What’s Up with the WooSox?

The uncertainty of the ’s future has been agonizing to watch since the saga began back in 2015. When the new owners bought the team, their intention was to move the team to Providence, but when that deal failed to come together, the team planned to move elsewhere unless Rhode Island could sweeten the pot enough for the team to stay in Pawtucket. After nearly two years of deliberation, a bill was finally passed earlier this summer to fund the building of a new stadium (motifri.com/whats-next-for-the-pawsox/). Despite all that, a recent turn of events hangs a black cloud over the future of RI .

On July 26, Robert Fountain, deputy general counsel for Minor League Baseball, registered multiple trademarks for the term “WooSox.” WooSox, of course, references Worcester, Massachusetts, Pawtucket’s main rival to be the team’s home.

Fountain said in a statement to masslive.com, “Minor League Baseball filed this trademark application because other cities are under consideration. This filing is a legal safety measure and should not be construed as suggesting that any decision has been made.”

While trademarking the name in itself isn’t reason to panic, this is definitely something for Pawtucket to keep a close watch on. This development insinuates that Worcester has the upper hand on Pawtucket, and should cause some extra urgency in Rhode Island.

The PawSox have a Rhode Island deal in place that would build them a new stadium, boost attendance and raise interest in their team, but still they have yet to make a decision.

If the Red Sox organization refuses the Rhode Island proposal, it would be a huge disappointment after Rhode Island lawmakers overcame their fears and passed the first major financing bill since 38 Studios. The PawSox may be losing public support as well. This season they rank 11th out of their 14- team league with an average attendance of 5,687 (as of Aug 5). That number is down from the average attendance in 2017 of 6,406, and it should be noted that minor league baseball attendance in general has been in steady decline.

McCoy Stadium is old and rundown, not very appealing for large attendance numbers. The hope remains that building a new stadium and surrounding attractions will bring up attendance. The rise in attendance from the new project would also help the Pawtucket economy, which is in need of a major boost.

Meanwhile, Worcester is still very determined to get this deal done and boost their own economy. Worcester Mayor Edward M. Augustus Jr. told Motif via email, “We’re working hard and doing everything we can to present Worcester as a viable option for the organization. Community leaders and members we’ve talked to are excited, enthusiastic and supportive about the possibility of bringing the team here. The Canal District Alliance sent 10,000 postcards to the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2015 in an effort to capture the team’s attention. More than 100 Worcester business leaders have signed a support letter addressed to the club in August 2017.” Augustus could not comment on the proposal they have in place, stating it is still in negotiations, but he did make it clear the two parties are in contact. “The city and the team continue to have regular conversations and we look forward to seeing where they lead.” With Worcester seemingly closing in on turning the PawSox into the WooSox, Pawtucket desperately needs to make its final push. They have plan in place, now they just have to wait on the Red Sox to decide.

What’s Next for the PawSox?

It has been a turbulent ride for the Pawtucket Red Sox organization in recent years. A few years after changing ownership, the team is struggling to solidify a place to play. McCoy Stadium, built in 1942 and dedicated in 1946 for use by the Pawtucket Slaters farm team of what was then the Boston Braves (soon to become the Milwaukee Braves and now the Atlanta Braves), then doing a short stint in the 1960s with the Pawtucket Indians farm team for the Cleveland Indians, since 1969 has housed the Pawtucket Red Sox affiliate of the .

McCoy Stadium is no longer fit to host minor league baseball… and maybe not even little league for that matter. The Rhode Island General Assembly did a study on the state of McCoy, finding it was fiscally irresponsible to make any renovations to the stadium. McCoy has already undergone two major renovations in its history and a third would cost nearly as much as the price of building a new stadium, without the economic advantages of building a new stadium.

The team is under contract to play there until 2021, and they will move on to a new stadium as soon as the contract ends. The next home for the team has been unknown since the current owners, led by former Red Sox President Larry Lucchino, bought the team in 2015. Providence was the first choice to be the team’s new home, but that proposal failed due to poor funding. With Pawtucket struggling to have a solid plan in place to keep the team, the organization has flirted with moving the team up Route 146 to Worcester. Finally, we may have a resolution to this question.

