Providence Monthly February 2015

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Contents

Photography: (L) James Jones, (R) Stacey Doyle

FEBRUARY 2015

27

Our most eligible singles

This Month 23 PPL Smartens Up New directions for Providence Public Library

27 Hello Gorgeous

Clam fritters with remoulade at Clean Plate

49

39 City Style A PVD maker space goes Hollywood 41 The Look 42 Get Fit 45 Shopping 46 Beauty

49 Feast World cuisine on the East Side 50 Review 53 In the Kitchen 54 On the Menu 56 Rhody Bites

Meet this year’s most eligible singles

59 Get Out Get fashionable at StyleWeek

Every Month 6 Editor’s Note

60 Calendar 63 Art 64 Theatre 67 Music

68 Savor Providence How sweet dessert wine is

8 Online Exclusives 11 Feedback

15 Providence Pulse You could probably use a love potion this month 15 City 20 Scene in PVD

On the Cover:

This year's most eligible singles, photographed at Public Kitchen & Bar. Photography by James Jones.

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

5

Editor’s Note

PROVIDENCE MONTHLY

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP

Executive Editor Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine

Digital Manager Elyena de Goguel

Associate Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom Art Director Meghan H. Follett Assistant Art Director Veatsna Sok

Love is in the Air

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas Graphic Designer Caitlin Musso

Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com

If you haven’t been lucky in love recently, then you’ve probably spent the last month or so glowering at the Valentine’s Day propaganda that’s been all over TV and Target since the day after Christmas. (Side note: Can we at least wait until the calendar year of the holiday to start celebrating it? Is that too much to ask?) But, it’s time to end the pity party, because Providence Monthly is here to help. Our annual most eligible singles issue has ten of the best catches this city has to offer: they’re smart, funny, have a ton going on for themselves and aren’t too hard on the eyes, either. This year, we hosted a roundtable conversation with the most eligible, talking candidly about finding love in

Providence. If it turns out you’d like to meet them, you’re in luck. Most of them are participating in a single mingle/bachelor and bachelorette auction on February 27. Turn to page 32 for more information. For now, read on – and may Cupid shoot you with many heart-shaped arrows this month.

Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Kimberly Tingle: Kim@ProvidenceOnline.com Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com Contributing Photographers Ian Travis Barnard Terace Greene Hilary Block James Jones Mike Braca Force 4 Photography Brian DeMello Tim Siekiera Stacey Doyle Brad Smith

Contributing Illustrator Meghan Follett Contributing Writers Keith Andrade @AndradeK Erin Balsa

Cristy Raposo @foxywhite03

Michael Clark

Rebecca Remillard

David Dadekian @dadekian

Bill Rodriguez

Emily Dietsch

Johnette Rodriguez

Claire Flanagan

Jenn Salcido

Molly Lederer

Jen Senecal @JenSenecal

Stephanie Obodda @StephanieDoes

We’re Hiring!

Tony Pacitti @TonyPacitti

John Taraborelli @JohnnyTabs

Interns Jordan LaRose

Providence Media is growing our creative department, and looking for a full-time digital editor. Responsibilities include running our websites and social media, as well as writing and editing for print. Applicants must be knowledgeable about digital properties and analytics, and informed about media trends, especially online. Send your resume and writing samples to Jeanette St. Pierre at Jeanette@providenceonline.com.

Members Of:

Audited by:

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

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The Art of Permanent Makeup Medical & Cosmetic Simulation

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Free Lift Ticket With The Purchase Of Select Items

to stay warm and S.A.D. free during the darkest months of the year.

Plus: Peruse our digital February vacation compendium for ideas on how to give your kids a fabulous mid-season break

eyewear boutique

trunk show valentine’s day 11am-3pm

PA R T Y W I T H U S Get familiar with the latest in locally crafted fashion at StyleWeek’s first show of 2015

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Win THiS Win tickets to the Providence children’s Film Festival, screening at multiple locations February 12-22

FO L LOW U S Because we’re awesome on social, too

facebook.com/pvdmonthly

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DINE WELL Our statewide dining guide will keep you informed and well fed

RhodyBites.com Professional Nail Care for Ladies & Gentleman

401-861-8500 • 783 Hope Street, Providence

Monday-Friday 9am-7:30pm • Saturday 9am-6pm / Sunday 10am-5pm

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

9

Valentine’s Prix Fixe – $60 Per Person 1st couRse (Choice of)

salmon and tuna tartar Ginger, fennel, truffle oil, sesame seeds, crispy wontons asparagus Bisque Jonah crab, basil oil lobster hushpuppies Bacon jam, orange gastrique mushroom Ravioli Curried mushroom broth, water cress

Romance is on the menu at the Bluefin GRille call to reserve your table 401-272-5852

2nd couRse

Roasted Beet salad Baby arugula, goat cheese, sliced apples, candied pistachios, apple cider vinaigrette

MEN’S & WOMEN’S CLOTHING • SHOES ACCESSORIES

FACEBOOK.COM/SHOPDANDM 192 Wayland Avenue, Wayland Square 383-6739

3Rd couRse (Choice of) Pan Roasted duck Breast Melted leek puree, clementine jus, crispy sweet potatoes Grilled lobster Root vegetable hash, tarragon reduction Braised Beef short Rib Parmesan risotto, lemon balm and mint gremolata, greens scallop Pot Pie Creamy truffle veloute, puff pastry, squashes 4th couRse (Choice of) nY style cheesecake Strawberries, whip cream triple chocolate mousse Berry coulis, spiced walnuts flourless chocolate cake Almond cream

Bluefin Grille at the Providence marriott one orms street | free and easy parking

Is Your Loved One Ready for Another Since 1919

NUTS, BOLTS & BEYOND + scrapers, shovels & salt.

New England Winter?

Don’t spend another winter worrying about your loved one shoveling icy sidewalks, driving on unsafe roads or being stuck at home alone without electricity or proper provisions during long, cold days and nights.

Instead, enjoy complete peace of mind while they enjoy a winter vacation at EPOCH of Providence – where seniors are safe, warm, entertained and well cared for no matter what Mother Nature whips up.

Call today to schedule your visit and wrap up your preparations before the first snowfall!

EPOCH Assisted Living on Blackstone Boulevard

353 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI

401-273-6565 (RI Relay 711) www.EPOCHBlackstoneAL.com 173 WICKENDEN PROVIDENCE 401 421-5157 M-F 7:30-6PM SAT 8-5PM www.adlersri.com

10

Providence Monthly | February 2015

EPOCH Assisted Living on the East Side

One Butler Ave., Providence, RI

401-275-0682 (RI Relay 711) www.EPOCHEastSide.com

Assisted Living . Short-Term Rehabilitation . Long-Term Care Skilled Nursing . Memory Care . Respite . Fitness Center

Feedback

The Best Noodle Soup in Town

From Our Readers

50 Ann Mary Street, Pawtucket

A Big Thanks

Running to Success

Just wanted to say that I loved my “10” write-up [“Ten to Watch,” January 2015]. Really nice job distilling lots of information and making me sound very interesting! Thanks very much for profiling me – it’s a real honor and I’m super proud to be featured.

Karina Holyoak Wood

Thank you so much for the great write up on City Running Tours [“Run, Run as Fast as You Can,” January 2015”].

It was like getting an early Christmas present!

Serge McKhann Rhode Island Manager, City Running Tours

(off N. Main) In former Shaw’s Plaza 365-6278 • phohorns.com

Mon-Thur 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-11pm Sun 11am-9pm

From the Twitterverse In lieu of a traditional holiday card, the PM staff made a holiday video called “The 12 Days of Rhody Christmas,” that had lots of local shoutouts: @PVDMonthly Cute! Thanks for the shoutout! –NiRoPe Cardi (@NiRoPe)

& celebrating.

–Sam Seidel (@husslington)

In response to our 10 to Watch January cover story: So @PVDMonthly identified 10 people who will help shape city in 2015 and my friend @dadekian made the cut.

–Shawn Roarke (@sroarke_nhl)

Thank you! Thanks to @PVDMonthly!

RT @entitytrader: @dadekian Great article in PVD Monthly! Very exciting to see! –David Dadekian (@dadekian)

Annual holiday tradition: my mom finds a copy of @PVDMonthly & asks me if I know any of the “10 to Watch.”

God bless @DanMcGowan!

-Chas Walker (@chasbwalker) If you know @SheyRiveraAS220 you already know she’s doing big things.

Glad to see @PVDMonthly recognizing

Proud of my @wpri12 colleague and sweeps partner in crime @DanMcGowan –Allison Gaito (@AllisonGaito)

To celebrate Travel and Leisure naming Providence as America’s Favorite City, we threw a Providence is #1 party with the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Providence: Thank you to @TheVetsRI @ProvidenceRI @ProvidenceACT @PVDMonthly @TheRhodeShow for hosting such a great event to celebrate our city! –Angel Taveras (@Angel_Taveras)

Licensed Psychotherapist

be your

BEST SELF clarity • confidence achievement

(401) 441-1626 www.brittanydrozd.com • brittany@brittanydrozd.com

Send us a letter

Email us a letter to the editor to providencemonthly@providenceonline.com and it could be published in an upcoming issue.

Read us online

Full issues, archives and exclusive content on www.providenceonline.com

Love is in the air (and so is a winter chill!)

Stop in for an assortment of Valentine’s gifts & winter warmers.

Cloud Nine Home

Spreading the love one special gift at a time.

Find us on Facebook

Reach out to us at ProvidenceMonthly

Follow us on Twitter @PVDMonthly

9 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield 401.477.9555 Tues, Wed, Fri: 11-6 • Thurs: 11-7 • Sat: 10-4 • Sun: 10-4

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

11

historic

2nd Time around

district

Retail, Nightlife, Restaurants & More

294 Thayer Street | 455-2050 secondtimearound.net New and like-new designer consignment. From Tory Burch & Michael Kors to Chanel & Louis Vuitton, shop the best designer labels without the designer price tag!

andrea’s

Berks shoes & CLoThing

268 Thayer Street | 331-7879 andreasri.com

272 Thayer Street | 831-0174 Find us on Facebook

Providence’s original Greek restaurant, serving authentic, homestyle recipes on Thayer Street for over 35 years. Try the chicken and lamb kabobs, lemon oregano lamb chops and souvlaki!

Sperry’s, Blunderstone, Sorel, Uggs and Timerberland boots will keep you looking good in 2015. Stylish footwear for men and women, plus clothing and accessories. On Thayer for over 40 years!

at ThayerStreetDMA ThayerStreetDistrict.com

What’s happening

Thayer

p

Street

saVe 365 Days-a-year With our thayer Bicycle Benefits program

BeTTer Burger Company 215-217 Thayer Street | 228-7373 bbcfoodusa.com Organic grass-fed burgers, gluten-free options, homemade sauces and fries cooked in olive oil. Breakfast served until 3pm daily. Real fruit sodas. Vegan and vegetarian options also available.

eF Bishop group 217 Angell Street | 421-3210 efbishop.com Providing insurance & real estate solutions since 1965. Your Independent Agents representing your needs with many different companies to choose from. Real estate sales and rentals throughout RI.

FaCing Thayer BeauTy spa & BouTique 297 Thayer Street | 331-4777 facingthayer.com Offering luxurious facials, waxing, nail, & eyelash services and selling 25 different beauty lines, this is one spot you shouldn’t miss! Voted Best Day Spa.

Get your helmet sticker and save at participating Thayer Street businesses year round.

For full details visit thayerstreetdistrict.com

FLaTBread Company

proViDence chilDren’s film festiVal Feb 12-22

(viewings at Avon Cinema)

kaBoB and Curry

pie in The sky

161 Cushing Street | 273-2737 flatbreadcompany.com

261 Thayer Street | 273-8844 indianrestaurantsri.com

225 Thayer Street | 861-3954 Find us on Facebook

Rock. Wood. Fire. Clay. Ash. Crisp.

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Smoke. Organic. Passion. Sweet. Sourcing. Maple. Friendly. To Bake and Serve.

Real. Providence. Wood-fired Love.

“Arguably the best Indian food in Rhode Island.” – Providence Journal, Live.

Come in and see why this award-winning restaurant continues its tradition of excellence that started on Thayer 27 years ago.

The trend is Bohemia Tribal. The designs are one-of-a-kind with turquoise, corals & tooled metals of brass, copper and silver. A Valentine treat!

proViDence restaurant Weeks Visit Thayer Street during January 11-24

•••

pLeasanT surprise

squires saLon

speCTrum-india

297 Thayer Street | 273-1202 pleasant-surprise.com

50 Park Row West | 274-5660 squiressalon.com

252 Thayer Street | 421-1010 Find us on Facebook

Find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the special person in your life.

An eclectic mix of fun gifts, home accessories, quirky books, cards, and toys. Visit our Brick Market location in Newport also!

Squires Salon has temporarily relocated to the Moderne Salon, at Center Place, 50 Park Row West, Providence 02903.

