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Contents Photography (Left) by Tony Pacitti, (Right) by Stacey Doyle

AUGUST 2015

Necronomicon celebrates Lovecraft's 125th birthday

This Month 24 For the Love of Lovecraft

Bistro 22 brings top notch cuisine to an unexpected location

37 City Style Porchside living in Pawtuxet Village 37 At Home 39 The Look 40 Shop Around 43 Get Fit 44 Beauty

Meet the artists, scholars and uber-fans keeping Lovecraft’s legacy alive in PVD

27 The Ever-Expanding AS220 New tech, new buildings, new faces – AS220 shows

47 Feast Garden City's unexpected – and fabulous – bistro 58 Review 51 In The Kitchen 52 On The Menu 55 In the Drink 56 Rhody Bites

no signs of stopping

59 Get Out Behind the beards of Forest Fires

Every Month

60 Calendar 63 Music 64 Theatre 67 Art

68 Savor Providence You don’t need to travel to France

6 Editor’s Note

to get your crêpe on

10 Online Exclusives

15 Providence Pulse Embracing our Rhode Island roots

On the Cover: Photography by AS220 Youth.

15 City 19 Scene in PVD August 2015 | Providence Monthly

Editor’s Note

PROVIDENCE MONTHLY

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP

Creative Director Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine

Managing Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom

Digital Editor Tony Pacitti @TonyPacitti

Media Coordinator Ali McGowan @AliMMcGowan

Art Director Meghan H. Follett

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Assistant Art Director Veatsna Sok

The Arts Empire on Empire Street

Graphic Designer Jason Lee

Account Managers Shelley Cavoli: Shelley@ProvidenceOnline.com Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com

Chances are, you’ve heard the name AS220 before. But unless you’re invested in innovative technologies like 3D printing, up and coming bands with names like Blood Pheasant, or affordable live/work spaces where you can eat, breathe and sleep art, you probably don’t know much about what’s happening inside the venerable arts institution. The answer is: a lot. On the 30th anniversary of AS220, at a time when they’re rehabbing yet another seedy downtown building into a public arts space, and are in the midst of appointing their second ever

artistic director, we delve inside the arts empire to find out exactly what’s happening behind those walls… and out in the community. Read on – and then find out how you can get involved yourself.

Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Kimberly Tingle: Kim@ProvidenceOnline.com Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com Contributing Photographers Amy Amerantes Terace Greene Ian Travis Barnard Tony Pacitti Mike Braca Karsten Schulz Stacey Doyle Contributing Illustrator Kendrah Smith Contributing Writers Keith Andrade @AndradeK Erin Balsa

Cristy Raposo @foxywhite03

Alastair Cairns

Bill Rodriguez

Michael Clark

Johnette Rodriguez

David Dadekian @dadekian

Contributor Amanda Grosvenor

Jenn Salcido

Emily Dietsch

Jen Senecal @JenSenecal

Claire Flanagan

Writer

Stephanie Obodda @StephanieDoes

John Taraborelli @JohnnyTabs

Jake Goldman Amanda Grosvenor Molly Lederer

A Newport native, Amanda Grosvenor wrote this month’s cover story on AS220’s big changes. Art has always been an important part of Amanda’s life, and reading and writing are her lifelong passions; she started keeping a journal at six years old and went on to study English Literature. To top it off, her family is well known in the Rhode Island arts scene. Her grandfather, Richard Grosvenor, is a renowned painter and her mother composes music. Though she appreciates multiple forms of art, Amanda especially enjoys the music scene in Providence, “I love all of the arts but especially the live music scene in Providence – I regularly go to see bands play at venues like Aurora, the Columbus, AS220, Nick-a-Nee’s and at outdoor festivals and block parties.”

Interns Loren Dowd Jenna Massoud

Miranda Richard Nicolas Staab

Members Of:

Audited by:

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Historic Thanks

Local Love for Indie Week

On behalf of the staff and trustees of the Providence Preservation Society (PPS), I would like to extend our sincere thanks for Providence Monthly’s Festival tote bag sponsorship and East Side Monthly’s neighborhood walkingtours sponsorship this June. Your support is key to the success of PPS events like the Festival of Historic Houses. The Festival is our largest annual fundraiser, and this year it was an overwhelming success, with more than 750 attendees and almost $25,000 in tickets sold for Saturday’s tour of homes, the best numbers in recent memory. Brent Runyon PPS Executive Director

Thanks for promoting Indie Week RI. Thanks to you I discovered a new favorite store. You are all the best! Caitlin Towey

Yay PVD Thanks so much for all Providence Monthly’s does to showcase our city! Joanna Read

Superlative Thanks I just wanted thank you for that great piece about DownCity Design [“The Superlatives Club,” July 2015]. We have gotten such a positive response! It feels really special, and we appreciate your support. Adrienne Gagnon DownCity Design

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Providence Pulse

Photo courtesy of Luca + Stella

CITY / MALCONTENT / SCENE IN PVD

A Charitable Success Luca + Stella partners with retailers to give a portion of sales to local charities

What do you get when you cross an indomitable spirit with a knack for creating bold, designer jewelry with a heartfelt meaning? A success story. This is exactly what happened to Fred Magnanimi. With the loss of his brother, he

catapulted his energy into reviving the family business and creating sentimental and beautiful jewelry. Plus he donates a portion of the proceeds from each piece of jewelry to various charities. Turn the page to read more.

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

Pulse |

City

From Page 13

Success From Sorrow

Luca + Stella fulfills the dreams of its owner’s late brother Most of us are no strangers to loss, grief and even tragedy in our lives; the question is, what do we choose to do with it? One local jewelry designer walked away from a successful Wall Street career to launch the company that his younger brother had always dreamed of prior to his untimely passing. In doing so, he has not only breathed new life and success into a deteriorating family business, but has created a unique line of meaningful, handcrafted pieces to ensure his brother’s legacy lives on. Cranston-based Luca + Stella is a success story birthed out of heartbreaking loss. Growing up, East Greenwich native Fred Magnanimi, 36, never thought to seriously become involved in his family’s struggling Cranston-based manufacturing company, Mag Jewelry. He moved to Manhattan after college in 2001, with no intentions of returning anytime soon. Fred’s younger brother, Danny, made a different choice: he wanted to stay in Rhode Island and try to revitalize the manufacturing plant their grandfather founded 65 years ago, which was still creating religious jewelry. Danny’s goal was to start a new, more fashionable American-made jewelry line, handcrafted “to inspire others through the journey of life.” Tragically, Danny lost his longtime battle with Leukemia in 2013 at just

33 years old. Devastated, Fred came to the realization that he had a new purpose in life: carrying his brother’s vision into the future. He quit his banking job, returned to Rhode Island and got to work designing jewelry. Fred chose the name Luca + Stella for the new line after his two young children. And although bangles and banking might seem like completely different worlds, perhaps the gift for jewelry design runs in the Magnanimi blood, because Fred himself constitutes most of the design team for Luca + Stella. “I have a very specific idea of what I want the line to look like,” he says, “and a very talented graphics artist who provides the artwork. I’m like a hurricane – I’ll just develop a whole bunch of different styles and then show them to my wife, who’ll say ‘yay’ or ‘nay.’” The brand is now being sold through more than 600 retailers nationwide. “A lot of it was blind luck,” Fred continues. “But I’ve got a fantastic team supporting me. We had an idea we really believed in, and we put a lot of work into creating products that are unique and also have a lot of meaning for us. It’s been great to see that customers like our bracelets and are buying them, and we are very receptive to feedback and advice from our retail partners on what the product should look like.”

One way in which Luca + Stella collaborates with its retailers is by allowing them to choose a special (usually local) charity to sponsor, which then has a special bracelet designed for it. The company has created specialized bracelets for about a dozen charities so far, including the Clean Ocean Project, the Providence Animal Rescue League, as well as a major partnership with a breast cancer awareness/research organization to be announced soon. A special series of bracelets will be

sold at all 600+ retailers, and 20% of profits will go towards the organization. The company, which started with 18 employees, has now grown to 35. Although thrilling, the fast-moving success is also bittersweet for Fred: “The end result is that I’ve got this incredible story that I wish I didn’t have. It could be the biggest business in the world, but I would trade all of it just to spend a few minutes with my brother again.” lucastella. com –Amanda M. Grosvenor

Roller Coaster Nostalgia

Rocky Point Memories David Bettencourt

is no stranger to the saga of Rocky Point Park. In 2007 he produced and directed the documentary You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point and had coauthored a book of black and white photos of the park with Arcadia Publishing shortly after the film’s release. Now he’s revisiting memories of the park with another book from Arcadia, this time with full color images that span the entire life of our state’s late

Providence Monthly | August 2015

amusement park in Rocky Point Park. From its humble beginnings as a seaside resort in the late 19th century to a place where Sinatra, The Ramones and even a sitting President would stop on their way through Rhode Island, the life and times of Rocky Point is preserved lovingly in this book of photos culled from the You Must Be This Tall archives and private collections. “Depending on your age, everyone

has a different memory of what the park looks like,” David explains. It was crucial for him to showcase all of those different eras, as well as the “mom and pop” nature of the park, which he felt was best represented by the unique attractions and the staff’s hand painted signage. “People talk about this park like it was a member of their family,” David says. “I wanted to show my kids my childhood as a Rhode Islander.”

For Rhode Islanders in their 20s, or transplants like myself, Rocky Point is as mythical as El Dorado or Atlantis. It’s a fabled land where teenage memories were forged on hot summer nights in pools of neon glow coming off the The Skydiver and where cherished family moments were forever sealed on Kodachrome. Lucky for us, many of those great photos have been held onto and are now being shared. –Tony Pacitti

Photo courtesy of Luca + Stella

A new book of photos chronicles a century of summer fun

Pulse |

City

Rhode Trip

Get on the Bus and Ride

Eight places to visit this summer via RIPTA It’s a common misconception that owning and driving a car is a prerequisite for navigating our state’s diverse landscapes and attractions. However, that’s simply not true. Let the newly renovated Kennedy Plaza (KP) in downtown Providence, RIPTA’s main hub, serve as the starting point to your summer travels. Whether it’s to South County, the city’s outskirts or a new neighborhood you’ve never thought to visit, your RIP-Tik is your passport to explore the state’s many treasures. 1) Newport is a hot summer spot, but a visit there often serves as a reminder of how little free parking is available near all the attractions. Cue the 60 bus – ending its route from Kennedy Plaza a couple of blocks from the historic Thames Street, Long Wharf Mall and more. RIPTA recently extended its service to accommodate later trips back to Providence for the season, so you can sail under the sunset, sip another sangria and remain stressfree about your travel back to the city. (Approx. 80 minutes from KP) 2) On the way to Newport via the 60, you might be compelled to stop in Warren. Give into that temptation. This town has been on every epicurean’s radar and shows no signs of wavering with famous institutions such as Blount Clam Shack new restaurants like Eli’s Kitchen and the opening of RI’s first “culinary business incubator,” Hope & Main, allowing beginner entrepreneurs space, resources and a community to grow their businesses. Its proximity to Providence makes it an excellent choice for a scenery switch

and the bus practically chauffeurs you from door to door. Okay, it’s not quite limo service, but you tell us a limo driver who charges $4 round trip. (Approx. 25 minutes from KP) 3) Instead of relying on a taxi, paying exorbitant parking fees or schlepping your luggage all the way to Boston’s Logan Airport, take the 14 or 1 bus to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick on your next trip. This route makes it incredibly easy to get to and from the airport, so you can focus on packing enough pairs of shoes and if your travel-sized liquids meet airline regulations. This year, T.F. Green has expanded its international flight offerings to include Europe and Cape Verde Islands, making it easier to escape to somewhere exotic. (Approx. 20 minutes from KP) 4) The 14 bus isn’t just for leaving on a plane and, as you already know, it’s not necessary to search elsewhere in the country for relaxation on a beautiful, sandy beach. Take this route all the way to South County for a little fun in the coastal sun. Narragansett Beach is one of many beaches accessible via the 14 and the bus will help you pack light. (Approx. 75 minutes from KP) 5) Feeling lucky? It’s always a sure bet that with both the 51 and 54 buses, you’ll get to Twin River Casino in no time. Catch a show, run the blackjack table or play a lighthearted round of penny slots. If the bright lights and fun games make you sleepy, you can catch a few z’s on the ride back. (Approx. 30 minutes from KP)

