Andrew Stewart – Page 11

July 22, 2015

An interview with Providence NAACP President Jim Vincent

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

On July 21 I had the opportunity to sit down with Jim Vincent of the Providence NAACP and discussed a variety of topics. Mr. Vincent is a graduate of the 1973 Dartmouth College Urban Studies and Government program and hold an McP in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Our conversation covered a variety of topics, including the prison and judicial reform Gov. Raimondo recently enacted, police recruitment policies, and the national election.

The NAACP is one of the oldest still-extant civil rights groups in America. Founded on February 12, 1909, it has been a major advocate for the rights of black and brown people since its inception, working to abolish Jim Crow and promote desegregation. It has been especially active in support for LGBTQQI rights and AIDS activism. This was especially prominent when Julian Bond, former Chairman, boycotted the 2006 funeral of Coretta Scott King, wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because the family had chosen a church that opposed gay rights.

July 21, 2015July 22, 2015

Tuesday to Tuesday: RI Future’s arts and entertainment calendar (UPDATED 7/22)

RIFuture is a fine institution that has made important contributions to the Rhode Island news culture as the ProJo has shrunk in both scope and talent while the news channels have become more corporatized. It is our hope that this new feature – the ‘Tuesday to Tuesday Arts and Entertainment Calendar’ will bring a lighter side to the fare. As we move into the dog days of summer, I’m open to tips and press releases regarding the events you or someone you know may be holding in the next few weeks. Feel free to e-mail data to me at andrew.james.stewart.rhode.island@gmail.com.

MY PICKS
Here is my selection of events that you should definitely consider checking out this week.

7/21
HOME/RUN: A Play at Matthewson Street Church Black Box, 8 pm, $5-10
It would be a conflict of interest if I did not mention I know one of the writers here from my film festival days. But I honestly do think that this sort of interactive theatre is important, it helps generate a dialogue about our society and how it operates. And with Providence in the midst of all sorts of lunatic plots to gentrify the neighborhoods while bailing out billionaires so they can build baseball stadiums, we need these sorts of dialogues that democratize our understanding of home more than ever.
7/22
The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence, 7:30 pm, Pay What You Decide
The author of this play previous was nominated for a 2014 Pulitzer but returned to the drawing board for a second draft. This should be impressive.
7/23
Movies on the Block: THE SHINING at Grants Block, 7:30 pm, Free
Kubrick’s classic horror film remains chilling after 35 years because he was making a truly amazing film. Having studied him in college, I can also say that this is much deeper than you think and that the recent ROOM 237 was closer to the mark than you might think in terms of the subtext about genocide.
7/24
FringePVD: “WRITER’S BLOCK” BY RADIOACTIVE THEATRE COMPANY at AS220’s Blackbox, 7 pm, $5-$10
To be honest, I have no idea what this play is about but, since I know very well what writer’s block is, I imagine it might appeal to anyone inclined to epistolary.
7/25
Cultural Survival Bazaar at Tiverton Four Corners Art Center, 10 am-5 pm, Free
This is a arts and crafts festival featuring works from the so-called Third World, something that intrigues me to no end.
7/26
Outdoor Summer Concerts: French Roast at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, 6-8 pm, $10 General Admission/$5 Children 12 and under/$5 Botanical Center Conservancy members
This is a Franco-American band that does especially Canadian and Bayou music, plus it’s located in one of my favorite parks in the state. What’s not to love?
7/27
VIOLET / RRLEW / VALISE / MUYASSAR KURDI / GYNA BOOTLEG at Psychic Readings, 9 pm-1 am, $6
Six dollars for five bands at one of the best locations in Providence, why not?
7/28
Get Out! Cardboard Rockets at Providence Children’s Museum, 1-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person
Something fun to do with the kids and probably a minor refresher on the basic physics of aviation.

7/21
Get Out! Sundials at Providence Children’s Museum, 1-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

The Newport Music Festival at Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum, 11 am, To purchase tickets, call Newport Festival Box Office at 401-849-0700

Stretch & Strength at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 12-1 pm, $5

Open Life Drawing at AS220, 6 pm-8:30, $6

Intermediate Ballet Class with Danielle Davidson at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

FringePVD: THE ROAD TO HIGH STREET: A BUSKER’S DIGITAL ROCK & ROLL STORY by Andrew Potter at AS220’s Blackbox, 7-1:15 pm, $5-$10

Kid Fame, Jaz Marley, Adrenaline the Rapper, and Project Five Star at AS220 Main Stage, 9:30 pm-1 am, $6

Slouch + Noway + Disipline + The Daffy and Daisy Chain at Psychic Readings, 9:30 pm-1 am, $6

HOME/RUN: A Play at Matthewson Street Church Black Box, 8 pm, $5-10

Tuesday Night Film Series: THEY WILL OUTLIVE US ALL (RI Premiere) at The Arctic Playhouse, 7 pm, $10.00/$7.00 seniors/$5.00 children under 12

7/22
Vinyasa Yoga with Julie Shore at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, Noon-1 pm, $5

Open Level Modern Dance at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:30-8 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Jenkins Construction presents A Concert by The Toe Jam Puppet Band at Ballard Park Quarry Meadow, 10-11 am, Free

Jenkins Construction presents A Concert by Meehan Krous at Ballard Park Quarry Meadow, 7-8 pm, Free

Wheels at Work: Backhoe Loader at Providence Children’s Museum, 10-Noon, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence, 7:30 pm, Pay What You Decide

FringePVD: “EN-SEM-BLE” BY FREQUENCY WRITERS at AS220’s Blackbox, 7:30 pm, $5-$10

FringePVD: “a.vanishing.point” by PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE NOVELTY COMPANY at AS220’s Blackbox, 8:30 pm, $5-$10

SURVIVORS OF THE KRAKEN // GELATINUS CUBE // GREGORY MCKILLOP // RYAN PRATT at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $6

7/23
Best of Rhode Island Party 2015 at Providence Performing Arts Center, 5:30-9:30 pm, $55-$65

Hank West and the Smokin’ Hots at The Towers, 7-10 pm, $15

Summer Concert Series presented by ALEX AND ANI at Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, 6-9 pm, $10

newportFILM Outdoors! THE DIPLOMAT – presented by Lila Delman Real Estate I at Redwood Library & Athenaeum, 8:30 pm (sunset), Free

