Perishable Theatre Director Steps Down

The Providence Journal recently reported that Jason Nodler, the newly appointed director of Perishable Theatre has stepped down after four months on the job. Apparently, Perishable's finances were a little bit different than he expected, and he felt that he couldn't continue with his planned course of action. He directed one play while at Perishable which closes tomorrow night. (To purchase tickets, visit ArtTixRI)

While I don't really know the inside story at Perishable, this reminds me very much of Anne Bogart's entrance and departure from Trinity Rep. (This happened in 1988-89)

Anne Bogart also had a "different idea" of the finances of the theatre when she took over (although to be fair, part of that was caused by her producing 8 dark and depressing plays in a row, which started a precipitous drop in theatre subscriptions)

Both Anne and Jason had excellent pedigrees from the artistic side-- Jason had co-founded an amazing Houston theatre Infernal Bridegroom, and had helped to raise it from scratch. His concept was to do something similar with Perishable-- re-create the energy and excitement that has made Infernal Bridegroom one of the small theater success stories from around the country.

But Providence is not Houston-- we are much smaller, much less population, and much more (dare I say it) provincial in our beliefs (the nice way to say it is SET in our ways)

It's really difficult to replace somebody who has come to exemplify or personify the theatre to funders and to theatre goers. When Adrian Hall stepped down, and Anne Bogart took over, it was a momentous job for her to replace him-- he had been there for 20+ years-- and it was hard to imagine the theatre without him. And subscribers, funders, and even board members couldn't warm up to her--

I believe that a similar situation has happened at Perishable. Mark Lerman was the heart and soul and living body of Perishable-- the glue that hung it all together. Replacing him requires somebody who is capable of being that glue, and the question remains-- who is the person who can do that, but in their own way. It took Trinity a while to find Oscar Eustis (Dick Jenkins came in as the director and helped right the boat, but it was Oscar, who spent a lot of time fundraising, and less time directing shows, that made Trinity back into the healthy financial institution that it is now.

Whoever Perishable chooses as their NEXT artistic director, they have a tough job ahead of them. They really need to glad-hand the funders, and show that they have the energy, fundraising skill, and personality to keep Perishable vibrant and alive. And they have to show that they have their thumb on the pulse of the audience. Jason had the artistic pedigree, but having never seen him work the room, I don't know if he had those chops, and it's possible he was never given the chance to display them.

If I were to choose somebody as the next artistic director (and indeed, if you had asked me last year who should be the artistic director), I'd suggest Vanessa Gilbert, who was the associate artistic director at Perishable for a number of years, the recent director of the Magdalena Festival in Providence, has a good handle on how Perishable works already, and is a familiar name and face to the Providence theater and funding scene. Of all the local people in town, she'd be my first choice . (Not that Perishable has asked me for my opinion.)

Perishable is a great theatre, and serves an important role in the local arts scene. It would be a LARGE SHAME to see it (pardon the puns) go bad just as it starts to ripen.

Please note: Years ago, I was an actor with Perishable theatre, and worked extensively there. I occasionally do continue to perform there. (My Punch and Judy show was performed at Perishable last year). The above is just my opinion, and contains no real "insider knowledge."

Waterfire Halloween Story Extravaganza

It may be chilly, but the stories will be hot -- and spooky.

On Saturday, October 29, starting at 7pm, the American Story Theater will produce the final installment of WaterFire Presents Tales for October. We've moved the stories later, and added a 10pm show!

All events are free, and there will be chairs and carpeting to sit on.

Storytellers include Jeanne Donato, David Mello, Mark Binder, Marvin Novogrodski, Jeanne Jordan Bent, Marilyn Meardon and Carolyn Martino

Shows will be at 7, 8, 9 and 10 pm. The early evening shows will be more family-oriented, and the later shows will have a more mature content.

(Please do NOT bring kids to the 9 and 10 pm shows unless you're willing to be responsible for their nightmares.)

More details are at americanstorytheater.org


More information about WaterFire is at http://www.waterfire.org

Acupuncturist emerges in Providence

An acupuncturist has moved into my building, and I thought I'd point out her services. She is a licensed Chinese acupuncturist, and in talking to her, one of the things that I really liked is that she wasn't all "space-agey" about the benefits of acupuncture. We talked for a while about the placebo effect, and the fact that some people are going to feel better just because somebody spent an hour or so really talking and listening to them. I'm not denigrating acupuncture or its effects-- I'm sure that there's something to it- but I also think that part of it is just people don't get enough touching/caring/listening in their lives. (Hmmmm.. who's getting all touchey-feeley now?)

Anyway, her name is Dr. Mary Claire Dilks, and her practice is called Emerging Energy Acupuncture Check it out, if you'd like!

Q. E. D. at the RITE Theatre Oct 11-22

RITE, Rhode Island Theatre Ensemble presents QED by Peter Parnell. Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Richard Feynman, holds forth with wit and wisdom in this fascinating play. One of the twentieth century's great physicists, Feynman was also one of its great eccentrics. Not only did he develop the atomic bomb and quantum electrodynamics, buy he played the bongos, frequented topless bars and relished his bit parts in university theatre productions. Chris Perrotti portrays Feynman with honesty, joy and a full understanding of the true character of this great man.









QED opens October 11 at 7pm and runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 7:00 pm through October 22.
RITE is in residence at The First Universalist Church, 250 Washington Street, Providence.

Tickets are $15 & $12. Thursday is Artist Night -- all tickets are $10. Call 383-5146 or log onto http://www.ritetheatre.com

Agriculturalists of RI, Unite!

What: USDA Farm Bill Forum
Date: Friday, October 14, 2005
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon (doors will open at 8:00 a.m.)
Place: URI Coastal Institute, South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, RI


The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to hear the
ideas, concerns, and advice of those in the local agricultural community.
The USDA is conducting Farm Bill Forums across the country as part of a
nationwide listening tour in preparation for the 2007 Farm Bill. These
Forums are designed to allow the public an opportunity to share their
opinions with the USDA on key policies or programs within the Farm Bill.

Participants are to respond on issues facing the local community such as:

Challenges for New Farmers

Competitiveness

Conservation Goals

Farm Program Benefits

Rural Economic Growth

Expansion of Agricultural Products, Markets, and Research

Seating will be available on a first-come basis for the Forum.

The event will feature a display area on programs offered by USDA, local
agencies and partners. There will also be a USDA Help Desk with
representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Farm Service Agency, and Rural Development who will be on hand to
answer your questions on USDA programs.

You may also provide your written comments at the Forum, via mail, on our
web page at www.USDA.gov/farmbill or via email to farmbill@usda.gov.


For more information, call the USDA Warwick Service Center at 401-828-1300.

The Aristocrats, American Style

I wish I could say I wrote this, but I didn't. I found it on a weblog (link above)

I did title it, though!

The Aristocrats, American style


So this guy walks into a talent agency and says to the agent, "Have I got an act for you! It's a family act, you'll love it."

The agent says "Alright, lay it on me."

The guy says, "Well, first the grandpa comes in, this is in the thirties, mind, deals with the Nazis and makes a ton of money off German banking and mining, see. He gets nailed for trading with the enemy in the war, but it doesn't matter much cause by now his family is incredibly wealthy. His son, the Father, flies a plane in the Second World War and later becomes head of the CIA, then later, vice president, and after that, a one term president. He does a half ass job and gets out, kinda sets things up for later. It's the kid, he's the real lynchpin of the act. It gets better."

The agent nods, doodling on his dayplanner. "Please, continue."

"The kid comes in, and starts off with avoiding Vietnam by getting a nice position in the National Guard, see? But he skips out on that gig when he doesn't need it anymore. Then he runs a series of businesses into the ground. He can't run an oil company, he can't manage a baseball team, tries to run for Congress and fails, he does drugs and boozes, has trouble with basic life skills. But since his daddy's Vice President, or later, President, he gets whatever he wants. Gets bailed out every time. He runs for governor of Texas and wins, and sets a new record for executing people. He likes to joke about the executions, too, mocking the pleas for leniency. 150-odd prisoners go to the chair under the Kid as governor. And the Kid is wearing a cowboy hat and talking in a Texas drawl the whole time, even though he's from Connecticut. But it gets better, this is just the start."

The agent nods, dropping his pen. "Umm.. alright.."