The state Senate has done their part, by moving the bill along back in January. Spokesman Greg Pare said on behalf of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, “The Senate version of that legislation was passed in January and sent to the House of Representatives. Any amendments being considered or made… that’s all being made on the House side.”

The House was quiet for the past few months, but ultimately the proposal was pushed through. It was heard by the House Finance Committee on May 31 and came to a vote on June 22, passing the 75- member House 53-13, and Pawtucket is now on the the doorstep of keeping the team. This bill took years to put together, but finally lawmakers have a proposal they are happy with. Rhode Island State Representative Carlos Tobon stated, “This took three years of conversation until it was good enough for the people of Rhode Island.”

Getting the votes in both the Senate and the House was a big step, but not the end of the journey for the bill. It now moves on to the Rhode Island executive branch and, if Governor Gina Raimondo approves it as she is expected to do, then it will go as a binding offer on the table to the Pawtucket Red Sox organization to be considered. Representative Tobon discussed the importance of passing this bill: “This enables the city, the organization, and all parties to continue the conversation… The team owners and the city will talk about this and decide if they want to do it.”

With the PawSox having the bill in hand, it comes down to them wanting to stay. They’ve got their proposal, so now lawmakers need them to accept and keep the team at home.

Rhode Island State Representative Mary Messier made it very clear that the General Assembly is determined to keep the organization in Pawtucket. “We are 100% committed [to keeping the team]. It will revitalize Pawtucket, which is much-needed at this time.”

Pawtucket’s economy is in need of a major boost and this proposal might be a spark. Downtown Pawtucket has seen very little growth and it needs something that can add jobs and increase spending in the city. Pawtucket needs the PawSox to stay and continue to boost the city’s economy.

Representative Tobon, who represents Pawtucket, said, “If the PawSox leave and we lose the team, we’d lose out on the rebuild of Pawtucket.”

The current proposal is to build a destination ballpark at the old Apex complex, becoming the catalyst for Pawtucket’s economic rebuild. The term “destination stadium” describes a stadium that serves as more than a place to watch an event, but also could include restaurants, shopping centers and similar facilities — think Patriot Place surrounding Gillette Stadium. As we explained some years ago (motifri.com/pawsox2 “Opinion: Questions Surround the PawSox Sale” by Michael Bilow, Mar 2, 2015), the , current -A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, created the prototype for this kind of “retro-classic” baseball-specific destination stadium. At a reported cost of $42 million, all government money, the Buffalo stadium was built in 1988 and offered patios, beer decks and places to enjoy while the game was being played.

That style stadium was different from the ordinary, cookie-cutter stadium where you spend the whole game sitting on steel bleachers, avoiding spilled beer and looking through obstructed views. Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, by the same designer, used the Buffalo model a few years later and, in 1992, the Orioles opened their own destination ballpark featuring all kinds of attractions within the stadium. That has become the prototype for modern sporting venues, and would be a major step up for Pawtucket.

When the PawSox aren’t using the field, it will serve as a public park belonging to the state of Rhode Island and serving to benefit the entire community, with the PawSox being the main tenant.

The city is in the process of integrating a real estate development project that would add more restaurants, retailers, hotels, entertainment venues and office spaces near the park. This proposal would revamp downtown Pawtucket and make it a more inviting tourist location. The new ballpark could be the centerpiece of the new downtown.

The benefits of the new proposal are clear, but financing the project is where struggles arise. The proposal originally stated a cost of $83 million, with $73 million for the park and $10 million in land costs. The PawSox organization will pay $45 million, which would be the largest investment ever made in Pawtucket history. The State of Rhode Island would pay $25 million, and the city of Pawtucket would cover the $10 million in land cost and add $5 million to the stadium project, combining for a total investment of $15 million. The PawSox organization will cover any overrun costs from the project.

