Providence Monthly December 2016 by Hey Rhody Media Co.

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conte n ts Providence Monthly • December 2016

PC basketball coach Ed Cooley will have to rely on young up and comers this season

Dancers leap across the stage in Festival Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker

This Month 24 New Faces in Friartown

29 Christmastime in the City

PC faces high expectations in a rebuilding season

Go behind the scenes with four of our favorite holiday traditions

Photo (L) courtesy of Providence College, (R) Photo by Thomas Nola-Rion courtesy of Festival Ballet

Every Month 6 Editor’s Note 9 Online Exclusives

15 Providence Pulse Bright Future Aura Photography exposes your

67 Get Out The Everett’s Hip-Hop Blowout celebrates the power of dance 68 Calendar 71 Music 73 On Stage 74 Art

inner light

76 Hidden PVD

16 City 20 Scene in PVD

A peek inside the mid-century secret office at

37 City Style

Lang’s Bowlarama

Swords clash at RI Fencing Academy 37 At Home 39 The Look 41 Get Fit 42 Shopping 45 Whole Body

49 Feast The Rosendale puts a holiday twist on whiskey

On the Cover: A Christmas Carol by Trinity Repertory

50 Review 53 In the Kitchen 54 On The Menu

Company. Photography by Mark Turek courtesy of Trinity

57 In The Drink 61 Dining Giude

Repertory Company.

editor’s note

ProVidenCe MONTHLY

Signs of the Season There’s a reason that holiday traditions are our most beloved traditions. In a time when everything is focused on what’s brand new – and in a city where we need a new restaurant to try at least once a month or we start whining about how nothing ever happens here – it’s nice to be reminded that some things never change, and that’s a good thing. Take, for instance, A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep. You know it’s going to come around like clockwork every holiday season. You also know exactly what Scrooge is going to say and do on that stage. But could you imagine a Christmastime in Providence without it? You might not go every year, but you can count on the show – and a lot of other things around the city – to give you the warm and fuzzies during

the season when it counts the most. This month, we go behind the scenes for some of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions. Sure, we expect them every year. But we don’t realize how much work, how much love (and, probably, how much spiked egg nog) goes into making them happen. Read on, and then with a new appreciation for them, enjoy the signs of the season in the city.

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP

Creative Director Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine

Managing Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom

Editor Tony Pacitti @TonyPacitti

Content Coordinator Caitlin Howle @CaitlinMoments

Art Director Meghan H. Follett

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Assistant Art Director Katie Leclerc

Graphic Designer Nick DelGiudice Nicole R. Hudon

Account Managers Shelley Cavoli: Shelley@ProvidenceOnline.com Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com

Contributing Photographers Amy Amerentes Brian DeMello Ian Travis Barnard Tony Pacitti Mike Braca Kendall Pavan St. Laurent Michael Cevoli

Contributor Erin Balsa Writer

Contributing Illustrators Ashley MacClure

Philip Oliveria

Contributing Writers

Erin is a former editor of Providence Monthly who currently works as managing editor at a large content marketing agency in Boston. “I’ve been writing as a hobby for as long as I can remember,” she says. “Putting pen to paper is cathartic, and allows me to escape to my happy creative place.” This year, she’s looking forward to celebrating the holidays in Rhode Island with her husband, son and newborn daughter. “I love seeing Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We’ll also drive down to Wickford at some point this month – it’s magical there during Christmas.”

Erin Balsa

Stephanie Obodda @StephanieDoes

Jessica Bryant

Stephanie Resendes

Alastair Cairns

Charlotte Seley

Emily Dietsch

Jen Senecal @JenSenecal

Claire Flanagan Amanda Grosvenor

Nicolas Staab

Adam Hogue @hoguie

John Taraborelli @JohnnyTabs

Molly Lederer

Interns Jayne Guertin Kemill Logarta

Evan Tagen

Members Of:

This Issue By The Numbers PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PAPER CONTAINS 20-25% POST-CONSUMER CONTENT

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Number of lights strung around the stately, Rhode Island-grown Christmas tree in the State House’s holiday display (p. 29)

Number of times the “My name is Inigo Montoya...” line was muttered while learning how to sword fight at Rhode Island Fencing Academy (p. 41)

Years that Lang’s Bowlarama’s “Mad Men” room was locked away, perfectly preserving decades of midcentury kitsch (p. 76)

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Providence Monthly | December 2016

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Old is New Again

The Ornament Rescue League Turns Forgotten Treasures Into New Memories

The Ornament Rescue League finds old, forgotten decorations (left) and gives them a full holiday makeover (right)

of the holidays in general, but of specific moments and people. Often times we receive ornaments as gifts from loved ones, and they become a kind of yuletide totem, representative of the things and people we’ve loved, and sometimes lost. “My mom and I were yard sale buddies,” says Cheryl McCarthy. “It was our Saturday routine for years.” On those Saturdays they would take extra care to spot old Christmas decorations and tree ornaments. Cheryl’s mom passed eight years ago, but the yard sale quests continued. One day, as she was loading a box of 500 old Christmas lights into her car, she had a realization. “I sat there reflecting on my mom and all the fun we had, and somewhere along the way it dawned on me. We were giving these ornaments a new chance to shine. We’re rescuing these memories.” It wasn’t long before Cheryl started the Ornament Rescue League with the

Welcome to Crimetown

simple, but inspiring idea of turning old Christmas ornaments into shiny new ones, ready for gifting and creating new memories. But selling them wasn’t enough. Cheryl and her crafty partners donate all of the profits to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital. In its first year, the Ornament Rescue League raised $900 for the hospital. Last year it made $3,200. When people at yard sales heard what she was doing, they couldn’t bring her their boxes of old ornaments fast enough. “It’s been such a wonderful journey,” Cheryl says. “Everybody wants to contribute and this is such a simple, silly way to do it. It has a wonderful feeling around it.” It doesn’t hurt that the ornaments are completely adorable either. OrnamentRescue.Blogspot.com; Find them on Etsy and at the December 4 Providence Flea at Hope High School, 324 Hope Street. –Tony Pacitti

Here’s to Last Call

This PVD Life of Crime

Toasting in Memoriam

Providence’s mob legacy may

McBride’s Pub in Wayland Square isn’t your ordinary bar. Now, you may think that this is because it’s next door to a funeral home. Or, the fact that the bar itself is built out of the old garage that belongs to said funeral home. What makes this bar special is their last call. Typically when you think of a last call you think of drunken nights with friends and getting those “one more can’t hurt” drinks in at the bar. First of all, McBride’s Pub has its last call at 10pm. (Or as close to it as they can.) Second, their last call has nothing to do with alcohol. McBride’s last call is a toast to someone who has passed away. It could be someone that a patron has lost and wants to remember or even a famous person who has died. At ten they take out a beautiful bell to ring and as they do the once rowdy bar falls silent. All the patrons look to the bartender who says a few simple words and then raises his glass. The entire bar follows suit, raising their glasses and toasting to those friends of ours who have passed on. After the ceremony, the person’s name is recorded in a leather-bound book of last calls where the person who nominated the deceased writes a few words of memory. The bar quickly goes back to its busy ways, but for those few moments at McBride’s someone who has passed away was remembered, immortalized and missed. Cheers. 161 Wayland Square. 751-3000, McBrides-Pub.com –Caitlin Howle

be familiar to residents, particularly those old enough to remember the, for lack of a better phrase, good old days of mob rule. But it’s a fascinating legacy to revisit. Take The Last Good Heist – published earlier this year – an outstanding piece of pulp non-fiction that looks at the players behind a local $32 million jewel heist in the ‘70s. Our less than reputable past is about to get another high profile examination with the new podcast, Crimetown. Created by the producers behind HBO’s true crime miniseries Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, Crimetown will follow in the footsteps of podcasts like Serial, where each season will dive deep into a specific topic. For their first season, for better or worse, they chose Providence. A short, obscenity-laced teaser released last month hinted at a wildly addicting listen, complete with plenty of mobsters with thick New England accents, crooked cops, murder, mayhem and the delivery of a box simply labeled “Buddy Tapes” that leaves producers Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier audibly stunned. They may not be the city’s proudest moments, but damned if we won’t be listening every week. Crimetown premiered on November 20, with new episodes due out weekly. Stream Crimetown on iTunes and Spotify –TP

Providence Monthly | December 2016

Photos courtesy of (top) Ornament Rescue League

Christmas ornaments have a particular way of stirring old memories, not just

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As far as conversation starters go, you can’t really beat Brown’s 24-foot-tall blue bear

Photography by Tony Pacitti

One of the newest

members of the Brown University community has been generating a lot of discussion. It isn’t a student or a distinguished faculty member, but a 24-foot-tall teddy bear with a desk lamp sticking out of its forehead. The bronze sculpture, “Untitled (Bear/Lamp),” was created in 2006 by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, is on loan to Brown from the private collection of Steven Cohen and will call the campus home for the next five years. The bright blue giant has its share of supporters and opponents, and its owner is certainly a part of that controversy thanks to a rather high profile insider trading scandal at the hedge fund he managed. There’s also the fact that the sculpture hardly meshes with its idyllic Ivy League surroundings. In a lecture on campus in late October, Urs spoke about the overall philosophy of his work and stressed that when he made the sculpture a decade ago he didn’t make it for Brown. “Art is more of a question than an answer,” he says, adding that it’s not always the responsibility of an artist to dictate

the interpretation of their work. This is where the bear, affectionately nicknamed Blueno by students, earns its supporters. Fans appreciate the way it shakes up the status quo and inspires conversation and debate. “Everything here is so perfect. It throws off the balance in a healthy nature,” Urs says of its placement on the Ruth Simmons Quad, though he offered little in the way of insight into the sculpture’s origins. At best he confessed to an interest in seeing how two subjects might exist in the same space in impossible ways, hence a desk lamp protruding rather uncomfortably from the bear’s forehead and rump. In that sense, it would be easy to see how someone, especially a new college student, might relate to Blueno. It’s jarring to suddenly find yourself forced into a new space with something else, whether that something be a new world view, a new group of people or, in the case of one large blue bear, a common desk lamp. Located on Ruth Simmons Quad between Waterman and George streets. –TP