The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence, 7:30 pm, Pay What You Decide

Evening Yoga at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:15-7:30 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

FringePVD: THE ROAD TO HIGH STREET: A BUSKER’S DIGITAL ROCK & ROLL STORY at AS220’s Blackbox, 7 pm, $5-$10

FringePVD: “WRITER’S BLOCK” BY RADIOACTIVE THEATRE COMPANY @ AS220’s Blackbox, 8:30 pm, $5-$10

Mmere Dane Group and Four Agreements at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm, $5

FringePVD: “TOUCHSTONE/SALMON/FROSTING” BY THE ERGOT PLAYERS at AS220’s Blackbox, 9:30 pm, $5-$10

Movies on the Block: THE SHINING at Grants Block, 7:30 pm, Free

VERONICA GUERIN at Warwick Public Library, 7 pm, Free

Fringe PVD: TRANS* at Paff Auditorium in the URI Feinstein Providence Campus, 8 pm, $5-$10

7/24
Family Fun Friday: Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys at Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum, 11 am-1 pm, Free

The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence, 7:30 pm, Pay What You Decide

FringePVD: “WRITER’S BLOCK” BY RADIOACTIVE THEATRE COMPANY at AS220’s Blackbox, 7 pm, $5-$10

FringePVD: “OXYPROBLEM” BY MCQUADE8PRODUCTIONS at AS220’s Blackbox, 8 pm, $5-$10

FringePVD: “a.vanishing.point” by PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE NOVELTY COMPANY at AS220’s Blackbox, 9 pm, $5-$10

Toad and the Stooligans, True Blue, and Bored with Four at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $6

7/25
Cultural Survival Bazaar at Tiverton Four Corners Art Center, 10 am-5 pm, Free

Stars and Night Sky at Providence Children’s Museum, 10 am-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence, 7:30 pm, Pay What You Decide

Introduction to the Laser Cutter at AS220 Labs, 10 am-1 pm, $80

Traditional Irish Music Session at AS220 Bar & FOO(D), 4-7 pm, No cover

FringePVD: “SEARCH FOR THE FORBIDDEN BLANK: AN IMPROVISED CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN-ADVENTURE WITH PUPPETS” BY THE IMPROVISED PUPPET PROJECT at AS220’s Blackbox, 8 pm, $5-$10

Rampant Decay, Deathface and Timecop Beach Party at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $6

WHITE MYSTERY (CHI), DIRTY FENCES (NYC), ATLANTIC THRILLS (PVD) at Psychic Readings, 10 pm-1 am, $10

Saturday Night Leftovers 2.0 PART III at The Parlour, 7 pm, $5

Halfway Home / Sic Vita / Shore City / SPC / Bears Bears Bears at The Met, 8 pm-1 am, $8 adv/$10 day of

Fringe PVD: TRANS* at Paff Auditorium in the URI Feinstein Providence Campus, 7 pm, $5-$10

7/26
Cultural Survival Bazaar at Tiverton Four Corners Art Center, 10 am-5 pm, Free

Stars and Night Sky at Providence Children’s Museum, 10 am-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

Core Workout with Daniel Shea at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 9-10 am, $5

Beginner Ballet at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 10:30-11:30 am, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Intermediate Ballet Class at 95 Empire Studio, Noon-1:30 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Spiritual Recess, Great News and Bukkake Moms at Psychic Readings, 9 pm-1 am, $6

Outdoor Summer Concerts: French Roast at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, 6-8 pm, $10 General Admission/$5 Children 12 and under/$5 Botanical Center Conservancy members

7/27
BridgeFest Sunset Soiree at Sanford-Covell Villa Marina, 6-8:30 pm, $30

Newport BridgeFest at Queen Anne Square, 8 am-Midnight, Free

Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:30-8 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

VIOLET / RRLEW / VALISE / MUYASSAR KURDI / GYNA BOOTLEG at Psychic Readings, 9 pm-1 am, $6

7/28
Get Out! Cardboard Rockets at Providence Children’s Museum, 1-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

Newport BridgeFest at Queen Anne Square, 8 am-Midnight, Free

Stretch & Strength at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 12-1 pm, $5

Open Life Drawing at AS220, 6 pm-8:30, $6

Intermediate Ballet Class with Danielle Davidson at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

Native Giant, Neutrinos, Eric and the Nothing, Pyramid at Psychic Readings, 9 pm-1 am, $6

Armageddon Shop Presents: Windhand, Pilgram, and Second Grave at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $10

July 20, 2015July 20, 2015

Providence gets $300,000 ArtPlace America grant

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

With the intention of helping to spruce up the Upper South Providence neighborhood, the Creative Capital recently won a $300,000 ArtPlace America grant.

The project, ‘Illuminating Trinity’, will focus on renovating the Grace Church Cemetery and build capacity and programs at Southside Cultural Center.

“We have seen arts and culture transform our city and we know that cultural expression in our neighborhoods is just as important as in downtown,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “I am grateful ArtPlace America has decided to join our efforts by helping provide this opportunity to improve Trinity Square.”

The program also will bring to Providence one of two pilot programs, Community Innovation Lab, developed by EmcArts, which integrates art and artists into the process of developing systemic change.

“We’re thrilled to be working alongside Mayor Elorza, RI-LISC, and the other partners to harvest the unique power of local artists and cultural workers to catalyze systemic change,” says Richard Evans, president of EmcArts. “Public safety is a complex problem. It requires questioning old assumptions, collaborating across boundaries, deep understanding of local system dynamics, and rehearsing many potential strategies for change. The Community Innovation Lab framework creates space for high-impact, creative solutions to emerge and builds a robust network of advocates to ensure that those strategies get implemented.”

Other organizations participating include RI Black Storytellers, RI Latino Arts, the Cambodian Society, the Laotian Society, ECAS Theater, and RISD.

AS220 also applied for the same grant. I sat down with AS220 founder Bert Crenca, who shared his thoughts on the topic.

July 16, 2015

Gay Boy Scout leaders: Are the scouts free at last?

