Apollo 11 50th Anniversary WaterFire Celebration

July 20th, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and man’s first steps on the moon. Throughout the month of July, the WaterFire Arts Center has been home to science, art, and exploration.

English artist Luke Jerram has created the “Museum of the Moon” exhibit which now sits in the main hall of the WaterFire Arts Center. Alongside the moon installation stands an 85′ Milky Way display created by John Sabraw; and Jeremy Schilling’s current series of paintings entitled “The Overview Effect”. Nearly every night, the exhibit has hosted speakers of diverse backgrounds, experience, and perspective. Each lecture has shed light on the importance of past, present, and future space explorations.

The city of Providence has also played its part in celebrating this monumental moment in history. Exhibitions held throughout the city have displayed artwork, film, photography, and immersive hands-on experiences to visitors.

As part of WaterFire Providence’s month long celebration, there will be a full lighting on July 20th in honor of the moon landing. All full WaterFire installations light up over 80 braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street. Sunset begins at 8:16 pm and lighting will start at 8:36 pm. The fires will remain lit until midnight.

All on-shore activities will begin around 6:00 pm

4:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Envisioning Space Exhibition at The RISD Illustration Studies Building Gallery

poster 11 X 17_NASA Retrospective 04 (2)The ISB Gallery and Michael Kolondowicz have worked together to display incredible artwork, illustrations, NASA photographs and other projects, free to the public.

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm: The “Apollo Legacy: Rhode Island and Space Exploration” at Market Square.
  • This area will be a family friendly exhibition, science fair and demonstration area presented by the NASA RI Grant Consortium, and students and faculty from Rhode Island colleges and universities.
6:00 pm: Space Chats at the RISD Museum (Metcalf Auditorium)
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Washington Street Bridge
  • “Dr. Samuel Wagstaff’s Eminent Emporium of Photography” – Have your portrait taken sitting on a classic Crescent Moon.
  • Dassault education pods on the visualization of scientific data
  • First Robotics Showcase of robots designed and built by students from 5th grade through high school.
  • RI Museum of Science and Art science learning demonstration.
8:20 pm: Waterplace Basin Stage
Sidewalk Astronomy at the Riverwalk near College Street

Sidewalk Astronomy will offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the stars and planets in the sky.

 

 

 

 Sponsored by the NASA RI Space Grant Program as our Co-Lead sponsor along with Brown UniversityProvidence CollegeThe University of Rhode Island, the NASA/RI EPSCoR Program, and the generous support of Textron Charitable Trust.

Museum of the Moon at the WaterFire Arts Center

You look back at Earth from the Moon, and you can put your thumb up to the window and hide the Earth behind your thumb. Everything you’ve ever known is behind your thumb, and that blue-and-white ball is orbiting a rather normal star, tucked away on the outer edge of a galaxy.

Jim Lovell

For centuries, the moon has been a piece of human inspiration. It has driven explorations, discovery, art, and science. From border to border, each corner of the world has a vision, a history, and a story for the Moon. It evokes passion, vibrancy, and mystery. An intricate and complex combination.

English artist Luke Jerram, has sculpted a highly-detailed 23′ diameter Moon that will travel to 25 countries; Collecting the stories, mythologies, and emotional responses of its audience. “Museum of the Moon” will soon land in the main hall of The WaterFire Arts Center. This sculpture will play a part of a larger series of NASA-related events and exhibitions throughout the city.

The internally lit spherical sculpture is created with detailed NASA images of the lunar surface from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter that you can explore up close. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimeter represents 5 kilometers of the Moon’s surface.

Continue reading “Museum of the Moon at the WaterFire Arts Center”

PVDFest Weekend: June 6th – 9th

PVD FEST IS COMING BACK TO PROVIDENCE FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW.  

Festival Dates & Hours
    • Thursday June 6th, 5 Pm – 10 Pm
    • Friday June 7th, 5 Pm – 11 Pm
    • Saturday June 8th, 12 Pm – 12 Am
    • Sunday June 9th, 12 Pm – 6 Pm

Admission Free

About PVDFest

PVDFest is a non-profit production with over 60 businesses and organizations supporting its cause. Artists of all walks are at the center of this event, bringing the city to life. This years festival will showcase over 1000 artists on over a dozen platforms. PVDFest offers both acclaimed and emerging talent showcasing their diversity.

Food Village

Kennedy Plaza will host the weekends culinary scene. Over 50 food trucks and booths are set up on Saturday and Sunday for all festival goers. Select vendors include:

For a full vendor list click here

2019 Artists

With over 1000 artists being showcased, be ready to experience something new and unique on every corner. Artists range from singer/songwriters to mimes. With public art being a significant part of the weekend, be sure to keep an eye out for murals and art installations around the city. Check out the Civic Center GarageCity Hall apron, and Empire Plaza for three of PVDFest’s awarded installations. Some performing artists include:

For a full list of artist bios go to pvdfest.com/artists

A full lineup schedule has also been posted to the PVDFest site.

Memorial Day Weekend ’19

Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner, and we’re all anticipating how to kick-off summer 2019 in the Ocean State. Whether it’s your first beach trip of the season, or you’re looking to enjoy a weekend of food and art, Rhode Island offers some of the most unique experiences to dive head first into summer.

Be sure to attend the first WaterFire Lighting of the season on May 23rd as we begin to celebrate 25 years of transforming place and building community. 

Parade & Celebration:

On Monday, May 27th the town of North Providence will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade and inaugural Ahlborg Memorial Day 5k.

 

The town of Lincoln will also hold its annual Memorial Day Parade on the 27th, beginning at 11 Am on the corner of Higginson Avenue and Smithfield Avenue .

