An Ode to the Analog: The Linotype Daily project is part diary, part news filter and completely perfect

I am at DWRI Letterpress, and I am standing in front of a Linotype, the first automatic typesetting machine — a machine that Edison called the “Eighth Wonder of The World” — and over the whirring, clanking and spitting of its 3,000 moving parts, Dan Wood is explaining why it’s so wondrous, or in his words, “Completely insane! This started a whole new printing revolution: the second printing revolution after Gutenberg. Up until the 1880s, everything had to be handset — this machine made school textbooks affordable, and suddenly instead of two- or three-page newspapers you could have daily newspapers that were 20 or 30 pages long. It launched us into the information age.” At the turn of the century, the Linotype was a marvel of modern engineering; it was, in Dan’s words, “breathtakingly fast…and now it’s like, so, so slow.”

Dan would know. He’s the artist behind The Linotype Daily, and for 366 consecutive days (ending on Leap Day), he produced a new “print, card, pencil or other Linotype-created work” using this fin de siècle marvel. Dan’s website describes The Linotype Daily as “part diary, part news filter.” He had a number of print subscribers, and a spot in the World’s Fair Gallery, but many encountered the project through the Instagram account @thelinotypedaily.

Dan’s daily posts toggled between the political (“PRESIDENT PARDONS WAR CRIMINAL,”) and the personal (“TEENAGE WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGES HER DAD ATE THE PEANUT BUTTER”), the local (“PRONK!”) and the national (“HONG KONG, BEIRUT, SANTIAGO! MILLIONS CONTINUE PROTESTS”). The voice of The Linotype Daily is that of a hard-nosed reporter of bygone days: authoritative and bombastic (“When you put it in print, people can’t hear my ‘every-sentence-is-a- question’ inflection”). The fonts, classic early-to-mid-century newspaper typefaces, carry a similar power, as does the printed word itself (“People think: ‘they wouldn’t print it if it wasn’t true.”).

There’s a wry irony in the juxtaposition between that authority and the content of the posts themselves, which reflect the dizzying, haphazard tone of our hyperactive news cycle (“THE WORLD IS STILL A MESS”). “It’s been such a weird year,” Dan says. “Day after day it’s worse and worse and everything is just so bizarre.” That absurdity comes out in the Daily, sometimes as whimsy (a Democratic Debate scorecard modeled after an Olympic Figure Skating card), sometimes as despair (“I CAN’T KEEP UP!”), often as both.

Dan grabs a loose Daily from a nearby stack and passes it to me (“DEATH EATERS TRIUMPHANT! REPUBLICANS SILENT AS PURGES CONTINUE”). I run my fingers over the debossed letters as he muses: “I’m printing a hundred copies of this, but on the Instagram hundreds, thousands, whatever, all these people are going to see a digital replication of this handmade thing, but because it’s handmade, they’re going to spend more time looking at it than if it were just, like, a meme. Which is a weird thing. But people like things that are handmade. The amount of time it took for you to make it seeps into its meaning somehow.”

Part of what makes The Linotype Daily intriguing is the allure of the tangible. The studio itself is a sensory playground: the lead bubbling in the crucible of the Linotype (in which old type slugs are melted and reborn); the chunk-chunk of the Heidelberg spitting out copies (“I can’t watch anyone using this machine because it looks like you’re sticking your hand in it,” Dan says, as he seems to stick his hand in it); the paper invitations and cards and posters that line the walls (including all 366 Linotype Dailies).

The studio is a veritable museum of archaic machinery, and the project is, to some extent, an ode to the analog. Making a single Linotype Daily took Dan between one and five hours: writing the post, setting the type, loading and operating the machines, selecting the typeface. Dan points to a card that says “IMPEACHED” — “This 96 point Gothic is a really weird typeface, it’s got this playful joy, it’s really strange.”

That so many people encountered and engaged with this staunchly old-fashioned art on social media adds a layer of irony that Dan seems both bemused and fascinated by: “It’s very, very strange.”

“[These days] there’s so much information that we’re not even capable of sorting through it … with the project it was kind of like … maybe taking the time to do this little thing will be a way to sort of navigate the information overload that we’re all living in.” Social media gave him a chance to turn that sorting, the processing of a chaotic year, into a dialogue with his audience. “I feel like speaking honestly is the artist’s only job,” Dan says. “Just doing that is creating some meaning. If you’re doing something you feel genuine about, other people will appreciate that.”

If you’d like to see The Linotype Daily irl, it will be part of a show at Galerie le Domaine (145 Wayland Ave, PVD), called “Our Ephemeral World: from Plants to Paper to Print,” on the first Gallery Night of 2020, March 19 from 6 – 8pm. The posts are also available for purchase through dwriletterpress.net

Motif Tattoo Awards

We love your ink, and the Motif Tattoo Awards is your chance to honor the artistry of local ink slingers who used you as their canvas.