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401 632 0555 December 2016 | Providence Monthly

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Malcontent

Curt Schilling is Still Throwing Gas

red Sox legend and failed video game mogul Curt Schilling has been back in the news both locally and nationally as of late – in fact, it seems like he can’t keep himself out of the news. He maintained a relatively low profile for a while after his most recent firing from ESPN, but over the past couple of months he’s been inflicting himself on the already beleaguered psyches of New Englanders with increasing regularity and belligerence. Let’s look at the highlights: In October, Schilling penned an op-ed for the ProJo in which he heaped blame and scorn on former Governor Lincoln Chafee (while admittedly accepting a fair amount of blame himself) for the failure of 38 Studios. Then, he finally consented to give an interview with a local media outlet, appearing in front of what might charitably be called a sympathetic audience in the form of WPRO’s John DePetro. During three hours on air, Schilling declared that he had “nothing to apologize for” regarding the 38 Studios fiasco. Perhaps more gallingly, he stated, without a hint of irony, “If I was the governor, I would have never even offered this deal. The government doesn’t belong in private business.” This was a stunning display of gall by a self-proclaimed small-government conservative who eagerly accepted $75 million from the taxpayers of Rhode Island to fulfill a 13-year-old boy’s career fair daydream. Not content to simply self-immolate before a local audience, Schilling went national. He appeared live on Fox Business News and had an increasingly pleading exchange with an increasingly baffled female anchor as he made the case that it was a totally normal human impulse for Donald Trump to look at a ten-yearold girl and joke, “I’m going to be dating her in ten years.” The excruciating interview, which prompted in Fox’s Trish Regan the kind of side-eye that internet GIFs are made of, contains the following actual words that came out of a grown man’s mouth live on television, which bear quoting in their entirety: “I have a daughter, my daughter has friends. I’ve seen my daughter’s friends, I’m a man. ‘Wow, she’s a beautiful young lady.’ I don’t immediately jump to molesting her.” If you have to say it, Curt… A wily old vet like Schilling knows that it’s not really a party until someone drops an F-bomb, so he did it, appearing on local sports talk radio, where he immediately called WEEI columnist John Tomase a “f---ing coward” live on air. Tomase, of course, had criticized that time Schilling went on Fox Business News and talked about not molesting his daughter’s friends. This led to a seven-minute rant in which Schilling called Tomase a “phony,” “dumbass,” “scumbag” and “gutless piece of garbage,” concluding, “You’re what’s wrong with this country.” In an attempt to make America great again, 18

Providence Monthly | December 2016

Schilling later held what was by one account “the world’s saddest Trump rally” on a rainy Saturday in Boston’s City Hall Plaza, attended by dozens of soggy and outraged supporters. Speaking of politics, Schilling finally decided to announce himself as a candidate for Elizabeth Warren’s senate seat, putting to rest months of pained, sighing speculation. Shockingly, that wasn’t even the coup de grace for his very strange month, because that news was followed shortly thereafter by Breitbart’s announcement that Schilling would be joining their already winning team, hosting a daily online call-in show under the website’s banner.

This completed Schilling’s transformation from local sports hero to alt-right troll. He is a depressingly familiar archetype, the privileged white guy who is somehow always the victim, so he’ll be a natural fit at the basket of deplorables that is Breitbart. His recent run of headlines establishes number 38 as not only an objectively terrible person, but arguably The Worst Person in New England. Perhaps his only competition comes from Maine Governor Paul LePage, who spent the better part of the year with his foot in his mouth gnawing furiously. But as he did so often in baseball, Schilling used his guts and bravado to grind out a win. –John Taraborelli

Illustration by Phillip Oliveira

In life, as in baseball, the Red Sox legend knows how to make a splash

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Photography by Tony Pacitti

there’s a 50/50 chance

that when I go to my favorite coffee shop, I forget to bring a book. Granted, there’s always something to read at the cafe, including a handy stack of free regional lifestyle publications (wink wink), but when I want to be that guy and hog the good seat by the window for a couple of hours, I want to do it with my nose deep in a book. Consider this your coffee reading time Plan B. Scattered around the city are a bunch of take-a-book-leave-a-book depositories. Off of Wickenden there are two just around the corner from The Shop, on East and Governor streets, making them perfect for grabbing a last minute read. Some are part of a global network of Little Free Libraries (visit LittleFreeLibrary.org to track them down), but

all of them are united in the shared philosophy that books are cool and there should be stacks of them just around for people to take. That’s a philosophy I can get behind. I love my books, but I’d be lying if I said I needed to keep all of them. Favorites, copies signed by authors, something I know I’m going to read again, of course I’ll keep. But the rest are fond memories that add up quick and make moving a real pain in the ass. So slowly I’ve started to unload, dropping off a Zombie Survival Guide here and a copy of Ready Player One there, giving the books I’ve been selfishly hoarding a chance to enrich, enrage and inspire new readers. I didn’t take any this time around. I should probably clear some more room on the shelf first. –TP

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New Faces, Same Friars PC hockey and hoops grapple with high hopes in a rebuilding year t may be true, as St. Francis of Assisi said, that “true progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice,” but the Providence College Friars’ basketball and hockey teams have clearly sauntered into the spotlight in recent years. The Friars basketball team won its first NCAA March Madness game in decades last season, while PC hockey is a year removed from their stirring run to the Frozen Four championship, and just off their second-best record ever and a share of the Hockey East regular-season title. Suffice it to say, times are good in Friartown. Success breeds expectations, however, and for PC coaches Ed Cooley and Nate Leaman, who have both enjoyed steady growth and progress in their Division I programs over a half-decade plus, the 2016-17 season presents a unique challenge in their PC experience: how to maintain the standard of excellence they’ve established while grappling with the realities of a rebuilding year.

Big Sneakers to Fill For Friars hoops coach Cooley, there’s the reality that Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil will be suiting up in the NBA and not for

him this season. He’ll be reliant not on obvious superstars but rather on promising players like junior Kyron Cartwright and senior Rodney Bullock, who last spring put home the last-second shot against USC that gave the Friars their first NCAA tournament win since the 1996-97 season. Highly regarded but untested freshmen guard Alpha Diallo and forward Kalif Young will also be called upon to contribute early in their college careers. Cooley says that while “our goal is always to be a tournament team,” the personnel losses can’t be ignored. “We’ve got a bunch of new guys and unproven guys,” he says, with players like Cartwright, Bullock and junior guard Isiah Jackson – a transfer from George Mason University – among those who will “now have to come in and carry the load.” “[Cartwright] is going to have to run the show,” he says. “His role will change, and he’s going to have to be a leader on and off the floor.” Bullock, for his part, will need to step out of the background and become more of a focal point of the offense, Cooley adds. “We’re in uncharted waters in terms of expectations,” coming off

three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, acknowledges Cooley, stressing that, nonetheless, “We have the culture to position ourselves to be successful.” On the one hand, prognosticators don’t expect much from this team: the Friars were picked to finish ninth in the ten-team Big East in the annual preseason coaches poll. On the other, says Cooley, “We’re an established program; with the recent success that we’ve had, we’re putting 11,000 people a night into the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, and they expect us to be good.” Bill Koch, who covers college basketball for the Providence Journal, says the overall strength of the Big East – led by defending national champion Villanova – makes it hard for a rising program like PC’s to produce a winning conference record in a year like this. Unlike the powerhouses that make the NCAA tournament year after year, “It’s hard for PC to reload – they have to rebuild.” The attention that Dunn is getting in the NBA, along with a new practice facility slated to open in 2017, will help recruiting, says Koch, but in terms of long-term sustainability PC

By Bob Curley

simply isn’t at the level of a Villanova or Xavier quite yet. The Thanksgiving weekend Coastal Classic will be an early test for PC, says Koch, starting with a neutral-court game against Memphis. A post-holiday stretch of six non-conference games at home – including the annual matchup against URI – will be a good indicator of the team’s direction, especially games like the home tilt against New Hampshire on November 30. “They’re more talented than that team and will be expected to win – that will be a good opportunity for this team to learn something about themselves,” says Koch. “The basement for this team is a .500 record overall,” he adds. “The top is making the NCAA tournament with 20 or 21 wins overall, and going 9-9 or 10-8 in the Big East, with maybe a tournament win in New York,” says Koch. “When you look at PC and at [Cooley’s] character, how strong and inspirational he is, I don’t see them bottoming out. He’s a big personality, in total control of his players, and has the ambition a program like PC needs.”

Young Guns on the Ice

Expectations are high for the Friars’ men’s basketball squad after three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances

When it comes to losing key contributors, PC hockey coach Nate Leaman can certainly feel Cooley’s pain: missing from his 2016-17 roster are his three top scorers from last season. In fact, his top returning goal-scorer isn’t even a forward, but rather standout junior defenseman Jake Walman, who netted 14 goals in an injury-shortened season last year. A first-round double-overtime loss foiled the team’s attempt to repeat as national champions in 2015-16, but the team still raced out to a 19-0 start and entered the new season ranked tenth nationally. That optimistic outlook from outside Schneider Arena belies the fact that Leaman’s team is replacing nine seniors with freshmen this season, and has only five players who even dressed during the Frozen Four tournament in

Photo courtesy (Top) of Chris Emerson, Photo courtesy of (bottom) Providence College

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PC men's hockey has the talent, but without last year's top three scorers, the team has its work cut out for it