Those were the terms of the proposal at least, but the one voted for on the 22nd listed the project cost at $87 million. It is unclear at this point where the extra money came from.

Financing for the project will come through the sale of bonds from the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency. These bonds are revenue bonds that will be sold via public offering. The Securities and Exchange Commission will certify the interest rates and ensure the bonds are placed at a fair market price. The other major issue with the deal as it stands is the bonds are not currently secured, meaning they are not collateralized: If the project failed, it is hard to say how the bonds will be paid back. In order for tax revenue to secure the bonds, it is generally understood that voters would have to approve issuance of the bonds by referendum, a dubious political prospect; without tax revenue guaranteeing the bonds, investors would perceive substantially increased risk of default and as a result, the interest rate paid to them would have to increase to compensate.

If Governor Raimundo is going to sign the deal, these questions will need to be answered and all remaining issues will need to be resolved.

While Pawtucket is debating how they are going to hang on to the team, others cities are attempting to pry it away. A handful of cities across Massachusetts have shown interest in acquiring the team, with the most passionate being Worcester — which has made itself the primary destination for the organization if they were to leave Rhode Island.

Worcester has a plan in place for the team, but it has only been shared with the Pawtucket Red Sox organization. Their proposal has been negotiated, but nothing has been made public at this point. The question remains whether Worcester actually have a realistic — and politically viable — proposal or if they are just being used by the PawSox to pressure Pawtucket.

Worcester announced a major downtown renovation project that will cost $565 million. With this project already in the works, it is difficult to imagine Worcester financing another $80+ million dollar project. Worcester’s economy is not much better than Pawtucket’s, and until their proposal is made public, it is hard to believe they have a deal that could work. Worcester city officials declined comment at this time.

With a proposal in place, Pawtucket controls the next location of the organization. With the Senate and House already on board, all eyes should be on the executive branch as they work to determine what’s next for the PawSox.

2018 Volvo Ocean Race Breezes into Newport

Newport has long since been known as the sailing capital of North America. The city gained notoriety around the mid-1800s when it became the vacation destination for many of the country’s most prestigious citizens. Along with their mansions, these 19th century millionaires brought with them a high-class sailing tradition. Narragansett Bay has been hotbed for sailing ever since, even acting as host of the prestigious America’s Cup for decades — so it’s no surprise it was chosen to host the world- renowned Volvo Ocean Race.

The seven teams of the Volvo Ocean Race docked in Newport on May 8th and will stay in port until the 20th. The race covers over 45,000 nautical miles, crosses 4 oceans, touches 6 continents and docks in 12 cities around the globe. The race takes nearly 9 months to complete and features some of the greatest sailors in the world, many of whom have also raced in past Olympics and America’s Cup competitions. When the sailors are in port they participate in in-port sailing competitions, and there are other crowd-pleasing events to entertain all who come by the racing village.

Newport has the honor of being the only North American city to host the race. Newport hosted the event back in 2015 and it was extremely successful for both the race and the city. The race has decided to come back to Newport for another year, citing both the success of the last race and Newport’s rich sailing history as reasons for the decision. During the last stopover in 2015, over 130,000 people visited the race village, which made it one of the most attended stopovers in any North American city since the race began in 1973.

The crowd levels were already very high on just the second day of port and are expected to be even bigger for the in-port races which will take place later on. The crowd was very diverse and seemed to be a good mix of locals and tourists. One person in attendance described the crowd by saying, “It seemed like people came from all over, everyone was having a good time.”

The boats are docked at Fort Adams State Park, where spectators can come and look at each racing vessel, as well as stand in awe of the United States Coast Guard Eagle, docked across from the racing vessels. The Eagle came to port when the race village opened and is one of only two Coast Guard- commissioned sailing vessels. A football field long and 15 stories high, Eagle dwarfed the more slender and aerodynamic racing ships and caught the attention of everybody in attendance.

