GrubStreet Is Coming to PVD

GrubStreet, located in Boston, is one of the leading writing centers in the country. And it’s coming to Providence. This fall, aspiring local writers can take a workshop or weekly class in fiction memoir and screenwriting led by one of Grub Street’s Boston writing instructors who are also working writers. All classes take place at School One, and Ethan Gilsdorf, one of the three Providence instructors says, “I can’t wait to see which students join us at our new ‘home.'”

Gilsdorf recognizes that there are many quality writing classes in the area already, and feels that GrubStreet’s new offerings will complement them. “We’ve long wanted to expand our creative writing class offerings in Providence, and our partnership with School One allows us to serve more students in the area.”

Creating can be a lonely endeavor and artists benefit from a community that can help with resource sharing, peer support and feedback. “What I hope will come out of this new effort is to make sure all Rhode Island writers get access to a writing community,” said Gilsdorf. “GrubStreet is well-known in Boston for being the city’s hub of literary activity, and we’re excited to be part of Providence’s writing and literary scene too. “I most look forward to helping my students realize their writing goals. I like to see what sort of connections, writing skills and inspiration develops around the seminar table,” continued Gilsdorf. “Helping people tell their stories is what it’s all about.” All classes take place at 220 University Ave, PVD. For class descriptions, go to grubstreet.org Mon, Sep 11 Constructing the Scene, 6 – 9pm Crash Course in Short Story, 6 – 9pm Mon, Sep 25 Essentials of Story Structure, 6 – 9pm Three Act Structure for Screenwriters, 6 – 9pm Mon, Oct 2 Narrative Personal Essay/Memoir Essentials, 6 – 9pm Elements of Fiction: Characterization, 6 – 9pm Mon, Oct 16 Op-Ed Essentials, 6 – 9pm 6 Weeks, 6 Stories, 6 – 9pm for 6 weeks Mon, Oct 23 Writing Dialogue, 6 – 9pm 6 Weeks, 6 Essays, 6 – 9pm for 6 weeks Mon, Nov 6 Discovering Meaning within Story Structure, 6 – 9pm Mon, Nov 20 Writing Action Scenes, 6 – 9pm Mon, Nov 27 Micro Fiction, 6 – 9pm

Mark Fogarty is a Rhode Island resident and longtime GrubStreet instructor. He is an expert in the mono-myth, story structure and screenwriting. He’ll instruct students in how to write different types of scenes and create natural-sounding dialogue.

Ethan Gilsdorf is longtime GrubStreet instructor and board member, Providence resident, writer, journalist and teacher, author of Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks. He’ll teach memoir, personal essay and op-ed writing at School One. Annie Hartnett is a Providence resident and author of Rabbit Cake, which was selected as an Indies Introduce title and an Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association, as well as an Amazon Best Book of the Month (March). She’ll teach short story writing and help students bring their characters to life.

TEDx Providence Returns for its Seventh Year

TEDx is coming to town for its 7th year, and you’re going to want a ticket to this one! It takes place on September 30 from 9am until 5pm, with a lunch break and after party, all at The VETS Auditorium.

TED stands for technology, entertainment and design. TED Talks involve people from all different backgrounds, including education, age, gender and sexuality, talking about a topic of their choosing. These talks can vary from science and technology to culture and art and everything in between or outside the box! TEDx events, on the other hand, are community-based events that feature TED-like talks. So TEDxProvidence has speakers that influence RI in some way.

“This year’s theme, Past Present Future, is focused on learning from the past, experiencing and influencing the present, and creating our future, ” said Michael Gazdacko, spokesperson for The Providence Speaking Society and TEDxProvidence. “We are excited for this year’s event because we will debut for the first time at The Vets and are proud to showcase our most diverse and dynamic lineup of speakers and performers yet.”

The presenters have been announced, and they’re all important contributors to our little state.

Adeene Denton is a scientist, historian and dancer. She brings a unique perspective of melding science and art with her passion of planetary science, in which she is completing her PhD at .

Raymond Two Hawks Watson has a long history with nonprofit administration and is a recipient of the Innovation Fellowship for his project, the Providence Cultural Equity Initiative. He is also an artist, community activist and educator.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is a Yale graduate and part of many state committees such as budget, judiciary, environment, health, education, labor and pensions. He was also appointed US Attorney in 1994.

Kiara Butler was awarded the Generation Citizen’s Community Partnership Award at the Rhode Island State House this year. She is also a the co-founder of Diversity Talks, which are student-led professional development sessions with diversity and equity in mind.

Christopher Johnson uses his creative freedom to break down issues such as race, mental illness and incarceration. He expresses these issues through art, poetry, playwriting and education.

