MotifTV June 19 – 26
95.5 WBRU Summer Concert Series: Torn Shorts
By Jeffrey Folker
June nights: not too hot for a stroll in the park, not too cold for an Awful Awful from Newport Creamery. Growing up in New Jersey, three miles from the Atlantic Ocean, summer has always been the time of year to relax, hit the beach for a tan, and grab an ice cold beer at the local establishment. Now living in Providence, summer has a new meaning: 95.5 WBRU’s Free Summer Concert Series.
In the heart of downtown Providence, catchy beach-y, blues-inspired, indie rock (that’s a mouthful) tones filled the scenic Waterplace Park on June 14th, as over 1,000 spectators sat, laid, or danced – enthralled by the musical talents of local band Torn Shorts and a night of good, clean fun. Lead by front man Josh Grabert, Torn Shorts has taken the New England music scene by storm after winning WBRU’s 2013 Rock Hunt.
According to Michael Christofaro, (Marketing Coordinator and Photographer for the City of Providence), early June has a reputation among city event planners for rather unpredictable weather– in past years, rainouts have pushed the concert series indoors (to Lupo’s). After a rainy morning on Friday, by mid-afternoon, the weather had cleared enough to keep the concert outside.
If nothing else, people-watching entertained many, as venders sold the usual Waterfire wares, kids as young as 1 sat with families, punks, grandparents, and even a handful of dogs, PVD Pudding Pops sold their… well, pudding pops, Dunkin Donuts handed out free samples of their newest coffee line (which was phenomenal!), and kayakers floated lazily down the Providence River, drinking in the sounds of the city.
WBRU’s Free Summer Concert Series continues this Friday, June 21 with The 1975, and runs every Friday night, concluding with Cold War Kids on July 12th.
Stay tuned for video! RI Pride Celebrates 37th Anniversary
On Saturday, June 15, Rhode Island’s LGBT community held their 37th annual Pride celebration in Providence. The day featured sunny skies, lots of heat and passionate performances from several local entertainers.
This year’s theme, “Love Forward,” signifies the freedom for people to love whom they want. The recent passage of marriage equality legislation in the Ocean State, as well as in Delaware and Minnesota, are proof of a society moving forward and becoming inclusive of same-sex couples.
Thousands of people flooded the streets of Providence to cheer on the marchers and floats featured in the Nighttime Illuminated Parade (see video).
Parade Grand Marshals were State Rep. Frank Ferri (D-Warwick) and his husband Tony Caparco, who have been together for over 31 years and have been married for the last seven. Ferri has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality and was a former co-chair of Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI). The other Grand Marshal was attorney Mary Bonauto of Boston-based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD). Bonauto represented same-sex couples in Massachusetts, which paved the way for gay marriage to become legal in that state.
Many of the floats at this year’s parade featured wedding themes. Popular drag queen Sabrina Blaze wore a wedding cake hat topped with two grooms, which delighted the onlookers.
P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, and Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI) were among the organizations participating in the parade.
This year’s festival was held for the third year in a row on South Water Street, alongside the Providence River. In past years the event was held at Station Park, across from the State House.
Belle Pellegrino, a veteran of the first RI Pride celebration in 1976, reflected on how Pride has changed through the years.
“I think I can safely speak for the ’76’ers’ when I say we are so awed to see the growth in what we began and are humbled to have been a part of this all,” Pellegrino said. “Knowing we were able to help start RI off on this journey to equality is a memory we will carry with us always.” This year’s headliner was Thea Austin, lead singer of the pop group Snap.
Pride also featured special performances by Alexis Mateo from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jackie Collins, Nova Starr, Ursula and the Glitterati, the Imperial Court of RI, and the Becky Chase Band. Emcees included Miss Kitty Litter, Jacqueline DiMera, Vi’Let, Ellen Moschetto, Haley Star, and Genesis.
Vendors manned booths all along South Water Street selling Pride merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and other trinkets.