As well as providing a great vantage point for marveling at sailing vessels, Fort Adams offers many exciting experiences for the large crowd of spectators. As you enter the concourse, you are greeted by a row of trucks from each team in the race. The teams sell merchandise to gain support and attendees are treated to an up-close and personal look at the sailors and the experiences they have gained on the water.

The village holds many interactive exhibits such as a cut-out sailing vessel that shows how the sailors live for the duration of the race. The top deck is open for you to climb up and get a feel for what it’s like to operate the vessel and sail across the world. If you are intrigued enough by the display, you can go outside and try the real thing. They offer lessons to allow anyone to get on the water and set sail.

There is a large, globe-shaped building where spectators can get a visual display of the race map and the course the sailors take around the world. You can see the other port cities and immerse yourself in other cultures.

The rest of the village is filled with all kinds of other festivities. Live music and entertainment, food vendors, cornhole and plenty of beer await as you go deeper inside Fort Adams. Heineken sponsors an outside tent where people can grab a drink and hang out. If you’re not much of a beer fan, Whispering Angel Wine and Mount Gay Rum are also on site to supply any of-age customers with a beverage. The assortment of activities offers something for everyone to enjoy. One of the many people who went to Newport on the event’s opening was pleased with the time they had, “I enjoyed it, it was fun and had a lot of good vibes. It was pretty cool.” The waterfront scene in Newport is always an exciting time and hosting the Volvo Ocean Race is a reminder of Newport’s sailing legacy.

RIMHOF 2018 Inductees

Ten more musicians have been given the highest honor a local musician can receive in RI (other than a Motif Music Award): An induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. This year’s Hall of Fame class includes musical artists, music educators and production specialists. David Blue, Tom Ghent, James Montgomery, Paul Murphy, Mike Renzi, John Chan, Lloyd Kaplan, Andrew Polin, Bob Morrisey and LeRoy Bennett were given this year’s honor for their work done for the music industry in Rhode Island.

The annual induction ceremony took place inside the Hall of Fame in Pawtucket. The event had a strong attendance, made up of music fans, fellow artists and band members, family members and other Hall of Famers. The crowd was rambunctious and rowdy, but in an excited kind of way. People spent the afternoon yelling to the inductees and greeting each other in the crowd. Everyone was moving around, talking and enjoying themselves. The noise level was very high, as you can imagine at music ceremony, but only became an issue when the inductees were getting their introductions and RIMHOF volunteers had to quiet down the room.

The building has one long brick hallway, covered on both sides by displays honoring musicians who were enshrined in past years. The event began with each of the current inductee’s displays covered by a black sheet. Each inductee was introduced by Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame Vice Chairman, Rick Bellaire, who spoke without the assistance of any notes, about each new member. When Mr. Bellaire was finished with his introduction, the inductee or a representative would grab the 10’-high curtain covering their display, and pull it off. The event concluded when all the new displays were unveiled, and was followed by a sold-out concert next door at The Met, as a tribute to the new class of inductees. The first of two pre-ceremony events kicked off a few days prior at Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining in Woonsocket. The restaurant and music club was passed down decades ago to this year’s inductee, John Chan. Chan has made his family restaurant into one of Rhode Island’s — and the region’s — premiere music destinations. Chan’s hosted Mike Renzi and his piano, starting the weekend off right with a collaboration between two of the inductees.

Renzi started his career on the piano before diversifying his career. In addition to being one of the most decorated pianists in Rhode Island, he has made soundtracks for several different TV and movie productions. He has received 17 Emmy nominations and won seven times.

Sadly, David Blue and Paul Murphy were enshrined posthumously, but both men received touching tributes from former bandmates and friends.

David Blue was honored by past inductees, Marc Cutler and Bill Hurley, during an event where they played folk music written and performed by Blue. That night also featured a performance from fellow inductee Tom Ghent, who played with Blue during the folk revival of the 1960s.

