD $-$$$

MU MU CUISINE 220 Atwells Ave.; 3697040. Mu Mu mixes the best of familiar stateside favorites with a selection of authentic Chinese specialties. LD $-$$ NEW RIVERS 7 Steeple St.; 751-0350.

Long considered one of Providence’s finest restaurants, the James Beard Awardnominated New Rivers serves creative New American cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. D $$-$$$

TASTE OF INDIA 230 Wickenden St.; 421-4355. Providence’s first Indian restaurant delivers on its promise of serving real (and really delicious) Indian cuisine, with seafood delicacies and Tandoori specialties. LD $-$$

PARKSIDE 76 South Main St.; 331-0003.

Parkside offers innovative foods ranging from spicy crab cakes to grilled tenderloin and Portobello salad. The menu also includes creative pasta dishes and Parkside’s signature rotisserie meat. LD $-$$

Tazza Caffe 250 Westminster St.; 4213300. One of downtown’s hottest spots for lunch, dinner, coffee or drinks, Tazza’s outstanding panini and burgers are the perfect accompaniment to their outdoor seating and live entertainment. LD $-$$

Pizza Gourmet 357 Hope St.; 7510355. Toppings like sirloin steak and shallots justify this pizza shop’s name.

Also available are specialty pasta entrees and sandwiches. LD $-$$

TEMPLE DOWNTOWN 120 Francis St.; 919-5050. This stylish restaurant in the historic Masonic Temple building features a variety of flavors from across the Mediterranean including pastas, kabobs, mezze, tagines, salads seafoods and more. D $$-$$$

PROVIDENCE OYSTER BAR 283 Atwells Ave.; 272-8866. Oyster Bar welcomes you to be spoiled by impeccable service and an innovative, seasonal menu. From traditional New England to international specialties to their impeccable raw bar, you won’t be disappointed. LD $$-$$$ PROVIDENCE PRIME 279 Atwells Ave.; 454-8881. Providence Prime combines

Key

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Rue De L’espoir 99 Hope St.; 7518890. In business for over 30 years, the Rue has only gotten better. The innovative, constantly changing menu keeps diners on their toes. Superb brunch.

BBrLD $$-$$$ Siena 238 Atwells Ave.; 521-3311. Siena features authentic Tuscan cuisine in a lively atmosphere. The extensive menu includes wood-grilled veal, steak and seafood along with pasta and sauté dishes. D $$-$$$

Pizzico Ristorante 762 Hope St.; 421-4114. Pizzico sets the standard for Italian cuisine on the East Side, with award-winning food, a wide variety of wine and a rustic yet eclectic atmosphere. LD $$-$$$

Yakitori • Shabu Shabu • Noodles

TRATTORIA ZOOMA 245 Atwells Ave.; 383-2002. Located on historic Federal Hill, Zooma offers award winning Neapolitan cuisine in a beautiful, upscale setting, specializing in house made pasta, local fish, meats, vegetables and authentic wood fired pizza. LD $$-$$$ Twist on Angell 500 Angell St.; 831-4500. Get casual fine dining with a “twist” at this popular Wayland Square restaurant, with creative takes on classic comfort food and inventive appetizers and entrees. D $$

Br Brunch B breakfast L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+

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351 Atwells Ave. Providence 454-8951 • www.donjosetequilas.com November 2010 | Providence Monthly

65

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

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Feast | Dining Guide

United BBQ 146 Ives Street, 751-9000.

Barbecue is an art form here. Feed the inner man with a classic rack of ribs or make it light with a “Tofurkey” kielbasa sandwich from the menu’s Weird Stuff section. LD $-$$

bined with modern technique and flair.

