Franco-American Mandolin Festival.

The Providence Mandolin Orchestra welcomes the Ensemble à Plectre de Toulouse, one of the oldest and largest mandolin orchestras in France to Rhode Island.

In celebration of the Ensemble's visit to the U.S. the Providence Mandolin Orchestra has organized the Franco-American Mandolin Festival, a multi-dimensional festival combining cultural, educational and musical exchange.

On Saturday, November 3, at 8:00, the Providence Mandolin Orchestra and the Ensemble à Plectre will perform a joint program in the accoustically pristine St. Martin's Church 8:00 at 50 Orchard Avenue in Providence (tickets $20) . This concert will feature highlights of each orchestra's individual repertoire and joint performances of masterpieces for modern mandolin ensemble including Yasuo Kuwahara's romantic Song for Japanese Autumn and Claudio Mandonico's energetic Music for Play.

Sunday, November 4, 2:00 in the afternoon, the Toulouse Mandolin Orchestra will give a full concert at St. Ann's Arts and Cultural Center in Woonsocket (82 Cumberland Street, tickets $15/$10 seniors and students). This concert will feature a wide range of contemporary compositions for mandolin orchestra as well as arrangements of pieces from the classical repertoire including Debussey's well known Girl with the Flaxen Hair and Rossini's Il Signor Bruschino. This concert is a benefit for the Woonsocket Arts and Cultural Center.

Tickets for both events are available at http://www.mandolin-orchestra.org/tickets.htm.

In addition, as part of this cultural exchange, the Festival is organizing a series of in-school demonstrations for French language students and for music students featuring performances by the French group combined with individual instruction on the mandolin and a brief history of the mandolin in France. Participants in the demonstrations will have a unique opportunity to explore a new musical outlet and engage in conversation with members of the French orchestra in their native language.

For more information about the festival or the concerts, call Josh Bell at 401-273-6930, or visit the Providence Mandolin Orchestra website.

Halloween Happenings

Courtesy of the Mayor's office!