AIDS Care Ocean State, AIDS Project Rhode Island, and Human Rights Campaign all were on hand to gather support for their services.
The festivities continued well into the night, with block parties and special events being held all over the city.
See video
Creative Family Fun at Garden City’s Festival Fete
By Erin Kayata and Lindsey Martin
This past weekend, June 8th and 9th, Festival Fete held its third annual art festival at Garden City Center. Featuring craft artist booths, food stations and local entertainment, the event provided a day full of local, “art, food, and merriment”. There were over 140 artist booths displaying everything from upcycled clothing and handmade jewelry, to mussel shell art.
“It’s not your grandmother’s art festival,” said Danielle Salisbury, the art liason for the event. “It’s for the community and the family.” Salisbury mentioned the show features juried art, meaning artists have to apply by showing their work, as well as an idea for their booth. Additional entertainment included balloon artists, a rock wall, a photo booth, and Rhode Island’s famous Big Nazo Puppets. The event also featured the Creation Station, where kids were able to make some of their own artwork such as recycled hatmaking, macaroni bracelets, and pennant making.
Families could take a break and grab refreshments provided by Granny Squibb Iced Teas, Providence Potato Company, Holy Cow, and Just Dogs hot dogs, among others. Kettle corn from the Kettle Corn Express seemed to be a crowd favorite.
This traveling festival makes stops around RI year round. Catch the next festival in East Greenwich on August 31st and September 1st. For more information go to www.festivalfete.com
2013 Newport Comedy Series
The tent at the Newport Yachting Center is a great place to see a show in the summertime, and this summer’s line-up for the Newport Summer Comedy Series offers something for every type of funny bone. Motif gives you the low down on what’s right for you.
July 13 – The Tenderloins
Who: The improv guys from truTV’s Impractical Jokers.
Who will love it: Folks who love improv video segments similar to the show.
July 14 – Bill Burr Who: A comedian’s comedian who came up in the Boston comedy scene.
Who will love it: People who like their laughs with local flavor. Burr is one of the funniest guys touring today.
July 18 – Brian Regan
Who: A perfect combination of sophisticated writing and physicality, Regan’s comedy covers a wide variety of topics.
Who will love it: People who prefer their jokes family-friendly. Regan is very funny and mostly keeps it clean.
July 26 – Lily Tomlin
Who: The long-time Emmy and Tony award winner is practically an American comedy institution.
Who will love it: People who want to witness a living legend live on stage and prefer to get their laughs Broadway show style.
July 28 – Bill Maher
Who: The brash mind behind HBO’s “Real Time.”
Who will love it: Anyone who wants to get guffaws that are smart, topical and mostly political in nature.
August 1 – Rodney Carrington
Who: Country singer and actor whose eight albums have sold 3 million copies.
Who will love it: Good ole boys and gals who enjoy their jokes a lil’ country and their comedians to sing songs with titles like “Titties and Beer.”
August 2 – Lisa Lampanelli
Who: Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean, Lampanelli is a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker and a vial of estrogen.
Who will love it: Folks who enjoy insult jokes and outrageous and sometimes vulgar stories.
August 11 – Jeff Dunham
Who: The master of puppets whose world tours sell out arenas and Vegas alike.
Who will love it: If you like ventriloquism, witty banter and multiple character shows, you’ll love Dunham.
August 18 – Ron White
Who: Ron “Tatar Salad” White is best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking, hilarious comedian from the “Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon. Who will love it: A man’s man and a master storyteller, White appeals to almost anyone who likes to laugh.
August 25 – Dr. Drew and Adam Carolla
Who: The co-hosts of the wildly popular “Loveline” radio show.
Who will love it: Fans of the show who want the inside scoop or folks looking for some advice about crazy love life questions.
August 30 – Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally
Who: The married stars of “Park and Rec” and “Will and Grace” take the stage together.
Who will love it: Fans of the show who enjoy variety show type comedy, as this offering promises to include singing, dancing and some sketches.