Ghent was honored to perform a tribute to David Blue, as well as play his own music that made his career so special. Ghent mastered the coffee house scene in Rhode Island and moved to Greenwich Village where he made a career playing in “baskethouses.” Ghent moved all across the United States, spending a short time in Los Angeles before returning to , and then packing up again to go to Nashville. He found fame with his , “Whiskey, Whiskey” which has since been adapted by several artists. Along with his musical talent, Ghent was also a professional tennis player. He eventually came back to New York for a bit to be a tennis coach, and then continued to instruct other musicians on the game when he returned to Nashville.

“The songwriter’s songwriter” is how folk legend Bob Dylan described David Blue. Dylan played alongside Blue on occasion throughout their careers and has stated, “David Blue was the peer of any songwriter in this country.” Blue made seven full albums and was elevated into the public eye when he wrote songs for the Eagles in 1973. Rick Bellaire was ecstatic to honor David Blue, saying, “David Blue was the epitome of folk rock and blues.” Bellaire later added, “Dave’s an extremely important figure in the 1960s folk revival… you can’t underestimate him and his pivotal role in modernizing folk music.” While his premature death prevented him from reaching his full level of stardom, his contributions to the music world cannot be overlooked. Anyone who receives such high praise from Bob Dylan is truly a legend.

Paul Murphy made his way into the Hall of Fame with his guitar. He played for several different bands and was always in demand across Rhode Island. Greg Abate, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, played with Murphy as band members of Channel One. “I’m really glad and proud Paul is being inducted. We played together a lot in the 1970s. He was a great man and a great guitarist.” Another former band member, Marty Bellou, said about Murphy, “He was the kinda guy that would steer any conversation toward what’s up with you rather than what’s going on with him. He always knew the soundman’s name, the door guy’s name, the bartender’s name, everyone! He had a great sense of community and not just in our home area.” While Murphy passed away too young, his 40 years left an indelible mark on Rhode Island music.

This year had the induction of lifelong music educator, Lloyd Kaplan. Kaplan began teaching in 1960 and never looked back. He started as a teacher at Cranston public schools before moving to Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), where he stayed for 31 years. Kaplan transformed the music curriculum at CCRI, making it more advanced and diverse. Kaplan recognizes that not many educators receive an induction, and he is grateful for the journey that brought him to this point. “I’m thrilled, I’m elated to be given this honor… It’s been fantastic, I’ve been very lucky all the way through. It’s been heavenly at CCRI. I love teaching.”

Lighting professionals Andrew Polin and Bob Morrissey started their lighting production company at young ages back in 1972. The two men first crossed paths at an Aerosmith concert and discussed their shared passion for productions. They grew their company quickly and within five years of its creation, they were the light designers for the hit band Boston. They grew even larger and worked with a wide range of popular bands. They worked on regional projects as well, such as the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals. Morrissey continues doing lighting productions while Polin has stepped off the scene. Although he’s not working in the business anymore, Polin was still thrilled to find out he had been given this honor, “I am tremendously honored that people would remember me for my work, even after this amount of time being out of the music industry.”

Along the way they hired a young man named LeRoy Bennett, who would go on to start his own string of career successes and joined them as an inductee.

LeRoy Bennett was working for a production company when he asked if he could have the lead on a lighting design project. He was told he could take the lead for the next artist to call the office. Later that day, the office got a call about an up-and-coming artist who needed a light design for his tour; that guy’s name was Prince.

Bennett worked with Prince for many years and his career took off. He used his visions to put together incredible displays that brought the music to life. “I came from a very talented musical family, I could never do it but I love music. I have a passion for it. I see it, I don’t just hear it.”

Along with Prince, Bennett worked with rock and roll legends like Paul McCartney, Queen, The Who and Freddie Mercury. More recently, Bennett has done lighting for Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Jay-Z and Beyonce, among many others. With all the different projects he has worked on, it was impossible for Bennett to pick a favorite. “I’ve worked with all sorts of artists and projects and they’re all like my children, I loved each project.”

Since the inaugural class was inducted back in 2012, the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame has grown into a shrine to the best musicians from the state. The newest class has been honored for their outstanding work, and will be forever immortalized for Rhode Island music lovers.

