By Torin Mathieu
SNA is excited to announce a collaboration with the Avenue Concept! We will be bringing a mural to the south-facing wall of Not Just Snacks (abutting the parking lot for Eden Park Cleaners) on Hope Street within the next few months! We are excited for this creative collaboration to beautify our beloved Hope Street.
More on the Avenue Concept: https://theavenueconcept.org/
By Erik Christiansen
One reason we love our neighborhood is how easy it is to walk to great restaurants, shops, and parks –even a hospital. But down the hill from that hospital, a parking lot covers the former site of the Rhode Island Auditorium. It’s kind of wild to think that at one point we could have strolled over to hear Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Bob Dylan, Cream, the Who (twice, first playing the Auditorium as the opener for Herman’s Hermits!), Chicago, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Grateful Dead.
The venue opened as home to the Providence Reds ice hockey team in 1926, long before any of those performers were born. For a few years after World War II, the NBA’s Providence Steamrollers called the Auditorium home as well, winning just six games (still the NBA record) in the 1947-48 season. The venue, which held 5,300 people, hosted many other sporting and cultural events over the decades until it was demolished in 1989. If you happen to have an old photograph from a visit to the auditorium, please send it to SNA and we’ll share it on our Summit History page on the SNA website and our Instagram! (@SNAProv)
Check out this great article on our neighborhood association in July’s copy of Providence Monthly.
Find the article in the print copy of the magazine as well.
The City of Providence and FirstWorks invite you to be part of the first annual Providence International Arts Festival, a vibrant and multicultural arts festival. Volunteer support is critical to the Festival’s success and is needed on June 13, 2015. We are in particular need of volunteers for the afternoon (12:00pm-7:00pm) and evening (7:00pm-12:00am) shifts. Sign up today! http://www.pvdfestparticipate.com/piafvolunteer.
Volunteer shifts will last five hours on June 13 and will include:
·Backstage (ex. ID check, manage artist requests; manage artist hospitality with festival caterer)
· Info booth (ex. assist with questions/directions; hand out maps & schedules)
· Merchandise booth (selling artist cd’s/dvd’s/tshirts; track and report transactions)
· General Production (set-up; tear-down; errands)
The Providence International Arts Festival is an exciting gathering of art, music and spectacle. More than 500 local, national and international artists will come together downtown for the celebration. On June 13, the Providence International Arts Festival will feature headlining events throughout the day including a parade, art exhibits, live dance and music performances, and more. Grammy-award winning West African singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo, the “guerilla opera” opera group Squonk Opera, the contemporary string ensemble Earth Harp, and the local gospel group RPM Voices are all part of the planned programs.
Contact Amber Ilcisko with questions, ailcisko@providenceri.com, 401-680-8541.
Twitter:
Be a part of the celebration: volunteer at #PVDFest! #PIAF needs YOU! #PVDFestival #PIAF2015
Facebook:
Be a part of the celebration as we create a new signature event for the Creative Capital: Volunteer at the @2015 Providence International Arts Festival! We’re recruiting people for all sorts of fun stuff!http://www.pvdfestparticipate.com/piafvolunteer
Festival Ballet Providence presents:
When: March 13 − 8pm; March 14, 7:30pm.
Where: The Vets (One Avenue of the Arts)
Experience two masterworks of ballet (one classical, one contemporary) in breathtaking opposition to one another. On the bill, the Rhode Island premiere of Études, a tour de force of classicism and technical prowess. In contrast will be the long-awaited return of Coma one of FBP resident choreographer Viktor Plotnikov’s greatest choreographic achievements. Don’t miss this impressive double-bill evening, with a range and scale that only Festival Ballet Providence could present!
Summit Neighborhood residents get $5 off all seating sections using code FIVEOFF.
Purchase online, by phone (401-421-ARTS) or in person (at PPAC/Vets Box Office: 220 Weybosset St.).
Online and phone orders may incur convenience fees.
The carolers stop at a house on Sixth Street, where the residents brought out snacks for the singers and donations of peanut butter for a local food pantry.
On a clear, cold, star-blessed Saturday night, about 30 Summit neighbors went caroling for a cause.