We will soon be returning to our new location at 172 E. Cushing Street across from the Nelson Fitness Center.

Attractively priced dorm furnishings, eclectic fashions, exotic gifts, ready-toeat Indian entrees and more... also henna tattoos, henna parties, tarot and astrological readings all by appointment.

JESS ABERNETHY AMY STETKIEWICZ SHALYN WEBBER ANGELICA TIMAS OF CHIKKE NICK PINI CARISSA LYNNE FRAZIER ANTWAN BYRD OF DEBRICHHIO KENNETH EDGAR OF K-BOBBY AMANDA KOKER ERNIE JUBIN ARTISS AKARRA EARL BATTLE JENIFER STARK JUNE CRUZ OF ENAMOUR MARTHA JACKSON OF RESTORED BY DESIGN DYLAN USCHER OF DYLANIUM KNITS SARAH PROST OF YELLOW CLOVER JONATHAN JOSEPH PETERS

ACCESSORY SHOWCASE PRESENTED BY FLAUNT BOUTIQUE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY 5:30-9:30PM STUDENT RUNWAYCOMPETITION FEBRUARY 17, 7PM STUDENTS FROM NORTHEAST UNIVERSITIES TAKE PART IN THIS COMPETITION & WILL BE JUDGED BY A PANEL OF INDUSTRY AND MEDIA INSIDERS.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT STYLEWEEKNORTHEAST.COM

Providence Pulse

Photography: Brad Smith

CITY / MALCONTENT / SCENE IN PVD

Love Potion No. 9 Potions at Mother Mystic Spiritual Apothecary

More than any other time of year, you’re probably taking a long, hard look at your love life in February. Instead of your normal approaches – Facebook stalking, swiping left on Tinder and

being the last person standing at last call – try something different this year. Mother Mystic on Dean Street makes love potions. Stop in for a spell: you never know what might happen.

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

15

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

(Whole FoodS ShoPPiNg Plaza)

401-274-4790

Pulse |

City

From Page 15

Stop in for a Spell

Mother Mystic gets you in the romantic spirit “Most people don’t know what to expect when they walk in and confess they came in ‘because I’ve been dying to know what’s in here,’” says Susan Asselin, Reverend Minister of Mother Mystic Spiritual Apothecary. You really can’t blame them. There are no windows in the shop for the curious passerby to peer in through and the epithet “Spiritual Apothecary” is, well, intriguing.

Susan describes herself as a Spiritual Worker, lifting spirits and helping seekers, “connect with the path to enlightenment that works for them,” and with that sometimes lovely, sometimes lonesome Saint Valentine’s holiday

just around the corner, you can bet there are a lot of seekers. “People have many misconceptions about love potions. If you think about it, wearing a particular fragrance to attract attention makes it a love potion. Intention is everything! We carry many different love oils, some designed to attract a date, others to draw a mate, some purely for sexual magnetism. I also instruct people in creating their own love spell kits for specific goals.” The shop also carries aromatherapy, candles, incense, herbs, crystals and more. 179 Dean Street. 353-3099, mothermystic.com.

–Rebecca Remillard

Susan Asselin, Reverend Minister of Mother Mystic

Malcontent

Can’t Buy a Thrill

The economic doom-and-gloomers are missing what makes a city great “Don’t be so gloomy. After all it’s not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” –Harry Lime (Orson Welles) in The Third Man

Photography: Brad Smith

On July 1 of last year,

the City Council of San Marcos, CA did something that makes its home rather unique among American municipalities: it passed a balanced budget. The $63.7 million dollar budget for the fiscal year 2014-15 covers all of San Marcos’ expenditures, from police and fire to administration and land use planning, and also sets aside long term funds for things like infrastructure maintenance and vehicle and equipment replacement. “By making small investments in City assets over time and supporting long term financial planning, the City is preventing future costs that can grow exponentially,” said City Manager Jack Griffin.

San Marcos is on stable financial footing, with a budget that will allow it to maintain a reserve of at least 50 percent of the projected general fund expenditure. Of course, the City benefited from moderate revenue increases, with sales and property taxes up two and five percent respectively – because of growth, not tax increases. Those taxes account for 50% of general fund revenue. Again, I turn to City Manager Jack Griffin: “As the economy continues to recover and challenges remain for all levels of government, San Marcos is positioned well and has maintained a conservative fiscal approach moving forward.”

San Marcos is a nondescript southern California suburb of about 84,000 people. It is known for having one of the best restaurant scenes in the second most populous section of San Diego County. It boasts bountiful open spaces and parks, the highest coastal peak in the county and several prominent golf courses.

Providence, on the other hand, is a budgetary and economic train wreck, having endured decades of corruption, graft and incompetence. It has also produced WaterFire, the Big East Conference, Fort Thunder, Sound Session, the

Talking Heads, nationally acclaimed art and restaurant scenes and been hailed as number one on Travel + Leisure magazine’s “America’s Favorite Cities” survey in 2014.

As we enter new administrations at both the city and state level, and a new City Council and state legislature both convene to battle over budgets and economics, we will undoubtedly encounter a fresh round of negativity surrounding city and state finances, with both cited as evidence of why Providence can’t possibly succeed. Critics will scream on talk radio and pen angry op-eds in the ProJo, reminding us of all the obstacles that will prevent our city from flourishing.

Of course, those folks generally have the time to do such things and no more productive way to expend their energy.

A city cannot budget for greatness, have a big enough tax base to buy vibrancy or cut enough to unleash its creativity. This is not to say that budgetary and economic issues don’t matter to a city, but rather that financial woes are no excuse for failure. Providence doesn’t have much money, but money can’t buy what Providence has a lot of: character, creativity, culture, energy, hustle. The

economy moves in long cycles; today’s boomtown is tomorrow’s cash-strapped city. When the bad times inevitably come around, it’s those innate strengths that help a city power through. They can’t be bought, but any investment in them is always paid back exponentially.

In Rhode Island, Providence is known as a poor, violent, post-industrial city with failing schools, corrupt politics, high taxes and no economy. Around the country, and even around the world, it’s known as a vibrant, creative place with an exciting arts scene, great food, world-class universities and beautiful historic architecture – or, as the UK’s Telegraph once declared, “New England’s coolest city.” Our success rests on accepting that outside view and building upon it, not on continuing to enumerate the reasons why we can’t get out of our way. Even if believing in Providence means gambling on one in a million odds of success, that’s still a better bet than simply quitting in despair, which offers a rock solid 100% chance of failure. We can’t build on what we don’t have, so let’s not waste any more time standing around complaining about it.

Instead, let’s get to work building with what we do have. –John Taraborelli

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

17

avai lable for private rental-Conferences, presentations, celebrations & more

Pulse |

City

Run PVD

Run for Your Life

A local pro runner uses her pen to keep you motivated craft cocktails full stage theater and lounge 22’ x 14’ screen premiere sound versatile event space

2 76 w es t m i n ste r str e e t , d ow n tow n p r ov i d e n c e r e n ta ls @ a u r o r a pr ov i d e n c e . c o m | w w w . a u r o r a p r ov i d e n c e . c o m

It’s only February, which means – be honest – you’ve probably already slacked off on your New Year’s resolution to get fit and exercise more. You’re not alone. It can be hard to stay motivated, focused, and even organized when it comes to your fitness goals.

Providence resident and elite pro runner Roisin “Ro” McGettigan-Dumas understands your struggle. That’s why she, along with co-author and fellow pro runner Lauren “Lo” Fleshman, created the Believe Training Journal, a combination training log, goal setting journal, and how-to manual designed to keep runners confident and inspired all year long. It’s a revamp of their previous Believe I Am Training Journal, which they created when they couldn’t find a similar workout log that hooked them enough to keep using it. The new journal is brimming over with Ro and Lo’s personalized touches: everything from their expert advice and hard-won pro circuit wisdom right down to handdrawn illustrations and hand-written notes. The real beauty, however, is in its

function – helping runners to log run distances and times, set race goals and keep themselves honest when it’s tempting to quit. There is a lot of running between now and New Year’s Eve. The Believe Training Journal will help you to both keep going and prove that you did. believeiam.com.

–John Taraborelli

Artists Gone Wild

Brush Strokes

Get your inner artist on with Paint Night at the Zoo I don’t always drink while I paint, but when I do, I surround myself with flamingos. If you’re anything like me be sure to read on. Spend a few hours getting artsy (and tipsy) with the animals on February 14 during Paint Night at the Zoo, a unique monthly event that’s one part Dr. Doolittle, two parts Picasso and three parts red, red wine. Your ticket price includes one glass of vino – if you’re over the age of 21, of course – as well as teenfriendly drinks, a variety of cheeses to

18

Providence Monthly | February 2015

snack on, a canvas, paint, brushes and a smock. This instructor-led workshop is designed for artists of all skill levels so wrangle up the whole motley crew.

You’ll be guided step-by-step through creating a masterpiece that’s worthy of hanging in your living room… or at the least in your basement rec room.

Space is limited so register online in advance for this or for a future paint night event. Ages 16 and up. $35. 6:309pm. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 9414998, rwpzoo.org. –Erin Balsa

Join Us View a complete list of events and buy tickets at www.ric.edu/pfa or call (401) 456-8144

Cirque Alfonse – TIMBER! Wednesday, March 4 7:30 p.m.

This troupe of Quebec acrobats and musicians creates a colorful, energetic scene filled with acts of agility and strength and inspired by the exploits of the first North American lumberjacks, loggers and farmers.

The Auditorium in Roberts Hall Rhode Island College 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Providence, R.I. 02908 PerformingArtsSeries.RIC Accommodations for persons with disabilities available upon request.

Call (401) 456-8144 for assistance.

TTY/TDD: 711.

Available for Weddings & Special Events

Follow us on

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

19

Pulse |

Scene in PVD

Our annual holiday party for clients, writers and friends of Providence Media rang in the holiday season at Chapel Grille in Cranston. We ate delicious food, drank specialty cocktails like the So Rhode Island Coffee Milk, held an ugly sweater contest and rocked out to Christmas karaoke by WRIK Entertainment. Photography by Mike Braca.

Rebecca Remillard, Jeff Barbieri

Krystal Carnes, Cara Gayle

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John Taraborelli, Caitlin Amirault

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

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Providence Public Library’s new executive director Jack Martin

Doing Something Different Think stopping at the library is just something to cross off your to-do list?

The Providence Public Library is about to change that.

By John Taraborelli •

“I think people should come into the library to research important things, but they should also know that you can have fun at the library. It should be a place that can be inspiring and also silly sometimes.” So says Jack Martin, executive director of the Providence Public Library, who just wrapped up his first year at the helm of our urban library system’s flagship. He intends to do things differently at PPL, making it a vital cultural center for downtown. “I want to shift from the grocery store to the kitchen library model,” he says.

At a grocery store, we go in, get what we need, and leave. A kitchen, on the other hand, is a place of interaction, discovery, creativity and shared experiences. Traditionally our relationship to our libraries is more like the former: it’s a place where we go to borrow books, movies or music, do research or maybe use the computer. A stop at the library is often more like an errand than an experience. Jack Martin wants to shift our perception to the kitchen model. “We want to be perceived as this major cultural center where people can attend learning programs, and experience exhibitions and programs inspired by the exhibitions,” he explains.

“We also want to create a beautiful community space where people can access technology, gather and learn together, read together.”

Martin’s ascent to the head of the Providence Public Library is a bit of a homecoming. The Georgia native worked for PPL from 1999-2001, before leaving for the New York Public Library, where he served as Assistant Director for Public Programs and Lifelong Learning, managing 60,000 programs in 90 libraries. So what brought him back to tiny Rhode Island, to run the one branch that remains of the Providence Public Library? (The nine neighborhood branches are managed by

Photography by Mike Braca

an independent nonprofit called the Providence Community Library.) “It was clear that the library wanted to do something very different and go in a direction other public libraries throughout country should be exploring and aren’t,” he explains.

“That’s why I’m here: to do something different with this building.”

Indeed, the building itself is a key ingredient in Martin’s “kitchen” model. Constructed in 1900, very much in the “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” Renaissance style, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a beautiful public space that has been both underutilized and underappreciated for its aesthetics. That changed in early 2013, when renovations to the Grand Hall and several other sections of the Washington Street side were completed, and the library opened for business as a special event space. A partnership with Russell Morin Fine Catering positioned the library as a venue for weddings, fundraisers and other special occasions that merit an air of grandeur. Proceeds from

One of the newly renovated rooms on the fifth floor

One of the historically beautiful event spaces within the library

those rentals go straight back to the library to support programming and services – a crucial source of funding for an institution that no longer receives money from the City. “We’re a private nonprofit, so it’s vital to us. We couldn’t carry out a lot of these ideas if we didn’t have that funding,” Martin says.

“When people have events here, they’re essentially donating to the library.”

Renovations continue to transform the space.

