I {heart} Rhody

Publication ~ The PVD Lady Project Summer Guide 2013

2013-05-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Or click here to read it on Issuu.

Book review ~ Stuffie Summer by David Norton Stone

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Get Stuffie Summer: One Man Eats Every Stuffed Quahog In Rhode Island (And He's Not Clamming Up About It)
at Amazon

This paean to the Rhode Island's signature shellfish dish in a shell, the stuffie, is a quick, entertaining read. A brief 46 pages, the book takes us through Stone's summer (probably in 2012), where he came to Rhode Island from New York every weekend to eat stuffies everywhere he could find them. Some of the stories are disjointed and roundabout, but it's still fun to read them, and share his enthusiasm.

While it seems like he never met a stuffie he didn't like, he does wax rhapsodic about a few. When his stuffie summer came to an end, he created two recipes, one spicy and one lemony, and shared them at the end. I'm going to try the lemony one, probably sometime this summer.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

some photos of animals this week...and a taste of spring.

Spring, spring, spring... - Hope St., Bristol, RI by Juan_Carlos_Cruz

Oh Baby! by jbmikmaq

Red Hen by sixkings55

Swan by Armadillo Commander

Circular Swan by I {heart} Rhody

turf war by jambori39

Providence river by provbenson2009

DSC_8501 by dadofliz

Visit Providence ad

2013-05-16T14:13:00.001-04:00

Tell your friends!

Artists ~ Kit Salisbury ~ Providence

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Kit Salisbury
Business name: Off Soundings Design
Location: Providence, RI
Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/offsoundingsdesign
Website: www.offsoundingsdesign.com

1. Tell us about your work
Off Soundings Design offers one-of-a-kind hooked creations that combine the fine-hooking materials and techniques of previous generations with up-to-date versions of primitive and traditional designs to create distinctive and classic items for my clients' homes. My maternal grandmother and great-grandmother hooked beautiful rugs; I hook everything BUT rugs! I offer a number of finished hooked items and collections: pillows, table runners, draft stoppers, tea cozies, trivet surrounds, holiday mittens and stockings. Each design is drawn by hand, without templates, so each is unique. The color palettes vary from item to item as well. Like fingerprints, my designs can look similar but no two are ever identical.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
I've always done fiber arts (cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, crochet) but settled into hooking when I inherited my grandmother's hooks and frames. The floors in my grandmother's home on Nantucket were covered with rugs she and her mother had hooked--from primitive maritime designs to complicated Victorian florals. I decided I'd give hooking a try and complete the last rug my grandmother started before her eyesight failed her in her 90s. I found that I really enjoyed the feel of the worn, wooden handle of the hook in my hand, the smoothness of the fine wool strips and the roughness of the burlap foundation cloth. I reveled in the creative possibilities of hooking, but I didn't need any more rugs! Then it hit me that I could create all KINDS of useful, decorative art using this traditional medium. I started creating designs for stockings and pillows for family and friends and went from there. I was encouraged to offer my work on-line and at arts fairs, and it's been great connecting with people around the world. I have pieces across the US, in the UK and Europe.

flying sheep pillow

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I love old, traditional primitive folk art images and take inspiration from my life here in New England: the autumn leaves, flocks of sheep, a drowsy pussycat, the Nantucket Rainbow Fleet. I even have a tea cozy that echoes the motto of Providence by asking "What Cheer?" I like to make useful items--a table runner, a pillow--that will give people a warm, happy feeling, and maybe even a jolt of nostalgia, when they see it in their homes.

What Cheer tea cozy

4. What’s your favorite item to make?

Of course it's always the project I'm working on at the moment! Right now I'm finishing up a draft stopper I was commissioned to make for a woman in London. She loved my "flying sheep" motif and asked if I could reprise that on a draft stopper. I'm especially fond of designing anything with animals on it. And, in terms of the finished products themselves, tea cozies are a particular favorite of mine because I always like to imagine that I'm helping people enjoy a nice, hot cuppa on a cool fall morning or a snowy afternoon.

Autumn Leaf Trivet Surround

5. What’s your best seller?
My pillows and tea cozies are popular items, especially for the custom work I do, but in terms of quantities of a finished item sold, I'd have to say that my winter holiday stockings are the best selling item I offer. They're relatively inexpensive and while I have lots of 'stock' images I use, people can get very creative in commissioning original work. One client commissioned me to spell out her family's last name, one letter per stocking, so she could hang them on their mantelpiece at Christmas.

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?

I've lived in Rhode Island since 2001.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is a very special place, full of history, amazing natural beauty AND a thriving arts community. Museums, restaurants, live theatre, book talks, arts festivals--there's always something to do! I've found Rhode Island to be full of generous, neighborly people who have a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humor. Life in Li'l Rhody is great!