LD $-$$$

WALTER’S RISTORANTE D’ITALIA 286 Atwells Ave.; 273-2652. Experience the authentic flavors of Chef Walter Potenza, a name long synonymous with Italian food in Rhode Island. This is a must-stop for foodies and caters to gluten-free diners. D $$-$$$

COAST GUARD HOUSE 40 Ocean Rd., Narragansett; 789-0700. This beachfront institution serves classic New England seafood, plus pasta, steak and a raw bar, all in the shadow of the iconic Narragansett Towers. LD $-$$$

WATERMAN GRILLE 4 Richmond Square; 521-9229. An exquisite waterfront dining experience, Waterman Grille offers a plethora of delectable dishes including grille and seafood plates with a focus on seasonal flavors and local offerings. BrD $-$$$ Waterplace One Financial Way; 2721040. With its gorgeous views of Waterplace Park, this stylish eatery is guaranteed to please. The chic and sensible menu offers award-winning cuisine. LD $$-$$$

East Bay BUCA DI BEPPO 353 Highland Ave., Seekonk; 508-336-4204. Dine with family and friends while enjoying the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. Buca di Beppo’s dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared.

LD $-$$ DEWOLF TAVERN 259 Thames St., Bristol; 254-2005. Set in a historic stone warehouse, DeWolf Tavern offers casual dining and drinks on its patio. An elegant upstairs dining area serves contemporary American cuisine. D $$-$$$ HORTON’S SEAFOOD 809 Broadway, East Providence; 434-3116. Enjoy the finest of fresh seafood at this family-owned-and-operated restaurant. Horton’s is famous for their fried clams and fish and chips, and offers takeout. LD $-$$ JACKIE’S GALAXIE 338 Metacom Ave., Bristol; 253-8818. Jackie’s offers an eclectic taste of Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese. Enjoy traditional recipes com-

Key

THe BeST &

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South County 228-8555 • 68 Hudson Street, Providence Mon-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat and Sun 9am-3pm HudsonStreetDeli.com

TUESDAY SPECIAL: Manicure and Pedicure for $28!

ELEVEN FORTY NINE RESTAURANT 1149 Division St, 884-1149. 965 Fall River Ave., Seekonk; 508-336-1149. Metropolitan chic comes to the suburbs at this super stylish restaurant with a raw bar, outstanding menu, and some of the best cocktails around. LD $$-$$$ RHODY JOE’S SALOON 515 Kingstown Rd., South Kingstown; 312-6500. Rhody Joe is a legendary Rhode Islander and his namesake saloon serves up mammoth burgers, grilled pizzas and classic pub fare. LD $-$$ TAVERN BY THE SEA 16 West Main St., North Kingstown; 294-5771. Tavern by the Sea offers a relaxed yet romantic atmosphere and an array of dishes like seafood, burgers and a complete kids’ menu. LD $$

North ENN JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR 600 George Washington Hghwy, Lincoln; 333-0366. Enn serves authentic Japanese cuisine with the freshest ingredients possible. You’ll find classics like tempura and teriyaki mixed with eclectic innovations. LD $-$$ VINTAGE RESTAURANT 2 South Main St., Woonsocket; 765-1234. Vintage offers top notch cuisine without the top notch prices. Enjoy classics with creative twists in a casual but sophisticated setting. LD $-$$ WILDFIRE 1874 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence; 353-7110. This brick oven pizzeria and bar offers a friendly, relaxed atmosphere for dining out. Enjoy an extensive menu featuring sandwiches, salads, burgers, panini and pasta. LD $-$$

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Fried Clams • Baked Dinners • Chowder/Clam Cakes 809 Broadway, East Providence • 434-3116 www.hortonsseafood.com • Wed. Thur. Sat. 11-8, Fri. 10-9

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

67

Give the gift of Relaxation..

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

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November 20-21, South Kingstown, 228-5175, www.thecontemporarytheatre.com

South County Art Association’s 40th Holiday Pottery & Art Sale November 26-December 12, Kingston, 783-2195, www.southcountyart.org

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Private Room also available for Holiday Parties

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123 Empire Street • Downtown Providence • 401- 490 - 5112 www.bravobrasserie.com 70

Providence Monthly | November 2010

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Get Out

Events / art / music / MOVIES / theatre

Live from New York November 12-28: Good goin’, cotton/poly blend. You and your pal elastic waistband have been single handedly responsible for the demise of the romance of American culture.