2014-15. Moreover, the team suffered the surprise loss of standout goaltender Nick Ellis to the NHL draft and is starting the season with sophomore Hayden Hawkey between the pipes. “They’re not the team they were last year or the year before,” says Mark Divver, who covers PC hockey for the Providence Journal. “They’re breaking in some young players, but I think by the end of the season they will be a dangerous team – not a team you’d want to play in the Hockey East tournament.” An early season loss to Holy Cross highlighted the major concern about this year’s team: a lack of scoring punch. “All three of our first games I think we outplayed our opponent,” says Leaman. “We’re not finishing our chances, which is typical with a young team… I think we can play fast; can we score is still to be determined.” The players who graduated last fall were Leaman’s first recruiting class – a group that experienced the steady growth that the PC hockey program has enjoyed since the former Union College coach came onboard. “Now, we’re at the same place we were five years ago, except that expectations are such that every mistake or hiccup is scrutinized,” says Leaman. “Usually, freshmen come in with enough talent around them that when they have an off night, it’s not really recognizable. For this class, the situation is more sink-or-swim: when they have an off night, it hurts the team.” Leaman says the talent of his team is undeniable: “the key is getting them to be grittier.” Part of that is simply learning how to play hockey at the college level, and it’s here that the championship experience of players like senior captain Josh Monk will be invaluable. “Monk is not a player who brings you out of your seat with his skill, but he’s a very dependable player who gives his all on every play,” says Divver. Assistant captains Walman, junior forward Brian Pinho and

senior blueliner Kyle McKenzie will also be key to maximizing this group’s potential. “Those guys know what it takes to bring that consistent level of intensity every night,” says Leaman. Stepping up this season will be Erik Foley, who skated on the team’s top line with two seniors last year but will now be expected to lead with a sophomore and junior on his wings. Forward Kasper Björkqvist, who played in the World Juniors but is coming off an injury, will be a key contributor on both the power play and penaltykilling units. Like Björkqvist, freshman forward Brandon Duhamine is a high NHL draft pick who comes into Schneider Arena with an impressive pedigree and high expectations. Walman’s decision to forgo the pro draft and return to PC for his junior year is a huge boost for this young team, even as he works his way back from a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery last spring. Rhode Island fans will also be paying close attention to East Providence wingman Bryan Lemos, who moves up to the second line this season for PC, and freshman Shane Kavanagh, a hard worker who has had to work through the recent loss of his mother to cancer and is expected to contribute to Leaman’s penalty-killing unit. Freshman Josh Wilkins, a native of Raleigh, NC, has been an early season surprise, notching three assists in the team’s season opener against Miami University. A 20-win season certainly isn’t out of the question for this team, and while they’ll be a long shot to make the NCAA tournament, the PC hockey squad seems well-positioned to continue to contend for the Hockey East conference title, where they’ve finished in the top four in four of the last five seasons. “We’re young,” says Leaman. “I don’t know if we have the team to meet those expectations right now, but I think by the end of the year we will be there. It’s exciting to have so much potential for growth.” Friars.com

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Four of our favorite holiday traditions (and what goes into making them happen) By Erin Balsa

ere’s to a December filled with holiday traditions that we look forward to year after year. There’s Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol, the RISD Alumni and Student Holiday Art Sale, Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker and the amazingly festive holiday displays and tree lightings at the State House. These holiday touchstones take months of planning and coordination to pull off in time for the season, and we got a behind-the-scenes look at how they do it.

eople love a good redemption story, and A Christmas Carol is no exception. While it would be easier to keep things the same from season to season, Trinity Rep re-imagines Dickens’ classic play each year so that no two productions are alike. Grab the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge in your life and treat him to a night of theatre magic: We bet even he will have a hard time finding something to complain about.

Did you know? • At Trinity’s Chace Theater, no seat is more than 50 feet from the stage. • Plans for A Christmas Carol starts in the spring, months before the first rehearsal ever takes place. • Designers were brought on over the summer and worked with the director to conceive of the vision for this year’s unique production. • Most of the theatre’s acting talent comes from the company of Trinity actors or the Brown University/Trinity MFA acting program. • 115 kids auditioned at Cardi’s Furniture in September for the six positions in the children’s cast. • According to Director James Dean Palmer, when you’ve done A Christmas Carol for 40 years, it can be challenging to solve the play’s big problems in new ways: “You always think, we’ll be the first A Christmas Carol to do something, and someone will say, ‘Oh, we did that in ‘85.’”

What’s on deck for 2016? Brian McEleney will be playing Ebenezer Scrooge for the fifth time. $25-$100. Now through December 31. Chace Theater, 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, TrinityRep.com

Other Productions of A Christmas Carol Stadium Theatre: This theatre employs a theatrical flying service and uses a 1926 Wurlitzer organ in each of its performances. December 2-11. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, StadiumTheatre.com Artists’ Exchange: If you’re feeling festive, opt to attend a pre-show Holiday Gala at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet prior to the show’s final performance on December 17. December 8-11 at Theatre 82, 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, Artists-Exchange.org; December 15-17 at Park Theatre, 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, ParkTheatreRI.com Granite Theatre: Take a drive to South County to check out this production, which is a completely original musical rendition of this holiday classic. December 1-23. 1 Granite Street, Westerly. 596-2341, GraniteTheatre.com

Photos by Mark Turek, courtesy of Trinity Repertory Company

Trinity Rep’s a Christmas Carol

The RISD Holiday Art Sale O

dds are good that you’ll be able to find something for everyone on your nice list at the annual RISD Alumni and Student Holiday Art Sale. Running the gamut of art and design, from jewelry and home goods to children’s clothing and toys, prices range from $5 for stationery to $5,000+ for an original painting or handcrafted furniture. All items are either handmade or fabricated in an ethical way from original designs.

Did you know? • The holiday sale began on campus in 1998 then later moved to its current location – the Rhode Island Convention Center – due to a need for more space. • There are always more applicants than booths available, so participants are chosen by lottery. • Approximately 5-15 student artists and 200-215 alumni participate. • Artists must be present at the sale, so you’ll have the opportunity to chat with the person who made or designed the item you’re purchasing. • There’s always a line to get in at 10am when the sale opens because people want to rush in and get first dibs on items from their favorite artists.

What’s on deck for 2016? • Local non-profit Providence CityArts for Youth will offer handson workshops by their teaching artists. • New alumni participants include Stephanie Housley’s Coral & Tusk (CoralAndTusk.com), Matt Cavallaro’s Nest Homeware (NestHomeware.com), Lisa Limer’s Bela Monde (BelaMonde. com) and Ruthie Murray (RuthieMurray.com). • David Allyn, who has been successful with his handmade ceramic cups over the past few years, just started making tableware.

Photos by Jo Sittenfeld, courtesy of RISD

$8 general admission; free for current RISD students and children 16 and under. December 10. Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin Street. 709-8585, RISDHolidayArtSale.com

Other Holiday Sales Craftland: This holiday sale’s popularity spawned the commencement of the downtown brick and mortar store of the same name – this month-long event is now held there. December 1-31. 212 Westminster Street. 272-4285, CraftlandShop.com Foundry Artists Holiday Show: This seven-day sale, held over the course of two weekends at the Pawtucket Armory, kicks off with an opening reception on December 1. December 1-4, 9-11. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. FoundryShow.com Providence Flea Holiday Markets: Held over three consecutive Sundays at Hope High School, this annual sale features 50 vendors offering handmade and vintage goods. December 4, 11 and 18. 324 Hope Street. 484-7783, ProvidenceFlea.com

Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker F

estival Ballet Providence (FBP) once again presents Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at the Providence Performing Arts Center. And what a show it is. Artistic Director Misha Djuric is known for his attention to detail – none is too small to be rehearsed and perfected. In fact, the FBP professional company devotes about 350 rehearsal hours to the production each year. And you thought you were tired.

Did you know? • The massive Nutcracker set requires two large 18-wheeler trucks to transport it from a warehouse to PPAC. It then takes two days to “load in” and assemble. • Since the costumes sit in storage for eight months out of the year, they need to be brought back to life each season and tailored to fit the dancers who will wear them. • FBP brings in a special floor called “marley” that is laid atop PPAC’s stage deck. It allows the dancers to have greater control over their movements. • Thirty-six delicate and sparkling Swarovski snowflake crystals dangle above the Snow Scene at the end of Act I. • It takes 19 stagehands to make the transition between Act I and II, which includes sweeping up two trashcans of paper snowflakes that fall during the Snow Scene. • One of the show’s most tenured cast members is Archie, a 16-year-old dog who has performed in more than 150 shows.

What’s on deck for 2016? This year’s production features three students from FBP School’s Adaptive Dance program, which is designed for children with Down Syndrome.

Other Productions of The Nutcracker Park Theatre: This production of The Great Russian Nutcracker features the Moscow Ballet and magical props like a 60-foot growing Christmas tree. $28-$68. December 5-6. 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 4677275, ParkTheatreRI.com Stadium Theatre: Presented by Heritage Ballet, this is a full-length version of the beloved holiday production. $20-$40. December 17-18. 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545, StadiumTheatre.com Island Moving Company: See the classic ballet danced inside the salons, ballroom and staircase of the historic Rosecliff Mansion. $55-$150. December 1-2. 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. 847-4470, IslandMovingCo.org

Photos by Thomas Nola-Rion, courtesy of Festival Ballet

$23-$85. December 16-18. PPAC, 220 Weybosset Street. 4212787, PPACRI.org

The State House Tree Lighting and Holiday Display C

onsisting of trees, garlands, wreaths, poinsettias, topiaries, mantelpieces, bells and a gingerbread display, the State House is an albeit unlikely holiday destination that’s well worth a visit, so stop by during normal working hours. Festivities that are free and open to the public include a performance by the Governor’s Own 88th Army Band, as well as Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies.

Did you know? • This year, there are more than 9,000 light bulbs on the main Christmas tree in the rotunda. • In addition to the main tree, there are between 16-20 other decorated trees that are part of the holiday display. • The Heroes Tree is decorated by family members to honor Rhode Islanders who have joined the military. • The main tree is usually between 15-20 feet tall. This year it will be donated by Big John Leyden’s Christmas Tree Farm of West Greenwich. • There are approximately 30 performers in the Governor’s Own 88th Army Band. • The gingerbread display in the State Room is donated by the Exeter Job Corps Academy each year. • The Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission’s table displays show how various groups of Rhode Islanders celebrate the holidays.

