Patsy Decline is composed of Ray Memery, George Sullivan, Jack McKenna, and Bill Gorman – veterans of some pretty legendary bands including Backwash, Mother Jefferson, Von Doom, and Ether. Patsy Decline sounds like members of Television and Wire started a tribute band to the indie days of R.E.M.. I like the pep on “Modern World” but appreciate the protagonist losing it at the end of “Let Nature Run Its Course.” The eerie “Behind Closed Doors” and “Ex Lion Tamer” are my favorite jams on this biscuit. Patsy Decline’s self-titled album is now available on vinyl, digital download, and on CD through Bandcamp and 75orLess Records.
Wire Lines – The Tragic History of the Sea
Wire Lines come out swinging like they’re trying to resuscitate the heartbeat of 80’s hardcore with “All Purpose Cleaner.” “I Never Signed Up For This” with its desperate deal with the Devil chorus reminds me of Black Flag outtake (are we sure it is not?) I like the eerie change of pace of “Eels” which darkens the ambiance of vocalist Kevin Grant’s lyrics. Wire Lines pull off a hell of a feat covering Pixies’ “Gouge Away” without losing the disturbing undercurrent or classic chorus. My favorite is “Like A Cat” which is an infectious oddball in this storm. The Tragic History of the Sea is also available on vinyl and digital download on Wire Lines Bandcamp page.
Coming Attractions:
Minibeast
Minibeast lead the charge on this locomotive of local music. Minibeast are like mad scientists conjuring up an asteroid of noise that could save — or end — the world, it’s too close to call. There’s a lot of heavy riffs and black market swagger on this banger of a show. It’s awesome to see a night of local bands happening at The Met too!
Minibeast, Pocket Rocket, Brown Apples, Miracle Blood, and Older Brother rock The Met on March 28.
The English Beat
The English Beat came out of the second wave of UK ska (which apparently is never going to end) in the late ’70s. The English Beat blended R&B and ska packing venues for 40 years and counting. The coolest English Beat show I saw was a Save The Bay benefit in the Foundry Complex by the old Living Room. The building was gutted at the time which made it all the more weird to have a fancy fundraiser featuring a legendary band. The English Beat sounded great then and sound great now as I caught them last year at the Greenwich Odeum, so get down to The Met and skank the night away!
The English Beat and DJ Greenwood Hi-Fi will get The Met skankin’ on April 4.
A Night of Tributes
This show is headlined by the Blondeshells: A Tribute to Blondie, which I’m guessing by the elongated name isn’t a local band. I love this show because it features the music of Blondie, Thin Lizzy, and Alice in Chains. It’s like winning three times in a row at Keno!
A Night of Tributes featuring performances by Blondeshells: A Tribute to Blondie, Thin Frizzy, and Malice in Chains rock Alchemy on April 4.
Nirvana Night
This must be tribute week because two days later Wes’ Rib House will host a tribute to Nirvana featuring a performance by Kissing Kontest, who reminds me of a new wave band making their own versions of Ramones songs on a keyboard. It should be cool to hear them play along with Lady Purge who’ll wrap her electronic nightmares around Kurt Cobain’s dreams. Sourpunch and Malice in Chains will also perform and probably be more conventional rocking versions but who really knows? There is only one way to find out.
Nirvana Night featuring performances by Kissing Kontest, Lady Purge, Sourpunch, Matt & Alan of Passionplay, Brown Apples & Friends, Malice in Chains, Dawn Cabral and more will go down Wes’ Rib House on April 6.
Graham Parker
Graham Parker emerged as part of the ’70s English punk wave that spawned singer-songwriters like Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Andy Partridge, andPaul Weller. Parker and his band Grand Parker & The Rumour captured the energy of punk and packed it with R&B grooves. Parker is solo for this show but fear not, I caught him a few years ago and he was amazing performing and telling stories. Don’t miss local legend Mark Cutler who’ll kick off the festivities.
Graham Parker and Mark Cutler rock The Met on April 10.
R.I.P. Bob St. John – aka Bob Gringo aka Bob Bitter – Love & Light
Pickleballers having a sporting good time. (Photo: Super Fun Activities Club)
Over the past few years, pickleball has become immensely popular. The paddle game was invented as a backyard game to occupy bored kids in 1965 and has grown ever since, gaining mainstream success and a celebrity-invested professional league that started in 2021. Though there is a different set of rules, it resembles tennis and ping pong. Matches can be played inside and outside, giving players the chance to compete all year round.
“Pickleball is a social game that can be played for fun or at a competitive level,” says pickleballer Bill Evans. “It’s easy for players to learn. So, friends who have experience playing racquet sports are able to play with less experienced friends. It is also great exercise.”
“What I like most about Pickleball is the speed,” adds Paul Genest. “It can be played at a fast pace, a slow pace, or a combination of both. Plus, a large group of people can play and all be competitive.”
Numerous organizations in RI have opened up to give people the opportunity to play. Spring leagues start in March. RI currently has 42 pickleball courts that are open to the public. Wakefield, North Kingstown, and Westerly have the most courts, but 20 additional cities across the state offer a place to play pickleball. Pickleheads.com is a good tool to find a court near you.
If you’re interested in learning how to play, here are a few larger pickleball organizations to have on your radar.
Providence Pickleball was formed in 2022 to provide opportunities for players to have high-quality matches. They started by building three pickleball courts at Roger Williams Park. They have grown to over 100 players participating monthly. The spring season starts March 1 and will offer daily activities.