Arnell Milhouse is the ultimate tech guy. He is co-founder of HackRI and HackPVD, programs that teach computer science skills to help the inequality gap and give more confidence to underserved communities.

Paul Salem does a little of everything. He is co-founder of Equity Partners, chairman of Year-Up and board member of Edesia Global Nutrition. His concerns range from changing the landscape of youth in a local community to feeding malnourished children across the world.

Shannon Shallcross is all about the data. She is co-founder and CEO of BetaXAnalytics, a company that uses data to help improve the quality of healthcare.

Cheryl W. Snead is a motivational speaker who discusses issues around women, youth and minorities, and how to empower those groups. She is also the founder of Banneker Industries, Inc, a provider of supply chain management solutions.

Javier Juarez was awarded the Vital Contribution to the Community in 2017 at Rhode Island College for his work to raise awareness about undocumented student struggles. He is also a member of CASO, Coalition of Advocates for Student Opportunities, which helps immigrant students in RI.

Colleen Daley Ndoye has made it her career to help people grow and accomplish their goals through peer-driven work. She is the executive director of Project Weber/ RENEW, which helps with myriad issues, such as HIV testing and prevention, case management, harm reduction and help with at-risk communities.

Dr. Raymond Mis has taught medicine at the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been the chief of gastroenterology at the Kent County Memorial Hospital. He has also struggled on his journey, losing a significant amount of his hearing and vision, but has overcome these struggles and now owns his own practice in Warwick.

Amara Berry is director of the Sparkler Program, which teaches college-level STEM topics to elementary school children in RI, trying to expose them to science early while also teaching them problem-solving skills.

Michael L Littman is a computer science professor at Brown with multiple awards for his teaching and research. When he isn’t focused on robotics or AIs, he’s a performer with a theater and commercial background.

Lulu Locks is owner and founder and Suite Tart, a salon that mashes the worlds of old-school style and modern techniques to give truly unique styles and haircuts. She is also the owner and founder of Providence Pin-Up.

This year’s TEDxProvidence conference is shaping up to be it’s best yet with technology, community, art, health and politics all being explored. Buy your tickets soon, because this event is sure to sell out soon! Get Ready for HasCon’s Inaugural Event

Get ready for HasCon, Hasbro’s premier event that will provide fans of its many brands (Transformers, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, Dungeons and Dragons, Littlest Pet Shop, Nerf and Magic: The Gathering to name just a few), with a vast array of unique and immersive experiences from Fri, Sep 8 through Sun, Sep 10 at the Rhode Island Convention and Dunkin Donuts Centers. I communicated with Jane Ritson- Parsons, group executive for global marketing at Hasbro, to learn more about what fans can anticipate at this exciting event.

Jessica Kendall Hauk: What parts of HasCon are you most excited about?

Jane Ritson-Parsons: The most exciting part of this event is, quite simply, the amount of unique and immersive experiences fans can enjoy. HasCon will deliver an unprecedented fan

experience with a variety of panels, presentations and interactive events for fans and families, including exciting first-look previews and panels from Hasbro’s biggest television and movie series including “Transformers: Rescue Bots,” “Littlest Pet Shop” and “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” as seen on Hasbro’s joint-venture television network Discovery Family …

JKH: What are the most interesting attractions?

JRP: Over the course of the planning process, we’ve made every effort to ensure every day of HasCon is jam-packed with exciting things to see and do. When guests walk into the Dunkin’ Donuts Center or Rhode Island Convention Center on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, they’ll have an opportunity to plan their days around what they love most. Magic: The Gathering players might be most excited about Magic’s 25th Anniversary party. Families with children might want to head to the Play-Doh creation zone or get ‘Ponified’ in the magical world of Equestria. Disney Princess fans might want to check out Belle’s iconic gown from Beauty and the Beast. Children between the ages of 3 and 15 can even audition for future Hasbro content – from online demonstrations of popular products to real-life TV commercials! Fans attending the event can choose to keep track of their experience by collecting stamps for their official HasCon Passport.

JKH: What was the planning like for this event? JRP: From the very beginning, our goal was to create an all-encompassing event that offers plenty of new, exciting, unforgettable experiences for each and every one of our fans, and — throughout the planning process — it’s been so exciting to see those pieces come together. For the first-ever HasCon, we are featuring a wide spectrum of entertainment including actors and voice talent from our shows and movies, major athletes, popular internet personalities and award-winning musicians such as Flo Rida and Daya. As a global play and entertainment company, we believe this cross-section of talent will deliver great family-friendly entertainment to HasCon attendees of all ages. From meeting Mark Wahlberg and Stan Lee to testing out NERF Blasters in our NERF Battle Arena, we can confidently say HasCon will have something for everyone.

