After being overweight for the vast majority of my nearly 32 years, I recently began a diet and exercise program. It’s the first time in my life I have consciously and successfully lost weight, but it’s been long overdue. Being overweight is detrimental at any age, but now in my early 30s, I realize that with each passing year it becomes a little more difficult to lose the pounds and a little more harmful to keep them on. As of this writing I can proudly say that I’m down more than 20 pounds, and have enthusiastically taken up running and bicycling as hobbies to replace my old pastimes of drinking in bars and drinking in other bars.
So what finally brought about the change? First and foremost, I’ve had some powerful personal inspiration to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude, but there are other reasons as well. Health consciousness (I’ve struggled with high cholesterol), and a desire to look and feel better have all played a part. Those concerns have always been there, but prior to this they were never motivation enough to get my ass on a treadmill. I needed to make a profound mental shift in order to really commit to weight loss, and I eventually found my reason to do so: the opportunity to judge people.
As you might imagine, I’m in the habit of passing judgment. I’d like to think, however, that I take a more enlightened, humanistic approach to being an overly critical prick: I don’t judge people for what they are, I judge them for what they choose. And regardless of what that relative going for a second piece of birthday cake at a family party, or that coworker who thinks soda is an appropriate substitute for water, or that person spilling over into your seat on the airplane may say, being overweight is a choice. Every day I was overweight was a day in which I chose not to do something about it.
Now that I’ve made the choice to eat less and exercise more, it’s opened up a whole new world of … More
The staff in our office has always been largely female (roughly a 3:1 ratio) and while that has mostly been for the good, we always knew it might come back to haunt us one day. That day has come. Shine America, the production company behind critically acclaimed scripted shows (The Office, Ugly Betty), reality TV hits (The Biggest Loser, Nashville Star) and, well, other things (MTV's Date My Mom, that short-lived American Gladiators reboot), is now looking to the biggest little for its latest reality TV inspiration. They're currently seeking male business owners for what is sure to be the thinking guido's answer to Jersey Shore: the soon-to-be-a-pop-culture-phenomenon Rhode Island Boys. According to the casting call, Shine America "has a fascination with Rhode Island's small businesses," and they're looking for male-owned businesses with predominantly male employees — which means our moment in the harsh, unflattering spotlight of reality TV will have to wait. However, we promise the fine folks at Shine America that if they'll reconsider maybe doing Rhode Island Boys and Girls, we'll deliver all the cussing, petty infighting, drunken tantrums, on-camera meltdowns and delusions of self-importance they could ever possibly hope for. In the meantime, if you think your business fits the bill, contact LDI Casting for more details. More
Yes, Fabulocity is the name of a local high-end consignment store chock-full of super stylish finds, but it's also a word I'd use to describe the way I felt while purchasing an Oscar De La Renta jacket for just $60. We enjoyed letting owner (and talented jewelry designer) Lisa Baillargeon pick out the perfect pieces for us, as well as giving us some great styling tips on how to rock that hot vintage frock. A shop owner and stylist in one? I'm hopping on that train to cute town, for sure.
From Hale Bob peacock pattern shawls (fellow PM staffer Erin was all over the pink one) to sexy Halston dresses, we found great pieces that would work for both the employee lounge and the cocktail lounge. Be sure to bring your favorite bottle of wine to your own personal shopping session: the vintage Louis Vuitton bags and Trina Turk dresses seem to call your name louder with each sip. Call Lisa at 231-5900 to set up your appointment. More
Who: Rich Abbruzzese (aka Juan Deuce)
What: Rhyme slayer and controller of the mic
When: 9:20pm, Tuesday, April 24
Where: The Met, 1007 Main Street, Pawtucket
Why: He lives at 1 Happy Place… in his mind, at least.''
When Juan Deuce opened up for GZA at Firehouse 13 on March 24, a crowd of fired-up fans waved cardboard caricature masks of his likeness in the air. With his flat-brimmed black hat, thick eyebrows and wide smile, the masks were unmistakably him. “The masks at the last show went over really well,” he says, sipping a bottled water and watching the room fill. It’s an hour to show time.