After meeting at event partner Miriam Hospital for refreshments at 5 p.m., Dec. 13, and singing some nonsectarian holiday tunes including the Dreidel Song, the group went a-wassailing among the streets so clean.
Led in traditional carols, and a few more-modern selections, by voice and performance coach Ellen Santaniello, the singers wound their way along Sixth, Bayard, Fifth, Summit and Fourth, finishing just short of Hope Street as a star of wonder, star of night example of the Geminid meteor shower silently streaked overhead.
Along the way, doorbells of illuminated houses were rung by the teenagers among the carolers, and residents, alerted by leaflets the previous weekend, came out to listen and donate cash plus peanut butter to benefit the St. Raymond’s church food pantry. The collected jars were piled in the back of an appropriately decorated accompanying vehicle provided by another event partner, Zipcar.
As the temperature plunged, some of the youngest carolers had to drop out and head home, but the rest kept making spirits bright until about 6:45 when they finished walking, and singing, in a winter wonderland.
The carolers weren’t able to build a snowman in a meadow, but they did collect $120 plus about 140 jars of peanut butter, much of which was donated by employees of the hospital.
The next week, representatives of organizers Summit Neighborhood Association and Miriam, bearing the gifts, travelled not far to the food pantry, where they were gratefully received in the true spirit of the season.
Zipcar, in partnership with SNA, provided a decorated vehicle to transport the growing weight of jars and jars of peanut butter.
The donated peanut butter sits on the receiving platform at St. Raymond's food pantry before being taken inside to help nourish needy neighbors.
Neighborhood carolers in 2012.
Sing all ye citizens of the Summit neighborhood to benefit St. Raymond’s food pantry.
In order to help diminish hunger in our midst as well as have some fun, we will assemble at our event partner Miriam Hospital at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, for refreshments, then at 5:30 head out, caroling all the way. We plan to finish on Hope Street about 7:30 so participants may avail themselves of the many dining and drinking opportunities there, but completing the entire trek is not mandatory.
As we go a’wassailing, we will ask for donations of cash, checks made out to St. Raymond’s food pantry or jars of peanut butter, put them in our accompanying convertible, provided by our other partner, Zipcar, and drop them off at the church.
Parents, children, singles and doubles are encouraged to attend. Songbooks will be provided but please bring flashlights. And be sure to dress for the weather.
Oh come all ye faithful, and neighborly, to help make this season a little more joyous.
Festival band highlight Red Baraat gets music lovers to their feet.
More than 800 people, plus six hot bands, played in the park Saturday, Aug. 23, at the fifth annual Summit Music Festival.
The personal project of Summit Neighborhood Association President Dean Weinberg, who put in countless hours to put it together, the free musical extravaganza held in Lippit Park also included a 40 foot-by-8 foot art wall, face painting and other activities for children, a beer and wine garden from Trinity Brewhouse for adults, plus a long string of craft vendors and a vast collection of food trucks and carts that supplemented the park’s playground, fountain, hummingbird habitat and expanses of green open space.
The weekly Hope Street Farmers’ Market in the morning contributed to the festive atmosphere, as many people stayed for the music that started at 1 p.m. and went until just after 6 p.m.
After a welcome to the crowd by master of ceremonies Weinberg, Dr. Jones and the Shiners, a Providence-based folk-rock band led by Kate Jones, opened the show. The band represents a sort of folk supergroup for Providence, featuring members of The Sugar Honey Iced Tea, The Mighty Good Boys and Moga. Bassist Ollie Williams is also a member of Smith&Weeden, which played later in the day. Jones’ distinctive vocals, backed by the plucking of her ukulele, mixed well with the guitar playing of Benny Tilchin, who is her off-stage sweetheart.
Next was the first of two appearances by 16-year-old singer-songwriter Emeline Easton, who was a sensation at last year’s festival. Easton worked through a few tunes, including originals and a cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” The audience response to Easton last year all but demanded she be asked back this year, and she delivered two sets worthy of that praise.
Following her was another Providence band with promise, Smith&Weeden. Members Jesse Emmanuel Smith, Seamus Weeden, Ollie Williams and Dylan Sevey ripped through a set featuring tracks from their newly released, self-titled album. They had the crowd on their feet with fists in the air as they performed their versions of gritty Americana bar rock. This is a band with promise, and had the audience praising the set throughout the rest of the day.
