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Contents
Photography: (L) DiscoverNewport.org, (R) Stacey Doyle
AUGUST 2014
Think you've been to every beach in RI?
23
This Month 20 Rhode Island’s Secret Beaches Which aren’t exactly a secret anymore, now that you know about them
23 Happy Anniversary
43
Chilled calamari tossed with cherry tomatoes at Rosalina
23 City Style Urban agriculture on the West Side 32 The Look 37 Get Fit 38 Shop Talk 39 Beauty
43 Feast A bite of downtown’s new Italian restaurant 42 Review 44 On The Menu 47 In the Kitchen 49 In the Drink 50 Behind the Bar 52 Rhody Bites
Celebrating a year of gay marriage in Rhode Island
Every Month
55 Get Out StyleWeek glams up the city 56 Calendar 59 Theatre 60 Music 63 Art
6 Editor’s Note
64 Savor Providence
8 Feedback
Thayer Street’s delicious fast food
9 ProvidenceOnline.com
Providence Pulse Public art pops up in the IWay redevelopment
On the Cover:
Cake created by LaSalle Bakery. Photography by Stacey Doyle.
14 City 17 Scene in PVD
August 2014 | 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 @edegogs
Associate Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom Art Director Meghan H. Follett Assistant Art Director Veatsna Sok
Marriage Equality, One Year Later
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas Graphic Designer Caitlin Musso
Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com
It seems like a lifetime ago that we were debating the validity and need for same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. While one side was staunchly opposed to the change and its risks to tradition, the other was wondering why there was a debate at all, if marriage equality wasn’t separate from equality as a whole. It turns out that the debate wasn’t even necessary. In the year that it’s been legal, life has gone on as usual for most Rhode Islanders. But for some, there has been a life-altering change, one that they weren’t sure if they’d ever be able to
enjoy in their lifetimes. This month, we talk to three same-sex couples about life and love after the new law – what’s different, what’s the same and what marriage equality means for the future.
Nicole Greenspun: Nicole@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Courtney Melo: Courtney@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Kimberly Tingle: Kim@ProvidenceOnline.com Contributing Photographers Amy Amerantes Hilary Block Mike Braca Stacey Doyle Audrey Falk Corey Grayhorse Tiffany Medrano Contributing Writers Keith Andrade @AndradeK Erin Balsa Michael Clark David Dadekian @dadekian Emily Dietsch
Contributor Erin Balsa Writer
“Writing is the one hobby I picked up as a child and have never grown tired of,” says Erin Balsa, a regular contributor to Providence Monthly and its
Tim Siekiera Karsten Schulz Melissa Stimpson Dawn Temple Contributing Illustrators Kendrah Smith
Stephanie Obodda @StephanieDoes Tony Pacitti @TonyPacitti Cristy Raposo @foxywhite3 Dale J Rappaneau, Jr Jenn Salcido
Molly Lederer
Jen Senecal @JenSenecal
Elizabeth Lorenz @ELorenzMedia
John Taraborelli @JohnnyTabs
Interns Alexander Castro Audrey Falk Claire Flanagan
Ashlyn Mooney Kristine Parker Nina Perrotta Members Of:
sister publications. “I’ve grown to consider it costeffective therapy. Just hand me a cocktail and a
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typewriter and I’m good to go.” Erin has worked as a teacher for incarcerated and at-risk teenag-
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ers, as well as an editor for Providence Media. “I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet and inter-
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view so many interesting people, from local chefs and business owners to musicians like Barrington Levy and Civil Twilight. I love shining a light on deserving people who are doing great things.” This month, she talks to same-sex couples about
We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.
marriage equality in our cover story.
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The Lowdown on Downtown Business Thank you for highlighting our Bring Your Company to Life campaign [“Promoting Business in the City,” July 2014] designed to promote downtown Providence as a great place for out-ofstate companies to locate. While we want to attract more businesses downtown, your readers should know how many successful ones are already concentrated here. Downtown is home to everything from large established corporations such as Gilbane, Textron, Verizon, GTech, Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI and Hasbro to younger start-ups such as Swipely, Andera, Mojo Tech and NAIL communications. Most banks have headquarters or major offices downtown along with 11 of Rhode Island’s top 15 accounting firms, 10 of the state’s 13 largest stock brokerage firms and 17 of the 21 largest law firms. We also have more than a dozen design firms. Finally, a growing number of incubators and co-working spaces accommodate the emerging economy by offering flexible options. Betaspring, the Founders League, the Hatch Entrepreneurial Center, the Design Office, Digital City’s DC206 and AS220 Labs house an amazing amount of creative activity.
Because of downtown’s attractiveness to these existing companies, we will collaborate with local partners to promote our assets and opportunities to out-of-state companies, and ultimately, grow this strong base. We hope that your readers will serve as ambassadors for downtown Providence by visiting bringyourcompanytolife.com and sharing the message. Dan Baudouin Executive Director The Providence Foundation
The Art of Thanks Thank you so much for including me and my work [“The Glass Dreamscape,” June 2014] in Providence Monthly! It’s a thrill to be part of it. [Writer] Liz Lorenz and [photographer] Brad Smith were wonderful. Nicole Chesney Sky/Water Studio
Blonde With Envy The article Grace Lentini wrote [“Blonde Ambition,” June 2014] was outstanding and I loved it! Thank you so much for doing such a great job. I have many of my clients commenting on it. I hope Grace has a wonderful summer turning heads with that blonde hair. Kristen Lazzareschi Studio 101
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Discover Rhode Island’s secret beaches, be the third party in our Block Island love affair and plan your end-of-summer mini-vaca to southern Rhode Island with our SO Summer Guide
PA R T Y W I T H U S • Get your fashion fix and support local designers at Providence’s most glamorous event; StyleWeek comes to town 8/24-8/29
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Providence Pulse
Photo: Audrey Falk
CITY / MALCONTENT / SCENE IN PVD
The Art of Installations The Gazing Garden by Adam Anderson
Thanks to the work of local artists, the green space formerly occupied by I-195 has been creatively transformed into art installations. Check out the story behind the project and where you can experience some everyday art. You’re bound to see the city in a whole new way.
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
13
Pulse |
City
From Page 13
PVD Gets Artsier
Creative reuse of the I-195 land Since I-195’s big move, parcels of land formerly part of the highway have been sitting vacant and unused. The I-195 Redevelopment District Commission has been overseeing all aspects of developing this newly available – and valuable – 20 acres of land, with the goal of reconnecting the unique and historic areas of the city split
Wood-Frame Arch Wickenden Street, South Main Street, Pike Street and South Water Street Providence native Matthew Kramer used wood and cable to create a 16x16 cable-latticed, wood-framed arch, but the negative space it beholds is just as integral a part of the piece. The swooping, overlapping ribbed cables meet and frame the downtown Providence skyline, creating a picture-perfect vista of nature and industry. While the heavy-duty hooks, rings and bolts are practical, they beautifully unite the simplistic materials to evoke the Providence River Bridge, which the arch also frames.
apart by the highway and establishing a vital and diverse city center. This spring, the Commission sought the help of six local artists to breathe new life into the empty lots, and the yearlong installations that have popped up all over downtown are telling stories that weave Providence’s history with the city’s new open space.
I Walk, Therefore I Dream Clifford Street, East Franklin Street and Bassett Street RISD grad Sophia Sobers used ornamental grass, hanging plants, solar cells and LED lights to marry nature and technology with her piece. Spread out among the grass are tall planters in white and natural wood covered with wooden, lattice-like branches. Multicolored flowers sprouted within mingle with solar cells. Though the space is along the highway, the cluster of plants creates a beautiful enclave to walk within.
Bird House Community Alves Way, Traverse Street and George M. Cohan Boulevard RISD alum Frank Hammond designed a community of birdhouses in the green space behind Wickenden Street. The 14 birdhouses span different sizes and colors to accommodate various local species. Built on a peaceful stretch of grass bordered with trees right in front of the highway, the pieces highlight the coexistence of the natural and urban aspects of Providence.
Amethyst Rising Bassett Street, East Franklin Street and Hoppin Street Topher Gent, Rhode Island native and RISD graduate, used his experience in the state to call on an important area of Providence’s past – the Jewelry District. His sculpture, Amethyst Rising, brings to mind faceted gemstones with its linear yet multidimensional structure. Situated adjacent to the Jewelry District, the piece adds interest to its barren lot and an inspiration of beauty and potential beheld by the booming jewelry industry.
14
Providence Monthly | August 2014
The Gazing Garden Point and East Franklin Street Intersection Adam Anderson, a dual Brown and RISD graduate, brought whimsy and color to his street-side space. A black triangle outlines the garden’s perimeter, which is shielded by white picket fencing. Red wood strips separate rows of soil where leafy plants are growing next to stationary lime green stalks that are propping up reflective aluminum balls. The stalks, which vary in height, playfully evoke an oversized natural garden, and capture the reflections of the cars whizzing by, the surrounding buildings and the sky.
RISD alum Aarti Kathuria has designed an exhibition space, Panoply, which will be installed at the bank of the river at South Water Street in September. Panoply will be a sequence of A-frames from which different views of the city emerge. As the piece is all about reflecting on Providence’s past as well as its present moment, there is an interactive aspect that allows visitors to read QR codes set in the frames that will connect them to stories about Providence submitted by the public. Kathuria’s piece not only seeks to create an individual experience, but a shared one as a community too. -Audrey Falk
Photos: Audrey Falk
Panoply (Coming in September) James and South Water Street
Pulse |
City
So Much Art
Shake Shake Shake
Underground Artists Represent! The first annual Rhode Island Independent Publishing Expo (RIPExpo), a weekend-long free festival dedicated to small-press and self-published comics, books and zines, will be held on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3. The event will take place at the Providence Public Library from 126pm on both days, with special evening events scheduled for after hours. RIPExpo is the only event of its kind in Rhode Island, celebrating the diverse community of underground artists and writers who are underrepresented in mainstream media. Creators from all
across North America will join local artists to share work and generate discussion through panels, film screenings, exhibitions and social events. Vendors will have a variety of books, comics, prints and artwork for sale to the public. Special guests include Providence-based artists, cartoonist Mickey Zacchilli and Mothers News editor Jacob Khepler. RIPExpo is free and open to the public thanks to the sponsorship of the Providence Public Library, located at 150 Empire Street in downtown Providence. ripexpo.tumblr. com -Kristine Parker
Have Mercy Everyone Deserves a Free Pass Next time you’re in a jam, you might actually find yourself with a free pass. Earlier this year, artist Rachel Cyrene Blackman started the Free Pass Project, an interactive public art project that promotes community via handmade free pass tokens. These little orange discs, randomly distributed in public places or passed person to person, grant their beholders understanding and compassion, and acknowledge that we all need a break sometimes from the personal struggles and challenges we face. The Free Pass Project Facebook page is a space for those who have received and given tokens to share their experiences. One photo shows a gleeful recipient
holding her free pass, which itself traveled from Rhode Island all the way to Arizona before returning back to Providence. These tokens have no boundaries, crossing state lines and connecting people from disparate backgrounds and experiences. Our city has joined a network of myriad locations around the country in the project, and we happen to be a perfect place to spread the love. A bench on Blackstone Boulevard, a stranger on Thayer Street, your next door neighbor – the possibilities of sharing are endless, but no matter where your token ends up, the gesture is always appreciated. thefreepassproject.com. -Audrey Falk
The Free Pass Project is an interactive public art project
Polaroids Are Making A Comeback The distinctive chk-chk-whirr of a Polaroid instant photo bursting into existence is making a comeback – at least in Providence. From now until August 22, you can visit the Providence Polaroid Project at 235 Westminster St. and get your portrait taken on lushly vintage Polaroid film. If you’re feeling intrepid, you can borrow a camera and take it on a tour of the city. The best photos will be displayed at the gallery space on Westminster St. The Polaroid Project is the brainchild of Devan Durante and Brandon Lane, who hope to “build a participant driven exhibition and gallery space,” according to the project’s website. It’s also part of the PopUp Providence Initiative, a series of expeditions in “tactical urbanism,” or projects designed to make urban spaces as fun, enjoyable and interactive as possible. The giddy spontaneity
of Polaroid making-and-shaking should be a pretty good impetus for Providence residents to get outdoors. pvdpolaroid. com -Alexander Castro
Malcontent
Take Us Out to the Ballgame What this state needs is a really corrupt sports franchise Last month it was announced that officials in Central Falls and Providence both engaged in preliminary discussions to bring Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution to Rhode Island. I, for one, wholeheartedly support this and/or any other plan for a professional franchise from any major sport in our state. Further, the entire affair should be rife with corruption, fiscal irresponsibility and poor management so that Little Rhody might finally root, root, root for a home team that truly represents us. Imagine the possibilities: sweetheart deals in smoke-filled backrooms; brash economic gambles that can’t possibly pay off; a poorly financed stadium construction project that not only runs vastly over budget and behind schedule, but also callously disrupts the fabric of a neighborhood that is powerless to stop it; and, of course, my favorite part: a dysfunctional cast of tyrants, miscreants, scoundrels,
egomaniacs, eccentrics, junkies, shysters, overpaid hired guns and born losers to keep things interesting (if not successful) both on the field and in the front offices. Given Rhode Island’s stellar track record of investments in professional athletes, this one is a no-brainer. Local sports are undergoing a mini-resurgence, what with PC the reigning Big East basketball champs, a new generation of Red Sox talent developing in Pawtucket and the P-Bruins doing… whatever it is they do, but I’m sure it’s worthy of enthusiasm. Whether we successfully lure the Revolution south; poach a poorly run, cravenly opportunistic team like the Miami Marlins; or score the rights to an expansion team destined for futility, the time has come. I can already taste the $17 ‘Gansetts. Oh, and no matter what franchise we wind up with from which sport, I’ve got three words for you: Carmelo. F--ing. Anthony. -John Taraborelli
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Scene in PVD
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hope street Explore our diverse group of independent shops, restaurants and more!