September 1 – John Pinette
Who: Former stand-up comedian of the year and Gemini award winner.
Who will love it: Pinette famously jokes about his weight, and his stories will leave everyone rolling in the aisles.
TJ Curran is a local comedian who will be performing at the Comedy Connection with Robby Printz on June 28 and 29.
Of the Coin
“Your mind is a lot like a parachute,” said the Dean of something or other at my college graduation. It was College Graduation, so I was drunk, hungover, or otherwise distracted, and I don’t remember much. But I do remember that comment.
There was a very long pause after he said it. I don’t know if he took a sip of water, or dropped his dentures, or was just being dramatic, but it was the kind of pause that begged you to finish his thought for him.
So I remember seriously mulling it over – how like a parachute? “…It will save you when you’re falling?” “…Strong and finely woven?” “…Fun to watch when it’s floating around in the sky?”
His throat cleared, he finally pronounced, “…It’s only useful if it opens.”
My initial reaction was along the lines of, “I put in four years for that?” But the sentiment has stuck with me.
Studies have shown that Americans tend to gravitate toward people who agree with them. While it makes sense to be drawn to people with similar values – and often that translates to politics – this also creates a vicious cycle. More extreme positions get reinforced, rather than challenged, and people lose sight of the value of dissenting opinions. Debatable foundations become accepted as fact, and people build their beliefs on them, polarizing in one direction or another, far from the oft-sought consensus fundamental to our society, mores and politics.
In America, a country whose people have more geographic mobility than most, people even tend to move to communities with similar beliefs – surrounding themselves with the like-minded, and making different opinions seem distant, unreal, and more ill founded.
In our own small effort to combat this, Motif is building an opinion section that will present opposing viewpoints on timely issues on the state or, sometimes, national level.
Yes, there will be some rhetoric and questionable logic – on both sides. But we’re hoping there will also be ideas worthy of consideration. So please, if you read along as we build this section. Don’t just read the side you agree with. And don’t just rail at the idiocy of the position you disagree with. Assess both sides – reach your own judgements, and use that parachute in your head
The Quest for the Ultimate Meal on Wheels: Food truck crawl
I live in East Greenwich, where the food truck is virtually non-existent. I say “virtually” because there is a hot dog guy who sits across from the cemetery most days. We also have the occasional Del’s lemonade truck that passes through, but other than that, nothing. Being huge fans of the food truck trend, my husband and I decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary a little differently this year by embarking on a quest to find, and taste, the cuisine of Rhode Island’s food trucks. The preparations for our big day were grueling to say the least. After all, how does one find a restaurant with a constantly changing address? I started at foodtrucksin.com, which gave me a fair list of some great trucks, but could not provide a schedule or menu. This further heightened the secrecy element of our impending journey. I found out that most trucks have a Facebook page and post their whereabouts regularly, so I liked each truck’s page, and signed up for their Twitter feeds. And I waited … I woke up Saturday expecting my phone to be buzzing with tweets about food truck locations. Sadly, it remained quiet; likewise, my Facebook page. Where were all the freaking food trucks going to be that day? Finally, in the late morning, the folks at Plouf Plouf Gastronomie posted their location: The Beer and Ballet festival on Hope Street. Now that sounded promising. We left home around 3 pm, and our first stop was the ATM to arm ourselves with a big wad of cash (who knew most of them take credit cards?). When we arrived at Hope Street, we were greeted by not one, not two, but a glut of food trucks with various and sundry cargo: sandwiches on pretzels, French gourmet, vegan ice cream, international sandwiches, tacos, and of course, hot dogs. I felt grateful for this find, but a bit dismayed. Imagine if Frodo, after leaving the Shire on his quest to destroy the ring, arrived at his first stop only to discover a large box saying, “Safely place dangerous but alluring ring here for destruction.” I’m