Congratulations to Concetta Archer, the winner of 2 tickets to this Sunday’s World of Flavors Restaurant Competition!
RI WORLD OF FLAVORS
This Sunday, 1-6pm
Providence Skating Center
Last Chance to Buy Tickets Online and Get $10 Off! Just type in the code “Downcity” when ordering. www.riworldofflavors.com
QuickWhatsUp.com is proud to launch the first multicultural culinary competition in Rhode Island this Sunday from 1-6pm at the Bank of America Skating Center. The World of Flavors Competition will showcase a broad cross-section of Rhode Island restaurants as they compete a $15,000 prize package. Restaurants from around the state will sample their food to up to 1,000 voters who will pick the winner in each category: Americana, South of the Border, European & Mediterranean, and Asian & Indian. The event, hosted by Shawn Tempesta of the Rhode Show on Fox Providence and featuring music by Spogga, will kick off Providence Restaurant Weeks (July 12-25).Live Downcity readers use the code “Downcity” to get $10 off tickets! Visit www.riworldofflavors.com
WIN 2 FREE TICKETS! Just tell us what your favorite thing is about Downcity Providence. Post your answer in a comment on this blog post or on twitter at www.twitter.com/livedowncity. The winners will be announced via twitter and livedowncity.com Friday, July 10th at noon.
Kennedy Plaza
Fit and Fun Thursdays! Hosted by BSC. Today’s theme: Beach Body Bootcamp. 12:15-1pm Fountain of Youth Skateboarding Night. 5-9pm $5
Burnside Park Music Series. Sound Session Edition! Featuring David Alexis & Co. Steel Pan. Beer garden hosted by Trinity Brewhouse. 5-7pm
2 Kennedy Plaza *401.331.5544 ext.5 www.kennedyplaza.org
Complimentary Happy Hour at Oop!
Sound Session at Black Rep
FGx Afterwork Jazz & Blues Series: Paul Williams. 5-7pm
The Providence Phoenix Presents: The AfroSonic Collective. 9pm-2am $15 advance/$20 door
276 Westminster St. *401.351.0353 www.blackrep.org
Grand Opening of Waste Not Want Not
Sound Session at As220
Free Speech Thursdays at AS220 featuring: Poetry Tag & Writer’s Workshop 2nd floor of Empire Street.6:30 pm Free BSS Elementary Showcase. 6pm $2 cover Experimental Film Night. 10pm Free
115 Empire St. *401.831.9327 www.as220.org
Sound Session at Waterplace Park Resturant
RIYP, APA and Black Rep Present: 3rd Annual All White Affair: A Summer Eleganza. 6:30pm-1am
1 Finance Way *401.272.1040 www.waterplaceri.com
Ween at Lupos
79 Washington St. *401.331.5876 www.lupos.com
Trinity Rep
Menopause The Musical. 7:30pm
201 Washington St. *401.351.4242 www.trinityrep.com
Movies on the Block
Ghostbusters. Free at dusk
Corner of Westminster St. & Union St. *401.421.0254 www.shopdowncity.com
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
Cable Car Cinema
204 South Main St. *401. 272.3970 www.cablecarcinema.com
Perishable Theatre
95 Empire St. *401.331.2696 www.perishable.org
Local 121
B-side Cafe at Olives
Kennedy Plaza
RISD Museum
Washington Trust Presents: The Rising Stars of FirstWorks
115 Empire St. *401.421.4282 www.firstworksprov.org
Eno Fine Wines and Spirits
Sound Session at Black Rep
Perishable Theatre
95 Empire St. *401.331.2696 www.perishable.org
Lupos Summer Block Party at Lupos
79 Washington St. *401.331.5876 www.lupos.com
Cable Car Cinema
204 South Main St. *401. 272.3970 www.cablecarcinema.com
Trinity Rep
201 Washington St. *401.351.4242 www.trinityrep.com
Sound Session at As220
Olives
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
FLIPSIDE! at Local 121
121 Washington St. www.local121.com
Ass20
Cable Car Cinema
204 South Main St. *401. 272.3970 www.cablecarcinema.com
Perishable Theatre
Trinity Rep
201 Washington St. *401.351.4242 www.trinityrep.com
Eno Fine Wines and Spirits Public Tasting
Sound Session at Waterplace Park Bank RI Stage
1 Finance Way *401.272.1040 www.waterplaceri.com
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
Sound Session at Black Rep
Narragansett Beer Back Lot Stage: Featuring Maradon Famous, Paul Michael, Noble Society, Queen Omega backed by Zili Misik & Jahdan. 9pm-2am $15 advance/$20 at door Block Party: Presented by Pedp, CW28 & NHPRI. 7pm-2am Free Carnival Parade. 10pm Featuring Rooted Sound, RIFF Parade & Others