An ongoing expansion of the fifth floor, which has always been staff workspace that was never open to the public, will turn it into a learning lab and maker space for innovative and educational programming. Martin points out that PPL’s 112,000 square feet of learning library make it a physically larger cultural entity than even AS220, which owns three separate properties downtown.

The kinds of uses Martin imagines for this valuable public space are already happening. He points to examples like last summer’s Teen Tech Squad, a 10-week program that gave nine teenagers experience in history, journalism, video editing, coding, curating exhibits and more. They were provided with iPads and sent out to document places like the Castle Theatre on Chalkstone, the North Burial

Ground and the Carrie Tower at Brown University. They then edited that footage, and used PPL’s Rhode Island Collection to research the neighborhoods and digitize what they found. They built websites that matched the library’s documentary material with the students’ own, which were then showcased at the John Brown House Museum during Gallery Night and are now part of the Rhode Island Collection.

Martin is excited to launch more, and even more innovative, programming and exhibits this year, and to connect them with more experiences both inside and outside the library. For instance, in the spring PPL will launch a major exhibition on the history of local music. Much of the programming around it is still taking shape, but there is no shortage of ideas: things like inviting local musicians to come in and create from the library’s collections, either in the form of musical compositions or recreations of famous past performances in Providence; creating a digital timeline of Rhode Island’s musical history; unearthing sheet music from local composers and finding musicians to perform them, some for the first time in their existence; a showcase of the city’s ‘90s alt-rock scene; and much more.

The silliness that Martin referenced arrives at the library in March, in the form of Unicorns in Residence, an exhibit based on the fictional creatures that will find PPL working in partnership with Brown and RISD’s libraries, the RISD Museum and artist Camomile Hixon. It will begin with a “Unicorn Stampede” of 32 pink, sparkly unicorns displayed at the building’s entrance. “At end of March those unicorns will be released from the library and will go live in various institutions across city,” Martin promises. Brown and RISD will pair up for an exhibit on unicorn iconography at the former’s Hay Library. The Providence Children’s Museum will feature a phone booth where kids can call and report unicorn sightings.

These are just two examples of Martin’s vision for innovative, robust public programming that provides people new and interesting ways to interact with their downtown library. They’re the kinds of things that will move the library off your to-do list and on to your calendar. “There’s a perception that libraries are just book repositories. That’s something libraries across country are struggling with,” Martin summarizes. “We want people to think about what libraries can do differently.”

Learn about the history of printing in one of the library’s special rooms that includes a historic printing press

FroM tHe ArCHiveS PPL’s Special Collections are the coolest stuff you never knew was at the library

Model ships and logbooks abound in the whaling archives special collection

Whaling In addition to several thousand books on the subject, the Nicholson Whaling Collection contains 750 manuscript logbooks detailing 1,000 whaling voyages. It also boasts scrimshaw, a narwhal tusk, ship models and, arguably the library’s single coolest item, a harpoon gun.

History of Printing The Daniel Berkeley Updike Collection on the History of Printing began in 1910 with about 1,000 duplicate books from the St. Bride Library in London, and has since swelled to include 7,500 books, 600 letters, hundreds of prints and even three printing presses. The collection’s backbone is its hundreds of type specimen books illustrating early printing fonts. In a design-centric city, this is an underappreciated treasure.

Magic The 1,200-plus volumes in the Percival Collection of Books about Magic cover subjects like magic tricks, ventriloquism, spiritualism and gambling.

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

Highlights include A Magician Among the Spirits, an exposé of fraudulent spirit mediums penned by none other than Harry Houdini, and Will Goldston’s Exclusive Magical Secrets, which is fittingly secured with a lock and key.

Checkers and Whist These two collections document the history of one of the world’s most famous games and the card game from which bridge evolved, respectively.

The Haynes Checkers Collection encompasses over 500 volumes, the earliest dating from 1572. The Barney Whist Collection is thought to be the only one of its kind in the country, containing over 500 books.

Civil War and Slavery This is PPL’s largest special collection, spanning more than 10,000 books, pamphlets, newspapers, manuscripts and more. It contains many editions and translations of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, as well as letters written home by Rhode Islanders serving in the Civil War.

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LOVE, LIFE This year’s most eligible on the singles scene and finding “the one” in Providence

By Julie Tremaine • Photos by James Jones Styling by Suite Tart • Hosted by Public Kitchen & Bar

Talk to five people who have dated in Providence, and they’ll tell you the same thing. The

city is small. The dating pool is smaller. It’s hard to meet someone who doesn’t have a connection to you in some way. But what they probably won’t mention is that if you can manage to break out of your routine, there are a lot of great people in PVD who are also looking for love, and whom you just haven’t met yet. Here are ten of them, in candid conversation about what this city does (and doesn’t) have to offer.

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Sarah Firetto

• Age: 33 Occupation: Associate Director for Alumni Relations at Providence College From: New Jersey • Currently lives: Lincoln Interested in: a man “who loves life just as much as I do and wants to squeeze everything out of it.” • Spends her free time: as a spin instructor, playing with her pug Muddie, cooking, taking a weekend trip. “Where can you find me in my downtime? Where can you not find me? I have the tendency to be bouncing around to lots of different things – I don’t like to waste a minute.” • She says: Online dating can be discouraging. “I think we all need to stop looking and see what the universe has planned.”

Daniel Stimler

• Age: 39 Occupation: retired Navy, hospitality student at JWU, Marriott concierge • From: New Orleans • Currently lives: Johnston Interested in: a woman who will “challenge me both mentally and physically to be a better person.” • Spends his free time: cooking, exploring Providence, road tripping - especially on his motorcycle He says: “I decided, while I was on active duty, that I would wait to pursue a meaningful relationship until after I was out of the military. I found it difficult to maintain a relationship amid constant deployments and the occasional relocation to the other side of earth. Now that I am out of the Navy I genuinely feel ready to start a long term relationship.”

Seth Shapiro

• Age: 38 Occupation: real estate developer / entrepreneur • From: Coventry Currently lives: downtown Providence • Interested in: a woman who “is just as comfortable being at a rock show one night and a black tie event the next.” • Spends his free time: skiing (on water in the summer, on snow in the winter), photographing concerts, exploring Providence and beyond. “I’m trying to fill up my passport with as many stamps as possible.”

He says: “I consider myself a Renaissance Man: loyal, honorable, intellectual, a genuine ‘nice guy.’ I believe that chivalry is not dead... If you both feel at ease and can have comfortable moments of silence, that speaks worlds. It’s a great feeling to look at your watch and wonder where the past three hours went!”

Toyin Omisore

• Age: 28 Occupation: Reservations & Event Director of StyleWeek Northeast; Creator & Blogger of TheHairDaily.com From: Providence • Currently lives: Providence • Interested in: someone who will “inspire me to be a better me, as well as call me out on my stuff. Our relationship would be built off a strong friendship.”

Spends her free time: “During my downtime you can find me at home either alone, or with close friends and family… and a bottle of wine, of course. If I’m alone I simply enjoy watching movies, writing, and creating. If I have guests it’s usually food, laughter, and possibly an intense game of Taboo.” • She says: “I am not sure if it’s just the singles in Providence, but the concept of dating and chivalry seems to be fading a bit. I am still traditional. I enjoy being picked up, going a nice date, opening doors… the simple things.”

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

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Julie: I hope you guys have gotten to know each other a little bit. Now I’d like to is talk about your dating experiences in Providence. It’s different for people who have just moved here versus people who have lived here a long time. Let’s start with first impressions. How do you feel the scene is here? How do you feel as someone who is ostensibly looking for dates, or a partner?

Mat: I found at first, after moving here after college, it’s great. It’s a really fun scene. There’s an infinite amount of places to go, to eat, to hang out. And then three to six months in, I started looking around and saying “ok, I’ve been on a date with everyone in here right now.” Or the friend I was with had dated that person.

All of a sudden you run the gauntlet and then feel like a ho.

Sarah: In Providence, there’s one degree of separation. So any connection you have, whether personal or professional, it has a little bit more weight, because you don’t have that remove you might have in a bigger city.

Brendan Kirby • Age: 33 Occupation: co-host, The Rhode Show • From: Warren Currently lives: Riverside • Interested in: a woman who “I am attracted to and that I get along with easily. You should put work into making a relationship great, but it shouldn’t feel like work; and it doesn’t when the person is just right for you.”

• Spends his free time: “As much as I love to travel or be busy, a great weekend is one where i have very few commitments. Just being able to get things done or meet up with friends is really the best.” • He says: “I enjoy kidding around because laughter and humor are essential ingredients to life. It’s easy to get stressed out about work, family life, dating, whatever, but a good laugh – either intentional or unintentional - can really help to diffuse any situation.”

Julie: I feel like every time I see a new face, I wonder whether he’s visiting from out of town, because he’s not part of the circle that moves in Providence. You feel like everyone knows everyone, but at the same time, when you look on dating sites, there are all these faces of people I haven’t seen before who live in Providence and Pawtucket. These people are there, we just can’t find them. There’s a big divide between the people who go out and do things in Providence, and the people who stay home a lot. The rich dating pool is the people who aren’t in the scene. So how do you find them?

Sarah: I used to be on the dating sites a lot, but they’ll put this one great person so you’ll get excited, and then after that it’s like womp womp. Where did that one person go? Then it’s just like “ok, no, no, I know that person, no.”

Joe: That’s the problem with these sites. It takes away the nuance. It takes away the ability to sit with someone, see their body language, see if you’re into me.

Brendan: Have any of you dealt with the situation where the online profile pictures are of like eight different people, and then it’s like, which one are you?

Aleishia: Yes! I’ve been on dates where I didn’t recognize the person.

Sarah: I feel like Tinder is consistently the opportunity to constantly look for something better. My friends who have talked to people on Tinder, they’ll see that their profile is still active, so while they’re talking, the other person is continually going out and trying to go through and see what else is there. I feel like it’s the lazy person’s way to meet people.

Mat: The issue I have with these dating apps and these dating sites is an issue I found in real life in Providence as well: no one wants to pursue the other person.

Everyone wants to be on the shelf. No one is the person who buys the drink, no one wants to be the person who starts the conversation.

Joe: Technology is a wonderful thing, but with technology you don’t have to take a risk. We’re afraid to be told no, but with the sites you can type anonymously in your home.

Aleishia: And lie. People can lie in their profiles.

Emily Hall

• Age: 42 Occupation: Director of Marketing, Union Studio Architecture & Community Design • From: Ohio • Currently lives: downtown Providence Interested in: a man who “has his act together personally and professionally. I’m a sucker for a good conversationalist with great manners.”

Spends her free time: Just finished her MBA, and exhibits her collage work in local galleries. “I love boating with friends in the summer. Experimenting cooking new recipes. Wine tasting. Art. Cycling the East Bay bike path. Chilling with my giant rabbit, Henry.” • She says: “If I were to design a dating site, I’d make it in nomination format. Your profile would be written by friends and relatives. I’m betting that the most genuine people out there are the ones who don’t know how to market themselves.”

Seth: The downfall of that is that in Providence, you know it’s such a small scene, you’re going to run into those people again. If someone catches your eye and you don’t want to talk to them that night, you just think I’ll just come back another time and I’ll see them again, maybe when I’m not with these friends or when I’ve had a few drinks and I’m feeling courageous. With Tinder, people say stuff because they think they’re not going to meet them.

Sarah: Has anyone tried Hinge before? It matches you with people who are friends of friends on Facebook.

Emily: With a friend of a friend, you at least hope they’re not psychos. It takes the element of concern out of it.

Joe: The great thing about living in Providence and why I’ve stayed for almost ten years is that, being an artist, I meet people who love the arts. Artistic people who love politics, politicians who love the arts. We live in a community that makes

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

31

Mathew Delaire • Age: 26 Occupation: Manager of Membership and Development, Newport Historical Society From: Providence • Currently lives: Providence • Interested in: “someone who is in touch and comfortable with who they are.” • Spends his free time: Exploring Providence, since he commutes for work. “I have a strong passion for art, history, and nature and tend to pick up hobbies that revolve around one, or a combination of the three.” • He says: “Like Rhode Island, my motto is: Hope. Hope that if I stay true to myself and stay positive, love and I will find each other. If that fails, I look forward to letting myself go!”

Aleishia Silva

• Age: 33 Occupation: makeup artist, MAC • From: “Massachusetts-ish” • Currently lives: Cranston Interested in: a man who’s “honest, loyal, passionate, driven and has a great sense of humor.

Tall and handsome wouldn’t hurt either.” • Spends her free time: “This time of year I spend a lot of time cooking with friends and family, seeing movies or out having dinner. I’m a big of live music, theater and travel.” • She says: “I love to have a good time. A great date is more about the company for me. As long as there is great conversation and lots of laughs, I can have fun just about anywhere.”

Kristen Adamo • Age: 45 Occupation: Vice President of Marketing, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau • From: Providence Currently lives: Warwick • Interested in: a man who will surprise her. “You never know what is going to attract you to someone.