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
I enjoy demonstrating, and talking about, traditional hooking (yes, I AM a happy hooker!) and am available to teach classes for groups of up to ten people.

Art scene ~ "Obey the Giant"

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

For those unfamiliar with Shepard Fairey's work, welcome to Providence, where it started. Obey the Giant is a film by (then) RISD student Julian Marshall.

I should note that the film's been out for more than a year...sometimes I'm a bit behind the times.

Shop local ~ Mayor's Own Marinara Sauce

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

We'd been hearing about The Mayor's Own Marinara Sauce since before we moved to Rhode Island. Local interest books talk about it. A conversation about "Buddy" Cianci that lasts more than five minutes mentions it.

I finally found it at our local Stop & Shop and decided to give it a try.

The sauce pours out thick and a little chunky. It smells fresh. We only gave it time to heat through on the stove, as we didn't want it to cook down. We wanted the real taste, so we didn't add anything to it.

I served it over whole grain pasta, since that's what we had in the house.

Bear loved it. She thought it was delicious, and came back for seconds. I thought it tasted bright, fresh and tomato-y, but that it was lacking...something. We usually buy store brand sauce and doctor it ourselves with spices, herbs and red wine. I was probably missing the wine. Even so, I thought it was very good.

It's definitely pricey ($4.99 for a bottle), but a portion of that goes to "benefiting Providence school children," as it says on the label. I'd want to know a little more about that. Unfortunately, when I click on the "marinara" link on Buddy's website, I get a "no data found" page. I hope they'll update it soon.

Event ~ The Sketchbook Project ~ June 13 ~ AS220 ~ Providence

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Sketchbook Project
AS220
95 Empire St.
Providence, Rhode Island
June 13, 4:00 - 8:00 pm

I got an email today about the upcoming Sketchbook Project summer tour, that's coming to Providence in June. I'd never heard of it, but after reading about it, it seemed very interesting. Artists from all over the world have sent sketchbooks to the project and museum in Brooklyn, NY. The summer tour takes some of them on the road around the U.S. I love traveling exhibits!

from their press release:

"The Sketchbook Project is a global, crowd-sourced art project and traveling exhibition. Since 2006, the Sketchbook Project has encouraged participants from all walks of life to ﬁll the pages of a blank sketchbook. The results are cataloged in the Brooklyn Art Library and shared with the public in venues around the world. The collection currently includes more than 26,000 sketchbooks representing nearly 8,000 cities worldwide.

This summer, Steven Peterman, co-founder of the Sketchbook Project, and Sara Peterman, director of the Brooklyn Art Library, are hitting the road to share the stories behind the Sketchbook Project with communities across North America. The husband-and-wife duo will set out for adventure in the Mobile Library — their custom-built bookmobile — along with a selection of 4,500 sketchbooks from the permanent collection. Covering more than 10,000 miles and 32 cities in just four months, the Summer Tour is a unique opportunity to experience the Sketchbook Project ﬁrsthand and swap stories with the project’s organizers."

...

"The goal is to continue inspiring people from diverse backgrounds to make art. “Given all the ways that technology has integrated with our lives, it feels meaningful to meet new people over physical
books,” says Steven. “This project is about people leaving their mark in the world.”

About the Sketchbook Project
The Sketchbook Project is a global, crowd-sourced art project and interactive, traveling exhibition of handmade books. Our community is made up of over 75,000 people, and our permanent collection at Brooklyn Art Library holds over 26,000 sketchbooks from 135 countries around the globe.

We invite participants from all walks of life to ﬁll the pages of a blank sketchbook and send it back for inclusion in our ever-growing library of inspiration.

Anyone, from anywhere in the world, can participate in the project.www.sketchbookproject.com

ContactSteven Peterman, Co-founder/Director of Operations
steven@arthousecoop.com"

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

focusing on public art this week...

Get Gored for Good by provbenson2009

P1050006.jpg by MStoeckle

WaterFire - Providence, RI, USA by Juan_Carlos_Cruz

Providence in fire! by kravi2011

Gun totem by I {heart} Rhody

DSC_4489 by dadofliz

S.75-AL-America One by ArtFan70

Doughnut by Macedo295

Performing arts ~ First full season for Ocean State Theatre ~ Warwick

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

from their press release...

LES MISÉRABLES TO KICK-OFF FIRST FULL SEASON

AT OCEAN STATE THEATRE IN WARWICK

WARWICK, RI – Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is thrilled to announce that its first full season in their new state-of-the-art theatre located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, will open with the international smash hit, Les Misérables.