Spooky Zoo Sundays October 28, 11am - 3pm, Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Free With Paid Zoo Admission. Ghosts and goblins of all ages will enjoy Trick-or-Treat stations, a costume parade, live music, roaming entertainers and other fun surprises around every corner. For more information please click here.	Family Fun Weekend October 27 - 28, Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Roger Williams Park , 1000 Elmwood Avenue, $5 For Adults, $3 For Children Under 8, Free Admission With Costume. Spooky stories, creature features, mystery guests and a trick-or-treat bag full of Halloween fun! Visitors receive a complimentary treat bag and treats in exhibit halls. For more information please click here.	Ghost Tour October 25 - 31, 7pm, Prospect Terrace/Roger Williams Statue, 60 Congdon Street, $12 online, $15 Night Of. A walking haunted history tour of the East Side of Providence, RI. We have spent hundreds of hours researching both the haunted homes of this historic neighborhood as well as the many murders, suicides and accidental deaths that have occurred here over the years. For more information please click here.
Searching For The Spirits October 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street, Free And Open To The Public. What started as a prank by two young sisters soon grew into a worldwide controversy that attracted the attention of William James, Queen Victoria, Harry Houdini, and even Mae West. In this presentation, Rory Raven traces the history of talking to the dead and offers some re-creations of what happened in the Victorian séance room. For more information please click here.	Zombie Film Festival October 26 - 31, Times And Schedule Vary, Cable Car Cinema, 200 South Main Street, Free And Open To The Public. The Zombie Film Festival will screen recent zombie films alongside classics and rarities. Not just popular, zombie movies can squeeze explosive politics into tiny budgets, test limits with strikingly new camerawork and ideas, or brim with shiny Hollywood resources and an earnest commitment to shocks and gore. For more information please click here.	Boo Bash October 28, 1pm - 4pm, Providence Children's Museum, 100 South Street. A tiny bit spooky, a whole lot of fun! Come in costume to the biggest Halloween party of the season! Join the friendly witch for special treats in the Pumkin Patch Cafe, meet scorpions, snakes, lizards and other creepy creatures, play bewitching games, create Halloween crafts to take home and Much more! For more information please click here.
Halloween Iron Pour October 27, 7pm, The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Avenue, Free And Open To The Public. These punk rock foundry geeks have been known to pour molten iron inside pumpkins, off cliffs in deep quarries, and onto just about anything that will burn. Last year at the Steel Yard they hoisted a massive wooden skull with glowing iron wings up into the air. This year, witness the giant Iron Heart! Also featuring live music by Geoff Mullen Nicole DiMarco. For more information please click here.	Chris Moon's Halloween Madness October 30, 10pm, AS220, 115 Empire Street, Free And Open To The Public. Watch creepy movies with the creepiest guy in town! Local obscuro film guru, record label impresario and expensive beer connoisseur Chris Moon hosts another evening of lost film goodies for you. Grab a burrito at the Taqueria (before they close at 10pm) and, of course, the bar is open until 1am! Food and drink are welcome in the performance space for the free movie - yipee! For more information please click here.	Halloween Dance October 27, 7pm - 10pm, The Mediator, 50 Rounds Ave, $5 For Adults, Children Are Free. Bring your own drinks and enjoyThe Providence Wholebellies performing their energetic blend of wild folk music. For more information please click here.
Annual Halloween Collage Concert October 26, 8pm, Auditorium In Roberts Hall, RI College, 600 Mount Plesant Avenue, $7 General Admission, Free If In Costume. This popular fast-paced high-energy concert features a wide variety of performing ensembles within the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, including brass, vocal, woodwind, dance, and percussion groups. Performers appear in costume and audience members are encouraged to do likewise to enhance the ambiance of the Halloween atmosphere. This family-oriented concert is sponsored annually by the RIC chapter of the Music Educators National Conference. For more information please click here.	Third Dimension: Halloween Costumes and Activities October 27, 11am - 4pm, RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street, Free And Open To The Public. Children are encouraged to come dressed in costume to this day of art making with a Halloween twist. Discover sculptures of all times and places in the galleries guided by a mysterious winged Viking god from the past. In workshops make special Egyptian-inspired protective amulets or imaginative creatures from wire. At 3pm, the RISD Auditorium is the scene for a special marionette performance of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by New York's award-winning company "The Puppet People." For more information please click here.	WaterFire October 27, 5:45pm, Downtown Rivers, Free And Open To The Public. At the last lighting of the season visitors are invited to meet Barnaby Evans, the creator of WaterFire, and to have him sign and inscribe a WaterFire poster for you. For more information please click here.

Buddy The Movie DVD being released

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BUDDY, THE MOVIE DVD RELEASE PARTY –
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
* The last showing of this award-winning movie on the big screen, with a post-film party.
* Every ticket holder gets a special pre-release copy of the BUDDY DVD.
* Director, Cherry Arnold, will be doing a post-film Q&A, with special guests....
* Cherry Arnold will be presenting Buddy Cianci with the www.buddycianci.com
website address.
* Raffle prizes, movie posters and more!

LOCATION: The Providence Biltmore Grand Ballroom
11 Dorrance Street Providence, RI

TIME: Doors open at 6:30pm, film starts at 7pm sharp.
Q&A and Party directly follows.

TICKETS: $40 – Available exclusively at ArtTixRI
Buy Now: http://www.arttixri.com/find_tix.cfm?PDID=13502

Space is limited - get your tickets today!

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BUDDY, THE MOVIE OUT ON DVD – ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH
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The DVD is packed with extras and special features, including:
* Buddy Cianci's first post-prison interview
* 'A Promise for Change,' a documentary (1976) about Buddy Cianci's first run for Mayor in 1974
* Chapter Selections
* Film Out-Takes
* Special DVD packaging, featuring rare photos, campaign materials and press coverage of Buddy Cianci's 30-year political career.

WHERE TO BUY: The DVD will be available at ALL Rhode Island Blockbuster, Borders, and Barnes and Noble stores.