Juan Deuce, left, stands with DJ Emoh Betta
Tonight the MC is opening for Schoolboy Q. As he waits, various people come up to give a handshake and a well-wish. He’s appreciative of the support. “The fan base is very loyal and growing by the day,” he says. “I’m doing what I aspired to do, only on a smaller scale. The more I continue to work hard, the larger the scale will become.” He smiles. “The goal is to become the Dos Equis Man.”
He’s taller than he appears to be in his videos and up on stage. And with his hood pulled up and strapped with a black backpack full of essentials – such as EPs and white towels – he appears younger, too. I ask about the origins of his stage name. “[It's] a street name that Redman would shout out on his albums,” he says. “I flipped it a little bit.” Indeed, he’s created his own unique persona.
Juan Deuce doesn’t drink or smoke prior to a performance. He’s someone who takes his craft seriously, which can be a rarity in the ego-driven world of artists who let the game get the best of them. The minutes tick by; finally, it’s showtime. He’s joined on stage by Falside, a local producer and beatsmith, and DJ Emoh Betta, who’s been manipulating vinyl since 1998.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned by attending hundreds of shows over the years, it’s that hip-hop fans can … More
This morning at 8am sharp I walked into lobby of the Gamm Theatre to find an interesting mix of people chatting, smiling, drinking coffee and eating breakfast pastries. I pushed them all out of my way and ran straight for the coffee urn. After a bit of networking and socializing, we moved into the theatre where we filled the seats in preparation for a panel discussion, for which the topic was “Being Creative and Thinking Outside the Box.”
The panel consisted of Tony Estrella (Artistic Director of the Gamm), Jason Yoon (Executive Director of New Urban Arts) and Bronwyn Dannenfelser (Director of Development for WaterFire). The discussion was facilitated by Mary-Kim Arnold, the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. There was so much brain power up on that stage that I sat in the second row to avoid injury in case the set exploded.
Art is a vital part of creating a healthy neighborhood in which people will want to live, but Bronwyn spoke the truth: “We need boots on the ground.” Volunteer at a Waterfire; catch 1984 at the Gamm; donate supplies to after-school arts programs that are helping our teens get prepared for college. The ever-articulate Tony borrowed from an Oppenheim poem — “Hearts starve as well as bodies: Give us Bread, but give us Roses!”
United Way of Rhode Island’s Young Leaders Circle (YLC) invites all forward-thinking individuals to learn from and connect with government, business and nonprofit leaders. Recent guest speakers include Mayor Angel Taveras and PC Friars coach Ed Cooley. Discussion topics range in discipline and have tackled such subject matter as “Five Rules for Achieving Greater Work-Life Balance” and “Empowering Others to Lead.”
To learn more about upcoming YLC events, check out their website. More
This Sunday, after you've given most of your Saturday over to margaritas and mint juleps, make up for it by getting out on the Boulevard to promote healthy lifestyles. Shape Up RI and the India Association of RI are hosting their annual 5k walk/run on Blackstone Boulevard on May 6 at 1pm. The event goes off rain or shine, so gather at Lippitt Park, where Blackstone meets Hope Street, to register. The first 100 people to do so will receive free Shape Up RI pedometers. There will also be fresh fruit, healthy snacks and, of course, plenty of water. Check Shape Up RI's website for more info. More
Woonsock-it-to-me, RiverzEdge Arts Project! I had the pleasure of receiving a guided tour of the Woonsocket-based nonprofit's studio, which is bustling with creative, happy energy. The RiverzEdge Arts Project is is a social enterprise that provides talented, underserved teens with hands-on work experience in graphic design, digital photography, screen-printing and visual arts. They are doing good things for the community and creating compelling artwork in the process — no wonder why everyone at the studio is in a good mood. I got the chance to watch the artists screen-printing on installation pieces involving the history of the Blackstone Valley, as well as watching the process of t-shirts being screen-printed by hand. And for somebody who collects t-shirts with ferocious great white sharks on them, I was beyond pleased to find out that they do custom orders. More
Reality television is so much better when you have someone local to root for. You've seen Sabrina Blaze's sequined fabulousness downtown at the Dark Lady (where she hosts Tuesday night karaoke) and performing in her one-woman cabaret act at Theatre by the Sea in Matunuck (which is returning this summer for another season). Now you'll be able to see her on RuPaul's Drag Race — that is, if you vote her on the show. One vote per person per day. Let's show her some PVD love. Click here to vote. More
As any successful businessperson will tell you, networking will get you everywhere. PVD Lady Project founders Julie Sygiel (of lingerie company Sexy Period), Folu Akinkuotu and Sierra Barter (of event design company Clementine Lime) envisioned an “old boy’s club” for women, where the city’s driven divas could come together to share ideas and connect with like-minded ladies over a glass of champagne.