JKH: What was your favorite Hasbro toy as a child?

JRP: Monopoly

Tickets and other information about HasCon are available online at hascon.hasbro.com.

Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery Lives History

Phil DeMaria was standing guard over an army camp one night, talking with the other guard on duty, watching over a trench full of men, some asleep, some awake. The moon was shining down; the camp was quiet.

Then, suddenly, a man rose out of the trench.

The moonlight on him, the night peaceful. DeMaria and his fellow guard fell quiet. The man, standing in the dark, began to sing.

DeMaria is the captain of the Rhode Island living history group, Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He feels a deep connection to the people he and his group portray, so much so that he is often nearly moved to tears at moments during a reenactment or demonstration.

The group portrays a real Rhode Island battalion that fought during the ; its reenactments and other events often include a demonstration of light artillery. The battalion was documented heavily in the aftermath of the Civil War by one of the soldiers’ sons, who became fascinated by the war and the company after his father, Sgt. Albert Strait, died in the war, DeMaria said. This man’s steadfast documentation, of diaries, photographs and other artifacts that might have otherwise been lost to history, has allowed Battery B to be among the most knowledgeable groups in the region, in regard to their group’s real-life stories.

“We almost feel like we know these guys,” DeMaria said.

DeMaria got his start in living history portrayals and reenacting in the late 1970s, after he and his wife attended a reenactment in Virginia. It was his first encounter with any sort of living history demonstration, and he inquired about a group when he returned home to Rhode Island.

There was no group here, but he joined one in Massachusetts. Eventually, though, he said he became more interested in doing historical education components, and they split off and formed their

own group, grounded in the real Battery B.

Education is a big piece of what DeMaria views as the group’s objective.

“In no way are we trying to glorify war,” DeMaria said. “…[We try] to understand the sacrifices.”

“Most of them [the soldiers] were kids,” DeMaria continued, noting that many of those in Battery B were in their late teens or early 20s. Bringing those people to life, as breathing, thinking, feeling people, is what he feels is an important piece of a living history demonstration.

“The only way you can experience it is by living it,” he said. The spectators learn about the war, but he stressed that the reenactors do as well. “We, in turn, are learning by experiencing it,” he said.

For DeMaria, the history of the event is paramount. He views the work of reenactors, living history events, as integral to ensuring that an event like the Civil War remains in the past.

“We can’t erase what happened, but if we teach it, people will realize we can never let it happen again,” he said.

However, he stated that the Confederate flag and other items depicting the nation’s violent past were not “symbols of hate.” He feels those who participate in reenactments on the Confederate side do not identify with “what happened,” but rather want “to honor their relatives.”

The use of the Confederate flag by racist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan, he feels, is not indicative of its meaning.

“Unfortunately, other organizations have taken that symbol and used it,” he said, in reference to recent neo-Nazi and white supremacist marches in Charlottesville. The KKK and other organizations like it are part of “a lot of bad things that came out of [the Civil War],” he said.

The Civil War events he goes to and participates in can draw thousands of spectators, he said, and though interest ebbs and flows, often sparking with relevant TV shows or other media, engagement with the war typically remains high.

“The Revolutionary War gave us our independence,” he said. “The Civil War made us who we are. Good or bad, it made us who we are.”

DeMaria has been part of Battery B for 25 years. He said part of his challenge can be motivating the all- volunteer group, especially in an artillery company like Rhode Island’s, which requires at least eight men to operate, whereas an infantry company can basically operate as individuals.

At actual events, reenactment groups will come together to “live exactly the way they did,” camping out, mimicking command structures and sleeping in trenches. At night, he said, there are often dances, “civilians” walking around and all variety of events happening at any time.

“You never know what you’re going to see,” DeMaria said.

DeMaria’s favorite part, however, is what he calls “magic moments.” That night, standing guard over the trenches, was one of his. He and his fellow guard quiet, the camp mostly asleep.

And a man, climbing out of the trenches into the open night air, who began to sing a sweet, sad song.

For more information about Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery and their upcoming events, visit batterybri.org/index.html.

Doors Open RI Free Citywide PVD Festival, Sep 23

“Behind Every Door is a Story,” Doors Open Rhode Island write on their website. Their mission is to acquaint Providence city dwellers and workers with the hidden-in-plain-sight places they may walk or drive past every day without realizing what is inside. On Saturday, Sep 23, they will hold a citywide free festival featuring many sites welcoming “open house” visitors that the event web page describes as “Providence Unlocked: Imagine receiving a set of keys to historic homes, theaters, sacred spaces, secret vaults, studios and more, for free. For one day, the Doors Open Rhode Island Festival will provide you with free, special access to over 20 one-of-a-kind places across Providence.”