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

The announcement on July 13 that the Boy Scouts of America will rescind its longtime ban on gay and bisexual leaders came to some, including myself, as a notice of victory. I earned my Eagle Scout rank in 2004 and part of my own struggle inching out of the closet had to do with the pain of giving up certain rights and privileges granted me by that designation. Eagle Scouts, upon earning the rank, are expected to remain active in their scout troop and to become civic-minded members of the community.

However, the ban on gay and bisexual leadership, which had the despicable insinuation that same-sex attracted leaders might be prone to child victimization, was a barrier that has continued to hinder my own participation. Much of this can be attributed to the demographics of the scouting movement. For years, it has been extremely suburban and white, with a large majority of the membership belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which effectively turned a multi-denominational organization into a Mormon youth program due to their own utility of the Scout troops as a sort of religious obligation. Whereas my parents were active in my troop voluntarily, the Mormons actually assign leaders to troops as a variation of their two-year missionary program. Some young men may wind up in South America building schools and hospitals while others end up in Kansas trying to handle a pack of young men in the grips of hormonal fury. I’m not a Mormon, so I have no idea about the dynamics of such things, but I’d happily take a malarial swamp over a random Scout troop any day of the week.

But despite these advances into the new century, there remain several issues at hand that the Scouts should be willing to address next, lest it become a relic by the end of the century. As a forewarning, one thing I adamantly oppose would be a merger with the Girl Scouts, that is simply begging for a teen pregnancy, STI, and sexual assault epidemic within the organization. When you are dealing with boys in the age range of 11-18 who are guided by the maxim of ‘boys leading boys’, the last thing they need in the middle of the woods is an opportunity for carnal delights. If that makes me sound like a sexist dinosaur, so be it, my concern is primarily out of safety for the girls. When I was in Scouts, I went through a period of hazing that was pretty rough, but I survived it. Only the morbid fantasies of a child pornographer might match the depravity possible were it tenable for the middle-year adolescents who picked on me to get their hands on an 11-year-old girl instead.

First, it might do the program some serious good to revise the curriculum related to all things Native American. One of the first merit badges I earned was Indian Lore, which consisted of recycling tired mythos about America’s indigenous population. While there was plenty of worship of the mythical and magical, there was nary a discussion of the genocide that came along with the white man. Any mention of the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee, or Sitting Bull was brushed aside, while modern issues related to the native peoples, such as the plight of Leonard Peltier, the American Indian Movement, or the capture of Alcatraz Island, were simply tabooed. This could be revised with some honesty and the discussion could be made relevant to reality instead of having as much veracity as the Natty Bumpoo novels.

Second, in connection with this point, there would be a great benefit if the troops offered a more honest appraisal of Euro-American imperialism, particularly as related to the movement’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell. Besides the unfathomably weird aspects of his private life, the man’s military career reads like Queen Victoria’s greatest hits. He was stationed in India, Malta, and South Africa during some of the most violent moments of the Empire and is alleged to have performed some kind of espionage during the First World War. Would the world come to an end if the Scouts offered an honest explanation of what led to World War I? Some years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a job training program for a Scout camp that, thankfully, I quickly left. As far as the eye could see were bumper stickers that have become trademarks of the Tea Party. The level of embedded racism is so virulent that only the deranged can avoid it. And furthermore, this is not new ground to tread. Already in California, the ‘Radical Brownies’ have taken the basic tenets of the Girl Scouts and flipped everything upside down, creating curriculums that tell the history of the Black Panthers, headgear worn in homage to the Brown Berets, and an LGBT Ally merit badge.

Third, urbanize the program. The population trends of the next century point to a status quo where the largest potential swathe of membership will come from the cities. Indeed, any reasonable sort of cultural modifications meant to abate climate change will come about from the mass-migration from the suburbs to the city. Camping and hiking will remain staples of those who want a weekend escape from the pandemonium, but the majority of human existence will take place in metropolitan centers like New York or Los Angeles. There is ample room for an adaptation of David Harvey’s theories about the right to the city, small-d democratic notions about found spaces, and citizenship within the context of the urban sprawl. This will also bring about an influx of young men of color, something especially needed in Boy Scouting, which up until now has been the junior shock troop contingent of the Caucasian Invasion.

Finally, divorce the fire arms training curriculum from anything remotely close to the NRA. I can understand the logic of teaching young men to use a gun. But being allied with the lobby of gun manufacturers rather than gun owners is simply insane. The NRA ceased to be anything but the voice of the firearm corporations years ago and does not care about the safety of young people when it comes to weapons. Every day the program has anything to do with this morally-repugnant group is a blemish on it. This is de facto approval of a Congressional lobby steeped in the most reactionary, childish, and bigoted worldview this side of a burning cross. There is no reason for this partnership to continue.

There are extremely important things about scouting that should not be jettisoned. The citizenship merit badges, required for the Eagle rank, are some of the most vital lessons in civics I ever gained. The annual Scouting for Food, usually held the first weekend after Halloween, is a massive success that brings tons of foodstuffs to pantries across America at the outset of the holiday season, something direly necessary. The scouting movement has been especially ahead of the curve on all things ecological and environmental, with training that included mention of global warming well before Al Gore exposed the inconvenient truths of our carbon footprint in the cinema. I discovered my own vocation, film making, through the cinematography merit badge that was formulated by Steven Spielberg, while another fellow Eagle from my troop found his own career path in part thanks to the Lifeguard BSA training. The Boy Scouts of America is not going to easily disappear from our landscape. Rather, it is the duty especially of Eagles like myself that are now allowed to return to the Troops to bring with us a set of moral and ideological coordinates gained from LGBTQQI liberation movements that will successfully guide it on a course through the next century.

I dedicate this column to my mother, father, and all the Scout leaders who helped me reach my full potential.

July 15, 2015February 15, 2016

Are anti-stadium activists lobbyists?

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

On July 7, Stacy DiCola, director of public information at the Secretary of State’s office, sent a rather ominous-sounding letter to David Norton, one of the lead organizers of the grassroots opposition to the proposed state-financing of a baseball stadium for the PawSox, informing him that he should be certain to register himself as a lobbyist. This is certainly problematic and half-brained for a variety of reasons.