“We have wanted to produce Les Misérables for several years now, but with the confines of the barn at Theatre By The Sea, we didn’t feel we could do it justice,” said Amiee Turner, Producing Artistic Director. “Our new space in Warwick will be able to accommodate the piece beautifully. The fact that the production will be the Rhode Island Regional Theatre Premiere is icing on the cake!”

Les Misérables, which kicks off the subscription season on October 2, takes place in 19th centuryFrance, as Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary, who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert is unable to reconcile Valjean’s merciful act. Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long. Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables has thrilled audiences throughout the world.

Les Misérables will be presented from October 2 - October 27, 2013.

The season continues on November 8 with Lombardi, a new American play by Academy Award-winner and Steppenwolf Theatre Company member Eric Simonson. This original work brings the audience into the life and times of one of America’s most inspirational and mercurial personalities, Hall of Fame football coach, Vince Lombardi. Though football’s Super Bowl trophy is named for him, few know the real story of Lombardi the man – his inspirations, his passions and his ability to drive people to achieve what they never thought possible. Based on the best-selling biography When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss, Lombardi is powerful family drama that tells an inspiring story of one of the greatest football coaches of all time, whose fame and influence spread far beyond the gridiron.

Lombardi will be presented from November 6 – November 24, 2013.

In January, OSTC will help beat the winter doldrums with Neil Simon’s Broadway hit, Laughter on the 23^rd Floor. Chaos is king backstage at "The Max Prince Show," a popular 1950s comedy-variety TV series. The stress of slipping ratings is eating Max alive, but his harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags, while competing for the attention of the star madman. Inspired by the playwright's youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar's “Your Show of Shows,” Neil Simon re-creates the mayhem, neuroses, nonstop gags and constant one-upmanship of a team of brilliantly funny social misfits. Contains adult language.

Laughter on the 23^rd Floor will be presented from January 29 - February 16, 2014.

Swing's the thing as we approach the spring! The All Night Strut! is a classy, sassy musical celebration of the 1930's and‘40s, which carries audiences through the Depression, World War II and the post war boom. The show is filled with jazz, blues, bebop and standards that thrill the heart, tickle the funny bone and raise the rafters. Legendary songwriters such as Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Cab Calloway and the Gershwins take audiences from the funky jive of Harlem to the sophisticated elegance of El Morocco and the romance of the Stage Door Canteen. This international hit is a slick slice of yesteryear with sublime music and unbeatable energy that's perfect for a new generation of Swing fans and die-hard devotees! Songs include “Minnie the Moocher,” “Sentimental Journey,” “As Time Goes By,” “In the Mood,” and many more.

The All Night Strut! will be presented from February 26 – March 16, 2014.

The Pulitzer Prize and Tony^® Award-winning play, The Diary of Anne Frank, a beautiful story from one of the darkest periods in history, will be presented beginning in late March. Through the diary entries of 13-year-old Anne Frank, the play tells the story of a Jewish family forced into hiding in an effort to avoid Nazi persecution during World War II. Isolated from the outside world, her family and three others lived in constant fear of being discovered. They remained hidden for two years and one month, until their betrayal, which resulted in their deportation to Nazi concentration camps. After the war, the pages of Anne’s diary were discovered on the floor of the annex where the family had been hiding. This moving, true story is a testament to the human spirit.

The Diary of Anne Frank will be presented from March 26 – April 13, 2014.

Rounding out the season is the greatest tap dance musical of all time, 42^nd Street. Based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same name, this timeless, inspiring story focuses on a naive young aspiring chorus girl named Peggy Sawyer, who is plucked out of the chorus to save the show when leading lady, Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle. This classic backstage story celebrates the hard work, talent and love of those involved in Broadway shows. Winner of the 1980 Tony^® Award for “Best New Musical” and the 2001 Tony^® Award for “Best Revival of a Musical,” this family-friendly musical features a hit parade of songs including "Lullaby of Broadway," "We’re in the Money," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and the spectacular title number. 42^ndStreet is Broadway razzle-dazzle at its finest!

42^nd Street will be presented from April 23 – May 11, 2014.

“In addition to the six productions we will be presenting as part of our subscription season, we also plan to expand our Family Fun Fest, and present a musical during the holidays,” said Ms. Turner. “We will also continue our talkback series, Conducting Conversations Live! with WCRI’s Mike Maino, which gives audiences an opportunity to ask questions of the cast and creative team following the firstSaturday matinee of each production.”

Previews for all productions are scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30pm and Thursday at 2:00 and 7:30pm. Opening weekend performances will be held on Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday throughSaturday evenings at 7:30pm, as well as Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Preview performances will be $30.00 for plays and $39 for musicals. All other performances will be $30.00 - $47.00 for plays and $39.00 - $54.00 for musicals. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more will also be available.