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ProvidenceOnline.com
Secret Beaches Rhode Island’s
A handy itinerary for diversifying your beach game this summer By John Taraborelli
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
South County If you love Charlestown Town Beach, but don’t love the crowds, then maybe Blue Shutters Town Beach is the one for you. Adjacent to East Beach in the Ninigret Conservation Area, Blue Shutters doesn’t boast much in the way of amenities, but it’s a nice wide, quiet stretch of sand where you’ll see lots of red Solo cups. Just be aware that the Charlestown Beach comparisons also extend to the quick drop-off at the shoreline and strong undertow. East Beach Rd., Charlestown. Pay to park, but no admission. Some beaches are made for that later-in-the-day trip. You know the one: you’re not out there to work on your tan, or perhaps even swim – it’s more about bringing a chair, packing a cooler, and enjoying the sound of the waves crashing while you take in the sunset. Narragansett’s Camp Cronin is one of those. Primarily billed as a fishing area, it’s also popular with bird watchers and boasts breathtaking views of Block Island Sound. Ocean Rd., Narragansett. No admission or parking fee. Although it’s a private beach with no public parking, Roy Carpenter’s Beach is easily accessible by parking at South
Kingstown Town Beach in Matunuck and walking the rest of the way. It feels more secluded than it really is and faces out onto open ocean, with Block Island visible in the distance. Again, it’s a private beach, so some rather imposing houses stand watch over the shoreline. Roy Carpenter Beach Rd., Matunuck. Perhaps the most difficult to access of all the beaches in Rhode Island, Westerly’s Sandy Point is actually on an island of the same name. Once an extension of Napatree Point (which also has a beach that could be considered “secret”), Sandy Point was separated from the mainland by the Hurricane of ’38. It’s mostly a nature preserve but does offer a public beach. Getting there requires not only a boat that doesn’t need a dock (the island doesn’t have one), but also purchasing a permit from nearby Stonington, CT, which claims ownership over five acres of the 35-acre island. Hidden at the end of Matunuck Beach Road, Deep Hole is more commonly known to fishermen and surfers than swimmers. However, given its exposure to the open waters of the Atlantic, it boasts good waves and strong winds, making it popular with surfers
and kiteboarders. Matunuck Beach Rd., Matunuck. No admission or parking fee. Though it is not technically a beach, the little stretch of beach next to the Ocean Mist is just enough to qualify. The bar will happily let you take your drink down onto the sand (provided you put it in a plastic cup) and, if you don’t mind the fact that it’s a bit rocky, you can easily take a quick dip before heading back upstairs to eat some fish tacos or dance to a blues band. Matunuck Beach Rd., Matunuck. Accessible only through the Ocean Mist. North Kingstown’s oddly named Calf Pasture Point Beach is one of the most pristine and deserted in the state. Nestled in the Quonset area, it’s accessible from the Davisville Bike Path and is more popular with wildlife than people. Lounging on its relatively empty sand is a great way to end a bike ride. Off the Davisville Bike Path, North Kingstown. No admission or parking fee. Though it’s mostly home to a private club, Quonochontaug (or “Quonnie”) Beach has a small lot for public parking, so get there early. It’s located on a narrow stretch of land between the salt pond of the same name and the Block Island Sound. It’s remote, but worth the effort. Sand Trail, Charlesown. No admission or parking fee.
the ISlandS
Lounging at Camp Cronin in Narragansett
Nestled in a quiet cove along Ocean Road on Aquidneck Island’s southern shore, Gooseberry Beach is open to the public but is also home to a private beach club. The relatively calm waters make it popular among families, and there is a large rock just a short swim from the shore that’s easily accessible and a great place to sunbathe. Ocean Rd., Newport. Pay to park, but no admission. Cast off as unwanted by the elites who summer at Newport’s toney and private Bailey’s Beach, Reject’s Beach isn’t even an official beach. It’s a small strip of beachfront that’s separated from its ritzy neighbor by a fence and a rope
Photography: Grace Lentini
Rhode Island is so small and you’ve lived here so long. You’ve been to the state and town beaches, traveled to Block Island, taken a boat out on the bay, snuck onto a private beach or two. There’s not really anything left to explore. You’ve seen it all, right? Wrong. Quick quiz: Rhode Island has over 100 public and private beaches – how many have you been to? How many can you even name? Thought so. Several summers back, a friend and I set a guideline for ourselves: every time we went to the beach that year, we went to a different one. And for the most part, we chose beaches we had never visited before. We pulled up a list and got to work. This was in our beach bum days, and yet we still barely made a dent in that list – but along the way, we reminded ourselves how even in the smallest state, there’s so much we haven’t seen or done. That was the year I discovered Gooseberry Beach in Newport, which remains one of my favorites – and my own personal “secret beach.” “Secret beaches” are not “secret” in the literal sense – nothing in this state is remote or distant enough to be kept secret. They’re more like under-appreciated beaches, hidden in plain sight, indicated by signs that you barely even acknowledge as you breeze past them en route to your old favorite. They represent the vast majority on that list of 100 that you’ve barely even heard of, never mind visited. Your secret beach is the one that, when you suggest it, causes your friends to pause, scratch their heads, and shrug, “Sure, but you’re driving.” Here is a list of some “secret beaches” from both sides of the bay, and a little further out. Some are staff favorites, some are recommendations from fellow beach bums, and some were practically chosen out of a hat. Don’t even bother reading any of them: simply cover your eyes, point at one blindly, pack your beach bag, and hit the road.
Every Day is Summer Vacation at
Photo: Courtesy of DiscoverNewport.org
Relax in the sand at Gooseberry Beach in Newport
that goes out into the water. There’s no parking, and it’s generally only accessible by foot or bike – just as it should be for us commoners. Off the Cliff Walk, Newport. No admission or parking fee. Jamestown is known for its quiet retreats and beautiful vistas, so it should be no surprise that Mackerel Cove Town Beach is a relatively tranquil spot that’s popular with families. Located on the “beaver tail” of land that gives Beavertail State Park its name, it’s light on amenities so you’ll want to bring plenty of snacks and things to entertain the kiddies. Beavertail Rd., Jamestown. Pay to park, but no admission. Occupying the same peninsula at the southeastern end of Aquidneck Island as Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown’s Third Beach (aka Navy Beach) is small and relatively quiet. The water is shallow and the waves are minimal, but the winds make it a popular choice for windsurfers. Pets are welcome after 5pm. Third Beach Rd., Middletown. Pay to park, but no admission. The other Sandy Point Beach is a shallow one facing out onto the Sakonnet from the eastern edge of Portsmouth. It’s relatively small and quiet, making it another good choice for families with children, or even just adults looking to set up shop with a chair and a good book. Sandy Point Ave., Portsmouth. Pay to park, but no admission. You’ll want to bring your friend to Teddy’s Beach in Portsmouth – your best friend. This is one of the few beaches in the state that’s known for being pet friendly, which for some will make up for the lack of amenities. Up near the northern tip of Aquidneck Island, on a curled finger of land that surrounds Blue Hill Cove, Teddy’s Beach is directly across the water from Tiverton’s Grinnell Beach, itself worthy of “secret beach” status. Park Ave., Portsmouth. No admission or parking fee. Perched out at the end of one of the two extensions of land that enclose Block Island’s Great Salt Pond, Charleston Beach is not easy to get to and offers no amenities. But in exchange for those inconveniences, it offers respite from the crowds and peaceful views of the boats entering New Harbor. Bring your own supplies
and enjoy one of Rhode Island’s – nay, the world’s – last great unspoiled places. Off Champlin Rd., Block Island. No admission or parking fee. Hidden away just above “the Neck” and the better known Crescent Beaches on Block Island, Mansion Beach provides big surf and small crowds. There is limited parking available near Searles Mansion, but it’s also accessible by bike. It’s also a short hike to the nearby Clayhead Trail. Mansion Rd., Block Island. No admission or parking fee.
eaSt Bay Little Compton’s Goosewing Beach is another one that requires parking at an adjacent beach (in this case, South Shore Beach) and walking the rest of the way. Narrow and a bit rocky, Goosewing occupies a narrow spit of land between open ocean and a coastal pond. The beach is actually a historic landmark and nature preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy, where they manage populations of rare birds. Off South Shore Rd., Little Compton. Pay to park at South Shore Beach, but no admission. If you’re looking for a great place to windsurf – and really, who isn’t? – Fogland Beach (aka Tiverton Town Beach) offers excellent conditions. Located on a small peninsula that juts out into the Sakonnet River between Tiverton and Aquidneck Island, it creates a small cove on its north side, great for nature lovers or families with children. It’s also got a nature conservation area. 3 Rod Way off Fogland Rd., Tiverton. Pay to park, but no admission. If your ideal beach day involves a picnic basket, then consider Warren Town Beach. It’s got shallow water that’s good for kids (as well as a playground) and is right next to Burr’s Hill Park, providing even more picnicking and recreational opportunities. Off Water St., Warren. No admission or parking fee. Almost more of a park than a beach, Union Street Beach is a tiny parcel of land just off the main drag in Downtown Bristol. There’s a grassy plot with benches and picnic tables leading down to a small area for swimming and sunbathing. Bring a cooler and watch the boats go by. Union Street, Bristol. No admission or parking fee.
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MICHAEL HELPED PROTECT PROVIDENCE Michael knows what it takes to lead in a crisis. When Providence was facing the worst fiscal crisis in its history, Michael worked with Mayor Taveras to pull the city back from the brink of financial disaster. They put the old politics aside, made tough decisions that had been avoided for years, and worked together to save our city. Now Providence has a surplus and we are ready to build a better future. Being Mayor is a tough job and there’s no time for on-the-job training. There’s no question what kind of Mayor Michael Solomon will be, because he’s proved it at Providence’s toughest moments. There’s no one more ready to build the Providence we all want — a city that works for everyone and every neighborhood.
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THE MICHAEL SOLOMON RECORD Helped save Providence from bankruptcy. As City Council President, Michael worked with Mayor Taveras to solve Providence’s fiscal crisis. Worked to turn a deficit into a surplus. Michael made the tough decisions with Mayor Taveras to turn a $110 million structural deficit into a $1.6 million surplus. Created hundreds of jobs. As a small business owner, Michael has created jobs in Providence for over 30 years. Put our children first. Michael worked to keep the Davey Lopes Pool open, pushed to expand school athletics programs, and led the fight against Big Tobacco.
