Fourth Queer Arts Fest Serves as an Inclusive Pride Alternative In Rhode Island the first month of summer is marked with more than just nice weather. The smallest state, which maintains a vibrant LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community, features the added visibility of rainbow flags and other signs of queer culture decorating our clothing and our streets, and generally adding color to our surroundings. This is all done in recognition of Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQIA liberation and community. This occasion is observed in countless cities around the world, and celebrations typically take the form of outdoor festivals, block parties and parades. Though Pride appears all inclusive on the surface, recent years have offered a surge in nationwide protests and discourse slamming many modern Pride events for being whitewashed and overly corporate, long detached from their roots of radical liberation. The protests, which also occurred in Providence in 2016, often cite ongoing issues that include a lack of queer and transwomen of color in leadership roles within Pride organizations, excessive police presence at events, corporate sponsorships and catering to corporate interests, a lack of inclusivity in events for older audiences, and limited effort to provide spaces for families. While many Pride organizations continue to grapple with the ongoing criticisms and protests, alternative events have begun to grow in popularity in cities with some of the most well-established Pride festivals. For Providence, this alternative is the AS220 Queer Arts Festival (QAF). Now in its fourth year, the QAF returns with a full week of programming happening from June 10 through June 17. The festival is hosted by AS220, a Providence-based art complex and music venue, and is led by a dedicated planning committee comprising 24 of some of the city’s most accomplished creative minds. When asked what motivates the volunteer planners, committee member Ronia “BlueAzul” Peguero stated, “We’re all doing this with our own time because we believe in it and we want to provide an alternative to Pride that is inclusive to the arts and is intergenerational.” BlueAzul has worked in Providence area nightlife and promotions for 13 years and has successfully created four nights in Providence for the urban gay community. When asked what motivated her to accept her invitation to join the QAF planning committee, BlueAzul said, “For me I think it was a natural yes. Yes, I want to provide an alternative for the usual programming of Pride. I’ve been here for 37 years, and my whole entire life I’ve lived in Providence. I always thought that more could be done, so what better way to make a change than to actively participate in change?” Blue said this year’s programming is intergenerational, accessible, family welcoming and educational, in order to best serve the Providence community. Blue said that a focus on family is very much lost in Rhode Island Pride events, and discussed how difficult it can be to find appropriate activities for older children and youth. Accessibility emerged as another important theme related to AS220’s recently launched ALL ACCESS campaign, which will allow for improvements to AS220’s flagship building on 95 and 115 Empire Streets. These improvements include installing an elevator, building gender-neutral bathrooms, and making their art and performance spaces more physically accessible to all. The QAF will offer diverse, unique and artistically stimulating events. Highlights include headlining artists Papi Juice from NYC for an intergenerational dance party; performances from local and national LGBTQIA artists; the Queer Trans Zine Fest (QTZ) celebrating the small works of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming artists; and much more! There will also be a screening of Major!, a film exploring the life of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated black transgender activist and participant during the Stonewall Riots. Check out as220.org for more information on the Queer Arts Fest and to view the full schedule, or visit the group’s Facebook page. The 19th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival Kicks Off This September A scene from last year’s festival; photo credit: Keith E. Fayan The city of Pawtucket presents what is arguably its most exciting event of the year each September: The Pawtucket Arts Festival. This event seeks to celebrate the creative and cultural community embedded in the city and surrounding region. The festival showcases art, music, theater, crafts, film and so much more while representing some of the best offerings found in the historic Blackstone River Valley. Jennifer Dalton Vincent, who is festival director for the first time this year said, “I’m really excited about the spirit of collaboration that has brought this huge month-long celebration of arts and culture together again this year. The festival would not come into being if it were not for so many committed, passionate individuals in the community — both people who run cultural organizations and people who volunteer their time to those organizations and the festival. That’s been very exciting for me to bear witness to.” This local festival was originally created to recognize the beauty of Slater Park and celebrate the creative community of the city. What began as a handful of events centered around the park has blossomed into a month-long festival with upward of 30 unique and fabulous events scattered across the city. While the festival continues to evolve, the core mission of ensuring a place for the arts in Pawtucket has remained. The events are particularly exciting this year. The festival kick-off includes an opening night celebration titled “Curtain Up” on September 8 at REVEL Factory. The festival’s main annual fundraiser, this event will showcase live statues, jazz music, artisanal cocktails, light refreshments and more. While the festival offers events that are free to the public, this exciting evening of entertainment helps ensure the financial security of the rest of the festival. Tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com. The event that Jennifer Dalton Vincent is most excited for is the Slater Park Fall Festival slated for September 9 – 10. “This year we’re so happy to be featuring a broader array of performers from a larger spectrum of cultural and artistic backgrounds. The Slater Park Fall Festival is a dynamic event that really well represents the cultural profile of Pawtucket.” This free weekend of activities will include a performance of the RI Philharmonic Pops in the Park, music and dance performances, an arts and crafts marketplace, fireworks and food trucks and many additional features. “It really showcases the best of what the festival has done in the past. And we’re proud to recognize what’s new.” The Slater Park Fall Festival allows festival-goers to experience art in a variety of ways. “We’ve planned it so people can engage with different modes of performance and art making.” A community art project will take place, RI Black Storytellers will perform and lead participants through a puppet making project and art will meet science in a public art piece by New House. “They created a giant inflatable dome structure that you can walk inside. The outside looks like a honeycomb, and each opening is a camera obscura that reflects upside down images onto the inside of the dome. It really showcases this great space between art and science.” And participation isn’t the only way festival organizers are making accessibility a major component of the events. “We teamed up with Blackstone Valley Tourism council to organize a shuttle to help bring people to activities happening at Taiwan Day and Slater Park Fall Festival. We’re working to make it easier for people to get to both events, particularly people who may not have access to private transportation.” In addition to the Slater Park Fall Festival, Vincent is excited about an art installation that can be found along Pawtucket’s riverfront district. Keri King is a Providence artist who works with wheat paste and paper to adhere paper art pieces to the sides of buildings. “She researched Pawtucket’s archives and created a cast of characters that represent Pawtucket’s creative and cultural history.” So when you’re strolling through Pawtucket, take a look at some of the downtown buildings and you might see some of her characters strolling along with you. “Our hope is to add a little whimsy and delight into that area.” The Pawtucket Arts Festival would not be possible without the dozens of sponsors including, but not limited to the City of Pawtucket, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance, Bristol County Savings Bank, and Pawtucket Times. For more information on the festival and a full schedule of events, go to pawtucketartsfestival.org. Rooftop At The G Announces It’s Capstone Event of The Season Many of us who reside in Providence are familiar with the Providence G. The lovely historic building has decorated the skyline for years and has seen several transformations throughout its lifetime. Now home to luxury apartments, the building is also the site of a fantastic rooftop restaurant and lounge boasting one of the most spectacular views of the city. Many Providence residents have great memories of Rooftop at the G, but not all of our memories involve enjoying amazing live music. This is quickly changing! The Rooftop has showcased a number of regional and national acts throughout the year. From solo pianists to full bands, diverse talent has moved Rooftop visitors all summer. Enjoy unplugged singer- songwriters each Monday, local piano entertainer Billy Muston on Tuesdays, and full bands on Wednesdays and Thursdays representing several genres. You can enjoy live DJs during the weekend to round out a full week of performance.