In Ms. DiCola’s letter to Norton, she wrote the following:

Please be aware that, pursuant to Chapters 22-10 and 42-139 of the Rhode Island General Laws, all lobbyists and organizations they represent must register with the Rhode Island Department of State. Furthermore, all lobbying activity must be reported using our LobbyTracker online portal (lobbytracker.sos.ri.gov).

Organizations and their members must register if they are “promoting, opposing, ammending, or influencing in any manner the passage by the general assembly [sic] of any legislation or the action on that legislation by the governor.” RI Gen. Laws § 22-10-2. Registration is similarly required when organizations and their members promote, oppose, or influence “(A) any policy-making decisions or policy-making actions of the executive branch of government or of public corporations; or (B) any decisions or actions on the part of the executive branch of government or any public corporation involving the sale, lease, or other alienation or encumbrance of any real property owned or leased by the state or any public corporation.” RI Gen. Laws § 42-139-1(1)(i).

First, while Mr. Norton has named his group Organizing for Pawtucket, he actually does not fit the definition of a lobbyist. According to state law, the term lobbyist denotes

[A]ny person who engages in lobbying as the appointed representative of another person. A person is “appointed” by another if he or she receives compensation for lobbying or pursuant to a mutual understanding or agreement engages in lobbying. “Compensation” means any remuneration received or to be received for services rendered as a lobbyist, whether in the form of a fee, salary, forbearance, forgiveness, reimbursement for expenses or any other form or recompense, and any combination thereof. Where lobbying is incidental to a person’s regular employment, his or her compensation for lobbying shall be reported as such and the lobbyist shall record the dollar amount of that portion of his or her compensation that is attributed to the time spent pursuing lobbying activities. In such instances, it shall not be necessary to disclose one’s total salary or the percentage of one’s time spent on lobbying. The lobbyist shall be required to disclose only his or her best good faith estimate of the dollar amount which corresponds to the portion of his or her time spent on lobbying activities.
Person means an individual, firm, business, corporation, association, partnership, or other group.

In the case of Mr. Norton, his efforts have been self-financed and driven by passion, not corporate dollars.

Second, while PawSox owner Larry Lucchino has registered as a lobbyist, his spokesman Dr. Charles Steinberg, as well as his various handlers and assistants, are not registered lobbyists. In all likelihood, Lucchino may claim that his registration with the Department of State is meant as an umbrella to cover his workers also, something Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea may allow to pass because the various owners are also major donors to the Democratic Party. But the hypocrisy is still obvious.

Third, one is forced to wonder based on these developments just what is going through the mind of Gina Raimondo if this is being allowed to fly. On June 3, Raimondo’s office told WPRI News that they had received a 98% negative reaction from constituents. Activists in this issue have noted this and see it as a signal from the Governor. In terms of political ideology, there is much to discuss, but it terms of political strategy, she is obviously no fool. This issue may prove to be one of her first major tests in office and she cannot afford to drive away that many votes, especially if she intends to make a bid for either a second term (probably) or an office in Washington DC (definitely). Speaker Mattiello has no higher office to gain, he has alienated a large swathe of Democrats with his policy moves and statements that refute the basic planks of the National Democratic Party platform, such as choice, gun control, and the social safety net. Raimondo is a different story and knows she is on thin ice, she had no electoral majority, she came to office with no mandate, and people voted against her by casting their ballot for Bob Healey, whereas Allan Fung was basically a catered offering to the die-hard Republicans.

It remains to be seen if such a similar epistle will be dispatched to the PawSox lobby.

July 13, 2015July 20, 2015

Tuesday to Tuesday: RI Future’s arts and entertainment calendar

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

MY PICKS
Here is my selection of events that you should definitely consider checking out this week.

7/14
The Tuesday Night Film Series Presents GUITAR #1711 & LIZBETH: A VICTORIAN NIGHTMARE at The Arctic Playhouse, 7-10 pm, $10.00/$7.00 seniors/$5.00 children under 12
This one was a tough pick because both Josh Gravel, who is running the Arkham Film Society screening at AS220, and Ric Rebelo, whose film LIZBETH is showing here, were major forces in my life when I volunteered for them at the RI Horror Film Fest a decade ago. However, despite my love of trash cinema, I have to give Ric the benefit of the doubt, he’s a Communications Professor at Bristol Community College who knows his stuff and has a great grasp of all things horrific in the Ocean State. Furthermore, I can’t deny that watching how a guitar is made fascinates me to no end.
7/15
Intro to the 35mm Camera at AS220 Media Arts, 7-9 pm, $45
I’m a very retro kind of person, I like phonographs better than MP3s and prefer my films on reel-to-reel projection. Furthermore, I think humanity has genuinely lost something in transitioning from the old chemical process over to digital photography. So this is right up my alley and probably will prove to be the skill to have when the dust settles and people realize trying to get the best digital camera is futile.
7/16
Movies on the Block: JAWS at Grants Block, Dusk circa 8 pm, Free
It’s one of the greatest films of the 1970s, the picture that singlehandedly created the summer blockbuster, and was the launching pad for all things Spielberg. The acting remains strong, the music by John Williams is fantastic, and even after four decades, the terror still is gripping despite the fact the shark looked fake the day it was released. Who can resist?
7/17
“Die, Mommie, Die” by Charles Busch at 2nd Story Theatre, Select Thurs, Fri., Sat., Sun. 7:30PM, $10-$25
This is the preview night performance of a biting satire. Featuring a drag queen as the protagonist, this send-up of 1950’s and 60’s domineering matriarch films, like MOMMIE DEAREST, has already been made into a film and promises to be hilarious.
7/18
9th Annual Greatness of Gospel: Shakespeare in the Spirit at Mixed Magic Theatre, 7:30 pm, $20
Gospel music, a multi-ethnic theatre company, and the Bard? This is too good not to miss. This performance proves claims that the Bard is unable to be rescued from the imperialist tradition that spawned him is for naught.
7/19
NEAC presents: Shryne/Jon&Sara/Mattera/Mars Lazzarus at Fatt Squirrel, 8 pm, $8 (21+)
I’ve only heard two of these performers before, Shryne and Mars Lazarus. But it’s on that basis I am making the recommendation. Shryne is a multi-piece band that has some real talent in terms of instrumental arrangement, while Mars is simply a fantastic guitarist.
7/20
No Time to Waste at Providence Children’s Museum, Four 20-minute shows at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person
Kids-friendly fare is pretty hard to come by, and fare that imparts an important message about our oh-so-fragile ecology is simply an endangered species. This is a 20 minute show about recycling and how kids can become active participants in the effort. This is something we all need to become experts in, our lives in fact depend on it. So even if you are child-free, check this out and update your skill sets.
7/21
HOME/RUN: A Play at Matthewson Street Church Black Box, 8 pm, $5-10
It would be a conflict of interest if I did not mention I know one of the writers here from my film festival days. But I honestly do think that this sort of interactive theatre is important, it helps generate a dialogue about our society and how it operates. And with Providence in the midst of all sorts of lunatic plots to gentrify the neighborhoods while bailing out billionaires so they can build baseball stadiums, we need these sorts of dialogues that democratize our understanding of home more than ever.