I’m tall, so height is really the only deal breaker with me. Well, that and vegans – have a piece of cheese and lighten up!”

Spends her free time: “I love going anywhere that has live music – from concerts to clubs. One of the perks of my job is that I get invited to a lot of community events. My work and my fun sometimes blur together, and I am very lucky that they do so.”

She says: “For an ideal first date, I love a dark Irish pub and a pint of Guinness. Throw in a guy in a fisherman’s sweater in the corner playing ‘Wild Rover’ and I’m good.”

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

Joe Wilson, Jr.

• Age: 43 Occupation: Acting Company, Trinity Repertory Company • From: New Orleans Currently lives: Providence • Interested in: a man who “who will make me laugh, and who finds me just as entertaining. It would be fun to hang out with someone with simple needs, but not a simple mind.” • Spends his free time: at the beach, watching sports, cooking and going on adventures with his Black Lab, Stella • He says: “Between college, graduate school and working in the professional theater for almost 20 years, dating has always been a tricky proposition. People in this business keep odd hours, and I’ve moved around quite a bit as a result of my work. But by being a member of the Acting Company at Trinity Rep for now my 10th season, I have had the opportunity to create a home for myself in Providence.”

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Toyin: I rememeber having this conversation with this woman who was texting with someone she was interested in, but she didn’t know when they were going to go on a date, because they were just talking and talking. She didn’t know when they were going to go on a date, or if she should ask.

Kristen: That might be a married guy.

Sarah: Yeah, it gets weird. Two weeks. After that it gets weird. They’re married, or something.

Joe: Also when you’re doing this, you have the luxury of presenting your best self. When it’s time to meet, what’s going to happen now? We’re actually in a way starting back at square one.

Brendan: I like to present myself as my worst.

Seth: You can only go up from there. this place great. It’s all so interconnected. It’s difficult because we all know each other. The solution for me is to say screw it, I don’t want to bother and then I get frustrated because I wonder how do I find myself so lonely sometimes in a town that’s so manageable?

We’re still so isolated.

Sarah: It’s a balance. Do you embrace the internet?

Aleishia: You can embrace it, but keep it real. You meet these people on the internet who seem so wonderful, and three dates in it’s like we don’t have anything in common. You lied.

Kristen: I’m so envious in a way of people who put themselves out there on the internet, but for me, it’s personal. I feel like chemistry and meeting a person is such a huge part of it that the internet takes that away. For extroverts, you’re like, whatever, I’m just going to talk to someone.

Emily: But it’s also a great way of getting back on the horse, if you’re getting out of a relationship.

Kristen: Yes, but you have to have some level of courage for that. You have to be secure in yourself to be like yeah, I can accept rejection.

Joe: But that’s what people do. I can remember being in college and not having a computer. That’s how folks met people. You would see them across the room and buy someone a drink.

instinct. That to me is a more valuable, tangible thing.

Sarah: That’s why I don’t think you should let an internet relationship go past two weeks without meeting.

Seth: I agree. Just because you both like tennis and golf and you feel compatible, until you physically meet someone… A lot of things don’t translate via text, either. You could take something someone says that’s serious as sarcastic, or something that’s sarcastic as serious – even worse.

Brendan: That first meeting is crucial. You need to know if there’s something going on, no?

Julie: I read a theory that text messaging, and this instant communication between strangers, is actually making dating harder.

Seth: I agree.

Julie: There’s this phenomenon where you’ll text – and I’m sure we’ve all experieced this – where you’ll text back and forth a million times and think we really have a connection, when are we going out? And he’ll never ask you, because there’s no urgency to the situation.

Sarah: He’s getting what he needs from you.

Kristen: Don’t you think it’s different by gender? I have friends who are newly divorced, and they’re hilarious, because they’re like a new gazelle. They’ve never been alone, they don’t understand how to be alone. If they see a single man, they pounce.

Brendan: Where are these women?

Kristen: I can give you a few. I’m just like calm down. I’m a little bit older, so maybe it’s the divorced generation, but they pounce on dating and it’s like I can’t compete with you.

Julie: But wouldn’t you, the gentlemen here, be freaked out by that?

Seth: No. It’s so nice to have someone approach you. I feel like it’s come around. It’s not like it was 20 years ago, where you can’t approach a guy.

It’s refreshing to have someone come up and talk to you.

Julie: We’re in a time where nobody knows who should make the first move anymore.

Seth: That I agree with. Chivalry is still alive. I’m big on that. I open doors, I hold doors, I still like to do that. But I like girls who will say hello.

Kristen: You’ve gotta get a vibe.

Sarah: You start communicating via text, via email.

You think that there’s a connection. That’s why I say to my friends who are on the internet, you need to meet that person very soon. Because if you let that relationship go for a long time online and then you meet that person, it could be very different.

Mat: There’s the dating zone, and the friend zone, and the person I’ve been talking to online for a week zone.

Kristen: With the internet, you have the luxury of time. You can craft your message. You have plenty of time to say what you want to say, whereas you meet someone, you’re just talking. You get a vibe or an

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

35

Looking to meet your match?

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Joe: But also we can get bogged down in chivalry, but I’m always dealing with a man and a man. It’s about power, and the ability to reject and accept. I don’t think dating among gay and straight is very different. In the end, nobody wants to feel rejected.

Emily: And the flip side is it’s really nice to feel the opposite of that, like, yes, I’d love for you to buy me a drink. I’m happy to pay for my dinner, but I’d love for them to offer.

Kristen: As a successful woman, it’s also stressful, don’t you think?

It’s like, what’s my power position?

Do I pay? I feel like there’s a little bit of that dynamic as women rise.

We have our first woman governor.

How do you navigate that? I’ve had relationships fail because I’m more successful than the other person.

Seth: That’s insecurity for the man.

Kristen: True, but it’s a dynamic you have to navigate.

Toyin: I will pull back, and I will let the man pay. Because at the end of the day there’s still stressors from the outside world – you have to act a certain way, be a certain way.

Aleishia: I’m not going to dumb myself down, but if you’re going to offer to start my car for me because it’s cold, I’m not going to say no.

Sarah: I feel like any time I’ve approached a guy, it hasn’t worked in

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

my favor. They want to be the one to pursue.

Seth: I disagree with that.

Kristen: We’re with her.

Sarah: I’ll be fine initiating a conversation, but in the end their interest is really not there unless they’re pursuing.

Seth: Initiating a conversation, I’m with you. Pursuing, I get.

Sarah: If a guy’s not willing to pursue, it just isn’t there. I don’t do it anymore. I’ll talk to you, but the guy has to pursue the girl.

Julie: So Daniel, you’re the newcomer to Providence. He’s only lived here for about a year. What’s your take on the dating scene?

We’re all saying everyone knows everyone, we’re so jaded. Do you find it’s easy to meet people?

Daniel: I don’t think Providence has a dating issue. I think it’s an issue across the board. I lived in Italy for two years.

Dating there is the way it should be.

It’s all about going out with someone to see how it goes. There’s no guarantee. Dating is never a guarantee. You go out with someone and see how it goes. Nine times out of ten, it’s horrible, but you do it because you want to find the right person. You enjoy yourselves as people. This is not a Providence issue. Just be yourself. I don’t care what the media says. The best you can do is you.

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City Style

AT HOME / SHOP TALK / THE LOOK / BEAUTY / GET FIT About the Homeowner Furniture designer Jessica Brown is a RISD alum and owner of Lady J by Jess Brown. Catch her on Spike TV’s newest reality show, “Framework.” She lives in Cranston.

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5

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3

2 4

Photography: Mike Braca

Retro Meets Modern 1. I love all things nostalgic. These are retro Hasbro games – it’s when products were substantial and durable. The games are a throwback to a simpler time: Mystery Date, Twister, Spirograph and Lite Brite. They are all products I work on at Hasbro. 2. This is what my husband calls the “Captain’s Chair.” It’s a beautiful mid-century Danish-style arm chair, has a beautiful patina and is perfect for feeling like you’re on Mad Men. 3. This total hipster piece is where technology and analog meet. It’s a vintage Apple computer monitor planter made by Nidal Fakhouri at Fakhouri Pottery in Providence. Mine has butterflies and dancing ladies on it – that’s how I beat away the wintertime blues!

4. I have an obsession with the ‘50s and TV sets. This is an “As Seen on TV Mirror.” Modeled after TV sets from the ‘50s, this 11’x17’ mirror is made of birch plywood, laser cut and then silkscreened. It comes in wood finishes and throwback colors. 5. You Can Go To Hell… I’m Going to Pawtucket! I “heart” this poster. It says everything about the grit and edge of being a Rhode Islander. I got it from Frog and Toad on Hope Street. 6. As a trumpet player in the Extraordinary Rendition Band, we participate in street marching band festivals across the country. But this ain’t your momma’s average kind of band. This is a DIY band from the music to the outfits.

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Carter Family Charitable Trust • Entelco • George A. Ramlose Foundation • RISD FAV Department RI OLIS • Providence Public Library • Providence Community Library • Providence Marriott Downtown • Gardner + Gerrish • Rag and Bone Bindery

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

City Style |

The Look

Thuy Dao Jewelry Designer, DaoDesigns

How do you describe your personal style?

I would say ‘versatile.’ I enjoy switching up my looks and creating different outfits with the same pieces. I have rocked everything from combat boots and studs to floral print and leather. The way I dress is a reflection of the way I’m feeling on a particular day. I don’t allow where I’m going or what occasion I’m dressing for to be the only deciding factor when I’m choosing my outfits. My style is my style alone. It’s sporty, rebellious, chic, flattering – and above all, it’s versatile!

What do you never leave home without?

No matter what I wear, I will never leave home without jewelry. Whether it’s a pair of studs, some bangles or jeweled bib, every outfit isn’t complete without some jewels.

Tell me about your outfit.

This outfit is something I would wear on a date night or dinner with friends. The sweater is from H&M. I love how colorful it is. The jeans are from Zara. I’m currently obsessed with jeans with zippers. I like the extra detail they give. The studded pumps are also from Zara. My sister Betty sent them to me for my birthday last year. The watch is from Tourneau. It’s pretty cool because I’ve been looking for a gold watch for a few months but couldn’t find one that I liked. Last month I attended a company event and won it as a door prize. It was the perfect color, face and size! The other bracelets I’m wearing are a part of my line. My arm candy always contains chains mixed with different textures.

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Tell us a little about your jewelry line.

I love a lot of color and I love gold. You will hardly see any silver pieces from me, and if you do there is more than likely something gold hanging from it. I strive to design jewelry that is unique, simple, stylish and affordable. And I only create pieces that I would wear myself.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

From anything and everywhere. It can be something as simple as the color of the sky or the pattern in a painting. I frequent flea markets in search of old pieces. There’s something amazing about finding forgotten old jewelry and recreating them into totally different pieces. Craft fairs are amazing because it gives me an opportunity to be around other creative people and pull energy from them. I also visit craft stores like Jo-Ann or Michaels. The great thing about designing is you can use pretty much use anything to make jewelry. Check out DaoDesigns on Facebook, Etsy and ashandwillow.com/DaoDesigns.

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

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City Style |

Get Fit

By Jen Senecal

Food for Thought

A Certified Nutritionist on feeding your body what it needs Fitness has been a

passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Joining my first gym at the age of 13, I’ve spent over the last two decades (don’t do the math) pushing, pulling, lifting, sweating and rearranging 90% of my personal life to fit around my workout schedule. I’ve been hooked on endorphins from the start, so when a little over a year ago, my longtime friend and fellow fitness fanatic asked me if I’d want to join forces in launching a lifestyle blog, I jumped. Together, Kelly and I started The F Word, where we talk fitness, food, fashion, family and the other fun ways to embrace a fit lifestyle.

Over the past year or so, we’ve become really focused on the food we eat, and completed our certifications in both sports and fitness nutrition. While getting up and working out is a huge piece of maintaining a fit lifestyle, nourishing your body with the proper fuel is an important piece of overall health and well-being.

My theory on food consumption is to strive for balance. Not restricting or depleting anything completely out forever (unless you have medical issues that require it). Not feeling guilt when you eat.

Getting the appropriate amounts of protein, carbs and fat daily, while filling your

Smoothie fixin’s

plate with lots of colorful, nutrient-dense foods and drinking a lot of water. And then eating a piece (or two) of pizza if you want.

Truth be told, you will feel what you eat. If you eat junk food, too much food or food filled with ingredients that aren’t really food at all, your body will tell you.

If I can give any piece of nutritional advice, it’s to listen to your body.

Here are some of my favorite breakfasts, lunches, dinners and smoothies, and a glimpse into my week of workout fuel.