Be sure to vote for your favorite tattoo artists at motifri.com/tattoo-2020, then come to our awards celebration on Monday, March 9 at 6pm at Alchemy (71 Richmond St, PVD). The awards will be hosted by tattoo artist Dani Ryan, who appeared on Season 12 of “Ink Master” and wields her iron at 1001 Troubles in Warren, and co-hosted by Motif contributor Crimson Al-Khemia.

Warm up for the main event by checking out our roundtable of local tattoo greats, hosted by Al-Khemia.

For more info go to motifri.com/2020tattooroundtable

25th Annual Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading: If you had been there. “…you would know why” Emily Ruth Hazel, honorary poet; Photo credit: AIJ Media

The sounds of steel pan, keyboard, bass and vocals poured out of the Providence Career & Technical Academy Auditorium as hundreds of standup citizens glided inside. They were there to hear 67 people present Langston Hughes’ works, as well as experience some surprises.

Many attendees returned for a third or 20th visit. Sylvia Ann Soares was presenting for the 12th time in 21 years. She said she was “delighted to see the varied ethnicity reflected in Langston’s poems performed by immigrants and others in their language besides English.” There were beautifully dressed children tuning in and out of the tribute to the poet. There was a touch of harmonica, some snapping, singing, drumming, some blues … and due to careful listening and collaboration, at one point we could hear the “Seascape. “

The event began from the moment one walked into the door, greeted by volunteers of all ages who were professionally welcoming. Old and new friends shook hands and hugged, families milled together, and six generations warmed the auditorium. Deborah Spears Moorehead performed the Opening Song. “A prayer that came to me at 4am,” she explained before blessing the space with “A Prayer for the People.” **

One of the quintessential “community” moments took place next. As April Brown and Valerie Tutson prepared to lead “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” there came the sound of a stunning 10-month-old baby. Tutson said, “Joya wants to sing the Negro National Anthem,” and she held her baby on stage as the entire congregation sang along with them.

A Biographical Moment, Rochel Garner Coleman first dazzled the crowd by quipping that he thought the preceding invocation was going to be “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” Later, when he quoted Hughes, some reflected on the moments of collective guffaws. “Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.” This day was one of celebration of Hughes, and it included laughter, joy, pain and contemplation. Rochel described Langston Hughes as “the original jazz” and the “JZ of Harlem.” He gave a detailed list of the vocations and let the listeners know that Langston Hughes was far from just a poet. Rochel eloquently wove wit and knowledge, including the ominous question, “What would [Hughes] think of immigration issues, 1994 Rwanda Genocide…” [Langston Hughes lived on earth until 1967.] All the while, Rochel’s voice and the instrumentals played in tandem. This was an eloquent and thorough account of Langston Hughes delivered with a passion usually reserved for eulogies. This was a birthday party. Many were curious to get to see and hear the Honorary Poet, Emily Ruth Hazel. She had performed the previous night for Funda Fest’s event “Grown Folk Story Telling.” She submitted to the RFP from Pasadena, California. The next 67 poems (plus Hazel’s) were presented in three different categories. The turnout for an authentic community, in the truest sense of the word, emulates much of what Langston Hughes celebrated in his writing. April Brown explains, “There is an elegance, because of the time period he represents. I wanted it to have a very spiritual component to it.”

As can be expected, not every presenter was able to attend. If Ray Rickman were there, it would have been his 25th year presenting. It seems that most people, once they know about the event, attend, dare it be said, religiously. Sidney E. Okashige couldn’t believe that she had never heard of the event. “Why didn’t I know about such an amazing event?” Well, someone told her, and that someone is writing this article. Spread the word. For those who are a little down or need to reboot their spirits, this is a sanctuary where all faith can be restored. “The power of Langston Hughes’ writing,” as musician Becky Bass stated, along with the inclusive community mentality, were ways in which the Langston Hughes Community Poetry Event is to be revered. There were 10 languages represented onstage, ages from one to ageless and dedicated teenagers who represented their age group with dignity and confidence, executive directors and teachers, visiting artists and families with small children and grandparents, donors and volunteers.

Emily Ruth Hazel talked about how “If you don’t show up, there will be an empty place” and the gentleness of being “swaddled” and how to “practice listening.” She writes about how she “waited to be chosen last” and about “high-profile and highly profiled.” She talked about America and how “you’re welcome here” and an “America still worth singing about.”

As in “Words Like Freedom,” by Langston Hughes, read by Sheila Jackson, it is in our best interest to read these poems, to talk about them, and to listen to them.

Messages from Beyond: Ocean State Paranormal Society raises money for preservation

When most people think of the ghosts of the past, they don’t imagine literal, well, ghosts. The Ocean State Paranormal Society is turning that all on its head with their upcoming fundraising event that will raise money for an historic property, all while giving attendees access to loved ones from beyond the grave.

