Providence Coffeehouse is RI Entertainment Mecca

Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House in Providence, a four story brick building on Douglas Avenue that was built in 1873, is a mecca for the arts in Rhode Island. Owner Anthony Demings, 67, is an accomplished artist, and his artwork adorns the walls of the coffee house. His drawings include a sepia-toned replica of the Brooklyn Bridge, and replicas of several New England landmarks, including Commercial Street in Provincetown, the Plum Beach Lighthouse in Jamestown, and the Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport.

The coffee house hosts private parties, wedding showers, and even a leather fetish bazaar. The Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House “offers a space for people who don’t want alcohol, but want to have a good time,” Demings explained.

He bought the building in 1999 when it was slated for demolition. Demings intended it for use as an art studio, but soon envisioned another purpose for the building. The popularity of coffee shops and patrons spending their time typing on their laptop computers motivated him to turn the space into a coffee house. He named it after the Brooklyn Bridge, because it “looks like Brooklyn,” Demings said.

In 2007, Demings stopped running the Brooklyn as a coffee house and transformed the space into a venue for arts and entertainment. He created Rhodywood  to give respect and recognition to independent filmmakers, as well as to provide a place to exhibit their work. Demings wants Rhodywood to become a powerful force for independent films and to give Hollywood what he sees as some much-needed competition.

The Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House holds casting calls, auditions, acting classes and screenings; has a sound and editing space for actors; and has a voice-over room. Demings also holds critiques of all the films exhibited at the Brooklyn to provide filmmakers with the opportunity to receive constructive criticism for their work. The SENE Film Festival, produced by the Southeast New England Film, Music and Arts, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, also is hosted by the Brooklyn.

But film isn’t the only art Demings supports. The Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) features live music from up and coming artists. Musicians are required to perform their own compositions, instead of covering songs by other artists.

“We offer them an opportunity to hone their skills,” Demings said.

The coffee house offers an ideal setting for musicians, Demings adds. “It has a house party environment. It’s homey.”

The Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House is at 55 Douglas Avenue, Providence. Its web site can be found at brooklyncoffeeteahouse.com. For more information about Rhodywood, go to rhodywood.com. Demings’ art work is available for purchase at his website, anthonydemings.com.