Its no secret that I'm a total sucker for live music of all sorts, so when I heard that Lola's had bluegrass, I had to go check it out. Dubbed Burritos and Bluegrass night (a harmonious combo if I ever heard one), every Thursday 8-11 the waterfront cantina welcomes local bluegrass acts to bring their banjos and jam. There's something about bluegrass that just warms up a room and makes people happy. That plus a nice chilled margarita- now there's a recipe for a great night! Grab a few friends, pile into the long picnic tables, and do yourself a favor and order the shrimp tacos.
Last night I ran into an old friend, and found out he's gotten into the RI music scene since finishing up at Brown. Just so happens his bluegrass band, The Fox Point Rounders, are playing Lola's this coming Thursday, the 31st! Even more reason to head back there next week.
Burritos and Bluegrass, Thursdays 8-11PM
Lola's Tequila Bar and Cantina, 525 South Water Street, Providence, RI
Free!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Weekend Picks: Newport Edition
If you're looking for things to do this weekend, Newport is the place to be (and I'm not just saying that because one of my favorite Rhode Islanders lives there and happens to own a Vespa.)
To kick things off on Friday, NewportFILM is screening Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present as part of their May Mini-Fest. The film follows the performance artist and contemporary art world star as she prepared for her 2010 critically-acclaimed retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art, in which Abramovic held court in the museum's atrium for three months. The night includes a 6PM wine reception with food by Pasta Beach, film starting at 7, and a post-screening Q&A with the film's producer Marcus Ricci. Tickets, $12 for the film, $20 including the reception, are available online.
Saturday is going to be gorgeous, and I can think of no better place to celebrate the start of summer than Flo's Clam Shack. If its your first time, you need to try the whole-belly fried clams and the stuffies! Grab a 'Gansett, head to the top deck, and take in the sun and gorgeous views of First Beach and Cliffwalk. And of course don't forget to snap a picture on your way out.
Here's where it get tricky - Saturday night you have two great options to choose from:
NewportFILM's mini-fest continues, screening Under African Skies. This year's South by Southwest Film Festival Audience Award Winner, Joe Berlinger's documentary captures Paul Simon's return to South Africa 25 years after recording Graceland (one of my all-time favorite albums). The night includes a 6:30PM wine reception with food by Pasta Beach, film starting at 7:30. Tickets, $12 for the film, $20 including the reception, are available online.
Saturday night also marks the return of Newport Art Museum's Artists' Ball! Celebrating the museum's centennial year, the 1920s themed evening will include performances by burlesque dancers Kristen Minksy & the TropiGals, and art installations by Peter Diepenbrock and Jerold Ehrlich. "Alter egos, costumes and bold attire" are being encouraged, so if you're looking for an opportunity to wear your best avant garde apparel, this is your night! You might even meet your own Ocean State Gatsby. The Artists' Ball runs from 8pm to midnight at the Museum's John N. A. Griswold House, 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. Tickets are available online, and cost $60 in advance and $80 at the door.
To kick things off on Friday, NewportFILM is screening Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present as part of their May Mini-Fest. The film follows the performance artist and contemporary art world star as she prepared for her 2010 critically-acclaimed retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art, in which Abramovic held court in the museum's atrium for three months. The night includes a 6PM wine reception with food by Pasta Beach, film starting at 7, and a post-screening Q&A with the film's producer Marcus Ricci. Tickets, $12 for the film, $20 including the reception, are available online.
Saturday is going to be gorgeous, and I can think of no better place to celebrate the start of summer than Flo's Clam Shack. If its your first time, you need to try the whole-belly fried clams and the stuffies! Grab a 'Gansett, head to the top deck, and take in the sun and gorgeous views of First Beach and Cliffwalk. And of course don't forget to snap a picture on your way out.
NewportFILM's mini-fest continues, screening Under African Skies. This year's South by Southwest Film Festival Audience Award Winner, Joe Berlinger's documentary captures Paul Simon's return to South Africa 25 years after recording Graceland (one of my all-time favorite albums). The night includes a 6:30PM wine reception with food by Pasta Beach, film starting at 7:30. Tickets, $12 for the film, $20 including the reception, are available online.