Providence Pickleball is located at RW Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave, PVD. For more information, visit providencepickleball.com.
Ocean State Pickleball makes sure that everyone practices the first rule of pickleball, which is to “have fun.” They have two indoor facilities (Wakefield and Narragansett) and offer outdoor leagues and lessons in South Kingstown. Memberships are offered but not required to reserve courts. They also offer lessons, leagues, pick-up games, tournaments, and youth programs.
Ocean State Pickleball is located at 360 S Pier Rd. Narragansett. For more information, visit oceanstatepickleball.com.
You know it’s a hip sport when Super Fun Activities Club adds it to their rotation. Registration is now open for the two pickleball leagues they offer: An Intro to Pickleball League that introduces people to the sport and gives people with limited experience a chance to learn and build a solid skill foundation; and a 3.5 Ladder League for more experienced players, also known as “King/Queen of the Court,” which includes six courts of nonstop pickleball play. Winners move up the court, losers move down.
For more information, call (401) 646-4FUN or email info@superfunactivitiesclub.com.
Like many young people, I came to Rhode Island for college.
Sure, I liked Providence, but I was far too focused on doing well in classes, making friends, and trying out for various teams and clubs to worry about what was going on around me. I knew there was something special about this place, hence why I came here for school, but I never bothered to find out what. It wasn’t until I was mid-way through my freshman year of college that I knew Providence was for me. There was something about being forced to move back in with my parents (love you mom & dad) because of COVID that really put things in perspective — I’d been taking this great city for granted.
There is no other city I’ve been to that compares to the history, culture, atmosphere, and community I’ve experienced since residing here. I know what you’re thinking — and I can see the eye rolling from here — but yes, I REALLY DO think Providence is full of enough incomparable charm and subtle beauty that it’s easy to look past all the crappy roads and potholes, the terrible drainage systems and fl ooded highways, and less than optimal weather. I’ve found that many people in my life have similar feelings towards Providence, so I picked their brains and asked them why they chose to call Providence their home.
Dora Waite (DW): What is something that PVD/RI has that you can’t fi nd anywhere else?
Elvis Herrera (EH): PVD has one of the best food industries I’ve ever seen. You can make so many connections throughout the city and everyone knows you from one spot to the next. I’ve found that the people working in the food industry are so friendly and kind, it feels like you’re family.
DW: Out of all the restaurants and bars, what are the ones you just can’t stay away from?
EH: I love Lucky Enough, it’s a smaller dive bar with really good and reasonably priced drinks, and has one of the best bartenders in the area. The food is great there, too. Some of the others are Harry’s Bar & Burgers, Ogie’s Trailer Park, and Providence Oyster Bar, but you just can’t beat Lucky’s!
DW: What’s something you consider important when looking to call a place a home?
Kylie Vigliotti (KV): A place is a home when you’re in a comfortable environment surrounded by good people. The culture in Rhode Island is so unique; it’s much different than where I’m from. There’s also a super strong sense of community here, which makes me feel good about calling Rhode Island my home.
DW: What stands out to you about Rhode Island that’s different from your home state?
KV: For starters, there’s a lot more opportunity here than my hometown, so that’s been nice. It’s also so close to the shore and that’s not something many other places can say. It’s so nice to have the ocean right there.
DW: Is there anything about PVD/RI that you think will influence the next place you live?
Emily Decking (ED): Providence is so walkable and easy to navigate. I definitely think that’s something I’ll look for in the next place I live. A walkable city is also a great way to fi nd community. There’s always people out and about, and it’s so easy to find events that make you want to get out of the house.
DW: What is the most unique thing about PVD/RI?
Carly Scott (CS): I moved here from California and I had never been to New England before. There’s something so strange but really exciting about how classic Rhode Island felt while still feeling super familiar and approachable.
DW: Is there something in particular that caught your attention when you moved here?
CS: The food scene is awesome. As someone who works in the food industry, I’ve found a lot of community through it. Everybody knows someone who works in a different restaurant so it’s a really great way to make friends and fi nd a diverse spread of new places to try.
DW: Do you have any spots in Rhode Island where you go to get away from it all and relax?
Megan Sullivan (MS): Yeah! I love Beavertail State Park. It’s my favorite place to just be alone with nature for a little while. The view is great and it’s so peaceful to listen to the waves. There’s some trails and stuff too for some walks or hikes, just an overall great place.
DW: I’ve heard really great things about that park, I’ve gotta get down there. What about when you want to be social, is there anything you like to do or anywhere you like to go?
MS: Waterfire, it’s a really cool event to go to and something that is super unique to Rhode Island. I like poking around all the different vendor tents and seeing all the people out and about is nice, you can tell it’s a cherished tradition here.
DW: As someone who is a college student in Rhode Island, do you have a favorite place to hang out and study?
Ayden Mudd (AM): Nitro Bar on Broadway is definitely my go to spot for that. It’s a great place to hang out and study and do homework, and the coffee and other drinks there are so good. I’ve been to a bunch of different coffee shops around that are good, but Nitro’s the best in my opinion.
In my first date night guide installment, I professed my love for date nights in the fall due to their comfy, cozy vibe, and I stand by that. For many of the same reasons, I would argue that winter is the second-best season for dates. For this article, I’ve compiled fun activities to consider for winter date nights.
Illustrations by Gina Lerman.
