Part communal garden, part co-op, part grocery store, part cafe, and entirely local. The Fertile Underground Natural Cooperative is two years strong into its quest to change the way Providence consumes its sustenance.
Grocery Store
The Fertile Underground’s West End store front is reminiscent of a merger between an organic supermarket and a corner bodega. Shoppers can expect to find basics like toiletries and kitchen supplies along with local or organic pantry items, spices, grains, cheeses, fresh bread, frozen foods and fresh produce. Their once abundant wall of veggies has dwindled with the winter season, but standards for fresh organics have not.
The shop is dedicated to providing the best in organic and all-natural. This includes locally made, organic makeup and dried herbs, teas, salves, and more from Farmacy Herbs, based out of Providence.
Cafe
The allure of Fertile’s charm and guarantee of quality is exemplified by its cafe. The small bar in the center of the storefront and the intimate seating around the front of the shop buzz with conversation as patrons sip coffee out of the kind of unpretentious mugs you’d find in your mother’s cabinet. The cafe serves up breakfast and lunch daily with items like grinders, some seriously creative bagel sandwiches, smoothies, spinach pies, salads, vegan apple pie and their famous vegan chili, perfected through the years by the “resident chili master,” just to name a few.
Co-op
Fertile Underground owes its eclectic, community-oriented mantra to its structure as a co-op, operating entirely because of community support. Everyone who works at and for Fertile, other than co-owners, does it voluntarily without monetary reward. Only after a long stint of volunteering can one become a co-owner (there are 10 of them). The landscaping, elaborate mural covering the tall storefront walls, the maintenance of the structure and the snow removal on the property is all done because of the volunteers’ dedication and willingness to create a welcoming, nourishing, community mainstay.
1577 Westminster St, Providence
8 am – 8 pm (Mon – Sat)
8 am – 6 pm (Sun)
fertileunderground.com
Category: Things to do in Providence
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Locale Profiles: The Fertile Underground
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Funda Turns Sweet 16
Rhode Island Black Storytellers’ (RIBS) annual event welcomes in its 16thyear as the state’s premier, longest-running and only black storytelling festival: Funda FestI have been on both sides of the stage with Funda Fest as both a performer and an audience member, and I have to say the sheer power of this viva voce marvel is guaranteed to move you. Stretching across the state, caravaning in the week of January 19 through January 26 will be 10 of the most heartfelt and exciting storytellers you could possibly ever want to be responsible for your unguarded imagination.Along with favorites Teju Ologboni from Milwaukee, Grammy nominated Christylez (pronounced Chris Styles) Bacon, and renowned storyteller Eshu Bumpers, making their debut appearance in the state and headlining the festival will be will be the performance duo of In the Spirit (vocalist Glenda Zahra Baker and storyteller Emily Hooper Lansana) along with the celebrated cast of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers.More than 20 years ago, Emily Hooper Lansana and Glenda Zahra Baker came together to form Performance Duo: In the Spirit. They have developed an extensive repertoire of stories that carry us on enthralling journeys. Each performance celebrates the power of the word to connect, uplift and transform. Their interactive, spirit-filled stories and songs engage audiences in a memorable, soulful way.Highlights of their performance history include: The National Association of Black Storytellers Festival and Conference, The National Storytelling Festival, The Illinois Storytelling Festival, Dance Africa Chicago and a number of museums, community and educational institutions across the country.I first witnessed this production in 2006, when the featured performers hailed from New Orleans, in support of the tragedy that happened there. The night totally changed my perception of storytelling. The orator’s voice connected everyone in the room until in the silence was weaved a people quilt held together by the single thread of the storyteller’s voice. This is not just for bedtime; because of the magic and level of coziness crafted by orator after orator, by the end of the evening a village was molded from the raw clay of strangers. Now seven years later I can say the momentum has not let up. Year after year I have been thoroughly inspired and I can’t wait to see the gifts brought by Funda 16I asked Valerie what was the impetus that sparked Funda Fest (Funda meaning to teach and to learn in Zulu and KiSwahili) 16 years ago. “In 1999, The Rhode Island Foundation had an initiative to celebrate black arts and artists in Rhode Island. For years previous to that, RIBS would travel every year to the National Association of Black Storytellers Festival (NABS) and a group pondered having such a thing in Rhode Island.” she said. Storytelling is how we inspire blacks to tell our story in all the dimensions of being human. It’s what gives us hope, and what makes us black while bringing a broader image of being black. She finished.For full festival Information, join Rhode Island Black Storytellers on Facebook or check the website at www.ribsfest.org -
Mark Cutler Dreams, Junior Varsity Arson Burns It Up
The best in local albums of 2013 and the best in January 2014 concerts
2013 was a strong year for local releases. People like these “Best of 2013” lists, but I question if anyone ever goes out and buys a record because of it. I guess the local New England releases that come to mind in no apparent order would have to include releases by White Dynomite, The Silks, Deer Tick, Six Star General, Malyssa & The Liberators, Reverend Bastien, Throwing Muses, Ravi Shavi, Brown Bird and Northern Lands. Maybe I’ll go into more depth in an online column, but who has time for that right now? In fact, 2013 was such a busy year that there are two new releases that came in at the end of the year that I haven’t gotten a chance to review. So let’s get to that, stat!