Founded in 2012, the Ocean State Paranormal Society has dedicated themselves to helping private property owners determine if the bump they hear during the night is a ghost – or something as simple as a house settling. Just to show you how hands-on they are, there is always an integral part of research that comes with each case. A lot of claims of the paranormal have to do with the idea that there was a tragic death or, very much like the movie Poltergeist, some sort of ancient burial ground. Ocean State Paranormal makes sure to find out the facts – where a property has come from and what has happened to it before jumping to conclusions. Buddy Thayer, founder of Ocean State Paranormal, fully supports this research and the history behind the haunting. He says, “The idea of marrying history and the paranormal has been a thing since way before me. Often times when researching the paranormal, I find myself deeply engrossed in historical research.” With the knowledge that you can’t have history without ghosts, or maybe it’s the other way around, the Ocean State Paranormal Society, a non-profit, has now dedicated itself to helping preserve the past for future generations by letting the paranormal meet preservation. With its yearly fundraising event series, the society allows participants the opportunity to speak to a passed loved one in an historic property. All proceeds from the event then go toward the historical preservation of the event site. Past events have been held at the old Kent County Jail in East Greenwich, which raised $2,700 for the East Greenwich Historical Preservation Society and before that, at the Varnum Memorial Armory (where this year’s event is being held) in 2018 which raised $3,000.

With the event coming back to the Varnum Memorial Armory, guests will get to peek inside a beautiful red brick building located in East Greenwich. The building began construction in 1913 on the site of what had been the Rhode Island Central Bank. Construction was inspired by the Varnum Continentals, who wanted to instill patriotism and history through the building – with the goal of reminding the public what the American Revolution had meant to this country. The building housed drill halls, meeting rooms, and up until 1996, was also home to the Rhode Island National Guard. It currently serves as a military museum.

But – for one night only – Saturday, February 15, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, the Ocean State Paranormal Society will bring its idea of preservation and paranormal together by holding a gallery reading featuring medium and spiritual healer Roland Comtois, who is known for his “purple paper messages.”

While there will be paranormal investigations in the armory, the gallery reading is the main event – where Comtois will appear with messages from beyond that were channeled through him onto purple sheets of paper. It’s here that he hopes that these messages will find their homes, meaning the person that they are intended for. Comtois’ website shows messages that he has received from the beyond and a few places where the messages have landed. One, for example, found its recipient in June 2019 in Rhode Island. Comtois receives these messages, but he never knows who they belong to. This event will promote his goal of letting these purple papers find their way home and will share how audiences can tap into their own intuitive abilities. Ocean State Paranormal Founder Buddy Thayer says, “This guy is the real deal. I have personally been enlightened when he pulled me out of a crowd of 200 and told me specific details about passed loved ones. He doesn’t ask you cold questions or make guesses, Roland speaks directly to you and knows things that only you know or that loved one would know.”

See for yourself if you have a purple paper waiting for you – all while supporting the preservation of a true Rhode Island landmark. I mean, no matter what happens, you’ll have a hauntingly good time.

Tickets for the 18+ event can be purchased on Eventbrite or via the Ocean State Paranormal Society Facebook Page and all proceeds go to the Varnum Memorial Armory. A Story to Tell: Funda Fest celebrates storytelling in its 22nd year

Funda Fest, the annual celebration of black storytelling presented by Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS), will take place throughout the state from January 25 through February 2. The Festival is in its 22nd year. “‘Funda’ means ‘to teach and to learn’ in Zulu and Kiswahili,” explained RIBS co-founder and executive director Valerie Tutson. “We got started many years ago when the Rhode Island Foundation was doing some black arts programming in support of a project that was called I’ll Make Me A World, so they were really trying to celebrate black arts and artists and community. That year we did one weekend — I think we did four school performances. Now we average about 40 all across the state.”

This year’s festival will kick off with a free family storytelling concert on Saturday, January 25 from 1 – 3pm at the North Kingstown Free Library. That evening, RIBS will be at The Universalist Unitarian Congregation of South County for another storytelling concert (doors at 6:30, 7pm show). The next day the festival will move to Providence, with a performance of their program Words and Music at the South Side Cultural Center from 4 – 6pm.

“This year, we’ve got a new-to-town artist who we’re going to be featuring, Sharrief Muhammad, who is a spoken word artist and musician,” said Tutson. “He’s teamed up with some other local musicians, and they’re going to do a musical and spoken word set, along with some of the poets who are being sponsored in partnership with the Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading.” Those include South African poet Kwezie Becker and New York based poet Gentile Ramirez.

From January 27 to 31, RIBS will bring Funda Fest to students across the state as part of their Storytellers in the Schools program. “One thing that’s new this year is we’re going to be at the Providence Performing Arts Center as part of their school series, which we’re excited about,” said Tutson. That performance will reach more than 2,000 middle school students from across the region.

