Aurora Grand Opening: This Stage Is Yours!

Spring has sprung! The birds are chirping, the air is filled with the woefully and distinctly semen-ish scent of the blossoming native Callery Pear trees, and new businesses are opening their doors like crocuses unfolding their petals, shaking off the dirt of seasons past and tilting their hopeful faces toward the sun. Since last October, renovations have been underway behind the papered windows of 276 Westminster St., the address that previously housed the Black Repertory Company and, most recently, the Roots Café. The newest incarnation of the property, owned by local real estate development giant Cornish Associates, is Aurora, a self-described “Cabaret Lounge and Art Space with the Future of Providence on its mind.”

At the creative helm of the project is Sam White, local poet and the founder and director of Wooly Fair, an annual volunteer-run creative celebration of art, spectacle and collaborative effort. Speaking with White, it becomes clear that the driving principles behind Wooly Fair will find a new and permanent home with Aurora. Formerly a production editor for the American Mathematical Society, White leapt at the opportunity when he saw a craigslist ad searching for Aurora’s creative director and manager.

“For six years I had a content-free job,” he explains, undoubtedly striking a chord with the majority of adult Americans, “so this is amazing.”

The goal of the space is to provide a nightclub arena accessible to a wide group of people. One night you might walk in to see a metal band performing on stage; another you might attend an art opening, a panel discussion, a spoken word performance, a disco or a carnival event.

“I love that sort of gonzo creativity. I love to take a person out of context and throw them into a surreal environment. Aurora is going to be a lounge and performance space, an art gallery with dynamic, revolving programming and a public assembly arena. I want people to come here with conversation and be continually exposed to dialogue. It’s a place to foster citizenship and awareness,” explains White, citing his distaste for elitism and the “VIP” mentality. Indeed, among his house rules are directives such as “Seek truth, in yourself, in each other,” “Make some human connections for %#@ sake!” and, at the top of the list, “See these people around you? They are your sisters and brothers. And yay we are one intergalactic family. They are we is us. We are!”

“My theory is that contradiction makes great art. I love to see opposite poles inhabit the same space,” says White. Aurora promises to amicably house many opposite poles, as well as everything that swims between.

The interior has been redesigned and rebuilt, offering a warm, modern feel with fixtures designed by local artists. A heavy, midnight blue velvet curtain hangs from the ceiling to the floor, serving to divide or open the space as needed. The grand opening celebration is on Saturday, May 17, and bookings and public relations manager Jenny Young, also of The Avenue Concept, promises quite a spectacular party.
A movie by local director Michael Formanski will screen through Aurora’s in-house projector. Live music will be performed by The Sugar Honey Iced Tea, Atlantic Thrills, and Nightmom. DJs Just Jam and Unkle Thirsty will crank out a dance party, and aerialist Thea Ulrich will perform high above the dance floor. There will be no cover — White aims to avoid cover charges for most or all events if possible, keeping the space accessible — and catering will be provided by El Rancho Grande, which is quite enough reason on its own for celebration. Aurora invites you to be entertained, but also to be the entertainment. The stage is yours.

Aurora Grand Opening Celebration, Saturday, May 17, 5pm – 2 am, 276 Westminster Street, Providence.