Indeed. Not that long ago, we were a nation of prideful dressers. Snazzy even. Pumps, pantyhose and pearls – and that was just to the grocery store.

Old school glamour? You gotta look towards institutions eight decades in the making like The Rockettes precision dancers for a piece of that. Take

in their sophistication up close, when the national tour of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular sprinkles some seasonal New York City magic over Providence. During the two-hour production, they’ll transform into reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh, The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, The Living Nativity and even showcase a wee bit of velvet, but just not of the track suit variety. $39-$125. Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street. 421ARTS, ppac.org. –Dawn Keable

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

71

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Get Out | Calendar

This Month November 5 Learn how to brand yourself from the expert, Jeremy Crisp of Nail Communications, the brains behind the Rhode Island Food Bank’s “Nothing” campaign, presented by the United Way Young Leaders Circle. uwri. org.

November 6 Frost pastry, not hair, with Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss during an interactive presentation on the PPAC stage. ppac.org.

November 6 Get your fresh, local produce all year round as the Wintertime Farmers’ Market kicks off the season at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket. farmfreshri.org.

November 12 Focus on WWII, not that pesky bond issue, as Curt Schilling hosts several of the original Band of Brothers at, naturally, Veterans Memorial Auditorium. timgraymedia.com.

Ellen O’Donnell-Forte

a.k.a. “Elle Forte”, Realtor® cell: 401.524.0563 office: 401.521.9490 EODonnell5@cox.net

Butterman & Kryston 749 East Avenue Pawtucket, RI 02860 72

Providence Monthly | November 2010

by Dawn Keable

November 13 Resist the urge to pull our your funnel at the Great International Beer Festival, liquifying the Convention Center. www.beerfestamerica.com.

November 13 Shout Cats Alive! to reinforce PawsWatch’s mission of helping feral cats in the ‘hood during their Rhodes Place fundraiser. pawswatch.org.

November 14 Welcome homegirl Ann Hood as she reads from her latest book, The Red Thread, at the library downtown. provlib.org.

November 20 Watch the Ivy League brainiacs

From Silver Screen to Gallery November 4-24: Your free association with the word “desert” might go a little something like this: Hot. Colorless. Very hot. Thirsty. Lemonade.

Really, really hot. Camels. Burning sun. Come on, Sex and the City 2, what were you thinking with this ridiculous plot line, anyway? Okay. Reel yourself back. Anthony Quinn, the late actor and artist who called Bristol home for the later part of his life, would be disappointed in your limited vision.

Quinn found inspiration within these very places during his years filming epic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Lion of the Desert and The Message, living for months on location. Anthony Quinn: A Modernist Vision, A Focus, showcases the sculptures and conceptual drawings that were inspired by his sandy surroundings, proving that his creativity was never a mirage. Tuesday-Friday: noon-8pm. Free.

Bannister Gallery, Roberts Hall, Room 124, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. 4569765, www.ric.edu/bannister.

sort out their differences in a more physical manner, as it’s Brown vs.

Columbia on the football field. brownbears.com.

November 20 and 21 Turn new or gently used outerwear into half-price admission at the zoo during the Charity Coat Drive, a

partnership with Buy Nothing Day. rogerwilliamsparkzoo.com.

November 26 Find a buddy 12 or under to score during Kids Hat Night, otherwise known as the P-Bruins vs. the Worcester Sharks at the Dunk. providencebruins.com.

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Get Out | Art

by Vikki Warner

Exhibits Get inspired at this month’s artsy events

by Dawn Keable

Cozy by C.W. Roelle

Curves and Corners Artist C.W. Roelle is totally wired Spools of black wire in various gauges are scattered around C.W. Roelle’s prudently arranged studio, tucked in among tools, boxes and books. At first glance, these inconspicuous materials might seem to blend into the room’s walls, but with Roelle’s fervent, painstaking intervention, humble wire becomes elegant objects of art. Lamp Lit: New Work by C.W. Roelle, open until November 13 at the Craftland Gallery, showcases Roelle’s latest wire sculptures in all their smooth, bending, astonishing grace. Full of curvy shapes like the drape of a dress or a koala’s fur, as well as the angular lines of his many brick window portraits. Reminiscent of New England’s old mill buildings, Roelle’s aesthetic is about the sweet past hushed memories.