PIZZA CLASSES AT SURF CLUB
We’ve all seen the rom-com scenes: a new couple romantically cooks together, they create an absolute mess on the counter, and love every second of it. Take your cooking-date fantasies to the real world with Surf Club’s pizza classes! Their classes teach you and your budding romance how to make Neapolitan-style pizza using fresh and local ingredients while enjoying Surf Club’s signature apps, beers, and wines. Not only will you enjoy your date’s company while you create your pizza, you’ll also be among other folks enjoying their pizza-making experience, so you’re bound to whip up some great vibes, too! Classes typically run once or twice a month, and tickets go for $75 per person.
All information can be found at surfclubnewport.com/ events.
POTTERY DECORATING SESSIONS
One really fun date night activity that I’ve been meaning to embark on is pottery painting. Many pottery studios offer the ability for you to come in and select pre-crafted pottery to paint. Afterward, they’ll glaze and fire the pottery for you to pick up at a later time. Though there are a host of studios that offer these services, one such place is Create! Color Art Studio in Narragansett. This lively, vivacious pottery storefront allows visitors to stop by, choose a piece to paint and be creative. They offer a ton of different pottery options to choose from: banks, plates, drinkware, bowls, platters, figurines, kitchenware, and more. Once you paint your pottery, they ask that you allow them a week to get the pieces fired, then you can pick them up (or have them shipped to you if you’re from out of town). Create! also offers a number of other fun services as well, such as candle making, fused glass, and clay handprints or footprints.
To learn more, visit createcolorartstudio.com.
SKATING (ON YOUR CHOICE OF FLOORING)
The winter is obviously a great time for ice skating. It’s fun to do on a date if you enjoy the wintery vibe of scooting around on the ice. I personally find skating outside in the cold a bit much, but if ice skating is your jam, go for it! However, I’m here to recommend the nostalgic fun of roller skating. One place that my boyfriend and I like to go to is United Skates of America in East Providence. They often hold themed skate nights, which I really enjoy! One night was a Stranger Things themed skate and my boyfriend and I went in ’80s themed clothing in an attempt to win a costume prize (we did not, but still had fun). Other great upcoming theme nights include Flashback Friday Adult Skate (Feb. 16), Taylor Swift Galentine’s Skate (Feb. 18), Hip-Hop Adult Skate (Feb. 24), and Barbie Skate (Feb. 25). If a themed skate isn’t your thing, they have tons of open skate options as well. Breaks can be taken during your skating session to eat some pizza, play in the arcade, or even play laser tag.
From L to R: dishes from Hoof’s, La Condesa, Aspara, and Corner Cafe.
Each of the restaurants on this list, which is organized from south to north, is a fitting location for a date, but what kind of date? After all, dates come in different sizes, shapes and colors. They vary greatly by degree of romantic sizzle, phase of the relationship, agenda of one party or the other, and of course, costliness. What you read below will give you all the information you need to find a location perfectly matched for your upcoming occasion. Another way to use this list is to just eat your way through it, solo-style. You won’t regret a single bite.
This restaurant is so far south it’s actually in Connecticut, but only by about 50 feet. It serves mouth-watering Italian food that is pricey, but absolutely worth it. The ambiance is sleek, with a slight Vegas, Rat Pack vibe. There is a prominently displayed, blown up mugshot of Frank Sinatra. Did anybody except Frank look this good in a mugshot?
Perfect for a 30th anniversary date. Your youngest kid has left for college! You’re empty nesters! By the end of the meal you will have decided to rent a villa in Tuscany.
Your date will be impressed that you researched the menu and can pronounce “Pappardelle Bolognese.”
Although it’s located in a strip mall, the Bluebird has a lot of personality. Much of the artwork on the walls makes reference to New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and jazz. In addition to regular breakfast fare, the menu offers a couple of cajun-inspired options. It’s a lively place, very popular with locals, and the service is friendly and energetic. It can be noisy. It’s cheap.
You met her online, and you’ve gotten together three or four times. You are surprised and a little taken aback by the strength of your attraction. You say to yourself, “Whoa there, cowgirl! Pull back on those reins. This ain’t your first rodeo.” However, another voice keeps whispering, “She’s the one! She’s the one! She’s the one!” You plan a whole day with her, just to talk and be together. The Bluebird Café is the perfect spot to start off, followed by a long walk at Black Point down to Scarborough Beach. By the time you’ve taken in The Point Judith Lighthouse, and gone to Ocean Mist to hear some music, you’ve decided to drop the reins and ride this pony wherever it takes you.
You’re impressed that she lets you pay for breakfast, but then goes back in and buys you a Bluebird Café T-shirt, which is lovely!
Across the Newport Bridge, to an excellent breakfast/brunch/lunch spot. Perhaps it’s called The Corner Café because you are going to spend a half hour or so hanging out on the corner before you ever get in the door. It’s very popular and justifiably so. There is an extensive menu of omelets, scrambles, bennies, breakfast burritos, french toast, etc. – all of it put together more creatively and full of flavor than at any run-of-the-mill breakfast joint. It’s going to cost you about $15 for more food than you can eat in one sitting.
This is perfect for a morning date when you want to convey, “Hey, I just like being with you. I don’t give a damn what we do as long as we’re together.” If you’re free for the afternoon, one of the prettiest walks in Rhode Island can be found at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge which is about 20 minutes away.
You’ll be impressed with how good your box of leftovers tastes the next morning.
