Between Worlds with Sheila Isham: Resurrecting the American abstract expressionist at the Newport Art Museum

Isham, Sheila. Teth (#8 Creation Series). 1972. Acrylic spray on canvas. Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI. (Image courtesy of the Newport Art Museum.) Quite some time ago, I read a quip that the art of diplomacy...

Rhode's Clothes — Part 3: A Strut Down Memory Lane

As an international student a year into Rhode Island, yet still only a breath into America, I finally found a question that I might be able to answer – this is my continued exploration of: What...

Discover Providence's Hidden Gem: Siren Spirits in Olneyville

Tucked inside the historic Harrison Steam Complex in Providence's Olneyville neighborhood, Siren Spirits is redefining what a visit to a distillery can be. Equal parts neighborhood gathering place, cocktail destination, and craft spirits experience, this...

Crank Up The Music -- It Makes Me Hoppy

Music makes beer taste better? In 2016, Vrije University in Brussels, Belgium, conducted a study that showed scientific evidence that music has an impact on our taste of beer. This study concluded that lower audible...

Roots Report

Cold Chocolate. Okee dokee folks… Well, summer is here and for me, summer is HELL! A few years back I wrote a song about my disdain of Summer for the Empire Revue’s “Cool” show. Here are...

Small Habits That Can Lead to Big Financial Rewards

America, the focus of this issue, runs on wealth. So here’s how to get yourself some. It’s the perfect opportunity to launch a new column aimed at helping non-one-percenters with financial matters. Feel free to...

Liberty Trees Map

...

Corralled at the Blood Farm: The rise of the uniquely American plasma industry

“Foreigner.” I find it a harsh word that I hate seeing applied to others. Yet applied to myself, it’s the only word that half conveys how baffling I find this country at times. I’d like...

On the Cover: William Schaff

In his final year at college, cover artist William Schaff truly learned what it was like to work in a studio. “I developed a course of study in general fine arts with one of my...

Next to Normal at Trinity Rep: Intensity shines

Rachael Warren as Diana. Photo by Mark Turek. The Next to Normal audience is exposed to waves of raw emotions drowning your soul and dampening your eyes. You may wish you had premedicated with any of...

Spoken Award Winner Writeups

Blaq Sav. Photos by Lillian MK Photography. Favorite Free Verse Spoken Word 2026 Ashley Hosa Sending out a big congrats to Ashley Hosa, who came to the Spoken Awards with a multitude of wonderful supporters (shoutout to Ryan!)....

Obituary: Julian Forgue

The founder of the long-standing hipster-ish West Side restaurant Julians hadn’t been involved directly with the restaurant in quite some time. But his legacy persisted. A larger-than-life personality, you never knew at what event Julian...

Obituary: Lisa Gourley

Renowned supporter of local music and arts Lisa Gourley (Sometimes Lisa Gourleyx) passed away on June 15. Reading reactions on social media, you can’t help but notice how often the words “nice,” “kind,” and “photography”...

Summer Solstice

This beautiful Solstice moment, June 21, 2026 brings the winds of change into our lives. The pivotal points among the planetary movers and shakers of the Zodiac find Gemini, with Uranus and Ceres, reaching across...

2026 Tattoo Awards Photos

By Olivia Lunger By Lillian MK Photography ...

2026 Tattoo Awards Winners

Favorite Color Tattoo Evan Olin, Powerline Tattoo Runner-up: Luis Bold, Unicorn Ink Favorite Black & Gray Ryan Dowden, Dark Ritual Runner-up: Luis Bold, Unicorn Ink Favorite Black & Gray with Color Steven McDonough, Secret Safe Tattoo Runner-up: Rachel WS, Rachel WS Fine Art...

2026 Spoken Awards Photos

By Lillian MK Photography By Olivia Lunger ...

Spoken Award Winners 2026

Photo by Lillian MK Photography. Favorite Free Verse Spoken Word Ashley HosaRunner-up: Jeff Daniellian Favorite Social Justice Spoken Word Erik AndradeRunner-up: Mx Asher Favorite Youth Poet Angel CruzRunner-up: (by one vote) Josselyn Wolf Favorite Poetry Event Apothica's Monthly Poetry NightRunner-up: Afroverse Favorite...

SUMMER THEATER PREVIEW: There’s no shortage of summertime fare at R.I. community theaters and professional playhouses 

Congratulations, you survived the record-breaking Blizzard of 2026. With the anticipated arrival of clear skies and warm temps, how will you be spending your well-earned, much-needed downtime this summer? If you’re adventurous, you could explore some of...

Godzilla: 70 Years of Fame, Misunderstandings, & Property Damage

Artwork by Bob Eggleton. Godzilla has been a cinematic icon for over 70 years. However, there are important themes around the monster that have gotten lost with international audiences. There is no gigantic monster that has had...