Continue reading “Memorial Day Weekend ’19”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 7/13-7/16

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

WaterFire
Bastille Day Ceremony to Honor WWII Veterans – Friday, July 17th @ 6pm

In gratitude the Republic of France is awarding knighthoods in the French Legion of Honor to: John Dunnigan, Raymond Gillis, and Leo Héroux.

The ceremony will be performed by French Consul General Valery Freland accompanied by Rhode Island Honorary Consul to France Roger Begin in front of the Rhode Island World War II Memorial in Memorial Park in Providence, Rhode Island on Bastille Day, Friday, July 14th, 2017 at 6:00 PM.

Rose Weaver will sing The Star Spangled Banner and La Marseillaise. The Ceremony will conclude with a toast from a sabered bottle of Champagne presented by Robert Burke in honor of the RI veterans. Following the ceremony the U.S. Coast Guard Brass Quintet is doing a public concert. Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 7/13-7/16”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 6/29 – 7/2

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

 Art & Culture
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story – Newportfilm Outdoors

Join us for this week’s newportFILM Outdoors screening… BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY.

Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr was known as the world’s most beautiful woman – Snow White and Cat Woman were both based on her iconic look. However, her arresting looks and glamorous life stood in the way of her being given the credit she deserved as an ingenious inventor whose pioneering work helped revolutionize modern communication. Mislabeled as “just another pretty face,” Hedy’s true legacy is that of a technological trailblazer. Free admission!

Pawtucket Arts Festival Fundraiser

Join us for the Pawtucket Arts Festival fundraising event on Thursday, June 29 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM at Machines With Magnets. Join us for our fundraising event, during which we will kick off an online INDIEGOGO campaign. You’ll be able to make a contribution the night of the event – or in the days following through this link which leads to our INDIEGOGO fundraiser page.

Buy your ticket here. Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 6/29 – 7/2”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 6/1 – 6/4

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

PVD Fest

Live music, dance, food, and visual art installations transform the city in a four-day, multi-arts take-over of public spaces, parks, and outdoor stages in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is the Creative Capital and Mayor Jorge Elorza invites you to perform, create and sell with Providence’s own artistic talent. In its third year, PVDFest will expand to explore art education and public art installations, building on the success of the first two years of the festival.

For more information: http://pvdfest.com/

Music/Theater
Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour

The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in RIVERDANCE – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music, and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre, and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality, and the spectacle of RIVERDANCE.

Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 6/1 – 6/4”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 5/25 to 5/28

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

WaterFire

Saturday, May 27, 2017 – Full Lighting

Sponsored by Bank of America and Brown University.

Family Fun
100+ Things to do with Kids in Rhode Island

Spending the weekend in Rhode Island with your kids and you don’t have anything planned? Check out this article by KidoInfo.com and pick your favorites! You won’t be disappointed.

Matty’s Memorial 5K Run/Walk and Family Fun Day for Epilepsy

Join us May 27th to walk or run in support of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. This family-friendly event features a pre-race Family Fun Zone, Matty’s Might Dash for kids, and post-race activities for all participants. Cash prize for top male and top female 5K finisher. For more information please visit this link.

Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 5/25 to 5/28”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 2/10 to 2/12

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

Family Fun

Wild Art

Each class will include a visit to the focus animal, where students will observe the animals’ unique adaptations and form before returning to the classroom to create their works of art.

Heart Smart

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with heart healthy activities. Kids test their heart rates, learn about the anatomy of a heart, and more.

Museums

Mimi Cabell & Lindsay Foster Two Person Exhibit

One Makes an Instrument of Themselves, and is Estranged Also is a interdisciplinary exhibition focused on the word manage, and other words that contain its root — man — to manipulate, to mandate, to manufacture.

Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 2/10 to 2/12”

10 Must-Do’s in Newport for Providence Students

Must See’s and Do’s of Scenic Newport.

Cliff Walk – Memorial Boulevard
Sunrise to Sunset

The Cliff Walk along the eastern shore of Newport, RI is world famous as a public access walk that combines the natural beauty of the Newport shoreline with the architectural history of Newport’s gilded age. Wildflowers, birds, geology … all add to this delightful walk. What makes Cliff Walk unique is that it is a National Recreation Trail in a National Historic District. In 1975 the walk was designated as a National Recreation Trail … the 65th in the nation and first in New England. The walk runs 3.5 miles and about two-thirds of the walk is in easy walking condition. Continue reading “10 Must-Do’s in Newport for Providence Students”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 8/18 – 8/21

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

WaterFire – Saturday, August 20th, 2016
A WaterFire “Clear Currents” Lighting sponsored by Fidelity Investments and National Grid
Sunset at 7:37 PM, fires stay lit until 12:30 AM

All Full WaterFire installations light up over eighty braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street Park on scheduled evenings. Lighting occurs shortly after sunset and the event continues until half past midnight.

Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 8/18 – 8/21”

Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 8/11-8/14

Events going on in and around Providence this weekend.

Family Fun

Birds from Down UnderThursday, August 11th, 2016
Roger Williams Park Zoo, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Take a trip to Roger Williams Zoo to visit with more than 450 bird species native to Australia, including grass parakeets, cockatiels and various other parrot species. Each visitor will receive a seed stick and is free to feed the exotic birds while engaging in conversation about their habitats and the environmental challenges they face. Admission is an additional $3 to zoo admission.

PVD Ghost Tours Thursday, August 11th-Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Prospect Terrace Park – 8 PM to 9:30 PM

Providence Ghost Tours are back for the summer. Join a lantern-led tour for a chilling walk through the darkened streets of the historic East Side of Providence. Listen to the stories about Providence’s haunted past!

Continue reading “Our Recommendations for the Weekend of 8/11-8/14”