Our Recommendations for August 21st – 25th

The H.P. Lovecraft Convention returns to Providence and The Red Fork Empire SteamPunk Embassy takes over Old Stone Bank. Check out the exciting events going on this week and during the full WaterFire lighting on Saturday, August 24th.

Like Poe is to Baltimore, H.P. Lovecraft is to Providence.  After a thirteen-year hiatus, this week the HP Lovecraft Convention returns to the authors hometown of Providence.  NecronomiCon Providence inundates the city with Lovecraftian scholars and fans perusing the many historic landmarks referenced throughout the historic writer’s short stories.  From lectures to film screenings, art exhibitions and musical performances, this is one week where you want to be sure to know everything that is happening! In addition to all of the great events that NecronomiCon has organized at The Biltmore for the convention, WaterFire and has coordinated and produced several events themed around Lovecraft throughout the city.

Wednesday, August 21

WaterFire’s HP Lovecraft Talk with Henry Beckwith at Providence Art Club

Join us for an informal talk at the historic Providence Art Club, led by renowned Lovecraftian scholar Henry Beckwith.

Although Henry L. P. Beckwith was a child when Lovecraft died and never knew him,  Beckwith shares much of the same ancestry and, like Lovecraft, grew up in Providence.  In his mid-teens he became aware of HP Lovecraft, eventually writing a book of RI Lovecraft tours and teaching a course on Lovecraft at RISD.  Because Beckwith knew a number of people who had been friends of, or directly knew, HP Lovecraft, his writings and lectures capture a distinctive perspective into the life and times of Lovecraft.

A creative placemaking project by WaterFire, this event is free and open to the public, featuring a special evening  lecture at Providence Art Club in which Mr. Beckwith will share his unique insights gained from his half-century of casual study of HP Lovecraft as well as his personal interviews with those who actually knew Lovecraft.  There will be plenty of time for questions and answers, the format will be informal yet informative.

Thursday, August 22nd

“I AM PROVIDENCE”

Providence NecronomiCon 

Finally, Providence brings the HP Lovecraft convention back to Providence!  A multifaceted convention to explore the works of long-time Providence resident and famed horror/sci-fi author, HP Lovecraft, as well as other writers of “weird tales” both past and present. This multi-day convention features a multitude of special events, lectures, and exhibitions in various locations throughout Providence.

Convention Keynote Address  at the historic First Baptist Church 5-6:30

Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi, church historian Stanley Lemons, and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras welcome all to Lovecraft’s city, and to NecronomiCon Providence 2013. In partnership with WaterFire, this very special public event will be held in one of Lovecraft’s favorite buildings in Providence (“…the finest Georgian steeple in America”). The hour will feature music by internationally-famed classical singer and organist, Gigi Velasco. In particular, Ms. Velasco will play Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, sing a unique Norwegian folk piece, and close with Boellman’s Toccata from The Gothic Suite. You might also hear a little something humorous for the occasion (can you guess what?).   ALL are welcome! This keynote address is free and open to the public.  Don’t miss the opportunity to check out one of Providence’s most distinctive and historic buildings.

 

Ars Necronomica exhibition opening receptionA Three-Gallery Survey of Lovecraft in the Visual Arts

Representing the myriad influences Lovecraft’s work has had on artists around the world, come and feast on the singular collection of art the convention organizers have amassed.  The official convention openings for two of the three exhibitions are located at Brown’s Cohen Gallery and the Providence Art Club’s Dodge House, the third is located at Julian’s, a hip restaurant located on the West Side of Providence.

Not into all things Lovecraft?

Burnside Park Beer Garden Music Series

If you’re looking for a free, family-friendly outdoor concert featuring great local music, check out the Burnside Park Beer Garden Music Series in the heart of downtown in the park at Kennedy Plaza.  The series continues its weekly programming, this week featuring with the american folk/blues duo of Tyler-James Kelly + Jess Powers, as well as the experimental pop of  Roz Raskin & the Rice Cakes.

Friday, August 23rd

NecronomiCon

Register online to participate in the convention for a full day of lectures, fascinating panel discussions, film screenings and more. Tickets can be purchased for the evening Ball which will be held in the grand ballroom at The Biltmore hotel from 9 to midnight. The ball is a fancy-dress, costume, masquerade, cosplay, semi-formal affair of Cyclopean scale.  Attire representative of the period of Lovecraft’s life, 1890 – 1937, or costumes inspired by his works, is strongly suggested.  This is sure to be “the most eldritch soiree that hoary Providence has ever seen.”