The second weekend of the festival will begin with another free family storytelling concert at the YWCA in Woonsocket on January 30 at 6:30pm. Then, on January 31, the festival’s annual Liar’s Contest and Awful Awful Singing Contest will be held at the American Legion in Providence (7 doors, 8pm contest). On February 1, at the Southside Cultural Center in PVD, the festival will hold a free family fun day, with a storytelling workshop from 10am – noon, lunch and marketplace at noon and a family storytelling concert from 1 – 3pm. That night, at the Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA), RIBS will present Storytelling for Grown Folk (7 doors, music, and marketplace, 8pm show). The festival will conclude with the 25th annual Langston Hughes Community Poetry reading, also at the PTCA (1pm).

This year, Funda Fest is proud to host internationally acclaimed South African storyteller Gcina Mhlophe. “It’s a big thrill to have her here at Funda,” said Tutson, who met Mhlophe in South Africa and has stayed friends with her for many years. Mhlophe’s distinguished career spans more than three decades of work as a storyteller, freedom fighter, activist, actress, poet, playwright, director and author. Recently, she was featured in the award-winning documentary Liyana. In the film, she guides a number of Swazi children, orphaned by the AIDS crisis, in creating a story based on their own experiences. She has traveled extensively since 1988, telling stories in four of South Africa’s languages (English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa). Mhlophe has called storytelling “the basis of all cultures and the mother of all art forms,” and “a way to keep history alive.”

Funda Fest’s enduring presence in Rhode Island is a testament to that fundamental importance of storytelling, and its capacity to shape experience. “We always want people to come away from the festival feeling like they experienced the power of storytelling,” explains Tutson. “In black tradition, storytelling is not just a sit back and listen kind of thing, it’s really a community experience. So we want people to feel engaged. And we always want to celebrate the diversity of black voices, and to provide an alternative experience to the stories that many of us see and hear about black folks every day on the news. It’s always our hope that black people feel good about themselves and their culture because of something that they heard, and we hope that all people learn something.”

For a complete schedule, go to ribsfest.org or motifri.com/funda22schedule

Five Fun Things To Do: Dec 18 – 24

WED 18

PechaKucha PVD: This month’s theme for the adult show-and-tell slideshow event is Nostalgia. No one in RI knows anything about this, so come find out. 7:20 -10pm. Where the Castle Cinema used to be, Federal Hill Pizza, 1039 Chalkstone Ave, PVD. fb.com/ProvidencePKN

THU 19

Larry’s Lounge Variety Show: The locally produced variety show lounges in a new, expanded venue. This month’s theme is Mad Men, so don’t be afraid to dress up. 8:30pm. The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. themetri.com

FRI 20

Sage Francis: Nationally performing rapper from RI on his “Goodbye Rhode Island” tour. 9pm. The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. themetri.com

SAT 21

Dark Christmas: Horror Mansion: Costume party for anyone two months behind in their holiday celebrations — or who just like Hallowmas. Ugly sweaters or zombie garb is all good, and there will be spooky music, an open bar and tours of Sprague Mansion. 55 tickets available. Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St, Cranston. fb.com/GrimoireAcademy

SUN 22

West Side Caroling: A door-to-door caroling adventure that’s grown to a few hundred people, belting out the holiday cheer in courtyards around the west side. Launching at 6pm from Loie Fullers, 1455 Westminster St, PVD. wbna.org

Tammy Pescatelli to Appear at the Greenwich Odeum

Okee dokee folks… I first heard of comedian Tammy Pescatelli a couple years ago when I stumbled across her comedy special, Finding The Funny, on Netflix (originally on Netflix, now on Amazon Prime and iTunes). This stand-up comedy video featured Tammy’s sarcastic and witty way of finding humor in day-to-day life. She is also of Sicilian heritage and often pokes fun at being an Italian girl. Pescatelli has been making people laugh for more than 25 years, but her career took off in 2004 when she was a finalist on Season 5 of “Last Comic Standing.” She has since starred in comedy specials, countless TV and radio appearances, her own reality show, has released CDs and tours worldwide garnering legions of new fans with every performance. I had a very enjoyable phone conversation with Tammy about her comedy and her upcoming appearance at the Greenwich Oedum on Saturday, December 14.

My interview with Tammy was supposed to have taken place a week or so sooner but Pescatelli couldn’t make the call because of illness. Fortunately we were able to connect and the first thing I asked her about was the vomit status. She told me she was feeling better but Facebook was making her sick to her stomach because her advertising for shows was being messed with. Evidently other comedians, such as Jim Breuer, were suffering the same fate, “I guess we’re on the chopping block!” she exclaimed. I sympathized with her as I have had my own issues with the social site. Pescatelli tries to target advertise to Facebook folks in order to maximize the enjoyment at her shows. “I don’t want people to feel like they’ve wasted their money, there’s not a lot of disposable income these days … if we have some like interests in common we have a better chance of having a good time!”

We went on to discuss more about Facebook and how I felt that Mark Zuckerberg is not the kind of person to be running a billion dollar business and she replied, “Name one person that is running a billion dollar business that should be running one…that’s why I never talk about politics, by the time they get to that level they can’t relate, they don’t pump their own gas or have to run to the grocery store at nine o’clock at night because they didn’t have milk for the morning…I don’t know why people fight over it, those politicians don’t relate to us anyway.”