Breakfast • 1 cup of cottage cheese (full fat) topped with 1 sliced banana, 2 T almond butter or natural peanut butter, 1-2 T of local honey, 2-3 T of cinnamon • 1 serving of steel oats with the same toppings as above • 2-3 eggs sunny-side up on two pieces of oatmeal toast with half an avocado (and hot sauce) Lunch • Salads: Mixed greens topped with any handful of toppings – red peppers, hardboiled egg, avocado, grilled chicken, cukes, black beans, roasted asparagus, black olives, tomatoes, goat cheese and superseeds. I usually top my salads with some olive oil and fresh lemon juice and cracked pepper.

• Shredded broccoli or cabbage topped with tuna or chicken, avocado and a quick cilantro chimichurri sauce (throw cilantro, garlic cloves, olive oil, a teeny bit of red wine vinegar, juice from a lime and sea salt/cracked pepper into a blender – make a bunch to keep on hand).

• Grilled/boiled/rotisserie chicken, shredded with mayo (yup, I use real mayo), green grapes, pecans, dill, cayenne, to make chicken salad • Ground turkey stir fry with whatever veggies you have on hand • Whatever soup I made for the week

Dinner Meats: • Marinated steak (Worcestershire sauce, garlic, olive oil, bay leaf) • Chicken sautéed in coconut oil with a “breading” of egg, almond flour and shredded coconut • Fish – Grilled or baked salmon w/seasonings and lemon, grilled “fish packs” of haddock that are wrapped in foil balls with lemon, baked cod with olive oil and seasoning or grilled shrimp with any combo of seasonings. Grilled shrimp tacos – shredded cabbage, pineapple, black beans and the abovementioned cilantro chimichurri on top Veggies: • Coconut carrot fries. Slice carrots into “fries” and sauté them in coconut oil until tender and sprinkle with sea salt or other spices.

• Sliced sweet potato disks, coated in melted coconut oil, sprinkled with cinnamon and roasted in the oven • Roasted broccoli, cauliflower or asparagus • Sautéed Brussels sprouts Smoothies Green Smoothie (Breakfast): • 1 cup pineapple chunks (and a tiny bit of the pineapple juice it’s in) • 3 big handfuls of baby spinach • 1 orange, peeled • 1 banana • A few ice cubes PB Chocolate Banana Chia (Postworkout): • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk • 1 banana • 2 T PB2 (peanut butter powder) • 1 T cocoa powder • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder • 2 T chia seeds • A few ice cubes

PB Chocolate Banana Chia Smoothie

(Post-workout): • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk • 1 scoop white chocolate protein • 1 banana • 1 cup blackberries • 2 T chia seeds When I snack, I try to munch on fruit, nuts, homemade trail mix, stovetop popcorn, cut up veggies or a few pieces of dark chocolate.

When I stick to a week of nutrition that looks like the one above, even indulging a bit on the weekends, everything works.

Everyone has a different goal when it comes to health and nutrition, but overall health and fitness can be found with good balance, a little dedication and some solid prep work. Check out the website for more recipes and nutritional information (and soon-to-be-offered meal plans and workout programs).

Jen Senecal

White Chocolate Blackberry Smoothie

Certified Nutritionist Health and Fitness Blogger thefwordblog.com

more than five minutes, you’ve likely come across a show where people are dropped (or voluntarily venture) into the wilderness and are left to fend for his or herself. There are essential skills for survival that move beyond a flask of whiskey, and Cranston REI

will show what it takes to navigate outdoors in their Wilderness Survival: Winter Skills class on February 21 in Lincoln Woods. Outdoor shelter and emergency know-how will keep you safe on a hike or a set for a show. rei.com.

FiT NeWS NAMASTe WiTH youR BAe(Bee) Having a baby is a magical thing. But sometimes you’re left feeling not-somagical as you recover and adjust to the new world of life with an infant. Reconnect with yourself and other likeminded parents in Mom+Baby yoga

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

at Motion Center. This six week class will focus on postures, breathing, postpartum healing and parent-infant massage and bonding. motioncenter.com iNTo THe WiLD If you’ve ever channeled surfed for

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Tango Buenos Aires – Song of Eva Perón Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m.

Direct from Argentina, Tango Buenos Aires traces the epic life of the former Argentinian first lady, from her rise to fame in the 1930s to her early death in 1952. A sparkling and poignant spectacle!

The Auditorium in Roberts Hall Rhode Island College 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, R.I. 02908 PerformingArtsSeries.RIC Accommodations for persons with disabilities available upon request. Call (401) 456-8144 for assistance. TTY/TDD: 711.

44

Providence Monthly | February 2015

City Style |

Shop Talk

By Claire Flanagan

r e s ta u ra n t

outdoor Chic

The Perfect Place To Meet!

Delicious Food | Creative Cocktails Exceptional Service | Beautiful Atmosphere

A new downtown shop for urban adventurers

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Take on the outdoors after stopping by Downcity Outfitters

Sometimes all i want to do in the winter is cozy up by the fire with a cup of cocoa and never leave the house.

However, that joy of curling up by the fire is ten times more satisfying if it’s done after a long day of snowy expeditions, be it skiing, snowboarding, hiking or snowshoeing. And that’s exactly the kind of winter fun I got excited about when I visited Downcity Outfitters.

The relatively small space downtown on Washington Street is any outdoor enthusiast’s dream – all the walls are stacked high with shelves full of eyecatching boots and shoes, outdoor gear of all kinds and even a playfully hung bicycle, all of which really hit the store’s overall blend of outdoorsy and stylish. Downcity is primarily a menswear store, but carries many products for women and kids as well. As I browsed the authentic, hardy-looking flannels and denim, I was suddenly filled with the thought of the singular pleasure of winter in New England, and felt the urge to organize a camping trip with my friends.

Owner Henry Tingley describes the space as “an outdoor lifestyle store with an emphasis on authentic goods, American-made goods and good quality products.” A Providence native with a strong background in retail, Henry seeks to guide everyone towards the perfect outdoor product for them and find exactly what they’re looking for. “With a locally run store you get that sort of old world fantastic customer service that you can’t really get in another setting.

All the staff here are incredibly wellversed in everything from the technical uses of a North Face jacket to how the leather is going to break in on a pair of

Red Wing shoes,” he said.

I definitely got the vibe that everyone there was not only eager and willing to help, but also really knew all about the clothes and gear that they were working with.

Clearly, it’s no ordinary outdoor outfitters. With an emphasis on quality as well as a love for the Providence area, I found products from popular nationwide brands like slick and stylish boots from Red Wing, insulated winter coats from Canada Goose and some classic Hunter boots, as well as local products that are made in Providence or designed by Providence locals, like jackets from Cleverhood. There are also a host of well-known international brands and smaller fair trade products from around the globe.

The goal of Downcity is to provide the gear that’ll last you a lifetime – as Henry says, “Buy it once, buy it right.” Whether it’s a local Gob Shop T-shirt or boots that were handmade in Portugal, it’s going to not only be beautiful, but long-lasting.

I left feeling eager to embrace the winter weather and the unique activities only this season can bring. Maybe I’ll even try some winter camping this year.

Either way, I’ll make sure to head over to Downcity or browse their website when I’m prepping for my next big outdoor adventure.

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1/2/2015 7:57:06 PM

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

City Style |

Beauty

by Meghan H. Follett

The Healing Touch A quiet retreat rejuvenates mind and body in Richmond Square Newsflash: the holidays are stressful, and mine were particu-

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

that this was indeed going to be a delightful way to spend 90 minutes of my time and wash away all the lingering pain of dealing with relatives during the holidays.

Next my chest and upper arms were exfoliated as well with a lovely massage incorporated throughout, and of course was followed by another heavenly hot towel. I was treated to a scalp massage and a facial massage, as well as some muchneeded lymphatic drainage, which definitely has a tendency to clog up this time of year.

I received light acupressure on my face which helped calm me for the exfoliation, which had a slight tingle that felt like all of the dirt and grime in my pores was dissolving into nothing. The extractions, while not something I tend to look forward to, were quick and effortless, and I was grateful to know that my skin was going to be looking it’s absolute best. One heavenly scented cream

after another was applied to my face and neck with a gentle massage and every now and then, a healing hand was placed on my head or shoulder transferring the positive energy in and taking the negativity out, as I felt myself slipping further into a cloud of relaxation.

My experience with Abby couldn’t have been more positive. After my treatment not only did my skin feel luminous, the rest of my self did too.

The Healing Reiki Facial was just the pampering I needed to get the new year really headed in the right direction and to start the season off on the right foot, single or not!

Breathing Space Suite #309E 1 Richmond Square 400-9776 breathingspacespa.com

Illustration: Meghan H. Follett

larly so this year. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and my single status looming over my head, I needed something to look forward to. So, when I learned that I had the opportunity to decompress with a Healing Reiki Facial at Breathing Space Spa, I was all over that bad boy like a kid tearing open his gift on Christmas morning.

I was greeted in the lobby of 1 Richmond Square by owner and aesthetician Abby Backlund. Breathing Space is a new endeavor for Abby, who is also owner of another local favorite spa, Facing Thayer.

She created Breathing Space as a quiet respite for her clients, and also as a way to share her new passions and endeavors into holistic healing.

Abby, who has been in the business of facial aesthetics for over 14 years, is studying Ayurvedic healing and recently earned her reiki certification at the Kripalu Institute of Massachusetts. With this new set of healing tools, Breathing Space was born.

Abby finds that a service like the Healing Facial is a great way to introduce her clients to reiki and its benefits, especially those who aren’t ready to try out a whole reiki session just yet.

Reiki is a healing form of energy transfer that can easily be incorporated throughout a facial service. With that energy transfer, clients can hope to feel relaxed, de-stressed and renewed.

This practice really goes hand in hand with the facial services that Abby provides, as you are guaranteed to not only feel relaxed and refreshed, but also a bit lighter and improved in all senses of your being.

My treatment began with a relaxing foot massage and dreamy exfoliation scrub, followed by my favorite thing in the world: a warm towel wrap. After every exfoliation or application of cream, another deliciously warm towel greeted my skin, and that just sealed the deal

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Feast

Photography: Stacey Doyle

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

Eclectic Dining

Porchetta Sandwich at Clean Plate

Can’t decide what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for tonight? Not a problem. Clean Plate has everything from Southern-inspired entrées, Middle Eastern apps and kicked up American breakfasts and burgers.

Plus, it’s a great addition to South Water Street (which if you haven’t been to in a while, now’s the time). Turn the page to read about their eclectic dishes.

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

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Feast |

review

By Stephanie Obodda

World’s Fare

A new globally-minded restaurant on South water Street opens of Lebanese bread instead. The bread was so good; this was a welcome substitution. Clean Plate’s Lebanese bread is made in house on the grill and was warm, soft, with just the right sprinkle of coarse salt. A large scoop of cold chopped liver, spreadable and similar to paté, seemed like a huge portion but we liked it enough to finish. The Hummus and Kisir ($8) also featured the grilled Lebanese bread and cucumbers. I can be picky about hummus but this one was impressive, lemony and bright with a bit of texture. Kisir is a dish of bulgur wheat, a grain about half the size of rice, with tomato and herbs. It had a deep, smoky flavor that beautifully contrasted with the tanginess of the hummus. With the appetizers, I enjoyed a Winter Sangria ($8.50), with apples, oranges and cinnamon.

The fruit flavor came through but the drink was not overly sweet, which I appreciated.

My husband was excited about the “Uncle Herman,” the pastrami potato knish, because we’ve rarely seen a

Fried Chicken and waffles with honey butter

Turkish Lamejun

knish grace a Rhode Island menu and we wanted to try the house-made pastrami. Unfortunately, the kitchen was sold out, but no matter, it was a good excuse to try the burger ($11).

Clean Plate’s burger features their “signature blend of short rib, brisket, chuck burger with Fontina and onion strings.” The meat had a good flavor and the toppings were piled high.

With the burger, he had Foolproof’s La Ferme Urbaine ($5), a great local addition to the draught list. Foolproof Brewing is located just six miles away in Pawtucket; La Ferme Urbaine is their much loved saison-style farmhouse ale.

I ordered the Korean fried chicken thigh with sweet and spicy honey mustard on a roll ($8). A huge chicken thigh was breaded and fried, served on the same fluffy, buttery brioche bun as the burger. The breading was thick, tasty and freshly fried. I didn’t taste much of the spicy honey mustard, but the chicken and bun were flavorful. It’s refreshing to see a chicken thigh in a sandwich in place of the ubiquitous breast. My sandwich was enormous, even taller than the burger, and might have been difficult for a small-jawed diner to tackle. A glass of

ONE MORE BITE: New York expats (including me) will appreciate the menu items typical of a Jewish deli that are hard to find elsewhere in Providence, including the brunch bagel platter, rugalah, homemade pastrami, chopped liver and knish.

50

Providence Monthly | February 2015

Photography: Stacey Doyle

Clean Plate opened in November, hidden at the quieter southern end of South Water Street. Before owners Lauren and Susan set their sights on Providence, they ran restaurants outside of Boston and in upstate New York.