Mark Cutler – Dreamland (75orLess Records)
After recently quitting his day job to be a fulltime musician, Mark Cutler hunkered down to record Dreamland, a decidedly more quiet and intimate album compared to his recent releases Sweet Pain and Red (both on 75orLess Records). Cutler tells me he recorded the album in his house and mostly by himself with cameos from his always formidable Men of Great Courage band. One doesn’t have to wait long to see the new direction: the first tune, “Doing Things That We Like To Do” has a lazy, peaceful strumming guitar around a campfire kind of feel. “Tankful of Gas” has a decidedly acoustic blues meets folk feel, with buzzing slide guitars. “Circle To a Square” reminds me of the 60’s folk of early Donovan, before he started singing about important stuff… you know, like the hurdy-gurdy man and witching season. The title track is my favorite on the record with a great melody that I can hum all day. “Too Much Fun” is a more upbeat rocker, while retaining the stripped down feel of the rest of the rest of Dreamland. “We Don’t Do That Stuff No More” has the feel of Tom Petty blues ballad. The theme of nostalgia runs through much of Dreamland, but probably never more than on the closing, “I’ll Play For You,” where Cutler weaves his tale of days past over a simple beat. It works. Dreamland may not be your typical get ready to rage on a Saturday night record, but it sure sounds great on a Sunday afternoon!Junior Varsity Arson – Self Titled EP (75orLess Records)
Every now and again I get a new biscuit and look at it and say what the hell is this? Case in point, when something called Junior Varsity Arson came in. So I checked out their one sheet that describes the band as “Lonely Guy Rock.” They go on to describe themselves as a soundtrack for men who are banned from certain establishments, with endless theories and endless amounts of time to explain those theories. Okay, maybe I’ll actually like this.
Truth is, Junior Varsity Arson is a local super group of sorts, composed of Guy Benoit (Thee Hydrogen Terrors), Don Sanders (Medicine Ball, The Masons), Dave Narcizo (Throwing Muses), and Kraig Jordan (The Masons). Junior Varsity Arson is a little twisted in a fun indie rock way. The EP kicks off with “Her Parents Love Me,” chock full of lyrical gems like, “Her parents love me, I’m such a big improvement over the white supremacist.” Indie rock is a genre chock full of people that take themselves too seriously. That’s why it’s refreshing to come across something like Junior Varsity Arson, that’s lighthearted and still rocks. “Brown Jacket and Purple Keds” reminds me a little of the Dead Milkman as it chronicles the lonely man that Junior Varsity Arson proclaims to be the soundtrack for. “Hippy Dippy Milk Man” has an anthem, ‘60s spy feel with the keyboards. “Skull Collection” has an ‘80s alternative rock feel, while the song chronicles getting broken into and having one’s skull collection stolen. “I’m Hooked” is Junior Varsity Arson’s alternative dance number, that has a little bit of a psychedelic feel. What I like about Junior Varsity Arson most is they have personality both lyrically and musically, that makes each song memorable.
Shows to look forward to:Hellbound Glory
Nothing like some old fashioned country music to warm you up from the winter’s freeze and that is exactly what you’ll get when Hellbound Glory invade Olneyville (aka Nashville North.) Hellbound Glory doesn’t bother pretending to do anything but straight, old school country, which I respect, when done well. It’s when people try to modernize it or meld it into Americana or pop that the whole thing goes to shit. Get there early to catch the local openers, Jay Berndt & The Orphans and Dog Day Afternoon – I’m as excited to see them as the headliner!
Hellbound Glory, Jay Berndt & The Orphans, and Dog Day Afternoon will be at Fete on January 9.The Creepshow
The Creepshow are a female-fronted punk psychobilly band from the hot bed of horror that is Toronto. Truth is, I know nothing about Toronto’s music scene, but they do elect crack heads mayor. That’s a hint to expect something very disturbingly wrong with those people, right? Beside the headliner, this bill is stacked locally with the roots ‘n’ roll of The Throttles, the female fronted surf garage of The Evil Streaks, and the punk-a-billy of Tony Jones & The Cretin 3. I’d go out just to catch any one of the bands on this show by themselves.
The Creepshow, The Throttles, The Evil Streaks, and Tony Jones and The Cretin 3 bring the rock to Fete on January 22.Marshall Crenshaw and The Bottle Rockets
I actually saw this tour the last time these two acts toured together, and stopped at The Narrows. Marshall Crenshaw enjoyed quite a bit of success in the 1980s, as kind of an offbeat power pop solo artist with hits like “Someday, Someway.” Crenshaw has been plugging along ever since and will have The Bottle Rockets as his backing band for the night. Don’t miss The Bottle Rockets’ opening set as they completely blew me away last time through town. Check out their first two records (The Bottle Rockets and The Brooklyn Side), which were recently re-released with bonus cuts on Bloodshot Records. Standout cuts include “Lonely Cowboy,” which comes across as a redneck version of Warren Zevon, “Gravity Falls,” which is my favorite of their tunes, and “Stuck in a Rut,” which reminds me of Crazy Horse era Neil Young. The Bottle Rockets are like a country version of The Hold Steady. Part country twang, part rock ’n’ roll, The Bottle Rockets are just an all-around great band. Even the bonus cuts on the two CD set are killers, with standouts like “This is What It Sounds like When You’re Listening to Lindsey Buckingham,” and the punkish Radar Gun (1989 Chicken Truck Version) among the assorted gems. The Bottle Rockets reissues were among 2013’s best!