Tammy has an 11-year-old son and I asked her if she continued to perform while she was pregnant like another comedian, Ally Wong, had done recently in her own stand-up special. “Yes, ten years later, ten years later, ten years later, things have come a long way since!” She told me that she did NESN Comedy All Stars when she was 7 months pregnant and was on stage right up until the night she gave birth. When she told her agent about the pregnancy he told her, “I guess your career is over…I haven’t ever seen a pregnant woman on stage.” She replied to him, “I guess you’ve never been to a really bad strip club!”

Nevertheless she continued to perform. She likes to think she had a little something to do with comedians like Ally Wong being able to perform while pregnant. Back then comedian’s wives had the kids. Things were a lot different now than years ago. Pescatelli used to know all the working female comedians now she says that there are hundreds of them. Her desire wasn’t to be a female comic, she just wanted to be a comic. I told her that this all sounds like the little I know of the plot of the series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Her response was, “I love that show, I think it’s superb…but her parents watch her kids and within three months she was on “The Tonight Show” … that never happens!”

One thing that I have noticed as a fan of stand-up comedy is that the bigger the acts get the shorter the performances, the less intimate the show gets with a bigger venue. My girlfriend LOVES Sebastian Maniscalco and would love to see him live, but he is performing arenas and the ticket prices are crazy expensive! Tammy mentioned that Sebastian is a very good friend of hers and she says, “We came up together and to see his success has been one of the best things…I would feel like you do for MOST things like that but I watched him at Madison Square Garden and he made each of those people in there feel like it was an intimate performance!”

We talked about other comedians and expectations from the audience and she told me about an instance where a woman told her, “I think you’re really funny, but you look too much like my husband’s ex girlfriend so I can’t really like you!” Tammy remarked, “So she had a miserable night because she was thinking about her all night? You can’t take it personally.”

Pescatelli had made reference to having a master’s degree so I asked her about that. “That was a lot of work, it’s in business, that I got online… I had a really good time as an undergrad, I was in fashion design at Kent State, but I never used it because within three months I was working at a radio station, which I got because I did an open mic at a comedy club and they hired me to do the morning show! They hired me to be funny but then they tried to have me do business stuff like read the news… I had comics on every Friday and I would ask them questions about being a comedian and learn from that.”

I asked her what made her decide to get into comedy, fashion design to comedy being a bit of a leap. “I was always in all the plays, I wanted to be a theater major, but my parents wouldn’t pay for it…and I loved stand-up…I snuck an Eddie Murphy tape into the house, you have to understand I was such a good kid, I had Italian parents who were super strict, and I hid in my closet under a sleeping bag and listened to the tape never knowing that I could be a stand-up but I just loved it…I got a job as a waitress in a comedy club so I could watch stand-up, I was the world’s worst waitress but I got bit by the comedy bug…a female comic came through and back in those days the female comedians I saw on TV were talking about things I couldn’t relate to; though I can relate to them now — husbands, aging, sex life, etc…this female comedian at the club was young and I could relate to her and I was dumb enough to tell my brothers that I was as funny as she is so they bet me $50 to do it and being a college student $50 was a lot of money and I was broke!…some may think it was egotistical to have said that but it wasn’t, it was confidence that got me to try it…some of the best people at football, scientists, whatever, may have never done it unless they took a chance and tried, you have to try…you never know unless you try!”

As I mentioned earlier I was introduced to Pescatelli’s comedy from her Finding The Funny special on Netflix, I asked her about any upcoming specials in the works. “I had this idea, because when I was in high school I told my guidance counselor that I wanted to be an actress and she told me that you are from a small town in Ohio and no one from here has ever been on TV and if you want to be on TV you’re going to have to rob a bank…I wanted to go back to my old high school to do a show…I thought why go big when you can go home? I wanted to go perform for people who knew me before puberty… I wanted to use kids from the high school, they now have an AV department, so they could work alongside the professionals…I thought how great would it be for these kids to graduate with an IMDB credit! The people who were producing the special didn’t want to do it at the high school but I had already promised the kids…so I had to wait and I had to produce it myself…so this is called The Way After School Special….it’s really cool and has a lot of heart behind it…it kind of looks like Napoleon Dynamite if you ask me…there’s a podium, a marching band and at one point I am in my old cheer-leading uniform…I’m pretty proud of it!”

I mentioned to Tammy that RI has a high percentage of people with Italian heritage and remarked that she should do well because of her Italian/Sicilian humor references. She chimed in, “Italian or Sicilian, but if noone is around it’s all the same…when I did Last Comic Standing in 2004 that was the basis of my comedy because that is all I knew was my family but nowadays I do talk about other stuff but ultimately I am Italian so it does create some of my sensibilities…I just got back from a tour of Israel and I was very blessed the way the Jewish audiences received me, it was so amazing…it all just comes across from relating to family and ridiculousness…and who doesn’t have a brother who has brought a million broads to your table? Who doesn’t have a crazy mother-in-law? And parents who are lunatics?”