The DVD is also available at Amazon.com and can be Pre-Ordered Now By Clicking the link to the left:



FILM AWARDS AND ACCOLADES


WINNER: Best of Festival, Pacific Palisades Film Festival, Pacific Palisades, CA
WINNER: Best Documentary, Boston Film Festival
WINNER: Best Documentary, Audience Award, RI International Film Festival
WINNER: Best Emerging Documentary Filmmaker, Cherry Arnold for BUDDY, Woods Hole Film Festival, Woods Hole, MA

“RIVETING, EDUCATIONAL AND FUNNY!"
The Newport Mercury

****“ARNOLD CAPTURES CIANCI'S VIVID PERSONALITY.”
The Providence Journal

“DON’T MISS THIS FILM!”
The Boston Phoenix

****“FASCINATING!”
The Cape Cod Times

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ABOUT THE FILM
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BUDDY is a feature documentary about the often contradictory and always audacious public figure, Buddy Cianci, the former Mayor of Providence, RI. From his early promise prosecuting organized crime to his success overseeing Providence's "renaissance," the film tracks Cianci's entanglements with city council opposition, union skirmishes, personal scandals, and criminal indictments. The result is a fascinating study of American local politics and a surprising tale of a man who, in the words of one commentator, "has a city as his mistress."
Narrated by James Woods

But For the Grace... New play at Trinity Rep

Interesting new play at the Pell-Chafee Center at Trinity Rep starts on Monday, September 10th.

This play, written and directed by David Eliet, is a commission from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to tell the stories about people who live with hunger as a part of their lives. It features as a solo performer Bob Jaffe, who has a long string of excellent and thought provoking work in the local area. David Eliet, the author/director, was my teacher and head of the Trinity Rep Conservatory while I was there. It is sure to be a very thought-provoking and well-done production. See it if you can!

Here are the details:

But for the Grace...

Voices of Hunger

The Pell Chafee Performance Center at Trinity Rep

87 Empire Street, Providence, RI

Monday, September 10th @ 7pm

Tuesday, September 11th @ 7pm

No performance Wednesday, September 12th

Thursday, September 13th @ 7pm

Friday is a special fundraising performance for the Food Bank

Saturday, September 15th @ 8pm

Sunday, September 16th @ 2pm

Monday, Tuesday and Sunday - Tickets are $10

Thursday and Saturday - Tickets are $25

Tickets are available at Trinity Box Office 401-351-4242

or at www.trinityrep.com and www.arttixri.com

Middle School Musical August 21

I received this from Elizabeef Keiser, an actress/director/playwright who has been working in the schools and creating amazing plays with students for a number of years.

With a number of talented collaborators, she has created a playw ith a number of Central Falls students this summer: a parody of Disney's High School Musical called Middle School Musical.


WHEN: August 21, 7 pm
WHERE: Second Stage Studio
1 Angell Road, Cumberland, RI
(First building after turn from Mendon Road)

Here's the email I received directly from Elizabeef. Check this out if you can-- As she says in her email-- the students will knock you out-- but then they'll help you back up again.

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This summer, the multi-faceted talent Joanne Vecchio, the extraordinary
fountain of everything, Nancy Carnevale, and the endlessly amazing Clayon
McFarland, and I had the honor of working with Central Falls' finest: a
group of students from third grade to high school.

In this collaboration with SCOPE, we were mesmerized by the outstanding
talent and initiative of these students. Carrying the torch of
ArtsLiteracy, sponsored by Navigant, and relying on the foundation of the 3
years of TALL, the team was also supported by the long list of "celebrity
career guests" and professional designers, including Miss Meg McKenna,
Professor Dorothy Abrams, the unbelievably brilliant Everett Dance Theater
and Friday Night Live, Film Expert Serena, the birthday rock camper Hannah
DeVine, Laura Wood and Chef Melissa, Big Nazo's Erminio Pinque, the
beautiful Dr. Tanya Becker, and the world's greatest lighting designer: Deb
Sullivan.