Kennedy Plaza is a hub for statewide travel

6) See the elephants, zebras, monkeys and more at the Roger Williams Zoo, a perfect day trip for kids and families. The 20 bus becomes the ride before the safari. There’s about a 10-minute stroll through Roger Williams Park from the closest RIPTA stop, affording you the opportunity to leisurely sip that Del’s Lemonade and soak up the late-summer sunshine. (Approx. 25 minutes from KP) 7) When you go see the PawSox, you’d like the only game played to be baseball, not “Where’d I park my car?” Although their future home is up in the air, for now, the PawSox are still a highly revered fixture of Pawtucket, and the 78 will get you to McCoy Stadium in no time. Enjoy the

ball game knowing with confidence the location of your car (at home, obviously). (Approx. 35 minutes from KP) 8) Although Pawtuxet Village sounds like Pawtucket, it’s actually on the Cranston/Warwick line and its diverse offering of cute cafes, posh shops and gourmet restaurants are highly accessible via RIPTA’s 3 bus. Of all its popular attractions, its restaurant scene is most prominent; so, go ahead, have the extra glass of wine with dinner – you’re not driving. (Approx. 20 minutes from KP) For the complete list of RIPTA bus routes, schedules, and areas serviced, visit ripta.com. –Charlotte Seley

Historic Hops

Sipping on Local History

Three RI bars that evoke the feeling of our state’s past

Photography by Tony Pacitti

Living in Rhode Island

is the closest you can get to living in the past. Colonial Era houses, preserved farms, historic museums – we have it all. But as much as we love the quiet walking tours and flipping through info pamphlets, sometimes it’s better to just appreciate the atmosphere with a glass of beer in hand. Wouldn’t you know it, RI has a plethora of old-school bars where you can

enjoy the historic ambiance without all the fuss. First and foremost is the White Horse Tavern. It’s not just the oldest tavern in Rhode Island – it’s the oldest in the country (not up for argument!). If you want to grab a bite to eat as well, and you’re a foodie who pledges allegiance to farm fresh ingredients, this place has been serving farm-to-table since 1673. Yeah,

try to beat that. 26 Marlborough St, Newport. 849-3600. Though the bar itself has only been in this space for 16 years, the Wild Colonial provides an authentic, centuries old feel. The walls are exposed brick, the tables are dark wood and the building sits in perfect view of the Providence WaterFire, not to mention it’s a stones throw from plenty of historic East Side architecture. 250 S.

Water St, Providence. 621-5644. Tracing its roots back to 1760, the Carriage Inn and Saloon (Originally a stagecoach stop named “Old Acres”) building has seen several different owners in the last century. In 2013, it was re-bought and redesigned to showcase its original stonework and rustic elegance. 1065 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown. 294-8466. –Nicolas Staab

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

land officially made marriage equality the law of the land with its watershed decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot keep same-sex couples from marrying and must recognize their unions, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states. But like any case before the Supreme Court, this one is complicated and its effects are wide-reaching. There may be unintended consequences and gray areas that still need to be sorted out. So what does Obergefell v. Hodges mean for you? Let’s take a look at some of the finer details and find out. If you were already married in a state that previously allowed samesex marriage and now want to gain recognition of your marriage in a state that did not previously allow it, you simply need to fill out Form A90-6.2, which is available at obergefellvhodgessupremecourtdecisionlegalizinggaymarriage.gov/ mygaymarriage/celebratepride.html, where you can participate in a live chat room and ask someone to fax you a copy. Only fill out Form A906.2 if you have also filled out Forms C78-8.92 through X15-3.14, and have the original copy of your marriage license in mint condition. If your marriage license is in less than mint condition, perhaps VG or VG++, then you will also need to submit a Request for Appraisal through the eBay user comments section. All forms must be submitted in person to both the state in which your marriage was originally performed and the state in which you now live by the same person at the same exact moment. If you are unable to submit both at the same time, you can request a Waiver of Metaphysical Impossibility through the State Office of Unnecessary Paperwork, but only

on the second Tuesday of the month immediately following a blood moon. If your marriage has lost its sizzle and you’re wondering what happened, you must note it on Question 219F in Section 1649.59D or Form 6?%*(#43@)F. If you have not yet tweeted your support for the dec ision using #MarriageEquality or used that Facebook app to put a rainbow filter over your profile picture, then you are legally anti-gay, racist and sexist as judged by the Court of Your 20-Year-Old Liberal Activist Cousin’s Opinion. Using mason jars as drinking glasses is now legally in style at lesbian weddings and “so over” at gay male weddings. Opponents of marriage equality in need of an outlet for the rage and wasted time that can no longer be poured into this fight, don’t fret – you still have plenty of time to be on the wrong side of history on the following issues: * Marijuana legalization: 3 years. * A path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants: 6 years. * Citizens United: 15 years. * Obamacare: Two Clinton administrations or until opponents win some minor, largely symbolic court victory against the Affordable Care Act, allowing them to walk away from a losing fight with some small measure of dignity intact. * Universal background checks for gun purchases: 18 more mass shootings or 326 individual senseless killings, whichever comes first. * Voter ID laws: Six more election cycles, or until a Republican-supported state voter ID law backfires spectacularly for Republicans, costing them a closely contested presidential election. * The cultural relevance of Ann Coulter: last call. –John Taraborelli

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

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The The Cult Cult of of Cthulhu Cthulhu 125 years after his birth, the legacy of H.P. Lovecraft is more alive than ever Story and Photography by Tony Pacitti

Howard Phillips Lovecraft

was born 125 years ago this month. Literary fame may have escaped him in life, but after his death in 1937, Lovecraft went on to influence generations. Stephen King credits the storyteller with turning him on to real horror. Mike Mignola lifted lovingly from Lovecraft’s stable of worldand sanity-devouring beasties in the early pages of Hellboy. Even True Detective, with its creepy-as-what Yellow King and Matthew McConaughey’s good ol’ boy existential philosophizing, was, to say the least, Lovecraftian. Of course those are just the headliners. Here in the city of his birth, fans have dedicated their own lives and crafts to our single greatest literary export. Artists, scholars, fans of the highest order: through them the life and legends of H.P. Lovecraft have been preserved, not just as a literary figure of note, but as vital part of Providence’s own cultural identity.

The Keepers of Cthulhu Niels Hobbs, Anthony Teth and Carmen Marusich have become the de facto ambassadors for Providence to the global Lovecraft community. As director and co-directors respectively of the Lovecraft Arts and Sciences Coucil (LASC) they brought the NecronomiCon back from its decade-long dormancy back in 2013. “One day it clicked. We’re in Lovecraft land. Why aren’t we taking more advantage of this?” says Niels, who can even trace his pursuit of a Ph.D in biology back to his love of Lovecraft and his monsters from below the sea. “I think the last straw for me was [when] there was a Lovecraft convention in Phoenix, Arizona. It was getting ridiculous.” Lovecraft had in fact spent a good part of his life in and writing about Providence, something his local fans wear as a badge of honor. “He’s somebody who lived here his whole life, [he] basically revolutionized this whole wing of fiction and is by some people considered the greatest imaginative writer since Poe,” adds Niels. “It’s kind of amazing.” The original NecronomiCon ran every other year through the 1990s before

Providence Monthly | August 2015

fizzling out in the early 2000s. When the LASC brought the convention back in the summer of 2013 they were amazed by the international response. People from all over the country and as far as Germany, Switzerland and Australia made the pilgrimage to connect with a community of likeminded fans, but also to see the city so many of Lovecraft’s stories inhabited. “It’s kind of insane how passionate they are. It’s a fandom of people who wrap a good portion of their literary lives to it,” said Niels. “Cosmic horror is pretty much a niche market. You have to first of all like horror, but then like the less historic ideas of the supernatural. Lovecraft went the crazy sci-fi route. It’s a nerdy level that a lot of people don’t necessarily go to,” adds Anthony. “I was amazed by how many intelligent conversations I stumbled into.” This year’s con is bigger and more expansive, with more guests – including author and Lovecraft heir-apparent Ramsey Campbell – and events around the city like art shows, concerts and film screenings that will be open to nonconvention goers. The success of the 2013 Con got the city excited about getting behind the festivities, and support from WaterFire’s Barnaby Evans has certainly helped, but for all it’s celebration, the Con is a very temporary thing. As a means of addressing the lack of a more permanent Lovecraft presence in town, Niels and Carmen opened Lovecraft Arts and Sciences in The Arcade this past July. Billed as a “weird emporium and information bureau” the storefront will sell books and original art, as well as serve as a first stop for visitors curious about H.P. Lovecraft.

Lovecraft Arts and Sciences, located in The Arcade. 65 Weybosset Street. necronomicon_providence.com/store

Arcane Artists In addition to the NecronomiCon there’s The Providence Art Club’s Ars Necronomica, an art show that attracts

Carmen Marusich and Niels Hobbs of the Lovecraft Arts and Sciences Council

Lovecraft-themed art from makers all over the world. Among them are Jason Eckhardt and Gage Prentiss, two local artists whose interpretations of Lovecraft have helped strengthen his connection to the local community outside of fandom. Jason is an illustrator from New Bedford who has been creating Lovecraftinspired art since his introduction to his writing when he was 13. That was four decades and many published illustrations ago. “As if his cosmic horrors weren’t enough, the New England settings rang a bell deep in my soul,” Jason says of reading Lovecraft’s The Colour Out of Space, for the first time. “While reading [Lovecraft] I could look out my bedroom window and see the kind of places he described. In many ways – imagination, setting, the Yankee mentality – he hit home with me.” His most recent contribution to Lovecraft lore was, of all things, a beer can label he designed for another local cultural institution, Narragansett Beer. “It’s been that dark side, that wacky side of ‘Gansett. We’re really proud of them,” says ‘Gansett’s BJ Mansuetti of the limited-edition Lovecraft-themed beers that started appearing on shelves earlier this year, just in time for both ‘Gansett and Lovecraft’s 125th birthday. Jason was chosen based on his work with the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS) and for ‘Gansett, remaining faithful to the Lovecraft community was key.

Likewise, Jason only sees this embracing of Lovecraft at large as a good thing. “For those of us who remember the lonely days of the ‘70s, when words like ‘Cthulhu’ would draw blank stares, the current burgeoning of interest in Lovecraft is amazing,” says Jason. Gage Prentiss, a Providence sculptor and painter who has worked closely with both Necronomicon and the RIHS couldn’t agree more. Gage has been a sculptor most of his life and over the last few years has turned to Lovecraft for inspiration, but for him it’s not enough to just draw from Lovecraft’s stable of creatures. That means creating his own extension of Lovecraft’s lore through the “relics” he makes. For each of these artifacts, Gage creates a backstory and in his own way contributes to the ever expanding mythos. “I love all of the Cthulhu idols but I didn’t want to add to the pile. I wanted to make things that were different,” Gage explains. In addition his relics, Gage’s work has helped usher in a greater appreciation of Lovecraft in the city, including the plaque marking H.P. Lovecraft Memorial Square at the corner of Angell and Prospect Streets and a proposed lifesize bronze statue of the author to be installed, he hopes, downtown. “Before the [last] Necronomicon [the city was] sticking their toe in the water, but after the success of the con they’re very excited about fostering Lovecraft,” he says. “A city isn’t just

a place, it’s a culture unto itself and Lovecraft’s a part of that.” Ars Necronomica, August 11September 4. Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street providenceartclub.org

Weird Scholars “I think many of the cultural guardians of Providence regarded Lovecraft as something of an embarrassment because of the subject-matter of his work,” offers S.T. Joshi, a Brown graduate and the world’s foremost Lovecraft scholar. “Given that most of Lovecraft’s fiction appeared in the lurid pages of Weird Tales, it was easy to dismiss him as just a ‘pulp writer’ with no literary standing.” For Joshi there was never a question about Lovecraft’s place in literary canon. As a teenager in Indiana, he made the decision to pursue serious academic study of his work. Much to the dismay of his mother, he chose Brown over Yale because of its extensive collection of Lovecraft material, including stories and letters. “What I would do to have received one of those letters!” he says. If S.T. Joshi is the world’s foremost Lovecraft scholar, then Donovan K. Loucks is the world’s foremost Lovecraft geographer. Born and raised in Arizona, Donovan couldn’t get his brain around New England despite Lovecraft’s rich detail. “The topography, the history and the architecture are completely different. Until I first travelled here, I couldn’t really sense what it was like.” So he committed himself to digging deep into historical records and Lovecraft’s writing to understand the world he and his work inhabited, as well as to track down the points of interest mentioned throughout his fiction. When he retired

Model for proposed lifesized statue of Lovecraft

he moved here with the purpose of continuing his research. Armed with a strong knowledge of history and architecture, Donovan has since pieced together the locations of even the most obscure buildings Lovecraft happened to mention, satisfying his own personal curiosity and keeping old, seemingly lost maps of Providence alive. Morgan Grefe of the RIHS can appreciate that. As an historian, she’s more interested in Lovecraft as a man of his time than as a writer of weird fiction. His personal accounts and reflections of the city he spent so much of his life in inform the Lovecraft walking tours the RIHS holds annually on the anniversaries of his birth and death, and both the RIHS and Donovan will be guiding Necronomicon attendees up the man of honor’s streets and to many of his old haunts. “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is pretty much a map of the East Side,” Morgan says. His letters to friends are as richly detailed as his fiction, allowing historians to see the city the way he had in the early part of the 20th century. Those letters reveal more than just architecture, but a bigotry that was not unique to Lovecraft. While there are plenty of apologists who prefer to ignore this big, uncomfortable fact about him, the people like behind Necronomicon can’t imagine not addressing it. “The worst thing we could do is try to sweep it under the rug,” Morgan says “How do we grapple with that history while still acknowledging his importance in this other field?” That’s a question Morgan will be asking during a panel about Lovecraft and racism. For the LASC, as fans and as the organizers behind Necronomicon, addressing all aspects of Lovecraft, good, bad and ugly, is key.