"The Kid doesn't just wanna be a governor, he wants to be President. So he runs for President and.. tough luck, he doesn't win. So get this, his buddies on the Supreme Court have to squeeze him in. They push and push, and finally he's President. He doodles around for a few months and then boom! Some terrorists come in and flatten a couple skyscrapers in New York. Thousands of people die, jumping out of skyscrapers and getting flattened in plane crashes, and the Kid swings into action. He starts bombing where the terrorists are hiding, and looking for them. I mean, wouldn't you? But when he can't find them in a couple months he goes after a totally different country, attacking them 'cause they had oil and his Dad had trouble with them ten or twelve years ago. He says it's because this country was the real guys who flattened those skyscrapers, because they'll do it again with weapons of mass destruction if they get the chance. So the audience is right behind him. Now there's a big ass war right on stage and bombs are flying, people getting killed left and right. And the Kid, you'll love this, underequips the soldiers being sent in, not enough armor, and makes them do police functions in a hostile country for months and months and then years after he says we won the war. And we get to torturing the Iraqis, making them stand around with electrodes on their nutsacks, raping their wives and kids in front of them, attacking them with vicious dogs, pissing on their holy books, and the audience loves it, they clap and applaud. A real crowd pleaser, that sequence. But soon the kid has gotten 1800 American troops killed, wounded thousands more, and get this there were no weapons of mass destruction at all, the whole thing was for oil, and they keep lying about it, lying and lying and lying. And now there's tortured people all over the place. Meanwhile the economy's sputtering along, and another election comes up. The Kid wins this one, by a squeaker, 'cause the other guy wasn't likable enough. So people are starting to question the whole war thing, just a little, and the country we invaded is in the shitter two years later, and nobody wants to leave for fear it'll get even worse. And then.."

The agent leans forward in his chair. "NOW what?"

"Okay, big finish now. A category 4 hurricane comes in and wipes out half the Gulf Coast! Just flattens everything for hundreds of miles around. And the levees in New Orleans break, cause the kid cut the budget for them to finance the war, and the whole city is flooded! Now, the rich white folks got out for the most part, but the poor folks, mostly black, get stuck at the Superdome and the Convention Center by the thousands. And get this, the kid's on vacation so they wait for four days, sleeping in their own shit, starving to death, dying of thirst, we got dead grannies in their wheelchairs and dead bodies lying on the streets and floating in the water, godawful spread of disease and filth, looters running around shooting guns, we got no organization from the government, total chaos. And the Kid, the Kid's in charge and he blames the governor for not signing the proper forms, even though she did. And the Kid turns back offers of aid and says he'll handle it, and that's what he does, he handles it right into the ground. So we got 3,000 corpses in New York, 10 or 20,000 corpses in New Orleans, we got 1800 military corpses quietly shipped home in boxes, we got untold thousands of dead Iraqis, we got Iraq in chaos, we got guys with electrodes attached to their nutsacks and piss all over their Korans, we got New Orleans underwater, we got refugees packing domed stadiums and living in shit, we got five years of blood and carnage and the economy in the crapper, and we got $4/gallon gas. Everyone gets up and takes a bow, except of course the mounds of corpses littering the stage."

The agent is completely flummoxed. Just flabbergasted. "So what the hell do you call this act?"

The guy says, with a flourish, "The Aristocrats!"

Magadalena USA July 31-August 6, 2005

MAGDALENA USA is bringing The Magdalena Project to the US in the northeastern city of Providence, RI; July 31-August 6, 2005. Under the artistic direction of Vanessa Gilbert, the festival will bring together international women theatre artists who create and perform their own work, in concert with local and national artists for an intensive seven days of exchange, skills development, critical reflection and performances. According to Ms. Gilbert, "All theatre artists metaphorically weave their experiences into work, and this festival will also weave these national and international participants into our community."

In bringing together local and international women theatre artists, Theatre-Women-Weaving builds upon the growing network of The Magdalena Project, which was founded by Jill Greenhalgh in Wales, 1986. The aims for this first USA festival are ambitious: professional training exchange, the forming of local and international connections, and a continuation of the Magdalena focus on the "third theatre", a kind of contemporary work described by Eugenio Barba as a "socially aware, exploratory, actor-oriented form of drama". It's a performance tradition historically less established in the US than in other parts of the world, with a focus not on scripted plays, but on ensemble-based work generated by its practitioners.

Participants in the Magdalena USA festival in Providence will be able to attend all performances, engage in workshops and training led by invited artists, and showcase their own work.

To find out more, visit the Magdalena USA Website

Gala to Celebrate Mark Lerman

Mark Lerman, artistic director of the Perishable Theatre,(and a long time friend of mine-- we went to the same college and graduate school, and then have lived in the same city for 15 years) will be honored at a Gala on Monday June 20.

WHEN:Monday, June 20th from 6pm to 9pm
WHERE:Restaurant Prov, 99 Chestnut Street in downtown Providence.
COST: $15, cash bar.
HOW: click image below to purchase tickets online.

Sasaki Plan-- Public Input Meetings--PROVIDENCE 2020

Apparently a lot of meetings going on-- that's been the thrust of a lot of my recent emails!

SASAKI ASSOCIATES TO PRESENT REVISED "VISION FOR PROVIDENCE 2020" AT COMMUNITY FORUMS

Revisions to framework for future economic development based on community feedback

Providence - Mayor David N. Cicilline announced today that the architectural and urban design firm Sasaki Associates is returning to Providence to present changes to the "Vision for Providence 2020" based on further analysis and feedback from the community forums held in May.

Sasaki Associates will present revisions to the public at two community forums:

Wednesday, June 15th, 6:00 p.m.
Bridgham Middle School cafeteria
1655 Westminster Street

Thursday, June 16th, 6:00 p.m.
West Broadway Elementary School cafeteria
29 Bainbridge Ave.

For more information about the plan, visit http://www.providenceri.com/planning/DowntownPlan_Summary-Web.html

Artist Tax Exemption Meeting tomorrow

The Artist Tax Exemption Act creates a zone within the Mill District in Providence that gives artists in 37 buildings eligibility to receive State Income Tax, Sales & Use Tax, and Tangible Property Tax exemption. House Finance Chair Costantino and Rep Lewiss introduced the bill and it goes in front of the House Finance Committee TOMORROW June 14 at 1PM at the State House - Room 35 in the basement. Please come to show your support and help pass this bill for artists!!!

The legislation was originally intended for all the 250 buildings in the Mill District (or ICBD), but we were advised to reduce this number significantly to increase the likelihood of passing. The 37 buildings include Steel Yard, Monohasset Mills, Atlantic Mills, Ajay Land, Dirt Palace, Hive Archive, Carpenter Mills, Hope Brewery, Rau Fastener, PUENTE, Rising Sun, Wanskuck Mill & Hall, 111 Summer Street, and others in Olneyville, South Side and Westminster Street. They were chosen to represent buildings which are artist owned; where a concentration of artists currently have space; that have been recently redeveloped and rent prices are now prohibitive to artists; and, the most practical buildings on the market (or vacant) for artists to buy using this tax free zone as incentive.

It will give those living and/or working in these buildings eligibility for tax incentives, similar to the DownCity Tax Free Zone. Artists would need to be qualified by RISCA in order to receive the benefits. A recent amendment to the bill means those artists living in these spaces will be eligible for all three incentives, while those working only will be eligible for the Sales & Use, and Tangible Property Tax. The work only incentive is the only such measure in any of the tax free districts throughout Rhode Island, and meets a direct need for the artist studios and creative businesses in these mills.

Help us bring these incentives to the buildings where artists actually are, and help bring more artists back to these areas. The passing of this bill will truly reflect the city's committment to the artists and their promotion of an arts-friendly city.

You can find out more information here: www.pcisprov.org/news.htm .

Three Rallies This Week

There are three really important rallies going on downtown this week:

1) On Monday at 5pm, the Library Reform Group will be leading a rally on the steps of City Hall, calling on the Providence Public Library (PPL) to require public appointments to its Board of Trustees.

2) Tuesday, June 14, at 7:15 at City Hall, a party with cake and pointy hats will be held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the First Source Ordinance. The ordinance requires that businesses receiving City loans, grants, or tax breaks hire Providence residents for new jobs created by those businesses—but it’s never been enforced.

3) Wednesday is national Justice for Janitors day. At 4pm, custodians and other community members will be rallying at the Turk’s Head building at the corner of Westminster and Weybosset Streets, downtown. The rally will focus on custodians’ efforts to join a union. We’ll also be showing our support for the so-called “Displaced Workers Ordinance,” currently before the Council.

More at rifutures.org

JDA Meeting features Brown Expansion Plan

Brown University will be presenting its “Institutional Master Plan” at the June 14th, 2005 Monthly JDA Meeting to outline its plans for expansion and to open it to discussion with the community.

Presenting will be Michael McCormick, the Director of Planning, and Abigail Rider, the Director of Real Estate/Administrative Services, both from Brown University.

The meeting will take place at:

The Brown University Development Offices
110 Elm Street, Providence
Corner of Elm & Hospital Streets in the Jewelry District

5:00pm-6:15pm


Please note that the doors are locked and require someone to buzz you in, so please be prompt. After about 5:10pm, you will be unable to get in.