7/14
Get Out! Solar Printing at Providence Children’s Museum, 1-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

WaterFire Providence, 8:20 pm, Free

Stretch & Strength at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 12-1 pm, $5

Open Life Drawing at AS220, 6 pm-8:30, $6

Intermediate Ballet Class with Danielle Davidson at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

The Wishing, Tiny Diamond, Speak Easy, Michael Graham and the Lewd Waters at AS220 Main Stage, 9:30 pm-1 am, $6

The Tuesday Night Film Series Presents GUITAR #1711 & LIZBETH: A VICTORIAN NIGHTMARE at The Arctic Playhouse, 7-10 pm, $10.00/$7.00 seniors/$5.00 children under 12
GUITAR #1711 is a short documentary about the construction of guitars directed by Guy Benoit while Ricardo Rebelo’s LIZBETH: A VICTORIAN NIGHTMARE tells the true story of the Ocean State’s own Lizzie Borden. Directors will be on hand for Q & A afterwards.

Arkham Film Society: DEVIL STORY at AS220 Black Box, Doors 8:30 pm, Show at 9, $5
A z-grade picture described as “one of the craziest most non-sensical bad movies ever made”. Directed and written by Bernard Launois, the film has a 3.8 out of 10 rating on IMDB and includes a deformed killer, a phantasmic horse, and a mummy who somehow has become confined to a boat inside a mountain.

7/15
Blithewold Summer Concert Series: Music at Sunset at Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum, 5 pm, Member $7/Non-Member $10

Jenkins Construction presents A Concert by The Rusty Cheetahs at Ballard Park Quarry Meadow, 7-8:30 pm, Free (Patrons are asked to used Hazard Road entrance, rain date is 7/16.)

Wheels at Work: Fire Truck at Providence Children’s Museum, 10 am-Noon, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

Vinyasa Yoga with Julie Shore at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, Noon-1 pm, $5

Open Level Modern Dance at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:30-8 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Intro to the 35mm Camera at AS220 Media Arts, 7-9 pm, $45

Kyoshi, Sea Urchin and Geo Trio at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $6

7/16
Art Connection-RI Summer Exhibit Reception & Artist’s Talk at URI Feinstein Providence Campus Gallery, 5-8 pm, Free

FREE MOVIE SCREENING! GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK at Warwick Public Library, 7 pm, Free

Evening Yoga at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:15-7:30 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Free Speech Thursdays Presents: Providence Poetry Slam at AS220 Main Stage, 8-11:30 pm, $6

Mayor Daley, Mother Tongue, Dust Cloud, and Dungeon Broads at Psychic Readings, 9 pm-1 am, $5

Movies on the Block: JAWS at Grants Block, Dusk circa 8 pm, Free

7/17
Family Fun Friday: Keith Munslow at Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum, 11 am-1 pm, Included with admission

“Die, Mommie, Die” by Charles Busch at 2nd Story Theatre, Select Thurs, Fri., Sat., Sun. 7:30PM, $10-$25

Kick-off for Rhode Island’s 10th 48 Hour Film Project Competition at AS220 Main Stage, 4-7:30 pm, Free

Lulz! Comedy Open Mic at Psychic Readings, 9-11:30 pm, Free

Top 5 Fiend presents The Viennagram, The New Highway Hymnal, Black Oil Incinerator at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $7

7/18
9th Annual Greatness of Gospel: Shakespeare in the Spirit at Mixed Magic Theatre, 7:30 pm, $20

Basic Survival Course at Providence Zen Center, 8 am-1 pm, $235

Bubble Blowout at Providence Children’s Museum, 11 am-2 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

Introduction to the Laser Cutter at AS220 Labs, 10 am-1 pm, $80

Introduction to the CNC Router at AS220 Labs, 2-6 pm, $100

Traditional Irish Music Session at AS220 Bar & FOO(D), 4-7 pm, No cover

STEVEN CERIO book release/film screening/poster signing at AS220 Black Box, 7-10 pm, free

QUILT + special guests at Psychic Readings, 10 pm-1 am, $10

7/19
9th Annual Greatness of Gospel: Shakespeare in the Spirit at Mixed Magic Theatre, 3 pm and 7:30 pm, $20

Basic Survival Course at Providence Zen Center, 8 am-1 pm, $235

Bubble Blowout at Providence Children’s Museum, 11 am-2 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

FINAL DAY! Ghost Hit Wall by Hao Ni at Yellow Peril Gallery, 3-8 pm, Free Admission
An eclectic series of video, mixed media installations, sculptures, and drawings.

ALEX AND ANI Sunday Jazz Series at Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, 1-4 pm, $10 per car

Core Workout with Daniel Shea at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 9-10 am, $5

Beginner Ballet at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 10:30-11:30 am, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Drop-off for Rhode Island’s 10th 48 Hour Film Project Competition at AS220 Main Stage, Noon-8 pm, Turn in by 7:30 to be eligible for prizes and awards.