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www.parksideprovidence.com 22
Providence Monthly | August 2014
Happily
EVER AFTER Three couples discuss life and love on the one-year anniversary of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island By Erin Balsa • Photography Stacey Doyle
O
n May 2, 2013, the tiniest state in the nation took an enormous step forward when Governor Chafee signed the marriage equality bill into law, allowing gay couples to legally tie the knot beginning on August 1 of that same year. For the past 12
months, we in Rhode Island have proudly chosen to celebrate love and promote equality: Cheers to the first anniversary of same-sex marriage in the Ocean State.
Joe Asermely & Eric Auger It’s a balmy afternoon in July and I’m taking refuge from the merciless summer sun underneath the canopy of a luxurious covered porch that overlooks a gleaming in-ground swimming pool. Joe Asermely, a software consultant, offers me a tall glass of ice water. The grand historic home that he shares with Eric Auger, co-owner of TEN31 Productions, is nothing short of spectacular. After assuring that I’m cool and comfortable, the two smiling men sit on either side of me on adjacent rattan sofas. There’s less than two months left until the couple says “I do.” Their wedding will take place on September 6 at the pastoral Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton. “Originally we were planning to get married in Massachusetts,” Joe tells me, “but after the law passed, we began looking at venues here in Rhode Island. We toured numerous sites throughout the state and were welcomed at every one of them.” Although Joe and Eric have been together for a decade, they didn’t start talking about marriage until a few years ago; Eric decided that he’d propose to his long-time love during a vacation to Hawaii. “We go to Hawaii every year,” Joe says. “It’s our
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
favorite place in the world. But what Eric didn’t realize is that I had also purchased an engagement ring and was planning to propose to him on the same trip!” “Yep,” Eric says, playfully nodding his head in resignation, “we both went on vacation with rings in our pockets. Of course Joe ended up doing it first. I was so aggravated!” The two smile at each other, relishing in the memory. “More than anything, though,” Eric confides, “I felt reassured. Like okay, I’m not the only one thinking about this.” As a warm breeze blows through the porch, Eric shares with me that the whole wedding planning process has brought he and Joe even closer: “In meeting the reverend who will be marrying us, it humbled me to realize how special what we have is. After ten years together, we’ve been through a lot. There is no uncertainty. The biggest question we’re facing is what color our tablecloths should be.” Upon hearing his fiancé’s remark, Joe’s smile is bright as a diamond. “We’re so blessed,” Joe says cheerfully. “We have everything that we could possibly want. We look forward to just being happy and being together… and eventually spending summers on the Cape and winters in Hawaii!”
The couple also looks forward to the day when gay marriage isn’t a lightning rod of controversy. “It’s still new to everybody now,” Joe adds, “but if we’ve already seen all this acceptance, I know it’s only going to get better with time.”
About Joe and eric •
Together for 10 years
•
Getting married on September 6 in Little Compton
•
Got engaged in Hawaii, where each wanted to surprise the other with a proposal
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
25
Donna and Kelly were the first same sex couple to apply for a marriage license in Pawtucket
Senator Donna Nesselbush & Kelly Carse Donna Nesselbush is known about town as a forwardthinking senator who tirelessly championed same-sex marriage legislature in Rhode Island. She and wife Kelly Carse have been an item for over two-and-a-half years now. The couple began seeing each other in late 2011, shortly after the civil unions bill had passed: With marriage equality on the horizon, the timing couldn’t have been better. “Once we both knew each other was ‘the one,’” Donna tells me, “the quest for marriage equality became synonymous with the depth of our relationship.” She pauses for a moment. “I discovered I was gay while attending Brown University. I remember distinctly that my first thoughts were, ‘wow, I’ll never get married and I’ll never have kids.’ Fortunately, both of these glass ceilings have been shattered. Back when I began practicing law, I would never deny being gay, but I certainly would be, let’s say, discreet. Prejudice regarding sexual orientation was everywhere.” Kelly came out much later in life – at the age of 40. “The stigma of being gay had its effect on me,” she confesses. “I shared my sexual orientation discreet-
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
ly and only after getting the vibe from those I was interacting with. I feel so lucky now to be living in this era. The fact that my nieces and nephews find my love for and marriage to Donna such a beautiful and natural thing shows me how far we have come.” Although Donna played a huge part in that “how far we have come,” she answers modestly when I ask about the role she played in making marriage a reality for all in Rhode Island. “Victory has many parents,” she says simply. “In the nearly 20-year struggle for marriage equality, so many worked so hard for so long.” Truthfully, it’s been a long and bumpy road. For many years, the issue couldn’t even get a vote in committee. But then “the House passed the marriage equality bill quickly and decisively in January of 2013, throwing the hot potato over to the Senate,” Donna explains. “Some Senators voiced their unyielding support, others voiced their unyielding opposition, and many played their cards close to their chest. But public pressure mounted, pummeling the Senators with pressure that appeared to me to be far more support than opposition. Our Senate voicemail system was essentially shut down, filled on a daily basis with marriage equality messages.” Although not all in the Senate were proponents of
the bill, the public clamored for a vote. “And vote we did on April 24, 2013,” Donna says. “The vote: 26-12 in favor!” Kelly remembers August 1 as a very spontaneous day. “I was sipping coffee in the backyard,” she says. “Donna had gone to Pawtucket City Hall at 8:30am to welcome the first gay couple to file for a marriage license.” “Yes,” Donna says, “I remember receiving rainbow roses from the clerks and waiting for the first couple to come in for a marriage license. The Westboro Baptist Church was slated to be on hand so I wanted to be present as an antidote. Kelly and I had decided not to get a license that day because we hadn’t been able to find a venue that we both liked and that was available on such short notice – we very much wanted to get married in the same year as the law had passed.” “While Donna was waiting,” Kelly continues, “she struck up a conversation with a television reporter who was waiting there as well. Seconds after their conversation ended, she calls me and starts to describe the venue at Crystal Lake Country Club where the reporter was getting married.” “I called Kelly and asked if she meant what she said when she said she would marry me. She laughed, as Kelly is known to do, and said, ‘of course,’” Donna recalls. At 11am, Kelly arrived at City Hall and the two women happily signed their marriage license. “No gay couple had yet come forward, so serendipitously we became the first gay couple in Pawtucket to get the license,” Donna continues. “And we got married on September 20 at the very venue suggested that day by the TV reporter – Crystal Lake Country Club.” Donna says that being married means the world to her: “I feel uniquely whole and oddly like a full citizen. The substance of the marriage equality bill is very simple. Any two people can marry. The impact? Nothing short of historic.” “And I feel undeniable joy,” Kelly adds. “For the first time in my life, I feel I have true and everlasting love a person with whom I will travel the rest of my days.”
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r u o y Put Up! s e k u D
Rodney Davis & Brian Mills
I meet up with Rodney Davis and Brian Mills around 6pm at a café in Cranston. They’ve just finished eating. “All done with dinner?” I ask as I slide into their booth. “This is our lunch,” Rodney tells me, his eyebrows raised comically. He is the Director of Communications for Big Picture Learning; Brian is the Director of Communications and Special Events at the Met School. While most everyone who works in education has summers off, these two are working hard as ever. “We’ve been together since 1997,” Brian says. “Not only do we live together, we also sit across the desk from each other at work.” “I remember some of our first dates like they were just yesterday,” Rodney says. “It’s like when you’re reading a story and you get lost in the book. You stop and say – how many pages have I read? That’s how it is with us. There’s a lot of story left.” Brian nods thoughtfully before speaking: “1997 was such a different time. There weren’t as many positive media messages about the gay community back then. I was closeted when I first met Rodney. To be in the closet and be around a Rodney P. Davis who is so open and out there – everyone knew who he was. He was on TV, he was at the State House rallying for rights… but being with Rodney was so natural and so comfortable. For the first time in my life, I realized that I could be who I wanted to be. I couldn’t have had a better person to help me through the coming out process.” In the years that have passed, Rodney and Brian have worked side-by-side to better our community. They’ve recently stepped down from their leadership roles at Pride: Rodney was a past president and Brian was a board member. “You’ll talk to people who spend so much time planning the perfect wedding – we’re not those people,” Rodney says with a chuckle. “We spent our time planning how other people were going to get married in Rhode Island.” And though the couple has been engaged for quite a while, they’ve yet to set a date. Brian chuckles. “We were so caught up in the fight to get married we never allowed ourselves time to think about what our own wedding would be like,” he says. “Also,” Rodney adds, “we are extremely busy and short on time and resources. Weddings are really expensive.” There are other factors the two have to contend with as well. “I won’t have my mother at my wedding,” Rodney confides. “Many of my family members won’t be there either. The reality is not everyone accepts it. Laws don’t change people – people change people.” “People are much more difficult to change than laws,” Brian says wisely. “But the arguments are diminishing. The walls continue to come down.” Rodney hopes that those who come after him understand that their right to marry is one that came with a lot of sacrifice. “The inevitable end is that marriage equality will be recognized in all states,” he says with confidence. “It will just take time.”
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
City Style
AT HOME / SHOP TALK / THE LOOK / BEAUTY / GET FIT About the Homeowners Jen and Michael Gazdacko repurposed the empty lot next to their home into Barking Dog Farm, a working farm with vegetables, bees and chickens. They live in the Armory District with their two dogs and two cats.
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2 3
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Photography: Melissa Stimpson
Your Friendly Neighborhood Farm 1. That’s the chicken coop. We were originally going to do chicks, but we adopted a friend’s flock of six grown, laying chickens instead: Scituate, the Rhode Island Red; Pot Pie; Kentucky; Jailbird; Big Mama and Little Mama. We probably get three to five eggs a day. 2. We’ve got about 30,000 bees in two hives behind these plants. We installed them in the spring. We’ve always wanted bees, so we went to bee school to learn how to care for them. It’s really good for our neighbors who have gardens, because they pollinate. We get a lot of credit for any bees on the West Side I think the gardens are doing better this year because of them. 3. We’ve got a whole Thai garden – hot peppers, lemongrass, Thai basil – behind
these tomato plants. We were inspired by our honeymoon last year in Thailand, and we love Thai food. 4. For vegetables, there’s lettuce, eggplant, chick peas, snap peas, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash and zucchini, tomatoes and husk cherries. We’ve got a lot to give away, but we try to use as much as we can. During the week, the chickens only need 15 minutes a day. The bees are maybe 30 minutes on the weekend. The garden needs about three hours a week. There’s a lot more in the prep, but there’s really not that much maintenance. 5. We call it Barking Dog Farm, but Sophia isn’t the barking dog. She’s the quiet one. Teddy, a silky terrier, is the barking one. Sophia is a four month old yellow lab.
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
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BEAUTIFUL
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
Jodi Timpani Head of School, Nowell Leadership Academy
Tell me about this outfit. It’s an everyday work outfit. A basic black dress transitions well from work to meetings to social. This biker jacket is a blend of leather and cotton. You never know when you’re going to have to jump on a motorcycle. These are Diane Von Furstenburg heels. They’re my signature. I always say flats are for quitters. What’s your personal style? I like confidence and sass, but in an ultra-feminine way. I don’t think you need to put it all out there. There’s a line in between. My style is professional first, but I like clothes and jewelry. August is a tough month to look professional and keep cool. How do you keep summer dresses work appropriate? You have to do what’s comfortable for you. I don’t love arms out, but the First Lady has hers out all the time and it looks great. You have to be comfortable for yourself. To me, arms out is very athletic, and the last athletic thing I did was wait in a long line for coffee. You have to be comfortable in what you pull off. I like two pieces: simple dress and scarf, or dress and blazer. If you have a third piece, you’ve overcommitted in the hot weather. I think a t-shirt and a blazer is great – the right t-shirt and the right blazer can really save the day. Right now I’m really into high waisted, wide legged pants. Those with a blazer and tee are a great summer outfit. Do you have your first day of school outfit picked out? I dress every day like it’s the first day of school. I don’t understand why people want to dress down – I love getting dressed for work. I wear jeans all the time, but not to work or out to dinner on the weekend. There are so many other things I want to wear.