I brought up how she picks on her husband quite a bit and she calls him pretty but not smart. “He thinks it’s great, he feels like I’m advertising him…he loves that I talk about him…he knows he is a huge part of my act and he knows how much I love him, he knows how the dynamic works.”

I asked about her son and if she mentions him much. “No, I don’t, I tell one or two things that are generic about him but he didn’t make the choice to be in the act, everybody else benefits from it, my parents, my husband — he drives a nice car because of my act…well, there is one thing I do talk about my son, he solved the Rubik’s Cube, when I was a kid if you solved it NASA came and got you, my son said ‘Mom, you’ve never solved the Rubik’s Cube?’, not for real but I peeled and moved the stickers and told people that I did…it’s not really a joke about him it’s more of a commentary about the differences when I was a kid and he was a kid.”

We chatted a bit more and probably could have talked for much longer than we did. Pescatelli has lot more coming up that will keep her quite busy-Women of a Certain Age on Showtime, a new channel called Circle TV will launch in January and she will be one of the hosts on a comedy show there, and the new special coming out and touring! Tammy was friendly and accessible and it was a pleasure to talk with her. Eventually we had to wrap it up but I did ask her a bit about the Odeum Show on December 14. She told me that opening the show is comedian Collin Chamberlin. Pescatelli remarked that he is very funny and works with her often. He will also be part of her new show on Sirius XM. She added, “I feel like my act has never been better and I think that people are catching on…people my age, 50, who come out for the show want to know that they are getting the bang for their buck…I deliver! I can’t wait for the show in RI and besides anyone that is related to ‘Pauly D’ I want to be friends with!”

For more about Tammy Pescatelli’s stand-up comedy show at the Greenwich Odeum on December 14, chuckle over to: greenwichodeum.com

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com Rhody Rambles: Happenings About Town: Openings, anniversaries and we got our comic on

Bites by Bre had a brelightful debut in October. The new eatery sports a cozy but eclectic style, featuring solid, classic furniture, rounded walls and curvy nooks, and the sharp details of its new, full renovation. Those who sampled the culinary tidbits and triumphs presented at The Olive Tap in Wayland Square back in the day will be especially pleased to know that this new location’s origin story springs from those Olive Tap evenings, where the food was prepared by Bre Goldsmith. Only now, she is free from the constraint of using olive oil in everything, opening wide new culinary vistas. The new restaurant had a full open house on Friday, November 1 that featured eclectic small bites and kitchen tours. It will be open every Friday, by reservation only, with a pre-fixe menu made to fit those who’ve booked their seatings in advance. Go to bitesbybre.com for more info on each week’s meal.

Skye Gallery opened their first national show with work from around the country to the theme of Redemption. The work explores how society can return from the brink and cope with misdeeds past and present. Heavy with societal commentary, the gallery has included artist talks and spoken word performances (Hello, Mr. Orange!) to augment the art. Featured artist Kamal Al Mansour came in from San Jose for one artist talk. See story at motifri.com/redemption

SENE, the film, music and arts festival, celebrated a recent fundraiser at RI Spirits in Pawtucket, part of the distillery’s series toasting — and contributing to — local non-profits. Festivities included raffles and sneak previews of some films anticipated for 2020, when all films are expected to be extra sharp.

RI Community Radio celebrated its one-year anniversary, with a full day of original programming, including some by regular Motif contributors Rudy Cheeks and Bill Bartholomew. The celebration was at Fortnight Wine Bar where the wine and tunes flowed in harmony.

Photo by Gina Mastrostefano

The biggest recent event in Li’l Rhody (which included the release of comics named Li’l Rhody and Rhode Warrior) was RI Comic Con. This year, celebrity panels all took place in the Omni Hotel, and streamlined scanning in and out plus ever-evolving crowd control seems to have removed many of the worst traffic bottlenecks at past iterations of the event. William Shatner, who managed to break RI Comic Con three years ago, held a Q&A panel that didn’t break anything. His entertaining presentation allowed only a few questions, from which he riffed off into descriptions of motorcycle journeys and whale song recordings delivered with impeccable Shatnerian diction. Nichelle Nichols and George Takei extended the Star Trek nostalgia trip with their own presentations, and Takei took the opportunity to discuss his new graphic novel and his childhood in internment camps, and to make an exclusive announcement (unless you count his previous announcements on the topic) of support for Pete Buttigieg in pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination.

Chevy Chase (who has amazingly never come closer to a sci-fi, fantasy or superhero film than his little- watched romp with Daryl Hannah as an invisible man back in 1992) headlined the event, along with the pleasantly spry vintage Trekers. Other highlights included panels dedicated to “Stranger Things” (which sold out and was closed to the press) and Harry Potter (also sold out and closed to the press). Christina Ricci gave a charming panel Q&A that started with a Wednesday Addams vibe before sliding into Lizzy Borden territory, carried on a wave of New Englandism.