“There are no tickets or reservations. You just show up. The doors are open to you. Some of the sites might have lines,” said Caroline Stevens, program director of Doors Open RI. “This is very much a community event, so every site we view as the start of a relationship between the people of Providence and these places.” The festival runs 10am – 6pm, although most individual sites have slightly more limited hours. (There is also a special evening program at Aurora.) RIPTA is providing free bus service for attendees to access multiple sites without worries about cars and parking, and sites will have passes or wearable buttons to facilitate this.

“This program is not just about architecture, but what makes Providence the remarkable city that it is, which is art, culture, and history, all of these things,” Steven said.

The full list of participating venues is on the festival’s web page: doorsopenri.org/festival/#sites

Annmary Brown Memorial, 21 Brown St, Providence: exterior street view (photo: Michael Bilow)

Motif was given a sneak peak of the (10am-4pm), 21 Brown St. Constructed by Rush Hawkins in 1907 because he was heartbroken over the death in 1903 of his wife, a member of the Brown family, the building houses a substantial but idiosyncratic collection of art that has been maintained to the extent possible just as he left it. To the Providence Daily Journal explaining his gift to the people of the city, he wrote: “For both the husband and the wife a suitable resting place has been provided; but the appearance of the interior is cheerful, the forms and construction are simple, and no atmosphere of gloom is present.” Stevens observed, “Because it is a mausoleum it doesn’t look particularly inviting, so the festival will be a rare opportunity to feel welcomed into the space.”

Annmary Brown Memorial: on the left is the entrance to the mausoleum containing the remains of Rush Hawkins and Annmary Brown Hawkins; on the right is a painting by Edwin Lord Weeks showing the Sikh Golden Temple at Amritsar. (photo: Michael Bilow)

Peter Harrington, curator at the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection at Brown University, explained that he oversees the memorial as a side responsibility, since it is now the responsibility of the university after Mr. Hawkins was unexpectedly run down by a taxi on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at the age of 89, having failed to provide sufficient funds for its maintenance. The couple are interred in a mausoleum at the opposite side of the building from the entrance and, Harrington explained, the university pays for an annual wreath and floral arrangement on the tomb on the March 9 birthday of Annmary, in accordance with Rush’s will. Two large panels by the major American Orientalist painter Edwin Lord Weeks are on permanent exhibit. According to Harrington, Rush Hawkins also collected incunabula, manuscripts on early American witch trials, and – oddly – books written by people named “Hawkins.” (The large Mazansky Collection of British swords and miniatures on display is part of the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection and is not directly related to Rush or Annmary Hawkins, Harrington said.)

Annmary Brown Memorial: view from entrance toward mausoleum crypt (photo: Michael Bilow)

Rush Hawkins was a colonel on the Union side in the Civil War, and according to Harrington was promoted to the rank of general shortly after the end of the war. Harrington said that Hawkins’ military career ended when he sent a letter to President criticizing General George McClellan for his notorious reluctance to fight; Lincoln later conceded to Hawkins, Harrington said, that the criticism was valid. One of the more interesting artifacts is a large box with a note on the outside in Mr. Hawkins’ handwriting saying the contents are the letters exchanged almost daily by the couple during the war and asking that they be destroyed to preserve privacy – and the box is empty.

Sites available to visit range from places usually not accessible to the public, such as the studios of RI Public Radio (noon – 6pm, handicap accessible), 1 Union Station, to less accessible places within otherwise accessible places, such as the history of printing room at the Providence Public Library (9:30am – 2pm, handicap accessible), 225 Washington St, with old printing presses, type cases, and type specimen books. Some are difficult to access without special arrangements, such as the Benefit Street Arsenal (10am – 6pm), 176 Benefit St, a small medieval-style castle built in 1842 in the Dorr War era and now home to the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery, containing Civil War artifacts.

Several sites focus on the history of the city. The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John (noon – 6pm), 276 North Main St, has been vacant for many years but visitors can see its new life as the Center for Reconciliation, a museum focused on race and the local slave trade. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (10am – 4pm, handicap accessible), 30 Fenner St, is a classic Gothic Revival structure that faces the nearly-forgotten Cathedral Square plaza designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei, and the cathedral itself is the surviving twin with the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT, both completed in 1889 but the latter destroyed by fire in 1956.