Photography: Mike Braca
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City Style |
Get Fit
By Jen Senecal
Weekend Warrior
Unleashing the fighter within in Pawtucket
Photography: Amy Amerantes
Over the last year and a half, I’ve performed countless styles of incredible workouts and have found myself upside-down, inside-out and bent over backwards, all in the name of fitness. (I’ve maybe also developed an unhealthy fitness gear shopping habit, but that’s a story for another day.) The beauty of the endless training sessions that the gyms of Providence and beyond have to offer is that they’re like a sky full of stars: no two are the same. I first met Peter Jeffrey, co-owner (along with his brother Keith) of Pawtucket’s Tri-Force MMA at a Tough Mudder race. He and his wife were fellow team members and I knew almost immediately after we started the race that he would be someone I’d gladly train with. Motivating, supportive, driven and athletic, Pete – trained in jiu-jitsu and MMA for over ten years – clearly was an ass-kicker, and I hadn’t even stepped inside his gym yet. During our race, Pete mentioned that he and his brother run the Rhode Island affiliate of the Training for Warriors program at Tri-Force. From his description alone, I knew I wanted in. Regardless of the workout, I was hooked on the name alone. After all, I do consider myself a warrior of most things – including, but not limited to, parenthood, kicking butt in the gym and spending my kids’ college savings on my sneaker collection. Training for Warriors is a physical and mental training program for anyone who works hard, wants to battle his or her own challenges, and drives to develop muscular strength and mental fortitude. It combines detailed warm-ups, speed training, strength training, endurance training and flexibility work. Fast-forward a month and I found myself walking through the doors of Tri-Force’s highly impressive 15,000
Tri-Force MMA pushes the limits of physical endurance
square foot facility. From the weights and strength training equipment to the full-sized boxing ring and MMA cage, to the battle ropes, kettlebells, sandbags, TRX straps, tires, sled mills and endless sea of matted floors I spotted, this space was a mecca for the fighter within. On this particular Wednesday, I was about to fight. Fight my heart rate, the clock, the heat and the metabolic conditioning that was about to be thrown at me. When Pete began to explain the warm-up portion, he kept throwing air quotes around the words “warm up,” with a smile pasted across his face. For 18 straight, unbroken minutes, Pete ran me through a series of full body exercises, pushing my limits in flexibility, heart rate, core-strength and all-over stamina. Needless to say, after it was over, I was warmed up. The rest of the class was to be done tabata style, which is a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout where you go
Ruck Run You don’t need to be Special Forces to train like one. Instead, you can carry a brickfilled rucksack (backpack) over 15-20 miles, for 8-10 hours, overnight, in the streets of Providence on August 15. GoRuck Challenge presents you and your team with mission-based scenarios as you battle tricky terrain and uncomfortable situations that rely on teamwork, strength and mental persistence. While carrying bricks. goruck.com
fast and hard for 20 seconds, and then rest 10 seconds before the next exercise. The idea behind tabata is to raise your heart rate for a quick, intense burst, and then use those ten seconds of rest to bring it slightly back down to recover, therefore improving cardiovascular and muscular endurance in a short period of time. I began the speed circuit and cycled through tire push-up claps, tire squats, side floor swipes and ankle-grab situps. At this point, I was starting to fatigue (read: sweating like a sinner in church). I’d already done more in two thirds of a class than I did on most of my cardio days combined for the week. The final, and perhaps most challenging portion of the class was the strength circuit. In the same timed sequence, for what seemed like endless rounds, I sprinted on the sled mill (that you propel with your own feet), tackled the battle ropes, pulled my body weight up off the floor with TRX straps,
dipped on the tricep double bars and swung a kettlebell to the high heavens above (without letting go). There were moments when I didn’t think I’d finish, when I didn’t want to finish, and when I hoped to God I had finished. Channeling all the mental fortitude I could, I pushed through. Like a warrior. Training for Warriors was one of the most challenging workouts I’ve done. Once I stabilized and recovered from the class, I rode out an endorphin high for hours and anticipated my next go at it. Whether you’re training at Tri-Force as an MMA fighter or someone who wants to be conditioned like one, the warrior class will leave you feeling like a champion.
Tri-Force MMA 179 Conant Street Pawtucket 640-8743 triforcemma.com
Ride for Cancer On August 10, bikers will take their spokes to the streets in support of providing cancer treatment services to local hospitals at the 6th annual Ride ‘Round Rhody Bike-a-Thon hosted by LIFEcycle. Cyclists can choose a 25-or 75-mile ride of a challenging mix of tree-lined roads, gently rolling terrain and climbs that will get the heart pumping. rrrhody.org
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
37
yard sale Sunday August 24 11-5pm No Early Birds! Rain or Shine! Hurricane date SuNday, auguSt 31 11-5pm
Cash & Carry Only $1 - $100 Exceptions apply (Sweaters, pants, skirts, tops, dresses, shoes, bags, etc.)
*Final Sales*
Don’t Miss It! Please bring a canned good to donate to Tap-In
A specialty boutique Open Daily 10-5:30 Saturday 10-5 The Village CenTer 290 County road, Barrington 247-1087 Contemporary women’s apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
City Style |
Shop Talk
By Erin Balsa
And the Wall Came Tumbling Down In the city that we love, two downtown boutiques have finally become one Queen of Hearts,
a fashion boutique selling sparkly jewelry, covetable dresses and uniquely perfect gifts first opened its doors in 2006 inside a diminutive 400-square-foot space on Union Street. Four years later, owner Karen Beebe moved the store to 222 Westminster, its current – and much roomier – location. In October of 2010, Karen had the opportunity to take over the space next door at 220 Westminster. “Downtown really needed a shoe store that had affordable price points,” she says. And with that, Modern Love was born. The two sister stores lived side-byside for years, separated by an interior wall. “A doorway connected the two shops… From the opening of Modern Love, we questioned whether or not to take the wall down,” Karen explains. The wall in question was finally knocked down in February. “It made sense to do it after years of running back and forth between the two. Queen of Hearts and Modern Love have sort of morphed into one over time – but we still keep each side’s original vision as far as merchandise goes.” Speaking of merchandise, Karen says that she tries to carry something for everyone both budget- and stylewise. A portion of Modern Love’s inventory is handcrafted; the rest is sourced and handpicked. You’ll find that everything is fun and chic, from denim to pillows to sunglasses. Modern Love offers a gorgeous selection of shoes at all different price points. “We have been known to have statement shoes,” Karen says, “but we also strive for comfort and quality.” Rounding out the selection is bath and body, accessories and hosiery, as well as great hats for both men and women. Prices begin at $4.50 for undies and span from bargain to splurge. “Frye boots are our most expensive item for sure,” Karen explains. “They’re something you save up for and love forever. They seriously last a lifetime!”
Get your sparkle on at Queen of Hearts and Modern Love
Stop by the stores to see what’s hot for summer. You’ll find over 50 styles of sunglasses that all retail at $14.95 and are UV400. “One of my favorite new dresses is the Marisol Dress from Stop Staring,” Karen says. “It’s not only beautiful but so flattering on the body.” The owner also notes that the following looks are still on trend in footwear this season: delicate sheer socks with heels; square short heels on sandals; and clogs. Karen, who started sewing at the age of eight and has her own line, admits that on days off you won’t find her looking very fashionable. “I am usually in my garden covered in dirt or with sand from the beach falling out of my shoes,” she says with a laugh. But depending on the occasion, she knows how to dress to impress. “If I was attending an outdoor garden party sipping prosecco cocktails, you would find me in the Roxanne dress by Coconino, the Kate sling back shoe by Re-Mix, one of our vintage-inspired gemstone necklaces and a pair
of Siren sunnies. If I was attending a barbecue with a bonfire, you would find me in a pair of Liberty high-waisted denim pants by Dear Creatures, my Wyatt overlay cowboy boots by Frye and a basic knit tank by Kerisma.” If you don’t have the cash for a whole new ensemble, you can always add pizzazz to the items you already own with a fabulous piece of jewelry. “We carry a great selection for any budget,” Karen says. “For just $14.95 you can have some gemstone earrings to dress up any outfit – even jeans and a tank.” So whether you need to glam up for StyleWeek or add some spunk to your basic summer wardrobe, Queen of Hearts and Modern Love is your onestop shop for looking fantastic.
Queen of Hearts & Modern Love 220-222 Westminster Street 421-1471 queenofheartsprovidence.com
Photography: Amy Amerantes
feminine fancies
City Style |
Beauty
Opera Providence
by Julie Tremaine
Sitting Pretty
This beauty bar is part spa, part cocktail lounge and all glamour
presents
The Mikado
by Gilbert & Sullivan
Featuring: Michael DiMucci, Allison Pohl, Andy Papas, Jason Shealy, Ian Pomerantz, Arielle Rogers, Christopher Davey, Roselin Osser, Aimee-Rose Willett Costumes: Everett Hoag
August 8, 9 & 10th Columbus Theatre
Illustration: Kendrah Smith
270 Broadway, Providence Tickets: $35 & $60
The great writer Jorge Luis Borges once said, “I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.” Well, I’ve seen paradise, and there aren’t any books. There are, however, spa pedicure chairs, hard to find makeup brands and Champagne bubbles aplenty. Oh, by the way? Paradise is in Warwick. I know, right? As much as I was incredibly excited to try Retail Therapy Beauty Bar – which combines the elements of a hair and nail salon, spa, boutique and café – my excitement was tempered by the fact that I was going to have to drive down Route 2 to get there, and once I did, I’d be in Warwick, and how pampered can you possibly feel across from PetSmart? It turns out, very pampered. From the minute I walked inside, all the buzz outside was gone, and I was in heaven. Owner Anita Kiernan greeted me and lead me through the surprisingly expansive beauty boutique, past the blowout bar, to the nail area. Where Mimi, would be giving me a Champagne manicure and pedicure. Their levels of service are designated by beverages: espresso and wine spritzer are quick fixes, Chardonnay is the regular mani or pedi and Champagne is the deluxe spa version. While I was disappointed that there would be no bubbly used on my toes, that disappointment quickly disappeared when Anita offered me some in an actual glass. I opted for Pinot Grigio and sat back to soak in as much relaxation as possible. As Mimi did her work (which was very good, probably the best pedicure I’ve ever had, which included a sugar
scrub and a foot mask), Anita brought me out a plate of snacks – like goat cheese crostini with lemon and chive, and mozzarella caprese skewers – and told me a little about Retail Therapy. “This is where I would want to go with my girlfriends,” she explained. The fact that the beauty bar offers complete spa services, cosmedical procedures, hair and nail services, a makeup bar, a place to shop and a place to sit and enjoy a cocktail and a snack means that it’s perfect for big groups, without the inevitable lag that comes when friends go for beauty services together. Think birthday or bachelorette party. Hell, think Thursday night, when there are food and drink specials for Ladies Night. After my Champagne pedi, I got a Champagne gel mani (turquoise, with a hot pink and glitter accent nail, perfect for lounging poolside). Then, Anita brought me to her makeup chair and showed me some of their exclusive lines, like Inglot from Poland and Gorgeous Cosmetics from Australia, and her own line of Retail Therapy makeup, which has an amazing high def foundation. I left looking and feeling great, and with an Inglot bronzer that I’ve used every single day since then. The next time I need a break from my errands, I’m definitely stopping by for a little dose of paradise.
August 13th Blithewold Mansion & Gardens 101 Bristol Ferry Rd, Bristol Tickets: $35 (Discount to Blithewold Members)
Available Now! Call 331-6060 • www.operaprovidence.org
Available for Weddings & Special Events
Follow us on
Retail Therapy Beauty Bar 1276 Bald Hill Road, Warwick 821-3800 retailtherapybeautybar.com August 2014 | Providence Monthly
39
A Providence Original
Fine dining for the discerning palate, featuring local & seasonal ingredients, served impeccably in an 18th century tavern setting millstavernrestaurant.com 401.272.3331 101 N. Main Street
Bring your sunglasses and your appetite. Enjoy lunch, dinner & Sunday brunch al fresco in beautiful Wayland Square.
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465 Angell St. in Wayland Square Tel. 401.437.6950 Open Sunday, including Brunch from 10am - 3pm
Feast
Photography: Stacey Doyle
IN THE KITCHEN / oN THE mENu / bEHINd THE bar / rEvIEw / IN THE drINK
The Delicious Dish Eggplant Parmesan served with fresh Narragansett Creamery ricotta and crostini
Attention to detail and a flair for the unexpected are the order of the day at Rosalina, downtown’s new Italian restaurant. In a city already full of them, this one has the charm to keep you coming back for more. Read our review on the next page.