What’s on deck for 2016? • The Governor’s Own 88th Army Band will perform at the tree-lighting ceremony on December 1. • A menorah lighting celebration is also scheduled for December (check the Governor’s website for an announcement)

Photo courtesy of the Office of Governor Gina Raimondo

Free. Open throughout December, Monday-Friday. 82 Smith Street. Governor.RI.gov

Other Tree Lightings and Holiday Displays City of Providence: Join Mayor Elorza for the City’s 2016 Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting, complete with a performance by the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus and a figure skating demonstration by Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan. December 2 at City Hall; December 3 at Alex & Ani Skating Center. 680-5770, ProvidenceRI.com/ArtCultureTourism 46th Annual Christmas in Newport: This monthlong celebration features a wide variety of activities including a wreath sale, lantern walking tour, Mistletoe Madness cocktail reception and more. December 1-31. 849-6454, ChristmasInNewport.org 31st Annual Festival of Lights: Historic Wickford Village is the site of this four-day festival, which includes a tree lighting, hayrides with Santa, caroling, an elf parade, ice sculptures and more. December 1-4. 295-5566, WickfordVillage.org

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City Style At Home / Shop Talk / The Look / Beauty / Get Fit SEEING RED Dale Venturini and Anthony DeFusco’s historic Victorian home in Edgewood was built in 1894. Many people recognize Dale as the head of Rhode Island’s Hospitality Association, where she has remained a visible proponent of the industry for the past 30 years. Known for her bold accessories, love of the color red and patterns, Dale’s home reflects her outgoing and vivacious personality. Her husband Anthony is a career military guy, spending time in Special Forces and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Anthony currently works as a civilian for MIT Lincoln Laboratory as a cyber security engineer.

Dale and Anthony also have a love for mixed metals and bronze: gold and copper can be found throughout the living room as design elements and in pieces of furniture including the tall tables that flank the couch.

Many animals can be found in the living room – a nod to Dale’s love of the big cats. From the print above the couch featuring lions, to the tiger statue on the wall ready to pounce, to the stuffed leopard peeking out from under the coffee table, cats are a prevalent theme.

The sconce on the wall above the couch is original to the home and was meticulously restored to remain as a nod to the home’s original décor. The wooden floors throughout the first floor are original and were restored and refinished to their original splendor.

The pineapple pillow on the couch represents Dale’s long hospitality career. The pillow is a symbol of welcoming to guests.

Photography by Mike Bracca

Dale’s love for the color red is reflected throughout her living room. The red leather barrel chairs across from her couch were a gift from her contractor. Once he saw the room, he told her he had the perfect chairs for her.

Dale’s love of Asian décor is rooted in her childhood. As one of nine children, whose father passed away when she was just four years old, her mother couldn’t afford many dolls or other toys. Dale’s older brother served three deployments in Vietnam and each time he returned, he would bring her a doll from that country. They were the only dolls she had as a child and she cherished them. Growing up, those dolls played a big role in her design aesthetic, and touches of Asian influence can be found all over the home, like the Chinese warrior statue next to the couch and the collection of Asian statues on the coffee table that act as protective guardians.

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Musician, voice-over artist, Girls Rock! Rhode Island board member, bartender at the Dark Lady Music has always given

me a space where appearance doesn’t matter. Making music is so focused that, when I’m doing it, I completely forget I have an appearance other people are looking at, which, for a woman, is a very rare feeling. My early experiences seeing women in bands kind of broke the spell that had me believe my life’s work should be becoming an appropriately pretty girl. That feeling is why I play in an ideological feminist hardcore band. It’s why I’m so involved with Girls Rock! Rhode Island. Every girl and woman deserves to have that spell broken. The world of music is where I first saw myself reflected, aesthetically. Divine, Klaus Nomi, Nina

Hagen, Diamanda Galas: they’re brilliant musicians and gentle people with pretty extreme looks because they’re too busy being themselves to filter. That’s what I like. Now, when someone on the street tells me I’m wearing too much make-up or my brassiere plays too heavily into my outfit, I can say to myself ‘Well, Dolly Parton doesn’t think so, and she’s a perfectly wonderful person,’ and keep on walking. Getting gussied up doesn’t have to be superficial. It’s okay to make your outsides match your insides. I say dress however makes you feel normal, even if that makes you look crazy. Life is too long and fraught to obsess about appearance. I haven’t

tried on or purchased anything other than tight black clothes and metallic shoes in about 12 years. I got sick of worrying if there was a way I could look better or slimmer or nicer or whatever, so I figured out a way I like to look and quit thinking about it, hopefully forever. We have more to accomplish than chasing an ideal figure or outfit. Set it and forget it. Let’s move on! I love to shop at Pillbox Holiday and Rocket to Mars for vintage, Nude in the Arcade for inexplicably affordable custom garments, Craftland for jewelry, and Hot Fashion Corner in Olneyville Square for fabulous $15 Pretty Woman-style emergencies. Hot Fashion Corner, why can’t I quit you?

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Photography by Amy Amerentes

Fencing is a strange

study in contrasts: it’s simultaneously kind of badass and a bit nerdy. It’s a sport that’s mostly about hitting people and largely conducted in French. Perhaps most surprisingly, as I learned in my recent foray at the Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club (RIFAC), fencing is swordplay in which the swing of the blade is somewhat incidental to the action. I arrived at RIFAC’s 12,000 square foot facility, tucked away in an unassuming East Providence neighborhood, and was immediately impressed by the level of activity: there were kids of all ages taking lessons, seasoned fencers sparring with peers and enough swordplay to rival the set of Game of Thrones. Coaches Alex and Jill Ripa have quietly turned RIFAC into the epicenter of competitive fencing in Southeastern New England; Alex was even named the United States Fencing Coaches Association’s 2015 Coach of the Year. Jill invited me to jump into the recent eight-week Adult Beginner course. I was coming into the middle of a cohort of first-time fencers who were already well into their training, so she told me I would first need a quick crash course on some of the basics. That meant attempting to learn six weeks of fencing

in just 30 minutes. She quickly took me through the building blocks of an attack: a series of simple poses, footwork and movements that combine into a coordinated dance intended to keep your opponent off-balance and get your blade past their defenses. Contrary to the swashbuckling stereotype of fencing in pop culture (like Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin’s famous face-off in The Princess Bride), the sport is really about eﬃciency and economy of movement. The blade is not actually the focus of your attack, functioning more like an extension of your hand than an implement of destruction. When you finally make a well-timed lunge to touch your opponent’s shoulder with the tip of your sword, most of the work has already been done by your feet. A return visit to cross blades with the members of the Adult Beginner class gave me a better glimpse of the fitness side of fencing. The class began with a number of footwork warm-ups – sprints, lunges, grapevines and the like – that demonstrated how success in fencing comes as

much from your glutes, hamstrings and calves as it does from the sword. These were followed by dexterity and concentration exercises like following an increasingly fast series of “advance/ retreat” instructions or trying to catch a falling glove with the tip of the sword. After we were suﬃciently prepped, it was time to gear up and engage in some actual swordplay. We had the opportunity to try electric fencing, in which electrified swords and foil lamé are used to score touches according to fencing’s elaborate right-of-way protocols (which determine who gets the point when both fencers land blows simultaneously). I engaged in two bouts of first-tofive-wins with teenage opponents. I’m not ashamed to say that I was roundly defeated in both (they did have six weeks of training on me, after all). I did, however, manage to experience the thrill of hearing the buzzer sound and seeing the scoreboard light up for me a couple of times with a deftly executed parry and riposte or well-time lunge and thrust – or maybe I just got lucky.

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City Style

Shop Talk

by Claire Flanagan

Fashion, Forward Classic Wayland Square dress shop Dorothy Williams gets a chic makeover

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Once a destination for formalwear, Dorothy Williams has a new owner and a new perspective on fashion

Things are diﬀerent behind Dorothy Williams’ hot pink sign on Wayland Avenue – in a good way. The iconic dress shop in Wayland Square has a new owner, who has some major fashion chops. Before Jenna Stockman bought Dorothy Williams earlier this year, she worked in visual merchandising at Tory Burch in New York City. Now, she has revamped the Wayland Square spot. I popped in the morning after their very successful grand opening in late October – Jenna explained that the racks were a little barer than usual because they’d made so many sales during the event. Jenna’s dreamed of owning her own store ever since she was a kid – she shares how when she was little she’d play store owner in her grandmother’s closet, cutting out paper money and having her grandmother “go shopping” through her closet and jewelry box. Being from East Greenwich and familiar with the Providence area, she’d always admired the shops in Wayland Square and thought it’d be the perfect place to own a store.

Jenna explains that the vibe of the previous store was much more formal and dressy. “I’ve changed quite a bit of what’s being sold but I am keeping some of the same lines. I just made it a little more dressy-casual, day to night kind of thing,” she explains. Trendier, more multi-generational pieces are the kinds of styles Jenna’s been starting to move towards for stocking the new shelves. Right now the store is teeming with cozy sweaters and sharp pieces, great for work attire and a cool young professional look. Jenna’s noticed a good response from longtime customers continuing to see the classic finds they love, but with a new twist on them. She’s begun to make the store more of a lifestyle destination as well, by carrying shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories in addition to clothes. She also wants to make the shopping

experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible, so the store is always stocked with water and even wine, beer and champagne to offer to guests as they shop (as well as to any friends or partners brought along to sip while they wait). The response to the new spot has been great. “Even previous customers have stopped in and said, ‘This is such a nice refresh of what was here before.’ They’ve just been so welcoming of the new Dorothy Williams,” says Jenna. There are still a number of pieces left over from the old store, which are in a sale section off to one side. Even more old merchandise is being donated to the Wheeler School. So while the new store is moving in a newer direction, it still holds onto some of the key pieces of the classic shop – especially a strong connection to the neighborhood.