Before my first meal at Clean Plate, the name reminded me of “clean” eating and I thought it might have a health food bent. Instead, the menu leans more towards comfort food and the clean plate refers to diners’ penchant to eat every last bite.

The split-level space is painted in warm oranges and yellows and accented with mixed natural woods.

A long bar spans the length of the lower level, and upstairs has several tables. The layout is open, allowing diners on the upper level to look down at the bar and outside to the Providence river. Breakfast and lunch are served every day except Monday, with brunch on weekends and dinner Thursday through Saturday.

We started with two appetizers. The Chopped Liver with Bagel Chips and Cucumbers ($8) arrived with triangles

Fine Thai and SuShi ReSTauRanT Good HealtH StartS WitH Good Food Way l a n d S q u a r e 18 South Angell Street, Providence • 383-8830 • www.limsri.com Tues-Thurs 11:30-10pm• Friday & Sat 11:30-10:30pm • Sunday 12-9:30pm

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Photography: Stacey Doyle

Peanut Butter Pie

the house Chardonnay ($7.50) paired nicely.

Both the burger and sandwich were served with coleslaw and perfectly seasoned shoestring fries. The contrast between our gargantuan sandwiches and miniscule fries injected a little humor into the plate and made me feel like a mid-transformation Alice.

For dessert, we shared a slice of Peanut Butter Pie ($7). The peanut butter mousse was fluffy and light but had a rich flavor. With dessert, my husband had the WaterFire Martini ($10), a spicy chocolate martini. Despite the description, it wasn’t too spicy. The drink’s name reminded me that this new restaurant will be a stealthy waterfront meeting spot for WaterFire visitors in the spring when all the usual bars and restaurants are packed.

Clean Plate’s menu and interior are casual, a notch above an upscale deli or cafe. Though there’s a cocktail menu and full bar, dinner doesn’t seem like a focus yet. The menu is the same for dinner and lunch, and luckily, the prices are too. If you go for dinner, expect more casual surroundings, which may be more appropriate for a friendly gathering with good conversation than a really romantic date. The sunny colors will brighten your mood and seem especially appropriate for a happy brunch with friends.

Clean Plate 345 South Water Street 621-8888 cleanplateri.com

Cafes & Boutiques right outside your door

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

51

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52

Providence Monthly | February 2015

Feast |

In the Kitchen

By Grace Lentini

Seasoned to Taste

Chef Joseph deQuattro's journey through southern Italian Cuisine Bucatini Amatriciana Serves 4-6 people Ingredients • Extra-virgin olive oil • 8 ounces Guanciale or Pancetta, cut in 1/4-inch strips • 2 large onions, cut in ½ inch dice • ½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • Kosher salt • 2 (28-ounce) cans San Marzano tomatoes • 1 pound bucatini • ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano, plus extra for garnish

Executive Chef Joseph deQuattro and Chef di Cuisine George orellana

Joseph DeQuattro owns and is the executive chef of Pane e Vino, which he opened in 2002. With his team he recreates and draws inspiration from the cuisine of southern Italy. We talked about familial influences, recipes and advice to young chefs.

Photography: Mike Braca

So, who ignited your passion for southern Italian cuisine?

My grandmother was born in Itri, Italy, a small town just north of Naples. I grew up watching her cook for our entire family, which wasn’t small. My grandmother always had a loud, festive house and she loved it that way.

I grew up in that environment; it was about family and eating together. It made me who I am today and my passion for cooking started with her.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

My style of cooking is consistent with southern Italy, the Campania and Lazio regions. I believe in simple cooking. I choose my ingredients carefully and let them work with each other to enhance my dishes. I don’t use large complicated combinations of ingredients.

Do you ever go back to Italy to reconnect with the cuisine and your family?

I have quite a bit of family in Italy. Going [back] reminds me of my childhood and my passion for food. We

pick our produce at my family’s vegetable farm – fresh artichokes, wild asparagus, fresh figs, mandarin oranges.

My uncles have olive trees and make their own olive oil. It’s an amazing experience. No one works when we visit; we plan our meals, pick our ingredients and help my aunts prepare our feast.

Tell me about your celiac options for specialty diets.

We lightly flour our calamari but do not use breadcrumbs. We have a glutenfree flour that is excellent and our Panfried Calamari is a definite favorite!

Do you have any advice for aspiring chefs?

Cook with passion… Also too many young chefs use too little salt and too much garlic!

Do you have favorite ingredients that you go back to time and time again when creating dishes?

Extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil – the building blocks for southern Italian cooking.

Do you have any special dishes lined up for Valentine’s Day? We are still finalizing our Valentines Day menu but Veal Osso Bucco and grilled Rack of Lamb will definitely be on the menu. On holidays, we always offer our regular dinner in addition to special menus.

Directions 1. Coat a large saucepan with olive oil.

2. Add the guanciale and sauté over low heat. Cook until it is brown and crispy and has rendered a lot of fat. Bring the pan to a medium heat and add the onions and crushed red pepper.

Season generously with salt, to taste. Cook the onions until they are translucent and starting to turn golden. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Adjust the salt, as needed.

3. Bring a large pot of wellsalted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the instructions on the package.

Drain the pasta from the water and add to the pot of sauce. Stir to coat with the sauce. This is how you always finish pasta; you cook it in the sauce to perform the marriage of the pasta and the sauce. Add in the cheese and drizzle with olive oil.

Pane e Vino 365 Atwells Avenue 223-2230 panevino.net

boNeless WINGs DC-3 (over 1/2 LB): $6.49 DC-10 (over 1 LB): $12.49 Skymaster (over 1.5 LB): $18.49 Stratocruiser (over 2 LB): $22.49 Concorde (over 4 LB): $41.99 The Zeppelin (over 6 LB): $61.99

Jumbo WINGs Puddle Jumper (10): $8.49 F-16 (15): $12.49 B-1 Bomber (25): $19.99 B-17 Bomber (60): $42.49 C-5 Galaxy (120): $72.49

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wingsoverprovidence.com February 2015 | Providence Monthly

53

P R OV I D E N C E & C R A N S TO N

EMPLOYERS! Funds are available to assist you in developing a skilled workforce to meet the growing needs of your business.

• Receive up to 50 percent reimbursement of the wages you pay a new hire

Feast |

on the menu

By Alastair Cairns

Market-to-Plate

using the state’s bounty to warm up the season

• Reimbursement may be provided for a period of up to 6 months • You select and hire the best candidates • You train them your way

Services are provided in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston, without regard to race, gender, religion, origin, disability, age or sexual orientation.

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We ship UPS anywhere in the US Garden City (942-2720) & Wakefield (783-4433) www.sweenorschocolates.com 54

Providence Monthly | February 2015

The Pawtucket wintertime Farmers’ market

The

Pawtucket

Wintertime

Farmers’ Market at the Hope Artiste Village is the jewel in the crown of Rhode Island’s direct-to-consumer food scene. After breaching the new Bread Lab at the entrance, the intrepid market goer has to run not one, but two gauntlets through the main hallways of the beautifully restored old mill building. With only increasingly heavy canvas bags to protect you, you snake around stall after stall of everyone who is anyone in our local food scene. It’s like a compendium of Rhode Island’s farmers and food producers, and though the character changes for winter, it’s as vibrant as ever, making it easier to eat local year round. With the market as guide, you’re always eating locally, and in season.

In season needn’t be written in stone though, even at the market. Thanks to the careful storage techniques of some of these farmers, we can cheat the seasons a little with the right recipes. We don’t normally think apples in winter, or if we do, we think sawdust. This recipe is for a Somerset farmhouse style cake, originally made to use windfall and reject apples, making it a good use of stored apples from Barden Family Orchard. Their cooler-stored apples are the best you can find in winter, and the taste is well preserved, but of course their texture isn’t as good as when they were picked. Baked in this recipe, adapted from The Great British Book of Baking, you’d never know it’s not the peak of the harvest. farmfreshri.org

Apple Cider Cake • 1½ sticks softened unsalted butter • 1 cup sugar • 3 medium eggs, beaten • 1½ cup self-raising flour (or 1½ cup All Purpose flour and 3 tsp baking powder) • Scant 1/2c Barden Family Orchard cider • 4 medium sized tart apples, peeled, cored and chopped (I used a mix of Fuji and McIntosh) Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition.

Add dry ingredients (flour/ baking soda/salt) slowly. When partially mixed, add cider and apples. Fold slowly until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour into a buttered 9” springform cake pan with parchment paper on the bottom for easy removal.

Bake for about 1 hour, remove when golden brown, and when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool, then release springform pan by running round the edge with a plastic knife. Serve warm or cool with ice cream or cream.

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

Photography: Stacey Doyle

Call Fran Dickervitz at netWORKri (401) 680-8578 now to schedule an appointment

Feast |

In the drink

By Emily Dietsch

Fire and Ice

AS220’s warm winter cocktail cuts through the cold

NOW ENROLLING! Children 17-24 months old and 3-6 years old needed for NEW projects about children’s pretending!

For more information or to register: www.kidthink.org pckidthink@gmail.com 401-865-2342

The Stepmother of Dragons Serves 1

Photography: Force 4 Photography

The Bar at AS220 has made their own liquor infusions for years, and rarely use the same recipe twice.

The infusion at the heart of this cocktail rates as an exception, having proved so popular that it earned a regular spot on the bar back. To DIY, start with a neutral, high-proof liquor and tinker with flavor ratios.

• 2 parts AS220’s Prairie Organic vodka infused with pineapple, sriracha, and ginger • 1 part ginger beer • 1 part pineapple juice Combine ingredients in a tumbler, shake, pour over ice in lowball glass.

Garnish with ginger powder and a lime wheel.

Winter discontent has reached its annual apex. Rotten weather has dogged us for months, vitamin D deficiencies abound and temperaments range from surly to surlier. We’re in a bad way, with spring too remote on the horizon to lend real hope.

In such bleak times, some folks take to the bottle for relief, while snowbirds escape to sunny coordinates. Prefer to combine coping mechanisms? We’ve got you covered, with a neo-Tiki cocktail created for us by the Bar at AS220.

You’re welcome.

Called the Stepmother of Dragons, its foundation is a house-infused vodka that features fresh pineapple, ginger and sriracha. To that, ginger beer and pineapple juice are added for brightness and balance. As for the name? It captures the drink’s sweet-hot-dangerous profile – which, as bar manager Noah Anacieto promises, “will send your dragons off to boarding school if they keep tracking slush in the house.”

As220 Foo(D) & The Bar 115 Empire Street 831-9327 www.as220.org February 2015 | Providence Monthly

55

RHODY BITES A Sponsored Statewide Dining Guide

view our full restaurant Profiles on RhodyBites.com

Wes’ Rib House Two things that are often in short supply on the Providence dining scene are great barbecue and latenight eats – and we mean really late at night. At Wes’ Rib House, both of those things come together in delicious fashion. That’s right, expect down-home barbecue at hours as late (or as early) as 4am. This Olneyville classic has been around since 1984, offering a variety of portion sizes and flavors to satisfy all barbecue cravings, and is debuting a new menu this month.

Try ribs, chicken, beef, chopped barbecue, ham, pork chops or Flat Iron steak, all cooked (most likely wood fire grilled in their barbecue pit) and sauced to perfection. The menu also gives visitors the chance to choose more than one meat. Eat a smaller portion with one meat choice or create a platter to try a few. Wes’ also offers chicken tenders served with your choice of dipping sauce, and all the proper barbeque fixings, like cole slaw, beans and, of course, cornbread.

Can’t-miss dish: St. Louis Baby Ribs Platter: Wes’ top-of-the-line, low fat baby ribs, served with cole slaw, baked beans and cornbread.

38 Dike Street, Providence • 401-421-9090 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 453-2333. LD $$$ 2 Pauls’ City Grille Comfort food with a family feel. 315 Waterman Ave, East Providence, 228-7285. BrLD $-$$ Andreas Authentic Greek food since 1966. 268 Thayer St, Providence, 3317879. BrLD $-$$ Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Contemporary New England fare. 311 Westminster St, Providence, 521-3333. BBrLD $$-$$ Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855.

BrLD $$$ Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$ Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown,

213-6615. LD $$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802.

BLD $$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 100 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 9444900. BrLD $$$ Clean Plate Delicious comfort food in a casual setting. 345 S. Water Street, Providence, 621-8888. BBrLD $$ DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$

wes’ rib House

cuisine. 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2308. LD $-$$

chic setting. 284 Thayer St, Providence, 331-8111. LD $-$$

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

KitchenBar Contemporary comfort cuisine. 771 Hope Street, Providence. 331-4100. BrLD $$

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

Lim’s Restaurant Upscale Thai and fresh sushi. 18 South Angell St, Providence, 383-8830. LD $$

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

Lobster Pot Serving traditional New England classics and seafood. 119 Hope St, Bristol, 253-9100 Br L D $$-$$$

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

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 $$

DiMare Seafood Fresh seafood restaurant and market. 2706 South County Trail, East Greenwich, 8858100. LD $$-$$$

Julian’s A must taste Providence staple celebrating 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$

McBlarney’s County Tap Modern, upscale pub with daily specials.