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
41
Feast |
review
By Stephanie Obodda
Cooking with Charm
rosalina, downtown’s new Italian restaurant, leaves a lasting impression
where Aborn Street is, but if you’ve walked through downtown Providence, you’ve probably passed it. It’s where you’ll find the new Italian restaurant Rosalina tucked behind Gracie’s, just out of view from the ornate facade of Trinity Rep. With such perfect weather, we had to sit at one of the outside tables and start with cocktails and oysters. My husband had the Tom ($9), a classic martini made with Tito’s, vermouth and a Tomolive garnish. In the mood for something lighter, I ordered the Satin Doll ($9), a refreshing combination of St. Germain, prosecco and club soda with a lemon twist. The drink’s name is a tip of the hat to the last strip club in the bounds of downtown Providence, practically across the street. Opinions vary, but I think these disparate elements add vital flavor to Providence’s signature spice blend. We came just in time for the dollar oyster special, available weekday evenings between four and six. Our Matunuck oysters were served with a
prosecco mignonette and a charred lemon. The charring was not only visually interesting, but also gave the lemon a deeper, sweeter, flavor. A breadbasket was served with a large spoonful of Narragansett Creamery ricotta and olive oil with pepper flakes. The oil comes from the owner’s family’s olive groves in Kalamata, Greece. The accompaniments were great; the bread was okay but not so good that you’d ruin your appetite over it, which is fine by me. Though it’s on the Insalata menu, the Burrata Cheese with orange, grapefruit and honey lemon oil dressing ($12) was more tantalizing treat than health food. Burrata is a decadent Italian cheese: fresh mozzarella wraps around a creamy, sometimes buttery, core. The citrus fruit was plentiful and a good foil to the creaminess. We also had the Eggplant Parmesan appetizer ($12), served in a cast iron crock with peppered crostini. It was hearty enough to be satisfying but not grease-laden like some versions. Earlier, we’d enlisted our waitress’ help to decide between the fried dough
Gnocchi Sorrentina baked with tomato, burrata and basil
Spaghetti with sautéed zucchini, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, fresh mint & basil topped with fresh ricotta cheese
appetizer and the Eggplant Parmesan. To our surprise, the chef graciously sent out a sample of the dough. On the menu as Pizzette Fritte ($9), the large pillow of
dough is topped with Pomodoro sauce, a touch of cheese, a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of scallions. The sauce was especially good – fruity but not too acidic. Rosalina’s chic design features huge family photos and retro globe light fixtures. So many touches evoke family and home cooking: our warm and friendly waitress, the kitchen’s fried dough gift, the bold gingham napkins. It’s clear that owners Lauren Lynch and Tom Bovis take family seriously and want you to feel like part of theirs. As we worked on our appetizers, we ordered some wine. Along with a bottle and glass list, Rosalina offers two wines on tap ($6/glass). A Chenin Blanc and a Grenache, both from California, are supplied by Richer Pour in Boston. Not only do these stay fresher than recorked bottles, but they also eliminate waste. Apparently, a keg of wine saves 44 pounds of glass and 26 corks. With the enthusiastic after-work drinking taking place at Rosalina’s bar, it certainly makes a difference. For my entrée, I ordered the Cioppino Seafood Stew ($23), a large, garlic
ONE MORE BITE: Rosalina is open daily and offers free valet parking Wednesday through Sunday. 42
Providence Monthly | August 2014
Photography: Stacey Doyle
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fresh parsley, red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil
crostini in a shallow bowl was topped with a tomato broth and plenty of swordfish, calamari, clams and shrimp. The broth had a nice subtle spice. My husband ordered the special, a Pine Nut Encrusted Statler Chicken served with broccoli rabe and a plum and cherry relish ($19). It was creative, but I think he preferred the Grilled Thick-Cut Pork Chop ($23) with sautéed vinegar peppers and cherry tomatoes that we tried on an earlier visit. Too content in our breezy spot, we ordered dessert ($6). A chocolate cake layer round was topped with a cylinder of chocolate gelato, the plate graced with a large dollop of Nutella. I’m hesitant to admit that I went to Rosalina on opening week and didn’t get it. The menu was homey, the décor
almost sexy. A few months and visits later, it makes sense. Imagine this: you’re nine, at a friend’s house after school. His mom throws together the first Italian home cooking you’ve ever experienced. Her perfect coif and cute dress seem just as effortless as the tomato sauce. She puts a spell on you, and you never try a plate of pasta that matches up to hers. Rosalina understands that in a city full of Italian restaurants, it’s this charm that will earn repeat visits.
Rosalina 50 Aborn Street 270-7330 rosalina-ri.com
401-861-8500 • 783 Hope Street, Providence
Monday-Friday 9am-7:30pm • Saturday 9am-6pm / Sunday 10am-5pm
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(401) 441-1626 www.brittanydrozd.com • brittany@brittanydrozd.com August 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Free 20 oz. Taj Mahal Beer With purchase of two entrees and mention of this ad* (*valid thru Aug. 31st at all 3 locations)
Feast | on the menu
By Alastair Cairns
Let Them Eat Cake
a boutique bakery opens on the west Side Tattooed on one sleeve, a cup-
3 Convenient Locations
149 Main Street East Greenwich • 398-2822
261 Thayer Street Providence • 273-8844
727 East Avenue Pawtucket • 728-5500
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
artful confections at North bakery
good dark chocolate that holds its bitterness, and they are delicately sprinkled with rock salt. Kelly has worked around the country, including learning from Wendy Kromer of Martha Stewart Weddings fame, and most recently in Chicago at Magnolia Bakery. When James Mark, who attended Johnson & Wales with Kelly, gave her a call over the winter and sketched out the project, she immediately accepted and soon after moved, much to the joy of the North restaurant staff, who were eager taste testers as Kelly developed her menu. Kelly and her team will also be offering all manner of custom made cakes for weddings and any other events. As she puts it, “I make dreams come true,” which, if your dreams are highly sculptural and involve flour and sugar, is no overstatement. The bakery is open from 7am to 6pm and in addition to all the baked goods offers North Carolina-based Counter Culture Coffee, one of the darlings of the boutique microlot coffee world. 70 Battey Street. northbakery.com Openings and Closings Bocado Tapas Bar opened June 20, bringing tapas and churros y chocolate to Valley Street. Bocado roughly translates to mouthful, or a bite of something; but in addition to typical tapas plates,
the restaurant also serves larger dishes like Paella. This is the second location for Bocado, having enjoyed success in Worcester since opening in 2006. Bocado is open for dinner and late night seven days a week. 60 Valley Street, Providence. 270-6080, bocadotapasbar.com Blue Grotto on Federal Hill has abruptly closed and gone into receivership, following on the heels of the Vintage Restaurant in Woonsocket, also owned by Mike Danahy. For some workers as well as those with party reservations, the closure came without warning in what appears an unfortunately messy end for a restaurant that under various owners has been a fixture serving Italian food Federal Hill for over three decades. Logo Competition The Hope Street Farmers Market is running a logo competition, inviting local artists to compete to design their new market logo. In addition to being able to say “do you know who I am” as they peer over a basket of heirloom tomatos, the winner will receive a $300 cash prize, along with $100 in fresh bucks market currency. Entries must be received by August 31, and an entry form and other information can be found at hopestreetmarket.com
Photography: Karsten Schulz
indianrestaurantsri.com
cake death’s head with a cherry on top, complete with candy hearts for eyes and nose cavity; on the other, a four-tiered cake on a pedestal, inscribed, “Let them eat cake.” Kelly Dull wears the quote well, indeed she has been helping people eat cake for her whole young career. Standing behind the counter at the brand new North Bakery in Federal Hill, just a block east of its parent restaurant North, she has the excited look of someone who has arrived just where they are meant to. Stretching in front of her on a single milled piece of downed cherry are more than a dozen baking trays, and I’d like to eat what’s on all of them. Pies, cookies, cakes, macaroons, tarts, scones, all the traditions are here, but with some intriguing variations. Her lemon tart has rosemary worked into the crust. There’s a lemon cake with coffee curd for sale, lest you thought curd was just for lemons. This one is made by brewing coffee in milk and using that as a custard base. The Dan Dan handpie, a square stuffed pastry, speaks to the bakery’s connection to North. Less squid, it uses the same ingredients as the phenomenal Dan Dan noodles they make just down the block: the fat sticky chewy rice morsels, the braised goat and fermented chili, but now with pastry encapsulating the lot. Faux-reo’s are exactly what they claim to be, not so much a reverse engineered Oreo, but what a self-hating Oreo dreams it could be, were it not made in a factory. The textures are similar, but here you actually taste dark chocolate, offset by the cream filling. The sign outside announces, “Game of Scones - breakfast is coming” and at time of visiting there were two survivors, Cheddar Jalapeño and Lemon Rosemary. Despite her welcoming friendliness, Kelly is not a sweet summer child. Strangely enough, especially considering the evidence lined up before me, Kelly says she does not have a sweet tooth and prefers more complex flavors and savory baking. You can see this approach in her offerings. There are still lots of sweet things, but they are balanced, and not saccharine. Even the simple classics are a lot more thoughtful; her chocolate chip cookies are melty with generous chunks of
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
Feast |
In The Kitchen
Miles
By Grace Lentini
Growing up Gourmand a culinary education decades in the making For Executive Chef Tyler Demora of Local 121, food has always been connected to family. Even from a young age, while learning how to cook with his father and having his French grandparents cook the classics, no kitchen duty was too hard. This mentality propelled him through the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. In fact, Tyler also worked at a two-Michelin-star restaurant because school wasn’t pushing him hard enough. After all his hard work, he now cooks in Providence and brings his life experiences with him. When did you first become interested in cooking? I have always been a big eater and have been cooking since I was about seven. The first recipe I learned how to make was peanut butter cookies. My parents would allow me to make them every Friday night – it was my weekend treat. I remember that I liked preparing them, but didn’t really realize or understand what I was doing. I just wanted to eat them. How would you describe your cooking style? I just stay true to my technique and the given ingredients. I am classically trained but I don’t always carry that with me – sometimes the least mature way of doing something is the best. I’m still looking for my “style.” It might take years, maybe 50, until I find it, and even then I’m going to try something new. But I can say I love French food and cooking. My favorite chef is of course Marco Pierre White. Who else? So whatever he does, that’s my style.
Photography: Mike Braca
What were some early lessons you learned in cooking that you have carried with you? Taste everything, re-season and refresh. Work clean, work efficient and be determined. Stay humble. Are there any regional cuisines from which you get inspiration? I love French food, but the subtle flavors in Japanese cooking are unworldly. Indian cooking is amazing to me as well with a lot of complex flavors and cooking styles – it’s the complete opposite. Burmese food is just a mix of everything and that is always fun to cook. How has the menu changed since you’ve taken over the Local 121 kitchen?
•
of
•
Experience
Asphalt Patching & Paving Quality Seal Coating
Perron Asphalt Maintenance Licensed & Insured Free Estimates
401.349.2965 Chef Tyler demora of Local 121
I simplified the menu, cut a lot of the dishes out and made the menu smaller. I started changing the menu every day as opposed to seasonally. To call ourselves Local 121, we need to use the bounty of great New England produce, meat and fish while they are available for short terms. To keep a menu with just the seasonal change, well I would hope every restaurant is doing that, how would that set us apart? I want new dishes every week. My kitchen appreciates this. Everyone respects the ingredients on a new level and diners are eating what’s been picked the day of. Tell me about some of the seasonal ingredients you use. I only use pork when its at its peak, lamb when its eating spring grass and flowers, and fish when it’s along our coast. Is there one particular food item you just love? I fell in love with foie gras the first time I tried it. There’s nothing like properly prepared foie gras. It’s an extremely versatile ingredient. After visiting the Hudson Valley Foie Gras farm and seeing “just how bad the ducks are treated,” I knew I was always going to have foie gras on my menu. The birds
are the happiest birds in the world. They walk anywhere they want to go and are not getting treated inhumanly. They run up to their feeder begging for food! Every bird has the same person who feeds it – like a mother feeds her baby. The feeder gives the bird a little kiss and feeds the bird a ton of grains. The product of Hudson Valley Foie Gras is exceptional. Could you choose a favorite dish on the menu? My favorite dish right now is a Cured Foie Gras Torchon, with a salade gourmande of asparagus, snap peas, spring onions, romaine and truffle vinaigrette. What is your version of comfort food? I have a weird obsession with not so good (crappy) bar food. I don’t know why. Buffalo Wings, nachos, jalapeño poppers... the whole nine yards. But Korean BBQ is without a match. The morning after is painful, but I don’t care. It’s just so good. Bring on the spice!