Dorothy Williams 200 Wayland Avenue • 421-3625 • DorothyWilliamsRI.com

Photography by Amy Amerentes

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I really suck at taking time for myself. I usually ignore my own needs and focus on getting other things done, or I find myself concentrating on everyone else’s needs. This holiday season, I’m vowing to change that. An hour to myself – especially an hour spent on a massage table – is going to revive my holiday spirit. Or at least, when I book an appointment at Revival Massage and Bodyworks, I hope it will. When I arrive for my treatment, I walk into a lovely waiting room and am immediately introduced to owners Jessica Lavoie and Morgan Woodard. Morgan asks me if I want to select a few upgrades for my massage. I choose the hot stone massage as well as an aromatherapy session, opting for lavender, a scent that I can’t seem to get enough of. Morgan takes me into the room where my massage will be and asks me about what she should work on. I tell her that I carry my stress in my back, and, to make matters worse, I had slept wrong and had been in pain all morning. I get onto the massage

table and take a deep breath. Morgan hasn’t even started the massage, and I find myself starting to relax. The room is just that calming. With dark colors on the walls juxtaposed with soft lighting, it’s easy to start getting into my comfort zone. I close my eyes as a soft music begins to fill the room. Then I’m hit with the smell of lavender, my aromatherapy add-on doing just the trick. I breathe in and out, letting the scent consume me. I feel the pressure of Morgan’s hands as she starts to massage my poor, aching back. It’s as if she can read where the pain is on my body, running her hands over the sore spots and helping to move the muscles around them so they began to relax. The pressure is perfect, not too hard, and not too soft. I feel my muscles moving and stretching. I always know when I’m fully relaxed because my body starts to feel a little like jelly. I had gone from tense

and stiff to relaxed and in a jelly-like state in a mere five minutes. A new record. Morgan stops the massage briefly and gets the hot stones that I requested. She lays them on my back and I can honestly say that I’ve never felt something so amazing. The heat of the stones feel like they warm me from the outside in. After the stones, Morgan has me lay on my back as she massages my legs, my arms, neck, scalp and face. After the massage, the jelly feeling stays. I feel totally, completely and utterly relaxed. I have taken the time to treat myself, and I feel absolutely pampered. Revival Massage and Bodyworks allowed me to spoil myself and take the “me” time that I absolutely needed – and I’m gonna go ahead and say it – deserved. In fact, Revival did just that – it revived me. I left feeling like I could take on the world.

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In the Kitchen / On the Menu / Review / In the Drink / Dining Guide

LETTUCE CELEBRATE The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmer’s Market – the largest indoor farmer’s market in New England – has oﬃcially started for the season. This month, on December 10, they celebrate ten years of farm fresh produce, pond-raised oysters, artisan sauces, jams and jellies, and many more products made right here in the Ocean State. They’ve also helped to turn Hope Artiste Village into a Saturday morning hotspot. To celebrate the occasion, there will be cooking demos, entertainment, giveaways and sales all season long. Now through April 29. Saturdays, 9am-1pm. 999 and 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. FarmFreshRI.org

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Review

by Stephanie Obodda

Penne For Your Thoughts Italian favorites get the Rhode Island treatment at Cucina Rustica

we check out Cucina Rustica. Though I was a little skeptical of venturing into the far reaches of Cranston for Friday night dinner, this one seemed like it might have potential. Francesca Saratapoulas and Gina Musto, who also own Narragansett’s Oceanside at the Pier, opened Cucina Rustica earlier this year. When we walked in, I felt at ease – the restaurant seemed cozy on a cool, rainy Friday night. We started with the Cucina, described as a warm spinach salad. Ours was more of a regular baby spinach salad (fine by me) tossed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and topped with cherry tomatoes, prosciutto and shaved Parmesan. Sometimes I feel unworthy to judge Rhode Island pizza. As a non-native, how can I possibly assess a slice in a state that’s so opinionated about its many styles of pies? But when there’s something slightly out of the ordinary, I have to try it, especially when there’s

a wood-fired oven in the house. This time it was the Clam Casino Pizza that caught my eye, with a white garlicky sauce, clams and bacon. Two additions made this pizza memorable: first, it was pleasantly spicy and second, each slice was topped with a Rhode Island littleneck in the shell. This was what I like to call Goldilocks pizza – not too thin, not too thick, with just the right dough-to-topping ratio. A roaming guitarist set the mood by serenading tables. He carefully sized up each table and thoughtfully chose the most fitting song. Ours? “Speak Softly Love” (you may know this as the theme to The Godfather). All the pasta on Cucina Rustica’s menu is made in house, a commitment most Federal Hill mainstays don’t even match. We shared a half-order of the Eggplant Ravioli, six large ravioli tossed with asparagus in a tomato cream sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and the roasted eggplant stood up to the flavorful, creamy sauce. For my entree, I had the Osso Bucco,

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Providence Monthly | December 2016

and the shank was gigantic. We almost overlooked the “Rustica Favorites,” which were tucked away on the bottom of the menu, but once we saw them, my husband needed to try the Sunday Gravy. I thought my Osso Bucco was large, but this was gargantuan. A giant meatball and three types of sausage were served in a sauce rich with short ribs, with a choice of homemade pasta (he chose the rigatoni). We especially enjoyed the spicy pepperoni sausage. It seems that executive chef Brian Nadeau has a good sense of how to play with tradition, adding some interest for the food-focused visitors without putting off traditionalists. The menu’s price point may seem high for a restaurant outside of the city, but considering the quality and portion sizes, it is more than fair. Our waitress and the rest of the staff were diligent, friendly and well versed on the menu. You’d be surprised to hear we had room for dessert after this meal. Our

Photography by Stacey Doyle

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secret was a massive stack of takeout boxes. For dessert, we were drawn to the White Box, an assortment of Italian pastries. These are made by the Original Italian Bakery, less than a mile away in Johnston. Our box had a small cannoli, a chocolate eclair, a raspberry danish and two sfogliatelle. The eclair tasted especially fresh. I hadn’t had sfogliatelle in a while and remembered how much I loved them. If you’re new to this treat, it’s a layered pastry – like a croissant but with the layers more distinct and crispy, this

one with a ricotta filling. There was something fun about untying the long string around this box of dessert, as if we were having a giddy picnic at our table. With dessert, our waitress offered us a complimentary homemade digestif – we chose the amaretto. Carrying our stack of boxes to the car, I felt like I had gone on a shopping spree of delicious dishes. Though it’s outside of the usual Providence radius, if you are up for a dining adventure, you should definitely check this one out.

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It takes something special to remain on the Providence culinary scene for decades. Hudson Street Deli has been around since 1942, and has kept lunch the best part of the day (and dinner because the sandwiches are so big) ever since. We met up with executive chef Travis Bahia to learn more about the art of sandwich making.

Photoggraphy by Michael Cevoli

Can you put your finger on any one thing that makes Hudson Street really stand out? I personally believe it’s our bread. We get fresh baked bread every day from Crugnale’s Bakery. They make our bread just for us – you can’t purchase it in the store or at other delis. We’re also different because we have a signature [way we layer our sandwiches]: we put all of our veggies and sauces on the bottom. I don’t know how it started, but it’s been like that forever and we’ve just stuck with it. Also, people don’t realize how big our sandwiches are. I’ll ask most firsttimers, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Many say, “Oh, I’m ready,” and then take half of it home. How have you put your stamp on a menu beloved by so many people? I came up with The Bahia sandwich. It’s made with pastrami, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce and garlic mayo on a spinach bagel. The meat is heated, the cheese is melted and the bagel is toasted. And I usually add an egg if it’s breakfast time. That’s my go-to.

Also, if a guy builds a sandwich we’ve never seen before, we might name it after him. We just did that with “The George.” It’s a vegan breakfast sandwich made with tofu and vegan cheddar cheese. He always comes in and orders that, so we put it on the menu. What’s the number one rule for making a great sandwich? It’s all about balance. For instance, if you get a ham sandwich you probably don’t want to put a salty cheese with it. The ham is already salty enough, so I’ll put something like a Swiss or cheddar cheese [on it] instead. I also try to structure the sandwich so the whole experience is consistent. When I sprinkle on the chopped onions, I want to evenly distribute it so every bite is full of flavor. Also, each sandwich on the menu should be made the same way. If you order a Dexter and I order a Dexter, the tomatoes should be in the right place in both sandwiches. Attention to detail is key. I see you guys have vegetarian and vegan options. Is this the evolution of the deli? We didn’t do that for a while, but when Chrissy and Bryan came in as owners, they turned the menu around and offered up these new creations. It’s the best thing they could’ve done. Now we

have two separate grills: one for vegetarians and vegans, and one for carnivores. We also use spices to flavor our vegan and vegetarian ingredients to make them taste like our meat sandwiches. This way no one misses out. If you had to choose, which would be your favorite sandwich? I have to say the Armory. Everything in it is finely chopped. I feel that when you’re eating a sandwich, there shouldn’t be a lot of chunky bits. The Armory is filled with garlic mayo, banana peppers, roast beef, Provolone cheese, hot sauce, salt and pepper, and then pressed. The press adds a little crunch with every bite, and it’s all soft and warm on the inside. What sandwich choices would you recommend to a first-time guest? For a cold sandwich, you have to go with the Italian. That’s the one we’re known for. It’s been on the menu since this place opened in 1942. For a hot sandwich, I’d say go with the Rhode Island’s Best Reuben. That sandwich is a staple here. It’s got corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on marble rye bread. We heat everything up so it’s warm and toasty when you get it. And, once again, that bread gets pressed to add a little crunch.

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Setting the Bar Tumblers, a new lounge on Fountain Street, has fun cocktails and delicious small bites When you combine fun cocktails with an artistic space, you have a recipe for success. That’s the idea behind Tumblers, the newest bar in downcity. While the name is a throwback to the bars of yore, the concept is updated with local artwork, creative small bites and classic drinks. “We wanted a bar that was representative of our Creative Capital,” says owner Dino Baccari. “It’s artistic, with local art as our decor. It’s youthful with crisp, bold colors. All of our glasses are different from each other, too.” Many of their drinks are twists on the classics, like the Elery, for example, with celery juice, lemon juice, ginger brandy and dry orange Curacao. It’s served in a quirky glass and garnished with fruit. Then there’s the Beach Bar Piña Colada that’s an homage to South County’s Ocean Mist. It contains rum, freshly pressed pineapple juice, house made coconut cream and pineapple syrup. It’s even served Ocean Mist-style in a plastic Bud Light cup with whipped cream and edible gold stars. As for the small bites, expect curated options under $10. Think Mushroom Toast and Salmon Gravlax Tar Tar. The food and drinks are creative, fun and tasty, but the vibe is decidedly chill. And that’s the point. Dino created Tumblers with the goal of having all of the perks of an upscale restaurant with none of the pretense. “Many upscale Providence bars with great cocktails don’t have

Kitschy drinks are all the rage at Tumblers

TVs because it kills their vibe,” he says. “Well, it doesn’t kill ours. Now, people can come watch the game and sip on a nice drink.” 100 Fountain Street. 331-0973, Facebook.com/TumblersPVD