Read the complete agenda for the meeting here

MAYOR’S NIGHT OUT SET FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

MAYOR’S NIGHT OUT SET FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 25


Providence – Residents will have a chance to meet one-on-one with Mayor David N. Cicilline at the next Mayor’s Night Out scheduled for Wednesday, May 25 beginning at 5 p.m. at Pleasant View Elementary School, 50 Obediah Road in Providence.


Each person or group will have an opportunity to meet privately with Mayor Cicilline for ten minutes, and appointments take place on a first-come, first serve basis.



Next Month’s Mayor’s Night Out is scheduled for June 29 in the West Broadway/Federal Hill neighborhood.

Opportunities for Teachers and Artists

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) are pleased to announce six new summer teacher institutes in the arts - open to teachers of all academic disciplines.

Designed for teams of teachers, teaching artists, administrators, and others, the five-day institutes will help participants develop and refine the skills necessary to teach students the artistic, cultural and historical context of outstanding works of art. The institutes will also provide training in related disciplines, such as history, geography, science, and literature, and in assessment of student learning.
During the institutes, teachers will develop curriculum units to implement after they return to their classrooms in the fall. In December, each institute will reconvene its participants for a full day to share their experiences in implementing the curriculum units, and to evaluate the success of the institute itself.

The six institutes now open for registration are:

The ArtsLiteracy Project at Brown University: Summer Institute July 11-15, 2005(Providence, RI)

The ArtsLiteracy Project Summer Institute will explore Whitman's Song of Myself through multiple media, imparting curriculum development, documentation, and assessment skills to its participating teachers. Teachers will learn how to choose a masterpiece for study in the classroom and how to engage students in grades 7-12 through the use of hip-hop poetry and theatre. To register or for more information contact Nancy Hoffman at 401-863-7017 or Nancyh@brown.edu.


Portland Museum of Art: Winslow Homer's Weatherbeaten and the Role of Place in Art July 25-29, 2005 (Portland, ME)

Winslow Homer's 1894 oil painting Weatherbeaten will serve as an anchor work through which participants will explore the role of "place" in works of art. Teachers will learn from experts in arts education and art historians, and meet with contemporary Maine artists for whom Maine's setting plays an important part. Teachers will learn how to use the study of local artists to enliven art and history for high school students. To register or for more information contact Stacy Rodenberger, Coordinator of School Programs at (207) 775-6148 ex. 3226 or srodenberger@portlandmuseum.org. For an application, go to http://www.portlandmuseum.org.

Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire: Exploring Persian Culture through the Book of Kings July 25-29, 2005 (Littleton, NH)

This institute will study the epic poem Shahnameh, a Central Asian literary classic written by the 10th century Persian bard Ferdowsi. Teachers will better understand how to engage students in grades 1-12 in the study of an ancient text through art and poetry. For more information contact Kelly Bryer, Member Services Coordinator, AANNH, 603-726-8843 kelly@aannh.org.


Shakespeare & Company: Re-Imagining Shakespeare in the Classroom July 31 - August 5, 2005 (Lenox, MA)

Shakespeare & Company will assist teachers in developing dynamic approaches to teaching Macbeth through scholarly inquiry, experiential activities, and the creation of strategies and curriculum units that challenge students intellectually and emotionally. Teachers will learn how to make Shakespeare come alive for students in grades 4-12. To register or for more information, contact Mark Woollett at 413-637-1199 ext. 131 or education@shakespeare.org.


Boston Public Library Foundation: Art, Architecture and the Public Square
August 1-5, 2005 (Boston, MA)

The Boston Public Library, in partnership with the Massachusetts Studies Project at UMass-Boston, will present the Library as a model of how public buildings function, not just as monuments to the collective memory, but as constantly evolving works of art. Teachers will learn from the institute how to use local cultural resources to enliven the social studies curriculum for grades 3-12.
To register, contact MSP at 617-287-7654 or k12.msp@umb.edu. For more information, contact Christine Baron at (978) 927-5432 or Christine@BaronEducationConsulting.net


DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park: Kinetic Sculpture and the Art of Wind Dynamics August 8-12, 2005 (Lincoln, MA)

The museum will focus on the artistic, historical, social, and scientific significance of artist George Rickey's outdoor kinetic sculpture, Three Lines, and examine other kinetic sculptures on exhibit in the sculpture park. Educators will discover strategies to use these works as tools to underscore art and science curricula for grades 6-12. To register or for more information contact Donna Berube at 781-259-3603 or dberube@decordova.org.



More information about the NEA Teacher Institutes project is available online at http://www.massculturalcouncil.org.


Project partners include the Western States Arts Federation, the New England State Arts Agencies and Departments of Education, and the New England Foundation for the Arts.

Your Name Here: Workshop at Perishable Theatre April 14

Solo Performance Workshop—April 14 @ 7-10pm

Before Eric Bogosian. . .before Anna Deavere Smith. . .before John Leguizamo. . . Susan Merson  devised and presented solo performance before there was a market for it-- before there was a vocabulary to talk about it;  before there was a technique to create it. You don’t have to recreate the wheel to begin inventing your own work--take Susan Merson’s SOLO PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP!

Explore the basic, tried-and-true elements of solo play using hands-on writing and acting exercises sure to point you in the right direction to begin your solo performance journey, or to continue the work you’ve already begun. Bring pen and paper-- you won’t want to miss a single word! Susan Merson’s SOLO PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP will leave you armed with a basic outline, techniques to further your work, and a variety of options for creating your solo performance piece. DON’T MISS the opportunity to  take this valuable workshop and possibly jump start your solo performance career!!

Susan will also be signing her book after the workshop. The workshop costs $50, and more info is available at The Perishable Theatre Website



 

Hanging Around Providence

A Reuters story recently appeared about a Suspension conference that happened in Providence.

It's a Free Show...It's a Flea Show!

The Flea Circus Goes To The Academy

Low culture meets highbrow academics as the flea circus comes to Brown University on Saturday, April 2.

This is no April Fool’s joke: next weekend, Brown University will be hosting a most unusual professor, and his even more unusual performers: Professor A.G. Gertsacov and his authentic Victorian flea circus will be gracing the stage as part of the eleventh annual Performance Studies International Conference.


The show, the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, is an authentic Victorian flea circus that features trained fleas Midge and Madge (stars of the show) who perform spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the crowned heads of Europe.

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 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 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."

Says Gertsacov of his participation in the Performance Studies Conference, “I feel very fortunate and honored to be included in this conference. It’s an amazing and rare moment when the top scholars and the top performers are both assembled together at the same time. I’m really looking forward to learning a lot.” Other performers at the conference will include Fred Curchack, Double Edge Theatre, Split Britches, Pig Iron Theatre, and many other very well known national and international performers.

In addition to his performance at the conference, Gertsacov, who is also the director of Bright Night Providence, Rhode Island’s largest New Year’s Eve Celebration, will chair a panel titled “Popular Entertainment and the Carnavelesque.” This panel will take place on Saturday morning on the Brown University campus.

The flea circus will be performed at the Trinity Rep Theatre, 201 Washington Street, on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at 9:30 pm. Admission is free (donations accepted)

For more information about the conference, visit the PSI website: http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/Theatre/psi/or call them at 401-863-1510

For more information about the flea circus, visit www.trainedfleas.com or call 401-351-2596.

(High resolution photographs are available on the website athttp://www.trainedfleas.com/pressimages/ )

LISTING

WHAT: Acme Miniature Flea Circus
WHEN:Saturday April 2, 2005 9:30 pm
COST: Admission is free (donations accepted0
WHERE: Trinity Rep Theatre, 201 Washington Street, Providence
MORE INFO:http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/Theatre/psi/ or call 401-863-1510

###

Rhode Island Athlete To Play For U.S.

RHODE ISLAND ATHLETE TO REPRESENT THE U.S. AT THE 17TH MACCABIAH GAMES IN ISRAEL

Dan Gertsacov of Narragansett, RI has been named to the United States Maccabiah Rugby Team that will compete at the 17th World Maccabiah Games taking place this July, in Israel. The Rugby team will be one of the 27 United States sports teams competing at these Games; among the world’s largest international, Olympic-style events, according to Jordan Weinstein, General Chairman of the US Maccabiah Committee.

Gertsacov is no stranger to top-level rugby competition. Dan currently plays for New York Old Blue in Manhattan, one of the premier rugby clubs in the United States. Formerly, he played with one of Rhode Island’s top clubs, Newport Rugby Football Club, as well as internationally for first division teams in Brazil and Chile. Gertsacov recently graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he captained the rugby club, and has a BA from the University of Richmond, where he first started playing rugby and went on to become the team’s two-time Captain. Gertsacov is employed as a Vice President at Univision Networks and resides in New York City.