It’s hard to keep track of how many Seven Stars have popped up around Rhode Island. The website says five. Certainly they are all good if you are after bread. (Have you tried their olive bread? Oh my god!) However, if the bread is secondary to the date, stick to the one on Hope Street. It is the Mecca of first dates.
Not only is it a first date, it is a blind date; meaning you’ve never seen the person before nor have you seen a picture of them. In the age of social media, has anyone actually been on a blind date in the last 10 years? If not, it is a loss, because negotiating how you will recognize each other is a great exercise in self revelation balanced against playing it close to the chest. Consider the difference between someone who says, “I’m 40, I have short brown hair, and a mustache.” And someone who says, “I’m going to wear my Cirque du Soleil T-shirt that I got from my friend Jimmy when he was working for them in Vegas.”
After you’ve connected and had a coffee, if you want to extend your time, there is an impressive stroll available down Blackstone Boulevard, and into Swan Point Cemetery. If you make it as far as the Lownes Angel Monument down by the Seekonk River, you’re pretty much assured of a second date.
For the northernmost point in our search for date-worthy restaurants, we again cross into another state, but only by a mile or so to Blackstone, MA and Goodstuff Smokehouse.
Meat, meat, meat, and more meat. There are also some sides to die for like cornbread, candied sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, and collard greens. Oh yeah, plenty of beer, too. Every check should have a cardiologist’s business card attached to it, but how can you resist a restaurant whose motto is “We smoke the good stuff!”
Let’s say that you and your sweetie are big. This is the perfect place to go on a date unapologetically celebrating your size. Flaunt it! Dress in a way that makes the statement, “Hell, yeah, I’m big and proud of it!” Eat off of each other’s fingers, swap a couple of greasy kisses! Oh all right, skinny people can come too, but you’ll have to split an order.
You’ll be impressed when the celebration continues at the gym the next day. “Hey y’all, look what this big ol’ body can do!”
Let’s not beat around the bush. This is one of the best restaurants in Rhode Island, arguably the best. You can’t beat it for high end seafood. It’ll set you back $25 – $35 per entrée, but one bite of their oyster stew or jambalaya and you’ll willingly take out a second mortgage. You’ve got to plan ahead, especially in the summer, because it gets booked up weeks in advance.
Perfect for a meet the parents date where his folks and your folks get together for the first time and much is revealed. Go in the morning and take the boat tour of the oyster farming operation. Hard to believe, but it is fascinating. Stay for lunch. Over dessert let the parents know you’ve moved in together.
You’ll be impressed by how amicably the parents decide to split the check.
Going a little further north and taking a right hand turn to the east, we go across the Jamestown bridge, get, on Narragansett Avenue’s and find Tallulah’s. The locals are nostalgic for the days when these very good tacos and burritos were sold out of a literal shack down by the town boat yard. There was nothing there but a crushed shell parking lot, a couple of picnic tables, and a port-a-potty. It has been in a new location for a few years now. While it is somewhat of an upgrade, it is still a very basic fast food service. You order your food, beer, and margaritas at a counter and eat at tables on a deck. While you are waiting for your buzzer to signal you to pick up your order, there are corn hole games a plenty to keep you entertained. It is a popular spot where families with kids and dogs come to hangout. The food is all tasty and it is cheap.
Perfect place for a second date! If you want to extend beyond lunch there are two interesting art venues within walking distance:; The Jamestown Arts Center and Out of the Box Gallery and Studio. If one or both of you have kids, there is a top notch playground near by.
You’ll be impressed by how the afternoon just flows on by.
Back to the West Bay and still headed north. This list perhaps shows a slight preference for Latin American cuisines. No apologies for that especially when it comes to La Condesa, another strip mall restaurant that is way better than your average south of the border eatery. Furthermore, it is the restaurant where you can get things off on the right foot by ordering “The Don,” an outstanding margarita, (well, two outstanding margaritas really because they serve you a glass full and leave you a shaker containing an equal amount). It’s a big menu, with all the food you expect to find at a Mexican restaurant. What comes to your table is consistently well prepared, tasty, and plentiful. They can be a little heavy on the salt, but which Mexican Restaurant isn’t?
Perfect for a date at any stage of your relationship. Go. Get a little tequila buzz. Fill your belly. Let contentment fill your heart. Barriga llena, coraozòn contento. Look into your date’s eyes and remind yourself how lucky you are to be having a dinner like this with a person this special.
You’ll be impressed with how quickly you’ll start thinking about going back.
Apsara has been around for a long time and has many very loyal customers, some of whom don’t let a week go by without a visit. According to the website, it was founded in 1986. Some patrons will tell you that over the years the quality has varied. However, anyone who has been there recently will vouch that the food is as good as ever, meaning damn good, and the restaurant has gotten a facelift and is looking pretty spiffy. If you like spicy food you can’t go wrong, but it has a huge menu with something delicious for every taste. It’s cheap. The clientele is very diverse and it is a friendly and relaxed place.
An old flame has shown up again and some kind of rekindling doesn’t seem out of the question. You used to frequent Apsara, so it seems like the perfect place to check out how the new possibilities, bounce off the old possibilities.
In keeping with Apsara being prettied up these days, she’ll be impressed that you’re looking good and are as feisty as ever.