Roelle’s appreciation for everyday objects - the comfort of well-made, meaningful old things - plays into his artistic choices. His aim is not to shock or to tantalize; it is to bring comfort, to emulate the relaxation of home, of childhood, of a good book or a particularly great day long past. In our strange and sometimes awful modern times, Roelle’s work is a bit of solace, a reminder that beauty is still everywhere. The pieces in Lamp Lit bring this out: multiple birdcages, intricately constructed, their inhabitants, chickadees and koala bears, (not quite contained therein, but lingering on branches just outside); a large-scale, multi-level piece depicting a finely-dressed lady engrossed in a book, lounging on a tiger-skin rug; a glowing lamp, ringed by windows, frogs cascading down its spiral staircase

(a nod to Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row). Each piece is constructed with a lavish attention to detail that makes it difficult to see individual wires or underlying structure; everything is so seamlessly connected that it seems to be made from one length of wire.

Roelle sees negative space as pockets of color and light, which he then “draws” in wire. The starkness of the material he uses is softened by his facility in bending it – somehow, in his hands it becomes fluid, dreamy, beautiful. The mechanical, no-Photoshopneeded nature of bending wire involves no computers or overly modern tools; his work could have been created a hundred years ago, the perfect vehicle for his nostalgic themes and compositions.

Roelle, who grew up drawing from Marvel comic books in dirt road country near Rochester, New York, is a small-town boy at heart. His childhood, his hometown, and his family come up regularly when he talks about his work. Providence-based since graduating from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2000, he works full-time as a parking lot attendant, and stays up late winding wire. He has moved on from collecting action figures to collecting art, a sensible move indeed.

But in his own art, the powerful pull of reminiscence is clear: a link to times and places now out of sight.

Lamp Lit: New Work by C.W. Roelle is at the Craftland Gallery, 235 Westminster St., until November 13.

Call 272-4285 for details and hours. Watch TinyShowcase.com for an upcoming offering from Roelle. Visit his Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/cwroelle.

Through November 28 The intricate work of Mary Jane Q. Cross: The Finger Painter of America will make you wish that you tried harder with your own technique. Royal Gallery, 298 Atwells Avenue. 831-8831, royalgalleryri.com.

November 1-30 Go ahead and get out the nametags, ‘cause when you’re Interrogating Race, and original art constructing and deconstructing it, you gotta break the ice somehow. University of Rhode Island Gallery, 80 Washington Street. 277-5206, uri.edu.

November 3 Loss of life during wartime is always considered. Loss of art and culture? Not so much. Past Imperfect: Archeology and War in Iraq and Afghanistan is C. Brian Rose’s story of preservation. RISD, Chace Center, 20 North Main Street. 709-8402, risd.edu.

November 6 and 7 All Balanchine! means no Paula Abdul half-time moves for the Festival Ballet, just the artistry of Apollo, Who Cares?, Tarantella and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Arts. 353-1129, festivalballet.com.

November 19-20 Decide against lining the pockets of faceless corporate America, especially when the Gift of Art, a gala and juried art show, stays local with its support of City Arts.

Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church, 50 Orchard Avenue. 751-2141, stmartinsprov.org.

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

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Get Out | Music

by Alyssa Smith

Concerts Check out this month’s awesome shows

by Dawn Keable

November 12 You’ve let go of your Swatch watch, parachute pants and jelly shoes. But synthpop? Never. English duo La Roux rewinds to where their inspirations, like Depeche Mode, left off. Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington Street. 621-6127, arttixri.com.

