Things to do in Providence

#RedAlertRESTART: Lighting Buildings Red on Sep 1 to Save Live Events

The live event scene, decimated for months by the COVID-19 shutdown of the economy, is holding a #RedAlertRESTART event on Tuesday, September 1, from 9pm to midnight, to illuminate the exteriors of publicly visible buildings with red light to draw attention to their desperate economic plight. “The hope is to get as many people involved […]

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Funny, Man!: Robert Kelly comes to the Comedy Connection

On Saturday and Sunday (Aug 7 and 8), stand-up comedian, actor, radio personality and podcast host Robert Kelly returns to the Comedy Connection in East Providence for four weekend performances. Robert Kelly’s comedy is deeply rooted in his own life and relationships, which makes it honest and abrasively funny, yet refreshingly vulnerable. For years, he’s […]

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Summer in the City

PVDFest is an annual event that typically transforms The Creative Capital into a boisterous celebration of art and culture. Unfortunately, the dumpster fire that is 2020 necessitated its cancellation this summer. But PVDFest’s commitment to public art hasn’t wavered. People out taking a socially distanced stroll through the city’s streets might have noticed three pieces […]

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Open/Closed

SAY HELLO Notes Coffee Company: 508 Armistice Blvd, Pawtucket. They held their grand opening on July 17, this java shop is dedicated to melding music with a cafe scene. Industrious Spirits Company: 1 Sims Ave, #103 PVD. iscospirits.com. Providence’s first distillery since the days of Prohibition. They specialize in gin and vodka, with bourbon currently […]

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Ecstatic Ekphrastic

Public art is meant to inspire conversation, and What Cheer Writers Club and The Avenue Concept recently teamed up to formalize that exchange in an event called Ecstatic Ekphrastic. The two arts organizations selected four pieces of Avenue Concept-installed art — “Condemned” by Richard Goulis, “Misty Blue” by Andrew Hem, “Night Flight” by Lauren YS […]

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Emancipation Day in PVD, Aug 1

Slavery ended throughout the British Empire on “Emancipation Day,” August 1, 1834, when the Slavery Abolition Act came into force. Free Blacks in the United States began celebrating the anniversary as many had personal and community connections with the former slaves of the British West Indies, the Caribbean Islands (including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, […]

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Get Your Flea Fix!: Providence Flea returns to the great outdoors

If you, like us, have been missing your casual Sunday shop along the river at the Providence Flea, have we got some good news for you! On Sunday, August 2, Providence Flea will begin a 5-week outdoor trial run that welcomes shoppers back to the river. Providence Flea takes safety seriously, and it’s made some […]

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Get Out!: PVDFest announces a Downcity scavenger hunt

PVDFest has joined the ranks of organizations stepping up to entertain and delight cooped-up locals despite the changes social distancing has forced. This certainly isn’t the summer for the throngs of people dancing in the streets PVDFest usually encourages, but an outdoor scavenger hunt with your bubble? That idea kind of has us dancing. On […]

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Functional Art on Empire Street: PVDFest sculpture installation encourages socially distant viewing

“Bee Violet” is an outdoor art installation on PVD’s Empire Street that was created by Allison Newsome and Deborah Spears Moorehead. Its patented design, a symbolic metal fish combined with a growing vegetable garden, redefines what is possible aesthetically and environmentally with art.  “It was made on a wing and a prayer,” says Newsome, referencing […]

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Ride the Tide: This summer, there are many ways to explore the Providence River

Providence is a hopping city — usually. We find ourselves a bit limited this summer, because COVID, but because Phase 2 reopened some businesses and parks in the state, we once again have recreation options on the water. In fact, more options than ever before!  Matthew “Marcello” Haynes became a gondolier in 1999, something he’d […]

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