They Are Providence In a video promoting his new comic book series, Providence, Alan Moore suggested that as a culture we’ve become too comfortable with Cthulhu. While no one denied an increasingly laid back attitude towards Lovecraft’s uncaring monsters, it’s hard to really see it as a bad thing. A vast universe of wonder and horror was born right here in our fair city. For these fans, these connoisseurs of cosmic terror, the last thing they want to do is keep it to themselves. What they want is for the world to know where he came from. NecronomiCon Providence, August 20-23. Providence Biltmore (11 Dorrance Street), Omni Hotel (1 W. Exchange Street) and various locations in Providence. necronomicon-providence.com

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

the Past, Present and Future of AS220

Photography by JosĂŠ Navarro-Robles for AS220 Youth

By Amanda M. Grosvenor

Providenceâ€™s own creative incubator and arts-based community development initiative, AS220, celebrates its 30th birthday this year with the acquisition of two new buildings, a cabaret birthday bash starring John Waters and its first new Artistic Director since its inception. What started with $800 and a stalwart manifesto drafted by a handful of artists in a one-room rental above PPAC, has grown into a non-profit powerhouse with 55 employees and represents a $25,000,000+ real estate investment in downtown Providence. It has also become the template that arts-focused community-building organizations around the world are now seeking to emulate. Clearly, AS220 has plenty to feel proud of this year as it strides confidently into its figurative adulthood.

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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How it all Began “We challenge the pervasive notion that complete, unbridled, uncensored freedom produces mediocrity and that excellence rises out of repression. It does not! Art is stifled and stagnates under repression whether that repression is overtly political or covertly economic, hence the historical exodus of artists and others from repressive states to those more conducive to the free expression of ideas,” cries the “New Challenge” Art Manifesto, written by Steven Emma and published in the Providence Eagle on April 14, 1982. One of the document’s original signatories, Umberto “Bert” Crenca, went on to found AS220 three years later as a way to put the manifesto’s principles into practice. What has made AS220 unique since it started is its unwavering commitment to democratizing the arts and

making them accessible to any and all seeking a platform for their creative medium, whatever it may be – “unjuried, uncensored and open to the general public,” as the mission states. This goal has been fulfilled through the building of galleries, performance spaces, educational classes, rentable print shop, media lab, fabrication lab (now featuring 3D printing machines) and darkroom hours, and four dozen affordable live/work studios for artists across all mediums, as well as careeroriented programming for youths in juvenile detention facilities and group homes. A fine arts degree, patronage, media praise or an established reputation as an artist are completely unnecessary for those who wish to participate. All that is needed is a spirit of creative expression and the desire to make art.

AS220 AS An InternatIonal art Model

Photography by José Navarro-Robles for AS220 Youth

At a time when grassroots-centric community-building initiatives seem to be cropping up everywhere, AS220 is the wise older sister who has already been around the block and, with three decades of trial-and-error under her belt, can offer some sage advice to fledglings. In recent years, Bert has met with arts organizations from such widespread locales as Estonia, Ireland, Ukraine, Spain, New Zealand, Kuwait and Taiwan, as well as many from within the US. It’s all part of the consultancy program Practice//Practice, which teaches AS220’s models for responsible urban development and community engagement incorporating the arts.

For the past two years, the Fulbright Program has brought its cohort to Providence to participate in facility tours, workshops on asset mapping and sustainability and breakout discussions about country/region-specific concerns on how to implement the AS220 model successfully. After serving 30 energetic years as Creative Director, Bert will be transitioning into his new role as International Ambassador/Consultant, in addition to taking a more active role in the real estate development side of things. As Bert moves into his expanded duties, who will be stepping in to fill his irreplaceable shoes?

The Print Shop in the AS220 Mercantile Block downtown

AS220 Artistic Director Shey Rivera, who is taking over for Bert Crenca after 30 years of running the show

A new erA oF leadershIp An organization committed to nurturing creative growth can be an excellent environment for talented individuals to quickly flourish. Puerto Rican native Shey Rivera started with AS220 as an Administrative Assistant in 2010. Four and a half years later, she is now positioned to succeed Bert, its founder and longtime leader, as artistic director. At a more staunch institution, Shey’s youthful energy and dizzyingly rapid climb up the organizational ladder (from Admin Assistant to Association Managing Director, then Director of Programs in just a handful of years) might have been unthinkable. But at AS220, Shey’s grounded articulate clarity, her leadership ease and her inarguable commitment to the mission statement and the Providence community have made her the winning choice to take the reigns as the organization ventures into new terrain. “My plan moving forward is to obviously honor the history, mission and unjuried/uncensored spirit of AS220,”

says Shey. “I can only add to what Bert has already built in collaboration with so many people over the years and work with our current team. But we definitely hope to connect more with the diverse populations that have been growing in Providence – the city is now almost 40% Latino, along with the Cambodian and Laotian communities, the Cape Verdean community and many African immigrants. The question is, how can we keep ourselves relevant to the community when the community has been changing so much in recent years?” Shey largely credits her Puerto Rican upbringing for where she has ended up now, having worked in finance and administration but also having been heavily involved in the country’s vibrant arts, music and literature scene. She moved to Providence for the affordability and “for the incredible artists living in our city – whether they’re ‘on top’ and visible or more underground and hiding under the radar.”

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

diY expressIon going do it anyway.’ That rebellious, fiery spirit is definitely part of AS220, but it’s also very much a reflection of Rhode Island’s identity.” As Providence works to position itself as the “Creative Capital” of the US, organizations like AS220 receive support from grants from RI State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and the RI Foundation. They also partner with similarly-minded groups like the Steel Yard and New Urban Arts to collaborate on new events and programs. Strong community networks and an inclusive rapport between organizations enables a larger conversation on how to foster the arts and culture environment throughout the state, and it seems to be working: the first Providence International Arts Festival, a massive multimedia celebration held downtown this past June, was such a success that Mayor Jorge Elorza’s office is already planning next year’s event.

An artist in residence working alongside an AS220 master printer

Providence Monthly | August 2015

AS220 recently acquired the Satin Doll, with plans to open a performance space

AdditionS to tHeir artIstIc coMMunIty The theme of creatively “reinventing the old” and using past structures as a frame and rich compost for present ventures (also known as “adaptive re-use”) is highly apparent in the Providence area, which saw much of its manufacturing industry abandoned decades ago. Vast old factories previously left to rot are now becoming repurposed greenhouses for small businesses, craftspeople, farmer’s markets, shops, offices and live/work lofts, with a prime example being Pawtucket’s Hope Artiste Village. Similarly, each building owned by AS220 is a mixed-use space incorporating low-cost artist residence/studio spaces, commercial tenants (local small businesses and other community-focused nonprofit organizations, mainly) and AS220 offices or workshops/arts spaces. The complex on Empire Street – housing AS220’s main stage, gallery and café and bar – was the original home to the organization, purchased in 1992; the Dreyfus Hotel at the corner of Washington and Mathewson Streets was acquired in 2005 and the adjacent Mercantile Block on Washington Street joined the AS220 fleet in 2008. The Satin Doll, a former gentleman’s club at 35 Aborn Street lost its license in 2013. AS220 purchased the building, with plans to fully renovate it and replace Empire Street as the AS220 main stage and performance space. What was once a seedy strip joint will now become an all-ages venue for musical acts, poetry slams, cabarets and more. Empire Street, in turn, will undergo muchneeded accessibility renovations, including a new elevator and ramps, and most likely an expansion of the café and bar. Money from the cultural bond that Rhode Island voters passed last year (“Yes on Five”) will go towards facilitating these renovations, though the organization still relies on donations to fund its programming. In addition, this past year a group of local developers decided to donate a building at 204-206 Broad Street, close to Classical High School. AS220 has not yet decided on how it will use the space, but Shey and AS220 Communications Director David Dvorchak say that it will most likely be used for youth programming, and that the building represents an exciting opportunity to cultivate community engagement in a different part of the city.

Photography (L Bottom) by David Dvorchak, (R Top) by José Navarro-Robles for AS220 Youth

Although locals and outsiders alike tend to bemoan or even outright mock Rhode Island’s longtime economic woes, it’s entirely possible that a “lack of much going on downtown” in the depressed and unabashedly corrupt ‘80s, coupled with that classic defiant Rhody individualist mentality, might have in fact provided the perfect fertilizer necessary for AS220 to successfully take root – too much infrastructure or regulation might have prohibited it. It even perhaps echoes the original “lively experiment” of religious freedom in Rhode Island’s 1663 Colonial Charter, an act of rebellion against the heavy-handedness of Massachusetts’s religious structures. “The fact that Rhode Islanders have this huge sense of state pride contributes to this idea of being Do-ItYourself or ‘punk,’ in a way,” says Shey. “Saying, ‘we’re just going do it our way. Barriers? Who cares! We’re

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15 BRIDGE ST., PROVIDENCE TheWhiskeyRepublic.com

Photography (Top) by Scott Lapham for AS220 Youth, (Bottom) by José Navarro-Robles for AS220 Youth

Providing An outlet For at-rIsk youth Perhaps the most meaningful way in which AS220 serves the community is through its youth program, AS220 Youth, which since 1999 has provided arts classes across all mediums to kids living in group homes or under state care at the juvenile detention facility in Cranston – the RI Training School. The program regularly works with the Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program (UCAP) downtown and the local Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to find participants, but many find out about the youth program through word of mouth: friends at school talk about what a great time they’re having, and those who hear about it want to become a part of it.

The classes provided are focused on job readiness to prepare youths for future careers within the community: workshops in graphic design, sound and video production, murals and painting, illustration, as well as dance and performance. There is a dance troupe called Zukrewe that rehearses, records and produces its own albums and makes money performing at festivals and other venues. In yet another testimony to AS220’s knack for cultivating talent and enabling individual growth, the current Director of the Youth Programming, Angel Newman, was a program participant at age 13, then an instructor and now heads up the entire division.

Zukrewe performing at Foo Fest 2014

looking towArdS the Future

The Print Shop

Foo Fest 2015 AS220’s always-popular annual block party, Foo Fest, will return this year on Saturday, August 8 with 12 hours of live music, arts demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, drinks and family-friendly activities from by local arts organizations like City Arts and Girls Rock. Twenty-four different bands will fill Empire Street with music, both indoors at the AS220 main stage and on an outside stage as well. The headlining band will be San Francisco’s Deerhoof, supported by local co-headliners The Low Anthem and Death Vessel. Tickets may be purchased for $7 at as220.org or for $10 at the gate day of.