As the stage was reconfigured, East Side piano teacher Johnny Lingo led a variety of duets with three of his students, including Summit resident Amelia Gold.
Then from Tampa, Fla., came the Selwyn Birchwood Band. Selwyn Birchwood is a young electric blues guitarist who has been sweeping up awards all over the world in the last two years. The quartet of seasoned bluesmen proceeded to rain a powerful and electric set over Lippitt Park. They fit the gig into a tight schedule, playing the festival on their way to a show that night in Boston.
Easton did her second set and stayed on stage to help SNA members Weinberg, Sheila Perlow and Anneliese Greenier with drawing names for a raffle of prizes from local artists and craftspeople.
The top-billed attraction for the day, Red Baraat, a unique blend of Indian percussion, brass and funk from Brooklyn, then took the stage and immediately brought listeners to their feet. And the crowd, nearly 1,000 strong by this point, remained on its feet for the 75-minute balance of the event. Having last performed in Providence when they headlined the FirstWorks Festival two years ago, Red Baraat has only gotten tighter and more energetic. They had the crowd bouncing and grooving until the end, and then some.
First Place - Snow Fun by Douglas Itkin
Second Place - Mike Bryce, Local Artist by Barbara Leach
Third Place - Scorching Summer Music by Dylan Itkin
The results are in and the top three photographs of SNA’s “Streets of Summit” contest are here.
They are: First Place – Snow Fun by Douglas Itkin; Second Place – Mike Bryce, Local Artist by Barbara Leach; and Third Place – Scorching Summer Music by Dylan Itkin.
The contest, the brainchild of SNA board member Joan Retsinas, asked for pictures of favorite people, places or things in the Summit and Mount Hope neighborhoods and there were 11 photos submitted. They were judged by Lisa Newby, a picture editor and page designer at The Providence Journal, and Steve Mason, a professional photographer. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three finishers and gift certificates to local photo stores went to the four honorable mentions.
All of the pictures will be on public display during Miriam Hospital’s Gallery Night, Tuesday, July 29, starting at 6 p.m. when refreshments will be available in the Hurvitz conference room.
The Summit pictures are included in a presentation on the hospital’s extensive collection of Judaic art, especially “The Seven Festivals” by David Sharir, in Heritage Hall dedicated to Miriam’s Jewish roots and culture.
There will various experts on hand to discuss the display, including Carl Smith, who was instrumental in reinstalling the body of work donated to the hospital.
All of Miriam’s neighbors are invited to the free evening event.
Friday's opening celebration of The Hummingbird Palace, Providence.
There is a new piece of sculpture in Lippitt Park that is just asking for birds to perch on it.
It is “The Hummingbird Palace, Providence,” by artist Esther Solondz, and was officially opened Friday, June 27, at a wine-and-strawberries celebration attended by dozens of people.
The plaque posted as part of the exhibit reads, in part, that it is “to evolve over time. Flowering vines will grow through the structure while simultaneously attracting hummingbirds.” It asks observers to “Please post images of hummingbirds you see! www.thehummingbirdpalace.com”
The piece’s mission statement says it “is a public sculpture that whose primary purpose is to engage viewers in Lippitt Park. It has the mission of attracting hummingbirds and raising awareness of hummingbirds and their habitats.”
Its web site says it “begins with an ethereal structure made primarily of thin welded steel rod, translucent threadline, epoxy putty, clear silicon rubber and urethane. Its appearance is that of a sugar structure covered with web-like drips. The size of the structure is 15 feet high. It is enclosed in a boundary fence that is connected with the piece by silicon threadline for visual and safety purposes.”
At Friday’s opening, Solondz said “a couple of people helped finance” the project and “the city allowed me to do it.” She added that the plantings include honeysuckle and morning glory, which attract hummingbirds, “but they just have to get here.”
Initially the flowers will be watered by a mobile tank rolled into the park, she said, but “after that nature takes over.” The artist is also seeking volunteers, especially students and seniors, to help with the maintenance of the plants and feeders as a community project.