For your entertainment and pleasure, we invite you to Middle School Musical,
a parody of Disney's High School Musical, where the protagonist, Marilia,
spends her time fantasizing about her college acceptance letter. In the
meantime, Marilia visits the campus of Scary University, where students and
administrators take pride in having the best food fights and rudeness.
Hopefully, Marilia has applied to other colleges as well!

Please come support this fantastic Second Stage premiere. The students will
knock you off of your feet... but they'll help you up, too.

Our Nation's Flea Circus!

Let me take a moment to shamelessly promote my own project!

Trained Fleas To Perform In Our Nation's Capital

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SUMMARY:
WHAT: Acme Miniature Flea Circus at the Palace of Wonders
WHERE: Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE Washington DC
WHEN: Sunday August 26, 2007 at 4pm and 8 pm. (4 pm is an all ages show)
COST: $8
MORE INFO: http://www.palaceofwonders.com
MORE INFO: http://www.trainedfleas.com
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Washington, D.C., 8/1/07

This summer, our nation's flea circus will not be performed in the White House or the Capitol Building, and will not feature any elected officials That's because this year, the flea circus will take place in Washington D.C's up and coming Atlas District, and will feature insects. Trained insects. Fleas, to be exact.

The show, the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, is an authentic Victorian flea circus that features trained fleas Midge and Madge who perform spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the crowned heads of Europe. Midge and Madge will perform their star turn at D.C.'s wildest and wackiest venue, the Palace of Wonders on Sunday August 26.

Details magazine called the show "One of the top alternative circuses in the country." The New York Times said "The appeal is irresistible... Gertsacov is every bit the fantastical impresario, in his purple top hat and cash-register voice, introducing us to the wondrous insects itching (sorry) to perform" And the Los Angeles Times says that "Professor Gertsacov holds the audience (and the stars of the show) in the palm of his hand."

According to Professor A.G. Gertsacov, ringmaster and proprietor of the Acme Miniature Circus, flea circuses were popular entertainments during Victorian times, but had nearly disappeared since the advent of television. The last popular American flea circus was Professor Heckler's of Time Square, which left New York in 1957. The rumor is that Heckler thought that the nude shows were giving his fleas a bad name.

There are now only a handful of flea circuses still performing throughout the world. Gertsacov's is arguably the most famous. The Rhode Island native (now based in Yonkers, NY) and his amazing insect stars have performed throughout the country, and in Canada, Chile, and Brazil. He recently spent three months performing in Times Square, less than two blocks from where Professor Heckler once had his fleas. Gertsacov has also been filmed for documentaries on the History Channel, the Travel Channel, and numerous news programs. He's even been a question on Jeopardy!

Gertsacov's educated insect stars pull chariots, dance on a tightwire, and perform other circus-like stunts. While he does not reveal his method of training (a proprietary secret, he explains) , he assures the curious and the civic minded that he uses only methods of positive reinforcement to teach the insects their routines. "I treat them as if they are my own flesh and blood," Gertsacov says. "And in some ways, they are."

Professor Gertsacov will bring his minuscule marvels to perform at Washington's wildest and wackiest venue on Sunday August 26 . He invites all curious parties to come and see the show that was deemed one of the top shows of the world famous Spoleto Festival in 2004. But he asks that you leave your dogs and cats at home. Gertsacov quips, "I don't want anyone to steal the show."

Shows are at the Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE in the Atlas District of Washington DC. Shows are at 4 pm and 8 pm. Admission is $8. The first show is for all ages. The second show is for over 21 only. (In this show, the fleas will perform completely nude!
PLEASE NOTE: At the 8 pm show ID's will be checked!)

For more information about the show, or to reserve tickets, call the Palace of Wonders at 202-398-7469 (SHOW)
Or visit http://www.palaceofwonders.com

For press information, photographs, or interviews, please contact Flea Master Professor A.G. Gertsacov at 401-351-2596 or visit the flea circus website: http://www.trainedfleas.com.

King Stag Performed by Elemental Theatre Ensemble

I've been hearing about these guys for a while, but didn't realize that they were Conservatory grads. (I am also a Conservatory Grad as well, admittedly a lot earlier than these guys (like 14 years!)