Government buildings have often overlooked interior spaces, such as the attic archives of Providence City Hall (10am – 6pm), 25 Dorrance St, even containing old police mug shots. The Rhode Island State House (10am – 6pm, handicap accessible), 82 Smith St, featuring what is believed to be the fourth largest self-supporting dome in the world (St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India are first and second on that list), was completed in 1904 on a design by architects McKim, Mead and White – the latter of whom, Stanford White, was the victim of “the murder of the century” in 1906 by the jealous husband of Evelyn Nesbitt, “the girl in the red velvet swing.” A special exhibit on the Gaspee affair will be part of the State House tour, Stevens said.

More directly involved in murder, the Victorian-era Barnaby Castle (10am – 3pm, handicap accessible), 299 Broadway, was owned by Josephine Barnaby who became the victim of the first known instance of murder by mail when she drank a gift of whiskey laced with arsenic; a contentious trial produced a conviction that was overturned on appeal and ended inconclusively with the death of the defendant, a story told in some detail by Mrs. Barnaby’s great-grandson Conrad Barnaby in his 1983 book, A Revolting Transaction.

Associated with crime of a very different sort, Hudson Furs (10am – 4pm), 101 Cranston St, was the scene of the Bonded Vault Robbery in 1975, when Mafia-connected robbers stole tens of millions of dollars in cash, gold, jewels and other loot stored by other mobsters in one of the largest thefts in American history.

A few entirely new spaces within existing spaces invite visitors, including the grand opening of the new pavilion at Grace Episcopal Church (10am – 5pm, handicap accessible), 300 Westminster St, a “light- filled modern complement to the nation’s first asymmetrical Gothic Revival church” built in 1846 and featuring a Tiffany stained-glass window. Visitors will be given the rare opportunity to tour the interior of the iconic copper dome 100 feet above street level at Beneficent Congregational Church (10am – 4pm), 300 Weybosset St.

The John Brown House (10am – 4pm), 52 Power St, was built in 1788 by an influential and wealthy politician and slave trader. The Stephen Hopkins House (10am – 9:30pm), 15 Hopkins St, built in 1707 is the oldest house in Providence (although twice relocated) and was the home of the signer of the Declaration of Independence, 10-term governor (when the term was only one year), and host to George Washington who visited twice.

The RISD Naure Lab (10am-4pm, handicap accessible), 13 Waterman St, has more than 80,000 specimens and explores the connection between nature and art. The RISD Textile Lab (10am – 2pm), 7 North Main St – Metcalf Bldg, features a working, modernized, industrial Jacquard loom. Ladd Observatory (11am – 3pm, handicap accessible), 210 Doyle Ave, was frequented by amateur astronomy enthusiast H.P. Lovecraft and has much of its original equipment intact from the 19th and early 20th Centuries; solar observing will be available if the weather co-operates.

Some sites are notable primarily for their creative reuse of space and materials. The Box Office (10am – 4pm), 460 Harris Ave, is a famously unusual multi-colored building constructed from 37 shipping containers – what Stevens called “cargo-tecture” – but visitors will be able to go inside and tour its office spaces rather than just see it from the outside as they pass on the highway. “At the Box Office, a couple of the interior designers and art firms in those spaces will open their doors as well, taking advantage of this as an opportunity to grow their own perspective,” Stevens said. The headquarters of the Rhode Island Foundation (noon – 6pm, handicap accessible), 1 Union Station, was originally the main train station in the city and was rehabilitated after being nearly destroyed by fire twice, once in 1896 and once in 1987. Nail Communications (10am – 6pm, handicap accessible), 63 Eddy St, is an advertising agency whose desks are described as “metal meets Big Nazo.”

The Columbus Theater (10am – 4pm), 270 Broadway, started in 1926 as a vaudeville venue and now hosts films and live performances. Atlantic Mills (10am – 4pm), 120 Manton Ave, is a commercial building a century-and-a-half old that was a factory before labor laws existed, but how holds a variety of for-profit business, non-profit organizations such as the archives and collection of the Retro Computer Society, and a well known flea market. The Arcade (10am – 3pm, handicap accessible), 130 Westminster St, built in 1828, is generally believed to be the first shopping mall, and is now a mixed-use combination of businesses on the lower floors and micro-living loft spaces on the upper floors.

Aurora, 276 Westminster St, will host a special evening event, “19th Century Providence in 3D,” a 45- minute stereopticon presentation by historian Ned Connors, with three shows beginning, respectively, at 5pm, 6:15pm, and 7:30pm; a cash bar will be available.