Marshall Crenshaw and The Bottle Rockets come to The Narrows come to The Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River on January 23rd.Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
There are a lot of shows to be excited about in a season – hell, in any given week there a couple. That said, if you only leave the house to go to one show this winter, this is by far the one. Charles Bradley is just your average former James Brown impersonator, who decided, at the young age of 62, to release his debut, after hooking up with the folks at Daptone Records who brought you Sharon Jones. Dubbed the “Screaming Eagle of Soul,” Bradley more than lives up to the name and still busts out all his patented James Brown dance moves, often while wearing a jumpsuit. I first caught Bradley at the Newport Folk Fest in 2012, and I was about to check out someone else, but his hype man (yes, the man has his own hype man) convinced me to stick around. I wasn’t disappointed. Bradley mixes the soul of Al Green and Otis Redding with the energy of James Brown. His sophomore album, Victim of Love was one of last year’s best. As a performer Bradley has an amazing ability to connect with the audience and share the joys and pains of life. Even if you’re having an awful day, you should go because Bradley ends all his performances by going out in the crowd and hugging as many people as he can before his manager drags him away.
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires come to the Columbus Theatre in Providence on February 6.
Odds & SodsSexCoffee, Spider Rockets, Nymphidels, Paryah are at Dusk on January 11. The Can’t Nots, Torn Shorts, and Brainfruit are at AS220 on January 11. The monthly Alt-Nation listening Party returns to E & O Tap in Providence on January 16. I’ll be selecting the music that always includes a mix of locals, hits, and obscurities from all genres of rock ‘n’ roll. Mother Falcon and The Kids are at The Columbus Theatre on January 17. Vudu Sister, Dr. Jones and The Shiners, Paddy Saul, and Dan Blakeslee are at AS220 on January 23. Deleted Arrows, Tinsel Teeth, and Phantom Glue will rock AS220 on January 31. Yellowcard and What’s Eating Gilbert (featuring Chad from New Found Glory) will be at Lupo’s on February 1. A couple of weekly nights to check out include The Funky Autocrats every Wednesday at The Parlour, and Dropout Night is back with a new home at The Spot every Monday.
Congratulations to Deer Tick’s John McCauley, who married Vanessa Carlton right before the New Year in a ceremony officiated by Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. Best wishes to the both you.Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com
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Mike D’s Top Five: Can’t Miss Shows of January
1. Saturday, January 11th: Rustic Overtones, Grace and The RSO, Viking Jesus; $10 advance / $12 day of; 7:30 pm doors / 9 pm show; 18+; The Spot Underground. Rustic Overtones are a band that I have enjoyed from afar for what feels like forever. While blending rock, funk and soul isn’t exactly what I look for, they do it so well that the band has grown on me. They sound good on record, and they sound amazing live. They sound like a wedding band that doesn’t give a fuck for covers or what you think of them. They have high energy and blend funk, soul and sometimes ska-like grooves. Grace and the RSO and Kris Hanson and company’s Viking Jesus round out the bill. Last time I caught Viking Jesus at The Spot was the best show of theirs of I have seen, so get there early to see if they can recapture that fire. 2. Wednesday, January 15: Yuck, Alvvays, Velah; $15; 8 pm doors / 9 pm show; 18+; The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA. Yuck are at the top of the list of bands I have never seen but want to. They seem to have mastered in drawing from 90s indie rock influences and making original jams none the less. After their first album, they lost original singer Daniel Blumberg. Their second album, Glow & Behold, (Fat Possum) continues without him and guitarist Max Bloom sliding into the front man position. Their songs tip the hat often to Built To Spill, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Superchunk and Dinosaur Jr. Speaking of Dinosaur Jr, I recently caught them at the Sinclair. What a great place to catch a show even when the venue is sold out there isn’t a bad sight view in the house.
3. Friday, January 17: Self Defense Family, Pity Sex, Ovlov, Loss Leader, Bad Swimmers; $10 advance / $12 day of; 7 pm doors / 8 pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. This has never happened before. My favorite new band name of the year (honorable mention this year to Fat History Month, Food Court, and the band Ken Burns) is also my new favorite band of the year. Their release Feast Of Love (Run For Cover Records) is the best emo indie release since Jade Tree records was cranking them out in the turn of the 2000s. This show is a co-headline with Self Defense Family, a band that is very difficult for me to describe. They remind me of a lot of bands and none really share a theme. Check them out on YouTube and check out selfdefensemusic.com for a variety of punk self help advice, some useful, some often far from it, but pretty entertaining. Ovlov, Loss Leader and Providence’s breakout band Bad Swimmers round out the bill.
4. Sunday, January 26: Man Man; $15 advance / $17 day of; 8 pm doors / 9 pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. The return of Man Man to The Met! It’s been a couple of years since they have been in town and in 2013 they released On Oni Pond (Anti Records). This record seems to reel in the wild chaotic side of Man Man. While you still have wild multi-instrumentation that the band is know for, the vision seems reeled in and focused. The lead single, “Head On,” is definitely worth a listen, and sounds like it could have been an outtake from front man Honus Honus’ fantastic side project Mister Heavenly, a vision they called “Doom Wop.” This is the best show of the month and highly recommended.