Yes! It’s a hole in the wall! A totally unpretentious, unselfconscious, family establishment, that just happens to serve the best pozole you’re ever going to taste. Listed on the menu as “Pork Hominy Soup (red, White Or Green)” the owners will be glad to discuss the difference between the three varieties with you. Speaking a little bit of Spanish helps at Taqueria Lupita, but the cross lingual and cross cultural communication is a big part of the reason to go.
Set this date up early in your relationship, because, really, how much time do you want to spend with someone who isn’t down for an experience like this?
You’ll be impressed that relationships may come and go, but the pozole de Taqueria Lupita will be yours forever.
Anti-Robot Club (ARC) is a community that is constantly looking to expand and provide new opportunities for creatives to display their talents and reach a wider audience. Their tagline states they are “dedicated to the preservation of mankind through a series of social gatherings and creative campaigns.” The marketplaces they host throughout the year feature a variety of vendors who gather to gain exposure, sell their products, and network.
“ARC focuses on how we interact with each other, in a world that is constantly changing,” says founder Spocka Summa. “The brand was made as a platform focused on bringing communities together through creative campaigns delivered via events, visual art, and collectable merchandise.”
ARC officially kicked off in the summer of 2019. Summa put the concept together from the world on which he bases his music. It focuses on a not too distant future where mankind has been taken over by technology. He has a few videos on that theme, and he looks to add more with the currently under development ARC TV.
The Marketplace is a recurring event that happens every third Saturday starting in May. The pop-up started with only three people but has since grown to host 60-100 creatives per month who sell a gauntlet of goods, from art to clothing to knick-knacks to nostalgia to food. The events help build the small business/artist community and strive to provide an evening that highlights creatives with food and music. The Marketplace has been hosted at a few different locations, including Farm Fresh RI, Public, and Fête. They accept new vendor submissions on a rolling basis and try to accommodate everyone; however, their growing popularity has led to a waiting list.
“The community benefits by being able to participate in the exchange of ideas and find new and exciting things made by people from the area,” Summa says.
Summa uses his large social media presence to promote events, bring people together, and gain new supporters, with the ultimate goal of creating a space and time – away from electronic devices – to meet new individuals with similar interests. He’s worked diligently to build the brand, which has benefited him and the artists and small businesses looking to sell their products. He enjoys getting to know all of the vendors and attendees, and the chance to build more than a business relationship.
ARC also hosts an evening event called Anti-Social. The evening combines dancing, watching performances, and networking. It provides attendees with an opportunity to make new business contacts, make new friends, and grow their brand while also having fun and sharing ideas.
“The goal is to offer people a way to look at things from all perspectives when it comes to social interactions in creative spaces,” Summa says. “[And] be known as a company that supports artists and community.”
2023 saw ARC grow and Summa plans to continue that momentum into 2024. In addition to the Marketplace, ARC TV, and Anti-Social, ARC is also developing its own clothing line.
“This year we will also be hosting Welcome to the Anti-Robot Club at the WaterFire Arts Center on Saturday April 13 from 3 – 8pm,” Summa adds with excitement.
Summa is always looking to incorporate new ideas as the ARC brand grows. The future plan is to “expand our audience and offer more creative opportunities and experiences to the community.”
Founder Matt DuPlessie and a crew of Motif road testers.
About 15 years ago, I went to an “adventure” at Patriot Place Boston created by an organization called “5 Wits.” It was different than anything else, an entertaining, if slightly claustrophobic set of team-building puzzles set on a submarine, with an overarching storyline. The creators would argue that it was not an escape room, but it was very similar. The internet would have you believe that the first escape room began in 2007, but this came first, and since then it’s come a long way.
5 Wits still exists and manages a half dozen facilities around the region. One of its founders,Matt DuPlessie, moved on to create Level99, a puzzle and challenge-topia complete with a restaurant, brewery, and 43 unique games and challenges – from the physical to the strategic to brain teasers. You may have seen its funky blue triangular logo gracing the outside of the Providence Place Mall recently.
Even finding the not-yet-opened facility was a bit of a brain teaser. We ended up finding a trainee making his way through the mall and following him to the then-functioning rear entrance. “All I can tell you is that it’s opening on the 23rd,” said the tight-lipped employee. Spoilers are guarded carefully here, but the staff is still playfully helpful.
On a behind the scenes teaser-tour shortly before opening, a team from Motif was able to try out several of the challenge rooms. We hoisted giant dumplings using 6-foot chopsticks. We hacked imaginary passwords the length of a train car. We deciphered stories buried within magic crystals. We bounced lasers around a room to form patterns, and we jumped lasers using moves reminiscent of “Resident Evil” games, only with less dismemberment.
The space is large, with high, airy ceilings and no trace of claustrophobia, and with room for up to 600 participants at a time. It features entrances from the roof-level parking lot and from the inside of the mall on the third floor, between the food court and Boscov’s. The entire maze was under rapid, large-scale construction by a full team with some of the largest forklifts I’ve ever seen. One laser-beam oriented game, vaguely reminiscent of “Resident Evil,” where everyone must jump over a laser as it passes, was stymied because it kept reading an errant ladder as a particularly uncoordinated human. Even our tour guide, who designed the place, found himself briefly disoriented: “We just went through here and it was a blank wall. Now it has three giant animal heads on it.” With its official opening right before this will go to press, the decor should have stopped moving, but even at the time of our visit, the space was chock full of art of all shades and varieties of original artwork, from flocked depictions of Hendrix to psychedelic, hypnotic portraits by Mine Kontrol (muralist Kevin Bauccio), to an “augmented reality” video village providing video portals to exotic parts of the world and beyond. Over 50 pieces of art placed around the facility outside the challenge rooms were created by artists from the region (including some of those responsible for Roger Williams Park’s annual Pumpkin Carvings) and are tied together through a cipher where each one contains… well, that would be a spoiler. Just note that even the games have games within them. And many rely on teamwork, so for best results, come with a couple of friends.