Summer Fun Map

Tie-dye by Spun Laundry. BEACHES Atlantic Beach Park: Family beach, amusements, kiddy rides, snack bars, antique 1915 carousel, batting cages, bumper boats, go-carts, mini golf, game room, waterslides, gift shop, beachware and an ocean-view cocktail lounge. 321...

OEight at Track 15

Photos by Lillian Karboski. Every time you listen to a song, there is always something more than the words or catchy melody. On Friday, May 1, right in the heart of downtown Providence, an extraordinary group...

Roots Report

Okee dokee folks… Rising costs of everything is what’s on my mind this month. It really should be on everyone’s mind. The main things I will talk about here are gasoline and concert tickets. One...

Wild Rock Dove: The new Ravi Shavi record and its want to “Misbehave”

Photo: Christopher Mongeau. Ravi Shavi, a band that has been around since 2011 and started as a moniker for Rafay Rashid’s music project, has evolved and become more rooted in its creative approach and performance, as...

Why ask Can You Go Home?

“Can I go to X?” is the question 2 Feet 2 Bucks has answered with “Yes” dozens of times, where X = place worth going out of your way to, to take a walk, short...

“Our Weapons Are Cameras”: A Conversation With a RI Deportation Defense Line Organizer

We sat down a few months ago with one of the organizers of RI’s Deportation Defense Line. The Defense Line’s origins are organic and multifaceted. No one person is in charge of it. No one...

2026 Music Award Winner Writeups

Artist of the Year: Favorite Song: Favorite Music Video: NOVA ONE; "chlorine" by NOVA ONE; "chlorine" - NOVA ONE (Dir. Frankie Ferrari)  nova one: “nova won!” Providence’s own nova one won (!!) four 2026 Motif Music Awards: “artist...

The Wait Is Over … Disney’s The Lion King returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center 

Photo by Matthew Murphy. The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King last played the Providence Performing Arts Center in 2017. After nearly ten years, The Lion King is back astounding Providence for a limited...

MEASURE FOR MEASURE: What Would You Wouldn’t Do?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). This is the core theme behind William Shakespeare's darkest comedy, Measure for Measure, one of Shakespeare’s most exciting, underperformed and underappreciated plays, currently presented by Burbage...

Town Hall Unites Community: Everyone hates an AI data center

Smithfield, RI: A town known for its forests, trails, ponds, and well, wealth. An unlikely location for a potential AI-Data Center, one may think. Yet, this rural community, despite data center construction being illegal under...

Stuff to Do

Mrs. Doubtfire: Hellooooo! We all love you!

Photo by Joan Marcus. Euphegenia Doubtfire, aka Rob McClure, gives a steamy performance in the kitchen. In this musical comedy, based on the beloved film starring the incomparable Robin Williams, and directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the sometimes poignant yet mostly uproarious story of an out-of-work actor who would […]

Read More

Mrs. Doubtfire: Sponsored content

October 17 – 22, 2023Part of the Taco/The White Family Foundation Broadway Series  A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together. Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to the Providence Performing Arts Center, October 17 – 22, 2023!  Rob McClure reprises his Tony-nominated Broadway performance on tour alongside co-star (and real […]

Read More

Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival: October 25–29

Flickers’ Vortex Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Film Festival opens at PPAC with the 1925 silent film classic Phantom of the Opera featuring live musical accompaniment by world-renowned organist Peter Krasinski.  “Peter’s absolutely phenomenal,” says festival program co-director Shawn Quirk. “Everything he does is improvised;, it’s incredible. We did The Adventures of Prince Achmed with him […]

Read More

ecoRI News Roundup

Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Challenging Shoreline Access Law PROVIDENCE — Shoreline activists around Rhode Island celebrated when a federal judge dismissed a legal challenge to the state’s new shoreline access law on September 19.  The lawsuit, filed by the Rhode Island Association of Taxpayers (RIACT), claimed the law, which expands the boundary for public shore […]

Read More

Fruits of Lunacy: PART SIX, Stansted Airport, London, England – Present Day

“GOOD ANGELSweet Faustus, leave that execrable art.FAUSTUSContrition, prayer, repentance: what of them?GOOD ANGELO, they are means to bring thee unto heaven.EVIL ANGELRather illusions, fruits of lunacy,That makes men foolish that do trust them most.GOOD ANGELSweet Faustus, think of heaven and heavenly thingsEVIL ANGELNo Faustus, think of honour and of wealth.FAUSTUSOf Wealth!” Christopher Marlowe Dr Faustus: The […]

Read More

On the Cover: Michelle Perez

When I sat down with this issue’s cover artist, Michelle Perez, and asked what has been inspiring her recently, she brightened: “Girl monster movies.” Specifically, Jennifer’s Body. After moving to Providence from Jacksonville, FL (which she describes as stripmall country) to study illustration at RISD, Perez started researching the local lore and learned of the […]

Read More