Boutique owner and fashion designer Karen Beebe
The project’s second event took place on April 26 at Bravo Brasserie and featured three-minute talks by three amazing women, followed by a Q&A session. First up was the ever-stylish Karen Beebe, fashion designer and owner of Downcity’s Queen of Hearts and Modern Love. Next in line was Martha Sheridan, who – in addition to knowing how to rock a “fierce” polka-dotted blazer – is the president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. Last, but not least, was Hannah Mellion, food system activator at Farm Fresh RI.
Karen Beebe and Hannah Mellion
The take-away message was clear: work hard, earn your stripes, make good connections and never burn your bridges. The evening was capped off by a musical performance by the Sugar Honey Iced Tea. All ticket proceeds were donated to the Sojourner House. More
If you haven’t heard of her, you soon will. One of the hottest photographers on the scene is Corey Grayhorse, who in addition to shooting for us, captures not so everyday people in studio and on location, in her signature fantastical style. Last night she hosted Cocktails and Cupcakes, an event in which Grayhorse aficionados could enjoy being painted by makeup artists Jessica Berndt and Kate Richard, styled by Lizzy Colley and photographed by Ms. Grayhorse herself. The makeup was wild, the jewelry was large… The Cupcakerie’s cupcakes were delish. And yes, the cocktails were flowing freely. More
Who can forget all the buzz last summer regarding a movie being filmed in our area starring powerhouse celebrities Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton and Tilda Swinton? The time has finally come to see our beloved state and its beautiful scenery up on the big screen in acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom. The film is set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965 and tells the story of two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact and run away together in the wilderness. You may have heard rumors of Bruce Willis and Bill Murray spottings at Tiverton’s Standish Boatyard. (The boatyard was just one of the many staging areas for the film.) The Hollywood stars were said to have been very friendly and down to earth. Be sure to look for the much-anticipated motion picture, set to premiere as the opening film of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival on May 16. It’s scheduled for an American release on May 25. More
Did you know that May is National Bike Month? Whether you commute to work or school on your bike, or ride for distance and endurance, you should know the basics of bike maintenance: how to lube a chain, fix a flat tire and make other minor adjustments. Cranston REI is offering a free Bike Maintenance Basics class on Tuesday, May 22 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. It is open to all, but space is limited, so call ahead to reserve your place. 22 Chapel View Boulevard, Cranston. 275-5250, rei. com/cranston. (For more information about National Bike Month events in Rhode Island, go to ribike.org.)
Rhode Runner has moved to a bigger space and is now located at 657 North Main Street in Providence. The store is hosting yoga classes in its new community room on Mondays and Fridays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Improve your flexibility for running – or just in general – with instructor Jenn Vargas, who teaches poses focused mainly on stretching. The cost is $6/class or $20/ month. Reserve your spot by leaving a comment on Rhode Runner’s Facebook wall, calling the store or stopping by. 831-6346, rhoderunner.com. More
Jennfier Luxmoore of Sin Desserts – sort of like Providence’s version of Charm City Cakes from Food Network fame – has won our hearts over the years by making creative, delicious sweets like oatmeal cream pies with maple buttercream and bacon or chili pepper peanut butter cookies – and then periodically surprising us with a tray of them at our office. However, up until now, her business was almost exclusively special order out of her kitchen space on Allens Avenue. Well, she’s finally opened a proper retail/ café space on the street level of the Conley’s Wharf building (200 Allens Ave.) where she’ll be open daily selling more than just the custom cakes on which she made her reputation. The new café features coffee, cupcakes and “cupcake shots” (mini-cupcakes), bacon and cheddar scones and more. More
As a conspicuously tattooed gal, I feel qualified to make this assertion: most moderately to heavily tattooed individuals are loyal to one shop. For all extensive purposes, “moderately” will describe those who can no longer count their tattoos and “heavily” shall describe all whom appear to disappear when placed in front of a graffiti laden wall. (I don’t yet vanish – at least I don’t think I do – but I have long since lost count.)