Subscriptions for the 2013-14 Season are now available. For the coming season, subscribers can enjoy discounted rates with several different subscription options:

The Preview and Premiere Subscriptions allow subscribers to choose from the best seats in the house before they go on sale to the public, secure the same choice seats for each show, save over single ticket pricing, renew the same seats annually and exchange seats up to 24 hours in advance for a small fee. (Donors at the $50 level and above enjoy free unlimited exchanges.) Subscriptions range in price from $99 - $250.

The Flexible Passport provides the ultimate in flexibility by including six “seats” which can be used in any combination. For example, one ticket for six shows on different nights, two tickets for three different shows or any other combination imaginable. The choice is yours! The Flexible Passport allows subscribers to choose from the best seats in the house before they go on sale to the public and save over single ticket prices.

Season ticket subscriptions are available for purchase at the box office Monday from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm and Saturday from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm. The box office is also open Saturday until 7:30pm and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm when there is a performance scheduled. Tickets are available online anytime at OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

Single tickets for the 2013-14 Season will go on sale to the public beginning July 29, 2013.

###

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is an IRS designated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. The purpose set forth by OSTC is to preserve and pass on the tradition of live, professional theatre – including the American musical – and to pursue avenues of enrichment and education for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island and the surrounding region through the theatre arts.

*All shows subject to change.

Event recap ~ EatDrinkRI Festival ~ April 19-21 ~ Providence

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Mom/editor's note: Apologies to David Dadekian and everyone involved in the Festival for the delay in our write-up. No excuses, just our continued admiration.

The EatDrinkRI Festival was a great success. It looks like all the Festival's events sold out. It was a great job by the sponsors and coordinators, particularly David Dadekian of EatDrinkRI.

Particularly good news was that the Truck Stop to Benefit the Rhode Island Food Bank was completely sold out. I'd wanted to check it out (I'm fascinated by the variety of food truck cuisine), but I was gratified to know that the reason I couldn't was because it was so popular.

Bear and I were at the Grand Tasting on Saturday afternoon. So much wine (none for Bear, but there was coffee milk, soda and iced tea)! Such a variety of food!

We tried pulled pork from Blackbird Farms (by Easy Entertaining), cheeses from Narragansett Creamery and RhodyFresh, pizza made with fire-grilled pizza crusts by Top This!, oysters from Walrus & Carpenter oysters, locally made sausage from Daniele, mango bread pudding from Dave's Marketplace Catering and kale and potato soup from March Hare farms.

There was wine from all over, courtesy of several local vendors, and some local varieties from Rhode Island wineries Newport Vineyards and Sakonnet Vineyards. Local distillers were represented by Sons of Liberty and Revival Brewing Co.

Soft drinks included Fiji water, Dave's coffee syrup (who kindly made a glass of coffee milk for Bear), Granny Squibb iced tea and Yacht Club soda.

There were some interesting breakout sessions. I was especially intrigued by "Eat Local" and "Brewing in Rhode Island."

image: Gracie's

The Sunday morning Grand Brunch was held at Gracie's, and featured some of the area's best chefs, including James Mark from north, Jonathan Cambra of the Boat House and Melissa Denmark and Danielle Lowe from Ellie's (crazy delicious blue cheese scones). We also tried French toast from chef Kaitlyn Roberts of Easy Entertaining, and dishes from Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway, Ben Sukle of The Dorrance, Jon Dille of newly-opened The Grange, Jordan Goldsmith of Garden Grille, Joe Simone of The Sunnyside.

The brunch was accompanied by live performances from the Rhode Island Philharmonic's music school, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Philharmonic’s Music Education programs.

Bear and I are consistently impressed by the real sense of community among Rhode Island's food producers and restaurants. There's no sense of competition at these events. Restaurants want to help each other to thrive and build on the state's already impressive reputation as a food mecca. They're supportive of the local food growers and suppliers. It's a very symbiotic relationship. A special nod to Gracie's, which always seems to be at the center of food community events.

But top credit has to go to David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI for the drive and effort to make the festival a reality. We hope this will be an annual event!

Shop Local ~ Farmacy Herbs Rhode Island Red tea

2013-05-05T12:15:00.002-04:00

Farmacy Herbs
28 Cemetery St.
Providence, Rhode Island
(401) 270-5223

While picking up my bicycle at Dash Bikeworks, I noticed some Farmacy Herbs teas for sale. Naturally, I was intrigued by "Rhode Island Red," so I bought a bag home to try. Warm weather tends to be my iced tea season and when I'm particularly drawn to lemon flavored things.