The Ballpark at Slater Mill

In as big a sign of spring as the crocuses, baseball is back in Rhode Island and the Pawtucket Red Sox are underway for the 2018 season. The PawSox have served as a minor league baseball team for the Boston Red Sox since 1970, playing all 48 seasons at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. McCoy has been a staple of Pawtucket since it was built in 1942, serving as the home ballpark of the New England Slaters and Eastern Indians before the Pawtucket Red Sox took over.

Boston Red Sox Robby Scott, who played with the PawSox originally and is back with them recovering from elbow surgery, told me about how he enjoys playing at McCoy, “It’s a little different just because of how the field is shaped up with the players and the fans above the dugout and that kind of stuff… It’s a fun place to play, it’s historic, it’s unique.”

McCoy has served as a destination for fans to come see the next generation of Boston Red Sox stars without having to pay the obscene prices it takes to get a ticket to Fenway; a trip to Fenway also will include absurdly high parking costs and a bottled water may run your trip expenses through the roof.

The low cost of tickets and the atmosphere with the team has created a large, passionate fan base within the city. Kevin Boles, manager of the PawSox, talked to me about the fan support the team gets from the city of Pawtucket. “We have a loyal fan base, I’ll tell you what… Sometimes it surprises you, the weather can be miserable, it can be tough, it’s cold, but the people still show up.”

The problem for McCoy, however, is the aging stadium is on its last legs. The PawSox are under contract to continue at McCoy until 2021, but there is little chance the team will stay there after the contract expires. There is no way to continue playing baseball without major renovations to the stadium, and neither the team nor the city is too keen on the idea of making major renovations to a 75-year-old stadium. After their lease expires, the team is likely to find a new home, whether it’s in Pawtucket or somewhere else.

The team’s initial proposal came in 2015 when the team wanted to move to Providence. The proposal fell through due to very high costs that would be paid for by the state and the risk of the public having to pay a portion of any potential overrun costs from building the stadium. With that proposal failing, the PawSox looked for an alternative in their own backyard. They proposed the idea for The Ballpark at Slater Mill, a new stadium at the old Apex complex in Pawtucket. The plan would split the cost between the team, the state and the city; guarantee any overrun costs are paid for by the team; and most importantly, they would keep the team in Pawtucket.

The PawSox and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation spent an extensive amount of time working together to create a proposal that would benefit both the team and the city. The project, proposed in 2017, would cost approximately $83 million with 54% of the project coming from the PawSox, 28% coming from Rhode Island and 18% coming from the city of Pawtucket. The park would be publicly owned and would be open as a park with a year-round event calendar when the team isn’t playing.

The proposal is in place and the PawSox now wait on state legislature. The Rhode Island Senate passed the bill on January 16, taking the first step toward keeping the team in Pawtucket. The bill has since been sent to the Rhode Island House of Representatives for consideration. I spoke to Rhode Island Representative from Pawtucket, Carlos E. Tobon, about the bill, and he stressed that everyone is working hard to get the bill finalized and to get it to a vote. “Our delegation is working hard to keep the discussion going.”

He described the bill passed in the Senate as a companion bill, which is now being negotiated further until the House has a bill they find suitable to vote on. He was unable to speak on the time frame for the vote at this point, but said, “It might be sooner than you think, indications are positive, but there are no guarantees.” The legislators do not want to rush into a vote until the bill has been carefully checked and negotiated. If the bill is not properly negotiated it may falter in the vote and send the PawSox packing.

Tobon also focused on the fact that The Ballpark at Slater Mill would serve as much more than the home of a minor league baseball team. “This isn’t the Pawtucket Red Sox stadium, but a public park for the state of Rhode Island where the PawSox are the main tenant.”

If the bill fails to pass, other cities would jump at the chance to host the organization; Malden, Salem and Worcester, Massachusetts have all discussed the possibility of taking the team if they were to leave Rhode Island. Worcester has made a very strong case for the organization, and if Rhode Island fails to approve the new Pawtucket stadium, they are the most likely destination.