Intermediate Ballet Class at 95 Empire Studio, Noon-1:30 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

NEAC presents: Shryne/Jon&Sara/Mattera/Mars Lazzarus at Fatt Squirrel, 8 pm, $8 (21+)

7/20
The Newport Music Festival at Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum, 11 am, To purchase tickets, call Newport Festival Box Office at 401-849-0700

No Time to Waste at Providence Children’s Museum, Four 20-minute shows at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:30-8 pm, $13 per class/$60 for 6 classes

Darklands, Burglary Years, Hemingway and Holy Hands at Psychic Readings, 9 pm-1 am, $6

7/21
Get Out! Sundials at Providence Children’s Museum, 1-3 pm, Free with Museum admission of $9.00 per person

The Newport Music Festival at Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum, 11 am, To purchase tickets, call Newport Festival Box Office at 401-849-0700

Stretch & Strength at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 12-1 pm, $5

Open Life Drawing at AS220, 6 pm-8:30, $6

Intermediate Ballet Class with Danielle Davidson at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

FringePVD: THE ROAD TO HIGH STREET: A BUSKER’S DIGITAL ROCK & ROLL STORY by Andrew Potter at AS220’s Blackbox, 7-1:15 pm, $5-$10

Kid Fame, Jaz Marley, Adrenaline the Rapper, and Project Five Star at AS220 Main Stage, 9:30 pm-1 am, $6

Slouch + Noway + Disipline + The Daffy and Daisy Chain at Psychic Readings, 9:30 pm-1 am, $6

HOME/RUN: A Play at Matthewson Street Church Black Box, 8 pm, $5-10

July 8, 2015July 8, 2015

See a work-in-progress performance of ‘Trans’ at URI Providence

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Have you ever wondered what it means to be trans* (the term used to identify transgender, transexual, gender queer and gender non-conforming folk)? Is this a topic that intrigues you yet you have no idea about how to engage the subject without sounding either ridiculous or prejudiced? Perhaps an evening at the theater will help illumine your concerns!

Derived from research and oral histories conducted by Steven Pennell, Frank V. Toti, Jr.’s work-in-progress play TRANS* will make its debut on July 23 at 8 pm and July 25 at 7 pm at the Paff Auditorium in the URI Feinstein Providence Campus at 80 Washington St. Performed by Pennell and Cynthia Glinick and featuring spoken word by Cody Suzuki, the show is part of the Providence Fringe Festival taking place July 21-25.

Mr. Toti holds an MFA in Theatre and Society, as well as an MA in History, and has written nine plays, five of which were derived from oral history. Mr. Pennell is the Coordinator of Arts and Culture at URI Providence Campus as well as an exhibit curator, actor, theater director, oral historian, and university lecturer. Ms. Glinick is an actor, journalist, and performance artist who has appeared in shows across the region. Mr. Suzuki is a poet and spoken word artist.

Trans* folk have been vital parts of the LGBTQQI liberation movement who have, sadly, been left behind while cis-gendered members of the community have made advances. Trans* folk face high rates of job and housing discrimination as well as physical threats. Substance abuse and suicide rates are also much higher in this community than in others. It is also important to recall that it was a trans women who ignited the modern LGBTQQI liberation movement when, in June 1969, a patron at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York refused to accede to police harassment during a routine raid on a mafia-owned gay bar.

July 7, 2015July 7, 2015

Warwick Library to show blockbuster movies about journalism

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Have you ever wondered what it is like to work in the news? Do you wish you had an insight in the world behind the headlines but can’t give up your 9 to 5 job? Well, you are in luck, there are four weeks of film screenings that help you know what it’s like to be a journalist.

Warwick Public Library will host a four-week film exposition titled ‘Inside Scoop: A Journalism Film Series’ beginning this Thursday. Featuring journalist Steve Starger, the pictures begin at 7 pm weekly and include commentary by Mr. Starger, who has written for The Hartford Courant, Hartford Times, the Hartford Business Journal, Art New England magazine, and Cashbox Magazine.

Starger, a volunteer at the library, formed a friendship with librarian Will Gregersen, and the idea for a journalism-themed film series blossomed.

“We just started talking about movies and he contacted me and said ‘why not do a series on film noir and crime?’ and things went from there,” Starger said. “I’m really excited and Will gave me a great opportunity here.”

He gave RI Future a brief review of each movie.

“‘All the President’s Men’ jumped at me immediately because it shows the nuts and bolts of journalism, how they put together the [Watergate] story,” he said. “It’s every journalist’s dream to take down a President. ‘Veronica Guerin’ is a really tough story, its about a journalist who was doing stuff on the mob, and it shows what the risks are. ‘Capote’ is about how the nonfiction novel was created and shows how he created the genre, including inventing scenes. And ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ is about Ed Murrow and how he went toe-to-toe with McCarthy, which was a big story at the time.

July 9: ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976)-RATED PG.
July 16: GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK (2005)-RATED PG.
July 23: VERONICA GUERIN (2003)-RATED R.
July 30: CAPOTE (2005)-RATED R.

For more information, visit the event page here or contact the library at (401) 739-5440.

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

Short films at Arctic Playhouse Tuesday

The Arctic Playhouse, located at 117 Washington St, West Warwick, will open its film series with a short film exhibition on July 7. Hosted by Lenny Schwartz and Richard Marr-Griffin, the selection includes:

PROMISE / Dir: Jill Poisson
THE HORRORS OF AUTOCORRECT / Dir: Alex DiVincenzo
PLEASE PUNISH ME / Dir: Chris Esper
ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE / Dir: Dave Borges
WAITING / Dir: Mark Hutchinson
RIGHT THERE / Dir: Nathan Suher

The evening begins with an hour-long wine and cheese social at 6:30 and the screening begins at 7:30. Tickets are $10.00 at the door, $7.00 for seniors. For more information, contact the Playhouse at (401) 573-3443.

July 6, 2015

Call for entries: ‘The Human Canvas’ explores beauty of tattoos

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

The Warwick Museum of Art is now accepting entries for an upcoming exhibition that highlights the aesthetic of tattoos. THE HUMAN CANVAS will run from July 27-August 28 and is being curated by Taylor Terreri. Interested parties are asked to submit a JPEG image with an Artwork Submission Form via email to Mr. Terreri at Taylor@warwickmuseum.org with the subject line THE HUMAN CANVAS by July 10. There will be a hanging fee of $15, $10 for WMoA members and those with a valid Student ID.

This is not the first instance of tattoo exhibition in a gallery setting. Such instances include an ongoing show at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts about Japanese tattoo and a 2014 show featuring photographs taken by Arkady Bronnikov that was held at the FUEL Gallery in London. The act of putting ink to skin dates back to at least the Neolithic era and has been practiced in all cultures. The oldest tattoos found on a human being date back to approximately 6000 BCE on the South American Chinchorro people. Purposes for such marking include designation of social standing or achievement, religious rites, memorial, or decorative ornamentation.