5. Friday, January 31: 95.5 WBRU Presents New Politics, Magic Man, Sleeper Agent; $15 advance / $17 day of; 7:30 pm doors / 8:30 pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. A trio of upcoming alt rock bands headlined by Denmark’s New Politics. They fall into a category in my head called commercial rock, as in they literally sound like their songs should be pitching cell phones and small cars driven by gerbils (see Fun, Grouplove, etc). Boston’s indie electronic pop act Magic Man play in the middle. Their recent EP You Are Here is up on Bandcamp and worth a play. Opening act, Sleeper Agent, are a blast live. Hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky, the band seems to be constantly on the road, and this is the third time in the last year or so they have played our town.
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Polar Plunges for New Years Day!
At some point in ancient history, a prehistoric attempt to capture the strength and fearsome virility of the ferocious polar bear (in the north – or the fearsome … er, penguin … in the south) led our primitive ancestors to jump into the water in the middle of winter.
Remarkably, natural selection never curbed this instinct, and in recent years polar plunges have been proliferating faster than slush at a Del’s convention. Here are the best we could find from among this year’s entries – feel free to add more to the comments, if you know of more!
Newport Polar Plunge. Yell, “Shrinkage!”, hold your nose and jump into the ocean (not the bay) at Easton’s Beach. This plunge has been going on since 1969, making it the chill grand-daddy of plunges. It benefits A Wish Come True. Plunge at noon. Atlantic Beach Club, Memorial Blvd., Newport.
gonewport.com or Facebook.3rd Annual Winter Wish Swim. As in, “I wish my private parts weren’t quite so frozen.” This benefits Children’s Wishes and sends you off into the wild blueing yonder of Bristol’s waterfront at the Bristol Town Beach (Colt State Park), 50 Asylum Rd. Yep, Asylum, as in crazy. 11 am registration, Noon swim. cwishesri.com
Fall River – 4th annual Sandy Beach Polar Plunge to benefit Forever Paws. Fall River Mayor William Flanagan jumps in right along with the rest of the pet lovers in this one. Contact Forever Paws for more info. facebook.com/events/1442619629292467, 508-678-0804 or foreverpaws.com
Jamestown 1st Day Plunge. This second annual happens at East Ferry in Jamestown. It benefits the Jamestown Education Foundation and Bridges, Inc. Register at the Jamestown Rec Center, 41 Conanicus Ave. Opens at 10, plunge at noon. Jamestown1stDayPlunge.com
Punk Rock Plunge. This second annual takes place at Marley’s on the Beach and has teams (yes, team “Frozen Sausage,” team “Common Shrinkage,” and team “Coxsicles” are taken), trophies and … shirts! 11:45 am until you thaw. 885 Oakland Beach Ave. in Warwick. punksforaprincess.com
Penguin Plunge. This is the 8th annual event to benefit the WARM Center (making it the best thematic match between charity and ice cold water). Expect lots of fowl jokes at the Andrea in Misquamicut. Register at 10:30 for some noon swimming. warmcenter.org
The Frozen Clam. At Goddard Park, this raises clams for the RI Mentoring Project and is organized by Laid Back Fitness. Time pending. 1095 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. laidbackfitness.com
Block Island Plunge. Hosted by the BI Lions Club. The plunge is at noon at the Town Beach, 7 Corn Neck Rd., Block Island. Soon to be posted at blockislandchamber.com
Narragansett Pier Plunge. This is a fundraiser for the Narragansett Lions Club. What is it with Lions and really cold water? Registration at 10 am. Narragansett Town Beach. narragansettlionsclub.com
Matunuck Polar Plunge. At Tara’s Tipperary Tavern, 907 Matunuck Beach Rd. Wakefield. This is to benefit MS, and is in its 15th year. Time is 12 sharp – these seem to be a noon-sort-of-hangover-cure, so that makes sense.
North Kingston Polar Plunge. Help out the Food Pantry with your own homage to freezers. This one looks like it happens at 1:30 pm, so if you hurry you could hit it after one of the noon plunges. It’s at the North Kingstown Town Beach. No website was available at press time.
Tiverton Penguin Plungers. This event should happen at noon at Grinnell’s Beach, sponsored by the Tiverton Yacht Club. Last year’s plunge benefitted the Tiverton Library.
Little Compton’s South Shore beach hosts a plunge. 125 S. Shore Rd. We’re guessing noon.
Annawamscutt Seal Society targets the end of Annawamscutt Rd. in Barrington, and has been producing human popsicles since the mid ‘80s. There is no after party for this one, so bring your own hot cocoa.
Farnham Farm, the historic site on Prudence Island, built in 1805, typically hosts a polar plunge at noon.
Seawall Splash will also supercool your doughboys on New Years Day, begining with a gathering on the beach at 10:00. The plunge is at noon – all takes place at the Oakland Beach Seawall on Oakland Beach Ave, right behind Iggy’s Doughboys.