The chief game developer graduated from MIT with a degree in mechanical engineering and has been experimenting ever since to find the most entertaining challenges. Most take less than five minutes to go through, but many attempts to master, and 43 rooms should keep things fresh for several visits. Like the Level99 in Natick, the first of its kind (PVD is the second, with more likely to come soon in other states), the challenges are modular, and the creative team has developed over 100 at their “Box Fort” development facility. “We can put a new one on a truck, put it in here and it becomes like a new level in a video game.” So don’t expect the challenges to be all the same as in Massachusetts, and expect them to rotate over time. Level99 estimates it will take 30 hours of gameplay to succeed in them all. Pricing varies by day and length of stay, but benchmarks range from $30 for two hours, to $50 for a full-day pass.
What inspired DuPlessie to create Level 99? “Very strange dreams,” he says, playing down the enormous amount of user research that has gone into tweaking the experiences to excite visitors. “We look for things that will get people off their couch, off their phone, out and moving,” DuPlessie says, noting that the games are designed for adults, not little kids. “It’s not the right place for your nine-year-old’s birthday party – the puzzles are too hard.”
The location also includes a bar and serious restaurant, the Night Shift Brewing Kitchen & Tap, like one the Natick location is known for. It’s a 300-seat restaurant with dine-in and cafeteria-style options. In Massachusetts, where they recently won a Best Pizza in Boston award, visitors come just for the bar and restaurant – Level99 expects the same for Rhode Island, and the dining area has a floor-to-ceiling view of Providence that had been boarded up when the space was a JCPenney. The location also has conference and meeting rooms, and it may become a magnet for corporate outings and events.
One thing is for sure – whether dodging giant foam axes or solving puzzles, this new PVD entertainment center won’t get boring! Between shooting photos, our testing crew was already making plans to come back. •
Altered Reality Entertainment has announced an impressive lineup of iconic actors to headline the 11th annual “Biggest Show in the Littlest State” from November 3–5 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in PVD.
RICC 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Known for her characters on “Married… With Children,” “Futurama,” and “Sons of Anarchy,” Katey Sagal will headline the November event, alongside fellow “Futurama” castmates Billy West, John DiMaggio, Phil Lamarr, Maurice LaMarche, and Lauren Tom, and her “Sons of Anarchy” castmates Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman.
Classic TV fans will recognize Barbara Eden for her iconic role as Jeannie from “I Dream of Jeannie.” Eden is also known for the series, “Harper Valley P.T.A.” Eden will offer a unique photo opportunity for fans to pose inside a life-size “Jeannie” bottle crafted by puppeteer and props designer Bill Diamond.
2023 marks the 85th anniversary of Superman, and RI Comic Con will celebrate in the most iconic way. Fans of the Man of Steel can meet Tyler Hoechlin, Brandon Routh, Tom Welling, Dean Cain, Tim Daly, Nolan North, and Gerard Christopher. Just remember to leave your kryptonite at home. Also joining the host of Superman actors are Michael Rosenbaum, John Glover, John Schneider, Jordan Elsass, and Alex Garfin.
The Breakfast Club cast reunites in Rhode Island! Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall, and Judd Nelson will all appear, as well as fellow “Brat Packer” Andrew McCarthy.
Star Wars fans can meet actor Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, and remains the only actor to have appeared in or been involved with all 11 theatrical films in the franchise. Other iconic cinematic actors scheduled to appear include Linda Hamilton, who played Sarah Connor in The Terminator franchise; Carrie-Anne Moss, who played Trinity in The Matrix films; and Carl Weathers, known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky film series.
Looking for something beyond the con? On Saturday, November 4, organizers are excited to announce that pop icon Paula Abdul will make a one-day-only appearance. On Saturday, you can also join Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbuam for Smallville Nights, a one-night-only interactive show where the stars will read scenes from the series and bring fans on stage to act with them. Also happening on Saturday is the RICC After Party, hosted by the Omni Hotel from 10pm–1am. •
RI Comic Con spokesperson Susan Soares shared FAQs for first-timers:
Can I bring a backpack?
Yes! Just be prepared for security to search any bags at the entry.
Can I wear a costume?
Yes, costumes are encouraged. Please keep in mind, this is a family show and anyone wearing anything deemed inappropriate by staff will be asked to change. If you really do it up, also be prepared for a lot of people to ask to take your picture as you traverse the floor.
Is there parking available?
Your options include the Convention Center, Providence Place Mall (take the skybridge to the Omni, then another skybridge to the Convention Center), and area parking garages; fees vary per lot and length of stay.
I have a disability; what services can you provide?
ARE is dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure fully accessible events for people with disabilities. Accessibility wristbands are available upon arrival to the event at the box office. One health assistant will be allowed to piggyback on the accessibility wristband. They MUST purchase a ticket to the show to be allowed in.
Accessibility Wristband Allows:
Access to the celebrity and photo ops fast pass lanes
Priority seating at panels
How do I get tickets?