We've seen Farmacy before, at the Wintertime Farmer's Market, and have tried to stop by their store on a couple of occasions. Sadly, we managed to miss them at the store, since they tend to be open when I'm at work.

It was well worth the wait. I'm no herbal expert by any means, but I did enjoy the taste of the dark red blend. Bear liked it, too, and we've decided to try it iced as well.

I like it unsweetened, and love the hint of lemony taste. We're looking forward to drinking it throughout the summer, and to trying some of their other flavors as well.

nothing like a nice hot cuppa

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2013-05-03T14:27:00.000-04:00

Celebrating our 600th post!

Providence by provbenson2009

Providence by provbenson2009

Providence Sunset C by sixkings55

PC150062-Edit.jpg by MStoeckle

Brrr...It's Cold Out There by rilurky

An Irish Blessing by dhfore

My Providence by Jerri Moon Cantone

Star Trail over Narragansett Redo by Royston_Kane

Newport Rhode Island Sunset 1- by mikemanning84

Serene! by kravi2011

Sunset, Bristol Harbor - Bristol, RI, USA by Juan_Carlos_Cruz

sunset with balloons by marion faria

Providence Sunset by Royston_Kane

Uniquely Rhode Island ~ May Breakfast

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

May Breakfast

We've been hearing about May Breakfasts since we came to Rhode Island, but up until yesterday, we hadn't been to one. Not for lack of interest so much as for letting those first May weekends go by and suddenly realizing we'd missed it.

The lovely food writer, Linda Beaulieu, explains the history.

"On May 1, which is May Day – often on the first Saturday in May – these spring breakfasts are held in church halls, fire stations, community centers and grange halls – a tradition that dates back to 1867 when the first May breakfast was held. The quintessential May breakfast of modern times is held every year at the Oaklawn Community Baptist Church, 229 Wilbur Avenue in Cranston."

This year I was determined to go. And what better place for our first May Breakfast than the "quintessential" one? So, off we went at 6:00 am, wondering if there would be a line, and also wondering if anyone would show up on a Wednesday morning.

There was no line when we arrived at 6:30, but we were guests #82 and #83. A walk through the pretty pink sanctuary took us to the parish hall.

The dining area was set up family-style, with long tables dressed in yellow and blue gingham and spring flowers. It was sunny and spring-y. The menu was scrambled eggs, clam cakes, ham, coffee, orange juice and the best corn bread we've ever tasted. (Yes, that's a challenge. Send us cornbread for comparison.)

The parishioners who served as greeters, seaters, waiters and bussers were polite, friendly and welcoming. Our company was pleasant, and chatted about May breakfasts that they'd been to in the past, and ones they were going to this year. Apparently, there's a circuit.

Once we'd filled ourselves with ham and eggs (and corn bread!), we were offered apple pie.

I've always thought of pie for breakfast as a day-after-Thanksgiving thing, but who are we to argue with tradition? The pie, like the rest of the food, was very good. We went away comfortably full and looking forward to next year. It's a lovely way to start the month, and the weather certainly cooperated, too.

Happy May Day! Do you have a favorite spot for May breakfast?

Artist ~ Sang Eun Dawn Lee ~ Providence

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Sang Eun Lee (Dawn)
Website: http://portfolios.risd.edu/sangeundawnlee
Blog: http://sangeundawnlee.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sangeundawn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.sangeunlee

1. Tell us about your work
I create characters for planets, stars, comets, and asteroids. They all possess human feelings because I don't consider them as merely dead, cold rocks or helium blob, they become alive. They fall in love, feel sadness, express anger, disappointment, etc. They interact with each other, some go on an adventure to outer space, and they end up learning important life lessons to make them mature.

I want to tell the world how amazing things are out there without saying it so difficult. Also, I would like to educate the future generation and make them familiar with astronomy.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
I am still an undergraduate student of RISD and making my way to become a professional artist - I have been studying art since 1st grade in Elementary school.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I get inspired from various of sources, people and places. Usually I research space pictures and study on astronomy from web or Northeast Planetary Data Center in Brown University. Also I regularly visit bookstore to seek for a good children's book.

4. What’s your favorite item to make?
Currently, I am very involved in making a whole deck of tarot cards and reinterpret each meaning in my style.

5. What’s your best seller?
My reinterpretation of "Fly Me to the Moon" card

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
This is my third year in RI!

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is small but we have everything. Also, it is not crazy as New York where everything is going on at the same time but also it isn't like countryside where nothing is happening - RI is dynamic at the same time quiet enough to enjoy composure.

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
It is my dream to publish my own children's book (or even book for adults to open up their imaginations) and work with NASA, which is one of my ultimate goals. Currently I am in the process of writing a storyline for the book and also have been contacting with Brown University Physics department and Northeast Planetary Data Center, to find a position or someone who has a similar interest as mine.