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New Years Eve Events
2014 NYE Masquerade Ball is an annual event that draws thousands of masked dancers to the Rhode Island Convention Center. This ball has confetti, champagne toasts, live music, a dozen bars, VIP rooms, and DJ Neil Armstrong, DJ Finesse and DJ Jazzy Jazz. 9 pm – 3 am at 1 Sabin St.
newyearseveri.comBen Hague: “Ever sleep naked in your parent’s bed … but you can’t get to sleep ‘cuz your dad’s tossing and turning all night?” Here begins the journey into the slightly twisted comedic mind of Ben Hague. Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club at Twin River, 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, RI. catcharisingstar.com
Cannibal Ramblers with Boo City: The Cannibal Ramblers proudly play Delta Swamp Backwater Stomp. Nick-a-Nees, 75 South St, Providence. 8 pm.
reverbnation.com/venue/nickaneesChifferobe at the Dorrance. “Something tells me it’s not 2013 anymore.” This year’s NYE show is themed toward old Hollywood – represented by the Wizard of Oz, with black tie and glam suggested. There will be a best Dorothy costume contest, too. So surrender to the flying monkeys and cabaret-style performances by Cifferobe, Miss Wensday & The Cotillions, and more. 9 pm+ at 60 Dorrance St., Providence.
thedorrance.comCoffee Exchange Auction. A silent auction to benefit Coffee Kids and the Coffee Trust. This event features live music and lots of coffee! 9 am – 6 pm 207 Wickenden Street, Providence. thecoffeeexchange.com
Dom Irrera: Nominated six times for an American Comedy Award, Dom Irrera’s stand-up material was honed in a multi-generational Italian household in South Philadelphia with his mother, sister, grandmother, uncles and cousins all under one very big roof. Comedy Connection RI, 39 Warren Ave, East Providence, RI. Shows at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. ricomedyconnection.com
Empire Revue. The once-a-month variety show pulls comedy, music and more to help spank in baby New Year. AS220, Empire St. Providence at 8 pm (but get there early, this is sure to sell out).
theempirerevue.blogspot.comJoe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons. Ring in the New Year and make all the wrong resolutions at The Met. J.P. Harris & The Tough Choices, and Smith & Weeden open. 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. themetri.com
Last Night Providence – Keep the Celebration Going features The Gnomes, Mystic Jammers, The Banished Fools, and the Extraordinary Rendition Band. 7 pm, Aurora, 276 Westminster St, Providence.
401-461-3683New Year’s Eve Party with the Fat City Band: Ring in the New Year dancing the night away. Includes dinner buffet, entertainment, hats, noisemakers and a champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 7:30 pm, starts 9 pm. Chan’s, 267 Main St, Woonsocket, RI
NYE 2014 with Spiritual Rez, Daddie Long Legs and more. The Spot Underground, 101 Richmond Street, Providence. Doors open 7:30 pm, music 9 pm.
thespotprovidence.comPortsmouth Polar Plunge caps off Portsmouth, RI’s year-long celebration of its 375th anniversary with a group dive into Narragansett Bay. Collective insanity? Or a brisk, refreshing way to kick off the New Year? You decide! Post plunge party at “The Beach House” in Island Park. 12 Noon. Island Park Beach, off Park Ave.
portsmouthri375.comWhiskey Republic Midnight Resolution Party. This Black & White Party will feature Shawn Dillon with DJ Hevan, and Playboy’s Miss February 2013 will be there, presumably with her clothes on, but who knows? Doors at 8 pm, hors d’oeuvres at 9 pm. 515 South Water St. Providence.
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Holiday Arts, Crafts, and Bazaars
Buy local this holiday season with some handmade and salvaged gifts
The Artists’ Co Op Gallery of Westerly
Celebrate the Joy: Art as the Perfect Gift, 7 Canal St, Westerly. Dec 4 – 28 www.westerlyarts.com
Sharing Small Treasures, 7 Canal St, Westerly. Thru Dec 1. Wed – Sat 11am – 4pm; Sun 1-5pm www.westerlyarts.com
Blackstone River Theatre
Holiday Craft Fair and Festival, 549 Broad St, Cumberland.Dec 7, 9am – 3pm www.riverfolk.org
Charlestown Gallery
Holiday Group Show, 5000 South County Trail, Charlestown. Nov 31 – Dec 31, Thurs – Sun, 10am – 5:30pm
Cherish the Moments
Holiday Extravaganza, VFW, 1418 Plainfield Pike, Cranston. Nov 16, 10am – 4pm www.cherishthemoments.net
Christmas Craft Fair, Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Rd, Middletown. Dec 14 – 15, 10am – 4pm. www.cherishthemoments.net
Craftland Show, 235 Westminster St, Providence. Nov 29 – Dec 30, Sun – Wed, 10am – 6pm; Thurs – Sat, 10am – 8pm www.craftlandshop.com
Craftopia, Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. Nov 10, 10am – 4pm www.rhodycraft.com
DeBlois Gallery
Invitational Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show, 134 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown. Nov 30 – Dec 24, Tues – Sun, noon – 5pm www.debloisgallery.com
Festival Fete Holiday Market, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Pl, Cranston. Dec 8, 15, 22, 10am – 6pm www.festivalfete.com
FosteringArts
Christmas in the Valley, Foster Country Club, 67 Johnson RD, Foster. Nov 29 – 30 www.fosteringarts.org
The Foundry Artists Association
The Foundry Holiday Show, The Pawtucket Armory, Dec 5 – 15, weekends. See site for schedule.www.foundryshow.com
Gallery Night Providence, 27 participating Providence Galleries. Nov 21, 5 – 9pm. www.gallerynight.org