Local 121 121 Washington Street 274-2121 local121.com August 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
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Feast |
behind the bar
New Location in Conimicut Village
By Cristy Raposo
Classic Cocktails with a Neighborhood Twist
Sip on an East Side mule at the waterman Grille Personal trainer and Waterman Grille bartender Alexis Bollwage will run as much as she needs to in order to enjoy good food and wine. This wine aficionado takes a page out of Hermann Hesse’s Steppenwolf by developing all her selves and focuses on living a healthy balance. Quench your thirsty self with a visit to her bar any Wednesday, Friday or Saturday night. Where’d you learn your bartending basics? At 19, I was waitressing for the first time at a local pub down in Alabama. I asked them to make me a bartender. I went from there to New York and all over the country. Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked in everything from fine dining to nightclubs to dive bars and pubs to corporate. How did you discover the Waterman Grille? When I moved back to RI a little over a year ago, I asked everyone I knew what the best restaurant was and they all answered, “Waterman Grille.” I came in with my resume and was hired. It’s a hidden gem. It’s deceptively large yet still intimate and features an outdoor patio.
Photography: Mike Braca
Why do you think it is the best restaurant to bartend at? The picturesque view of the river is beautiful and unparalleled. We have a really good atmosphere here. I love our food and cocktails; they’re amazing. We use sustainable local ingredients from local farms. We really try to help the little man by featuring ingredients in our cocktails and food that other places don’t. That comes through in the quality of the food. Food and cocktails are consistent, which is key. I’m proud of the items I serve my guests. It’s important; I want to be proud of what I do. Which cocktail best represents their commitment to locally sourced products? Old Fashioned Uprising made with American Uprising Whiskey, muddled orange and cherry, local honey, simple syrup and orange bitters. The whiskey is distilled in South Kingstown and the honey is from Aquidneck Farm. It’s a local twist on an old fashioned.
Live Each Day With Re-purpose! Open Tuesday thru Sunday 800 West Shore Road, Warwick 314-6403 • www.TheCrabbyLion.com
alexis bollwage on the patio of waterman Grille
What is your signature cocktail? One of my favorite drinks to make is a nice summer cocktail. It’s made with Maker’s Mark, soda water, bitters and lemon. My guests call it the Dragon’s Kiss. What’s a cocktail original to Waterman Grille that we must try? Our take on the Moscow Mule – the East Side Mule. It’s made with cucumber organic infused vodka, ginger beer, lime and diced cucumber, and garnished with a cucumber peel. Our general manager uses his grandmother’s secret family recipe to make our own authentic limoncello. We serve it after dinner and also use it in a Lemon Drop Martini. We also make our own negroni with Fifty Pounds Gin; we make it and let the flavors meld. It’s wine-style vermouth. Our Bacon Bloody Mary features our own amazing mix and housemade chipotle-infused vodka. How would you describe your cocktail list? Classics with a twist. We change the menu about twice a year to incorporate seasonal changes. If you’re not in the mood for a cocktail, what else is available? We have a great list of wines by the glass and feature some phenomenal beers like the Two Roads Double IPA; it’s hoppy but really smooth. My favorite wine here
is the Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an organic and biodynamic wine; the fields aren’t irrigated so that the grapes’ roots must grow deeper to get water. You can truly taste the minerals as a result. Their wine is just amazing. I’m just in love with it. It’s a better quality wine. What are you up to when you’re not bartending? I’m a full-time biology major earning a degree in physical therapy. I’ll be bartending ’til the end of time to pay off those student loans. I’m also a personal trainer. Weight training and running are my two favorites. I need more yoga in my life. I love fitness. That’s why I’m going for physical therapy. I want to be able to help people lead happy, fit active lives. I tore my ACL ten years ago; during the recovery process I realized that I didn’t know much about the function of my own body. I love being active but I also love good food and drink. I’ll run as much as I need to in order to drink good wine and eat good food. It’s important to focus on all aspects of life, not neglect some and find a healthy balance.
Waterman Grille 4 Richmond Square 521-9229 Watermangrille.com
DentPlus Dental Center
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Where you’ll always find the brightest SMILES! Your DownCity General and Cosmetic Specialist 66 Kennedy Plaza Providence www.dentplus.net | 401-454-3000
Burger Night August 25 from 6pm
Reservations Recommended Walk-ins Welcome
The Cafe at Easy Entertaining 166 Valley St Building 10 Providence RI (401) 437-6090 EasyEntertainingRI.com August 2014 | Providence Monthly
49
Feast |
In the drink
By Emily Dietsch
r e s ta u ra n t
Delicious Food • Exceptional Service Beautiful Atmosphere
Specializing in social and corporate functions For groups of 15 to 100+ guests
Contact the Sales Team at 401.884.1149
1149 Division Street, Warwick www.elevenfortyninerestaurant.com Take I-95 S to Exit 9 (RI-4 S), then take Exit 8 (RI-401) Restaurant is immediately off Exit 50
Providence Monthly | August 2014
A Swig of Summer watermelon and cucumber combine at The bread Lab
Summer drinks are a hard category for innovation. They’re the karaoke song of the cocktail kingdom, really: people like the classics and clichés, and most especially the big, tacky numbers that leave a shame hangover for days. Subtlety and integrity are for squares between May and September, or so the general thinking goes. At Pawtucket’s Bread Lab, however, bar manager Mindi Bennivedse developed a seasonal, producedriven cocktail that manages to be both fun and tasteful. And, oh, also irresistibly slurp-able. “It’s a salad in a glass,” Mindi jokes, which would make it the most merry (and devilish) salad ever devised. In it, fresh watermelon and cucumber, a classic summertime pairing, get a kick in the pants from organic vodka. And the
The Bread Lab 999 Main Street Pawtucket 475-6129 thebreadlab.net
surprising element that puts it over the top? Honey, just a touch, which marries the drink’s parts and makes the whole mysteriously addictive. Not unlike a perfect pop hook. Watermelon Cucumber Cooler serves 1 • • • • • • •
2 oz Square One cucumber vodka ½ tsp honey, or to taste Juice from 3 lime segments 5 slices of cucumber 5 chunks of seedless watermelon Ice Soda water
Pour all ingredients but ice and soda water into a cocktail shaker, and muddle a bit. Top with ice, add soda water and muddle once more. Strain if preferred, or pour whole into 16-ounce serving glass. At The Bread Lab, to match the drink’s farm-to-glass aesthetic, the glass of choice is a handled mason jar. Garnish or don’t – just drink ‘em aplenty while the season lasts.
Photography: Brian DeMello
Enjoy the flavors of the season with 1149
UNMATCHED WATERFRONT DINING
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CHEF TIM MCGRATH’S ARTFULLY CRAFTED THREE-COURSE, PRIX FIXE MENU FOR $24.95 AT THE GATEHOUSE ON PROVIDENCE’S EAST SIDE 4 Richmond Square | 401-521-9229 | watermangrille.com
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
51
RHODY BITES A Sponsored Statewide Dining Guide
view our full restaurant Profiles on RhodyBites.com
The Café at Easy Entertaining Farm to table dining
is not just a culinary fad, it is a way of life - a belief that locally sourced, fresh ingredients make for better quality, better tasting food. The masterminds behind Easy Entertaining - a Providence based catering company - live by this philosophy, and it is this locavore love that informs the menu at their Rising Sun Mills eatery. Their menus change with the seasons five times a year, and each day lunch specials and daily homespun soups
are offered in addition at the sustainable Café. Step inside The Café at Easy Entertaining’s cozy converted loft space and you immediately feel comfortable amongst the charming, rustic and elegant décor. Start your day off in the sweetest possible way with a homemade signature warm donut or satisfy you savory side with their Signature Egg Sandwich made on Foremost Bakery’s pretzel bread with two Baffoni Farm eggs and cheddar cheese.
Can’t-miss dish: “Hog in a Pretzel” - off of their spring menu – house-cured & roasted Blackbird Berkshire ham sliced paper thin, cheddar, mustard aioli on a Foremost seeded everything pretzel baguette.
166 Valley St, Bldg 10, Providence • 401-437-6090
Grown up Grilled Cheese
10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 4532333. LD $$$
Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$
Dragon Palace Fresh sushi and Asian cuisine. 733 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, 789-2308. LD $-$$
Guytanno’s Cafe Inspired international cuisine. 62 Franklin St, Westerly, 3846221. LD $$
2 Pauls’ City Grille Comfort food with a family feel. 315 Waterman Ave, East Providence, 228-7285. BrLD $-$$
Caprice Restaurant & Bar Upscale Italian, romantic atmosphere. 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. D $$-$$$
Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$
Hanley’s Ale House Full service pub, great fun. 52 Pine St, Providence, 8610001. LD $-$$
Andreas Authentic Greek food since 1966. 268 Thayer St, Providence, 3317879. BrLD $-$$
Casa Della Luce American/Italian bistro and gourmet pizzeria. 105 Franklin St, Westerly, 637-4575. LD $$
Enn Japanese Creative sushi and Japanese food. 600 George Washington Hgwy, Lincoln, 333-0366. LD $$
Harry’s Bar & Burger Creative sliders and cocktails. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437. LD $-$$
Arturo Joe’s Italian food close to the beaches. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 789-3230. LD $$
CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in a historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$
East Side Creamery & Diner Neighborhood diner and ice cream shop. 170 Ives St, Providence, 865-6088. BrLD $
Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Contemporary New England fare. 311 Westminster St, Providence, 521-3333. BBrLD $$-$$
Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$
Fieldstones Relaxed family setting, something for everyone. 980 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, 293-5200. LD $$
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 $
Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$
Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 100 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$
Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$
Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, 508-999-6975. LD $$
DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$
Giros Hometown Grille Pub-style food, friendly service. 501 High St, Peace Dale, 887-752-0794. BrLD $-$$
Bon Asian Bistro Sushi and hibachi, stylish bar scene. 1386 Atwood Ave, Johnston, 270-0777. LD $$
DiMare Seafood Fresh seafood restaurant and market. 2706 South County Trail, East Greenwich, 885-8100. LD $$-$$$
Gourmet Heaven Deli, salad bar and prepared foods. 173 Weybosset St, Providence, 536-9000. BLD $
Kon Asian Bistro Sushi and hibachi, stylish bar scene. 553 Main St, East Greenwich, 886-9200. LD $$ Lim’s Restaurant Upscale Thai and fresh sushi. 18 South Angell St, Providence, 383-8830. LD $$ Lobster Pot Serving traditional New
Key: b breakfast br brunch L lunch d dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+ 52
Providence Monthly | August 2014
Photography: Tiffany Medrano
Kartabar Mediterranean-style cuisine, chic setting. 284 Thayer St, Providence, 331-8111. LD $-$$
England classics and seafood since 1929. 119 Hope St, Bristol, 253-9100 Br L D $$-$$$
Paragon & Viva Contemporary dining and nightlife. 234 Thayer St, Providence, 331-6200. BrLD $-$$
Scampi Seafood and Italian with expansive water views. 657 Park Ave, Portsmouth, 293-5844. LD $$
The Sea Goose Seafood with New England and Southern flair. 265 Post Rd, Westerly, 315-0788. LD $$-$$$
Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $
Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 3310003. LD $-$$
Seasons Fine dining at the Ocean House. 1 Bluff Ave, Westerly, 5847000. BLD $$$
The Twisted Vine Romantic wine bar with tapas and full meals. 3 Canal St, Westerly, 596-4600. D $$
Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield. sienari.com D $$-$$$
Two Ten Oyster Bar & Grill Enjoy fresh seafood and sushi by the salty water. 210 Salt Pond Rd, Wakefield, 7820100 L D $$-$$$
Mariner Grille Creative seafood, pub atmosphere. 140 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 284, 3282. LD $$ Meeting Street Cafe Huge sandwiches and cookies. 220 Meeting St, Providence, 273-0166. BLD $ Mews Tavern Family dining, with a whiskey bar. 456 Main St, Wakefield, 783-9370. LD $-$$ Mile & a Quarter Eclectic cuisine and wine bar. 334 South Water St, Providence, 331-1500. LD $-$$ Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$ MuMu Cuisine Asian fusion cuisine specializing in sushi, Chinese fusion and Thai. 220 Atwells Ave, Providence, 369-7040 L D $$-$$$
Pavilion Steakhouse & Banquets Grand, banquet-hall style dining. 15A Frontier Rd, Hopkinton, 377-9900. BrLD $$$ Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food; great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield. 783-4073 B Br L D$ PJ’s Pub Mediterranean cuisine in a casual, pub atmosphere. 135 Boon St, Narragansett. 783-3200. LD. $$ Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily inspirations. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$ Rasa Authentic and contemporary Indian. 149 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2822. LD $$
Nami Fun, stylish sushi and hibachi. 198 Atwells Ave, Providence, 383-6559. LD $$$
Rasoi Vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 7285500. LD $$
Nonni’s Italian Restaurant Traditional Italian eatery and pasta shop. 1154 Stafford Rd, Tiverton, 624-3087. LD $$
Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950. BrLD $$
Oak St. B&B Delicious, inventive burgers and breakfast. 87 Oak St, Westerly, 315-2520. BLD $
Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$
Oceanside at the Pier New England fare overlooking the Atlantic. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 792-3999. BrLD $$
Rue De L’Espoir American cooking with French soul. 99 Hope St, Providence, 751-8890. BBrLD $$
Sweet Cakes Coffee shop and gourmet bakery. 1227 Kingstown Rd, Peace Dale, 789-5420. BL $ T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, 946-5900. BL $ Tara’s Tipperary Tavern Oceanside Irish-American pub fare. 907 Matunuck Beach Rd, Matunuck, 284-1901. BLD $ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$ The Cafe at Easy Entertaining Locally sourced, freshly made bites for breakfast and lunch. 166 Valley St, Bldg 10, Providence, 437-6090 BL $-$$ The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St, Providence, 521-6000. D $$$ The Malted Barley Gourmet pretzels and craft brews. 42 High St, Westerly, 315-2184. $ The Restaurant at Weekapaug Inn Quintessential New England fare. 25 Spray Rock Rd, Westerly, 322-0301. BLD $$$
Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337 LD $-$$ 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 $$$ Wes’ Rib House Missouri-style BBQ, open late. 38 Dike St, Providence, 4219090. LD $$ Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$ XO Cafe Creative cocktails and New American fare. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$ Zooma Trattoria Fresh Italian using house-made pasta. 245 Atwells Ave, Providence, 383-2002. LD $$
Worth The Drive:
Pavilion Steak House & Banquets Grand, banquet-style dining
Photography: Hilary Block
is alive and well in South County. Pavilion Steak House & Banquets is a classic restaurant and banquet hall nestled in scenic Ashaway. More than just a restaurant, it’s a destination unto itself, boasting its own driving range, mini-golf course and Ice Cream Depot.