Pawtucket has shown a strong desire to keep the team and the fans are still with them. Pawtucket is very passionate about baseball and their Pawsox. Kevin Boles described the enjoyment of playing in front of the home fans, “It’s fun because they’re passionate about baseball, and they’re passionate about the Red Sox.”

A Decade on the SENE

For the 10th consecutive year, Southeast New England (SENE) Film, Music and Arts Festival will entertain Rhode Islanders with its assortment of creative productions. SENE will start April 24 and run through the 28th, taking place across the state in various venues. The five venues for this year’s festival are Columbus Theatre and Rhodywood Studios in Providence, Warwick Center for the Arts, The Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick and Jamestown Arts Center. The festival includes feature films, many short films, artwork and live music. It’s all put together with the help of their small army of enthusiastic volunteers, many of whom have been with SENE since it was founded.

SENE is an RI-based nonprofit organization founded by Phil Capobres and Don Farias. The main goal of the festival is to screen a variety of different films and display some of the region’s best artwork for local Rhode Islanders to enjoy. Each film is personally screened by one of the founders, and they select the features best suitable for their audience. Don Farias described the screening process: “The quality of the submissions this year was the best we’ve ever had. Many of our films have won awards at other festivals. While it made our programming decisions difficult, we are able to present great screenings for our audience.”

SENE offers a large variety of films, including comedies, science fiction shorts, horror shorts, LGBT films, international films and award-winning feature films. No matter who you are and what your film preference is, SENE will have something for you.

Farias is excited for the festival to kick off. “SENE 10 is a celebration for everyone involved. Many of our volunteers have been with us for 10 years. This year, we are at five venues across the state, screening 140 films, showcasing two art exhibits and featuring four or five musical performances. It’s our biggest festival to-date.”

SENE has grown significantly over the past 10 years, but even in their growth they have tried to stay true to their foundations. “Phil Capobres and I still want SENE to have a family-like friendly feel to it, just like in year one. We are proud of our commitment to art and music over the years in addition to film,” said Farias.

Despite trying to stick to their roots, external factors have challenged SENE and other film festivals. Online streaming has become a huge part of our current society and could potentially undermine the festival’s purpose. Farias is still confident, however, that SENE cannot be replaced. “Festivals are still helpful because they review hundreds and sometimes thousands of films before selecting the best of their submissions for the festival screenings. Obviously, festival awards can offer exposure, but a selection in itself is a badge of honor. Attending filmmakers meet other professionals who can help their careers. By watching other films and networking, they learn what others have done to be successful. At SENE, we bring together filmmakers, artists and musicians because they all have skills that are necessary in almost every movie.”

Networking is not only a huge benefit for filmmakers, but also for members of the audience, bringing people together on a personal level as well as a creative level. Farias makes sure the festival offers opportunities for artists to make connections. “They naturally meet each other at the screenings, but we have a few events that bring everyone together. Our annual Limelight Awards party during the week at the Warwick Center for the Arts offers a relaxing opportunity to mingle and get to know each other. We have a filmmaker brunch on the weekend and after-parties where everyone can enjoy the festival and learn about all the films. Over the years, a few filmmakers ended up working together after meeting at SENE.”

SENE works as an outlet to bring people together from all parts of the world. With submissions coming from nearly 35 countries across the globe, international films at SENE make the festival extremely diverse. According to Farias, “We believe that we offer something for everyone. We choose the best films regardless of where they come from, but we have always received very strong international film submissions. We have many partners in other countries who send us their best films.”

Audiences have the opportunity to view the screenings as the locations for venues are stretched out to cover the entire state and are available to all of Southern New England. Rhode Island has relatively few film and art festivals, so SENE finds it imperative to bring these features to everyone. “Being able to bring films to Jamestown, Warwick and West Warwick allows us to introduce independent films to people who may not have as much exposure to the beauty of short films and independently produced documentaries and features,” said Farias. “We want to make it as easy as possible for Southern New Englanders to watch these films.”