Hatch Street Studios Holiday Sale, 88 Hatch St, New Bedford. Nov 22, 5-9pm; Nov 23, 10am – 5pm; Nov 24, 11am – 5pm. www.hatchstreetstudios.com
Mad Dog Artist Studios and Gallery
Holiday Open Studio Sale, 65 Blackstone Ave, Pawtucket. Dec 5 – 15. See site for hours maddogartiststudios.com
The Mill at Shady Lea
Open Studios Weekend, 215 Shady Lea Rd, North Kingstown. Dec 1 – 2, noon – 5pm www.themillatshadylea.com
Ocean State Artisans
Holiday Craft Festival, CCRI Knight Campus, 400 East Ave, Warwick. Nov 29, 10am – 5pm; Nov 30, 9am – 4pm www.oceanstateartisans.com
Providence Flea, Hope High School, 324 Hope St, Providence. Nov 17, Dec 8, Dec 15, 10am – 4pm www.providenceflea.com
Providence Art Club
Little Pictures Show and Sale, 11 Thomas St, Providence. Nov 19 – Dec 23. Gallery open daily. See site for times. www.providenceartclub.org
RISD Holiday Alumni Art Sale, RI Convention Center, 1 Sabin St, Providence. Dec 7, 10am – 5pm www.risdalumnisales.wordpress.com
South County Art Association
Holiday Pottery and Art Sale, 2587 Kingstown Rd, Kingston. Nov 29 – Dec 22, Wed – Sun, 10am – 6pm www.southcountyart.org
Urban Vintage Bazar, Brown University Campus Center, Faunce Hall, 75 Waterman Street, Providence. 10am – 4pm www.facebook.com/UrbanVintageBazaar
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Alt-Nation: Some New Discs and Shows to Bid 2013 Goodbye
Rock in RI: Clarkin’s top shows of December
Throwing Muses – Purgatory/Paradise
It’s been a decade since Newport’s own Throwing Muses have released a record and Purgatory/Paradise shows that it wasn’t spent being idle. Purgatory/Paradise is a 32-track record that comes with a book that includes audio commentary and even more tracks! Because of the sheer volume, it is impossible to compare it to anything the band has done before. Taken on number of good songs, it’s the band’s best release to date. Of course, technically they could have 20 stinkers and still accomplish that. There are multiple versions of some songs, like “Cherry Candy 1 & 2,” but it doesn’t feel excessive. Listen to it on shuffle and it doesn’t seem overdone at all. “Morning Birds 1” starts as a fuzz fest that reminds me of The Real Ramona era Muses while “Morning Birds 2” is quiet, like an expansion on the first version, which quiets down at the end. “Sleepwalking 1” is another great guitar romp in vintage Muses style. “Glass Cats” is a dirty piano-driven number that feels like it’s going to explode into something else at any moment from the tension. Singer/guitarist Kristin Hersh’s lyrics are as haunted and biting as ever. “Static” is another hypnotic indie guitar psychedelic romp that nobody can quite do like the Muses. I was skeptical going in about Purgatory/Paradise because I only liked one song off their last album, but Purgatory/Paradise is one of the Muses’ best records yet. Unlike many of their contemporaries, Throwing Muses aren’t together to play the hits for the money. On Purgatory/Paradise the Throwing Muses come off as band still challenging themselves and pushing the envelope on noise and melody.
Six Star General – Hair Supply (75orLess Records)
Six Star General has had a difficult year that forced them to be on the sidelines for several months due to various medical maladies. In the meantime, they managed to finish another album, Hair Supply. In addition to being my motto, “I Don’t Know Where We’re Going (But I Know That It’s Not Good)” is a return to form noisy rocker that has been missing from the last couple of Six Star records. “Christopher Walken” and “I’m Expanding Slowly” are like stoner indie rock powered by hypnotic grooves. “Way Out of Control” is a noisy fun punk romp. “Life in Vain” is an infectious ditty powered by a cool hook and probably the closest thing to a single on Hair Supply. I look forward to hearing the new tunes live at the CD Release for Hair Supply at The Parlour on January 4.
Dan Baker – Pistol in My Pocket (75orLess Records)
I didn’t know what to make of Dan Baker at first on the title track of Pistol in My Pocket that comes off as a howling Beck imitation on one of his independent albums. Then things started to get good. “Threw Me Down the Well” is a blues number that comes across as an Americanized version of Nick Cave, thanks to the violin from Rob Flax. “Never Alone” and “Up On the Roof” are winners as spacey piano ballads that remind me of sitting out on my porch staring up at the stars. “Down in the Canyon” has kind of a later-day Dylan feel at times. On “She’s Not Going To Call,” Baker channels his inner Tom Waits with an added Americana touch on the outro. Baker’s best material is so raw it hits you straight in the gut on tracks like “Coming Home.” I didn’t know anything about Dan Baker before, but after listening to Pistol in My Pocket, I certainly want to know more!
Atlantic Thrills
The thumpin’ garage beat with a sprinkle of surf guitar sound of the Atlantic Thrills headlines this great all local show. Atlantic Thrills released their debut a few months ago and hopefully in 2014 will see an expanded release with the other songs from the session. I’m actually excited to see every band on this bill. TEAZER is making their debut and the word on the street is there a sleazy rock ‘n’ roll band that pays homage to ‘80s hair metal. I hear they’ll be doing a cover of W.A.S.P. and have an original number titled “Sexxx Tape.” I’ve caught both of Lincoln Tunnel’s local shows and they remind me of bands like Sebadoh and The Replacements. VapoRubs channel punk with a little bit of a ‘9os pop punk.