Olives
Nightly DJ Series Local 121
121 Washington St. *401.274.2121 www.local121.com
Rush-Hour Class at Perishable Theatre
RI World of Flavors at Kennedy Plaza
2 Kennedy Plaza *401.331.5544 ext.5 www.kennedyplaza.org
Cable Car Cinema
204 South Main St. *401. 272.3970 www.cablecarcinema.com
Trinity Rep
201 Washington St. *401.351.4242 www.trinityrep.com
Sound Session at Black Rep
As220
Open Window: Photography by Diego Correal
Youth Gallery: New work by Tiffany Ng
AS220 Project Space @ 93 Mathewson St.: Not Just Women In White Dresses -new work by C.W. Roelle & Trash Island – new work by Jill Colinan & Kendra Plumley
115 Empire St. *401.831.9327 www.as220.org
95.5 WBRU Retro Lunch at Lupos
79 Washington St. *401.331.5876 www.lupos.com
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
DJ Nightly Series at Local 121
Kennedy Plaza
Providence Place Library
Perishable Theatre
95 Empire St. *401.331.2696 www.perishable.org
Knit and Natter at Waste Not Want Not
232 Westminster St.
204 South Main St. *401. 272.3970 www.cablecarcinema.comCable Car Cinema
As220
Sound Session at Black Rep
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
Nightly DJ Series at Local 121
Kennedy Plaza
Sound Session at As220
115 Empire St.*401.831.9327 www.as220.org
Perishable Theatre
95 Empire St. *401.331.2696 www.perishable.org
Salsa Tuesdays at Olives
Intermediate level 1. 7-8pm Beginners level 1 & 2. 8-9pm Drop-ins $7 (includes only class), Full Course (8 classes) – $64 Pre-Registration with 30 minute practice after class & free entrance to club 108 North Main St. *401.751.1200 ww.olivesri.com
Cable Car Cinema
204 South Main St. *401. 272.3970 www.cablecarcinema.com
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
Summer Tuesdays at Lupos
$10 at the door 8-12pm
79 Washington St. *401.331.5876 www.lupos.com
Sound Session at Black Rep
Nightly DJ Series at Local 121
Kennedy Plaza
As220
115 Empire St. *401.831.9327 www.as220.org
Barter with Violet at Waste Not Want Not
232 Westminster St.
Perishable Theatre
95 Empire St. *401.331.2696 www.perishable.org
Trinity Rep
Latin, Jazz, Salsa w/Carlos De Leon at Black Rep
276 Westminster St. *401.351.0353 www.blackrep.org
Trivaoakee at Fatty McGee’s
Tazza Caffe
250 Westminster St. *401.421.3300 www.tazzacaffe.com
Nightly DJ Series at Local 121
For a complete Sound Session Schedule, visit www.providencesoundsession.com
The incessant rainfal so far this summer has really shaken up the MOTB schedule, but to keep it fresh and exciting, they’ve announced a few changes. The newest additions include, Anchorman, Outside Providence, Ghostbusters, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Fifth Element, and more. Hope for sunnier days and milder nights, and we’ll see you every Thursday for Movies on the Block.
An Interview with Deb Dormody of Craftland
by Abby Saunders
One thing we look forward to each holiday season is Craftland, the shiny, sparkly, amazing collective craft sale that is only here for one month. And, the thing we’ve realized is that one month…is not nearly long enough. So, Craftland heard our cries for hand-made items at our fingertips all year. It’s better than Etsy…It’s better than cake…It’s a year-round Craftland Store!
And chatting with us about their new store to open in August at 235 Westminster Street is Deb Dormody, one of the lovely and talented coordinators behind Craftland: Keep reading →
This Saturday, June 27th, Live Downcity will be setting up camp in Grant’s Block, on the corner of Union and Westminster Streets during the first Downtown Providence Living Tour from noon-5pm. The tour is free, and takes you on an open tour of 7 residential properties around Downtown, including lofts, apartments and condos. You can sign up at www.providencedowntown.com or just drop in. Be sure to stop by the Live Downcity tent in order to pick up info on what’s happening around Downcity, as well as a special print edition just for the occasion.