Still not into all things Lovecraft?

Providence Ghost Tours

Check out some of the historic landmarks and history of the East Side of Providence. This tour is likely to peak your interest in the quirky and often bizarre history of Providence’s historic district. Perhaps you’ll be more inclined to check out Lovecraft after this tour.

Friends of Pawtuxet present: 2nd Annual Theatre in the Park

Theatre in the park! Free and family-friendly, The Players present a selection of skits and songs under the sky. Located about fifteen minutes South of Providence, this lovely park in Warwick is a great spot to bring a picnic blanket, snacks and your favorite beverage to enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Saturday the 24th

WaterFire

Lighting of the bonfires will happen at 7:30pm but head downtown early and check out the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza beginning at 6pm, featuring over a dozen local artists offering fine art for sale with a wide variety of vendors: from paintings and photography, to handcrafted jewelry and ceramics, to glassware and more. Also, make sure you stop by Old Stone Bank on South Main Street where you’ll have the opportunity to check out the SteamPunk exhibition at Old Stone Bank in downtown Providence that has been produced by WaterFire as a creative placemaking project, and curated in partnership with Red Fork Empire and Steapunk United.  This unique gallery show  is free and open to the public from 2-11pm. In addition to fascinating artwork, performances from various performance artists, circus acts, and musicians are scheduled throughout the day with a special concert and awards ceremony will be held at 8pm. This historic Providence landmark, built in 1854, is rarely open to the public so be sure to visit (exhibition also open Sunday from 11am to 10pm with additional performances throughout).

The streets are alive with music, dancing, and Lovecraftian-inspired monsters and creatures at Steeple Street Music Stage! Produced by WaterFire and curated by NecronomiCon Providence, don’t miss hometown favorites, Big Nazo Band, as well as Darkest of the Hillside Thickets (from Vancouver, BC) & Difference Engine (Boston).

Thanks to our August 24th WaterFire sponsor, Cox Business

Sunday the 25th

NecronomiCon

Pack up your books, Lovcraftian memorabelia, and convention trinkets as the HP Lovecraft convention comes to a close.  A final event is planned for an afternoon lunch at Julian’s where you can experience Love Craft Beer and more Lovecraft-inspired artwork.

Providence Flea

Held every Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm on the Providence River Greenway at South Water Street (across from Bacaro), this Flea Market continues to grow in popularity as new vendors are added weekly.  A mish-mash of vintage finds, handmade wares, upcycled clothing and goods, this newest addition to Providence’s urban scene is a nice way to spend your morning walking off whatever culinary delights you sought out for brunch.  Of course if you’re still hungry there are food trucks by the plenty on site.

SteamPunk exhibition at Old Stone Bank

The exhibition continues on Sunday from noon to 10pm! Music, amazing art, and more!

 

Our Recommendations for August 8th – 11th

The Rhode Island International Film Festival begins and AS220’s Foo Fest will take place on Saturday. There will be a WaterFire lighting on the 10th. Be sure the check some of the other great events happening around town this weekend.

Providence is known as the Creative Capital and we want to let you know about some of the events happening around town that you may want to check out.  With Summertime in full swing the weather is perfect for outdoor events and opportunities abound to be inspired under the setting sun.

Thursday August 8th

Get out and enjoy the weather and our unique Providence charm!  There are two great outdoor concerts that are free and open to all ages:

Burnside Park Beer Garden Concert Series hosts a weekly concert from 4:30-7Pm in the heart of downtown at Kennedy Plaza.  This historic park is located in the heart of Providence and is the perfect setting to enjoy a view of some of Providence’s historic landmarks such as City Hall, The Biltmore Hotel, and the Industrial National Trust Building (aka The Superman Building).  This week’s series features local favorites Boo City, and band known for a mix of R&B/Soul and Country Blues.  Bring a blanket, enjoy food from one of the food trucks on site, and enjoy a locally crafted beer!

