Big Things to Come at DownCity Gala Night

Motif got a lead on a new gallery project, so I decided to trek through the brutal aftermath of winter storm Regis last Monday and check it out. I attended the kickoff event of DownCity Gala Night, a twice monthly art show/concert/all-around good time held at Tarragon Bar (attached to Rosemarin, formerly Aspire Kitchen) at Westminster and Mathewson Street. Every first and third Monday from now on, a different local artist and musician/band will be featured from 7 to 10pm.

Ryan Bergstrom is the lead architect and organizer of DownCity Gala night. He used to work for the owners as a bartender, but doesn’t have any formal experience in gallery work. “I’m currently in school for art therapy and I wanted to do something in the field, so I figured, why not? I think once we build an audience, this will be an event people will really look forward to,” Ryan said. It’s also a commission-free event for the artists, which is not often the case with galleries.

I like art, but I can’t say I’m very schooled; my knowledge pretty much begins and ends with Van Gogh and that whole ear business. I did, however, genuinely enjoy the work of Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon, that week’s featured artist. Cahoon uses an often mono-chromatic palette to feature creative types like Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin.  Each piece incorporates a subtle motif: a heart, worn or carried by the subject. My favorite piece: Neil Degrasse Tyson on a backdrop of Starry Night (Check out her awesomely creepy Day of the Dead celebrity photos on her Etsy site).

Tarragon Bar is a hip, modern space in the heart of downcity with lots of windows and limited wall surface — not the kind of place you would imagine as a typical gallery. Some great (and free) hors d’oeuvres like fried fish sandwiches, truffle balls and ceviche were served with a complimentary glass of champagne. The bar also has an extensive list of cocktails and a menu of bar food.

Filling the music slot after a last-minute cancellation was Scarlett, an acoustic trio. Their laid-back covers fit the opening of a gallery perfectly. Taking care of the musical side of the events going forward will be Anie McAdams, who works at B08 Studios in Pawtucket. “My goal for every DownCity Gala showing is to book musicians who match the mood of the art on display,” Anie said.

For now, Ryan is focusing on creating a roster of featured artists and getting the event into Gallery Night Providence, a board of gallery owners that would add considerable exposure. But that’s not all: When it gets a bit warmer, they plan to hold the event outdoors. “We’re really excited to take advantage of the beautiful courtyard, and I think that will draw traffic from all over downtown. We’ll hopefully get some belly dancers, and we’re also looking into getting the permits together for fire dancers!”

If you are looking for the cultural experience of a gallery in the comfort of a fully stocked bar, stay tuned for more DownCity Gala Night developments!

DownCity Gala Night takes place every first and third Monday at The Tarragon Bar, located at 311 Westminster. If you’re a local artist or musician looking to be featured, reach out to Ryan Bergstrom at bergstromryan at gmail.com or Anie McAdams at markita1993 at icloud.com