“It’s a really crazy and interesting time for us,” says Shey. “AS220 has been a teenage organization, and now we’re jumping into adulthood.” Although it’s a huge challenge, it’s exciting to see new people stepping into leadership positions throughout the entire organization who are bringing a fresh new perspective to the table. “We’re connecting more with people, and there are a lot of amazing projects coming up. We also need to consider how AS220 is succeeding as an asset to the community, how people perceive us and how we can become better at becoming a steward of community needs,” Shey explains. “AS220 envisions a just world where all people can reach their creative potential regardless of whatever limitations, backgrounds or ideologies they may have. We just want to continue being that space where everybody can feel at home to create and make, but also to keep talking about the value of arts and

cross-industry collaborations, meaning how art can truly be a catalyst for urban development. I mean, we’re artists,” Shey says with a laugh. Considering that AS220 is artist-run and artist-founded by people who used to be squatting in buildings, it’s empressive that they own five buildings and have become an incubator for so many other amazing artists and initiatives, many of which have gone on to become assets to the community. “And with Bert transitioning on to become an ambassador, we’re talking about Providence and Rhode Island being models for the rest of the world. To think back 30 years to where we started, it’s pretty amazing how far we’ve come.”

as220 93 Mathewson Street 831-9327 as220.org

Celebrate as220’s 30th anniversary On October 24, AS220 will host a cabaret-style party at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel starring the Empire Revue and the “Pope of Trash” himself, John Waters, who just recently popped into Providence to deliver the 2015 commencement speech at RISD. Tickets to Lupo’s are $75, and there will also be a special after party reception at the former Satin Doll. It’s for those who wish to purchase a night of hobnobbing and Q&A with Waters while also getting a sneak peek inside the new space.

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

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City Style

AT HOME / SHOP TALK / THE LOOK / BEAUTY / GET FIT About the Homeowners Kristin Matthews is launching her new lifestyle company, Northeast by Southwest, and her husband Evan works as the Port Director for Quonset Development Corporation. They live in Pawtuxet Village.

1 4 2

Outdoor Living Photography by Mike Braca

1. We loved the porch’s original Tuscan-style columns – thick, unscathed and simple – so much that we’ve left them untouched. This is exactly how they were when we first moved in. We eat, nap and entertain on our porch the moment spring hints warmer weather up until the first snowfall. 2. A Pinterest project brought to life is this hanging daybed – handcrafted by my extremely handy father – that transforms this outdoor space into a livable room. The first thing that drew our eyes to the house was the porch, so making it comfortable was a priority. 3. A lack of lighting on this side of the porch inspired my

creation of a candle chandelier atop a used tray. A romantic way to light up this space, this fixture offers a light glow over the dining room table that’s perfect for entertaining. 4. This house was built in 1907; we appreciate the original railings built into the porch’s paneled walls. They offer a natural ventilation system for the warm summer season and the perfect nighttime breeze. 5. Despite being untouched, the double French doors on this side of the house give us easy exit and entry with their flawless condition. The clean white paint was here when we moved in and hasn’t been touched since.

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

It Is Coming

get your brunch on providence

Providence Monthly | August 2015

City Style |

The Look

Beecher LeonardFritzmeier VP of Design, Alex and Ani

You’ve got such a chic sense of style. Tell us about it. I like mixing feminine and masculine looks, and I prefer a minimalist look, building interest with accessories. Tell me about this outfit. This is one of my typical “blank canvas” outfits: some basic neutrals that make a great backdrop to accessories. I am wearing my “go-to” necklaces from our Providence Collection, which I never take off. I also have the Guardian of Peace bangle mixed in with some of our beaded bangles for texture. I am holding our Gabriel Pouch, which is a great staple leather piece that holds all of my daily essentials.

Photography by Ian Travis Barnard

Tell me about your journey from Coach to Brahmin to Alex and Ani. I love accessories, from jewelry to leather goods to hats to sunglasses. My past experiences have allowed me to realize that I prefer to be in an environment where I get to utilize both sides of my brain. I love collaborative companies where I am able to be both creative and business savvy. What’s the next big thing we can expect? Tell me about what’s on the horizon. Our precious metal assortment will be expanding as we move into 2016. Our founder, Carolyn Rafaelian, not only comes up with beautiful designs but is also focused on new functionality, so we will be continuing to come out with new innovative pieces in the next year. How do you come up with ideas for new bangles when you’re working with such a popular brand? It is all about the connection and offering our customers meaningful pieces that they can relate to. We have an incredible team who strives to create original artwork that ties to authentic meanings. What jewelry do you wear every day? I am obsessed with our Precious line. The pieces are comfortable and easy to wear so I never have to take them off and they are delicate enough so they never feel overpowering. They can be layered with other jewelry so they are truly the perfect staple pieces.

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

City Style |

Shop Talk

By Claire Flanagan

NAVA brings vintage styles for men and women to Wickenden Street

New Life for NAVA The perfect destination for all things stylish and funky – clothes, home décor, accessories, gifts, you name it – has moved from Thayer to Wickenden Street, and with the move comes four times the floor space for four times the finds. Ali Burns-Nachwalter opened NAVA on Thayer around seven years ago after a lifelong passion for retail and vintage shopping. Now working with her friend Liz Kelley, Ali has worked to expand the store from its small space on Thayer to its current cozy location on Wickenden Street this past November. NAVA specializes in clothes and items in a space and style that Liz describes as a “more rustic, Anthropologie vibe.” They carry both new

and vintage apparel, accessories and shoes, as well as sunglasses, hats, purses, and plenty of hip and cute gifts and decorations – like stationery, journals, wallets, candles, bath products, cards and more. Women’s styles come in both new and vintage; men’s are only vintage. Their website details, “With a penchant for cowboy boots, funky and fancy dresses, silk scarves and gold jewelry, we try to have a little bit of everything so that no one leaves NAVA empty-handed.” The range of clothes goes from both colorful and playful to more classic and beautiful. The gift selection is sassy and fun, truly with something for everyone. The adorable Wickenden storefront

is decorated with old timey trunks, worn shelves, an inviting and chic crushed orange loveseat and plenty of cool, crafty wall decorations that Ali and Liz make themselves. The décor complements the rustic and trendy vibe of the shop and its wares. “You’ll find something here whether you want to find a gift last minute or something really nice for your apartment,” says Liz. “We have a great price range – we’re trying to make it affordable for everyone but also to have really great things that are comparable to higher end stores.” Ali and Liz also host a number of cool workshops and events to get the community involved and make NAVA not just a store, but a great place to come together and meet people for a good time. They just hosted a paper flower workshop and hope to have a succulent plant potpainting workshop later this summer. Be on the lookout for NAVA’s trunk shows as well. Check their website for information on upcoming events and workshops, and expanding online shopping features.

NAVA 197 Wickenden Street 453-6282 shopnava.com @shopnava on Instagram

Providence Monthly | August 2015

Photography by Terace Greene

The beloved new and vintage boutique moves to Wickenden Street

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Photography by Terace Greene

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Jala Studio: Yoga & Art is part gallery and part om

More Than Just a Great Butt Jala Studio brings Jivamukti yoga to Rhode Island

Photography by Amy Amerantes

Being a first-timer

at a yoga class rarely allows you to slip into the deep meditative state that you’re supposed to. For myself, I’m always too busy watching everyone else and making sure I’m mostly synchronized with them. Over the years I’ve stretched myself into countless approximations of downward dog, in studios near and far, yet the nerves persist. At the start of a 90-minute evening class at Jala Studio Yoga & Art recently, I settled in and tried to ignore the crick in my neck and the stern reminders echoing around my head (Don’t fall asleep! was the most insistent). Jala founder Bristol Maryott first tried yoga at her Cape Cod high school. She loved it immediately, went on to run the yoga club and certify as a teacher during her undergraduate years at Yale. Then came moves to Boston and London, where she accumulated a master’s degree in art history and further yoga teaching qualifications, including prenatal yoga and ashtanga residencies in India. When Bristol returned to Boston, she balanced careers in museum education and teaching yoga until the idea of running her own studio firmly took hold. She found a sunny space with broad river views in Providence, her father’s hometown, and opened Jala (“water” in Sanskrit) in 2014. The studio is also a gallery, and its walls are currently lined with bright screenprints of photos by Jessica Kung

Dreyfus. Teacher and curator Dutzi King plans to diversify the art program in the fall. Like Bristol, she has a background in art education and sees parallels between yoga and art, especially in their power to evoke an immersive, flow-like state in the practitioner. Jala is the only studio in Rhode Island to offer Jivamukti, a school of yoga that links vigorous movement with breath, intention and continuous assistance. The sequences are accompanied by music, and a mantra for meditation or a yoga sutra is read and explained in each class. On this particular evening, Bristol began a call-and-response chant as she played the harmonium. From that point, the tone became less formal and much more physical. Bristol is a clear and cheerful teacher, and she started by asking us about any injuries she should be aware of. During the first few sun salutations she knelt by each person’s mat and massaged their neck and shoulders with China Gel, a kind of tingly, non-greasy magic. As the 90-minute class continued, I was relieved to find that all of the poses were familiar to me from previous yoga classes. There was no new language to learn and I didn’t have to crane my head to understand the alignments. Several poses had variations for more or less advanced yogis, and an impressive number of students loftily unfolded into headstands or sprang into full wheel for what seemed like minutes.

Bristol circulated the room, constantly supporting and assisting. It felt a bit like a bespoke yoga tutorial from a friend, especially when I learned I’d been transitioning through my upward and downward dogs not-quite-correctly my whole life. By the end, everyone had reached some level of sweaty exertion and it was significantly easier to grab my toes than it had been at the start. We ended with a shavasana so peaceful I had to work to stay awake. It was worth the effort, because Bristol again stopped by each student to administer a final mini-massage that seemed to put the room into a state of super-relaxed, near-catatonic bliss. Later that evening I slept as though anesthetized. The next day, the crick in my neck was gone, my arms and legs were healthily sore and the pleasant minty scent of China Gel could still be detected floating around my yoga bag. Jala is a studio that tries to do a lot – teach creative yet safe yoga sequences, induce skeptics to meditate and exhibit interesting art – and somehow it succeeds on all fronts. I know I’ll be there again, triceps permitting.

Jala Studio: Yoga & Art 285 South Main Street 566-2524 jala-studio.com

401-785-9599 • twicetoldtalesri.com 2145 Broad Street, Cranston (Located in the heart of Pawtuxet Village)

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

City Style |

Beauty

By Grace Lentini

Mindful Relaxation A heavenly Eucalyptus Salt Scrub from Raffa Yoga

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

where you cannot adult any longer? That’s where my mind was. I needed a bit of indulgence, a moment to take care of myself. So, I happily booked an appointment for a Eucalyptus Salt Scrub in the Eucalyptus Steam Room at Raffa Yoga. As I entered Raffa Yoga for the first time, they brought me to the changing area where they assigned me a locker. It contained a towel, t-shirt and a pair of shorts I could use at my discretion. Since I had planned on wearing my bikini, so that as much skin as possible could get the benefits of the salt scrub, I happily placed my purse into the locker and sealed it with my own unique combination. I was led down the hall where I met my masseuse. Luis RiveraMaldonado greeted me with a warm smile, a friendly handshake and opened the door to where I would be spending the next 45 minutes. We walked through a steam room called the Urban Hamman. After walking through another door, we arrived in the Eucalyptus Steam Room. I was guided into another smaller treatment area, given time to get situated on the table and cover any areas I wouldn’t have scrubbed that day. At the same time, the steam was turned on and the most heavenly scent started to permeate my senses. Luis explained that the eucalyptus steam helps to open up the pores and encourage toxin release. It also helps to reduce inflammation, which, coming from someone with asthma, is a significant added bonus. Among its many other benefits, it relaxes muscles and helps rid the body of built-up lactic acid. But at the moment, it smelled wonderful and was the perfect way to ease my body and mind into a peaceful state of relaxation. To start the salt scrub, he hydrated my skin with water, massaged me from head to toe, then applied his house made salt scrub. His mix du jour consisted of eucalyptus oil, Dead Sea salt, grapeseed oil and ground mint. After massaging the crystals onto my skin, they remained there for a bit, to let the salt work its magic, and then Luis rinsed it all off with warm water. I flipped over and the whole process started all over again. Total bliss. Once my treatment sadly came to an end, I was free to roam their Urban Sweat area. Luis suggested I spend

some time in the Himalayan Salt Grotto. I pushed open a thick, wooden door and was transported to a serene stone laden atmosphere at 90 degrees. Covering the floor were pinkish granules of imported Himalayan salt from Pakistan. Soft lighting around the edges made the rocks glow. I lay down on my towel for a few moments of quiet reflection. The salt is said to counteract the effects of electricity on our bodies created by our modern devices by negatively ionizing the air, among other things. After visiting the Salt Grotto, I moved to the Yellow Turmeric Room. Hovering at 160 degrees, this room contains burlap bags filled with yellow turmeric. Some of the purposes of turmeric are to reduce inflammation and aid in fat metabolism. Once I was finished enjoying my time in this room, it was time for me to go. On my way out I stopped by the juice bar and decided on their Tri Doshic drink, which contained alkaline water, ginger, lime and pure maple syrup. It was delicious, light and really hit the spot. Raffa Yoga successfully put my mind and body at complete ease, a task usually completed via my love for red wine. It put me in the relaxed zone for the rest of the day and gave me the ability to step back from my hectic life and gain some perspective. And from that perspective, I could see life clearer and with a little more positivity.