Another great weekly concert series is held on historic Benefit Street on the lawn of the John Brown House under the shade of beautiful Elm trees.  This week’s music features the Celtic stylings of Pendragon at the John Brown House’s Concerts Under the Elms.

Friday August 9th

It’s film festival time so go see a movie! Ranked as one of the top 12 Festivals in the United States, the Rhode Island International Film Festival continues its 6-day festival with film screenings at Providence’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium and several other venues around town. Visit the Film Fest website for a more detailed schedule.

Saturday August 10th

We know you’re excited to check out all of the activity happening during WaterFire but there are events happening throughout the day that will keep you on your feet.

AS220’s Annual Foo Fest

Our friends at AS220 have been putting on the mother of all block parties each year called Foo Fest since 1995. This annual party takes over Empire Street in downtown Providence from 1pm to 1am and features a genre-spanning bill of nearly two-dozen musical acts and a nationally known headliner act on indoor and outdoor stages. The festival also features over a dozen artist installations and participatory creative activities, including family-friendly offerings throughout the afternoon.

A local institution, AS220’s vision for a local unjuried and uncensored forum for the arts was launched in a one-room rental above the Providence Performing Arts Center with a budget of just $800. Today, the non-profit owns – and enlivens – three mixed-use buildings, totaling over 100,000 square feet, in the heart of Providence’s downtown. AS220′s facilities and services are available to any artist who needs a place to exhibit, perform, or create original work and its classes and public-access studios are among the most affordable in the nation.

WaterFire

Of course WaterFire will be happening on Saturday with events beginning at 6pm. Check out the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza which features over a dozen local artists offering fine art for sale with a wide variety of vendors from paintings and photography, to handcrafted jewelry and ceramics, to glassware and more.

Bring your dancing shoes because we’re sure you’ll enjoy the music featured on our Ignite Providence Music Stage on Steeple Street, featuring Latin Jazz Trio Los Amigos (6:30-7:15), blues guitarist Kim Trusty (7:30-8:30), followed by master percussionist Jesus Andujar’s Latin band, Grupo Sazon (9-midnight).  Dance demonstrations by the salsa dance company, Mambo Pa Ti, which is led by Carols Gonzales, will also be able to be viewed at Steeple Street at 9:45 and 10:45.

At Waterplace Park in the Basin, you’ll be amazed by Grupo Ondas, a local  Capoeira group who, in collaboration with the Cultural Center of Cape Verde and Brazil and WaterFire, will culminate a week of cultural events by hosting the Capoeira Encounter and Presentation beginning at 4pm until the lighting ceremony.  Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines self-defense, dance, acrobatics, and music into a “game” that is as breath-taking to watch as it is to play. This graduation ceremony, known in Portuguese as Batizado, is a traditional capoeira event in which new students are inducted into the world of capoeira, while senior students and instructors have the opportunity to demonstrate their immense skill. Such events draw capoeiristas of all ages from across the nation.

As part of the Rhode Island International Film Festival there will be several screenings of the documentary WaterFire: Art & Soul of a City at the Providence Public Library, a documentary that was released December 2012 that features behind-the-scenes footage of what it takes to make the WaterFire season happen.

WaterFire is sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Amica Insurance & National Grid.  Click here for more ideas to plan your trip.

Sunday August 11

Providence Flea

Held every Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm on the Providence River Greenway at South Water Street (across from Bacaro), this Flea Market continues to grow in popularity as new vendors are added weekly.  A mish-mash of vintage finds, handmade wares, upcycled clothing and goods, this newest addition to Providence’s urban scene is a nice way to spend your morning walking off whatever culinary delights you sought out for brunch.  Of course if you’re still hungry there are food trucks by the plenty on site.

Other Events Throughout the City:

WaterFire Providence Presents Ignite Providence

Ignite Providence is an initiative of WaterFire Providence to curate and to feature an array of art, entertainment, and culinary exhibitions and events centered around the WaterFire season to provide an easy way for our guests and visitors to participate in and be inspired by Providence’s burgeoning cultural scene.

Ignite Providence is an initiative of WaterFire Providence to curate and to feature an array of art, entertainment, and culinary exhibitions and events centered around the WaterFire season to provide an easy way for our guests and visitors to participate in and be inspired by Providence’s burgeoning cultural scene. Continue reading “WaterFire Providence Presents Ignite Providence”