Tickets are on sale at ricomiccon.com, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion box office, and all Toy Vault locations. Download the free Altered Reality Entertainment app to view maps, panels, artists, and exhibitors, and plan your epic schedule. The Altered Reality Entertainment app is available on the Apple app store and on Google Play.
Follow RI Comic Con online for the latest news and announcements. IG: @ricomicconofficial. FB: rhodeislandcomiccon. Twitter: ricomiccon. Website: ricomiccon.com
While we modern folk go about our evening bustle under the glow of city lights, citizens of the ancient world had nothing but the stars to light their nights. All information under the Sun rests in our back pockets, but it seems your average ancient chap knew more about the movements of the stars than many of us today.
For you time-travelers, here we present a beginner’s guide to stargazing. Take caution, for there be dragons.
SELECTING A SPOT FOR STARGAZING As a beginner’s resource, this guide will require nothing but the dark sky and your beautiful little peepers. That said, a few conditions must be met to satisfy curious stargazers:
Dark skies Cities give off a glow that extends for miles. But the further you get from dense populations, the better you’ll be able to see the sky. And if it’s dark enough, you should be able to see the hazy band of the Milky Way. Consult a light pollution map for specifics. But in Rhode Island, the darkest skies can be found on the ocean and near the Connecticut border. Little Compton is great. New Shoreham is even better.
Clear skies You’ll also need clear skies. Folks often complain of overcast days blotting out the Sun. But a cloudy night can occult the stars. For primo stargazing, you’ll need a cloudless, Moonless night.
Big skies Lastly, you’ll need big skies. That means sight lines that stretch from horizon to opposite horizon. Beaches are perfect for this. But broad farmland or a high peak can be effective as well. My favorite place to stargaze is East Beach in Westport, MA.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE NIGHT SKY Much of the fun of looking up at the night sky is being able to navigate your way through the stars without the aid of your everything device. That said, the first trick anyone should know when reading the stars is how to find north.
By pure coincidence, Polaris happens to be the star resting right at celestial north. And in a thousand years it will move somewhere else. But for now, to find Polaris (and north), you will first need to find a very useful constellation.
Constellations & Stars The Big Dipper is pretty easy to spot. Its stars are bright, and it looks just like a big ol’ ladle in the sky – a trapezoid basin at one end and an arced handle at the other. If you draw a line from the bottom edge of the basin up, it points right to another bright star called Polaris, the North Star.
In Black American folklore, the Big Dipper is also known as “The Drinking Gourd.” Those fleeing the South for freedom in the North were told to “follow the Drinking Gourd.”
Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. Known as “The Dog Star,” he forms the eye of Canis Major. The easiest way to find Sirius is to look for the constellation Orion. Orion is a giant hunter in the sky. He kind of looks like a stretched out pentagon with two stick legs, a bow in front of him and his other arm raised over his head. Below him, you’ll find the bright star Sirius.
The three stars at Orion’s waist are known as “Orion’s Belt,” and his lower shoulder is called Bellatrix. Harry Potter fans will find much of the Black Family Tree in the stars. Sirius’s brother, Regulus, is the heart of the Leo constellation. And his nephew, Draco (or “The Dragon”), is a constellation that circles ‘round Polaris. From which we can conclude that JK Rowling had her head in the stars.
Betelgeuse (pronounced “Beetlejuice”) is Orion’s other (higher) shoulder. This star system is the home of Ford Prefect from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. People think the name sounds silly, but by all accounts, “Beetlejuice” is the most accurate pronunciation for the word of Arabic origin.
Cassiopeia is another constellation circling ‘round Polaris. She was the beautiful queen of Ethiopia in the Iliad and mother of Andromeda. She’s pretty easy to find: Just look for a crooked “W” in the sky. That’s Cassiopea’s thicc seat.
Of course, Providence folk might appreciate finding the Seven Stars of the sky. The Seven Stars (aka the “Seven Sisters”) are a cluster of stars named after the daughters of Atlas. They are the namesake of the Seven Sisters colleges. And you can find their cluster above and just out of reach of Orion’s bow. In Japan, the Seven Sisters are known as Subaru.
SHOOTING STARS Late fall is a fantastic time to watch out for “shooting stars.” These meteor showers are so frequent that with only a couple of minutes of stargazing you’ll likely see many “stars” to wish upon. In early October you can spot the Draconids (meteor showers beginning near the head of the Draco constellation). And around mid-October, you should be able to see the Orionids near Orion’s raised arm.
THE PLANETS AND “RETROGRADE” This time of year is also a great time to spot the other planets. Jupiter is brighter than any star in the sky. You should be able to spot him tooling around near the Moon most nights (and even during the day). Jupiter is actually in retrograde at the moment. Because of our perspective from Earth, the other planets of our solar system sometimes appear to be moving backwards (towards the east), when most of the year they ride with us in an ever westward procession. This is why planet means “wanderer” in ancient Greek. This is called “retrograde,” and it’s really just a perspective trick.
Once you can identify a few stars in the sky, it’s natural to crave more. Check out the historic Ladd Observatory near Brown’s campus. It’s open to the public on Tuesday evenings, and you can reserve a spot on their Eventbrite. Alternatively, Acadia National Park (which enjoys some of the darkest skies in the Northeast) hosts an annual Night Sky Festival every September. Other options are described later in the magazine.