The vendor space continued its tradition of providing sensory overload, with displays stretching 20 feet into the air and in every direction (sensory-safe spaces were available nearby, and accommodations for ADA visitors of all sorts were ubiquitous). Vendors also adorned the time-loop circular mobius strip around the Dunk. Artists’ Alley, Tattoo row, the Star Wars photo zone (rigorously managed by multiple R2 units) and a top-floor kids zone all returned intact. Fan and cosplay panels also kept things flowing, and as is the case every year, the greatest highlight of the show was watching the hundreds of cosplayers, from intense to inspired, from humorous to terrifying, from tight to expansive. Harley Quinn and anime inspiration was plentiful, with Aliens and angels weaving in and out of a crowd of Black Widows, Wonder Women, Batmen and Captain Americas (who frequently greeted each other with, “There’s America’s Ass!”).

After three rolicking days, it’s clear that Comic Con has found its sustainable mojo and continues to bridge the worlds of geek and pop-culture to create a mainstream-yet-not phenomenon. Check out motifri.com/xxx for photos and videos.

No Humbugs Here: Holiday theater moves in to the Ocean State

A certain cynicism creeps in during the holidays as an evolutionary response to all of the unmitigated cheer that surrounds us before the gunmetal grey stoicism of the new year sets in. Christmas, for the most part, gets first billing, and our entertainment often reflects those segments of society who are either too disaffected or too cool to jump into the pool of cheer with both feet.

Theater is not immune to this phenomenon, and, in previous years, there have been a fair amount of “alternative” holiday offerings in RI beyond the umpteenth version of A Christmas Carol. However, 2019 has gone back to a mostly all-in joyfest, with even more Dickens than ever. But there are a few surprises among the Wonderful Carols. From storefronts to moving trains, Christmas is on the move in RI Theater. Here’s a brief listing of what’s out there to see as you attempt to stave off the winter blues and get in the spirit of the season.

A Christmas Carol

“Trinity Repertory Company’s version has lasted for over 40 years, in large part because we reimagine it every year from the ground up, returning to the great source material in order to find something fresh and unexpected. The story also has the remarkable ability to respond to new sources of delight and wonder, taking them in and making them a part of the annual telling.” – Curt Columbus, artistic director, Trinity Rep.

The gold standard of the Carols is always Trinity Rep’s annual deep dive into Dickens, and this year promises to be no different. Jude Sandy stars as Scrooge this time around with all your company favorites popping in in various roles.

Trinity’s version runs through Dec 29 in the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Theater. For reservations, call the Trinity Rep box office at 401-351-4242.

In addition to Trinity, ambitious versions of Carol are being offered up by The Granite in Westerly (Nov 20 – Dec 22) and Artists’ Exchange presents their 16th annual take Dec 12 -22. The Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket promises a “fresh adaptation … brimming with extravagant scenery, lavish costumes, dramatic lighting, fog and flying spirits!” (Dec 13-22) and CTC in Wakefield brings us Matthew Fraza’s adaptation Dec 5 -22.

Flying spirits aside, perhaps the most unique take on Dickens out there this season will be on a moving train, delivered by Marley Bridges Theatre Company out on Aquidneck island. On Saturdays, from November 30 to December 21st, the group features afternoon and evening trips from Portsmouth Junction Station complete with an “interactive retelling of the Charles Dickens classic…Music, laughter, food and spirits [all puns intended, one supposes]” and “a dining journey along the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad in our custom-designed theater car featuring special tables for two all facing the center stage.” Not an all-ages experience, Marley Bridges stresses the “festive”atmosphere of these events and recommends that the little ones stay at home. Tickets are pricey, but those looking for a unique way to experience Scrooge’s dilemma may want to jump on this train now.

The usual alternative to Dickens is George Bailey’s Christmas agonies, and The Gamm delivers with It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Dec 5 – 22. Call 401-723-4266 or visit gammtheatre.org for more info. Another flavor in that vein is A Miracle on 34th Street, and RISE Playhouse in Woonsocket serves up some belief Dec 6 – 15. And what else screams Christmas Eve besides A Visit from St. Nicholas – aka ’Twas the Night Before Christmas? On Nov 30, PPAC presents the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and Channel 12’s Patrick Little as guest narrator.

Newport Playhouse keeps the farces flying with A Christmas Cactus from Nov 21 – Dec 31. Directed by Tony Annicone, Cactus is a not-so-subtle homage to both Dickens and romantic comedy. Epic Theatre Co. offers up Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever from Dec 6 – 15 at The James and Gloria Maron Cultural Arts Center (Academy Players’ home space) in Providence. Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick serves up a double helping of something different with The Gift of the Magi (developed from the O. Henry short story) and Balls by George Cameron Grant, a tale of talking ornaments from Dec 5 – 20.