Just Dance Double Decker brings the sounds of West Africa to Providence For the most part, Providence has a solid music scene. Strolling downtown any given night, you can pop into Tazza for an open-mic, check out local and national acts at Lupo’s, or go to AS220 to see a variety of alternative artists. However, our good city seems to be missing something: dance music.

Sure, you can get your fix at nightclubs or maybe find yourself bobbing your head for a livelier rock band. We have some great local DJs, and on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s easy to find a live band, but there seems to be a dearth of sweaty, shake what your momma gave ya and leave your troubles on the dance floor dance music in Providence. And finding a live band that plays African-inflected pop and gets you on your feet? Not likely.

Fear not, dear friends, hope is not lost. Enter: The Double Decker Dance Band. Led by Liberian-born songwriter, singer, guitarist and keyboard player Joseph Paye, this infectious, Afro-pop and reggae sound is something local party people have been aching for. Started in 2008

by Paye and drummer Matt McLaren, Double Decker has grown to a 76

six-piece band of artists hoping to spread the dance bug to the area.

Paye says Matt’s really the founder, while his role has been as teacher.

“Matt got all the guys together so I could show them how to play the African music,” he recalls, adding, “It’s great for dancing.”

Double Decker guitarist Chris Monti says he’s hoping the band can pioneer and promote a better dance music scene in Providence. Learning the unique West African melodies and dance lines from impresario Paye, Monti’s gotten a crash course in the West African sound. “Like any new form of music, it was unfamiliar,” he explains. “But I immersed myself in the music. It’s beautiful key stuff with a repetitive rhythm. It almost has a trance-like quality. Joe says he’s our teacher, and he really is.”

Combining a healthy dose of improvisation with the defined Liberian style, the band’s sound strikes a nice balance between the immediacy of being fun and danceable while also musically complex and rhythmically interesting, something that reveals itself upon closer listening. “Joe does a lot of vocal and guitar improvisation,” Monti adds.

Providence Monthly | November 2010

Like the sound, most of the lyrics seem light, but also pay homage to African roots, as in “Ju ju Music,” a song about the style of music in Nigeria that evolved from Yoruba folklore, and “African Children,” to name a couple.

After opening for big name artists like Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars and Steady Bongo in Boston and Philadephia, the band has established they can groove with the finest while getting audiences on their feet.

Monti confirms that Double Decker is itching to give Providence a new sound. “I’d like there to be a bigger dance scene in Providence. The only way to do that is with shows and proper promotion,” he says.

These boys are worth checking out, if not for the dancing, than for the fact that it will broaden your musical horizon. The next show for the Double Decker Dance Band is “Johnny Tabs’ Afrofunk Dance Party, Part 2” at the 201 on November 20, along with Boston’s Full Tang. So, bring your dancin’ shoes, work on your booty shaking and be prepared to show your moves on the dance floor. facebook.com/doubledeckerband

November 13 No offense, Tiny Tim, but sometimes you need the spirit of the season to arrive in full out sparkle like the Divas of Drag Holiday Revue, with the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus. Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, stadiumtheatre.com.

November 13 They’ll respond to Sweet Honey In The Rock, but you can call these six ladies carrying on an a cappella African-American tradition of blues, gospel and jazz, just plain fierce. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Arts. 421-2787, vmari.org.

November 21 Two things have protected Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson from a flute-playing beatdown for over 40 years: exposed biceps and mustache. Observe both during his solo tour. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Arts. 421-2787, vmari.org.

November 21 All you need to know is that Straight No Chaser, a ten-member, all male a cappella group featured on Oprah, reworks Toto’s “Africa” into something you actually want to sing along with. Park Theatre, 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, parktheatreri.com.

Photography: Jori Ketten

Double Decker Dance Band

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Get Out | Theatre

by Molly Lederer

The many faces of the Edwards Twins

Masters of Disguise

The Edwards Twins take on the stars – lots of them An evening of watching

superstars in concert could cost hundreds, not counting airfare. But the chance to see Elton John, Bette Midler, Andrea Bocelli and even Cher costs less than $36 at Via Roma on Federal Hill. This price includes a delicious Italian dinner, dessert, tax, gratuity and complimentary valet parking.