sure he would have felt relieved, but slightly deprived of the journey ahead, right? Yeah, that’s sort of how I felt. Of course it didn’t stop me from stuffing my face with inappropriate amounts of food and beer, but I did feel like I cheated, sort of. Enough about me – let’s talk about the food. I desperately wanted to try the beef short rib sandwich and jalapeno poppers at Noble Knots, but the line – oh, the line! So we ambled over to the Acacia Café and ordered a banh mi: pork marinated in Vietnamese spices on a crunchy French roll topped with a tangy yogurt sauce, greens, cucumbers and red onion– so delicious, and apparently popular, as we scored the last order. Next we hit Plouf Plouf, where the menu was exhaustive and exciting, but the prices rivaled Pot au Feu. Nonetheless, I couldn’t resist trying the truffled macaroni and cheese. When it arrived, I felt a bit disappointed as it looked slightly like it came from a blue box. The taste, however, was exquisite: a blend of several different cheeses topped with rich, delightful truffle oil. Time for a beer and music break where we enjoyed a Newport Storm Ale and some mighty fine tunes by the Rice Cakes. Before hitting the road, we stopped at Poco Loco for a street taco. I ordered the popular PBJ – a mouthwatering combination of pork, beans and jalapenos with a sweet chili barbeque sauce. I treasured every morsel, but truly fell in love with my husband’s selection, the Southwest: chorizo, potato, corn salsa, southwest sour cream, red onion and jack cheese. It tasted like the best hangover breakfast ever. It was too early to head home, but we were too full to do much other than sit in a dark, cool movie theater. We left the confines of the city and headed to Showcase to see the new Star Trek movie. Since this article is about food trucks, I’ll steer away from a movie critique, except for this shout out to the film’s make-up team: please tone down Captain Kirk’s lip gloss. Those pink shiny lips distracted me from the plot (other than that, great film). After the movie ended, I felt those familiar pangs of hunger, so we ventured to the corner of George and Thayer, where I heard the food trucks like to hang. The hunt was back on! As we cruised down Thayer, I heard the comforting hum of a generator – a sure sign of an impending discovery. Soon we saw a small crowd of people gathered around a brightly lit truck emblazoned with the letters FuGo (short for Fusion Gourmet). I felt a rush of excitement, like a butterfly hunter who’s potentially just stumbled upon the rare pussy cat swallow-tail (if you know what I’m talking about, you’re clearly over 40). FuGo ended up being quite a find indeed. The menu lived up to the truck’s name: tacos and burritos with an international flair. We opted for the plus one combo: two tacos, a side and a drink for a mere $10. My taco overflowed with miso-glazed tofu, carrots, cojita cheese and cabbage, all topped with jalapeno cream salsa. My husband salivated over his Korean braised beef taco with kimchi and mango slaw. Our side dish consisted of steak and salsa eggrolls, which were crispy and tangy, filled with tender steak and a mild salsa. Even the iced tea was scrumptious: blueberry white tea, unsweetened, with fresh blueberries floating on top. While chatting with the chef, we learned that this was FuGo’s premiere night. After a year of planning and menu-testing they finally hit the road. The service was a bit slow, but hey, it was their first night and they apologized profusely. Plus, they were super friendly, the food was delicious and the prices more than reasonable. We wished them well and I promised to help spread the word about their wonderful new venture. After wiping the salsa from our chins, we hopped back in the car and headed to downtown Providence to see if the oldest, most infamous food truck was parked in its usual place. Sure enough – there it was in all its glory: Haven Bros. We debated stopping for a hot dog and a burger, but decided that we were neither hungry nor drunk enough for the experience, so we passed. It reminded us, though, that whether the food truck phenomenon is merely a trend that will soon pass, or a new way of eating that will endure the test of time, there are some food institutions that will never die. For that we are thankful. In the meantime, we’ll relish our trendy meals on wheels. If you DO want that Star Treck critique, watch for yourself on Motif TV Scan the QR code or go to motifri.com
Go Fly a Kite: And other Fun Things To Do With The Kids This Summer
By Peter Spameni