Over 7,000 athletes representing more than 60 countries will take part in the 17th edition of the Maccabiah, a quadrennial athletic competition for Jewish athletes. The United States is expecting to send a contingent of “more than 600 athletes and coaches,” reported Weinstein.

"The leadership of participating countries has pledged to make the 17th Maccabiah the biggest and best ever. Maccabi USA is planning to assemble the largest US Maccabiah team in history. We believe that NOW, MORE THAN EVER, Israel needs our support!" Weinstein said.


Previously, the U.S. Maccabiah Team has included such sports greats as swimmers Mark Spitz and Lenny Krayzelburg, gymnasts Mitch Gaylord and Kerri Strug, National Basketball Association stars Ernie Grunfeld, Dolph Schayes and Danny Schayes, golfer Bruce Fleisher, tennis pros Brad Gilbert and Dick Savitt and World Cup soccer player Jeff Agoos.


Team USA will consist of teams competing in Badminton, Baseball (Boys), Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Fencing, Field Hockey (Women), Golf, Gymnastics, Half Marathon, Judo, Karate, Lawn Bowls, Rowing, Rugby (Men), Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Track & Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo (Men) and Wrestling (Men)


Opening ceremonies are scheduled to take place at Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv, and closing ceremonies will take place at the Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem.


“Our formula remains consistent,” Jordan Weinstein said. “Sports is the attraction. The Land of Israel is the vehicle. Jewish continuity is our primary goal.”


“It is a great honor for me to represent my country, as well as the state of Rhode Island, on the rugby field in Israel,” Gertsacov said. “It will be a tough two weeks of competition, against top squads from South Africa, Australia, England and other top rugby nations, but with the support of my team and my family who will be over there to cheer us on, I’ll do everything I can to help our team bring home that Gold Medal.”


The U.S. Maccabiah Team is sponsored by Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel. Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel is a national, not-for-profit, volunteer organization that seeks to enrich the lives of Jewish youth in the U.S., Israel and throughout the Diaspora through cultural, athletic and educational programs.


For more information about the Maccabiah Games, visit the Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel website at www.maccabiusa.com or call the Maccabiah Games hotline at 215/561-6181, fax to 215/561-5470, send e-mail to maccabi@maccabiusa.com



To arrange for photographs or interviews, contact Becca or Ami at the Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel office at 215/561-6900 or by e-mail to bschwartz@maccabiusa.com or amonson@maccabiusa.com

The 20th Annual Girls' Night Out

WHAT: The 20th Annual Girls' Night Out:Women Celebrating Women in Story and Song

WHEN: Sunday, March 13, 2005 --- 7:00 pm

WHERE: RISD Auditorium, 17 Canal Street, Providence

WHO:

Jeanne Jordan Bent

Sparky Davis

Carolyn Martino

Marilyn Murphy Meardon

Diane Postoian

Valerie Tutson

WomanSpiritRising: A Feminist Chorus

COST: $10; $6 - Students and Seniors
FREE to RISD Students, Museum Members and Staff

INFO: Carolyn Martino, 401-351-8090

The Clown Blog

I've started a new blog. It's to chronicle and keep all of my clown book reviews and other information. In this blog (as in my life), the word clown is given a large and liberal meaning, and includeds related arts such as puppetry, juggling, circus, mask work, commedia dell'arte, and other related stuff.


Stop on by and check it out if you like.


clownbooks.blogspot.com

Drinking Liberally

PROMOTING DEMOCRACY ONE PINT AT A TIME.

A new group that is sweeping the nation is Drinking Liberally . It's a political discussion group over beer. They call themselves an informal, inclusive weekly Democratic drinking club. Here's a little bit of their kind of inclusive advertising friendly slogans:

You can raise your spirits while you raise your glass, and share ideas while you share a pitcher. Drinking Liberally gives like-minded, left-leaning individuals a place to talk politics. You don't need to be a policy expert and this isn't a book club - just come and learn from peers, trade jokes, vent frustration and hang out in an environment where it's not taboo to talk politics.

Bars are democratic spaces - you talk to strangers, you share booths, you feel the bond of common ground. Bring democratic discourse to your local democratic space - build Democracy one drink at a time.

I haven't been yet, but I plan to one of these days.

In Providence, here's their meeting plan:

• Every Thursday, 7:00 pm onward
  
• Wild Colonial Tavern, 250 South Water Street
  
• Hosted by Adam Dupont
  
• Join the Providence mailing list
  
• Discuss in the Providence forum
  

Rhode Island's Future: The Fight For Clean Air Continues

Rhode Island's Future: The Fight For Clean Air Continues


Here's a call for action to attend a rally to help Senator Chaffee do the right thing.

Attend Rally to Protect Clean Air Act from
Bush Administration’s Rollbacks!

WHEN: 11 am, Tuesday, March 1, 2005


WHERE: Senator Chafee’s Providence office, 170 Westminster Street


WHO: Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group, Clean Water Action


WHY: On March 2nd Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee is scheduled to vote on the "Clear Skies Initiative," which would gut the Clean Air Act allowing more pollution into the air while doing nothing to stop global warming. We will hold a press conference and rally outside Senator Chafee’s office urging him to protect the environment and public health by opposing any weakening of the Clean Air Act. Clean Water Action will also be releasing new data that shows how Clear Skies lets big polluters off the hook

Rhode Island's Future: A Great New Blog

Rhode Island's Future is a great new political blog that has appeared in the last couple of months. It calls itself "An insider's guide to politics and culture in Rhode Island." There's a lot of great opinion and thought pieces about what's going on in Rhode Island. There are currently 6 contributors.

Of course, it has a political opinion, as a blog should, but they present a lot of compelling ideas. I highly recommend reading it and thinking about what they have to say. If you don't like their opinions, you could always start your own blog.!

Museum of Natural History New Exhibits

Museum of Natural History and Planetarium Current Events

From Observation to Illustration

On exhibit February 13 - April 25, 2005

A joint presentation with the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, New England Chapter, this exhibit will showcase their works in a variety of media complemented by specimens from the Museum’s collections. Among the show’s highlights are renderings in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, and other media featuring the full spectrum of natural history subjects. From fungi and lichens to seed pods, orchids, butterflies, and birds, this exhibit leaves no stone unturned! We invite you to see the works of these talented local artists along with specimens from our vaults making a debut appearance.

---

Fleas Featured on BBC Radio Program

A remembrance of entomologist Miriam Rothschild includes flea circus owner Professor A.G. Gertsacov

January 31, 2005 Providence, RI

Professor A.G. Gertsacov, Rhode Island flea circus impresario and proprietor of the Acme Miniature Circus, was featured on BBC radio program "Outlook" today. The occasion was a remembrance of Dame Miriam Rothschild, a noted British zoologist who was known for many years as "Queen of the Fleas" for her outstanding research in studying and cataloging fleas. Dame Rothschild passed away last week at the age of 96.



The show features a 15 minute interview with Gertsacov, as well as other noted flea authorities, including entomologist Amorette Brandt of the Royal Natural History Museum, and Ian Burgess, an insect specialist who sells insects to British scientists. On the program, Gertsacov recites flea poetry, does a bit of an old-fashioned flea circus "grind" from the show, and talks a little bit about the amazing acts he has taught his fleas to perform.



Gertsacov, who has performed his show over 700 times in the last 8 years, says of Rothschild, “She was an amazing woman who dedicated an enormous amount of her time, intellect, and money to a tiny creature. She really contributed to the world’s scientific knowledge of the flea in a great way.”



To hear the show, visit the website http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/outlook_peo.shtml" And click on "Listen to Monday's show" (To listen to the show you need Real Media's free player (available for free at www.real.com



The entire flea interview starts at minute 26:30 and Professor Gertsacov's entrance into the program starts at minute 34:30



The show will be archived for the next week on the radio program website.



For more information about the flea circus, visit Gertsacov's website www.trainedfleas.com

Pier Market to Close: Victim to Greed (or perhaps its just the times)

The Pier Market, a small community market in the heart of Narragansett (and minutes away from the beach) is set to close because the developer and owner of the land (Gilbane Properties) decided to triple its rent.

This is from the Rhode Island Policy Reporter on December 7:

As was reported in the Projo this morning, Gilbane Properties, the landlord, offered to raise the Pier market's rent from $75,000 per year to $225,000.

I called Wes Cotter, the Gilbane Properties spokesman quoted in the story, and he told me that they aren't losing any money there, but the property is "undervalued" and they can get much more out of it. For the record, the town assesses the grocery building at $180,000. With its share of the land underneath it, the taxes on the market are around $6,500.

While tripling rents from one year to the next is clearly an excess, I also don't think that Gilbane should be forced to keep their rent at way below the market value. It's a hard question--because from an individual perspective, it makes perfect sense to maximize your income and utilize your assets to their best value. But what Gilbane apparently hasn't factored in is that the community is not a cash tree that they can shake. Gilbane is part of the community, and their desire to "monetize" should take a 5-10 year plan to raise the rent to a more "market-value" number.