They are performing a great Commedia play, King Stag through the month of August at venues around town. Admission is free.

Sat 8/4, 6 pm - Clark Memorial Library - Carolina - link
Sun, 8/5, 6 pm - Goddard Park - Warwick - link
Goddard Show Sponsored by Warwick Dept of Tourism
Sun 8/12, 6 pm - Foster Town Hall - Foster - link
Wed 8/15, 6 pm - Louttit Library - West Greenwich - link
Sat 8/18, 6 pm - WaterFire - Waterplace Park - link

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~ ABOUT ELEMENTAL THEATRE COLLECTIVE ~

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Elemental is a theatre collective primarily made up of the Trinity Rep Conservatory Class of 2002. During three years of intensive learning and collaboration, they became determined to continue their growth as theatre artists together after graduation.

In the fall of 2005, they mounted their first full-length show in Providence, a critically acclaimed production of Tony Kushner’s incendiary A Bright Room Called Day. It was nominated for Best Production, Best Director and Best Actress by Motif Magazine that year.

They also produce an annual summer festival of short plays in Tiverton called Outbursts!

This outdoor summer tour of King Stag, is the next step for them.

To find out more about Elemental Theatre Ensemble, visit them online at the websites listed below.

http://myspace.com/elementaltheatre
http://elementaltheatre.org

Cape Verdean Independence Festival

The 32nd Annual Cape Verdean Independence Day Celebration will be held in Providence at the Temple of Music at Roger Williams Park on July 8, 2007 from 12 noon to dusk. Featured will be music, food, dancing, and lots of other stuff. Some very traditional Cape Verdean artists will be featured, as well some of the newest and best artists of Cape Verdean descent will be on the bill. It's a great way to celebrate with the community.

Cape Verde is a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. The islands combined are slightly larger than Rhode Island. They were colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century and became an independent country in 1975. There are over 40,000 Cape Verdeans and people of Cape Verdean descent in Rhode Island, and Rhode Island has been home to some Cape Verdeans for over 200 years.

You can find out more about Cape Verdean culture in Rhode Island at the Cape Verdean Museum Exhibit,a small independent community museum in East Providence. There you'll find Cape Verdean artifacts, a lot of great info about Cape Verdean culture, including other happenings.

To find out more, visit the Cape Verdean Museum Exhibit online on their website listed below.
http://www.capeverdeanmuseum.org/
You can also call them directly at 401-228-7292 or visit them in person
1003 Waterman Avenue in East Providence. Currently the museum is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 12 noon-4pm. Call first just to make sure!

New Waterfront Design Winners-- See the plan!

WINNING DESIGN FOR PROVIDENCE’S NEW WATERFRONT PARKS THE FOCUS OF TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS

Mayor Cicilline invites the public to provide additional feedback as winning design moves closer to implementation

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PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today invited the public to learn more about the concept design for Providence’s new waterfront parks in a presentation by the firm Brown, Richardson, and Rowe, the winning team in the Waterfront Park Design Competition. The firm’s lead designer, Nina Brown, will give a presentation and the public is encouraged to provide feedback at the next meeting Wednesday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. Waterplace Restaurant,2nd floor One Finance Way in Waterplace Park Mayor Cicilline kicked off the Waterfront Park Design Competition last fall by asking design teams to develop their vision of a spectacular waterfront park on two parcels of land that will become available when Interstate Route I-195 is relocated. He appointed an 11-member design selection committee consisting of community leaders to pick the winning concept among 16 submissions. Brown, Richardson and Rowe emerged as the winner. The purpose of the meetings is to give the public an opportunity to help further refine the concept design for the two parks. The project must also meet contract schedules set forth by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), which is building the parks as part of the highway relocation project. A video presentation of the proposed park designs and an opportunity to submit comments electronically may also be found online at www.providenceri.com/government/waterfront/. Written comments may also be sent to the following address before June 15, 2007: Waterfront Park Design Public Comment Dalrymple Boathouse 1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02903 The parks are scheduled to be constructed in 2011 and will be one of the last features to be completed as part of the highway relocation project.

de/construct

A great new exhibit of work(s) in a place near and dear to my heart-- the Jewelry District.