Those looking for something a little more skewed can take themselves to Providence Place Mall Nov 29 – Dec 22 and see a storefront performance of David Sedaris’ irreverent The Santaland Diaries, with a rotating cast (including Epic’s Kevin Broccoli) produced by Spectrum Theatre Ensemble. It’s an adults-only left-of-center nugget that was a niche piece on NPR for years until adapted for the stage. If you were looking for a ray of snark among the sea of joy listed above, here’s your beam, sunshine.

And finally, Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story is reenactedby Living Literature (livingliterature.org) at the Cranston Public Library on Dec 14. This group has been around since 1996 without much fanfare, so take the kids (and the adults) to Cranston for a perfect blend of tradition and modern angst.

Redemption: National show at Skye Gallery explores the moral economy

Redemption is a collection of works from 19 different artists across 12 states, each providing a window that opens onto deeply personal territory. When gallery owner Jonny Skye put out the call for entries, she did not choose the artists for their credentials or their marketing power. She chose them because they had something to say. This is a gallery where conversations begin, and Jonny’s aim is to challenge the dominant narrative. Redemption asked the question: “Is there a moral economy?” and it was a very diverse group of artists who came forth to offer answers. Broni Likomanov’s “Diogenes” seethes with a strangled passion, while in Jason Guynes’ graphite drawing “Cadiz,” a heart slumps against the half open doors of a shed, spidery roots seeking sunlight as the body dwindles. There is also quiet strength here; in Margaret Elmer’s “Awakened,” a calm innocence shines with the force of a shield.

The path to redemption is seldom clear, and these images speak of the stumbling process, dabbing at sores and cutting away dead tissue. These wounds cannot all be wrapped in the same dressing; the source of their injuries differ. The gallery walls are lined with complex visions – in DeSieno’s photograph “62.009730, -6.771640,” an empty road winds through ashen wasteland, while in Donna Garcia’s “Float,” we gaze upon a motionless figure face down in water. Light sometimes shines through the desolation; child-like comfort warms Jean Wetta’s “There, There,” and “Taking Flight” by Victoria Pendragon rises into radiant, opening clouds. But in “City of Hope,” a 3D lenticular print by Hannah Ueno, the fragile nature of our faith is thrown into crystal clarity – a group of buildings huddle together mid-air on an uprooted clod of earth, surrounded by a menacing fleet of planes. There is no final conclusion or summary in these works – rather, open-ended stories that still seek a resolution.

“Inventing Souls #3” by Kamal Al Mansour at Skye Gallery

On my visit to Skye Gallery, Kamal Al Mansour’s diorama “Inventing Souls #3” was the first piece I saw when I entered. It shimmered like a mirage on the far wall, a holographic stage circumscribed by its own light. Moving closer, I was drawn quite literally into the scene and stood watching with the ghosts that haunted its faded buildings. Standing before me, a man in limp trousers and tired shirt raises a folded newspaper. A headline reads, “Long Sought Freedom,” yet the expression in his eyes is not one of victory, but the stare of a man who has known the fight too long.

I had a chance to speak with the artist, a man who found his own creative redemption 30 years after he first entered college as a visual arts major. Kamal Al Mansour’s intended path was intercepted by an argument of reason from well-known civil rights attorney Leo Branton: “How are you going to make a living at that?” Al Mansour graduated from UCLA in 1981 with a degree in political science, then went on to graduate from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, with a Juris Doctorate degree. It was not until “people in my life began dying,” that Kamal considered a question posed by book author Po Bronson: What should I do with my life? The sudden certainty of his answer spurred an abrupt change in plans and in 2005, Kamal created 15 original works of art in nine months for his first solo exhibition at La Petite Gallery in Los Angeles. Since then, he has exhibited in more than 40 group and solo shows across the country. His work, combining traditional drafting skills with digital art and multiple mediums, gives birth to assemblages that confront and communicate with viewers. There are stories here that are at once social, political and spiritual.

Redemption, defined as “an act that serves to compensate for defects or flaws,” is a conversation that is long overdue. If we have a deficit as a society, it may be that of true feelings. The Skye Gallery is a sanctuary for artists whose work is fueled by emotion, and in today’s world, that is no small feat. In our search for success, we have become adept at branding and tweeting; but in conquering that virtual world, we seem to have forgotten who we are. Perhaps the most important act of redemption lies in giving the same respect to our emotions and to our souls that we give to the slick emojis, tweets and icons that parade across our screens. We are still human. We feel; we cry. If we can admit that, perhaps the healing can begin.

Redemption includes artists David Prado, Paul Rogers, Will Ross, Julie Rothman, Emmeline Solomon, Donna Wolfe, Sandra Frankel, Jeanne Garrison, Sarah Jane Lapp and James Long. Every work speaks an important truth; this is an exhibit that deserves to be seen. •

Redemption runs through Sat, Dec 7 at Skye Gallery, 381 Broadway, PVD. For more, visit skye- gallery.com