Atlantic Thrills, TEAZER, The Lincoln Tunnel, and VapoRubs are at The Parlour on December 7.
Rock 4 X-Mas 17
The holidays are always a ripe time for charity events. Rock 4 X-Mas is now in its 17th year as an accredited charity that raises money by doing benefit concerts around the country. Rock 4 X-Mas’ mission is to bring food, gifts and holiday spirit to less fortunate families around the country. This year, Rock 4 X-Mas lineup is heavy on ‘80s rock ‘n’ roll thunder with members of ZEBRA, W.A.S.P., Lita Ford’s band, Danger Danger, New England and Holy Diver all scheduled to perform! All for a good cause, this show is the perfect way to pre-game the above mentioned TEAZER debut. For more information on Rock 4 X-Mas check out their website at rock4xmas.com.
Rock 4 X-Mas 17 featuring performances by Randy Jackson, Stet Howland, Terry Ilous, Hirsh Gardener, John Mellini, Ted Poley and The Rock 4 X-Mas All Stars will rock to raise money for the less fortunate at Lupo’s Heart Break Hotel on December 7. The show runs from 7 pm to 10 pm.
Big D and The Kids Table
Big D and The Kids Table come back to town to play some ska from the holidays. There is nothing like putting on your best Santa suit and going out to skank off a few of those holiday pounds and share a few laughs with friends.
Big D and The Kids Table, The Fighting Jamesons and Short Handed Goal will skank it up at Fete on December 7.
NRBQ
NRBQ are having their 46th anniversary party at The Met Café. NRBQ runs across the gamut of all things rock, pop, jazz and blues. NRBQ are respected in the industry and are admired by legends like Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Keith Richards. Their music has been on shows like The Simpsons. Don’t miss this rare chance to catch a legendary band in an early evening Sunday show in an intimate environment.
NBRQ, Original Jelly Roll Soul and Happiness (featuring members of Deer Tick and Ravi Shavi) will rock The Met Café on December 8. This is an early show with doors at 4 pm and show starting at 5 pm.
Black Oil Incinerator
Black Oil Incinerator are a local no-holds-barred stoner metal monster. Black Oil Incinerator have been kicking around for a few years, but have had no releases. Black Oil Incinerator have exciting plans to change all that by recording a live album at Dusk. It’s great chance to rally around a great local band and be part of a live record.
Black Oil Incinerator will be recording a live recording on December 8 at Dusk.
95.5 WBRU’s Birthday Bash featuring Grouplove and J Roddy Walston & The Business
95.5 WBRU’s Birthday Bash continues as Grouplove rolls into town for a show that had to be postponed last month due to illness. Grouplove is a goodtime alternative dance band that is sure to have the place hopping. An added bonus of the postponement is the addition of J Roddy Walston & The Business to bill who add some grit and balls to this show.
95.5 WBRU Birthday Bash featuring sets by Grouplove, J Roddy Walston & The Business and Bear Hands comes to Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on December 16. Tickets to the original date last month will be honored.
The McGunks Holiday Party
Truth be told, The McGunks really don’t need much of an excuse to throw a party, as anyone who has been to one of their shows can attest. The McGunks are straight-on pub punk with bits of bands like the Supersuckers mixed in. Check out their recent CD, Highlights for Lowlifes for even more sweaty, booze-drenched rock & roll hi-jinks!
The McGunks and The O’Tooles will throw a punk rock Holiday Bash at Broad Street Tap in Cumberland on December 21.
Afroman
It seems like only yesterday that Afroman had a worldwide hit with the stoner anthem “Because I Got High.” Since then I can’t say that I’ve heard anything from Afroman, although he has continued releasing music independently. Then again, who recently wants to hear 2009 Afroman tunes anyway? This show will be a fun place to hear the old Afroman stuff, if that is your bag, and see locals Kris Hansen and Big Jon Tierney perform. There is also a ridiculous amount of other local openers on this band, to the point that I frankly just gave up counting.
Afroman, Kris Hansen and Big Jon Tierney, and like, 37 other bands will ring in Boxing Day at Manchester 65 in West Warwick on December 26.
Narragansett Beer 123rd Anniversary Party
Northern Lands Narragansett Beer put together a beast of a party to celebrate their 123rd anniversary. Of course, I’d contest the year because they should have to subtract all the years the brand was dormant, but nobody listens to me anyway. This show has something for almost everyone. You want straight-out rock? Northern Lands and the slightly country tinged Jay Berndt & The Orphans will be there. Want something acoustic? Brian McKenzie will be there to deliver. Jazz? Michelle Lewis for the win! The only thing missing is metal, which is odd considering Berndt and McKenzie were in the ‘90s local juggernaut, Kilgore. In addition this will be the annual unveiling of the Gansett Girl Calendar.
Narragansett Beer 123rd Anniversary Party featuring live performances by Northern Lands, Jay Berndt & The Orphans, Brian McKenzie Michelle Lewis and Jeff Byrd hits The Met Café on December 27.
Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons
Joe Fletcher will soon be relocating, so these annual New Year’s Eve shows may not be a guarantee every year. Good music is something one should always appreciate it while it is there. Fletcher and the Wrong Reason will ring in at least one more year in town with a hootenanny romp through their all things American rock & roll catalogue. This is my pick to ring in the New Year from the listings I’ve seen so far.