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People with Celiac, rejoice. There’s a new gluten-free bakery in Johnston. If you’re skeptical, don’t be. Leah Adams, a doctor who has Celiac Disease, opened it and bakes everything from scratch. Her inspiration? Her two kids who have Celiac as well. Sans Gluten Artisan Bakery uses all natural products that contain no dyes or artificial ingredients. She bakes up chocolate cakes with strawberry frosting, oatmeal raisin cookies, cherry walnut sour cream coffee cake, chocolate glazed donuts and so much more. Leah also makes cupcakes, scones, bread, brownies and Bundt cakes. 39 Greenville Avenue, Johnston. 437-6735, Facebook.com/SansGlutenArtisanBakery

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Providence Monthly | December 2016

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar is a new sports lover’s haven in Warwick. Their specialty? Kicked up pub food, and plenty of big screen TVs to catch practically any game that’s playing. They’ve got UFC fights, Nascar, college and professional sports. To complement the viewing, they’ve got an impressive selection of beers on draught, and a wide variety of cocktails. They also never miss an opportunity to celebrate the lesser-known holidays like National French Fry Day or National Daquiri Day by offering specials appropriate for each. 615 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. 732-1230, Aroogas.com/Route-5-Warwick

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Photo (Top) courtesy of Tumblers, (Middle) courtesy of Sans Gluten Artisan Bakery, (Bottom) courtesy of Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar

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In the Drink by Emily Dietsch

A float of Malbec ups the game on this whiskey sour

Pour Judgement Sip a wine-soaked twist on the whiskey sour at The Rosendale

Photography by MIke Braca

Downtown Providence has been a notoriously challenging area for restaurateurs. Some establishments flourish for years while others, even supremely promising ones, falter in the blink of an eye. In one especially challenged strip, a narrow corridor of Union Street flanked by office buildings and car rental shops, an ambitious whiskey bar and restaurant called The Rosendale is aiming to change things. For years The Rosendale’s spot was inhabited by two consecutive, Irish-inflected watering holes, neither of which you’d consider “destination dining.” It drew harried office workers in search of a quick sandwich during the day, and beer-gulping college kids at night, with the Pats or the Sox reliably on a television or three in the background. Co-owners Garry Williams and Frank Manfredi, who grew up together in North Providence, saw the opportunity to do something different. The game may still be on in the background, but now the aesthetics are spiffed up, and there are craft beers and whiskey flights in lieu of Bud Light pitchers. (Sorry, not sorry, Bud

devotees.) There’s also a thoughtful cocktail list, featuring familiar classics that show a bit of the co-owners’ personality. “We don’t aim to be a top-end cocktail bar,” Williams told me, “and we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. We wanted something simple, but with our stamp on it.”

Take the drink they shared with us, which is a twist on the classic New York-style whiskey sour. Called “Don’t Rye for Me Argentina,” it’s a jeweltoned showstopper made from just four ingredients and no whizz-bang mixology tricks – just straightforward, thoughtful bartending.

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Don’t Rye for Me Argentina Serves 1 At The Rosendale they use equal portions of fresh lemon juice and house made simple syrup to balance out the whiskey. Williams recommends playing with the ratio to suit your taste. The float technique that they employ might take a practice or two to get right. Once you do get the knack, though, you’ll be happy to have it in your home bartending arsenal.

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• 1 oz cinnamon simple syrup • Float of Malbec wine Mix the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until you get a bit of a froth going. Pour into a glass, preferably a rocks glass, and then add the Malbec float. Using the back of a spoon as a channel, slowly pour the Malbec on top. Have patience – it’s worth it. Serve, and bask in the oohs and ahhs.

The Rosendale 55 Union Street • 421-3253 • TheRosendaleRI.com

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December 2016 | Providence Monthly

DINING GUIDE I N YO U R N E I G H B O R H O O D

Ocean State Sandwich Company When owner Eric Handwerger

saw how well his first Ocean State Sandwich Company shop was being received in Johnston, and, in particular, how many firms and non-profit organizations in downtown Providence had started to order catered lunches for their luncheon meeting needs, he decided to open a second shop right in the heart of the financial district at 155 Westminster Street in Providence. “The result,” says Eric, “has been enormously gratifying,” as his first year of business downtown has seen incredible growth. “We’re food people,” says Eric. “And now with two places in Rhode Island, where we’re surrounded by an abundance of farms on one side and small food producers on the other, it’s just a perfect situation.”

Locations in Providence and Johnston. SandwichRI.com

PROVIDENCE COUNTY 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 4532333. LD $$$ Cafe diPanni Italian American dining with an available banquet facility. 187 Pocasset Ave, Providence, 944-0840. LD $-$$ Capri Swedish-influenced Mediterranean cuisine. 58 De Pasquale Ave, Providence, 274-2107. LD $$-$$$ Catering Gourmet Premiere catering company providing food made from scratch. 333 Strawberry Field Rd, Warwick, 773-7925. $-$$$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in an historic setting. 14 Imperial Pl, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 9444900. BrLD $$$ Character’s Cafe & Theatre 82 Hybrid

art space with all day breakfast, coffee and theatre-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 490-9475. BL $ Cucina Rustica Rustic, Italian-style dining combining comfort food and sophistication. 555 Atwood Ave, Cranston, 944-2500. LD $-$$ Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$ Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 3980027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 228-3901. D $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Handcrafted sliders, brews and pub games. 121 N Main St. Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336 LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambiance. Locations in Cranston and Providence. HarukiSushi.com LD $-$$ Iron Works Tavern A wide variety of signature American dishes in the historic Thomas Jefferson Hill Mill. 697 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111. LD $-$$$

Creative sandwiches are on the menu at Ocean State Sandwich Company

Jacky’s Galaxie Local Pan-Asian chain offering sushi and classic entrees in a modern atmosphere. Locations in Providence, North Providence, Bristol and Cumberland, JackysGalaxie.com. LD $-$$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steak Mixed grill selections and signature fish dishes sourced locally and seasonally. 11 Dorrance St, Providence, 351-4500. BLD $$-$$$ Meeting Street Cafe BYOB eatery with large menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner served all day. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-1066. BLD $-$$ Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$

Momo Dessert restaurant with crepes, home-made stir fry ice cream and bubble tea. 100 Washington St, Providence, 521-6666. BLD $ Mosaic Restaurant Syrian cuisine served in an intimate setting. 91 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 808-6512. BLD $-$$$ Napolitano’s Brooklyn Pizza Classic Italian fare and traditional New Yorkstyle pizzas. 100 East St, Cranston, 383-7722; 380 Atwells Ave, Providence, 273-2400. LD $-$$ Ocean State Sandwich Company Craft sandwiches and hearty sides. 1345 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 155 Westminster St, Providence, 2826772. BL $-$$ Opa the Phoenician Authentic Lebanese food served in a fun atmosphere with hookahs. 230 Atwells Ave, Providence, 351-8282. D $-$$$ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks and handcrafted

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

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Providence Monthly | December 2016

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DINING GUIDE cocktails. 1200 Hartford Johnston, 273-1444. LD $-$$$

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Smith St, North Providence, 353-6688. LD $-$$

Pizza J A fun, upbeat atmosphere with thin crust pizza, pub fare and gluten-free options. 967 Westminster St, Providence, 632-0555. LD $-$$

Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$

Red Ginger Traditional Chinese restaurant and bar with a relaxed environment. 560 Killingly St, Johnston, 861-7878; 1852

Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$

Rocco’s Pub & Grub Five-star menu in an intimate, pub-like atmosphere. 55 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 3492250. LD $-$$ Rosmarin at Hotel Providence Bar and restaurant serving Swiss-inspired small plates, craft cocktails and an eclectic wine list. 311 Westminster Street, Providence, 5213333. BLD $$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ Spirito’s Restaurant & Catering Classic Italian fare served in a stately Victorian home. 477 Broadway, Providence, 434-4435. LD $-$$$ Starbucks Coffee, tea, bakery items and lunch options. Multiple locations. Starbucks.com BL$-$$ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, TsRestaurantRI.com. BL $ Tavolo Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille Classic Italian cuisine with an extensive wine and beer list. 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 349-4979. LD $-$$ The Crossings New American favorites in a chic, urban setting. 801 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, 732-6000. BLD $-$$$

The Old Grist Mill Tavern in Seekonk is a throwback to historic New England dining

The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St, Providence, 521-6000. D $$$

WO RT H T H E D R I V E

The Old Grist Mill Tavern Built in 1745 and

a restaurant since the 1930s, the rustic tavern overlooks a picturesque pond complete with a bubbling waterfall. The classic New England view perfectly complements the menu, which boasts traditional favorites like hand-cut steaks and chops, hearty pastas and seafood. The portions are very generous and include a trip to the salad bar. A large surf and turf menu allows you to indulge in the best of both worlds. Speaking of indulging, their desserts and legendary cinnamon bread are made in their in-house bakery. A pub menu, available at the lounge, offers crowd-pleasers like burgers and sharing boards. The bar hosts monthly tasting events where guests can sample the newest tastes in spirits.