Events ~ InDownCity's Cinco de Mayo Block Party ~ May 5, 2013

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

InDownCity Cinco de Mayo Block Party
May 5, 2013, 12-6pm
Westminster Street, between Eddy and Clemence

Entertainment:

Providence Rock + Roll Yard Sale will be at Grant’s Block. Interested in being a vendor, more info here

DJ Studebaker Hawk will be djing again. He had such great energy last time, we’re excited to have him back again.

Mariachi de Brown! Our favorite Mariachi band! They blew us away last time, we’re so happy they found time for us on their most popular day.

Lots of activities for the kids from face painting, kids crafts and more!

Food and Drinks

Food Trucks – Like No Udder, Poco Loco Taco Truck, Mijo Tacos, Sprout: The Vegetarian Food Truck

Outdoor Bars – Tazza and Trinity Brewhouse

Free! 12-6pm on Westminster Street. Check out the event on Facebook.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2013-04-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Benefit Street by rilurky

Carrie Tower by I {heart} Rhody

PontiacMillsWater by sixkings55

Rhode Island Statehouse by rilurky

Museum Clock by Macedo295

Rocky Point Park Cottages by provbenson2009

Artists ~ Sandee Pacheco

2013-04-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Sandee Pacheco
Business name: Barn Door Designs

Location: Scituate, Rhode Island

Etsy shop: barndoordesigns.esty.com

Facebook: barndoor-paintingsbysandee.facebook.com

1. Tell us about your work

My work is the love of animals and creating combined. I love to paint in oils and just recently began to work with oil pastels sticks. I mostly paint farm animals and pets. I also do pet portraits ranging from cats and dogs to horses and goats. I dabble in watercolor also and find that horses are the subject of most of my work. Anything southwestern is also of interest to me, especially in watercolor.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?

My work started as floral decorations about thirty years ago. I started doing neighborhood craft shows and slowly started to add a painted craft or two into the show. As time went by, there were no longer any florals and all painted crafts, called tole painting. I named my business "Barn Door Creations" at that time because I was building a new barn and wanted to add a back door to the barn. I needed to raise extra money to do this and went to my first craft show and needed a new for the form, hence "Barn Door". I now design my own artwork, and is why the "Creations" has been changed to "Designs"

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from my love of animals and my own back yard which has a couple of horses, a goat, a bunch of chickens, a couple of cats and a dog.

4. What’s your favorite item to make?
My favorite item currently is working in oil pastels. My favorite subject is horses!

5. What’s your best seller?
My best seller lately is my pendants that are prints of my original paintings made into jewelry. It's funny that msot of the time I am my own worst judge and the piece that I dislike the most is the one that sells the most.

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I was born and raised in Rhode Island.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I love that all in one state you can go from feeling like part of the family on Federal Hill, where my Mother does come from, to being a country bumpkin in the back woods of Foster. All in one day you can go to a art festival and marvel at the talent to buying fresh vegetables at a farmer's market near the shore line

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
The most important part of my art is being accepted and having someone walk by a painting of mine and fall in love with it. The monetary part pays for the supplies but the emotional part is priceless.

Performing arts ~ Listen to your mother ~ Providence

2013-04-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

The National Reading Series Celebrating Motherhood Comes to Rhode Island!

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER / PROVIDENCE SHOW

May 4, 2013 at 2:00pm

The Providence Public Library

Tickets on sale now!

(April 2013)—For the first time ever, Mother’s Day in Rhode Island will be celebrated on stage. Providence is one of 24 cities across the U.S. hosting writer/blogger Ann Imig’s nationally celebrated reading series LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER. The critically acclaimed stage series has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and on local NPR stations.

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER (http://listentoyourmothershow.com/) is a national series of live readings by local writers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Born of the creative mind of Ann Imig and the work of mothers who publish online, each production is directed produced and performed by local communities for local communities.

The first ever performance in Rhode Island -- and the inaugural show for Providence -- will take
place on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00pm at the historical Providence Public Library Auditorium (http://www.provlib.org/).

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER is a live stage production of local writers reading their original stories about motherhood – inspiring, humorous, contemplative pieces will be read by 14 cast members from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The Local Directors / Producers Team, Moms and bloggers Laura Rossi Totten (www.laurarossipublicrelations.com) and Carla Molina Martins (www.allofmenow.com/) are very excited about the show and have announced the cast and local sponsors including: Rhody Mamas, Rejuvaderm, Haute Tags, Egan Images, Tong Collection and Ian Travis Barnard Photography to name just a few.

Moms (and dads!), grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone who has a mother, is a mother, or hopes to be a mother are invited to the 90-minute performance.