Joe Fletchers & The Wrong Reasons, J.P. Harris & The Tough Choices, and Smith & Weeden will ring in the New Year at The Met Café on December 31.
Odds & Sods
A Wilhem Scream celebrate the release of their new CD, Partycrasher, with a show with Half Hearted Hero, The Holy Mess and The Down & Outs at The Met Café on December 7. 990WBOB presents Austin Lucas (featuring Allison Weiss, PJ bond, and Valencourt) at Fete on December 7. Black Pus & Xylouris White (Jim White of The Dirty Three and Giorgos Xylouris) come to the Columbus Theatre in Providence on December 8. Born Cages and NGHBRS play Fete on December 11. Azar Swan, Triangle Forest, Delphic Oracle and Winter Line play AS220 on December 12. The Wonder Years, Vinnie Caruana and Young Statues will have a holiday acoustic party at The Met Café on December 14. The Z3 (featuring Frank Zappa percussionist Edward Mann) play the The Spot on December 14. The Mausonic Temple Presents: The White Mice “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” also featuring sets by InHeat, and Cheeseface on December 16 at AS220. Fungus Amungus and Johnny Lingo will bust out some jams for the holidays at The Met Café on December 20. I Am The Avalanche, Hostage Calm, Raindance and Foreign Tongues rock The Met Café on December 21. Math The Band celebrates their new CD release and their 1000th show with a gig at AS220 on December 22. Jeff Rosenstock (of Bomb the Music Industry), Lyra and Malportado Kids will also perform. Forever Young, A Tribute to the Music of Neil Young, play The Met Café on December 28. Spiritual Rez and Daddie Long Legs will ring in the New Year with some smokin’ jams at The Spot on December 31. Empire Revue and Superchief Trio ring in the New Year at AS220 on December 31. Kiss Forever Kiss Tribute comes to Manchester 65 on January 4.
Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com
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Othello: Shakespeare, Straight Up
Mixed Magic Theatre delivers Othello in its classic form
Shakespeare was a rather good playwright. We tend to forget that amidst modern interpretations of the sort done by Kenneth Branagh or Joss Whedon. Trinity Rep a few years ago put on Hamlet as if it was an episode of Downton Abbey. One film version of Othello transfers the story to a high-school basketball court. Such theatrical conceits are common, almost de rigeur, but not at Mixed Magic Theatre who serve their Othello straight up in the classic mode.
This style of performance may seem a bit bombastic to modern tastes attuned to the small television screen, but it is very close to what Shakespeare himself and his audiences saw 400 years ago. With a minimalist set consisting of little more than floorboards painted to look like a map — “Afrika” stage right, “Italia” stage left, and a compass rose dead center — a company of actors proceed to distill to its essence one of the best and most challenging plays in the Shakespearean repertoire, a tale of jealousy, revenge and prejudice.
Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, the patriarch of a theatrical family that is the Rhode Island version of the Barrymores, gives one of the most physically demanding performances of the title role I’ve seen, a man driven mad by his own inner demons although with more than a slight push. At first a swaggering general, Pitts-Wiley’s Othello shrinks throughout the course of the play into a cowering and hesitant weakling, no small feat for an actor whose natural appearance is more the former than the latter. His Othello is not angsty or arrogant, but paranoid. Who can he trust?
Such physicality of the performance can be genuinely unsettling. Desdemona’s final scene is not softened through stage artifice and is shown with all of the violence of the literal text, but in Pitts-Wiley’s hands this makes the contrasting involuntary tenderness of it even more horrifying. Consistent with modern perspective, Stephanie Crugnola plays Desdemona as passively and resignedly accepting whatever her fate may be, rather than as an unknowing innocent.
Alex Duckworth as Iago is faced with one of the most challenging and loquacious roles in all of Shakespeare, a character whose fatal flaw is to equate justice with revenge and who believes he is in the right, no matter how evil his scheming and betrayals, because he has himself been wronged. There is something of a custom in recent decades to see Othello and Iago as twinned, or at least two sides of the same coin, sometimes even with a pair of actors alternating the roles throughout the run of performances, but here Duckworth, thin and serpentine, plays Iago more traditionally as the polar opposite of his boss.
Particularly outstanding in supporting roles are Hannah Lum as Emilia (Iago’s wife), who comes to realize the shocking moral consequences of her own unknowing action, and Bob Colonna as Brabantio (Desdemona’s father), whose vast experience as founder of The Rhode Island Shakespeare Company (TRIST) more than 40 years ago gives him a commanding stage presence. Jordan Greeley as the framed Cassio, Christopher Ferreira as the hapless buffoon Roderigo, and Ottavia De Luca as Bianca round out the core cast.
Mixed Magic’s Othello is a solid version especially well suited to the play-goer who has been turned off by the forced cleverness and gimmickry of hypermodern interpretations. I noted with some regret that there were more than a few seats available for the Saturday evening performance I attended; Pitts-Wiley’s well-acted interpretation is well worth seeing.
Othello at Mixed Magic Theatre, 999 Main St Unit 115, Pawtucket, RI 02860, 401-305-7333 http://mmtri.com/2013/11/01/othello/, Fri (Dec 6, 13) and Sat (Dec 7, 14) at 7:30pm, Sun (Dec 8, 15) at 3:00pm.