632 Metacom Ave, Warren 401-2890887. LD $$

Dragon Palace Fresh sushi and Asian

Kartabar Mediterranean-style cuisine,

McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub

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

Providence Monthly | February 2015

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 Street, Pawcatuck, CT, 860-599-3840. BLD $$ Mile & a Quarter Eclectic cuisine and wine bar. 334 South Water St, Providence, 331-1500. LD $-$$ Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$ Nonni’s Italian Restaurant Traditional Italian eatery and pasta shop. 1154 Stafford Rd, Tiverton, 624-3087. LD $$ Oceanside at the Pier New England fare overlooking the Atlantic. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 792-3999. BrLD $$ Paragon & Viva Contemporary dining and nightlife. 234 Thayer St, Providence, 331-6200. BrLD $-$$ Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 331-0003. LD $-$$ Pavilion Steakhouse & Banquets Grand, banquet-hall style dining. 15A Frontier Rd, Hopkinton, 377-9900.

BrLD $$$

Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food; great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield. 783-4073 BBrLD $ PJ’s Pub Mediterranean-influenced pub food. 135 Boone St, Narragansett. 401-789-3200. LD $-$$ Portsmouth Publick House Gourmet pub food with a variety of spirit flights. 1 King Charles Dr, Portsmouth. 682-2600. BrLD $-$$ Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily inspirations. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050.

BrLD $-$$ Rasa Authentic and contemporary Indian. 149 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2822. LD $$ Rasoi Vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 7285500. LD $$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 437-6950. BrLD $$ Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$ Rue De L’Espoir American cooking with French soul. 99 Hope St, Providence, 751-8890. BBrLD $$

Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield. sienari.com D $$$$$ Simone’s Gourmet brunch followed by upscale Mediterranean cuisine.

275 Child St. Warren, 247-1200. BLD $$-$$$ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, 9465900. 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 $$ The Coast Guard House Upscale New England fare with Bay views. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett. 401-7890700. LD $$-$$$ The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St, Providence, 521-6000. D $$$ The Malted Barley Gourmet pretzels and craft brews. 42 High St, Westerly, 315-2184. $

The Twisted Vine Romantic wine bar with tapas and full meals. 3 Canal St, Westerly, 596-4600. D $$ The Village Casual dining and live entertainment. 373 Richmond Street, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $$ Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337 LD $-$$ UMelt Fun twists on grilled cheese.

Providence and Kingston, 383-6732.

LD $ Vetrano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Italian cooking like grandma made. 130 Granite St, Westerly, 348-5050. LD $$ Vittoria’s NY Pizza Best pizza north of Manhattan. 224 Post Rd, Westerly, 322-1901. LD $-$$ Waterman Grille Riverfront New American dining. 4 Richmond Sq, Providence, 521-9229. BLD $$$ Wes’ Rib House Missouri-style BBQ, open late. 38 Dike St, Providence, 421-9090. LD $$ Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$

Scampi Seafood and Italian 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 $$

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 using house-made pasta. 245 Atwells Ave, Providence, 383-2002. LD $$

Worth The Drive:

Breachway Grill Breachway Grill

Photography: Hilary Block

was created out of a desire to serve fish tacos and NYstyle pizza to South County’s beach crowd, but it quickly became a yearround favorite in Charlestown. (They even had to install a second pizza oven to keep up with demand).

The menu is a mix of classic New England fare, pub favorites and creative

pizzas. Create your own slice from an array of toppings, or try one of their specialty pizzas like the Smokin’ Bones BBQ Chicken or Jammin’ Clam.

Breachway Grill is dedicated to providing a warm and friendly atmosphere serving great food at reasonable prices. It’s a place that locals and visitors alike can call their own.

Insider Tip: Breachway Grill has daily specials! On Monday grab pizza at half its usual price.

Breachway Grill

For full restaurant profiles, go to RhodyBites.com

1 Charlestown Beach Road, Charlestown 401-213-6615 @RhodyBites

facebook.com/RhodyBites

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

57

a t x u J

E S PO

Two masterworks of ballet, in stunning opposition

ÉTUDES

A tour de force of classicism and technical prowess on a magnificent scale. Experience the elegance, virtuosity and bravura of ballet as never before.

Music: Carl Czerny Staging: Radenko Pavlovich

COMA

One of the most beloved and celebrated ballets in FBP’s repertory, Coma weaves together gripping drama and theatrical spectacle into a breathtaking production.

Music: Arvo Pärt Choreography: Viktor Plotnikov

37th SEASON SPONSORS

FESTIVAL BALLET PROVIDENCE PRESENTS

JuxtaPOSE March 13, 8:00pm March 14, 7:30pm

The Vets

One Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI 02903

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festivalballetprovidence.org thevetsri.com 401-421-ARTS Pictured: Vilia Putrius in Coma (left) and Études (right).

Photos by Thomas Nola-Rion. * Incl. $3 restoration fee. Convenience/delivery fees extra.

Get Out

EVENTS / ART / MUSIC / THEATRE

StyleWeek Northeast returns February 13-20

Photo: Courtesy Daniel Gagnon Photography

1.

High Fashion in February

February 13-20: The fashion extravaganza StyleWeek Northeast returns for its tenth season of red carpets, high fashion and spring boarding local talent onto a broader stage. Get your heels out, get your hair did and get your personal style cranked into high gear for a fabulous night (or three) out.

And remember, there’s more than fashion shows to look forward to every night in the Biltmore ballroom; every night features an accessories showcase before, during and after the models rock the runway. The Biltmore. 11 Dorrance Street. styleweeknortheast.com

2.

February 22: The Rhode Island International Film Festival presents the annual Flickers’ Red Carpet Experience at The Vets. Walk the red carpet and feel like a star with paparazzi, champagne, food, swag bags, awards and more. $100. 6pm.

1 Avenue of the Arts. 222-1467, vmari.com.

3.

February 7: Attend the Winter Sparkle Fundraiser to break out of the doldrums of the frigid season. Enjoy delectable food as well as wine, spirits and merriment, all to benefit the Junior League of Rhode Island. $55-$85. Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street. jlri.org.

4.

February 1-12: The Avenue Concept presents The Justin Case 365 Photo Project, a photography exhibition

by Justin Case. Starting on January 1 of 2014 and ending on December 31 of that year, the burgeoning photographer took one photo each day. Free. 304 Lockwood Street. theavenueconcept.com.

5.

February 12-22: As if you needed to persuade your kids to watch a movie, gather the little ones for the Providence Children’s Film Festival, now in its sixth year. Screenings of family-friendly (and kid chosen) movies happen at RISD, Brown, Wheeler School and the Avon Cinema. pcffri.org

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

59

Get Out |

Calendar

By Erin Balsa

This Month February 1: There is one more chance to catch Morality Play at The Gamm.

The play is based on the novel by Barry Unsworth and adapted for stage by Tony Estrella. Set in winter of 1361 in England, The Black Death has returned with a vengeance. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 7234266, gammtheatre.org.

February 1-7: The Wilbury Group presents Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a modern dramatic masterpiece that tells the tale of Hamlet from the point of view of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare’s classic play. 393 Broad Street. 400-7100, thewilburygroup.org.

February 1-22: The Chazan Gallery at Wheeler presents Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, an exhibition of works by artists Johnny Adimando, Austin Ballard, Peter Croteau, Jonathan Palmer, Justin Sorensen and Raine Vasquez. 228 Angell Street.

421-9230, chazangallery.org.

February 2-23: Visit Alex and Ani’s Skating Center this month for Funday Mondays at The Providence Rink.

In addition to $2 admission and $5 skate rentals, kids ages 12 and under will enjoy activities in the heated pavilion. 2pm-6pm. 2 Kennedy Plaza, Providence. 331-5544, providencerink.com.

February 2-23: Got music? The Spot Underground does.

Check out Madcap Mondays each – you guessed it - Monday night featuring host Nate Cozzolino. You’ll never know who might show up to perform at this weekly open mic night. Free.

7pm-midnight. 101 Richmond Street.

383-7133, thespotunderground.com.

February 7: C&D Promotions presents The Illest Takeover featuring Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo from G Unit,

Memphis Bleek and Freeway from The Roc, Teairra Mari from Love & Hip Hop Hollywood, and many more. $52.70$74.15. 8pm. 1 La Salle Square. 3316700, dunkindonutscenter.com.

February 7: For an afternoon of family-friendly music, juggling, comedy, magic and merriment, bring the brood to Ocean State Theatre for Professor Paddy-Whack’s One Man Extravaganza of Songs & Silly Stuff. $10. 11am.

1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick.

921-6800, oceanstatetheatre.org.

February 11: The Columbus Theatre presents Ophira Eisenberg, comedian, writer and host of NPR’s hit trivia comedy show Ask Me Another. Described by the New York Times as having “bleakly stylish” sense of humor, Eisenberg is a skilled storyteller. $20$23. 8pm. 270 Broadway. 621-9660, columbustheatre.com.

February 13: Providence-based Bored with Four will perform its signature blend of original progressive pop music on the AS220 Main Stage along with Maid Myriad, The Cosmic Factory and Planetary Circus Kingdom. $6. 9pm. 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, as220.org.

February 13: Classic music fans will jump for joy to hear that Foreigner will play at the Twin River Event Center this month. The band has put out ten multi-platinum albums and has seen 16 Top 30 hits. Buy your tickets in advance as they tend to sell out. $35-$75. 8pm. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, twinriver.com.

February 13: World-famous flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual along with his new flamenco trio will raise the temperature inside of the Lippitt House Musem with a fiery performance on Valentine’s Day Eve. $18$20. 6:30pm doors; 7pm show. 199 Hope Street. lippitthouse.org.

February 19-22: There will be many hands-on displays for kids and adults alike at The Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show. See a life-sized fairy house, a tunnel garden and even a tree house! $7-$17. 1 Sabin Street. 4586000, riconvention.com.

February 13 & 15: Opera Providence presents My Funny Valentine at Blithewold Mansion under the direction of Rene de la Garza as part of its Winter Garden Series. Although it’s a short drive out of the city, it’s a worthwhile trip for sure. $40. 7pm Friday; 3pm Sunday. 101 Ferry Road, Bristol.

331-6060, operaprovidence.org.

February 14: No girlfriend or boyfriend? No problem. Spend Valentine’s Day courtside supporting the Providence College Men’s Basketball team as they take on Seton Hall. The action starts at 4pm, leaving plenty of time for non-romantic post-game drinks with friends. Bah humbug. 1 La Salle Square. 865-4672, friars.com.

February 14: The Met welcomes Michael Franti of Michael Franti & Spearhead for a special acoustic performance as part of his Acoustic One Heart One Soul Tour. Tickets are slated to sell out for this one so be sure to buy tickets online in advance. 8pm doors; 9pm show. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, themetri.com.

February 17: Winter break is here and your kids want to do nothing more than sit in front of the boob tube. Sigh. Audubon’s Fred’s TV provides a break from the norm. Children aged three and up will discover all the amazing things happening outdoors. $5-$7. 12 Sanderson Road Smithfield. 949-5454, asri.org.

February 14: Artists of all skill levels will create a work of art worthy of hanging at home during Paint Night at the Zoo at Roger Williams Park and Zoo. The workshop is instructorled and admission includes a canvas, paints, brushes and a glass of wine for those 21 and over. $35. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 941-4998, rwpzoo.org.

February 18: Kids ages seven and up (along with parents and caregivers) will Explore the Winter Woods with Audubon, searching Fort Nature Refuge for signs of otter, deer, springtails and wild turkeys. $5-$14. 10am12pm. 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield. 949-5454, asri.org.

February 18: Snag your tickets for The Sing Off Live! Tour, NBC’s ultimate a

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

Providence Monthly | February 2015

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Calendar

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cappella experience that gives fans of the show an opportunity to see their favorite groups perform a cappella versions of this year’s chart topping hit songs. $35-$125. 1 Avenue of the Arts. 222-1467, vmari.com.

February 19: Call ahead to snag a table at the Riviera Bingo Palace for the wildly popular Drag Bingo, a monthly event featuring drag queens and prizes to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State. “This ain’t your grandma’s bingo.” $20. 6pm doors; 7pm start. 1612 Elmwood Avenue, Cranston. 521-3603, aidscareos.org.

February 22: Brown University Students in the Applied Music Program and students in the RI Philharmonic Music School present a Piano Master Class Music Concert led by pianist Joyce Yang. Free. 10am. Grant Recital Hall, Hope Street at Young Orchard Avenue. brown.edu.

February 25: Master composer Philip Glass will perform his own compositions in An Evening of Chamber Music at The Veterans Memorial Auditorium featuring violinist Tim Fain. Glass and Fain will alternate between playing solos and

duets. $38. 7:30pm. 1 Avenue of the Arts. 222-1467, vmari.com.

