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It's a busy season for the East Side

Summer happenings in PVD

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A Summer Sizzler at Wayland
Wayland Square ends the month with one of the nice traditions of the summer here on the East Side. With two events, “Taste of Wayland” and “Wayland Square Sidewalk Sale,” the merchants of the square get together and help us all save money while we grab some food samples. The Wayland Square Sidewalk Sale will be held all day on Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27. The Taste of Wayland will be held Saturday only from 12-4pm, where the restaurants of the area will be offering samples. The area from Waterman Street to Angell Street will be blocked off for both events, which will be taking place rain or shine. Sounds like a pretty good way to end the month to us.

Our Locals Act Up Big Time
Traditionally the summer arts scene here in the Ocean State shifts south, closer to the water as befits a summer-oriented vacation state like ours. But all that said, perhaps the best theatre entertainment value this month is right here on the East Side. The Brown/Trinity Playwrights Repertory Theatre program is an absolute gem. The company will perform three original plays from July 10 to August 3. The performances are enthusiastic and state-of-the-art and the ticket prices won’t set you back much more than a flick at the Avon. For ticket info or to make reservations, call 863-2838 or go online. Oh, and lest you’re concerned, the place is air conditioned, too.

North Main Street is Beginning to Make Some Noise

After decades of inactivity, there are rumors that the northern part of North Main Street is showing signs of life. We’re told that a huge workout gym complete with an Olympic size (or atleast very big) pool is being planned for the old Sears building. Meanwhile, plans are being made for increased use of the area where the old Rhode Island Auditorium used to be (as we say in Rhode Islandese). Now used as an alternative outdoor food market, plans are afoot to use it for concerts and other outdoor festival venues in the fall. There’s a long way to go, but it’s great to see the wheels beginning to move.

The Joke’s on Them
The summer certainly offers plenty of great entertainment that performs locally and at nearby venues like the casinos. Some great comedy is coming in and the name of one of the unheralded performers caught our eye. On July 27 at Mohegan Sun, three comedians will take over center stage. We happened to catch one of them in New York and can attest that he’s a pretty funny guy. His name is Jordan Ferber, and if you’re looking for an up-and-comer, he may be your man. He’ll be performing with Mike Britt and Joey Novick.

Food for Thought
Dolce Gelateria opened on Wickenden Street a few weeks back and it has become a huge hit in Fox Point. It offers homemade gelato, ice cream and fresh made waffle cones, and it already seems to have established itself as a local favorite... or is it flavorite? Meanwhile around the corner on Ives Street, Bee’s Thai Cuisine has opened in the space formerly occupied by the Ugly American. Initial reports are positive. It’s interesting that the East Side now boasts no less than five Thai Restaurants: Bees, Sawaddee, Pakarang, Lim’s and Spice Thai Bistro.

More Food for Thought
If you’re an eco-oriented East Sider, right now the only way you can recycle your food scraps is to compost in your backyard. Now a non-profit ecological group, ecoRINews, will help you do the right thing. For $32 a month, they come to your house once a month and pick up your scraps and redirect them from the overcrowded landfill to eco-organizations that can use them. Those interested in signing up should visit their website. The pilot program can take up to 40 customers and hopefully will serve as a model for a larger statewide composting service.

Summer, Wayland Square, Taste of Wayland, Wayland Square Sidewalk Sale, free food samples, East side, Brown/Trinity, Playwrights Repertory Theatre, North Main Street, gym, comedian, Mohegan Sun, Jordan Ferber, Mike Britt, Joey Novick, ice cream, Dolce Gelateria, Thai, Wickenden Street, Ives street, Bee's Thai Cuisine, eco-friendly, compost, ecoRInews

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