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

The other July Independence Day celebration: Vive Cabo Verde!

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

While the celebrations have passed for American Independence Day, in Cape Verde and its diaspora, which has a significant representation in Rhode Island, the party has just begun. July 5th and 6th mark the fortieth anniversary of the independence of Cape Verde from Portuguese colonialism and the foundation of the Republic. This anniversary is particularly impressive because it occurs in close temporal proximity to the end of the American presence in Vietnam, symbolic of what was a series of major victories for the anti-colonialist struggle in the developing world and a high point in the foreign policy of the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the People’s Republic of China.

The islands, called Cabo Verde in Lusophone dialect, were discovered by Portuguese colonist Alvise Cadamosto and established as a permanent holding of the Empire in 1462. As an archipelago off the western coast of continental Africa, it was a major hub in the transport of human beings captured in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. After the Portuguese abolished slavery in 1869, Cape Verde continued to be held as a colony by the Empire and an exodus of immigrants began, creating a diaspora with population centers in New England.

Beginning in 1956 with the foundation of the PAIGC (Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde/African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) by Amílcar Cabral, his brother Luís, Aristides Pereira, Fernando Fortes, Júlio Almeida and Elisée Turpin, the colonized peoples engaged in a multi-decade anti-colonialist struggle that included the fight for Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau but also embraced a continent-wide struggle for freedom, such support for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. After Amílcar Cabral visited Cuba in 1966, Fidel Castro volunteered military advisors and doctors, while the USSR and China provided rifles and military training. This chain of events coincided with American efforts in Indochina, so the military support given the Portuguese, led by the Fascist junta of Antonio Salazar, was particularly brutal and featured napalm and other materiel being used in Asia. It was the philosopher Frantz Fanon who wrote in his classic THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTH:

National liberation, national renaissance, the restoration of nationhood to the people, commonwealth: whatever may be the headings used or the new formulas introduced, decolonization is always a violent phenomenon… Decolonization, which sets out to change the order of the world, is, obviously, a program of complete disorder. But it cannot come as a result of magical practices, nor of a natural shock, nor of a friendly understanding. Decolonization, as we know, is a historical process: that is to say that it cannot be understood, it cannot become intelligible nor clear to itself except in the exact measure that we can discern the movements which give it historical form and content. Decolonization is the meeting of two forces, opposed to each other by their very nature, which in fact owe their originality to that sort of substantification which results from and is nourished by the situation in the colonies. Their first encounter was marked by violence and their existence together—that is to say the exploitation of the native by the settler—was carried on by dint of a great array of bayonets and cannons.

Amílcar Cabral was assassinated in 1973 by the Portuguese in an effort that was attempting to ultimately foil the resistance movement. But despite this setback, it proved to be impossible to hold back the forces of change. Following a revolt in Portugal that unseated the Salazar regime, the new government engaged in direct negotiations with the anti-colonial militias, resulting in the foundation of an independent Cabo Verde in July 1975, just several months after the fall of Saigon and America’s evacuation from Vietnam.

Every commemoration, however, must contain within it a lesson for today. It is very simplistic to merely re-tell a history and not include some lessons. First, of course, there is a great deal of inspiration to be gleaned from the achievements of Cape Verdeans in our midst. The diaspora has provided us with a slew of notable figures who have made great strides despite the power of racism and structural discrimination in out society. Second, there is the demonstration that the people, united, will never be defeated. Today we face struggles that, in many ways, are much more astounding than the challenge of twentieth century decolonization, be it at home or abroad. But despite these challenges, it seems apparent that they can and ultimately always will fall to the power of the people. It might take time, but it does happen. And finally, consider one of the famous line of Amílcar Cabral: “Tell no lies, claim no easy victories.” It is very easy to do what is acceptable and serves the powerful. It is much more difficult to take the road of genuine scholarship, speaking truth to power, and challenging those who would exchange you riches for your soul. Only with adherence to the truth and solidarity with the facts will true change come in the world.

7/6, 4:35 PM: I could not resist adding this stellar hip-hop single by Agent of Change, truly great music.

June 30, 2015July 1, 2015

Mixed Magic Theatre to hold gospel concert

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

The Mixed Magic Theatre of Pawtucket will hold two performances of The Ninth Annual Greatness of Gospel series, Shakespeare in the Spirit at 560 Mineral Spring Avenue. Featuring the Theatre’s Exult Choir and with special guest Annye R. Pitts, the performance will be directed by Kim Pitts-Wiley. Performances will be held on July 18th at 7:30 PM and July 19th at 3:00 and 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale for $20 with a $15 group discount for parties of 10 or more.

Says co-founder Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, this performance

Continues a tradition that explores how we can take advantage of a diversity interests and talent but at the same time explore and heighten experience of art froms that might not be presented together but can heighten experience of both.

Interested parties can contact the theater via their website, www.mmtri.com, or at 401-305-7333.

Ricardo and Bernadet Pitts-Wiley founded Mixed Magic Theatre in 2000. Located in the Hope Artiste Village, the 501 (c) (3) is a multi-ethnic performance collective that has been responsible for a variety of shows and exhibitions, including MOBY DICK: THEN & NOW, FATE COMES KNOCKING, MISERY’S FIEND: FRANKENSTEIN, DUNBAR DONE BY, and DON QUIXOTE.

June 30, 2015July 1, 2015

Tuesday to Tuesday arts schedule

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Here’s you schedule for this week in the arts and entertainment world. As a brief side-note, I am just beginning my tenure here with RIFuture, so any and all assistance and tips are genuinely appreciated. Feel free to drop me a line at andrew.james.stewart.rhode.island@gmail.com.