The World of Flavors Competition, coming to the Bank of America Skating Center on July 12th has announced its list of participating restaurants. Restaurants compete for a winner in each category, including Americana, Asian, European/Mediterranean, and South of the Border. Winners receive a $15,000 prize package, and are chosen by over 1,000 voters.
QuickWhatsUp.com brings you this multicultural culinary competition. The event, hosted by Shawn Tempesta of the Rhode Show on Fox Providence and featuring music by Spogga, will kick off Providence Restaurant Weeks (July 12-25) on Sunday July 12th at the Providence Skating Center. For tickets and the chance to sample some of Rhode Island’s best restaurants, visit www.riworldofflavors.com
Keep reading →
by Abby Saunders
We waited patiently as New Haven-based grocer Gourmet Heaven readied to open their doors as the only market in Downcity. Residents have shopped for their groceries creatively until now, and with the opening of this market comes the beginning of a new era of living more comfortably Downcity. Keep reading →
C VS Pharmacy opened its doors and now serves as Downcity’s only pharmacy. Residents have been waiting for this conveniently located CVS store/pharmacy to open for the good part of this past year.
With a street-level location, the public is able to easily access the store via the skybridge, connected to the RI Convention Center and the Westin Hotel, via the sidewalk in front of Providence Place or through the Providence Place Mall. With plenty of parking in the mall’s parking garage and close proximity to many of Downcity’s residential properties and office buildings, the pharmacy is a convenient and necessary new addition to Downcity living.
Vintage sign outside Providence Optical on Weybosset Street.
Let’s face it. If you’re not a local, finding your way around Providence can be a character building experience. Local shops, boutiques, businesses and landlords are solving this problem the good old-fashioned way, with signage.
On a recent stroll through Downcity, I was excited to see some new, fun signage adorning local shops. One sign in particular caught my eye, no pun intended. Providence Optical, located at 75 Weybosset Street, has recently hung an eye-catching sign from their historic storefront. Found at an antique store, the vintage sign looks as if it was made for the ecclectic optical store, that often houses sculptures in its windows and carries an assortment of wild frames. Keep reading →
Are you thinking of leaving behind the sprawl, packing up your belongings and moving from the burbs to the city? Or, maybe, you’ve just always wanted to live in lovely Downtown Providence. Either way, now is your chance. The Providence Foundation, Live Downcity and the Downtown Neighborhood Alliance are collaborating with seven Downtown and surrounding properties to bring you a comprehensive tour of available residential space. Keep reading →
Come Downcity for the Providence Art Festival this Saturday, June 13th from 10:30am-5:30pm. With food, drink, live local bands, and over 100 local artisans, the Providence Art Fest promises to be a sweet Saturday afternoon find. Providence will be hopping with the Mayor’s conference and Waterfire, so come early! Westminster Street, from Eddy to Mathewson Streets will be closed for the event. For more info, visit shopdowncity.com.
Photo by Michael Christofaro
Girls on Roller Skates, circling the fountain. A drummer set up on the grass. People eating lunches at tables in Burnside Park, and the Mayor at the center of all of it, welcoming everyone to the Greater Kennedy Plaza 2009 season! This Kennedy Plaza is distinctly different from previous years. With the City, RIPTA, local property and Business owners and the Greater Kennedy Plaza Working Group meeting, greeting, planning and pounding the pavement for support, the new KP is showing signs of a hopeful summer.
by Abby Saunders
Now, I don’t want to make any assumptions, but when I see boxes of food being brought into the Market on Union and Dorrance, it could only mean one thing. That I am that much closer to being able to buy groceries Downcity!!! With the shelves stocked, I am now officially holding my breath. Keep reading →
Urban Minded People- This Saturday Fred Kent, from Project for Public Spaces, is graciously holding a placemaking workshop for the attendees of the National Garden Club convention being held this weekend in Providence. The focus of the placemaking workshop in on Greater Kennedy Plaza. Keep reading →
The go-to source of what’s hot and happening in Providence is publishing its 150th issue this May. Providence Monthly is unveiling their celebratory 150th issue, along with a hot new design, including a redesigned masthead. The special 150th issue features 150 people things that make Providence the city we love.
To go along with their new look, the publishers of Providence Monthly bring those visiting the city a seasonal pocket-sized city guide. Keep reading →