February 26-28: Trinity Rep presents The Glass Menagerie, an American classic that considered one of the best plays ever written. Written by Tennessee Williams, the work stands as the artist’s own “memory play.” $46-$61. 2pm & 7:30pm show times.

201 Washington Street. 351-4242, trinityrep.com.

February 27: Coming off a long stretch of performances in Australia, The Gaslight Anthem continues its tour at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel with opening acts Northcote and The Scandals. The show is sponsored by 95.5 WBRU. $23-$35. 7:30pm doors; 8:30pm show. 79 Washington Street.

331-5876, lupos.com.

February 28: Families are invited to the Artists’ Exchange for a free Craft Bash. Little fingers will keep busy as bodies and minds play, learn and create. Craft bashes will be held on the last Saturday of every month. 11am-2pm. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, artistsexchange.org.

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

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By Liz Lee

The Art of Ambition Kimberly Charles went from Wall Street to owning her own gallery It’s a rainy Monday

Photography by Brian DeMello

at the Cate Charles Gallery, and gallery owner Kimberly Charles is sitting behind a spotless glass-top desk, her blonde hair expertly coiffed, her demeanor perfectly cordial. A Sade album is playing quietly through invisible speakers. Kimberly stands up to introduce herself, softspoken and petite, wearing a black and white graphic print dress with a very prim black cardigan – but don’t be fooled. She’s kind of a badass.

Kimberly moved to Providence from Stonington, Connecticut last winter, and has since been representing artists from all over New England at her new space on South Main Street. The gallery’s back windows overlook the Providence River and, in the not-sofar-off distance, the gaping arch windows at the now gutted South Street Power Station. The gallery sits atop the Wild Colonial, whose dark interior couldn’t be a further cry from Kimberly’s clean white gallery.

When asked how she came to be a gallery owner and an art enthusiast, she starts at the beginning: graduating from George Washington University in 1979 with a degree in finance.

“I already knew by the time I was graduating that I was really more interested in art,” she says. “But it was too late to switch gears and I didn’t think there’d be any money in it.” So she spent the next eight years in New York, working on Wall Street during the day and taking art classes at night.

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all day and working in the evenings down on Wall Street,” says Kimberly.

Her part-time gig was writing computer code for an investment-counseling firm. The program was sort of a DIY Excel, enabling her company to generate graphs and charts from spreadsheets.

“Yeah, there wasn’t anything back then, you had to write your own programs,” she says. “No one at the firm even had a personal computer, and they had a woman doing all of their graphical charts by hand. So they said we’ll buy you one of those new Hewlitt-Packard PCs if you can write this program. So I did. It took three years.”

Of course, this was in the mid-‘80s, so there was no world wide web, no email, no #GirlsWhoCode. But Kimberly shrugs this off like it’s no big deal.

What matters more to her is that the project’s completion allowed her to start focusing on making art for a living. She moved to Cape Cod to study art during the summer, and eventually

January 6, 2015 Providence Monthly, February Iss January 2, 2015 East Side Monthly, February Issu January 9, 2015 Bay Magazine, February issue

began painting commissioned portraits and working part time in galleries. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Cate Charles Gallery (named after Kim’s daughter) currently represents over a dozen artists, displaying work like Ken Steinkamp’s brooding abstract expressionist paintings; Annie Wildey’s frothy, energetic oil-oncanvas oceans; and painter Steven Sheehan’s evocative and sometimes sorrowful cityscapes.

“Ironically,” she says, “I don’t have that much time now to do my own work, but it’s okay because I really love what I do here. And I think I had to have all that experience, all those years of going to school and visiting museums in New York, and meeting other artists in order to really feel comfortable doing this.”

One of the most challenging parts of her work, says Charles, is being a middleman of sorts. “You’re working with artists, and then you’re working with collectors,” she says, smiling. “And they are very different people.” But given her history of straddling vastly different worlds, it’s no surprise that Kimberly can relate so easily to both.

Check out Eclecticism II: A Variety of Influences, a group show featuring a combination of paintings in distinctly different styles. February 2-28, opening night is February 7 from 5-8pm.

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Theatre

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Mixing Melodies

The Indigo Girls lend their voices to the RI Philharmonic

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Providence Monthly | February 2015

Francisco Noya, resident conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, knows a thing or two about blend: that all-important, almost magical thing that happens when disparate instruments come together to make a beautiful, harmonious sound all the more magical than the sum of its parts. So it’s high praise he gives to the Indigo Girls, the venerable folk duo with whom the Philharmonic will be sharing the stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) this month, when he says that blending both their voices is one of their strong suits. “It’ll be great to have our orchestral accompaniment to enhance their harmonies and vocal arrangements,” says Francisco.

While all singers must consider their voices their instrument, the term seems particularly apt to describe Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, whose resonant and unmistakable instruments have been topping Billboard charts since the ’80s. When the women perform, their instruments seem to join as one. Taken on their own, though, they are noticeably in contrast (Amy’s voice scrapes the gravelly bottom of their range whereas Emily’s can reach higher, with a lighter touch). And according to PPAC’s website, the duo have been performing with orchestras across the country since 2001.

This kind of creativity is one of the reasons that Francisco says the orchestra is looking forward to joining the duo in presenting an evening of unforgettable music in an entirely new setting for the group. “It’s always great to collaborate with artists who have the artistic trajectory that the Indigo Girls have. They know what they are doing,” he says.

Though Francisco was hesitant to share what exactly would be in store

for the audience the night of the performance, he did mention that he was in possession of the scores, and that the orchestra was looking forward to engaging in the sort of serendipitous creativity that can happen when it comes together with a collaborator.

For this kind of performance, one rehearsal with the artists is standard, Francisco explains – the Philharmonic and the Indigo Girls will meet earlier in the afternoon the day of the performance and shape the tempo, textures and more. But there are no exhaustive notes, no weeklong stretches of precision tweaking. In fact, Francisco says the orchestra is encouraged to indulge in bits of “little surprises and creativity” during the performance.

The Philharmonic is no stranger to collaborations that span genres and break boundaries: “We’ve collaborated before with so many artists – Art Garfunkel, The Temptations, Ben Folds, you name it,” he says. “When you consider that the mission of the Philharmonic is to bring very high caliber music making to the community, this gives us another opportunity to share the full scope of our music making with our audience. Our hope for the newcomers who come see us for the first time is that they will be surprised and delighted and will want to come see us again.”

The Indigo Girls

with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra February 13 Providence Performing Arts Center 220 Weybosset Street ppacri.org 421-2787

Photo: Jeremy Cowart

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February 2015 | Providence Monthly

65

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66

Providence Monthly | February 2015

1/5/15 11:00 AM

Get Out |

Music

By Tony Pacitti

The Sweet Release

Living the Dream The Sweet Release take sex, drugs and rock and roll with a grain of salt

Photography by Tim Siekiera

The boys of

The Sweet Release – Austin Sheridan, Jimmy James, Cliff Clifford, Mikey Marchand and Corey Chabot – have all been friends in various combinations since they were kids growing up in North and Regular Attleboro. As Mikey puts it, they’re like a brotherhood. They met in each other’s garages messing around on guitars or on the ball field. They remind me of the smart asses I’d spend my days after school with, sneaking cigarettes, watching dirty movies and talking that big talk about being rock stars.

As I spoke to them last month about their recent EP, I was also reminded of a line from This is Spinal Tap. Apathetic and ill-fated drummer Mick Shrimpton confesses to Rob Reiner’s documentarian that “As long as I have sex and drugs I can do without rock and roll.” At a glance one might think the same about The Sweet Release.

Take their EP, adorned with a simple yet evocative illustration of a woman sticking her tongue out from between full lips and stacked with a neat little pile of multicolored drugs. It’s even called We’re Coming, a title so on the nose that to call it a double entendre would be to over think it. The music itself is loud, fast and fun, but it’s depraved, sex-addled and consumed with illicit over consumption of women and substances.

So sure, based on all that you could say that The Sweet Release are a bunch of hedonistic boneheads, but

that would be giving them too little credit. “We like to see how much people who don’t know us at all can judge us to the max,” explains Austin.

The lyrical content of their EP, as well as their on-stage mania, are all drenched in a premeditated, Mollylaced flop sweat. They’ve taken irony, long the weapon of choice for the hipster elite, and pressed it up against the temple of macho-sexist party rock.

Shots were offered promptly upon my entering Sweet Release HQ shortly after 7pm on a Monday evening – which I politely declined in the name of journalistic integrity or something – but they remained articulate and honest about their mission to simultaneously expose their audience while entertaining them.

Austin continues, “We’re all about entertainment, but what has it all come to? Sex and drugs. As much as those things are great there’s more to life. As much as we love that stuff, we’re mocking it. People are all about how much they can party, and that’s not the way to live because you’re just gonna crash and burn.”

It’s half contempt and half capitulation for what they know people want to hear. Taking it at face value only proves their point, but enjoying it doesn’t condemn you in their eyes.

They’ll even cop to a bit of hypocrisy on their part. After all, who are they to poo poo the shallow state of popular music while ensconced in a

cloud of inebriation?

Despite their extracurricular habits, or perhaps even fueled by them, The Sweet Release are stone cold workaholics who generate material faster than they can record it. “We want to play all the time, every day,” says Jimmy. “Every time we practice we write a song. If only we were able to be in a studio and record every time, we’d have so much.”

People have made grand comparisons between The Sweet Release and certain rock luminaries, comparisons they’re humbled by but refuse to put too much stock into. From where I’m standing, the band resembles Ween, if only in terms of a shared, impish ethos. Theirs is a similarly wicked spirit: provocative, unpredictable and gleefully self-destructive. They’re young and untamed, so they’ve obviously got life firmly by the balls. As long as they can keep that grip, I think that anarchic energy will serve them well. And as long as you’re game for it, it’s hell of a lot of fun to watch.

The Sweet Release February 13 The Fatt Squirrel 150 Chestnut Street 21+ with Pals and Sasquatch and the Sick-a-billys thesweetrelease.bandcamp.com

Arcade Providence 65 Weybosset Street Providence RI 02903 Mon - Sat 10:00 - 6:30 Carmenandginger.com

February 2015 | Providence Monthly

67

Savor Providence

By Elyena “Nellie” de Goguel

Sweet Indulgence

68

Floral Imbibing The Steindorfer Seewinkel Beerenauslese 2010 we sampled from Nikki’s Liquors is a white table wine with strong hints of elderflower and was sweet without being saccharine. One staffer imagined it would be perfect paired with angel food cake or any other cake-like dessert, as its medium weight would hold up well to a sponge-like texture.

It is advised to serve this wine slightly chilled. 32 Branch Ave. 861-9006, nikkisliquors.com

Bold Notes

Juicy Fruit

Mark Gasbarro from Gasbarro’s Wine let us try the Giovanni Allegrini Recioto Della Valpolicella Classico 2009. It’s a bold Italian red vino with notes of ripe red plum and dried prunes. This wine had a light, delicate sweetness yet it still felt dry on the tongue. One sipper sensed a hint of lingonberry… you know, the stuff they have in jam form at all Ikea stores. Mmm. 361 Atwells Ave. 421-4170, gasbarros.com

At first whiff, one gets hints of fleshy, ripe green grapes from the Electra California Moscato 2013 from Wines & More of Rhode Island. When sipped, hints of tart granny smith apples mixed with floral overtones overwhelm the palette. This medium bodied white wine also had a surprising hint of bubbles and one taster claimed that while it’s a nice dessert wine, it would also work well as a cocktail base. 125 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston. 270-5500, winesandmoreri.com

Dark and Rich

Soft and Strong

If you’ve ever been to any sort of Portuguese gathering, then you’re probably already familiar with the reddish-brown, lightly sweet Full Rich Sweet Vinho Madeira Wine we sampled from Madeira Liquors. Deep notes of molasses, slight hints of tobacco and rich, red fruits characterize this wine. We imagine pairing it with a dark, bitter chocolate dessert, spicy nuts or even a hearty meat dish. 174 Ives Street. 272-5911.

We tried another sweet white, this time from Campus Fine Wines. The Monbazillac Chateau Kalian 2011 had strong, lush lychee notes and smatterings of freshly peeled green grape skin. We think it would be good to pair with a strong, “stinky,” soft cheese as the sweetness would complement the creamy texture while cutting through a robust flavor profile. 127 Brook Street. 621-9650, campusfinewines.com

Providence Monthly | February 2015

Photography: Meghan Follett

Honestly, Valentine’s Day is probably the day that inspires most of us to imbibe a little more than usual. If you are lucky enough to be part of a couple, then it’s shared champagne kisses and toasts over dinner for two. If you’re single, then… it’s a bottle of wine to the face and a boozy rendition of “All

By Myself” a la Bridget Jones. This month, to celebrate the international day of love, we decided to try dessert wines that work perfectly either in conjunction with your final bite of the evening or as a dessert in and of itself.

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