For the smallest state, Rhode Island has unlimited summer fun potential for kids and parents alike. You could spend a day at any of our amazing parks or beaches, take a ride along some 50 miles of RI bike paths, explore world-class museums and libraries, or take part in the myriad planned events around our state. Inside, outside, fee or for free, there’s so much to do, we couldn’t possibly list it all. But here are a few ideas. Le pique-nique! It’s an age-old family tradition. You could spread the picnic blankets at Lincoln Park, Colt State Park, Goddard Park or, our favorite, Brenton Point. Located on the southern tip of Newport, the Point opens out to the Atlantic with grassy fields, gardens and trails, and boasts some of most spectacular ocean views in the state. But the most exciting sights are often the kites. Sunny days bring out the flyers in force with box kites, delta wings, diamonds, windsocks and some very hi-tech sport kites. In mid-July, the Newport Kite Festival returns with enthusiasts from all around the country. Parking is free; picnic tables are first-come, first-served; and the views are priceless. The Roger Williams Park Zoo is a perennial favorite for good reason. Always-changing yet familiar, the zoo has a full calendar of events designed to amaze and educate young and old. You and your kids can party like animals by attending any of the five scheduled animal birthday parties. So what do you get a Red River Hog for her birthday? We don’t know, but it’ll be fun watching her rip it to shreds. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard. This interactive play-scape that opened in 2012 is a real favorite among kids and parents. It encourages a hands-on exploration of nature, and engages all the senses. It’s wet, wild and a whole lot of fun. And there’s more, like Family Nights and ZooCamp. So check their calendar. For young film aficionados, what’s better than FREE movies? How about FREE movies all summer long? Booyah! That’s right, Scorsese – Cinemaworld in Lincoln announced Summer KidFest 2013. That’s free movies all summer, seven days a week, every day at 10 am. Adults pay just $2, or get in free with the donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit local food banks. Two thumbs up, right? What about the burgeoning artist in your brood? The RISD Museum is the perfect place for kids to indulge their creative impulse. For ages 3 and up, activities include themed interactive tours and read- aloud story time, as well as open studio, where kids can explore, create and discuss the art of their time. Refrigerator magnets not included. If your children have yet to experience Waterfire, this year will see nearly a dozen lightings at the popular event. First created in 1994 by RI artist Barnaby Evans, Waterfire has become RI’s premier public art installation. The spectacle combines 100 brazier fires burning above the waters of Providence’s three rivers with unusual and eclectic musical soundtracks. It is art, festival, ritual … a lingering and transformative experience for all. To plan your family’s trip to Waterfire, and to support this non-profit arts organization, please visit their website. When you think of family amusements, a few places may come to mind. In Narragansett, Adventureland Family Fun Park is the place to be. They’ve got mini golf, batting cages, go karts, bumper boats, an arcade pavilion and a pretty sweet carousel. While you’re there, you may want to order up some Burdick’s Ice Cream. Also sweet! Then there’s Mulligan’s Island in Cranston – a 64-acre golf-themed complex that features mini golf, driving ranges, batting cages, beach volleyball and refreshments. Very sporty! But if the kids want to eat, drink and be noisy, go to Dave and Buster’s at Providence Place Mall. This restaurant/arcade on steroids is known for its cacophonous midway filled with hi-tech games of sport and skill, and endless ticket redemption games and prizes. Apparently, some kids like this sort of thing. But if your kids are the cool kids, they’ll definitely enjoy the Newport Folk Festival. This forerunner of all modern music festivals has a long history, and has hosted some of the best performers in music. Now, in an effort to inspire a new generation of folk fans, the festival (July 26 – 28) will include The Late July Organic Family Tent in a shaded area near the shore. Younger fans will enjoy performances on the Family Stage, including the amazing Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower. There’ll be crafts and lots of surprise performances by artists from the main stage. So get your tickets early, because this festival always sells out.