This is the organization’s first citywide festival in Providence, Stevens said, and she is hoping for about 2,500 visitors throughout the day-long event. “It just depends upon how many people find out about it and what the weather is like,” Stevens said. “This is part of a worldwide network of these events. Part of how I got the number 2,500 is Doors Open Lowell [MA] has been going on for over a decade and they get 2,500 people, but over three days… Providence is a slightly bigger city, so maybe we’ll get 2,500 for the day. When I ran this program in Chicago, now they’ve expanded to 200 sites for 100,000 visitors, so I can’t compare what’s happening here in Providence to that.” A Doors Open RI event in June at the historic Congregation Sons of Jacob Synagogue in the North End of Providence, the turn-of-the-century center of Jewish life in the state, drew 400 people, Stevens said, but it will not be part of the festival because it is being held on a Saturday.

“I’ve found that when people are connected to the places in their communities, that they care about those places more. Learning the stories, reading the stories, will hopefully have the power to transform visitors into advocates of places and ambassadors of these places… and ultimately developing a greater sense of pride… for both the people and the places,” Stevens said. “It’s just one day, but in my experience doing this in Chicago, it can have a really tremendous impact because people look at the city in a different way after this event. ‘I feel a sense of ownership where I live. I can have access. I’ve been there. I’ve seen that, let me tell you about it.’”

Doors Open RI Festival web site: doorsopenri.org/festival; Facebook event: facebook.com/events/474747432894621 Somebody Let the Walldogs Out

The Knickerbocker Express rolls into the Westerly station on a railroad made of piano keys. Ahead of the station, a silhouette of a man carries his guitar to a jazz club. Whatever song he’ll play, we won’t get to hear.

The musically themed mural tells the story of The Knickerbocker Cafe, the blues club built in Westerly in 1933, after the end of Prohibition. It’s one of 14 murals scheduled to be painted in Westerly, Rhode Island, and Stonington, Connecticut, between September 13 and 17 as part of the Bricks and Murals Festival. The painting of the mural, which will run alongside The Knickerbocker at 33 Railroad Ave, is being led by Sonny Franks of Georgia. Franks is a “Walldog,” who describe themselves as a group of “highly skilled sign painters and mural artists from all over the globe.”

And this month, the Walldogs will descend on New England.

“We’re painting history,” says Fred Peretta, marketing co-chair of Bricks and Murals. “These things don’t come around. These murals are a 25-year commitment; the maintenance program on them is 25 years. I don’t know if this is the most-ever (murals) done in five days or not in the Northeast, but it’s a huge deal.”

For the Walldogs, it’s the first time the group has embarked on a two-state, two-town project. “It might not happen around here for another 20 years,” says Peretta. “They mostly stay in the Midwest.”

It’s their largest-scaled project in the region to date. Their last (and only) Walldogs New England meet- up was in 2005 and decidedly smaller in scope: murals showcasing the four seasons along an outside wall of Connecticut’s Canaan Market. Bricks and Murals is their first, full Northeast festival.

Bricks and Murals estimates hundreds of artists, in collaboration with local artists, will travel to paint the story of the communities of Westerly and Stonington. Beyond the Knickerbocker Express, other murals are dedicated to the impact of the Hurricane of 1938; a storm that caused $308 million in damages — the equivalent of $5.1 billion, adjusted to 2016 dollars. Another mural stands in dedication to the Westerly Band, established in 1852, and the longest, non-military musical organization in continuous service in the country. John Tedeschi, art director at Westerly High School, is project- leading students on a mural showcasing the region’s Italian heritage.

Beyond acting as painters, Westerly High School actually ends up on the other side of the brush. The Westerly Bulldogs long-running rivalry with the Stonington Bears is one of America’s oldest football rivalries — and the subject of the mural at 8 Mechanic St. The two schools have been feuding since a 1911 Thanksgiving game.

Besides the spectacle of Westerly-Pawcatuk being transformed into a downtown-sized canvas for five days, numerous events are planned to keep spectators from, well, watching paint dry. Each evening ends with live music and on September 14, there will be a block party and food stroll. There’s also a dedicated wall where children can sign up to paint murals of their own. According to Peretta, Walldog Cam Bortz was the “key driver” in bringing the festival to our region. “He’s been a Walldog for 20 years,” says Peretta. “He lives here. He’s a Stonington resident. He’s bringing it home.”

For a volunteer-driven art project of its scale, there are goals and outcomes beyond beautification and historical preservation of a community’s stories.

“Westerly and Pawcatuk, Stonington, are already well known for their beaches and restaurants,” says Peretta. “Adding a large amount of art to everything will add a new dimension to the town. The two towns are connected, the roads run into each other. You can’t tell where you are. We’re hoping for some economic development. We want downtown Westerly and downtown Stonington to be areas to come to, so when you’re visiting southern Rhode Island and the northeast shores of Connecticut, people see the murals and spend time in downtown.”