Raffa Yoga 19 Sharpe Drive Cranston 463-3335 raffayoga.com

Illustration by Kendrah Smith

2015

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Feast

Photography by Stacey Doyle

IN THE KITCHEN / oN THE mENu / rEvIEw / IN THE drINK

Outside Providence Artisanal Cheese and Chartcuterie Board

Providence may be the hub of the state’s diverse and delicious restaurant scene, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t pockets of delectable delights in the corners of neighboring towns. Take Cranston, for example. Unless you live there, you may not realize that Bistro 22, tucked away in Garden City, is bursting with creative cuisine. Turn the page to read more.

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

Feast |

review

By Stephanie Obodda

Garden City Gourmet

Bistro 22 delivers downtown flavor in an unexpected setting out of the way: I’m about to review a restaurant that’s sandwiched between a Banana Republic and an Applebee’s. You might think this is a demerit, but I see it as a testament to Rhode Island’s spirit of independence: a small, locally owned restaurant popping up amidst the chain stores (however nice) of Cranston’s Garden City Center. Brothers Carlo and Gennaro Slaughter opened Bistro 22 in Garden City a little over a year ago and it already has many dedicated fans. We visited on an intermittently rainy day, but chanced an outdoor seat and ordered cocktails. In the Cage ($9) immediately caught my attention: a silver tequila, ginger and grapefruit concoction in a rocks glass with a ginger salt rim. My husband had the William Munny ($9), made with Rittenhouse rye, orange bitters, a twist of lemon and cherries soaked in Fernet Branca. Our waiter gave him an approving look, so we knew it would be a strong one. It was as masculine as its namesake, the protagonist of the western Unforgiven,

Lemon Strawberry Shortcake

portrayed by the iconic Clint Eastwood. The Fernet-soaked cherries had quite a kick, and luckily there were enough that I could talk my way into a couple. We started with two appetizers. The Mussels “Fra Diavolo” ($10.95) were big enough to be a meal. A liberal portion of plump mussels were nestled in a bowl of broth with roasted cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers and thick slices of garlic. The four triangles of grilled bread were surprisingly absorbent, and the broth, with a perfect amount of heat, was so good we had to get out the spoon when nobody was watching. The Bruschetta Trio ($10.95) had diverse toppings: a “caprese” pair with mozzarella, tomato and balsamic vinegar; one pair with ricotta and fresh herbs; and the last pair, my favorite, spread with Cambozola cheese and fig jam. We shared a bottle of the Peak Organic Fresh Cut Pilsner ($5). True to its name, it had a grassy, fresh taste due to dry hopping, the practice of adding hops later in the beer making process.

Fettuccine Jambalaya

We shared a Caprese salad ($9.95) and the kitchen was thoughtful enough to send it out on two plates. House-made mozzarella, yellow heirloom tomatoes

and a pumpkin seed pesto elevated this classic combination. When I glanced at Bistro 22’s menu before our visit, it seemed like fairly standard American bistro fare: flatbread pizza, a half chicken with vegetables, classic Caesar salad. But as we took a deeper look and selected dishes, I noticed many nuances that demonstrated creativity and added extra interest, especially on the entree list. My husband ordered the Grilled Pork Chop ($23.95). The chop was glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce, topped with a fruit salsa and served with a generous side of hearty chorizo hash. I wavered but eventually settled on the Ricotta Stuffed Gnocchi ($24.95). Large, pillowy gnocchi were topped with pulled short rib, sliced mushroom ragout and a dose of truffle oil that I could smell even before the plate hit the table. This combination had the potential to be too dense and I was puzzled by the idea of stuffing gnocchi. But they were pillow-light and the ricotta in every bite made this dish a

ONE MORE BITE: Bistro 22’s interior was designed by Libby Slader. You might have seen her touch at other area restaurants including Rosalina’s, Providence Coal Fired Pizza, and the downtown Sura location. 48

Providence Monthly | August 2015

Photography by Stacey Doyle

Let me get this

Photography by Stacey Doyle

Baja Fish Tacos

joy to eat. With our entrées, we drank glasses of the Henri Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc ($9/glass) and the Underwood Pinot Noir ($9/glass). We went a bit wild with our dessert order. The Caramelized Banana and Chocolate Portuguese Bread Pudding ($6.95) with vanilla ice cream came highly recommended, and we couldn’t forego the Beignets (also $6.95) because of our fond memories of New Orleans. The beignets were just a touch dry but everything else was delightful, especially the three beignet dipping sauces (chocolate hazelnut, caramel and berry compote). Even with two desserts, how could we pass up the Limoncello “Flight” ($8.95)? The bar makes several liqueurs in house, and our sample of four included classic lemon, peach, green apple and pineapple served on a surprisingly tasteful

light-up shot rack. The apple was a little too close to appletini-land for my taste, but the pineapple and lemon were pleasantly natural. The clouds angrily grumbled as we paid our tab and we just avoided getting caught in the rain. No matter, we would have been happy to sit in Bistro 22’s beautifully designed interior with its natural accents and warm, casual feel. Don’t let the location sway you; Bistro 22 should be taken seriously. And don’t pretend you can resist the Container Store on your way out.

Bistro 22 22 Midway Road Cranston 383-6400 bistro22ri.com August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Feast |

In the Kitchen

By Grace Lentini

New Mexican Flavors Cara marie duskin brings a lifelong passion to Lola’s

LocaLLy + GLobaLLy

Sourced Menu

Chef Cara Marie Duskin comes from a large Italian family. Some of her earliest memories in the kitchen started when she could barely see over the counter, watching her Nonnie make pasta by hand and helping prepare Sunday dinners for the whole family. Her Nonnie is the reason she loves food, and the passion and soul she put into it is the reason Cara puts so much into every plate she creates at Lola’s Tequila Bar & Cantina. You clearly have a deep-seated love for food. Are you completely selftaught? I went to the Culinary Art Institute in Fort Lauderdale, FL for about two years, and was offered an amazing job for a catering company I was working for that I couldn’t pass up. In the culinary world, in my opinion, the work experience speaks volumes over a degree. What is a must try item that we can expect from you since taking the creative reins at Lola’s? I would have to say my absolute favorite item would be our Fried Platanos. We caramelize sweet plantains so they are crispy on the outside but creamy and sweet on the inside, and top them with our lime mayo, dust with ancho chili powder and smother it in our house made Queso Fresco.

Photography by Karsten Schulz

I understand you make the Queso Fresco in-house? When I came into Lola’s, I wanted to make sure that we were the restaurant where every single item was made inhouse. I wanted people to taste what the freshness of a cheese is like. We make it every single day, from pasteurized whole milk, fresh lime juice, rice wine vinegar, salt and infuse it with a bit of cumin for depth. It is a crumbly, creamy cheese with a tart bite and is good on basically anything. What’s an unexpected dish that diners would not know to expect at Lola’s? I think the most unexpected dish would be our Lasana de Verduras, our Vegetable Lasagna. I know, I know, what kind of Mexican restaurant puts lasagna on the menu? The kind that believes anyone craving a hearty, flavorful corn tortilla layered concoction with black beans, sauteed bell pepper medley, cheddar jack cheese, rajas poblanas and roasted corn with our salsa verde as our ‘gravy’ is a completely normal menu addition. It

Lunch, Dinner + Sunday Brunch On Premise + Off Premise Catering

Chef Cara marie duskin holds the creative culinary reins at Lola’s Tequila Bar & Cantina

may be the Italian in me, but sometimes, there’s nothing better than a little lasagna. Can you describe some of the glutenfree and options you offer? Ninety percent of our taco baskets are served with corn flour tortillas and no gluten is used in preparation at all. We also have beautiful quinoa stuffed bell peppers with black beans, avocado, pico de gallo and roasted corn that usually comes with our Queso Fresco. When you are not cooking for others, what do you cook for yourself? I am Italian, so I always fall back on pasta. Serve with fresh veggies from the farmer’s market, mix with a little garlic and oil, sweet basil from my garden and lots of Parmesan cheese. I’m pretty sure if you cut me open I would bleed garlic and oil. What is the perfect meal at Lola’s from beginning to end? I’d say start with one of our $4 Lola Margaritas and some of our Fried Platanos. If it’s a hot summer day, I’d go with our Baja Fish tacos or perhaps our Chimichurri Shrimp Salad. We have a fantastic vegetarian burrito with basically every single vegetable we could stuff into a flour tortilla, add guacamole and, of course, our Queso Fresco. For dessert, we have our beautiful Sopapillas: little fried flour dough

triangles cooked until golden brown, tossed in cane sugar and drizzled with our cayenne honey glaze. They’re our own little Mexican doughboys. Obviously you’re a kick-ass woman who loves to cook. What piece of advice can you give to young aspiring female cooks? Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. You’re going to have to work twice as hard to shine and you’re going to encounter situations that help mold you as a chef. Don’t let the small stuff get you. Earn respect, never waiver from your values and love the food. Love the job and know that you’re changing people’s lives, not like doctors or firefighters, but as a strong, courageous woman who changes the world one plate at a time. I’ve had to have some pretty big cajones in this business, and I’m thankful for every time I ever heard I couldn’t do it because I was a ‘girl.’ If you love what you do, and live your life by your own rules, no one will ever keep you down. You lift yourself up, and stay strong because it’s the only way to shine.

Lola’s Tequila Bar & Cantina 25 Bridge Street 383-0220 lolascantina.com

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Feast |

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Casey D’Arconte

has many passions where food is concerned, but what seems to bring all of them together is his interest in sourcing and highlighting quality local ingredients. The newly-opened Edgewood Cheese Shop in Cranston is his latest venture, and aims to showcase the best cheese from New England and beyond. Some customers are looking for a more boutique and locally-focused cheesemonger, others to class up their event with a gorgeous cheese and charcuterie board. Then there are those who simply want a sandwich that is as far away from the Boar’s Head technicolor dream-cheese monopoly as possible. Shhh, they may be watching, and they know how to turn you into a vacuumwrapped rectangular cuboid! Casey’s other business is The Breakfast Place in Attleboro, which he took over in 2004. It had been doing the breakfast diner thing quite successfully for decades, but despite this success, he was not content with the status quo. Instead of reinventing the pancake, he elevated the place by the ingredients, committing to higher quality local sourcing, using local grass fed meats, eggs and farm fresh veggies. It’s over a decade later now and after years of talking about collaborating on a second business, Casey and wife Adrienne opened the Edgewood Cheese Shop in Cranston this past May. It was not surprising to learn that Casey had spent a lot of time in Vermont, which he called “his second favorite state.” Indeed he attended the NE Culinary Institute in that dairy hotbed. “Cheese and charcuterie have always been our thing,” he explains, and he had been kicking around the idea of opening a cheese shop for years. As the idea matured, he and his wife seemed to keep passing a “for sale” sign on Broad Street in the midst of a small vibrant cluster of retail. Doing research into the area he thought a cheese shop could work. His competition isn’t other boutique retail, but Whole Foods and similar upscale super markets. While Casey will of course offer some international cheeses – “I love French cheese,” he gushes, – Edgewood will set itself apart with a comprehensive but curated selection