A Stargazer’s Mixtape 45-minutes of groovy twilight tunes for your night sky reveries. (1) “Affected By The Moon” by Chuck Pyle (2) “Follow The Drinking Gourd” by Eric Bibb, Linda Tillery, and Taj Mahal (3) “Starry Starry Night” by Lianna La Havas (4) “Stars Fell On Alabama” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (5) “Blues In Orbit” by Duke Ellington (6) “Catch a Falling Star” by Jane Morgan (7) “Tapestry from an Asteroid” by Sun Ra (8) “No Moon At All” by Julie London (9) “Come And Play In The Milky Night” by Sterolab (10) “Someone Like The Moon” by Pulp (11) “Cosmic Bloom” by Dumbo Gets Mad (12) “Meteor” by Kenya Grace (13) “Gravity” by Roy Ayers, Adrian Younge, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (14) “Sun, Moon, Stars” by Mos Def
In my opinion, fall is the best season for going on dates – whether it be for folks in committed relationships, or folks dating casually. The air is crisp, the vibes are cozy, and the fashion potential skyrockets. Nothing screams romance for me more than putting on a comfy sweater and apple picking, watching a spooky movie, or carving some pumpkins. However, there is much more to fall dating than the aforementioned activities.
Trivia Night (Specifically at Bar and Board in Newport)
Before both of our schedules became a little too hectic, my boyfriend and I were frequenters of Bar and Board’s Tuesday Night Trivia. Bar and Board is the perfect location for a fall date night: The atmosphere is cozy, the drinks are seasonally inspired, and the cheese boards never disappoint. I get excited when we have the chance to craft a tasty cheese board, sip on a tasty beverage, and get competitive in some heated rounds of trivia.
In past visits, trivia categories have ranged from sports, to art history, to general trivia. There have even been some nights where the only category was music, and each round was a different decade. Each trivia night consists of four rounds, which we have found to be a comfortable length of time. You’re not feeling like you just played speed trivia, but you aren’t feeling like you’re hogging up a table all night either – which I love.
Letting it Rip in a Rage Room
This outing was one that I experienced for the first time recently, and I absolutely loved it. From reading the heading, this date comes off as, well, not date-like, but I promise it makes for such a fun experience! For those unfamiliar with the concept of a rage room, it’s quite literally as it sounds: a room where one can rage. Rooms are fitted with sound-proofed walls and decorated with heaps of breakable objects and exciting weapons. The breakable objects are dependent on the types of packages you select when you book your room – for instance, my boyfriend took me to a rage room for my birthday (House of Rage, Dartmouth MA); they decorated the room with some cute streamers and ornaments, and we had tons of glasses, plates, ceramics, and liquor bottles to break. For the occasion of my birthday, they even threw in an old TV!
Though it sounds like this is a date that can go horribly wrong, the people organizing the rage rooms make them super safe. My boyfriend and I were fitted with heavy duty gloves, helmets, and face shields, and we were given super detailed instructions on what we could and could not do while we were in the room. If you take the instructions seriously and act like you have some sense, these rage rooms are a hell of a good time. I find it fun and cathartic to go crazy in a room breaking things with the person I enjoy spending quality time with, and I think this would be a really refreshing way to get over the awkward hump that is a first date. What better way to get to know someone than to rage side by side with them?
Candle Workshops
One of the best things about fall is the heightened use of candles. During the summer, we aren’t really quick to light a candle, but the fall is welcoming to the ambience of warm, scented candles. I always know fall is approaching when Target breaks out their slew of pumpkin-scented wax sticks. With that being said, who wouldn’t want to ring in #CandleSeason with a fun candle-themed date night?
Candle workshops are designed for people to come in and craft their own candles that they can take home and enjoy, or even make as gifts for others. I myself haven’t had the chance to visit one of these places yet, but RI has recently seen its first candle bar: Black- and woman-founded Scentique. At Scentique, you can create your own custom candle using a variety of fragrances and vessels, and you can even pick fun add-ins like flowers, crystals, and stones. Since the candles take about an hour and a half to set before you can take them home, Scentique has a BYOB policy in which you can “sip and chill while you wait.” However, if this isn’t an appealing option for you, they also allow you to come back another day to pick up your candle.
Making a candle at Scentique is a great way to enjoy one of the greatest vibes fall has to offer. Whether you and your date are making your own candles side-by-side, or making each other a candle, there’s a lot of fun to be had here.
Paint Night
Another date night activity that complements the cozy nature of fall is a paint night, hosted by a number of paint bars in RI. One of the most popular paint bars is Muse Paintbar, located in PVD, but other notables are Factory Paintbar & Lounge (Warwick) and Paint and Vino (Pawtucket). Paint bars are largely marketed on their “paint and sip” activities, in which folks participating in the paint night are also welcome to order drinks and sip to let their creativity flow.
The beauty of a paint night is that you don’t need to be this generation’s Bob Ross – you’re following along with an instructor who is merely guiding you in painting a particular scene, and you’re welcome to follow them as closely or as loosely as you wish. Plus, no one is judging your abilities as an artist. Paint bars are full of folks just there to have a good time! Though some people may be a little intimidated to paint in front of a first date, or even a close significant other, it makes for a super enjoyable evening. If you both see yourselves as terrible artists, you can have fun in the attempt to make a piece of art and see each other’s processes unfold. If neither of you really care about your level of artistic ability, it’s a great way to spend an evening together doing something you don’t typically do together. And you’ll always have something to remember your date by.