6/30
LAST DAY! Get Real at Spring Bull Gallery, Noon-5 pm, Free admission
Featuring artwork by Del-Bourree Bach, Kyle Bartlett, Deonta Beauchine, Joan Boghossian, Barnet Fain, Carol FitzSimonds, William Hyett, Robert Lavoie, John MacGowan, Johanna McKenzie, and Michele Porior-Mazzone

Ghost Hit Wall by Hao Ni at Yellow Peril Gallery, Thu-Fri 3-8 pm, Sat-Sun Noon-5 pm, Free Admission, June 11, 2015-July 19
An eclectic series of video, mixed media installations, sculptures, and drawings

Fine Artists of the Jewelry District at ArtProv Gallery, Wed-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m., every Gallery Night Providence, and weekend/evening viewings by appointment, June 3, 2015-July 24, 2015
Featuring artwork of the late Alfred DeCredico, Cesare DeCredico, Ira Garber, Patricia Hansen, Bunny Harvey, Nick Paciorek and Allison Paschke

My Sky: an exhibit exploring the universe at Providence Children’s Museum, 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Free with $9 museum admission

Stretch & Strength at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, Noon-1 pm, $5 drop-in

Open Life Drawing at AS220, 6 pm-8:30, $6

Intermediate Ballet Class with Danielle Davidson at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

Dr. Jones And The Shiners, Hoochie Coochie Men and Tommy Alexander at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm, $6

Top 5 Fiend Presents: Sgt. Baker & The Clones, The Wolf Hongos, Tomorrow And Tomorrow, and Rich Polseno at Psychic Readings, 9 pm, $6

7/1
Wheels at Work: Bobcat Utility Vehicle at Providence Children’s Museum, 10 am-Noon, Free with $9 museum admission

Open Level Modern Dance at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:30 pm-8 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

Vinyasa Yoga with Julie Shore at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, Noon-1 pm, $5 per class

Laurie Amat, Brian 4 Ever, Paper Balls w/ David Grollman, Lucio Menegon and Jeff Barsky, + Flandrew Fleisenberg at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $6

Lulz! Comedy Night at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-11:30 pm, $6

7/2
Works by Abbot Low, New Paintings by Candace Cotterman Thibeault and Ceramics by Will Heacock at Bristol Art Museum, Thurs-Sun 1 to 4 pm, Admission $2 non-members

Evening Yoga at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio with Jamie Arnold, 6:15 -7:30 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

Free Speech Thursdays Presents: Providence Poetry Slam at AS220 Main Stage, 8-11:30 pm, $4

Movies on the Block: Breakin’ at Grant’s Block, 7:30 pm, Free

7/3
Family Fun Friday: Toe Jam Puppet Band at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, 11 am-1 pm, Included with admission

Skyjelly, Deep Likes, Jarva Land + Special Appearance By Josh Kemp Of Beta Motel at AS220 Main Stage, 9 pm-1 am, $6

Live Bait presents Lucky at 95 Empire Black Box, 10-11:45 pm, $7

7/4
Chalk the Walk at Providence Children’s Museum, 9 am-6 pm, Free with $9 museum admission

Standpoints at Just Art Contemporary Art Gallery, Fri-Sat 12-5 pm, Free Admission

7/5
LAST DAY! Art Exhibit on the Figure at Imago Gallery, Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri and Sat Noon-8 pm; Sun 11 am-3 pm, Free Admission
Featuring the art work of Carl Keitner, Martha Antaya, Allison Newsome, Jessie Nickerson, and Germana Rodrigues

Stars and Night Sky at Providence Children’s Museum, 10 am-3 pm, Free with $9 museum admission

ALEX AND ANI Sunday Jazz Series At Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vinyard, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Admission $10 per car

Core Workout with Daniel Shea at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 9-10 am, $5

Beginner Ballet at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 10:30-11:30 am, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

Intermediate Ballet with Stephanie Albanese at 95 Empire Dance Studio, 12-1:30 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

The 9th EMPIRE REVUE – The Literature Show at AS220 Main Stage, 8-10 pm, $8 at http://ninthanniversary.brownpapertickets.com

7/6
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 6:30-8 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

From Scratch: A Works in Process Night at AS220’s Blackbox, 7-9 pm, $7

7/7
Stretch & Strength at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 12-1 pm, $5

Open Life Drawing at AS220, 6 pm-8:30, $6

Intermediate Ballet Class with Danielle Davidson at AS220 Live Arts Dance Studio, 7:15 pm-8:45 pm, $13 per class, $60 for 6 classes

OPEN Sewing Circle * a night of making things * at Psychic Readings, 9-11:30 pm, Free

June 28, 2015July 1, 2015

The ‘Emergence’ of painter Amy Rudis

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Rhode Island College alumnus and East Providence High School art teacher Amy Rudis will become the featured artist of the URI Feinstein Providence Campus Urban Arts and Culture Program Art Windows & Providence Art Windows gallery exhibition from July 1-August 21 with her new show EMERGENCE.

33a25f_c27a0119314744d8906d276a90c34917.jpg_srz_p_478_464_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz — Artist Amy Rudis.

The principal portrait painter at TEN31 Productions, her work has reached a nationwide level with TEN31’s Performance Art/Living Statues show and individual canvas work. She concentrates her efforts especially on human figure and nude paintings.

In her artistic statement, she cites as some of her influences Lucian Freud and Philip Perlstein, as well as the chiaroscuro notions of using light and shadow as seen in major works of the Renaissance. She writes in her artistic statement:

As a figurative artist, I feel the importance of capturing both beauty and imperfection in the human form is imperative in evoking emotion within the viewer. Nudes have long been a popular subject matter amongst artists, and have in the recent past seemingly, become a dying art form. It is my desire to give rise to the appreciation for figurative art simply as a work of beauty; drawing the viewer’s eye into the subtle nuances of form and color being my main goal.

The exhibit’s Gallery Night Reception will be held from 5-9 PM on July 16. Questions can be directed to Providence Art Windows Director Rebecca Siemering at rebecca.siemering@gmail.com. Founded in 2010 with funding from Arts Jobs Program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Providence Art Windows is a juried series of exhibitions of art held in empty retail storefronts and collaborating galleries. For more information, visit their website at http://providenceartwindows.blogspot.com. The Urban Arts and Culture Program at URI Providence Campus is a program that brings together students, alumni, and community groups to foster education about culture, urban issues, diversity, and nonviolence. Their website is http://www.uri.edu/prov/arts/ and can be contacted via the URI Urban Arts and Culture Program Marketing Department at 401- 277-5162.

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387