How can this be? I am positively tickled pink to present (drum roll, please…) the Edwards Twins.

I don’t write this column in the first person, generally, but I can’t offer objective impressions of these celebrity impressionists. I clapped with delight when watching clips on their website. I giggled like a schoolgirl while interviewing Anthony Edwards. I got chills watching Eddie Edwards, in the spitting image of Barbra Streisand, stand in the spotlight and belt out a live, loud and utterly glorious rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” And I think that you will be star-struck, too.

Anthony and Eddie Edwards are identical twin brothers with the uncanny ability to act, look and sing like scores of different celebrities. Their specialty act is funny at times, but it is not intended as a joke or spoof.

Their act creates the illusion that you are watching stars perform live in concert. As Anthony puts it, “Anyone can make fun of a character to get a laugh. But when you are onstage as a person for 15 minutes, and people are captivated, and they think they are watching the actual celebrity – that is an art in itself.”

The Edwards boys grew up in Burbank, California in the ‘70s, hanging out at nearby TV studios to watch the taping of live variety shows. Their gifts of mimicry and impersonations of the talent soon charmed their showbiz neighbors. Encouraged to pursue entertainment, the twins took singing, dancing and acting classes. As young adults, Eddie worked in touring productions and Anthony attended the police academy. In 1995 they joined forces, performing their celebrity impressionist act for the first time in Las Vegas. They haven’t stopped since.

The Edwards Twins’ main challenge when starting out was misconception. People assumed their act was a drag show. Though Eddie does female impersonations dressed from wig to heel in women’s clothing, the act is not so easily categorized. The twins use makeup, costumes, and prosthetics to drastically alter their appearances. They study concert footage to perfect manner-

isms and style. They only impersonate celebrities they consider to be of legendary status, and they choose which era of long careers to depict based on the time when the stars were best known and most widely seen.

The Edwards Twins’ act changes regularly to accommodate the hundred different characters they perform.

They are also working on two brand new productions: a Frankie Valli variety show featuring superstars from the ‘70s, and “Sinatra Duets Live,” showcasing the talents of Sinatra impersonator Mike Dutra. (The latter premieres November 14 at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket.)

Their madcap schedule includes artistic development, technical design, rehearsal, travel and near-nightly performances.

Selling out shows here since July, the twins are now booked through 2011. At the invitation of Via Roma’s owner and executive chef Domenic Ierfino, I stopped by to see these remarkable illusionists in action. The banquet hall was packed, the mood was buoyant, and I was on pins and needles. The spotlight shone on the intimate stage and in bopped Bette Midler – or rather, Eddie Edwards as Bette Midler. He looked just like her, albeit a little larger than life and possibly more sequined.

Anthony Edwards followed as Billy Joel, a spot-on impersonation from the pug nose and black shades to the croon and howl. Accompanying himself on piano, he sang a series of hits that got the audience snapping, clapping and singing along. Then Eddie returned as Babs, sparkling and sophisticated, to sing classic tunes and chat in her distinctly nasal chirp. Anthony, disguised as Andrea Bocelli, joined her for a powerful duet that brought the crowd to their feet. All this in just the first act. I don’t want to give too much away, as you have to see it to believe it. These men are magicians, guaranteed to leave you starry-eyed.

The Edwards Twins

November 2, 3, 5-7, 9,10 and December 3 Via Roma 308 Atwells Avenue, 331-1717 viaromaprov.com theedwardstwins.com

On Stage See what’s going up this month

by Dawn Keable

Through November 21 You’re far from alone in suffering through torturous holiday gatherings under the guise of tradition. Absurd Person Singular observes three couples over Christmas Eve. Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, trinityrep.com.

Through November 21 It’s a sticky situation when two half sisters inherit their mother’s stamp collection in Theresa Rebeck’s Mauritius, and three shady dealers begin working their con to get the sale. The Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 7234266, gammtheatre.org.