Every summer for decades, Ninigret Park in Charlestown has been host to one of the best traditional circuses in the country. New York’s Big Apple Circus once again calls RI its home from June 22 – July 7. Touring circuses come through the Dunkin Donuts Center regularly, but there is truly nothing like walking up to a massive red and white striped old school circus tent surrounded by elephants and cotton candy. This year’s show, Legendarium, celebrates the circus’s 35th anniversary with vintage- inspired trapeze, clowns, and everything in between that will bring you back to your first time at the circus as a child. Even better? The tent is air conditioned. bigapplecircus.org
With so many fun things to do with the kids this summer, the hard part is picking something that everybody will enjoy. Have fun!
Best Books to Bring to the Beach By Bobby Forand
I have been to the beach four times in the last calendar year – to attend a wedding, to watch my son surf with Surfer’s Healing, to go for a walk with my girlfriend in hopes of making her bad day better and to work on this article. The beach is awesome, but I’m not the type to spend the day there. For those who are, here are some good local beach reads to occupy you during swimming, tanning and people watching.
Crazy Heart, by Tom Cobb
A story about a has-been country singer trying to keep up with life. This is a great read that is also a quick one. If you have an iPod and iPad, you can be really daring by reading the book while watching the movie and listening to the soundtrack at the same time. That will blow other beachgoers’ minds.
The Lost Villages of Scituate, by Raymond A. Wolf
This is my home and possibly one of the forgotten stories in Rhode Island history. So many people were put out when the reservoir was built, and this book goes into detail about that. Read this guiltily while taking sips out of your bottle full of city water.
Mae, by Dick Martin
This is a great biography about the life of a strong-willed woman, and it sounds like it could be about almost anyone who lives in this great state. I especially enjoyed that Mae grew up right near me and liked learning how different Olneyville was back then.
The Best of H. P. Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre, by HP Lovecraft
This is for those who spend the summer complaining about the heat, the noise and how much they hate summer. Reading HP Lovecraft’s creepy tales will remind you that fall is right around the corner and it won’t be long until you’re breaking out the hoodie from the closet. Read this while listening to The Misfits for twice the “Halloween is coming” feel.
The Bones of Gary Hayman and the Search for Samuel Finn, by Jason Carpenter
This is about children who were able to escape from Rhode Island’s infamous mental institution, Ladd School. It’s hard to believe that this is a true story, but it is. I work in this field, and it’s great to see how far understanding of people with disabilities has come.
The Rhode Island Dictionary, by Mark Patinkin and Don Bousquet
You live in Rhode Island or at least know enough about the state to read this article. This is a humorous definition of Rhode Island, and every local will get every joke.
The Windowless Soul, by Jeff Zurowski
Like Machine of Death, this is a self-published book. These fiction and non-fiction poems take you into Mr. Zurowski’s world and provide a peek at the trials and tribulations that he has endured.
Mug of Woe, edited by Kyle Cranston and Jenn Dlugos Riddled with stories by local writers, the Mug of Woe series won “Best Anthology” at the 2012 “Beach Book Festival” in New York. These collections of very short anecdotes (none is more than a few pages) aim to make you feel better about yourself, life, and everything by humorously chronicling tales of woe.
The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg
If the beach you are enjoying has a gift store anywhere within 50 miles, your kids are going to ask you to stop there so you can buy them something. Hand them this book and tell them, “No because Christmas is coming soon.” When they complain, remind them that Santa is watching. That should buy you at least a few minutes of peace to read the other books on this list.