390 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk 508-336-8460, OGMTavern.com

The Grange Vegetarian restaurant serving seasonal dishes with a juice bar, vegan bakery and cocktail bar. 166 Broadway, Providence, 831-0600. BrLD $-$$ The Pizza Gourmet/ The Catering Gourmet From scratch wood-grilled pizzas and Italian American favorites. 357 Hope St, Providence, 751-0355. LD $-$$$ The Rosendale Bar and grill with welcoming atomposphere and creative menu. 55 Union St, Providence, 421-3253. LD $-$$

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

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The Villa Restaurant & Banquet Facility Family Italian restaurant with live music and entertainment. 272

269 Greenville Avenue, Johnston 231-5900 • fabulocityri.com

For full restaurant profiles, go to ProvidenceOnline.com

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Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun and Southwestern fare, cocktails and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$ Trattoria Del Mare Traditional Italian cuisine with a focus on seafood in an elegant yet relaxing atmosphere. 145 Spruce St, Providence, 273-7070. LD $$-$$$ Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337. LD $-$$ Tony’s Colonial Specialty store offering the finest Imported and domestic Italian foods. 311 Atwells Ave, Providence, 621-8675. $-$$$ Twin Oaks Family restaurant serving an extensive selection of Italian and American staples. 100 Sabra St, Cranston, 781-9693. LD $-$$$ Vinya Test Kitchen Raw, plantbased, artful, small plates served by Chef Sam Bonanno. Delicious vegan cuisine, beautifully presented, and accompanied by creative mocktails (BYOB). 225A Westminster Street, Providence, 500-5189. D $-$$ Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$ XO Cafe Creative cocktails and New American fare. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$

EAST BAY / NEWPORT Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$

775 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA TheFirePlaceShowcase.com • 508.336.2600 Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5 62

Providence Monthly | December 2016

Bluewater Bar and Grill Casual restaurant with modern seafood dishes, patio seating and live music. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $$-$$$

DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$ Ichigo Ichie Traditional Japanese cuisine, creative sushi and hibachi. 5 Catamore Blvd, East Providence, 435-5511. LD $-$$$ Jacky’s Galaxie Local Pan-Asian chain offering sushi and classic entrees in a modern atmosphere. Locations in Providence, North Providence, Bristol and Cumberland, JackysGalaxie.com. LD $-$$$ Starbucks Coffee, tea, bakery items and lunch options. Multiple locations. Starbucks.com BL$-$$ The Old Grist Mill Tavern Fine dining located over the Runnins River. 390 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, 508-3368460. LD $-$$$ The Wharf Tavern Serves fresh seafood and steak with bay views from almost every table. 215 Water St, Warren, 2892524. BrLD $-$$$

SOUTHERN RI Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$ Blu On The Water Home to Rhode Island’s largest waterfront deck and three outdoor bars, with a wide menu and full raw bar. 20 Water St, East Greenwich, 885-3700. LD $-$$$ Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$ Chair 5 Locally sourced and seasonally inspired menus with a main restaurant and rooftop lounge. 1208 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 363-9820. BrLD $-$$$ Champlin’s Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$ Dante’s Kitchen American food with a Southern flair. 315 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-7798. BL $-$$

For full restaurant profiles, go to ProvidenceOnline.com

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Dragon Palace Chinese cuisine, sushi and bar. 577 Tiogue Ave, Coventry, 828-0100; 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2300; 1210 Main St, Wyoming, 539-1102. LD $-$$ Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$ Frankie’s Italian Bistro Fine dining with imported wines from around the world. 1051 Ten Rod Rd, North Kingstown, 295-2500. D $-$$$ Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 228-3901. D $-$$

patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield, 7834073. BBrLD $ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Sa-Tang Fine Thai and Asian fusion cuisine with gluten-free selections. 402 Main St, Wakefield, 284-4220. LD $-$$ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$

T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, TsRestaurantRI.com. BL $

Jigger’s Diner Classic ‘50s diner serving breakfast all day. 145 Main St, East Greenwich, 884-6060. BL $-$$

Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$

La Masseria Upscale Italian cuisine served in a chic setting with a rustic, countryside vibe. 223 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0693. LD $$-$$$

The Coast Guard House A New American menu with a seafood emphasis and extensive wine by the glass program. Visit for Sunday brunch for a local raw bar, lobster scrambled eggs and cocktails from locally produced spirits. Open daily for lunch, dinner and Sundays for brunch. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. $$$

Matunuck Oyster Bar Destination dining enhanced by a raw bar sourced onsite and a water view. 629 Succotash Rd, South Kingstown, 783-4202. LD $-$$$

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

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Ocean House/Weekapaug Inn Multiple dining room options offer comfortably elegant dishes that highlight the best in seasonal, local produce. 1 Bluff Ave, Watch Hill, 5847000, 25 Spray Rock Rd, Westerly, 637-7600. BLD $-$$$ Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana Authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizza with exclusive ingredients imported from Naples. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown, 783-2900. LD $-$$ Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food with a great rooftop

Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$ Tong-D Fine Thai cuisine in a casual setting. 156 County Rd, Barrington, 289-2998; 50 South County Common Way, South Kingstown, 7834445. LD $-$$ TwoTen Oyster Bar and Grill Local oysters and upmarket seafood dishes with a full bar menu. 210 Salt Pond Rd, South Kingstown, 7820100. BrLD $-$$$

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Providence Monthly | December 2016

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Calendar

December

December 1-18: There’s cursing and then there’s David Mamet. Check out American Buffalo at the Gamm Theatre to get a raw dose of testosterone soaked existential suffering as a con goes south on a crew looking to steal a rare Buffalo nickel. Various dates and times. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, GammTheatre.org December 1-31: A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep is one of those reassuring signs that holiday cheer – and a fair amount of humbug – is just around the corner. Catch up with Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the characters you’ve known and loved for years. Various dates and times. 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, TrinityRep.com December 3: Mayor Elorza will light the city’s Christmas tree at the Alex and Ani City Center’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony will begin with a performance from the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, and after the tree lighting, Olympic gold medalist Michelle Kwan will dazzle the crowd with a skating demonstration. 2 Kennedy Plaza. 3315544, AlexAndAniCityCenter.com December 3: The Rhode Island Food Bank hosts its Holiday Food Drive and Open House, welcoming guests to tour the facility and celebrate the season with some great music. Bring some non-perishable food items and do right by your fellow Rhode Islanders in need. 200 Niantic Avenue. 942-6325, RIFoodBank.org

December 4: ‘Tis the season for the Guys as Dolls Holiday Drag Show at Comedy Connection. Celebrate the season with Rhode Island’s leading drag stars and more costume changes than Santa has houses to visit. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, RIComedyConnection.com December 4: Throw on some toasty running gear (and maybe a Santa beard) and head for the Amica Downtown Jingle 5K. Live music will keep you warm before and after the race, and who knows, you might event get some facetime with Santa himself. 1 Sabin Street. 952-6333, DowntownJingle5K.com December 4: Hope Street gets into the spirit with its annual Holiday Stroll. Local merchants, food trucks and performers will bring the street to life for a day full of shopping, fun and even a few craft and cooking demos. Hope Street. HopeStreetProv.com December 4, 11, 18: The Providence Flea makes a wintery return when it sets up at Hope High School for three winter pop-ups. Check out vintage and handmade finds on your quest for the perfect Christmas present. 324 Hope Street. 484-7783, ProvidenceFlea.com December 6-11: If you thought your holidays were busy, try juggling a fiance, a mistress and attempting to murder eight relatives to get to an inheritance. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at PPAC shows that getting away with murder is a riot. 220 Weybosset Street. 421-2787, PPACRI.org December 8: Put your brain to the test at the Providence Athenaeum’s Great Pub Quiz. It’s a battle of wits as teams slug it out over pizza and beer in the city’s beautiful, historic library. 251 Benefit Street. 421-6970, ProvidenceAthenaeum.org December 9: Maybe you’re a Pinkerton person, or have a soft spot in your heart for Maladroit, but there’s

December 1-31: Craftland is your one-stop shop for handmade Rhode Island kitsch all year long, but in December they pull out all the stops. The works of more than 150 makers will be on display for their Holiday Extravaganza. If you can’t find the perfect gift here, it probably doesn’t exist. 212 Westminster Street. 272-4285, CraftlandShop.com

no denying that the reason any of us love Weezer is The Blue Album. See RI’s own Weezer tribute band, The Blue Album, play all of the band’s angsty classics at The Met. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, TheMetRI.com December 10: Hundreds of RISD artists will be filling the Convention Center for the annual RISD Alumni and Student Holiday Art Sale. Explore the wealth of talent that trained right here in PVD to create everything from jewelry to home goods to paintings. 1 Sabin Street. 709-8585, RISDHolidayArtSale.com December 10: The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Providence Singers perform Handel’s Messiah at The Vets in Providence. Feel free to sing along, but don’t worry about being pitchy. Odds are no one is going to notice. 1 Avenue of the

Arts. 421-2787, VMARI.com December 14: NPR listeners are no strangers to Brian O’Donovan’s A Celtic Sojourn, and this time of year they know to be excited for A Christmas Celtic Sojourn at the Vets. This special live edition of the show will feature traditional Celtic holiday music and is just the thing you need to slow down during this hectic season. 1 Avenue of the Arts. 421-2787, TheVetsRI.com December 14: Lupo’s hosts WBRU’s Winter Warmer to Benefit Girls Rock RI. See Warpaint, K.Flay and Joseph kick out some serious jams. Proceeds will go to educating and empowering Rhode Island’s next generation of rocking and rolling ladies. 79 Washington Street. 3315876, Lupos.com December 16: There might not be any creatures stirring at your house, but

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For an up-to-date statewide calendar and to submit your own listings visit ProvidenceOnline.com 68

Providence Monthly | December 2016

Photo courtesy of Crafltand

December 1-31: The State House gets in the spirit of the season with its annual Holiday Display. Join the governor and her 88th Army Band on December 1 as they kick off the season by lighting the state’s official Christmas Tree. The governor will be holding a menorah lighting ceremony as well (check their website for a soon to be released date and time). The display will be open to the public Monday through Friday throughout the month. 82 Smith Street. 222-2080, Governor.RI.gov

This & That DECEMBER 7 – JANUARY 20

an eclectic mix of original paintings, glass, wire sculpture, and ceramics

the Providence Ballet Theatre will be full of life when they bring the holiday classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to the McVinney Auditorium. 43 Dave Gavitt Way. 861-4842, ProvidenceBallet.com December 16-18: Celebrating its 39th year, Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker brings sugarplum fairies and toy soldiers back to the PPAC stage. Experience the magic and the music that has made this show an annual holiday tradition. 220 Weybosset Street. 3531129, FestivalBalletProvidence.org December 17: Mixed Magic Theatre is known for its challenging and thoughtprovoking programming – but at this time of year, it’s all about celebrating. Back for the first time in ten years, Celebrations: An African Odyssey is an original work from the theatre’s founder Ricardo Pitts-Wiley. 43 Dave