Providence Tickets via Brown Paper Tickets:
http://ltymprovidence.brownpapertickets.com/

Performing Arts ~ The King and I at Ocean State Theatre ~ Warwick

2013-04-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY’S

INAUGURAL SEASON CONCLUDES WITH

THE KING AND I

WARWICK, RI – Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), the not-for-profit which brought new life to the historic Theatre By The Sea for the past five years, concludes their Inaugural Season with the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical masterpiece, The King and I, which opens in previews on Wednesday, April 24.

This family classic full of splendor and pageantry features a dazzling score with some of the most popular songs ever written, including “Hello, Young Lovers,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You,” “I Have Dreamed,” “We Kiss in a Shadow,” and “Shall We Dance?” The King and I is based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam, which recounted the experiences of the English governess, Mrs. Anna Leonowens, who spent seven years at the Siamese Royal Court in Bangkok, imparting Western ways and culture to the king’s court. Running for nearly three years when it was initially produced in New York in 1951, this great American masterpiece, with its legendary songs and touching story, is a must-see for children of all ages.

Directed and choreographed by Producing Artistic Director Amiee Turner, with musical direction by John Jay Espino, the cast includes Christopher Swan, who recently won rave reviews for his portrayal of Jack Lawson in Race, as The King of Siam and opera singer, Alison Mahoney, who appeared as Sister Margaretta in OSTC’s production of The Sound of Music, in the role of Anna Leonowens. Hyemi Kim, originally from Seoul, Korea makes her OSTC debut in the role of Lady Thiang,JP Sarro, who appeared in previous OSTC productions of Hairspray and Man of La Mancha returns in the role of The Kralahome and Shawna Haeji Shin, originally from South Korea, will appear in the role of Tuptim. Local performers includeConnor Buonaccorsi of Cranston in the role of Louis Leonowens, Andrew Faria of East Providence as Prince Chululongkorn, as well as Josh Christenson of Warwick, Elise Arsenault of Bristol, Valerie Fortes of Pawtucket,Margarita Martinez of Providence, Andy McLeavey of South Kingstown and featuring Calista Heart Aguinaldo of Warwick, Brooke Lee Ann Boisvert of Harrisville, Jacqueline Claire DePetro, Kate DePetro, Alexander LeBlancand Sophie Rodgers of East Greenwich, Chloe Deveney and Jonah Heath King of Cranston, Cameron Harrington of Providence, and Abigail Rain Heiser of Johnston as the Royal Children.

The King and I will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from April 24 – May 19. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, April 25 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except May 8 & 15) through Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm.Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI’s Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Saturday, April 27.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $25 “Rush” tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Tuesday through Friday from 12 noon – 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon – 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org

and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

****

AT A GLANCE

PRODUCTION: THE KING AND I

DATES: April 24 – May 19

WHERE: Ocean State Theatre

1245 Jefferson Boulevard

Warwick, RI

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Wednesday*, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm

*Note: No performance Wednesday, May 8 or 15

SPECIAL EVENTS: Conducting Conversations Live!

WCRI’s Mike Maino leads cast and crew in lively discussion

following the 2pm performance on Saturday, April 27

Free

TICKET PRICES: Previews - $39

All other performances - $39 - $54

Rush (one hour prior to curtain) - $25

Group Discounts Available (401) 921-1777 x112

TICKETS/INFO: (401) 921-6800

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2013-04-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

India Point at Night by Frank C. Grace (Trig Photography)

Horseshoe Falls, Shannock RI by Rick Payette

FrenchTownPark_7 by sixkings55

old posts B&W in the fog by enjoiskate8

The falls at Slater Mill. by rilurky

Amber Waves of Grain by MStoeckle

Artists ~ Kate Eliza Corbett ~ Westerly

2013-04-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Kate Eliza Corbett
Business name: Kate Eliza's Ocean Inspirations
Location: Westerly, RI
Website: www.kateelizacorbett.com

1. Tell us about your work
I love nature, ocean, rivers, lakes, streams, WATER!; trees, flowers, birds, and my very own little kitties who are awesome models!

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
After many years in the medical field I moved to this beautiful spot and decided to capture what I could with my "eye" and love of photography.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
Admire the work of Ansel Adams, and love the phrase from Joseph Campbell, a mythologist, "Follow Your Bliss"....

4. What’s your favorite item to make?
Greeting cards of my photographs are a nice way to get my "eye" out there....

5. What’s your best seller?
It's a tie between "Over Watch Hill" and "Watch Hill Lighthouse Splash"....

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
Born here, left for 22 years, and back!

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
The ocean, the differences in each area of the State, despite how TINY it is!!!