Adrienne and Casey d’Arconte of Edgewood Cheese Shop

of the budding Northeast artisanal cheese scene. In addition to our own local Narragansett, he offers far more cheeses from New England and New York than I can list, including Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME, Willow Hill Farm in Milton, VT, Nettle Meadow Farm in Warrensburg, NY and Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchendon, MA. You can try charcuterie plates on gorgeous wood boards in the store, with a rotating selection of cheeses and meat to pick from, and Casey is hoping that’ll inspire you to get more elaborate ones for your next function. There are cheeses available to sample every day in the store, if you are in need of help making a decision. And there is everything you could need for a picnic, a dinner party or just perhaps for that day when you sigh while looking at what has become of your life and only cheese can help (I call it Thursday). While suitably anxious about the prospect of running two businesses, Casey and Adrienne are excited about the prospect of investing and working in their own town. They live just down the street and “it’s where our whole life is based,” says Casey. “We love the area and it’s a great community, and we’re very involved.” 1828 Broad Street, Cranston. 941-2400, edgewoodcheeseshop.com

said no one ever. Perhaps you were being polite when you declined extra cheese; perhaps you were embarrassed to be caught in a hedonistic cheese frenzy. Well, frenzy on at the American Cheese Society’s annual Festival of Cheese. Yes, this exists, and yes, it’s open to the public. On August 1 say good-bye to politely declining cheese and plow full-steam-ahead with an all out sampling of over 1,600 American artisan and specialty cheeses. To top it off, there will be plenty of accompaniments to the cheese including charcuterie plates, honey, ciders and more. $60. 7-9:30pm. Rhode Island Convention Center. 1 Sabin Street. cheesesociety.org/conference/ festival-of-cheese

More Cheese, Please Oh I’ll only have one cube of cheese,

Send all food, beverage, restaurant and chef news to alastairjcairns@gmail.com

The Dog Days Aren’t Over Hot dogs are not just reserved for backyard festivities, nor should they be. On August 4 and 18 head over to Aurora from 5-7pm for their Downcity Dog Days. InDowncity has teamed up with Aurora for free hot dogs, drink specials and barbecue-related events like bean bag tosses and ping pong. Oh and they’ll have some giveaways for local retailers and restaurants. So, you should probably head over there and have, like, a good time, or whatever. 276 Westminster Street. auroraprovidence.com

Photography by Mike Braca

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Feast | In the drink

By Emily Dietsch

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Spain takes sangria to the next level

There was a time when I misunderstood sangria, the Spanish wine “punch” (for lack of a better word) served in pitchers, studded with fruit and spiked with booze. It seemed... kitschy, like what people who know neither Spain nor good booze would drink. So, I turned up my nose, foolishly, and missed out on one of summer’s best sips for far too long. It’s true that in Spain you won’t see sangria in most bars or restaurants. But like the best of many things, it is most definitely served at home, and particularly for special occasions. More importantly, the good stuff is undeniably and addictively delicious. Case in point: The version served at Spain Restaurant in Cranston, which over the years has attained iconic status. Say “sangria” to most Rhode Islanders, and they’ll think of Spain’s. Hands down. Its origins lie in a recipe that Spain’s owner Felix Rodriguez brought with him from Galicia, which he grew up drinking. After a few tweaks, he settled on a winning formula and hasn’t touched it since 1987. Why mess with perfection? When I spoke to Spain’s manager, Bill Soriano, I was surprised to learn how homespun the recipe is. I expected more bells and whistles, or a secret, magic sparkle powder that explains the reverence it’s earned for 20-some years. Silly me, again. As Soriano explained, it

boils down to smart simplicity: the right ratios of just the right ingredients, reached through intention and practice. That’s wisdom, folks – in pitcher form – of a delightfully buzz-inducing kind.

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Spain’s sangria Makes one pitcher Don’t shoot too high or low in terms of wine quality, according to Soriano. Find something that’s very good but not connoisseur-quality. And mind the quantities rather than splashing everything together haphazardly. They’re time-tested and crowd-approved, after all. • 2 oz Brandy • 2 oz Triple Sec • 1 oz Peach Tree Schnapps • 8 oz orange juice • 16 oz red wine (merlot) or white wine (chardonnay) • Splash of Sprite • Orange and apple slices • Ice Mix ingredients in a pitcher, add ice and stir.

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

RHODY BITES A Sponsored Statewide Dining Guide

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Rasoi Rasoi is the Hindi word for kitchen, reflecting chef/owner Sanjiv Dhar’s dream of creating a restaurant that would balance healthy food, personalized service and Indian culture. Chef Dhar opened his first restaurant, Kabob and Curry, on Providence’s Thayer Street in 1990. Rasoi is his second restaurant and is intended to showcase the diversity of Indian cuisine. The 85seat restaurant provides all patrons an unobstructed view of the open kitchen, furthering Dhar’s mission to share his food and culture. We tend to think of Indian cuisine simply as a collection of curries and rice dishes, but there is a wide spectrum of flavors

and techniques across the country, like coastal western India, where fish is a daily staple; the simpler, healthier preparations of the largely vegetarian Gujrat area; and the hearty, meatcentric Kashmiri and Punjab fare of northern India. Rasoi offers selections from each, providing even those familiar with Indian food the chance to discover new and exciting flavors. Rasoi also offers monthly cooking demos and classes. Conveniently located in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Pawtucket, just a stone’s throw from the East Side of Providence, Rasoi is your destination for a culinary experience like no other.

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rasoi

10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 4532333. LD $$$

Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$

Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$

Andreas Authentic Greek food since 1966. 268 Thayer St, Providence, 3317879. BrLD $-$$

CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$

Enn Japanese Creative sushi and Japanese food. 600 George Washington Hwy, Lincoln, 333-0366. LD $$

Aruba Steve’s Island cuisine, handcrafted cocktails and Caribbean flare. 520 Main St, Warren, 289-2677. LD $-$$

Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$

Fieldstones Relaxed family setting, something for everyone. 980 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, 293-5200. LD $$

Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Contemporary New England fare. 311 Westminster St, Providence, 521-3333. BBrLD $$-$$$

Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 100 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 9444900. BrLD $$$

Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$

Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$

Clean Plate Delicious comfort food in a casual setting. 345 S. Water St, Providence, 621-8888. BBrLD $$

Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, MA, 508-9996975. LD $$

DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$

Bluewater Bar + Grill Contemporary seafood with farm-to-table cuisine. 32 Barton Ave, Barrington, 247-0017. LD $-$$

Dragon Palace Fresh sushi and Asian cuisine. 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2308. LD $-$$

Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House Classic clam shack fare, plus famous doughboys. 889 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, 737-9459; 1157 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-5608. LD $ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$ Kartabar Mediterranean-style cuisine, chic setting. 284 Thayer St, Providence,

331-8111. LD $-$$ KitchenBar Contemporary comfort cuisine. 771 Hope St, Providence, 3314100. BrLD $$ Laurel Lane Country Club Upscale pub cuisine overlooking a picturesque golf course. 309 Laurel Lane, West Kingston, 783-3844. LD $-$$ Lim’s Restaurant Upscale Thai and fresh sushi. 18 South Angell St, Providence, 383-8830. LD $$ Lobster Pot Serving traditional New England classics and seafood. 119 Hope St, Bristol, 253-9100. BrLD $$-$$$ Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Mariner Grille Creative seafood, pub atmosphere. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284-3282. LD $$ McBlarney’s County Tap Modern,

Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch d dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+ 56

Providence Monthly | August 2015

upscale pub with daily specials. 632 Metacom Ave, Warren, 289-0887. LD $$ McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ Meeting Street Cafe Huge sandwiches and cookies. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-0166. BLD $ Mews Tavern Family dining, with a whiskey bar. 456 Main St, Wakefield, 783-9370. LD $-$$ Mia’s Prime Time Café Upscale café cuisine by the Pawcatuck River. 1 West Broad St, Pawcatuck, CT, 860-5993840. BLD $$ Mile & a Quarter Eclectic cuisine and wine bar. 334 South Water St, Providence, 331-1500. LD $-$$

Pavilion Steakhouse & Banquets Grand, banquet-hall style dining. 15A Frontier Rd, Hopkinton, 377-9900. BrLD $$$

Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield. D $$-$$$

The Twisted Vine Romantic wine bar with tapas and full meals. 3 Canal St, Westerly, 596-4600. D $$

Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food; great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield, 783-4073. BBrLD $

Simone’s Gourmet brunch followed by upscale Mediterranean cuisine. 275 Child St, Warren, 247-1200. BBrLD $$-$$$

The Village Casual dining and live entertainment. 373 Richmond St, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $$

PJ’s Pub Mediterranean-influenced pub food. 135 Boone St, Narragansett, 7893200. LD $-$$ Portsmouth Publick House Gourmet pub food with a variety of spirit flights. 1 King Charles Dr, Portsmouth, 6822600. BrLD $-$$ Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily inspirations. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$ Rasa Authentic and contemporary Indian. 149 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2822. LD $$

T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, 946-5900. BL $ Tara’s Tipperary Tavern Oceanside Irish-American pub fare. 907 Matunuck Beach Rd, Matunuck, 284-1901. BLD $ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$

Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337. LD $-$$ UMelt Fun twists on grilled cheese. 129 Weybosset St, Providence, 3836732. LD $ Vetrano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Italian cooking like grandma made. 130 Granite St, Westerly, 348-5050. LD $$ Vittoria’s NY Pizza Best pizza north of Manhattan. 224 Post Rd, Westerly, 322-1901. LD $-$$

Rasoi Vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 728-5500. LD $$

The Coast Guard House Modern New England fare with Bay views. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 789-0700. LD $$-$$$

Waterman Grille Riverfront New American dining. 4 Richmond Sq, Providence, 521-9229. BLD $$$

Nonni’s Italian Restaurant Traditional Italian eatery and pasta shop. 1154 Stafford Rd, Tiverton, 624-3087. LD $$

Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950. BrLD $$

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

Wes’ Rib House Missouri-style BBQ, open late. 38 Dike St, Providence, 4219090. LD $$

Oceanside at the Pier New England fare overlooking the Atlantic. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 792-3999. BrLD $$

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

The Malted Barley Gourmet pretzels and craft brews. 42 High St, Westerly, 315-2184. $

Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$

Paragon & Viva Contemporary dining and nightlife. 234 Thayer St, Providence, 331-6200. BrLD $-$$

Scampi Seafood and Italian cuisine with expansive water views. 657 Park Ave, Portsmouth, 293-5844. LD $$

The Restaurant at Weekapaug Inn Quintessential New England fare. 25 Spray Rock Rd, Westerly, 322-0301. BLD $$$

XO Cafe Creative cocktails and New American fare. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$

Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$

Seasons Fine dining at the Ocean House. 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, 5847000. BLD $$$

The Sea Goose Seafood with New England and Southern flair. 265 Post Rd, Westerly, 315-0788. LD $$-$$$

Zooma Trattoria Fresh Italian cuisine using house-made pasta. 245 Atwells Ave, Providence, 383-2002. LD $$

Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$

Worth The Drive:

Photography by Hilary Block

The Coast Guard House The Coast Guard House is a Rhode Island institution that has reopened after being devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Sip on a Bloody Uprising in the new first floor dining room while taking in the sights of Narragansett Town Beach, watching the surf roll in and out. Visitors can enjoy drinks such as a Chardonnay created by Newport Vineyards, a Mudslide made with Dave’s Coffee Syrup or other thirst-quenching

selections. Regulars ask about the organic chicken and scallop dishes that have been longtime favorites. New menu items include shrimp tempura and a crab mac ’n cheese. The swordfish comes from local fishermen, while the produce is from Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Whether you’re in the mood for a post-swim cocktail or a seaside dinner for two, the Coast Guard House has what you need.

Can’t miss dish: House-Made Lobster Ravioli with peas, scallions, shallots, brandy cream, lobster claw garnish. The Coast Guard House

For full restaurant profiles, go to RhodyBites.com

40 Ocean Road, Narragansett • 401-789-0700 @RhodyBites

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August 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Get Out

EVENTS / ART / MUSIC / THEATRE

The Rhode Island International FIlm Festival returns August 4-9

A Cinematic Summer 1.