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Gavitt Way. 305-7333, MMTRI.com December 18: West Side Caroling gathers a group of spirited carolers – sometimes hundreds of them – to walk the neighborhood singing to anyone and everyone who will listen. Neighbors come out with egg nog and treats, and it’s a wonderful life for everyone involved. Meet your fellow carolers at Loie Fuller’s and sing those humbugs away. 1455 Westminster Street. WBNA.org December 31: There are a few ways to raise your glass to 2017. The Providence G is hosting three very different celebrations: an Old Downcity Glamour ball in the ballroom, a Southern BBQ buffet at the G Pub and a dance party under the stars at the Rooftop at the Providence G. 100 Dorrance Street. 585-8005, ProvidenceG.com

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Music

by Adam Hogue

Born to Rhyme Rapper Eric Axelman explores art, education and activism

Photo courtesy of Jharyd Herrera

After pursuing a degree

in Environmental Science from Brown, Eric Axelman found himself immersed in the local hip-hop scene. A collaboration with producer Cognate on a mixtape was the first step towards a career shift from the science lab to basement shows, studios and classrooms where he began an exploration of social issues through rap, film and educational outreach. Eric found purpose in his music, and saw it as a vehicle for a larger conversation. Like any good musical journey, Eric’s started in his basement. “Those basement shows were the most fun I’d had really doing anything, and really made me reconsider my career path.” It was at one of these basement shows that Eric met his frequent collaborator and artistic/teaching partner, Oliver ‘SydeSho’ Arias. With a catalog of music to take into the community, Eric began to perform at venues such as Aurora and AS220. His music soon became education: “During this time while I was developing as an artist, I also began working at The Wheeler School,” Eric says. With SydeSho as a teaching partner, the two started a course that uses social activism and hip-hop to deal with complex issues of race, inequality and cultural appropriation. A city like Providence is no stranger to these conversations and issues, so a multiple disciplinary approach such as Eric’s is a way to open the discussion. On October 28, Eric released his first solo album, Too Much. While the songs are the vehicle, Eric works to make his music part of a larger experience with music videos – which you can see on his website EricAxelman. com – taking on an important role in his art. Songs like “Talk Too Much” and “Too Much Space” stand out; neither is reminiscent of hip-hop from any particular time while Eric’s lyrics and flow have a sense of urgency. Both songs feature beats by Cognate that range from the electronic and blippy in “Too Much Space” to the airy and spacious synths in “Talk Too Much.” The minimalism of Cognate’s production allow Eric room to explore. In the almost speaking, chanting style of a man with a megaphone, Eric examines our reality with staccatoed delivery. The video experience of “Talk Too Much” offers a glimpse into Eric’s

Eric Axelman uses all of the tools at his disposal – music, film and outreach – to explore the world around him

approach to not only writing a song, but providing a full sensory interaction with his audience. The video portrays Eric stuck in one space over all four seasons. It is a conscious intent to nail down an unreliable reality. An all-encompassing piece of art dominates the material that Eric produces and it is often the result of experimentation and the need to give his listeners a taste of “the journey” as he sees it. “There are few things as satisfying as making art that you love.” Eric says. “I’m excited to keep the train rolling, both by myself and with my collaborators, especially Cognate and Nik Damants, who really inspire and motivate me.” Eric is also the executive director of Pushed Learning and Media, a non-profit organization focused on live performances and talks centered on racial inequality and cultural appropriation. Never one to slow down,

he’s also in the postproduction stage of a documentary film about how “American Jews interpret narratives from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of Israel in forming American Jewish identity.” Playing the role of director, Eric spent three weeks in Israel and the West Bank conducting interviews with people on all sides of the conversation. What lies at the core of what Eric does appears to be his need to communicate and connect to truth. Listening and seeing, observing and hearing are a core part of the action Eric takes. Art might be the overall tag, but just as we find ourselves in a flurry of information, Eric seeks to put his message out in a flurry of ways. Not seeing one all-encompassing vehicle for his art, Eric lets an album do his talking, film be his sign language and teaching be the way he finds a connection to a complex world.

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December 2016 | Providence Monthly

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Providence Monthly | December 2016

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For new dance students, Everett’s hip-hop director Sokeo Ros says, “being out of your comfort zone is what we want. And we approach everybody with open arms.”

Hip-Hop and You Don’t Stop

Photography by Brian DeMello

Celebrating the power of dance at Everett’s Hip-Hop Blowout You hear a great beat. The familiar pulse of something like, say, the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” You want to move. You ought to groove. But you’re not sure what to do with your hands and feet. And, frankly, you feel a little self-conscious about it. What now? “Come to my class!” suggests Sokeo Ros, director of the hip-hop program at the dance company Everett. Students without experience are as welcome as those with it, and Sokeo offers this advice: “You’re gonna feel weird. You’re gonna feel awkward. You’re out of your comfort zone. But at Everett, your being out of your comfort zone is what we want. And we approach everybody with open arms.” Sokeo considers dance an opportunity for growth, and believes that, “the more uncomfortable you feel, the better you will get at shedding your own skin.” In the supportive, nonjudgmental environment of Everett, students who don’t know a two-step or an eight-count may – with time, practice and passion – find themselves busting a move at the biannual Hip-Hop Blowout. The showcase caps off each semester, the culmination of choreography and confidence built up class by class. This month’s installment of the Hip-Hop Blowout features dancers as young as ten. It’s a family-friendly affair set to popular, recognizable tunes, with original choreography by Sokeo and

members of Case Closed!, Everett’s own hip-hop troupe. Sokeo started Case Closed! in 2004 as a way to empower youth through dance and theater, and in turn bring their creativity and positivity to the community via education and performance. He himself experienced how affirming such a process could be when he first found Everett. Sokeo came to the US as a refugee, after his parents fled war-torn Cambodia. Growing up in a rough neighborhood over-run with drugs, he feared he was destined for failure. He started break dancing in his teens and, on a whim, attended an open break dance session at Everett. After the class, Everett co-founder Dorothy Jungels invited him to participate in a show at local schools. Sokeo discovered that he loved performing and stuck with it, ultimately joining Everett’s professional company and touring the country. “I feel like hip-hop saved my life. The arts saved my life. I hung out with a lot of gang bangers and friends who were not going the right route. This was the only thing that kept me going,” Sokeo reveals. Since teaching classes and directing Case Closed!, he has learned that a number of his students face similar challenges. “Hiphop helps them with that because

hip-hop also came from a struggle, from an impoverished neighborhood, from this community. And it became something so much more.” A sweaty dance session can be highly therapeutic, Sokeo explains. “For that moment that we’re on the stage, whether we’re rehearsing or performing, we forget all about the trials and tribulations that surround us. We get to be free. We just get to release. That is something that is very powerful in and of itself. And afterwards we feel so much better.” Sokeo reminds his students that the skills they learn in dance apply to other fields as well. He says, “The stage is yours. You want to be a doctor? You’re performing surgery: that is your stage and you do it to the best of your ability. You want to be a lawyer or a teacher? Same thing. That is your stage and you own that stage to the best of your ability and you do that 1,000% whether you’re performing for one person or one million people. Always the same amount of energy.” Get a jolt of that energy at the HipHop Blowout. Consider taking a class. And the next time you wonder, as A Tribe Called Quest might, “Can I kick it?” The answer is yes, you can. And, you should.

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Art

by Amanda M. Grosvenor

Breaking the Mold A Massachusetts expat flourishes in PVD’s arts community

Providence Monthly | December 2016

Ceramicist Amanda Soule creates pieces to make people think about what makes them happy

from her did not create the same effect emotionally – however, in order to make it as an artist, she could not give her art away for free. Printing mysterious or philosophical phrases on her cups was a way of evoking the same type of connection and response for people purchasing (or gifting/receiving) her pieces as they might feel when receiving an unexpected gift from a stranger. “I wanted to start making functional work, but in order to maintain a sense of wonder and purpose, I decided to be more direct and to write things out,” she says. “The cups are playful, but they’re also trying to get people to think about what actually makes them happy – and it’s not necessarily eating your favorite food. Maybe it’s holding a door open for a woman

with a baby. I try to always maintain a sense of lightheartedness and sincerity, but it’s hard to go about my day without trying to be a better person myself and expressing my desire for everybody to be a better person.” She and Dave will be hosting a holiday art sale event, the 12th annual Thirsty Millcraft Holiday Sale December 16-18. The event will feature many other artists as well, and artistic collaboration and community have been a huge part of why Amanda is happy to have made the transition to Providence. “I think it’s the most wonderful reason to be here,” she says. “When somebody actually starts to succeed with their art in Providence, that person brings everyone else up with them. It’s so rad.”

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Thirsty Millcraft Holiday Sale December 16, 6-10pm • December 17-18, 12-5pm 532 Kinsley Avenue, Unit 104

Photography by Michael Cevoli

Amanda Soule was at a loss after graduating from Bennington College, where she majored in ceramics. Her parents had divorced while she was at school and sold their family house in Wayland, Massachusetts. She lived with friends in Brookline and worked at the Harvard Bookstore for four years, but her artwork fell by the wayside. Eventually, a room opened up with some of Amanda’s friends who lived in Providence, offering a monthly rental rate less than $300 – how could she say no? She started working at the Cable Car Cinema, and then was accepted into the Steel Yard’s Residency Program in Ceramics, a six-month experience she describes as awesome, easy and accessible. Art became a central focus in her life once more. During the residency, Amanda met her current boyfriend, David Allyn, founder of the Steel Yard ceramics department. She shares a studio space with two other artists in the Nicholson File Building, which houses about 22 artists total, and she has also just started working as a studio assistant for renowned local artists Ben and Aja Blanc. Amanda’s own work currently consists mostly of small, rectangular porcelain necklaces with beautiful monoprinted coral-esque designs based on paperwork she had done in college, as well as enigmatic triangular Magic Eight Ball response necklaces. She also creates striking ceramic cups, which combine symmetrical textured sides and bases with softly undulating, colorful irregular middles. Some have beveled bases with crosshatched designs that she makes with a mold taken from antique glass bowls. Etched along many of the bottom sides of the cups are short phrases like “Separation is natural” (with a little ghost painted above), “The universe!,” “Oh no, love – you’re not alone,” or “Don’t be afraid of the shadows of the heart.” The addition of words has its roots in a type of creative identity crisis Amanda experienced towards the end of college. She found out that baking cookies and handing them out to strangers she selected on campus gave her a good feeling, but that having someone purchase a cup

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