A 4000 square foot loft is scheduled to undergo serious renovation. Before it does, 7 artists and 2 architects get a chance to come in, and reconstruct/deconstruct their work. The results are fascinating, ,interesting, and sadly temporary. (The exhibit ends this weekend!)

Click the picture below to see photographs from the exhibit. (And hie yourself down to it-- you'll be glad you did!)

Flea Circus Video added to YouTube!

I've joined the latest revolution... Youtube! Yes, that's right, I've added a couple of videos to the whole Youtube thing:

Here's my flea circus!

Trinity Rep Consortium's Taming of the Shrew

Brown/Trinity Consortium presents Taming of the Shrew

The Brown/Trinity Rep Consortium presents Shakespeare's quintessential battle of the sexes, The Taming of the Shrew. Directed by Donya K. Washington ('08), the show runs from April 11-15. All performances are in the Citizens Bank Theater, Pell Chafee Performance Center, 87 Empire Street. Tickets are $5, general admission and on sale now at the Trinity Rep box office, by phone (401) 351-4242 and online.

more information>>

Geeks of Providence, Unite!

Great new organization where my pocket protector side will feel right at home!

“The goal of Providence Geeks is to help Rhode Island’s digital innovators connect, collaborate, and ultimately make the City-State and its geeks info-technology leaders.”

They have dinners, they judge robot competitions, they have a community bulletin board (although no wiki-- come on geeks, get with it!)

In general, it looks like a really cool thing that's going on-- getting the info-digital community of Rhode Island together.

So, put some extra tape on those glasses, button that top button, calculate the square root of pi, check out their website, and subscribe to their RSS feed.

You'll be smarter for it.

Old Fashioned Robot Store!

Wow!

A shop focused on Computer Controlled Robotics for Hobbyists.

This is next to the CJ Fox building in Federal Hill. The weird thing is that about 15 years ago I looked at this building (to buy, when I was looking for loft space) and placed an offer on it, but the seller removed it from the market.)

The store is basically a hobby studio, with a store attached.

There's also a project room, where the owner works on projects, and a conference room for robotic enthusiast meetings.

I haven't been, but it sounds like this guy is living his dream. Best of luck to you, sir!

Check out the website: http://oldfashionroboticstore.com

Winner of Waterfront Park Design competition

Waterfront Park Design Competition

The award winning landscape architectural firm of Brown, Richardson & Rowe, Inc. has been selected as the winner of the Waterfront Park Design Competition. This design was chosen by the 11-member Waterfront Design Selection Committee appointed by Mayor Cicilline.

Key elements of the winning park design feature the Ember House – a beautiful, transparent, free-standing structure along the riverwalk inspired by Waterfire that could be used as a café or gathering space; a sculpture garden; terraced amphitheatre; a centrally located granite disk that reflects the history of the Providence River; and the Fish Playground featuring artist-designed play equipment including wave slides, turtles, fish and shells found in the Providence River.

Although the park will not be built until 2012, it looks like this proposal has a lot of great elements to it.

Find out more about it by clicking here

Jewelry District Meeting

The Jewelry District Annual Meeting & Cocktail Party is tomorrow

Tuesday, March 13th, 5-7pm
at the Providence Children's Museum
100 South Street in the District.

The Annual meeting will include:

· A presentation by the city on the Providence 2020 plan
· A presentation by two landscape architects about greenway possibilities along the waterfront to connect India Point and the District
· A performance by Sit Down Baby , a great local blues band
· Hors d'ouevres courtesy of MuMu Cuisine (220 Atwells Ave.), a fabulous new Chinese restaurant
· Cash bar courtesy of Lot401
· As well as the usual Annual Meeting business
Join us as we celebrate the past year, prepare for the coming year, thank our outgoing board members and welcome in the new. We hope to see you all there!