The same thing with the information that follows the article about the approximately 88 apartments that will be renovated, and rents increased.

A new RI blog!

I said, new above, but really, it's only New to me!

I just was doing a search for "Bright Night" information. and found a blog that was linking to the event that I didn't know anything about!

(It's always nice when that happens!)

Looking through, this guy seems to have a great blog, with photos, opinions, news snippets, and personal commentary.

I definitely would recommend checking it out.

www.woneffe.typepad.com

BRIGHT NIGHT HELPING TOCOLLECTING FOOD FOR NEEDY

Festival teams with Whole Foods Market to

"Turn a Can of Food into a Night on the Town"

PROVIDENCE, RI, December 22th, 2004 - Thanks to an innovative partnership, shoppers at Whole Foods stores in Providence have an opportunity to donate to the Rhode Island Food Bank while saving money on a great night of entertainment. Bright Night Providence has joined with Whole Foods to institute a food drive program that offers shoppers a dollar off a Bright Night ticket if they donate a can of food at the time they buy their passes.


"In discussing our project with Jewel Gregson at Whole Foods, we realized that we had the opportunity to create a real win-win partnership for everybody involved, " said Adam Gertsacov, director of Bright Night Providence. "We are doing well by doing good, and it feels great."


Whole Foods is one of the many places that Rhode Islanders can buy tickets to Bright Night, but it is the only one offering the discount and collecting cans for the Food Bank. The grocery chain, with two locations on the East Side of Providence, is optimistic that the program will have a large benefit for the Food Bank.


"We are happy to support Providence's own New Year's Eve Celebration," said Jewel Gregson, Metro-Marketing Team Leader for Whole Foods in Providence. "Whole Foods Market is a company with a conscience. We believe passionately in supporting the communities we serve. Offering discounted tickets to customers who donate a canned good to the RI Community Food Bank is truly a win-win for everyone".


Tickets to Bright Night, which includes admission to see over 40 performances at venues throughout Providence, are $10 before the discount. Family four packs will be sold for $35. Tickets are available at the following locations:

All Bank RI locations

Whole Foods Markets ($9 ticket with donated canned food, family 4 packs not available.)

The Cash Place (at the Arcade)

The Providence Children's Museum

Providence Performing Arts Center (December 31 only)

Online through www.arttixri.com or by phone at 401-621-6123.


For other sale locations and event schedule, visit our website: www.brightnight.org. For more information about Whole Foods Market, visit their website www.wholefoods.com


ABOUT BRIGHT NIGHT


Bright Night was founded in 2003 after Providence's long-running New Year's Eve festival, First Night, was cancelled. Organized in less than three months, the event drew over 12,000 people to downtown Providence, making Bright Night the largest New Year's Eve party in the state. The festival features local artists and performers at venues throughout downtown Providence, and provides a fun, vibrant atmosphere for the people of Rhode Island. The festival's director, Adam Gertsacov, is an actor, director, and clown based in Providence, RI. He wears many hats, including that of a flea circus impresario, a local author, and many others. He became the Festival director of Bright Night Providence last year, when a group of local artists (himself included) didn't want to see the city go dark on New Year's Eve.

###

Duke Robillard to Perform at Bright Night

Legendary Local Bluesman to join local artists in New Year's Eve Celebration.

Will Play at the "Bright Night Blues Bash" with Two Other Acts

PROVIDENCE, RI, December 13th, 2004 - Bright Night Providence announced today that blues guitarist Duke Robillard has joined the festival's extensive New Years Eve lineup. He'll be playing as part of the Bright Night Blues Bash at the First Universalist Church.  Also on the bill will be Dave Howard and the High Rollers and swing trio Black & White. Black and White will take the stage from 8-9 pm, Dave Howard from 9-10 pm and Duke Robillard 10-11:30 pm.



"We're so excited to be adding Duke Robillard to our lineup," said Adam Gertsacov, director of Bright Night Providence. "We were lucky that he became available, and we jumped at the chance. Along with our other two acts, Duke will make our Blues Bash one of the highlights of Bright Night. We hope it's the start of a great tradition."



Duke Robillard has been thrilling audiences world-wide for three decades. From his conception of Roomful of Blues in 1967 to his current Duke Robillard Band, consisting of top-line players in their own right, Duke continues his ever-busy recording and touring schedules. In 1999 Duke was awarded the International Guitarist of the Year award by the French Blues Association. In 2000 & 2001,he received the W.C. Handy Guitarist of the Year trophy. More information about Duke Robillard is available at www.dukerobillard.com



Tickets to Bright Night, which includes admission to see Toxic Audio, Duke Robillard,  and over 40 other performances at venues throughout Providence, are $10. Family four packs will be sold for $35. A complete schedule is available at www.brightnight.org



Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE at the following locations:

All Bank RI locations

Whole Foods Markets ($9 ticket with donation of a can of food)

The Cash Place (at the Arcade)

The Providence Children's Museum (after December 15)

Providence Performing Arts Center (December 31 only)

Online through http://www.arttixri.com or by phone at 401-621-6123.
For other sale locations, visit our website: www.brightnight.org



Anyone interested in sponsoring Bright Night should contact Adam Gertsacov at (401) 351-2596, or visit www.brightnight.org


About Bright Night

Bright Night was founded in 2003 after Providence1s long-running New Year's Eve festival, First Night, was cancelled. Organized in less than three months, the event drew over 12,000 people to downtown Providence, making Bright Night the largest New Year's Eve party in the state. The festival features local artists and performers at venues throughout downtown Providence, and provides a fun, vibrant atmosphere for the people of Rhode Island.

The festival's director, Adam Gertsacov, is an actor, director, and clown based in Providence, RI.  He wears many hats, including that of a flea circus impresario, a local author, the esteemed hat of the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland, and many others.  He became the Festival director of Bright Night Providence last year, when a group of local artists (himself included) didn't want to see the city go dark on New Year's Eve.

Bright Night Providence Announces Headlining Act

TOXIC AUDIO TO HEADLINE BRIGHT NIGHT

Music and Comedy Group Brings its Award-Winning Show to Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI, December 1, 2004 - Bright Night Providence announced today that it has secured Toxic Audio to be the headlining act for its annual New Years Eve festival. The group will perform three shows, at 6, 8, and 10 p.m. at the Providence Performing Arts Center.



"This is a real coup for Providence," said Adam Gertsacov, director of Bright Night Providence. "Toxic Audio is a fantastic, family friendly show and highly entertaining.  They were an award-winning hit Off Broadway, and now, through special arrangement with their manager Castle Talent Inc, we are able to bring the show to Providence audiences for just $10.  And you get to see over 40 other great shows too!"



Rated Number One by a recent WALL STREET JOURNAL/ZAGAT THEATER survey, Toxic Audio has been showcasing their unique vocal, comedic and improvisational skills at the John Houseman Theater since April. By May, the show had won a Drama Desk Award for "Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience." The five vocalists of Toxic Audio use no instruments but the human voice to create a rich musical experience, performing contemporary pop songs, timeless classics, jazz-scat and original compositions.  More information about Toxic Audio is available at www.toxicaudio.com



Tickets to Bright Night, which includes admission to see Toxic Audio and over 40 other performances at venues throughout Providence, are $10. Family four packs will be sold for $35.



Tickets will be available in early December at the following locations:

All Bank RI locations

Whole Foods Markets ($9 ticket with donation of a can of food)

The Cash Place (at the Arcade)

Providence Performing Arts Center (December 31 only)

Online through http://www.arttixri.com or by phone at 401-621-6123.
For other sale locations, visit our website: www.brightnight.org

Anyone interested in sponsoring Bright Night should contact Adam Gertsacov at (401) 351-2596, or visit www.brightnight.org

About Bright Night

Bright Night was founded in 2003 after Providence's long-running New Year1s Eve festival, First Night, was cancelled. Organized in less than three months, the event drew over 12,000 people to downtown Providence, making Bright Night the largest New Year's Eve party in the state. The festival features local artists and performers at venues throughout downtown Providence, and provides a fun, vibrant atmosphere for the people of Rhode Island.


The festival's director, Adam Gertsacov, is an actor, director, and clown based in Providence, RI.  He wears many hats, including that of a flea circus impresario, a local author, the esteemed hat of the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland, and many others.  He became the Festival director of Bright Night Providence last year, when a group of local artists (himself included) didn't want to see the city go dark on New Year's Eve.