This carnivore’s paradise is home to in-house cured meats, like their coffeecrusted bacon and premium steak, poultry and pork cuts. The restaurant also doubles as a destination for wedding parties and banquets. Pavilion offers an outdoor patio and its own tent for outdoor occasions.
Can’t-miss dish: 9oz. Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin, Center Cut with choice of sauce, and potato, soup and salad bar. 9oz Certified angus beef Tenderloin
For full restaurant profiles, go to RhodyBites.com
15A Frontier Rd, Ashaway • 401-377-9900 @RhodyBites
facebook.com/RhodyBites
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
53
Get Out
EVENTS / ART / MUSIC / THEATRE
StyleWeek returns August 24-29
Summer Fashion Heats Things Up 1.
Photography: Corey Grayhorse
August 24-29: Chock full of runways, stylistas, fashion accessories and cocktails, Styleweek Northeast is the place for those who are fashionably inclined. See the latest lines from longtime participants Jonathan Joseph Peters and Sarah Prost or fawn over the Accessories Showcase held every day from 5:30-9pm on the 17th and 18th floors of the Providence Biltmore (you don’t even need a ticket to check this out!) What’s more? Most of these designers are local. And who doesn’t like supporting talent in our own backyard? Providence Biltmore, 11 Dorrance Street. styleweeknortheast.com.
2.
August 5-10: Don’t miss the 18th Annual Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF), which will be held over the course of six days at venues across the state. The opening night celebration on August 5 at PPAC includes film screenings at 7pm followed by a gala soiree at 9:30. Go online for full details. 861-4445, film-festival.org.
3.
August 21: Enjoy art and entertainment under the RISD Museum’s big top in Design the Night: It’s a Circus. The event features live performances, a chance to create wearable works of circus art, museum tours and much more. Free. 5-9pm. 224 Benefit Street. risdmuseum.org/calendar.
4.
August 7-28: Make the most of your weekday workday by stopping by Kennedy Plaza each Thursday for free live music, a beer garden and food truck fare as part of the Burnside Park Music Series and Beer Garden. All ages. Free. 4:307:30pm. 2 Kennedy Plaza. kennedyplaza.org/music-series.
5.
August 5, 12 & 19: Elmhurst Clean & Green presents the Fargnoli Concert Series. There will be a farmer’s market from 4-7pm; story time for children at 5:30pm; a musical performance from 6-7:30pm; and a film from 7:45-9:30pm. Free. Jastram at Smith Street. council.providenceri.com/event.
August 2014 | Providence Monthly
55
Get Out |
Calendar
By Erin Balsa
This Month
August 1: Local band The ‘Mericans open for headliner Sleeper Agent as part of the 95.5 WBRU Friday Night Concert Series at Waterplace Park downtown. It’s the last show of the season – be there or be square. Free. 7-9pm. wbru.com/scs2014. August 1-16: The EPIC Theatre Company presents Cock (The Rooster Play). John decides to break up with his boyfriend and ends up falling in love with a woman. $12-$15. 8pm Fridays and Saturdays. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, artists-exchange.org. August 1-29: Explore the night sky with a Summer Planetarium Show at the Museum of Natural History. Shows take place Monday-Friday at 2pm. $3. 1000 Elmwood Avenue. 785-9457, providenceri.com/museum. August 1-29: Every Friday it’s Friday Night Live at Everett. Performers improvise on song, dance and skits that are appropriate for all ages. Prepare to laugh, cry, snort and wet your pants. $5. 7pm. 9 Duncan Avenue. 831-9479, everettri.org. August 1-29: Drop in the Providence Athenaeum on Friday evenings for the weekly Salon Series, a conversation on topics from art to philosophy. Free. 5-7pm. 251 Benefit Street. 421-6970, providenceathenaeum.org. August 2: Teens interested in gaming should sign up now for the Make Your Own Video Game course at the Providence Public Library. Participants will use Scratch software to create a video game sample. 1pm. 3rd floor meeting
room, 150 Empire Street. 455-8090, provlib.org. August 2-30: Visit Lippitt Park on Saturdays to browse handmade arts and fine crafts at the weekly Providence Artisans Market, which takes place alongside the Hope Street Farmer’s Market. Free. 10am-2pm. 1059 Hope Street. mikebryceart.com. August 2-30: Saturday Nights bring Improv Jones to the 95 Empire Black Box. Enjoy a fantastically funny world that’s different every week. $5. 10pm. 95 Empire Street. 831-9327, improvjones.com. August 3: On the first Sunday of each month, from now ‘til forever, head downtown to AS220 for its Empire Revue, a night of sketch comedy and more. $8. 8-11:30pm. 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, as220.org. AUGUST 3-31: Got a soft spot for antiques? Head to the Providence River Greenway each Sunday for The Providence Flea, a waterfront market featuring vintage goods plus new handmade crafts. After, grab a bite from one of many food trucks. Free. 10am-4pm. South Water Street. providenceflea.com. August 3-31: Every Sunday at AS220 you can hop into your leotard for a drop-in Beginner or Intermediate Ballet class with Stephanie Albanese. $13. 10:30-11:30am beginner; 12-1:30pm intermediate. 95 Empire Street. 8319327, as220.org. August 4-25: Check out Dropout Night each Monday with hosts Kris Hansen and Big Jon Tierney. You never know who might drop in to play. Free. 9:30pm. 101 Richmond Street. 3837133, thespotprovidence.com. August 5 & 19: Take a Guided Architectural Library Tour at
Enjoy a free concert on August 3 hosted by Opera Providence
August 3: Opera Providence presents Opera in the Park outside at Hopkins Square. Listen to “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart” along with other operatic favorites and popular Broadway hits. Free. 5pm-6:30pm. Charles Street at Branch Avenue. operaprovidence.org. the historic Providence Public Library on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Free. 10:30-11:30am. 225 Washington Street. 455-8000, provlib.org.
free public tours on the first Wednesday of every month. Stop by and say hi. Noon. 27 Sims Avenue. 273-7101, thesteelyard.org.
August 5-26: Stop by Blue State Coffee every Tuesday night for Got Poetry Live Open Mic Nights hosted by the Frequency Writers. The open mic is followed by a feature. $3. 8-10pm. 300 Thayer Street. frequencywriters.org.
August 7: Crowd favorite Pendragon performs Celtic-inspired music with a contemporary edge as part of RIHS’s annual Concerts Under the Elms series on the lawn of the John Brown House Museum. $10. 6:30pm. 52 Power Street. 331-8575 x133, rihs.org.
August 5-26: Take a look at the night sky every Tuesday night at the Ladd’s weekly Telescope Observing Night, weather permitting. Free. 9-10:30pm. 210 Doyle Avenue. 8632323, brown.edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd/. August 5-26: Head to Trinity Brewhouse every Tuesday night for Stump! Trivia. Winning teams go home with prizes so be sure to bring your smartest friends. 8pm. 186 Fountain Street. 453-2337, stumptrivia.com. August 6: If you’ve ever wondered what goes on at The Steel Yard, now is your chance to find out. The Yardies offer
August 7, 14, 21 & 28: Dance into the weekend Thursday nights this month with Dance Classes at AQUA at the Providence Marriott. No experience or partner necessary, just fun. Learn Salsa, Bachata and Merengue Conga Lines and enjoy $5.95 margaritas. $15-20. 1 Orms Street. 272-2400, www.aquaprovidence.com. August 7-28: Don’t miss the sophisticated and relaxing Thursdays at the Biltmore. Indulge in cocktails and complimentary hors d’oeuvres while enjoying live jazz. Free. 5-8pm. 11 Dorrance Street. 421-0700, providencebiltmore.com.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For an up-to-date statewide calendar and to submit your own listings visit providenceonline.com 56
Providence Monthly | August 2014
Photo: Nanci DeRobbio
August 1-2: The Brown/Trinity Playwrights Rep presents three plays produced in rep as part of its 10th anniversary season: Indian Summer, See Bat Fly and The Droll. $5-$12. 8pm. Leeds Theatre, 83 Waterman Street. 8632838, playwrightsrep.com.
Get Out |
Calendar
August 9: Enjoy beautiful Narragansett Bay during a 90-minute boat ride as part of Save the Bay’s Providence Sunset Lighthouse Tour. See Gaspee Point, Conimicut Light, Nayatt Light and Pomham Rocks Lighhouse. $20-$25. 100 Save the Bay Drive. savebay.org/sunset.
By Erin Balsa
Avenue, East Providence. 727-2727. August 21: It’s the third Thursday of the month, which means it’s Gallery Night Providence. Hop aboard the art bus and visit 28 urban galleries. Tours begin at 5:20 and leave every 20 minutes ending at 7pm. 5-9pm. One Regency Plaza. gallerynight.info.
August 13 & 27: Friends of Brown Street Park present “Celebrate Providence!” Neighborhood Performing Arts Series behind Hope High School. On August 13 it’s local indie rockers Ravi Shavi and on August 27 it’s Joes Backyard Band. Free. 5:30pm. Brown and Creighton Streets. www.friendsofbrownstreetpark.org.