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
Thank you for your interest in me and I hope you continue to check out what my "eye" captures....

Public art ~ The Bronze Bruno ~ Providence

2013-04-16T12:19:00.003-04:00

While walking through College Green at Brown University recently, I came upon this bronze statue of a large bear. I know that the Bear is the mascot of Brown, but nothing more than that, but I'd never walked through the green before.

My first bit of history about the statue came from a plaque nearby:

"The Brown Bear was originally cast in plaster by Eli Harvey. A fund-raising campaign to "put a hair on the bear" was led by Senator Theodore Francis Green, Class of 1887, and resulted in the commission of a bronze sculpture in 1923, the bronze bear was dedicated at a ceremony on the campus during Commencement.

For sixty-five years the bear stood in front of Marvel Gymnasium as a symbol of the strength, courage and endurance of Brown University and her extended family. Now, here on the College Green, the bear is re-dedicated to Alma Mater and to the men and women of Brown.

MCMXCII (1992)"

Judging by the "#relayforlife" shirt that the bear seems to be putting on, he probably is a popular target of student life marketing.

Wikipedia tells me that it's seven feet tall, and "was gifted to the university in 1923, paid for by $10,000 of donations from Brown alumni. It was sculpted and cast by New York City animal sculptor Eli Harvey."

The front side of the pedestal reads:

Given By Alumni And Undergraduates
To Brown University
To Symbolize Those Qualities Of
Strength Courage Endurance
Which Go Far To Make Men Invincible
MCMXXVIII (1928)

I later learned (also from Wikipedia) that the bear stands on a pedestal containing a piece of slate rock supposedly stepped upon by Roger Williams in 1636 when he landed at what would become the city of Providence. On the back of the statue, below the slate, the pedestal is inscribed with:

This is a piece of the slate rock
on which Roger Williams Landed
when he came here in 1636
to hold forth his lively experiment
of independence with strength & courage.
May his spirit live in Brown men.

I wish I'd examined the statue from all sides and seen that inscription for myself.

From Encyclopedia Brunoniana:

"In 1922 at the fifteenth reunion of the class of 1907, the suggestion of a bronze bear as a class gift was brought up, but voted down in favor of the gift of a scholarship. Zechariah Chafee 1880, hearing of the idea, encouraged one of the class of 1907, Herbert B. Keen, to start a subscription among the alumni and was himself the first contributor. At the end of Commencement day $800 had been collected, and a spontaneous slogan “Put a Hair on the Bear” became the watchword of the campaign, encouraging alumni to subscribe a single hair for one dollar or a whole patch for one hundred. About $10,000 was needed. The Bronze Bruno committee selected Eli Harvey, animal sculptor of New York City, as sculptor of the bear. The committee proposed a life-size replica of the Kodiak Brown Bear.

At Commencement 1923, when the sculptor’s model was unveiled at the south end of the middle campus, Herbert B. Keen extolled the virtues of the bear as an example for the undergraduates, “because he typifies, in his magnificent strength, those qualities of fearlessness, hardihood and resistance to attack which make him a powerful opponent. We maintain that those of our young men who follow the example of the bear in these respects will make for better scholars than those who lack Bruno’s qualities.” Immediately after this ceremony the model was taken to the Gorham Company foundry. On August 18 it was cast in bronze in the presence of a large company which included Theodore Francis Green.

Some favored the site of the unveiling of the model as the permanent place for the bear, but it was decided that the statue would be placed in front of Marvel Gym on a pedestal containing a piece of slate rock said to have been stepped upon by Roger Williams when he alit from his canoe in 1636 at the place he was to name Providence. After Marvel Gym was closed, the statue was moved to the College Green."

Events ~ RISD Museum Tweed Ride PVD ~ April 28, 2013

2013-04-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

RISD Museum Tweed Ride PVD
April 28, 2013 10:30 AM
Starts at Kennedy Plaza
ends at RISD Museum

Tickets and info.

Book review ~ Rhode Island Legends: Haunted Hallows and Monster's Lairs by M. E. Reilly-McGreen

2013-04-14T10:29:00.000-04:00

Rhode Island Legends: Haunted Hallows and Monster's Lairs by M. E. Reilly-McGreen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rhode Island Legends is a collection of stories of Rhode Island monsters, witches, ghosts, vampires and devils, with some aliens thrown in for good measure.

M.E. Reilly-Green tells a good story, and the subject matter is interesting. I wish she'd included more information about how she came to learn about the story. She concedes in her forward that some of the stories are amalgamations of several versions. It would have been great to know which ones.

Many of the stories provide specific locations. It'll be fun to take this book along and find some of these places. Maybe we'll see a ghost or two ourselves!

View all my reviews