Twelfth Annual Women's Playwriting Festival

LAST CHANCE TO SEE Perishable Theatre’s 12th Annual Women’s Playwriting Festival THIS YEAR'S WINNERS ARE: Holly Hildebrand (Katy, TX) for The Dog JC Samuels (San Francisco, CA) for How High the Moon? Jennifer Haley (Providence, RI) for Gone With the Window LAST THREE SHOWS! Thursday, October 28 at 7pm Friday, October 29 at 8pm Saturday, October 30 at 8pm Tickets on sale now at ArtTix! General Admission: $20 Students & Seniors: $15 Call 401-621-6123 or order online at artTix

Snappy Dance Workshops in Providence

Providence Circus School will present Boston-based Snappy Dance Theater teaching a series of creativity and partnering workshops entitled "Trust Me!" These workshops are open to beginning and experienced dancers.

These workshops introduce tools for generating ideas and promote a fun-filled atmosphere to enhance creativity. Company members will introduce theater and vocal exercises as well as basic concepts of partnering and weight sharing. Participants will then create their own dances in small groups.

Snappy company members will teach two-session workshops on Saturdays November 6 and 20, 2004. Workshop I, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. both Saturdays, will be for children ages 8 to 13. Workshop II, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. both Saturdays,
is open to teens and adults. These workshops will be held in the Perishable Theatre dance studio at 95 Empire Street, Providence. Tuition is $75.00 for each workshop (two 2-hour sessions). Early-bird tuition is $60.00 if sent by November 2.

To register for a "Trust Me!" workshop, call Providence Circus School at 401-351-9211 for a registration form, or use the registration form posted at the Providence Circus School website

Snappy Dance Theater presented their imaginative piece The Temperamental Wobble in June 2004, as part of the FleetBoston Celebrity Series. FleetBoston President and Executive Director Martha H. Jones said of the troupe: "The choreography of Snappy Dance Theater is an intriguing mix of athleticism, imagination, and humor that has captured the hearts and minds of Boston audiences." In addition to performing, Snappy has taught many dance workshops in the Boston area. Snappy Artistic Director Martha Mason and company member Tim Gallagher will teach the November workshops in Providence.


Providence Circus School is a project of the non-profit Rhode Island arts corporation, the What Cheer Art Company. Since 1998 Providence Circus School has taught children juggling, clowning, acrobatics, and balance skills. In 2004 the School expanded to offer static trapeze, and classes for adults. The School's performing troupe, Lub-dub, gave seven shows in neighborhood parks as part of the City of Providence's Summer 2004 Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative.

VOTE NO ON QUESTION 3-- An editorial

My good friend Tom Sgouros recently wrote a response to an editorial in the Providence Journal-- it probably won't see the light of day, so I decided to put it on my web log...

Tom is the editor, publisher, and of theRhode Island Policy Reporter.

If you want thoughtful analysis of what's going on in terms of policy in Rhode Island, you should probably subscribe!

----------------------------------------------

A reply to an editorial.

In a recent Projo op-ed, James Capaldi, the director of our state
Department of Transportation claims that all road construction in
Rhode Island depends on passage of the transportation bonds on
Question 3 this November. But he is being slightly disingenuous.
Road construction will not halt if the $66 million in bonds are not
approved; the construction lobby employs too many people around here,
and too many of them have friends in the administration and in the
legislature. But what will happen if approval is not granted is that
the state may have to come up with a more sensible way to fund road
construction.


DOT has been funding routine construction with bonds for years, which
makes it seem normal. But it's not. Among all the states, we are the
exception, not the rule in the matter of debt. Lots of states borrow
for this or that big road or bridge project, but we borrow $30 million
every year, except for the years in which we borrow much much more
(like this one). Projections have us borrowing the same amount each
year into the foreseeable future.


The question is why? If we're borrowing $30 million every year, then
there's no need to amortize, it's already amortized, at $30 million a
year, and we should just budget for that. Roads are a kind of
investment, but not one with returns--especially not roads built to
replace existing ones, which is what most of the next decade's cost is
for. Constant borrowing like this is a perfectly common financial
strategy, but one that often ends in bankruptcy court.


The history of DOT's debt is a long one, started probably in the
Garrahy administration, when a resort to borrowing was an easy way to
avoid facing the true cost of the department. But successive
Governors have made the problem much worse through malign neglect.


In the past ten years, DOT has dropped over 100 employees, and the
amount of money it spends on construction has gone up very little:
from $95 million in 1994 to $102 million in 2005. Maintenance
activities over that same period have only gone from $26 million to
$39 million. During that same time, federal highway funds, though
they vary a lot from one year to the next, have roughly tracked
inflation, going from $149 million to $207 million. But state dollars
(DOT's budget minus the federal dollars, minus the money they pass
along to RIPTA) going into the department have skyrocketed, going from
$56 million to $104 million. We're getting a lot less for our money
than we used to.


There are lots of little reasons for this--inflation, health care
costs, pension adjustments--but the biggest reason is that DOT's
budget is struggling under around $50 million in debt service, roughly
double the $27 million from 1994. (Part of the debt service is
accounted in the Department of Administration, but it's DOT's debt and
is paid with gas tax money.) That is, at least half of the increase
in state money applied to DOT goes to debt service. It would be much
more, but for the serendipity of the tobacco settlement money, much of
which was spent paying off DOT debt.


Mr. Capaldi will object that the amount of construction has actually
gone way up, since last year we sold $216 million in GARVEE bonds, to
be paid off with future federal highway money. This is the money
going to build the access highway and freight rail to Quonset, the new
Providence River bridge for I-195, and the new Sakonnet River bridge
for Rt. 24. In one sense he would be correct. But construction on
those projects doesn't do much for the bridge rotting away down the
street from me or the intersection that needs signs near you. Nor
does it do anything for the projects Mr. Capaldi lists as "likely" to
be scheduled. The GARVEE bonds planned will require that one-third of
the federal highway money we receive each year goes to their debt
service for the next fourteen years. The DOT situation is like a
family that's bought a house slightly too expensive for them: At best,
they won't be eating a lot of steak in the next few years. At worst,
they won't keep the house. We may finish those four projects, but all
other construction is at risk for the next several years.


Six years ago, 36% of the gas tax collected went into the general
fund, to fund state services like local education aid and protecting
the environment. Today less than 7% goes to the general fund, a drop
of more than $40 million in today's dollars. That sure would have
been useful in last year's budget battles.


Mr. Capaldi knows all of this. In fact he was the one who explained
it to me several years ago. But that was before he was running the
department. It's not his fault that the Governor and the Legislature
won't allocate the money necesary to fund necessary road construction,
but he knows full well that debt isn't the only way to fund DOT, it's
just the worst way.


Vote no on question 3, for saner state spending.

Tom Sgouros,
Wickford, RI

Arts In Academics

My mom is a retired art teacher. She recently started a scholarship/endowment to help integrate the arts into Academics in the State of Rhode Island.Here's the basic information about it. (from the RI Foundation press release)

---

New Rhode Island Foundation endowment seeks projects that incorporate the arts into core academics

Idea comes from retired arts teacher’s experience

Hoping that teachers of such ‘core’ academic subjects as math, English, and science will utilize the arts to help students learn, retired art educator Karel Greenblatt Gertsacov of Narragansett has established a permanent endowment at The Rhode Island Foundation to meet that goal.

"The arts are integral to the learning process," said Mrs. Gertsacov, who taught in the Cranston schools for more than 30 years. "When the arts are woven into the learning experience, they provide not only skill acquirement and application, but they enhance education by promoting curiosity, discovery, inquiry, experimentation, persistence, inventiveness,
exploration, critical thought, and creative problem solving."

Foundation staff have announced a November 1 deadline for grants that meet the above criteria. Any K-12 public or charter school teacher, artist, or nonprofit organization is eligible to apply, but the proposed project
must benefit Rhode Island schoolchildren, noted Foundation Program Officer Kris Hermanns.

"We will grant $2,000 total for projects to take place between January and June 2005," she said, citing as examples a field trip to the zoo for a mathematics class studying symmetrical patterns or a core subject teacher taking a workshop or course in critical/creative problem solving.

Applications are available at the Foundation website or by calling Libby Monahan at the Foundation, 401-274-4564.

"I hope the passion I have for the arts and for integrating those into other disciplines will inspire others as well, "Mrs. Gertsacov concluded.

Vote For Mr. Punch on October 15 at the Perishable Theatre

A Puppet Runs For President: (Stranger Things Have Happened!)

The 2004 election may seem a little weird, but nothing like this.


Mr. Punch, the traditional English puppet with the hooked nose, the hideous laugh, and the penchant for beating his wife with a slapstick, decides to run for President. He is counseled by the Devil, his wife Judy, and three ghosts of Presidents past: George Washington, Richard Nixon, and Millard Fillmore . He ends up in a big debate with incumbent puppet Mr. Shrub, and the audience gets to vote right there and then on who they think should be president. And that's when the voting scandal begins.