Saturday night also marks the return of Newport Art Museum's Artists' Ball! Celebrating the museum's centennial year, the 1920s themed evening will include performances by burlesque dancers Kristen Minksy & the TropiGals, and art installations by Peter Diepenbrock and Jerold Ehrlich. "Alter egos, costumes and bold attire" are being encouraged, so if you're looking for an opportunity to wear your best avant garde apparel, this is your night! You might even meet your own Ocean State Gatsby. The Artists' Ball runs from 8pm to midnight at the Museum's John N. A. Griswold House, 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. Tickets are available online, and cost $60 in advance and $80 at the door.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tonight's Pick: Santigold at Lupo's
I'm personally of the belief that Wednesdays are made for dancing. Lucky for me, and those of you also looking for some midweek grooving, Lupo's and WBRU are bringing Santigold to town tonight! Since her 2008 debut, kicked off by the success of singles "Creator" and "L.E.S. Artistes," Santi has yet to put out a tune that hasn't gotten a whole room moving.
Santigold is currently touring in support of her sophomore album, Master of My Make-Believe, an album that caught the attention of the art world as well as the music industry. The Master cover features a portrait of Santi by contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley, Wiley's first-ever depiction of a female subject. Now if that doesn't convince you she's the real deal, I'm not sure what will. Check out the making of the bad-ass album cover below:
Santigold will be joined by Brooklyn-based hipster-rapper Theophilus London. Not only will you dig his music, you'll envy his ability to rock a patterned button-down and shades.
Tonight at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St.
Doors at 8, Show at 9.
Tickets are $25 advance, $28 day of, $35 reserved mezzanine.
Santigold is currently touring in support of her sophomore album, Master of My Make-Believe, an album that caught the attention of the art world as well as the music industry. The Master cover features a portrait of Santi by contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley, Wiley's first-ever depiction of a female subject. Now if that doesn't convince you she's the real deal, I'm not sure what will. Check out the making of the bad-ass album cover below:
Tonight at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St.
Doors at 8, Show at 9.
Tickets are $25 advance, $28 day of, $35 reserved mezzanine.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Tonight's Picks: Waterfire Fête & Vudu Sister CD Release Party
In the mood for some live music this fine Friday evening? Of course you are! Check out one of these lines ups:
WaterFire Providence is throwing their season kick-off fundraiser at Fête! Featuring a long line up of local talent, stand outs include singer-songwriter Mike MiZ's toe-tapping fusion of folk, rock, bluegrass and blues; guitarist, firedancer and performance artist extraordinaire Spogga; and exquisitely beautiful harmonies from female duo tig & bean. With two stages and an outdoor block party, the night is a veritable mini-music festival! View the full line up here. Want to show your support of the arts in Providence- commemorate the night with a special limited edition WaterFire Fête t-shirt designed by AJ Paglia. Doors open at 7, Tickets are $15.
Across town, get your Americana on and celebrate the release of Vudu Sister's debut album, Bastard Children, at Local 121. The efforts of Providence-based singer/songwriter Keith McCurdy, joined on tracks by violinist Diane O'Connor and multi-instrumentalist Michael Samos, a quick listen shows that Vudu Sister has some serious musical chops! McCurdy will be joined by fellow songsters Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons, The Famous Winters, and Tallahassee. Show starts at 10.
Weekend Pick: Cinco de Mayo
Who doesn't love Cinco de Mayo? Frankly I feel there should be more occasions that combine fish tacos and jalapeño margaritas, mariachi bands, multicolored puebla dresses from Mexico (maybe that part's just me...), and, of course, piñatas.
I'm headed out of town to experience a friend's legendary May 5th bash in New Jersey. Her mother has been cooking tamales and carving out lemon shot glasses for three weeks - so that's a hard offer to turn down.
However if I were to be in Rhody this weekend, you would definitely find me at In Downcity's 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party. With Gracie's offering $5 seafood cerviche and sangrita, a taco truck selection (Poco Loco & Mijos), mean margaritas served up by The Salon, and can't-pass-up music memorabilia at the Providence Rock 'n' Roll Yard Sale, all set to a soundtrack by Brown Univeristy's own Mariachi band and DJ Studebaker Hawk, this is a guaranteed good time. Not to mention this fiesta is free! So you don't have to feel guilty about that sombrero you bought for the occasion.
In Downcity's Cinco de Mayo Block Party, Free, 4pm to 8pm, Saturday, May 5, Westminster Street between Union and Eddy Streets.
I'm headed out of town to experience a friend's legendary May 5th bash in New Jersey. Her mother has been cooking tamales and carving out lemon shot glasses for three weeks - so that's a hard offer to turn down.