August 4-9: New England’s largest film festival returns with over 240 filmmakers at Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival. With gala celebrations, premiere ceremonies, industry seminars, award ceremonies and educational programs, it’s no wonder this weeklong event is one of the “Best International and Short Film Festivals in the US.” $40-350. Various times. 220 Weybosset Street. 861-4445, film-festival.org

Photo courtesy of the RIIFF

August 29: Roam the Roger Williams Park Zoo while sampling over 1,000 craft beers from the over 50 of the region’s finest breweries at Brew at the Zoo. All proceeds benefit the Zoo’s animal care facilities and its award-winning education and conservation programs. 21+. $25-60. 4:30-9pm. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 785-3510, rwpzoobrew.org

August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: Poke, snack and walk your way through Providence Flea every Sunday. Enjoy as this outdoor market brings even more vendors, food trucks, musicians, community non-profits and sunshine to the public. Check Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for what to expect. 10am-4pm, rain or shine. Across from 345 South Water Street. 4847783, providenceflea.com

August 17: Celebrate the state theater’s biggest milestone yet at Trinity Rep’s 50th Birthday Block Party. This full-day open house will feature live music, tours, workshops, tech demonstrations and a public prop and costume sale. Watch as company members perform favorite songs and scenes from the past 50 years. Free. 12-8pm. 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, trinityrep.com

August 3: Obsessed with singing competitions on TV? Get up close and personal with the top five contestants from season 14 of American Idol at Idol Live! Enjoy a free digital download of the Season XIV album with your purchased ticket. Meet and greet opportunities are accessible for VIP ticketholders. $43-63. 7pm. One Avenue of the Arts. ppacri.org

August 2015 | Providence Monthly

Get Out |

Calendar

By Ali McGowan

This Month July 30-August 2: Join over 1,000 cultured professionals, purchasers and influencers from the United States, Canada and Europe at the American Cheese Society’s 2015 Competition & Conference. Learn from industry experts and sample an array of products alongside craft beer, wine, cider and specialty foods at this four-day extravaganza. Prices and times vary. 1 Sabin Street. 458-6000, cheesesociety.org August 1-31: My Sky, a traveling exhibit that offers parents and children an opportunity to investigate the sun, moon and stars has come to the Providence Children’s Museum this summer. Meet scientists, artists and other inspired personalities for a limited time before this collaboration returns to the Boston Children’s Museum on September 7. Free with museum admission. 9am-6pm. 100 South Street. 273-5437, childrenmuseum.org August 3, 10. 17, 24 & 31: Peruse organic offerings from Bella Farms in Johnston, Freedom Food Farm in Raynham and others at the base of the city’s highest point during the Neutaconkanut Hill Farmers Market. A participant in the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families Program, this market helps low-income families shop for and cook affordable fresh foods through a series of hands-on activities, free samples and recipes. 3-6pm. 700 Plainfield Street. farmfreshri.org August 4, 11, 18 & 25: The newly constructed Kennedy Plaza is home to Providence’s Downtown Farmers Market every Tuesday. Enjoy Fox Point’s finest pickled vegetables, Rocket Fine Street Food’s grass-fed offerings or Mijos Tacos truck-side selections among a range of seasonal, local produce. 3-6pm. 2 Kennedy Plaza. farmfreshri.org August 5, 12, 19, & 26: Gather at Federal Hill’s DePasquale Square every Wednesday for free performances by The Nightlife Orchestra, Rhode Island’s nationally recognized swing big band. Relax by the fountain or nosh on Italian favorites

from sponsor Constantino’s Venda Ravioli as one of the few remaining big bands in the tri-state area puts on these family-friendly performances. Free. 6:30pm. 265 Atwells Avenue. 692-1644, reverbnation.com/nightlifeorchestra August 1, 15 & 29: Nosh, stroll or gondola ride among three rivers in downtown Providence as eighty braziers ignite at WaterFire’s Full Lighting. Various sponsors, entertainers and food vendors support the city’s initiative to revitalize the urban experience and foster community engagement every other Saturday this month. Free. Sunset to 12:30am. Waterplace Park, Memorial/ South Main Street. 273-1155, waterfire.org August 3: Celebrate as East Providence’s Chamber of Commerce hosts their 16th Annual Golf Outing at Metacomet Country Club. Golfer’s fee includes a green fee, lunch, grilled snack and dinner with team prizes, raffles and silent auction opportunities. $195 per person, registration at 11am. 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway. eastprovchamber.com August 4 & 5: Engage, entertain and possibly discover the next Academy Award nominee at Flickers 19th Annual Opening Night Celebration and Soiree. Celebrate the “Art of the Short Film” with films in a range of genres that could potentially qualify in the Oscar’s narrative and documentary short categories. $15-50, 7pm for film screenings/premiere, 9:30pm for Gala Soiree. 220 Weybosset Street. 8614445, goprovidence.com August 5: Tour the city’s most historical sites at Providence Backlot’s Walking Tour presented by the RI Historical Society. Learn how Providence provides a truly Hollywood-worthy setting and become inspired by hidden filming opportunities with an inside view of the downcity and riverwalk areas. $15. 11am-1pm. 11 Dorrance Street. 421-0700 August 6, 13, 20 & 27: Keep the little ones entertained with story time at Burnside Park every Thursday this month. KidoInfo and Art in the

August 6, 13, 20 & 27: Movies on the Block continues throughout August for another month of free, outdoor movies at Grant’s Block. Feed your musical appetite with The Last Waltz, or get your psychological fix with The Exorcist. Either way, be sure to arrive early with your blanket to reserve a prime spot. Screening begins at sundown, weather dependent. 260 Westminster Street. moviesontheblock.com Park bring local authors, illustrators and artists to retell classic tales and lead original, glitter-laden art projects in the great outdoors. Free. 10:30am-12:30pm. 2 Kennedy Plaza. igniteprovidence.com August 8: Sing, sway and step to ten hours of live reggae and roots music from over six bands at the Sixth Annual Waterfront Reggae Festival. Munch on authentic Jamaican food or refresh with a festive island cocktail on Providence’s waterfront all day long. $40-50. 12-10pm. India Point Park. 1-888-900-8640 August 8 & 22: The Roger Williams National Memorial presents This Land Is Our Land, a summer series of public park plays written by children and performed by adults in Manton Avenue Project’s Playmaking Program. The Project’s mission is to honor the potential of the City’s young residents by uniting their creative voices with professional artists. 6:30pm. 282 North Main Street. 331-7007, nps.gov

August 12: Experience Between the Buried and Me’s first official tour following their seventh full-length album, Coma Ecliptic, released this July. Listen to their lyrical story of a man’s journey through his past lives while stuck in a coma, in addition to performances by Animals as Leaders and The Contortionist. $18-20. Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm. 79 Washington Street. 3315876, lupos.com August 15: Enjoy craft and food vendors, DJ entertainment and children’s activities all against a panoramic view of Narragansett Bay at the Annual Conimicut Craft Fair at Conimicut Point Park. Keep the family entertained with beach access and a nearby playground at this historic bayside village. Free. 11am-5pm. 1 Point Avenue, Warwick. 524-8404, conimicut.org August 19: American rapper and producer Earl Sweatshirt has squeezed in time during his touring schedule to release a new album, and Lupo’s

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For an up-to-date statewide calendar and to submit your own listings, visit providenceonline.com 60

Providence Monthly | August 2015

Get Out |

Calendar

By Ali McGowan

Clothing Optional a figurative show AUGUST 12 – SEPTEMBER 25 Featuring the work of Jeff Bye, Ted DiLucia, Elizabeth Frank, Kristy Goggio, Jeff Hall, Daniel Koterbay, Azamat Kuliev, Eleanor Rahim, Jeff Schneider, and David Witbeck OPENING RECEPTION

Heartbreak Hotel is Rhode Island’s first venue to experience it. Join the crowd for this expected-to-sell-out, hip-hop performance. $22.50+. Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm. 79 Washington Street. 331-5876, lupos.com

Howard Phillips Lovecraft, an American author famous for horror fiction, among other top-tier weird fiction authors. $30-75, tickets available online. Varying times, starting at 11 Dorrance Street. necronomicon-providence.com

August 20: Visit 23 of Providence’s hottest art spots including galleries, museums and historic sites during Gallery Night Providence. Admire a range of ceramics, clothing, contemporary installations, paintings and photography at your own pace, or jump on a two-hour local celebrity-guided bus tour to visit four different galleries. Free. 5-9pm. Free parking at One Regency Plaza. 490-2042, gallerynight.org

August 23: Kick off the September AIDS Walk for Life event with the first annual High Heel Dash Race & Block Party, hosted by Kitty Litter and BBHayes. First place prizes for men and women support AIDS Care Ocean State and AIDS Project RI. $25 to run. 12-6pm. 125 Washington Street. 5192289, aidsprojectri.org

August 20-23: Join guests from all corners of weird fiction as the Lovecraft Arts and Sciences Council returns with Necronomicon Providence. Expect academic talks on various topics that inform the council’s view of

August 25: See wrestling smackdown superstars as WWE Smackdown Live returns to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Get a summer’s worth of adrenaline as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and other famous profiles from Syfy’s most-watched program contend live. $15-105. 7pm. 1 LaSalle Square. dunkindonutscenter.com

Thursday, August 20, 5-9pm during Gallery Night Providence WED-FRI, 11am-2pm • Evening and Weekend Appointments Welcome 150 CHESTNUT STREET, 3RD FLOOR, PROVIDENCE

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Offering Shellac Manicure Pink & White • Acrylic Nails • Nail Overlay • Gel Nails Sculptured Nails • Manicure • Pedicure • Nail Art Air Brush Design • Extra Massage Available Walk-Ins Welcome • Gift Certificates Available August 7, 14 & 21: Providence has teamed up with 95.5 WBRU and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center to showcase some of the nation’s best talent on Waterplace Stage. Three outdoor concerts including performances by In The Valley Below, Andrew McMahon and Life In Film close off the 2015 WBRU Dunkin’ Donuts Summer Concert Series. Free. 7:30pm. Between Memorial Boulevard and Francis Street. 680-5770, wbru.com

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And visit the PVD Food Trucks @ Kennedy Plaza daily! Look for more information on the Imagination Center schedule including Open Air Family Reading Room, Imagination Playground, Game Days, and more on www.kennedyplaza.org or www.faceboook/GreaterKennedyPlaza Brought to you by the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza, Providence RI 02903 // www.kennedyplaza.org

Aspire photo: Rachel Hulin

Providence Monthly | August 2015

PROVIDENCE PARKS + RECREATION

Get Out | Music

WORKER'S

By Tony Pacitti

COMP

Men Behind the Mystery

Solving some – but not all – of Forest Fires’ riddles

InjuREd At WORK? Learn The 3 Major Tricks Played On Injured Workers!

Photography by Tony Pacitti

Expectations are weird.

I’d seen Forest Fires a few times, exchanged the briefest of words with them after a show to let them know I wanted to talk to them soon, I listened to their demos on Bandcamp, so on and so forth. Based on the information I received from these interactions, I was primed for an encounter with five dudes who were super serious and mighty mysterious. Theirs is a thoughtful, lots-of-feels kind of sound, one that has its toes in the waters of Deathcab while reaching up for the sonic aurora borealis of Iceland’s Sigur Rós. Personally, that’s right up my alley – cool soundscapes, some solid jangly guitars, vocals that stick in you heart like good cholesterol, oozing with a sense of mystery. Maybe it’s those beards of theirs. Whatever it was, I had it in my head that these guys were on a different level and so I braced myself as I drove to meet them. One look at our rendezvous point and suddenly I found myself questioning what I was getting into. Nothing says “Unapproachable Mysterious Indie Rock Wizards” like a townie bar by the airport. “I thought it would be quiet!” drummer Brad Caetano, shouted over the crowd at Track 84, where everyone had piled in to watch the Sox. I wasn’t bothered by it. In fact, it took some of the pressure off. We, along with bass player Dan MacKnight, managed to work our way out to a deck no one was taking advantage of and I got to learn a bit about the men behind the mystery. Between the five guys in Forest Fires, there’s an age span of about a decade. All of them have been going at it hard in one band or another for years. The band had started as a project with Dan, guitarists and singers Mike Sweet and Calvin Cadoret, and a couple of other guys who left last summer, making room for Brad and yet a third guitarist, Ian Van Opijnen. “It was a natural thing,” Brad says, not just of coming into Forest Fires, but of how quickly the five members gelled. “That was one of the most important things when we got this lineup

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Forest Fires performing at the Narragansett Block Party

together,” adds Dan. “We’ve all been in bands where personalities were clashing and we didn’t want to waste our time doing that. We took our time to find the right people.” With the right people in place, everyone got a job. Mike and Cal became the principal songwriters, Brad and Dan the guys who dealt with the business side of things, and Ian was the producer and engineer. From there it was about establishing a list of goals: Rock Hunt, play a show at Lupo’s, Summer Concert Series. The first two have already been checked off the list, with the Summer Concert Series achievement trophy set to be unlocked on August 14, followed the next day by a show at The Met where their set will be filmed for Rhode Island PBS’ Meet Me At The Met. All of this lines up perfectly for the release of their new EP, To the Sound of…, which drops on August 1 from Midday Records. To the Sound of… continues in the tradition of their previous, proof-ofconcept recordings and live performances. Teasing the edge of ambient without tipping into noise – though certainly not afraid to get loud – dreamy, lovelorn soundscapes fill the five tracks with all of the mystery we

talked about at Track 84. “We have a lot of people describe us as being very mysterious,” Brad says, smiling. “We feel like we’re a bunch of goofballs.” Goofballs. I guess it’s naive for me to think that it’s outside a goofball’s wheelhouse to create something that sounds like Forest Fires. Goofballs have their mysteries too. Or maybe the whole goofball thing is a ruse, at once disarming people who think the band is too mysterious while simultaneously raising new questions. Maybe Forest Fires is a rock band wrapped in a mystery wrapped in five goofballs wrapped in a smoke screen of other false mysteries. Or maybe I’m just having too much fun ignoring the men behind the curtain when the Wizard is coming through the speakers.