August 23: The Summit Neighborhood Association presents its annual Summit Music Festival in Lippitt Park. In addition to great live music you’ll enjoy food, drink and meeting great people. Free. 1-6pm. Hope Street and Blackstone Boulevard. summitneighbors.org.
August 16: Drive up to Smithfield’s Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge for an adults-only afternoon of butterfly hunting. At Monarch Migration you’ll search for monarch butterflies. Pack a lunch and some money for an ice cream stop. $10-$12. 10am-4pm. 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield. asri.org.
August 30: 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, artists-exchange.org.
August 17: Support the troops by attending the Charity Classic Car Show, which benefits the Wounded Warrior Project. The event features 80 classic cars, 33 booths, a VIP tent, live music, a jousting area, food, raffles and gift bags. Free. 12-5pm. 225 Newman
August 31: On the last Sunday of the month stop in at Wildflour Vegan Bakery for a free tarot card reading. Simply sign your name on the list and grab a coffee while you wait. 4-6pm. 727 East Avenue, Pawtucket. 475-4718, wildflourveganbakerycafe.com.
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
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Get Out |
Theatre
Mattie Volkswagen Audi
By Jenn Salcido
NEWPORT SUMMER COMEDY SERIES presented by
Lights, Camera, Action
Photo: Courtesy of Rhode Island International Film Festival
The RI International Film Festival returns Now in its 18th year, the Rhode Island International Film Festival is a well-established cornerstone of the growing film scene in the Ocean State. But as its name implies, the breadth — and importance — of the festival reaches far beyond Little Rhody’s boundaries. Although Flickers (the organization responsible for RIIFF) founder and RIIFF director George Marshall estimates that RIIFF attracts upwards of 15,000 viewers over the course of the annual festival, what many of those attendees might not realize is that, in addition to being a highly competitive platform for filmmakers to showcase their work to audience members both inside and outside their industry, RIIFF is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards. “We’ve had that designation since 2002,” George explains, “meaning we can nominate films for Oscar consideration in the short film and documentary short categories. We’re the only festival in New England [that serves as a qualifying event].” While the quality of the films that the festival has featured has always been high, George says that this designation has been crucial in helping the festival to ramp things up. “We’re no longer a juvenile organization. We’re maturing,” he says, adding that of the films that RIIFF presented for the Academy’s consideration, there have been 33 nominations and seven wins. This is not surprising, considering the rigorous vetting process that takes place every year. At the time of this writing, George and company have just closed the call for entries, receiving a record 5,400+ submissions, all told, for no more than 210 spots, haling from as close as Providence and as far as Europe. “The submissions we receive range form student work all the way up to pro,” says George. “We’ve had folks who started out showing with us who are now in the industry. It’s been amazing to see their journey from the time they left undergrad or grad school. Our festival has been a stepping stone. This is part of our mission: we’re about discovery.” Keeping a finger on the pulse of fresh talent is at the center of what the festival is all about. In fact, it has extended its reach to help facilitate and encourage the filmmakers of tomorrow, too. Although it doesn’t take
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Sling Shot, a documentary about fresh water in Ghana shows at RIIFF
place during the festival, the RIIFF has for 16 years held the KidsEye Summer Filmmaking Camp, a weeklong intensive program for children ages eight to 17. George says that advances in technology, which have ultimately made the field of filmmaking in general more democratic and less reliant on major studios, have trickled down to the future Spielbergs and Lucases among us. “We’ve got kids that at eight years old coming in with not only knowledge of how to operate cameras, but bringing in demo reels,” says George. Although the demo reels are far from the polished fruits of the filmmakers’ labor on view at the film festival (George says that in many cases, these are edited takes of footage taken from a Go Pro camera while skiing or skateboarding), they share a recognizably similar DNA. “These kids are proficient in the language of filmmaking, and I can tell you it wasn’t that way when we started the program. Now, I don’t advertise it, and we have a waiting list,” he says. It’s that infectious excitement, and the growing accessibility of DIY tools and alternative funding resources, that have no doubt helped independent film gain traction with widespread audiences. “When we first started independent films, it was like you were speaking a foreign language. Years ago the people who attended independent films were a very elite group of educated folks. But now the demographics have changed. More people are now open to discovery,” says George. “People enjoy coming and finding something they can’t see anywhere else.”
Visitors to this year’s festival won’t be disappointed. The films on view are playing throughout the state at various locations, and run the gamut of topics and genres. Although some of the topics are for more mature audiences, there is abundant familyfriendly fare, too. First time directors with as-yet-unknown actors are screened alongside movies like the world premiere of Caserta Palace Dream by V for Vendetta director James McTeigue, a 20-minute feature starring Richard Dreyfus. In addition to the something-for-everybody smorgasbord offered throughout the festival’s run, specialty programming and panels will be available for those who are interested. Lectures and forums, including the Rhode Island Film Forum featuring state film office director Steven Feinberg, round out the festival’s programming and present valuable networking and educational opportunities. It boggles the mind to think about how much the festival manages to pack into a week. My advice is to get prepared and make a list of what you’d like to see by visiting the festival’s website, bringing with you an open mind and a healthy appetite for popcorn, of course.
18th Annual Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival August 5-10 Showtimes and tickets
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59
This
is not tra sh
Get Out |
Music
By Tony Pacitti
Sweet Music
The Sugar Honey Iced Tea cross-pollinates genres for their new record When The Sugar Honey Iced Tea got together there wasn’t much
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Providence Monthly | August 2014
The Sugar Honey Iced Tea
R&B. To be clear, The Sugar Honey Iced Tea sounds absolutely nothing like ‘90s R&B, so imagine my surprise when among the six or seven tracks they sent me I hear a hand-clap and beatbox driven, Destiny’s Child flavored slice of attitude and harmony. Emily explains that with this album the band was very aware of how it might apply its signature elements, bluegrass instruments and doo-wop vocals, to genres where they aren’t typically found. “It was like we dared ourselves to write, for example, a ‘90s pop song Sugar Honey Iced Tea-style,” she says. On the other end of things is the heart-tugger “Blue Ridge Propane,” a folky ballad that might be the album’s standout track. The song is a showcase for their string arrangements, but above all else it unleashes the full emotional power in each of their voices, rendering listeners into blubbering piles of choked back tears and bittersweet memories. Recorded over the span of a year, Silver Spells was a bit of a challenge since Emily has been living in New Jersey for the last two years, forcing the band to find new ways to work together when only three of them could physically be in the room together. “It’s been tough but it’s made some
cool things happen,” says Emily. “We email ideas back and forth which creates this other way of thinking about them. You get an idea from someone, and then you have however many days you want to think about how you want to build off of it. We’ve all had so much room to breathe on each others’ ideas.” “I think all of the time and the way that we did it was necessary. It was hard, but I think it was worth it,” says banjolele player and vocalist Kate Jones. “By giving it space it pushed us into a new zone.” “It’s showing the spectrum of what the four of us can do with what we have,” adds Laila. “That’s been an important part of the band for me. We’re these four people, we can do these things, what can we do together right now?”
The Sugar Honey Iced Tea Record release show
August 30 Nick-A-Nees with The Mighty Good Boys 75 South Street thesugarhoneyicedtea. bandcamp.com
Photography: Tim Siekiera
( It’s future soil )
in the way of a plan. There weren’t even really any relationships to speak of. In the beginning it was just four women brought together by a mutual friend and, coincidentally, the fact that they all played instruments typically associated with bluegrass. “There was a certain amount of faith involved,” says Emily Shaw, who plays mandolin and guitar. “I don’t think any of us came with any notions about what kind of music we wanted to make. We didn’t even really know one another very well because we had just become friends.” “It’s these bluegrass instruments with four different musical preferences thrown in,” adds cello and banjo player Ana Mallozzi. “It just kind of created its own thing.” That thing is a kind of Appalachian Doo Wop: A lot of folksy string arrangements and Andrews Sisters, boogie woogie harmonies. The vocals are where the band finds a lot of emotional versatility. With four distinct voices they’re able to cover a lot of ground, whether it’s playing your heart like an old backwoods fiddle or going for lighter, sillier ditties. “It started off as something really light-hearted and silly,” admits ukulele player Laila Aukee. To be fair, the ladies of The Sugar Honey Iced Tea are, and they will be the first people to tell you this, all pretty silly people. Look at the title of their first EP, Hits the Fan – here’s a hint, abbreviate the band’s name – or even its last song, about a young woman’s big city dreams about hula hooping. Better yet, ask them about Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” and get ready for a story punctuated with a lot of giggling. Silliness runs deep in this band, but that silliness comes with no shortage of creative courage. There’s no concern over an idea blowing up in their faces. If it doesn’t work, it was a fun experiment. But when it does work, magical things can happen. From the early mixes I’ve heard off of their upcoming full-length record, Silver Spells – due out on August 30 – it works like gangbusters. An example would be “Can’t Stop,” a song that unabashedly borrows from the band’s shared love of ‘90s
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Art
Broadway Cigars
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Richard McCaffrey captures musical history
WALk in Humidor featuring
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Photography: Dawn Temple
at the Dryden Gallery until September 5
Richard McCaffrey has snapped the shutter of his camera hundreds of thousands of times over the past 40 years as a rock photographer and photojournalist. He has captured rock legends in his lens like Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and many other household names. He dove into the rock scene in the early ‘70s, as many rock legends were beginning to engrave their names into American pop culture. With his photographs came many unforgettable experiences. Richard once took Aerosmith to a bar in Newport after a show, before they were famous. The five band members piled into his Volkswagen van and had a night on the town. He also spent the day with John Belushi before the Blues Brothers opened for the Grateful Dead. This month, his Folk Festival photos are on display at the Dryden Gallery. After founding an early alternative newspaper in Rhode Island called The Point, which dedicated a significant amount of pages to music, Richard moved to California in 1974 to become a rock photographer. He was a freelancer for magazines like Rolling Stone and Cream and he also worked for concert promoters and record companies. Within a year, he became the chief photographer for BAM Magazine – a position he held for a decade. Richard has also published two books and in 1979 he co-founded a nonprofit photo gallery, community lab and studio called the Eye Gallery. Through his experiences, Richard has watched the music scene evolve, as well as digital photography. He switched to a DSLR about 14 years ago and since then he has only shot two rolls of film. He will always keep his film camera, “because I took all my rock
photos with it,” he says. Digital cameras allow Richard to obtain more clarity in his shots because he can use a higher ISO speed, which allows the camera to become more sensitive to light (thus lowering the length of the exposure). But this can be at the cost of a grainy image. Today’s cameras offer more than twice the ISO speeds and their resolution allows the “noise” to be less noticeable than when it is taken on a film camera. His latest exhibition, featuring a spread of 60 prints from the 20092014 Newport Folk Festivals is shown at Dryden Gallery. This will be Richard’s third time exhibiting there. The owner of the gallery and Providence Picture Frame, Geoff Gaunt asked Richard about exhibiting his extensive collection of photographs from the festival, to which Richard happily obliged. The exhibit contains photos of Beck, Elvis Costello, Tom Morello, as well as many local favorites. He has many intimate photos of the performers, as well as sweeping landscapes of the enormous crowd enjoying the musical spectacle held at Fort Adams State Park. The collection shows everything that Richard loves, as he experiences it through his own lens. He will never stop snapping the shutter, leaving his frames of memories for many others to enjoy.
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Savor Providence
By Claire Flanagan
Faster Food With Brown’s campus cleared out for the summer, you can now enjoy Thayer Street without the crowds. Grab a bite from one of the many delicious, quick carryout restaurants, take it outside to a bench, and don’t miss a minute of summer sunshine while you still can.
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From Baja’s Tex Mex Grill, we tried their Taco Salad. Perfect to take on the go, one of our staff members commented how easy it would be to eat in the car if you were in a hurry. This salad is served in a crispy flour tortilla and is packed with fresh romaine lettuce, black beans, corn salad, jalapeños, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and mouthwatering smoky, tender carnitas topped with three cheeses and corn salsa. 273 Thayer Street, 383-7079, bajastexmexgrill.com.
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