The newly refurbished Independent Man is astonishing. The usual suspects will gather today, Saturday, at 9:30am for the official unveiling. The building will then remain open until 2pm for public viewing. After that the public can visit during regular State House hours on weekdays. What a great way to celebrate Rhode Island Independence Day. The statue will remain on display until a new marble base has been built. Once his perch atop the dome is ready, up he goes, probably sometime in the fall. Do not miss this opportunity to see this stunning figure up close. Bring the children. The bronze an ..read more

The Brown Swing Club invites the public to join them at the Zoot Suit Ball this Sunday in Sayles Hall on the Brown campus. This event is free and open to the public. What a nice thing for them to do. As you can see, Sayles Hall is pretty spacious. Dance like no one is looking or can even see you. Featuring amazing bands — Tanay’s Jazz Combo and Em’s Femmes — and performances. Beginners’ Crash Course: 7pm-8pm Social Dance: 8pm-10:30pm 8pm-9pm | Tanay’s Jazz Combo 9pm-9:15pm | performance 9:15pm-10:15pm | Em’s Femmes 10:15pm-10:30pm | DJed music, jams & closing thoughts Donations are great ..read more

Mashapaug Pond is the largest freshwater pond in the city; unfortunately that “fresh” water is considered highly toxic. I will not even give directions to this charming little spot, with its towering oaks and pines and picnic tables, until some future date when the water is no longer dangerous. This particular site — a community boating center in 2000 — is now eerily quiet . . . very Chernobyl. The primary problem for the pond is the nutrient-fueled blooms of cyanobacteria that pose a health threat to both humans and animals. But help is on the way: The surrounding sources of pollution will so ..read more

The weather is looking good for Saturday, May 4, just in time for the return of the Hope Street Farmers’ Market in Lippitt Park. You can put together an entire dinner here, including the cut flowers. Gardeners can usually find seedling six-packs while getting their pruners (and knives, etc.) sharpened at Slowhand Sharpening. (Cory recommends, “Try your best to get there early and leave your items for the week if you can.”) The Hope Street Farmers Market is a farmer-run cooperative created and managed by many of the best farmers and food artisans in Rhode Island. We sell fruits, vegetables, fl ..read more

Check out Caerulea, the new exhibit at the World’s Fair Gallery on Broadway. We missed the opening last week but it will be easier to view these beautiful ceramics, a collaboration of Zoe Wyner with Druuken, without all those people in the way. Seen here are The Noses. Some items may have sold. Gallery hours: 2pm to 6pm, Friday, May 3/ noon to 4pm, Saturday, May 4. The gallery is tucked right next to the Columbus Theatre. When you see the marquee, pull over. Caerulea, World’s Fair Gallery, 268 Broadway, (directions) Facebook 0 Twitter 0 LinkedIn Reddit 0 Email Print The post ‘Caerulea’ At Worl ..read more

Following months of restoration, the Independent Man will return to the State House this Saturday sporting a shiny new layer of gold leaf (seen here is a ‘before’ image). The statue was removed from his perch atop the State House dome last December as part of an overall facelift and inspection of the building. The dome did not pass that inspection; a new marble base will be needed before he goes back up sometime in the fall. The statue will be unveiled Saturday, May 4 — Rhode Island Independence Day — at 9:30am and stay on display until 2pm. Until he is returned to the top of the dome, the sta ..read more

Friday — @Myrtle, Ben Shaw, Vianna Valentine @Machines With Magnets, FINE, Lookers, Bochek, Nova One @the Met, Bearly Dead @Lindemann Arts, Nadine Lee @News Cafe, Valoria, Lastweak, Tomorrow Untold, Troy Ray Saturday — @Wes Rib House, Gnarnia, Teazer 2000, Coma Hole @the Strand, Lyle Lovett, Lisa Loeb @the Met, Lespecial, Esseks, 5am Trio @AS220 Main Stage, Thou, Peace Test, Weak Teeth, Sliimo @the Parlour, (6pm) RI Philharmonic Student Ensemble @Myrtle, Ghost Mojo, Dred Buffalo Sunday — @the Columbus Theatre, L’Rain, Sammus @Askew, Peter Collins, Maggie McGill @Myrtle, Tiny and Her Pony @the ..read more

Brown University’s pro-Palestinian encampment came down yesterday after an agreement with the university had been reached. According to the Brown Daily Herald: The Corporation, Brown’s highest governing body, will vote on divestment from companies affiliated with Israel at its October meeting following an agreement between encampment organizers and University administrators this afternoon. Organizers announced the agreement at a rally. Protesters made quick work of it on Tuesday. The ProJo reports: Shortly after the deal was brokered, students broke down their tents, rolled up sleeping bags ..read more

In our current environment of turmoil and protest, it is worth acknowledging those who came before. This exhibit at the RISD Museum features color screenprints on paper by local women working collaboratively, circa 1971. From the wall text: These activist posters were created by a group of artists in support of abortion rights and the anti-war movement. Using simple materials like torn paper and glue resist, the artists designed vivid and memorable images. The posters’ slogans draw from a range of sources, including psychedelic rock lyrics, Third World revolutionary slogans, and (perhaps irre ..read more

InDowncity and the Providence Rock and Roll Yard Sale are collaborating once again for a free, family-friendly event, with food, drinks, activities, and vendors selling records, vintage, and DIY handmade wares. The set-up won’t be exactly the same as last year — Oberlin has taken over that corner for outdoor seating — but Westminster at Union is still the heart of the action. Look for White Buffalo, Weird Media, Veer Records, Thrift Squad, Uniquely James, and the fantastic posters by Swamp Yankee. (This year’s RRYS poster features John Lennon and should be a hit.) The event includes over 30 ..read more