November 3-5 Losing My Religion: Confessions of a New Age Refugee, is less REM sing-a-long and more humorous monologue of one man’s wanderings of self-discovery while on a spiritual path. Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire Street. 331-2695, perishable.org.

November 11-14 and 18-21 What’s up with you, royal offspring? Why can’t you relax into your world of butlers instead of always searching for the truth like Pippin, son of Charlemagne. Brown University, Stuart Theatre, 77 Waterman Street. 863-2838, brown.edu.

November 17-21 A weekend invite by the four members of the Bliss family in Hay Fever comes with a mint on the pillow and an up close look at their eccentricities. Nazarian Center, Forman Theatre, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue. 456-8000, ric.edu.

November 2010 | Providence Monthly

79

Get Out | Movies

by Scott Duhamel

Film Here’s what’s showing on the local big screen.

by Dawn Keable Helen Mirren and John Malkovich in Red November 5 It’ll just be a lot easier to pinpoint your location in old Neutral Nation concert footage after buying It’s A Bash, during a DVD release party with the band. The Met at the Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket.

729-1005, www.themetri.com.

Quick Cuts Two reviews and one fond farewell Despite the fact

that Hilary

Swank suddenly seems to have a bunch of naysayers laying in wait for her next big screen portrait as a jut-jawed epitome of almost saintly decency, she continually manages to turn in affecting, no frills performances. Conviction, from a script

by Pamela Gray, is director Tony Goldwyn’s retelling of the real-life tale of Roger Williams Law School grad Betty Anne Waters (who, in the interest of full disclosure, I do happen to know) and her 18-year struggle to free her brother Kenny from a wrongful murder charge.

Swank plays Waters with eyes forever verging on moistness, blue collar New England accent front and center, unwavering decency emanating from every pore; yet she avoids the off-putting air of selfrighteousness and delivers a stellar, if somewhat predictable, turn.

While Goldwyn’s finished product doesn’t pander or over-sentimentalize, it never quite rises above a certain made-for-television movie feel. Part courtroom drama, part hand-on-the-glass prison fare, part minor league Erin Brockovich, Conviction strives so hard to do the story justice that the movie gets bogged down with an overall vibe of good intentions, making it ad-

80

mirable enough, but not especially insightful or inspiring.

For those who enjoy exceptional casting, or, even better, scene-stealing, the movie abounds with the dynamic players, especially Melissa Leo as a hardnosed cop, Minnie Driver as Betty Anne’s law school BFF, and the always terrific Juliette Lewis as a townie witness. Of course, secret weapon Sam Rockwell as the volatile and cocky Kenny is superb as ever, but the film’s by-the-numbers conventions never quite allow him or Swank to reach any sustained heights.

Remember the much

bandied about inside Hollywood term “concept film”? Well, there are both Low Concept and High Concept movies, while Red might be categorized as an Old Concept. Based on a graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, it’s a throwback actioneer and spy vs. spy fable, lightly comic and generally torpid, centering around a reforming team of over-the-hill ex CIA assassins, all, Retired and Extremely Dangerous. (R-E-D, get it?)

It’s thoroughly disposable, and probably only memorable for its supposedly humorously incongruous coupling of middle-agers MaryLouise Parker (46) and Bruce Willis

Providence Monthly | November 2010

(55), alongside Morgan Freeman (73), John Malkovich (56), Brian Cox (64), Richard Dreyfuss (62), Helen Mirren (65), and, God bless him, Ernest Borgnine (93). Parker is excruciatingly over-the-top, Malkovich triple hammed-up, Freeman’s eyetwinkling motions are rote, Willis does his deadpan retro thang, and director Robert Schwentke makes sure we all focus on the venerable Helen Mirren teamed with a gun nearly as big as her, because, well, that’s basically the whole concept.

Tony Curtis RIP, 1925-2010 1959’s Some Like it Hot is unarguably among the greatest American movie comedies. It is Tony Curtis and his bravura portrayal of a simultaneously on-the-hustle musician, Cary Grant-like playboy, and allknowing, been-around-the-block dame (in heels and stockings) who ultimately absconds with the honor of being the most magical farceur in this resoundingly humorous big screen farce.