This untraditional (but not so unlikely) scenario is the heart of a new 15 minute show which will appear in Providence, RI, just three weeks before the actual election. And, just like the actual election, it will have a surprise ending.


"I wanted to create a show to get both kids and adults excited about voting," says Adam Gertsacov, the Rhode Island based clown, actor, and puppeteer who has written, directed, and will perform the 15 minute show. "The election process is something that effects everyone, yet amazingly, voter turnout is low. I'm hoping to use humor to get people interested in participating in the process."


Gertsacov has been creating and performing solo shows since 1989. Other shows include a Victorian style flea circus, a "Barbie" doll Oedipus Rex, and a historical impersonation of P.T. Barnum. He has performed all over the country,and in various parts of the world. Gertsacov's resume touts him as the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt Maryland and "the most educated clown in America, barring certain elected officials." He is also the festival and executive director of Bright Night Providence, an artist-run New Year's Eve Celebration in Rhode Island's capital city.


Gertsacov says his influences and inspirations are many and various. "The show is kind of a hodgepodge of many different ideas, finely blended and cooked at a 350 degree heat," he says. " I'm mixing in traditional Punch and Judy with presidential facts, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, current events, and even a little South Park. "


Gertsacov received a grant from the Rhode Island State Council On The Arts to help complete the show. "That really gave me the encouragement to go on," Gertsacov says. " The Arts Council seemed to get that humor is a great way to get people interested and involved in important issues."


WHAT: Punch and Judy Election Show (part of a larger show "Blood From A Turnip-- Late Night Puppet Salon")

WHEN: Friday, October 15, 2004 at 10:30 pm.

WHERE: Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire Street, Providence

COST: $5 (no reservations are available) Show up early!

MORE INFO: 401-331-2695 (theatre) or visit http://www.perishable.org

Street Painting Festival

In just four years, the Providence Street Painting Festival has become one of the Ocean State’s most highly visible artistic events. With hundreds of participating artists, the Providence Street Painting Festival draws over 20,000 appreciative viewers to the downtown Providence area — not just from Rhode Island, but from all over New England. They come to watch as hundreds of talented artists of all ages transform asphalt squares into colorful artistic masterpieces.


The event raises funds for awards and scholarships for young people to pursue further studies in the fine arts and in the graphics arts fields.


The festival happens all throughout downtown Providence on Saturday, September 11. Call (401) 621-8523 to find out how, where, and all other information.

Circus School Open House

The Providence Circus School will have an open house at their studio. Included will be a LubDub Circus show, trapeze demos, plate-spinning, juggling practice, and even unicycles. Lubdub is the professional circus troupe formed from students and faculty of the Circus School. WHEN: Sunday, September 12 from 1-4 pm WHERE: 560 Mineral Spring Ave in Pawtucket. MORE INFO: 401-351-9211 or visit the LubDub Website or The Circus School website

Hula Workshop...

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Hula Workshop of Southern New England

Hula teacher and former professional dancer Carol Anne Buckley is offering a four-week intensive introduction to hula for dancers and performers of other genres.


The class has been designed to demystify hula, and is offered for seasoned dancers of any genre as well as other performing artists including storytellers, actors and choreographers. It features intensive practice on basics, four authentic choreographies, and in-depth explanations designed to take students "inside" this Native American dance form, providing an experience they can take back to their own performance arts.


The class is taught by Carol Anne Buckley, a former Hawaii resident and the long-time student of hula masters. She has an MA in Polynesian Linguistics from the University of Hawaii. Carol has danced professionally and managed a Polynesian dance troupe. She is an instructional designer specializing in adult education and has taught hula for over 20 years. Recently relocated to Rhode Island, she is now offering classes and workshops in hula throughout Southern New England.



WHEN: Fridays, September 17 ? October 8, 2004 from 6:30-8:30 pm

WHERE: Providence Tango, 99 South Bend St., Pawtucket, RI.

COST: Fee for the series is $89.

MORE INFO: call 401-467-1993 or email hulaworkshop@mac.com.


For some great photos of Hula Dancers, check out this archive

30 Years of India Point Park!

On Saturday, September 18. The Friends of India Point Park will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the park with a party!. Festivities will include the dedication of a tile mural that focuses on Rhode Island maritime history (currently being installed) Other festivities will include a tree-planting (at 12:30) kid's games, refreshments, face-painting, and music.
Legendary folk singer Pete Seeger will be in attendance.



WHAT:Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of India Point Park

WHERE:India Point Park, at the foot of Gano street

WHEN:1-3 PM, Saturday, September 18

COST: Free!!!



Additional questions, email Judy Blackadar


You can also visit the Friends of India Point Park Website

Problems In the Parks Department...

I must have crawled under a rock or something--- I just found out about all of the problems in the Providence Parks Department! (and I only found out because I was surfing channels, and ended up watching a cable access interview with the new director of the Parks Dept. It turned out that there was an audit of the department that turned up some interesting problems, nclude the following:

embezzlement of $58,000 by an employee

no interest loans to the director of the Museum

shoddy, incorrect, and faulty book-keeping

I knew that dealing with the Parks department was never a piece of cake, but who knew about all of that stuff?


You can find out more than you want to know about it by checking out the following links:

• Download the Final Parks Department Forensic Audit Report [PDF]
  



• Download the Audit Addendum [PDF]
  
  



• Download the Audit Q & A [PDF]

Cicilline says zoo could be handed over to private group WLNE-TV (ABC6), RI - Aug 16, 2004 ... He tells The Providence Journal he can't rule out the society's assuming much greater responsibility ... The audit came after a city Parks Department employee ...

Providence weighs ceding zoo control Boston Globe, MA - Aug 15, 2004 PROVIDENCE -- The city is in talks that could result in it ceding control ... A forensic audit ordered after an employee in the Parks Department admitted ...

City Considers Ceding Control Over Zoo Turn to 10.com, RI - Aug 15, 2004 PROVIDENCE -- The city is in talks that could result in it ceding control ... A forensic audit ordered after an employee in the Parks Department admitted ...

City ready to give zoo up to Society Providence Journal (subscription), RI - Aug 14, 2004 ... PROVIDENCE -- As the dust continues to fly from a financial scandal in the city Parks Department, talks are under ... A forensic audit of wrongdoing in the Parks ...

Parks audit finds conflicts of interest, poor controls Providence Journal (subscription), RI - Aug 6, 2004 ... PROVIDENCE -- Former city Parks Supt ... and suffered from poor financial controls that left her operation vulnerable to fraud and waste, a forensic audit shows ...

Parks Dept. audit reveals missing funds, records Providence Journal (subscription), RI - Aug 6, 2004 ... Alix Ogden, the newly appointed superintendent of the Providence Parks Department, called the audit findings "disturbing," but said she's hopeful that under ...

Providence mayor announces conclusions of Parks Department audit WLNE-TV (ABC6), RI - Aug 6, 2004 PROVIDENCE, RI (AP) - Providence Mayor David Cicilline says an independent financial firm has completed a forensic audit of the troubled city Parks Department. ...

Parks Department Audit Shows Missing Funds Turn to 10.com, RI - Aug 6, 2004 ... night in a closed meeting, The Providence Journal reported. An audit remains active and the apparent loss ... in the office of former Parks Superintendent Nancy ...

Parks Dept. audit shows thousands missing Providence Journal (subscription), RI - Aug 5, 2004 ... PROVIDENCE -- After a year of investigating the finances of the Parks Department, forensic auditors ... An audit remains active and the apparent loss could grow ...

Finance adviser resigns amid parks audit Providence Journal (subscription), RI - Jul 20, 2004 ... forensic audit of irregularities in Parks Department accounts, adviser Raymond A. DeStefanis is reportedly pressured to quit. BY GREGORY SMITH. PROVIDENCE -- ...

Drum Circle in Session Saturday August 14

The Drums are In Session at the Free Spirit Massage Therapy & Healing Center
420 Main Street, Warren RI

WHEN: 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturday, August 14



Come join the circle and your hosts, Alan and Jamie.
Bring your own drum or use one of theirs, including the 48" pow-wow drum.
You'll have the chance to Improvise, dance, express yourself in the time-honored tradition of spirit and sound.


Water is provided. Feel free to bring any other refreshment your body needs.
Suggested donation $4


This circle meets every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.


For More Info: call (401) 245-7979 or (401) 274-4293

50th Newport Jazz Festival opens with Providence Chorus (& Dave Brubeck!)

One of New England's top choruses, the  Providence Singers will be playing with legendary jazz pianist Dave Brubeck! They're opening the 5-day JVC Newport Jazz Festival- with Brubeck's large-scale work, "Gates of Justice," on Wednesday, August 11.



