Locale Profile

The African Alliance of Rhode Island: Reclaiming roots and reuniting diaspora communities through food

In the parking lot of Temple of Restoration church in Pawtucket, I was amazed to experience not just a pop-up farmers market (where I was able to procure some truly beautiful-looking corn, peaches, and green bell peppers), but to be somewhere that felt like home, even though I had never been there before. Farmers from […]

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A quick look into Newport Art Museum’s exhibitions explains why this museum should be a top pick for everyone

Tucked in the heart of Newport, a special place hides from the public, yet is visible to those curious wandering individuals. The Newport Art Museum is not simply a place where art sits waiting to be seen by visitors; it is  a place where human connection transcends  canvas and time. Motivated by the belief that […]

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HAPPY ON HUDSON: Hudson Street Deli gets a new sandwich-meister

There’s been a big change on Hudson Street in the West End of Providence. About four months ago, a flyer appeared in the window of the neighborhood’s beloved deli announcing a temporary closure due to a serious health issue faced by then-owner Bryan Rinebolt. Bryan was diagnosed with a brain tumor — fortunately, it was […]

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WEIRD AND WONDERFUL: Michael Ezzell on art, myth, and the “Creative Capital”

A bare-chested woman swimming from the mouth of a fish. Seaweed and skulls. A pipesmoking dog perched on a whale. If any of this sounds familiar, you’ve likely encountered the surreal and distinctive mural work of Michael Ezzell. From the brick walls of Blick Art Materials to the windows of the beloved local shop Frog […]

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Grace Darko: Bridging worlds through sound and story

Grace Darko’s music serves as a bridge, connecting the vibrancy of African heritage with the pulse of American jazz and soul. As a first-generation African American woman carving out her space in the jazz world, Grace’s voice holds the weight of history, culture, and innovation while honoring the legacies of those who came before her. […]

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Spray Painting More Walls and Boxes: Avenue Concept’s big push to nurture new and emerging artists

The heart of The Avenue Concept (TAC) lies outside the rear door of its facility on Lockwood Street in PVD. It’s the back wall of the one-story structure which has been spray painted with a wealth of graffiti, an art form that goes back to ancient Rome. “This is where graffiti artists, and emerging mural […]

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Big Feeling: Scooping out joy one cone at a time

If you’ve strolled down PVD’s Westminster Street in the West End over the past few months, you might have noticed something sweet happening. Big Feeling isn’t just another ice cream shop — it’s a happy hub where founder Alex Maddalena is serving up joy, nostalgia, and, yup, big feelings with each sweet scoop he sells. […]

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Chalumeau: A duo defying genre, creating soundscape, and shaping their own musical reality

In today’s ever-evolving musical landscape, few projects and musical acts manage to both break the mold and blend seemingly disparate genres seamlessly and in a way that maintains a consistent sound. Enter Chalumeau — the brainchild of Katherine Bergeron and Butch Rovan, two professors at Brown University who have spent years cultivating a deep understanding […]

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Island Rhythms: A local’s view of life and labor on Block Island

There’s a quiet stretch of winter on Block Island where time slows to a gentle crawl — the kind of quiet where you can count the cars passing by in a single afternoon on one hand. It’s in this rare, windswept stillness that Milaina Bell, one of the island’s most committed restaurant professionals, finds balance, […]

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