RI Comic Con Comes Back To Providence

It’s the time of year where the Rhode Island Convention Center gets invaded by cosplayers, celebrities, artists and all sorts of weirdness. People will be releasing their inner geek while staring at displays of wonder. The 6th annual Rhode Island Comic Con is coming back to Providence this fall, and it’ll be taking place on November 10 through 12. This edition of the Comic Con promises to be the best yet with a bunch of A-listers present. There’s a certain buzz that’s going around this time that the event hasn’t reached before.

John Cusack, who you might know from the films High Fidelity, Being John Malkovich, Grosse Pointe Blank, Con Air, Say Anything… and Better Off Dead, will be one of the heavy hitters there. “The Walking Dead’s” and “Boondock Saints’” Norman Reedus, Luke Cage’s Michael Colter, action hero Dolph Lundgren and Freddy Kruger himself, Robert Englund, will also be around. Justin Roiland, the co- creator of the Adult Swim series “Rick & Morty,” is going to be showing off the voices of the characters. You’ll also have wrestling legend Sting, parody song genius “Weird Al” Yankovic and Billie Piper from the British TV series “Billie Piper” hanging out. These are only a few of a plethora of celebs who’ll be at the Rhode Island Comic Con signing autographs and chatting with their fans.

The talented comic book artists who’ll be showing off their work can’t be overlooked either. Frankie B. Washington, the artist behind the cover of last year’s Motif magazine Comic Con issue, among others, is going to be interacting with folks. There’s also Neal Adams, Sergio Aragones, Jim Shooter, Andy Price, Jon Sinnott, Katie Cook and Sean Gordon Murphy who’ll be having displays up. One of the most enjoyable things about the Rhode Island Comic Con is the art that covers every corner of the convention center. It’s truly a treat for the eyes.

Even though it’s a week and a half after Halloween, there’s always a reason to dress up again when the Comic Con rolls around. There will be a cosplay contest among various age groups and experience levels, so make sure to enter for some bragging rights. It’s a crazy and exciting event that promises to be a whole lot of fun. Make sure to head out to the Rhode Island Convention Center during the second weekend of November. You’ll have an unforgettable time.

Rhode Island Comic Con’s Website: ricomiccon.com

PRONK! Celebrates a Decade of Social Change

PRONK! is heading into its 10th year! Providence knows this festival as one heck of a fun street festival. But PRONK! is more than just a parade and a party; it is specifically organized to amplify voices of social change. PRONK!’s manifesto states many points, including encouraging interaction with music to promote social change, reclaiming public space, building relationships and sparking meaningful dialogue.

It’s often easy for artists involved to understand exactly how they mean to promote social change, but it’s not always easy for a potential audience to make the connection. The intent behind actions doesn’t always equal the impact. The organizing committee behind PRONK! has worked hard to figure out how to put their mission into action. What began as a parade alternating marching bands with social justice organizations has developed into the purposeful development of formal relationships between community organizations and artists to collaborate and create art, lead workshops and teach-ins, and more. The goal is to use music and art to amplify the voices of both those who have been historically silenced and those who work tirelessly for justice, peace, education and a safer city. Avi David, one of PRONK!’s organizers, described it as a “pep rally for people doing the important work.”

The organizing committee has made a commitment to listen to the voices of Providence in planning the event. David explained that it’s a continual process of diversifying. The volunteer organizers actively seek out community input for which causes they should represent and how those causes should be represented. The goal of the committee is to listen to voices that demonstrate a broader representation of the makeup of Providence regarding race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, orientation and physical ableness so they can collectively envision and create a more relevant and accessible festival. Over the last few years, the diversification has included the involvement of high school students, which has brought a different energy and feel to PRONK!. Students bring a different idea of what is “cool,” and questions about what it means to create a safe space for younger people.

Questions of safety are important to ask for an event that seeks to reclaim public space. PRONK! happens every year on Indigenous People’s Day for a specific reason. According to David, “There should not be a holiday celebrating Columbus. People have the power to create change. If we ignore our history and are silent about injustice, white supremacy, corporate greed, systemic racism, etc., people with power and money will make decisions that continue to oppress the most vulnerable members of our society. We strive to create somewhat of an alternate reality.” To that end, the

committee has made the event completely non- commercial. PRONK! is held in the streets of Providence, and is free to all. There is no entry fee. There is nothing for sale. None of the bands use electricity. Everyone involved is a volunteer. It’s created to be an ephemeral event with no footprint.