However if I were to be in Rhody this weekend, you would definitely find me at In Downcity's 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party. With Gracie's offering $5 seafood cerviche and sangrita, a taco truck selection (Poco Loco & Mijos), mean margaritas served up by The Salon, and can't-pass-up music memorabilia at the Providence Rock 'n' Roll Yard Sale, all set to a soundtrack by Brown Univeristy's own Mariachi band and DJ Studebaker Hawk, this is a guaranteed good time. Not to mention this fiesta is free! So you don't have to feel guilty about that sombrero you bought for the occasion.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tonight's Pick: Mike Doughty at The Met
Let's meet at : Policy & Pinot
Next Tuesday, May 8th, Rhode Island Public Radio will host a conversation about the state of the contemporary arts in Providence at the Providence Athenaeum, a part of their ongoing Policy & Pinot public series.
With the incredible amounts of talent coming out of RISD and Brown (just yesterday Brown announced this year's recipients of the Weston Fine Arts Award) , RIPR asks why the contemporary arts scene in the "Creative Capitol" isn't more active. Panelists will discuss possible limiting factors, including creative real estate and state funding priorities. The conversation will also explore the ways in which the city can promote the contemporary arts.
Moderated by RIPR’s Education reporter Elizabeth Harrison, panelists will include Judith Tolnick
Champa, Editor-in-Chief of Art New England magazine; Vanphouthon
Souvannasane, co-founder of Olneyville's Yellow Peril gallery; Sarah
Ganz Blythe, Director of Education at the Museum of Art RISD; Sara
Agniel, co-founder of Buonaccorsi+Agniel gallery; and artist Jay Zehngebot.
Come, drink, and discuss. 5:30pm reception; 6pm program
RSVPs should be sent to Danielle Blasczak at danielle@ripr.org. Further information can be found on RIPR's website.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Introducing...
Rhode Island, I owe you an apology. I've misjudged you, and I'll be the first to admit I've been a bit of a snobby ex-pat over the past few years (St Andrews will do that to the best of us).
Growing up here, I got my mind set that the smallest state probably wasn't going to cut it for my cultural chops. So I hightailed it out of here in search of the world and someplace more happening (Almost Famous reference entirely intentional). First it was Australia, then Scotland, London, Australia again, and finally, when it seemed time to return state-side, New York City.
But low and behold I'm back - and just in time, it seems. Fresh off the bus from Brooklyn, a week after Travel + Leisure dubbed Providence #6 Best City for Hipsters (read: good music, arts, coffee…), I got looking to see exactly where the plaid flannel was hanging here in the Ocean State. And I've been pretty damn impressed with what I've found so far- Spencer Finch on show at RISD, super talented mixologists at The Dorrance, and one of my favorite musicians coming to town for a book reading gig on Thursday. I could get used to this.
But there is one key thing missing. How are you supposed to hear about all this stuff? Word-of-mouth is all well and good, and you've got the Phoenix once a week, but I've been really having to search to find out what's going on. Which let's face it, most of us don't have the time and/or patience to do. And, not to call anyone out (ahem, Lupo's), but some of the places serving up the best gigs are seriously lacking an online presence. If a venue is truly rocked, and no one is there to tweet about it, did that tree in the woods really fall? I'm sure the saying goes something like that…
So this is the goal: One blog, one twitter feed, one place to go to find out all the good stuff. Rhode Island, get ready to get served up some culture.
Tips more than welcome: tipstotherhodeislander@gmail.com; or tweet me @theRIslander
X
Sarah
Growing up here, I got my mind set that the smallest state probably wasn't going to cut it for my cultural chops. So I hightailed it out of here in search of the world and someplace more happening (Almost Famous reference entirely intentional). First it was Australia, then Scotland, London, Australia again, and finally, when it seemed time to return state-side, New York City.
But low and behold I'm back - and just in time, it seems. Fresh off the bus from Brooklyn, a week after Travel + Leisure dubbed Providence #6 Best City for Hipsters (read: good music, arts, coffee…), I got looking to see exactly where the plaid flannel was hanging here in the Ocean State. And I've been pretty damn impressed with what I've found so far- Spencer Finch on show at RISD, super talented mixologists at The Dorrance, and one of my favorite musicians coming to town for a book reading gig on Thursday. I could get used to this.
But there is one key thing missing. How are you supposed to hear about all this stuff? Word-of-mouth is all well and good, and you've got the Phoenix once a week, but I've been really having to search to find out what's going on. Which let's face it, most of us don't have the time and/or patience to do. And, not to call anyone out (ahem, Lupo's), but some of the places serving up the best gigs are seriously lacking an online presence. If a venue is truly rocked, and no one is there to tweet about it, did that tree in the woods really fall? I'm sure the saying goes something like that…
So this is the goal: One blog, one twitter feed, one place to go to find out all the good stuff. Rhode Island, get ready to get served up some culture.
Tips more than welcome: tipstotherhodeislander@gmail.com; or tweet me @theRIslander
X
Sarah
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