Forest Fires Shows this month: August 14 - the WBRU’s Dunkin’ Donuts Summer Concert August 15 - The Met August 29 - AS220 forestfiresmusic.com August 2015 | Providence Monthly

Get Out | Theatre

BEAUTIFUL

By Jenn Salcido

One Last Summer Act

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Cap off the summer at the Artists’ Exchange One Act Play Festival You guys, it’s August.

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Artists’ Exchange celebrates ten years of one acts

says. “We should celebrate the difference in people. Our mission is about celebrating people in all walks of life and integrating everyone, because we all have unique gifts and abilities.” Some of this creativity will help to unite the scenery for each show at the Black Box Theatre 82 & Character’s Café in Cranston. Even the pareddown number of shows would present a budgetary challenge for those in cushier situations. But after facilitating transitions in the space for the previous incarnations of the festival, resident technical guru Adam Ramsey has it down to a science. Jessica says that all artists, even actors, play a role backstage, helping to move sets and assisting with lights and music. And this year, an anonymous artist from New Bedford has donated abstract paintings that will be present across all plays in the festival. “[That in itself is] a celebration of creativity, of art. It can be interpreted however you want – that’s the whole basis of abstract art,” Jessica points out. The selections are scheduled over two “waves” – the first on July 17, 18, 24, 25 and the second across July 31, August 1, 7 and 8. Another unifying feature of the festival is the length; each show is about 10 to 15 minutes, and acceptable for almost all audiences (Jessica says it’s rated PG-13 for some language that’s inappropriate for youngsters). This is, in part, to encourage audience members even in today’s Insta-ADD-Tweetspeak

world to get out and have an interaction with live theater, even in its most bite-sized forms. “These are fresh works of art. People may not have heard of them,” she says. “[This festival] gives us an opportunity for playwrights all over the world to have their work be heard for the first time. That opportunity is really special.” The reciprocal goodwill extended to the Exchange by those same playwrights is particularly evident in Bottom of the 9th by Minnesota native Rand Higbee, which will be playing in Wave 2, says Jessica. Originally written to be about the scribe’s home team, the Minnesota Twins, Rand gave the Exchange permission to revamp the show to be themed around the Boston Red Sox – for obvious reasons. “We’re excited about that show,” says Jessica. “Even if you don’t like baseball or sports, you can’t help but get into that Red Sox Nation feeling.” Which is another thing about August, for you baseball fans – October’s just right around the bend.

Artists’ Exchange 10th Annual One Act Play Festival Through August 8 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston artists-exchange.org 490-9475

Photo by Christina Monahan

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Even though it’s been more than a decade Empire Loan since I’ve had an actual summer break, 1271 North Main Street this month still always manages to be Providence, RI 02904 as sad as one long Sunday. Not to worry too much, I’ve got good news. BMW AUDI MERCEDES BENZ VOLKSWAGEN MINI First, August means it’s almost September, which means that 2015-2016 theater seasons will start up soon. But more immediately, August is still festival season around here. One final and notable entry in this Owners since 1972, Gerry and Denis Moreau year’s festival season is The Artists’ are Rhode Island's top experts on German cars. Along with their factory trained technicians they Exchange’s annual One Act Play Feshave the tools, technology and talent to solve tival, which is celebrating its tenth anany problem. For a quick, honest and expert niversary. According to Theater Direcopinion call, email or stop by today to book tor Jessica Chace, this year’s lineup your appointment. Your car will run better. features 16 original works showcasing Courtesy drop-off to downtown. more than 30 actors, 15 playwrights G E R M A N M O T O R S INC and five primary directors. Sales & Service Organizers had their work cut out 879 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 for them this year – Jessica says that 401-272-4266 Email us at: germanmotorshelp@gmail.com the group whittled down over 1,000 submissions to the final lineup. “It was an overwhelming amount of work, the most we’ve ever had,” she says. “It was Dental Center at least three times as many as last Providence Media year, with submissions from as close as • Veneers Cranston to as far away as India.” • Crownsx 2.875" Spot ads: 2.125" • Dentures The settings, ideas and tones in the June •30, 2015 Family Dentistry various one acts are as varied as their • Tooth Whitening geographical pedigrees. Comedy, drama, romance, family fare – this festival Come in and Schedule an August has July 7, 2015 Providence Monthly, Issue it all. But what unites these works, today! more than just the delicate ballet of July 10, 2015appointment Bay Magazine, August issue prop swapping and quick changes that Where always July 14, 2015 SOyou’ll Rhode Island,find August Issue have to happen on the minimal sets to the brightest SMILES! make such a varied lineup work on a Your DownCity General and shoestring budget, is the festival’s cenCosmetic Specialist tral theme: celebration of creativity. 66 Kennedy Plaza Providence “First, celebration comes in many www.dentplus.net | 401-454-3000 forms,” says Jessica. “Birthdays, milestones, anniversaries, proposals, engagements. It can also mean divorce. It can also mean making the choice to better your life, as difficult as it may be. So celebration was in the back of the art of living wisely and well our minds when selecting the plays.” Celebrating creativity is central to the overall mission of the Artists’ Exchange, a space that houses multiple LIFE COACHING art studios, galleries and year-round COUNSELING • PSYCHOTHERAPY classes in all art forms, among other things. It is a place where creativity and connection are embraced across PROVIDENCE, RI all mediums and across all people. “As kANESmk@VERIzON.NET absurd as it may be, you can find a (401) 454-5700 connection with someone around the counselorprovidence.COm corner, in an alley, at a drugstore, often when we least expect it,” Jessica

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Providence Monthly | August 2015

Get Out |

Art

Nominated Best Erotic Boutique in U.S., AVN Awards 2012

By Elenya “Nellie” de Goguel

Imaginative Designs Hana Kearny brings her fun illustrations to life

Mister Sister Erotica CelebraTing 6 YearS!

To be a young artist

in Providence is a double edged sword, a visually stunning, expertly crafted sword, but a sword nonetheless. We are, a city bursting with artistic energy that should inspire and support our youthful creators. Yet because of the abundance of artists – both recognized and not-yet-acknowledged – competition is fierce. Hana Kearney, aka Hana Ko of Hana Ko Designs, is one such artist who is simply trying to make herself stand out in a saturated city. Luckily she is full of energy and hope, and is, refreshingly, not yet riddled with cynicism concerning her craft. Hana is a Cumberland native currently residing in Providence. Her artistic vision was born and nurtured at the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, which, as its name suggests, focuses on a creativity-rich education. “In high school that’s when I really started to figure out what I wanted to do, what my style was,” explains Hana between sips of her Three Sisters iced coffee. “I had the best art teacher in high school, Mrs. Mosley. She was a huge influence – she instilled [in me] the idea that if you want to do something, you can do it, regardless of limitations.” Her style is self-described as abstract and cartoony, and is perfectly depicted in one of her latest projects, the album cover for Roz and the Rice Cakes’ recent release Close Encounter. While Hana has big aspirations – perhaps one

Hana prints her illustrations onto almost any medium

More Toys than the Devil has Sinners

Mon 12pm-8pm, Tue-Thur 11-9 Fri-Sat 11-10, Sun 12-8 Handmade abstract and cartoony patterns let Hana Kearny express her creativity

day being commissioned to do largescale paintings or collages – she is focusing on the practical side of her profession by designing logos, images and marketable products for businesses and other interested parties, whether that be in t-shirt form or something else entirely. “Everything I make is one of a kind, it’s not easy to replicate. Even when I do screen printing, each one comes out a little bit different,” she says. “I’ll create a design for the client (or if they have their own I’ll use that) and it’s all hand-done. I use the AS220 print shop [and] I do everything from making the screens to ordering shirts to hand-stuffing every envelope... I put a lot of love into it.” This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on demand and time – and because of her class schedule and the fact that she works two other jobs to make ends meet, free time is tricky to come by. After graduating high school, Hana went from CCRI to URI and eventually settled at RIC where she is currently working towards a degree in Art Education. Hana is also employed as a bartender at The News Cafe in Pawtucket and at a country club, all so she can support herself and her budding design company. But she doesn’t despair her situation as an artist who has to do other things to support her passion. “If I had every single day to work on my art, I know I would be able to produce more...

but that’s real life. I have to work hard to buy my supplies,” she says with an excited, emotive tinge to her voice. “If I didn’t have a bartending job then maybe I wouldn’t have a certain creative vision one day. I’ll be doodling somebody and suddenly want to make that into a design. I think that everything else you do in your life stimulates your artwork. It’s not a shame – that’s why I’m going to school for education in art because I don’t want to be stuck not doing something in this field. I figure that’s just how we have to get by. Take a bunch of little jobs and as long as you’re doing something close to what you love, that’s all that matters.” This positive attitude is imperative when trying to break into the Providence arts scene. “I don’t want to say that the [art community] is snobby by any means, it’s just that unless you’re already in the loop, it’s hard to get respect,” expresses Hana. “Every contact I’ve made has been a struggle.” For now, Hana is busier than ever and is working on projects for local bands and businesses alike. “I want to represent the ‘stay local’ attitude,” she explains. “Basically, my philosophy is why would you want to go to someone you don’t know when you could go to me? I’m the local girl.”

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Hana Ko Designs www.hanakodesigns.tumblr.com August 2015 | Providence Monthly

Savor Providence

By Miranda Richard

Crêpe Craze

Distinguished Indeed

We Want S’more

True to its name, The Duck & Bunny’s Distinguished Lincoln crêpe is a sophisticated harmony of sweet and savory. The combination of Black Forest ham and gruyère with caramel mustard left us craving seconds as just a hint of cheese toed the line between dinner and dessert. The crêpe falls in the perfect middle ground between the two, and is as neat as Lincoln’s top hat with ham and crêpe of equal thickness. 312 Wickenden Street. 270-3300, theduckandbunny.com

La Crêperie’s S’mores crêpe is the perfect dessert mashup. Ground graham cracker keeps the sweetness in check while the use of Nutella, rather than conventional chocolate, makes this rendition taste better than traditional s’mores. The essential toasted marshmallow makes a definite appearance, but isn’t overpowering. The best thing about this crêpe? You now have permission to eat s’mores whether you’re near or far from a campfire. 82 Fones Alley. 751-5536, creperieprov.com

The Golden Ratio

Nice to Sweet You

Savory crêpes have stolen the show, and Rue de l’Espoir is a true star. Their standout bacon, egg and cheese crêpe perfectly balances thick, smoky bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs. You won’t worry about a lack of flavor here as even our biggest condiment connoisseurs agree the eggs don’t even need hot sauce. The Rue is set to close its doors after 39 years on August 9, so try one while you still can! 99 Hope Street. 751-8890, therue.com

For those who have yet to join the crêpe craze, Modern Diner’s mixed berry crêpe with mascarpone cheese filling is the perfect introduction. The crêpe itself is simply sweet, but the berry topping and mascarpone filling really set this dish apart. The combination of sweet filling and tart berries is reminiscent of classic summer treat, the Creamsicle. This crêpe is definitely one for dessert. 364 East Avenue, Pawtucket. 726-8390.

Providence Monthly | August 2015

Photography by Meghan H. Follett

There’s no doubt that Providence has fallen head over heels for a French favorite. A slightly more sophisticated cousin of the pancake, the crêpe is quickly becoming a city staple. We set out to taste some of the area’s finest French fare. Check out some of our favorites.

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