This year, PRONK! is doing things a little different. They are moving out of Burnside Park to set up along the Providence River, from South Water Street to Point Street. They will have four to five “stages” (which are really just marked areas so that audience members can be more involved with the music), and live active art-making stations (many of which will be youth-led). After the afternoon programming, PRONK! will parade down to the Hurricane Barrier and will continue with nighttime performances at Hot Club and around the barrier. The organizers are still working out details of scheduling, so keep your eyes peeled for more information. Visit providencehonkfest.org for updates.

The Jewelry City Steampunk Festival Steams into Attleboro

Autumn in New England brings out all the festivals, from art shows to zombie nights. Attleboro, in Massachusetts, is about to host a new free-for-the-public event that will most certainly turn your gears – The Jewelry City Steampunk Festival!

On Saturday, October 28, downtown Attleboro will be a round-the-clock showcase of arts, entertainment and education for all ages with its own non-profit steampunk-themed event. To those new to the subgenre, steampunk is a clash-of-eras science fiction style that incorporates Victorian attire with industrial-era steam-powered machinery. From clothing and jewelry to music and live performances, it’s a world of pure mechanical imagination.

The engine for this event was turned on last year by founder and festival director Heather Rockwood. After attending a similar event, Waltham’s Watch City Steampunk Festival, Heather walked the streets of Attleboro and found the once “Jewelry Capital of the World” was a perfect setting for its own attraction. With a grant from the Attleboro and Massachusetts Cultural Councils and fueled by the enthusiasm of the local community, the building blocks began to lock into place.

Speaking exclusively with Heather, or dare I say “the Cog of the Carnival,” she shared many great secrets kept under wraps to be unveiled on their Facebook event page. But fret not, for I have some information I can divulge. Starting at 10am, all are welcome to the Ezekial Bates Masonic Lodge for introductions before browsing the buskers and vaudeville vendors who’ll be selling all sorts of wares.

Then it’s on to the Attleboro Public Library for a plethora of presentations and panel discussions. All- day-dining will be available in the adjacent parking lot with a feast of food trucks.

Parents bringing along their children will take great interest in the Balfour Riverwalk Park’s activities that include a bit of reading and education. For a greater thrill, the Athena School of Arms will be giving sword demonstrations and lessons for kids and adults. In the mix, one can watch Hatters drive each other mad in the Splendid Teapot Racing event, pitting the best RC-teapot-cars against one another.

If in need of a break, only a couple of blocks away will be the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum hosting free-entry, paid-tours and a variety of excellent programs. Next door, Patterson Creations will be open to all for a showcase of art for sale and the Steampunk Teddy Bear Tea Party.

That is the day, but what of the night? The biggest kept secret thus far is the Steampunk Soiree – a crescendo of performance art from musicians to dancers to masters of “fiery feats.” Though much is awaiting revelation, we can confirm goth-rockers The Dirge Carolers will be performing at the festival.

It’s not too late to bring your tinkering to the table! Jewelry City Steampunk Festival has its door open ever so slightly for last-minute performers and presenters. If you want to participate or just be a patron, jewelrycitysteampunk.com has all the information and educational blogs about the steampunk world. Heather has confirmed that their Facebook event page will have the exclusive news and announcements: facebook.com/jewelrycitysteampunk. Love Oysters? Don’t Miss the Ocean State Oyster Festival

Tom Robbins once equated eating an oyster with French kissing a mermaid. Others have likened it to swallowing a large wad of snot. I get both analogies, but for obvious reasons prefer the first one as it perfectly describes the sensuous nature of gulping down a bit of the sea, enjoying the salty brininess that lingers on your tongue; knowing you just consumed something sure to enhance your libido. Eating an oyster has nothing to do with eating; it’s an experience all unto itself.

Here in Rhode Island, we’re fortunate to have access to high-quality fresh oysters year-round, and the 3rd Annual Ocean State Oyster Festival celebrates that fact. This year’s event will take place on Sep 23 from 1 – 7pm at River Walk Park in Providence, where oysters from 18 local oyster farms will be featured. The ticket gets you half a dozen oysters and a drink of choice (beer, wine or spiked ginger beer). This event is family-friendly (children under 12 are free) as there’s live entertainment and activities for the kids, such as face-painting, a photo booth and chill-out tent where kids can hang while mom and dad hit the bar. For those not inclined to shuck and suck, there will be food trucks from Pat’s Pastured, Smoke n’ Squeal Bbq and Mike’s Ice. In the afternoon, you can participate in an oyster shucking contest and vote for your favorite oyster – a perfect way to spend the first weekend of fall. Also, the coolest part of this already cool festival is that everything used is either compostable or recyclable. That means net zero in terms of waste.

Purchase tickets at oysterfestri.com. The event is held rain or shine as there are plenty of tents. To volunteer, email [email protected].