Curtis, born in the Bronx as Bernie Schwartz, was more than adept in urban dramas, costumed sagas, gritty bio-pics, romantic comedies and all-out satires. He will deservedly hold a solid place in Hollywood’s all-time firmament.

November 19 During the 1940s and ‘50s, Maya Deren was inevitably known as that weird avant-garde movie-making chick. Celebrate her vision with a compilation of her experimental short films. The Meeting House, 3850 Main Road, Tiverton. www.tivertonfourcorners.com.

November 20 It sucks when your buddy checks out before you’re done hangin’. Gotta Find Barry, a comedy outta Cranston, shows what happens when two ghost hunters go in search of their dead pal. Park Theatre, 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, www.parktheatreri.com.

November 21 Oh, Mary Henry, star of 1962’s Carnival of Souls, you should know better than to drag race. There can’t be any good karma that comes out of killing your friends. Providence Public Library, Auditorium Theatre, 3rd fl, 150 Empire Street. 455-8057, www.provlib.org.

November 29 Have questions about Hell on Wheels and the resurrection of roller derby, or Total Badass and Austin’s underground music scene? Texas filmmaker Bob Ray is here to answer. Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Main Street, Woonsocket. 762-4545, stadiumtheatre.com.

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Get Out | Calendar

Providence Monthly | November 2010

A Trip Through Time November 13-January 30: In Rhode Island, what we know for sure is that four walls and a roof does not a house make. Nope. We require a bit of character in our cribs, like some pocket doors, gingerbread trim, wide-plank floors, wainscoting, crown molding, iron radiators, heavy doorknobs and wood carved banisters. Ever wonder how we got so wise? Of course, there was the sheer luck of avoiding the complete torching, like the one our pals in Atlanta experienced during the Civil War. But we were also fortunate to have folks not only understand the importance of preservation, but get on it before it was too late. The Preservation Movement, Then and Now, a traveling exhibit by Historic New England, showcases these visionaries throughout the region, including the saviors of our state. Weekdays: 9:30am-4pm; Saturday: 10am5pm; Sunday: 1-5pm. $6, $4 seniors and students.

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The Last Detail

Ever since it was founded in Providence in 1979, the Big East has always been a power athletic conference. The original seven members – Boston College, UConn, Georgetown, Syracuse, St. John’s, Seton Hall and, of course, Providence College (with Villanova joining the following year) – were for the most part small, private, Catholic colleges, and primarily basketball schools. Starting in 1991, however, the Big East decided to become a power football conference, because that’s where the real money is. The resulting expansion that year, and again in 1995 and 2005, brought athletic powerhouses like West Virginia, Notre Dame and Louisville into the mix. Where does this leave PC? Friartown is no lon-

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Providence Monthly | November 2010

ger what it once was, home to an intermediate level school that could hope to make a run for the NCAA Tournament every few years. Now PC is adrift in a 16-team behemoth dominated by perennial Final Four contenders like Syracuse, UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville and Georgetown – but ultimately, Providence is still a Big East basketball town. The fans can still rally and black out the Dunk on occasion, as in last year’s big upset over UConn. And Friartown is still a place where you can see some of the best teams in the country play for less than $20 a ticket.

Non-conference games start this month, so put on your black t-shirts, head down to the Dunk, and say it loud: Let’s go Friars! friars.com -John Taraborelli

Photography: Stacey Doyle

Welcome to Friartown

Bring a Change of Clothes.

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Plan Early for Your Holiday Party in Philippe’s Room Gift Certificates Available Serving Lunch and Dinner Exceptional Martinis

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Fall Means Comfort Food Now Accepting Reservations for Private Holiday Parties Brunch Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm

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Reserve Your Holiday Party / Private Event Email us at paragonviva@yahoo.com Sunday Champagne Brunch From 10-3 Viva Lounge Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday DJ After 10pm

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