Water Brothers Surf Fest 3 Drops In at The International Tennis Hall Of Fame
By Jonathon Clancy
Surfing has evolved over time with thanks, in great part, to advancements in board design. Celebrate the history of the surfboard and its shapers during the 2013 Water Brothers Surf Fest 3, an exhibit curated by surf legend Sid Abruzzi. Rhode Island’s quintessential summer surf social will converge on the courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum on Saturday, July 20, from 2 – 7 pm. A special screening of the epic surf film Searching For Tom Curren will be presented by Sid and the film’s director, Sonny Miller, at the amazing Casino Theater at 8 pm. “We’re honored to be at the International Tennis Hall of Fame this year,” said Water Brothers Surf and Skate Shop Owner, Sid Abruzzi, who added, “We’re excited about the surfboard and shaper lineup.” Abruzzi also noted the dedicated New England surfers who make Surf Fest possible, some driving excessive hours with many surfboards in tow. Over 250 boards ranging from Tom Blake’s 1938 Redwood Paddleboard to recent designs created by local shapers will lie over the lush green courts, a timeline of surfboard design. The final display will showcase boards from personal collections that represent early surf design, like classic 1950s longboards, shapes from the 1960s shortboard revolution, big wave guns, retro fishes, modern marvels and even hand planes for body surfing.
Generations of surfers have grown up riding the rocky reefs and beaches that characterize the southern reaches of our little state. And, who better to shape your next stick than the craftsmen who understand the area’s intricacies? Local Rhode Island shapers will be on hand to display their variations of wave riding craftsmanship and to answer questions about custom boards. Newport’s Neil Toracinta, one of the state’s youngest shapers, will bring his highly acclaimed Tora Surfboards to the show. In a very short amount of time, Neil’s surfboards have been popping up more often than not throughout local lineups. Providence Purveyor of the pure, Kevin Cunningham of Spirare Surfboards, will tap into the knowledge of the bees with his lightweight, all-wood honeycomb boards, along with his environmentally friendly recycled EPS foam boards. Cunningham’s clean artistic style showcases the beauty of the wood with which he wraps his creations, whereas his handmade fins display the abstract beauty of found treasure, otherwise known as marine debris. Also in the wood department, Bill Shockley of Gray Suit Productions in Charlestown will showcase his stunning sticks and fins. Dave Levy of Levy Surf Designs wants to know, “What are you on?” Dave has been shaping, glassing and sanding boards in Narragansett for over 25 years. His trademark LSD van is a staple of South County surf culture, and Dave is always happy to share his unique take on Rhode Island design. Surf Fest is also about community. Visit the Clean Ocean Access table where members from the group will help tune you into the local activist scene. The grassroots organization runs year-round water quality testing, adopts public access points to ensure the preservation of beautiful coastline and organizes a slew of beach cleanups each year. The Newport Woman’s Surf Club will also host a table. This all-female surf club has been promoting the lifestyle of ocean-minded women in Newport for over two years. On site to keep your taste buds right will be food trucks from popular local eateries. Middletown’s Flat Waves will dish out their take on the Hawaiian plate lunch with fresh chicken, beef, shrimp or pulled pork served over a bed of rice. Tallulah on Thames of Newport will serve chef-inspired street food, including their famed tacos and burritos. Empire Tea and Coffee will keep the party rolling with caffeinated liquid treats and teas from across the globe, while Del’s Frozen Lemonade assists those looking to beat the heat. Beer and wine will be available at the cash bar at the La Forge Casino Restaurant. What’s a party without tunes and prizes? Local DJs will provide music throughout the day, and be sure to buy some $1 raffle tickets for chances to win great prizes like surfboards, skateboards, wetsuits and other swag. A portion of the raffle proceeds will go toward the Water Brothers Fund, which helps those in need within the Aquidneck Island Community. Tickets for Surf Fest 3 are only $15. Children under 12 are free. A separate ticket for the screening of Searching For Tom Curren is available for $20. Both can be purchased at Water Brothers Surf and Skate Shop at 23 Memorial Boulevard in Newport, Rhode Island (cash or check only), or by credit card at tennisfame.com/SurfFest. Do you have an interesting board to display? E-mail Sid at [email protected] with a photo and description to see about a spot in the show.