The concert is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Bill. Written in 1969, "Gates of Justice" draws from Biblical texts, speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., Negro spirituals, and the writings of the Jewish sage Hillel. Mr. Brubeck and the Providence Singers share the stage with tenor/cantor Alberto Mizrahi; Kevin Deas, an African-American baritone; the Dave Brubeck Quartet; and a 13-piece orchestra.


The brainchild of Boston nightclub owner George Wein and Newport socialites Louis and Elaine Lorillard, the Newport Jazz Festival has been gathering jazz musicians and enthusiasts together in the summer playground of America's aristocratic class for 50 years.





WHEN: August 11, 2004 - 7:30 pm

WHAT: Dave Brubeck's "Gates of Justice"

WHERE: Rogers High School, 15 Wickham Rd, Newport

COST: $35 general admission; tickets available through the Festival Office, 401-847-3700

MORE INFO:401-847-3700 or read more on the web



MORE ABOUT THE PROVIDENCE SINGERS[note: the Providence Singers website is currently down. Check the link in a day or so.]

MORE ABOUT THE NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL

Put an End to Bush (Using HTML! )

I'm hoping that the power of HTML will be put to good use. I've started a cafepress.com store to help put Bush out of office. 50% of all the profits from the store will go to the Kerry campaign The other 50% will be used to pay for my trips to swing states to help work on the election.


If you'd like to help defeat Bush, get the message out and buy some cool merch!

http://www.cafepress.com/bush_html

Central Falls Summer Sunday Concerts

Nestled between the city of Pawtucket and the towns of Cumberland and Lincoln, Central Falls' history dates back to 1731 and the early history of the town of Smithfield. This tiny city with 1.5 square miles and over 18,000 residents proudly boasts its distinction as recorded in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" as the smallest most densely populated city, not only in Rhode Island, but?in the Nation.?Central Falls holds free concerts every Sunday during the summer.
All concerts are free and are held at Jenks Park at the Broad Street Gazebo
Everyone is Welcome !

Learn more about the city and the concerts by visiting the city website.

Summer Music Schedule:

JULY 25: GEMINI
AUG. 1: WISDOM (Classical Oldies)
AUG. 8:CUMBERLAND SINGERS
AUG.15: PORKY COHEN ( Jazz)
AUG.22:TOM CASSO (Oldies)
AUG. 29:DOTTIE ZACK

BLOGGING THE CONVENTION

While it's not related exactly to Rhode Island, it's less than 50 miles away, and it's the biggest thing in the news right now. The Democratic Convention.

Dave Winer has put together a great site of all the people blogging the DNC .
http://www.conventionbloggers.com.
I'd hoped to possibly be one of those guys, at the DNC as a performing artist with my Punch and Judy Election show , but managed not to get it together. The best laid plans of mice and men, etc., etc., etc.

I'll have to do it in 4 years!

Cross Genres Music Festival July 23, 24

The Providence Black Rep and The City of Providence's Department of Art, Culture & Tourism have collaborated to create a new cross-genre music festival called Sound Session '04that will grace the stages and parks of Providence on July 23rd and 24th, 2004.


Curated to transcend musical genres, the performers selected for Sound Session '04 cross boundaries in their work - and for this festival Jazz, Hip Hop, Reggae, House, Latin, Afrobeat, Funk and Classic Soul will grace stages across the City of Providence. The connecting fabric of the festival is excellence. Donald King, Artistic Director of the Providence Black Repertory Company, said of Sound Session '04, "In planning this festival we picked acts the way a good DJ picks his tracks, making selections that excite, educate, surprise and inspire the crowd. It's in the mix - in the combination of cultures and genres - that artistic excellence stands out. The juxtaposition of a legend like Ron Carter , who attracts the jazz aficionados, and underground dance floor sensations 3 Generations Walking, who bring in the discriminating hipsters, allows musicianship to be in the foreground. Truly great sound stands out in the mix."



Sound Session '04 is free and open to the public. For more information and for the schedule, visit the Black Rep website www.blackrep.org

A BRAND NEW THEATRE COMPANY IN PROVIDENCE

New Theatre In Providence presents Laramie Project July 22-August 1

The People's Theatre is the newest "Off-Trinity" Theatre in Providence. The founders are primarily staff members of the Trinity Rep Company.


Their first show is Moises Kaufmann's The Laramie Project, which is the story of the murder of Mathew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was brutally kidnapped, beaten and left to die (and he did) In 1998. Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half in the aftermath of the beating and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. Some people interviewed were directly connected to the case, and others were citizens of Laramie, and the breadth of their reactions to the crime is astonishing.

INFO ABOUT THE SHOW WHEN: July 22-24 at 8pm, July 29-31 at 8pm, July 25 2pm, August 1st 2pm WHERE: Bell Street Chapel, 5 Bell Street, Providence COST: $10 for adults, $8, students and seniors MORE INFO: Call (401) 339-9658 or visit their website http://www.peoplestheatre.4t.com

All That Matters Holistic Colloquium

ALL THAT MATTERS HOLISTIC COLLOQUIUM Fri: July 30 6:30pm - 9:30pm Sat: July 31 9:00am - 6:00pm Deadline for registration is July 23. Call them at 401-782-2126 or visit them online. www.allthatmatters.org A special event born out of the Wakefield holistic health center All That Matter’s prime mission: to work together with a group of talented people to educate, inspire and support each other and the community to continually grow toward and maintain optimal health and well being. Join recognized leaders, authors and likeminded friends for a time of insight, discussion and networking that will inspire you to live more consciously and with purpose

Some of the speakers and performers include:

BetheAnne DeLuca-Verley, M.D. the founder of Waking Dreams & Warrior Women. www.wakingdreams.org

Bradley Grove Hyson executive director of the Apeiron Institute for Environmental Living. www.apeiron.org

Vandita Kate Marchesiello director of the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association www.kripalu.org

Tracy LeRoux , CEO & Creative Director for the Link Agency in Providence, RI. www.thelinkagency.com
Snowden McFall , president of 20 year old Brightwork Advertising & Training, and Fired Up, her 8 year old corporate training business. www.firedupnow.com

Alan Seale , a life coach and author of INTUITIVE LIVING:A SACRED PATH, www.alanseale.com

Becky Williams a singer-songwriter and performer. www.beckywilliamsmusic.com

When Running is an Act of Bravery.

CANDIDATE MARK BINDER DISTRICT 1 RHODE ISLAND DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY SEPT. 14

My Friend Mark Binder is Running For Congress! It's a very brave act. He's running against Congressman Patrick Kennedy, who is as clear a juggernaut as ever there was in Rhode Island politics. Kennedy is the incumbent, he's well-financed, and most importantly, he's a Kennedy! Mark is unhappy with how things are, and he's striving to change them. Mark is a great guy, and one of the hardest working guys I know, and a great friend (I'm the God-father to his daughter) and he's smart, and I think if he were elected, he'd make a good congressman, and he'd work towards making the country a better place. Still, with the odds stacked so heavily against him, It seems like a fool's mission. But change has to happen somewhere, and I'm proud of Mark for standing up and trying to make that change. And I'll vote for him. (Actually, he's not in my district, so I can't actually vote for him. But if he were, I would.) To find out more about his campaign, visit http://www.markbinderforcongress.com And if you want to support independent politicians, or want to volunteer to help, you should do it sooner rather than later!

CRESCENT PARK CAROUSEL

Yesterday, I spent a delightful day going to one of my favorite places-- the Crescent Park Carousel.
It's featured in my book, and I'm always amazed when I go and ride the ride how well this 105 year old piece of machinery works. The mechanism goes VERY fast, the music is great, and a 4 minute ride is 75 cents. (I've included the coloring image from the book below, as well as a couple of links to articles and information about the Carousel. But the best thing to do is just go and see it for yourself! .


It's now operated by the city of East Providence, and it is open from Easter through Columbus Day on Saturdays and Sundays. Additional days are added during the summer. The carousel can be rented for parties, weddings, and other functions, with special children's birthday party packages available. Call them at 401/435-7518 or 401/433-2828.


Directions: From I-195, exit 4 (Riverside) to Veteran's Memorial Parkway. Continue straight and eventually the road will begin to fork, and the carousel will be right in the fork. (across from a public park, and the water)



READ ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CRESCENT PARK

HEAR SOME OF THE MUSIC FROM THE CALLIOPE

READ MY ARTICLE FROM THE BOOK ON THE CAROUSEL

Do Your Socks Talk? Providence Puppet Workshops.

DO YOUR SOCKS TALK?
Take a puppet workshop!

Carl Weiting, one of the chief instigators of the Boston Puppet Slam, is giving two workshops in puppetry this summer at the Perishable Theatre. The first is Saturday July 24 from 9 am-1pm, and is geared towards adults. The second is Saturday August 21 from 9 am-1 pm and is geared towards teenagers ages 13-18. For more information, visit their website or call 401-331-2695 x102.