All five venues are excellent settings to display all kinds of works and Farias is glad they offer some versatility. “Two of our venues are art galleries, which allow us to showcase the work of musicians, artists and filmmakers at the same time.”

None of this would be possible, of course, without the work of SENE’s dedicated volunteers. Farias said, “We could not put on this festival without the help of our volunteers. They allow us to be at many venues and have multiple screenings at the same time. Many of our volunteers are able to watch the films after collecting tickets and handing out Audience Award ballots. It’s a win-win: we have all the help we need and the volunteers are able to enjoy the films and meet the filmmakers and actors.”

SENE has put on great festivals in the past and their 10th edition is likely to be among the best. “Filmmakers and actors work hard on these films and the quality is easy to see. A lot of our audience returns year after year and they expect a certain level of quality at the SENE Festival. The bar is set high and we strive to surpass their expectations each year,” Farias concludes, before running off to fine tune some part of the sprawling festival’s plans.

Food Truck Profile: Poppy’s Waffles

After years of going to Fenway Park and enjoying different ballpark snacks, Rhode Islander Steve Gilman developed an affection for kettle corn. He loved the bags he’d get at the games so much that he decided to go home and start making his own. On behalf of anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of tasting Poppy’s Gourmet Kettle Corn or visited their food truck: Thank you, Fenway, for the inspiration.

Gilman started up his kettle corn business in 2009, serving Rhode Island style kettle corn to customers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Gilman, with his family, wanted to create a business that emphasized giving back to the community as well as serving delicious snacks. He succeeded. I warn anyone interested in Poppy’s kettle corn: The sweet and salty mix makes this treat borderline addicting. If you possess the self-control to take a few bites of this crunchy, sugar-filled goodness without devouring the entire bag in one sitting, I applaud you. Starting in 2017, Gilman moved on to his next venture, gourmet waffles. A twist on your everyday food truck, Poppy’s Waffles Truck was created, selling Poppy’s Gourmet Kettle Corn and several original waffle creations. Poppy’s Waffles distinguishes itself from the average food truck by creating dishes you cannot find anywhere else.

There are a lot of places where you can go to a food truck and get the trademark greasy burger, soggy french fries and microwaved hot dog; but how many places can you go to on your lunch break and enjoy a diner-quality waffle smothered in cream and chocolate sauce and topped off with crushed Oreos?

They serve everything from savory meals like classic chicken and waffles to more innovative sweet creations such as the s’mores waffle or the aforementioned cookies and cream waffle. And just like everything else in life, it gets better in the summer, too! As the weather starts to warm up they expand their menu to include waffles topped with ice cream and other seasonal favorites. All waffles are made to a very generous size and loaded with toppings.

Poppy’s moves around, normally sticking to Warwick and Providence, but they intend to expand to Pawtucket in the near future. Check their Facebook to see where they will be each day. They travel to events all year, regardless of the temperature. They attended the latest Christmas Stroll in Scituate and braved the frigid weather to provide their services to the inaugural Skyline New Year’s Eve event in Providence. But don’t worry, if you would prefer to eat your gourmet waffles in something other than arctic temperatures, they can occasionally be found by Oakland Beach in Warwick during the summer.

As a family-owned and operated business, Poppy’s tries to keep strong connections to the community and give back when possible. They have participated in numerous charitable events, including recently going to the The Kings Cathedral Church where they donated food to the homeless. Poppy’s adds variety to the food truck scene, and their dedication to the community gives them an enjoyable atmosphere to match the food. Gilman describes his affection for what he does: “I take pride in what I make — I feel like a carpenter. It gives me great pride to see customers’ eyes light up and they give me a thumbs up.”

To see the current locations of local food trucks, visit motifri.com/food-truck-locator, brought to you by FoodTrucksIn RI (foodtrucksin.com), a Providence-based company allowing users to find local food trucks or food trucks in over 1,300 cities nationwide.