And yes, while I’m loyal to one PVD shop in particular, I have much respect for many of my friends that tattoo at shops throughout the city. You can meet some of the cool cats under whose skilled - and steady - hands I placed my trusting, (then) bare skin next weekend at the Rhode Island Tattoo Convention. It’s a three-day affair, running Friday April 27 to Sunday April 29.
I’ll see you there. You may or may not “see” me, however. That all depends on which wall I’ll be standing by.
Who: Debralee Elizabeth Marianna Iacobucci (aka DEMI)
What: Conceptual artist, painter and illustrator
When: 6pm, Tuesday March 20
Where: Pawtucket Armory, Exchange Street, Pawtucket
Why: This creative spirit isn’t afraid to be “appropriately inappropriate”
As I climbed the spiral stairs to Deb’s new studio space (which is housed inside a turret – or small tower – at the Pawtucket Armory building), I was met by a cool breeze on my face and the sound of global music infused with laughter. She greeted me at the top, barefoot, in flowing white pants, a fitted tank and one long feather earring. Her smile was huge… and contagious. Months of labor had culminated in this event: her DEMI Artistic Studios reveal party.
A small crowd of invited guests nibbled on appetizers and sipped champagne atop the roof, on to which her studio doors open. Although it was only the first day of spring, the sun shone bright and warm: The combination of the unseasonable weather and the breathtaking studio space was intoxicating. Breezy curtains flitted this way and that, tossed by gentle wind; white lights warmed the painted brick; the incandescent sunshine soon transformed to an ambient sunset.
When Deb took possession of the space in December, the turret was drab and unfinished — worlds away from its chic reincarnation. It’s her second studio, as the first is in her home. “My home studio is much more private,” she explained, as she climbed a tall ladder leading to the tower’s upper roof. I followed. “The turret is a public space for exposure, portfolio meetings and entertaining.” After taking in the view with a few other brave souls, we made our way back down.
Once we completed our (near) death-defying descent, we took time to peruse through myriad paintings and illustrations that were displayed in an antique trunk. “There’s a delicate line between illustration and fine … More
These days if you've got a fun, cool or creative idea, but don't have the funds to make it happen, Kickstarter is the way to go. The crowd funding platform allows artists and entrepreneurs with big ideas and small bank accounts to bundle lots of small pledges into one fundraising goal to get the seed money needed for their projects. It's simple: tell people about your project, set a goal, offer incentives, and if you hit that goal the money's yours.
Several local projects have already come to fruition after being Kickstarted, including Gallery Z's ArtMobile, the fourth annual Providence Honk Festival, designer Nicole Lebreux's debut fashion show at StyleWeek Providence, Fertile Underground Grocery, the Providence Juice Company truck, and the queer art publication Headmaster. It seems, however, that we're approaching Kickstarter overload, as now every hairbrained scheme, stoner fantasy, fever dream and daft impulse is panhandling for your hard-earned dollars, its creator offering to personally deliver your screen-printed, individually numbered gatefold vinyl album on rollerskates or give you a Fair Trade, organic lapdance if you'll just cough up, like, $40.
So how do we separate the wheat from the chaff, other than with my new Kickstarter project to separate wheat from chaff? ($100 gets you a pound of wheat and a handwritten thank-you note!) Well, perhaps it's invevitable that a glut of low-quality imitators and bottom-feeders would dilute the pool of funding and make it that much harder for the worthwhile projects to really stand out, but at least in this case we can trust the free market to prevail. Good projects will attract donations, and bad projects will... well, apparently they'll attract donations too. But hey, if you want to bestow your largesse on a copper vase, shrieking musical instruments for an opera about fairies, science fiction novels with low self-expectations, or tracksuits inspired by a dream that Missy Elliott was president of the United … More
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go out on a date with one of the editors of your favorite magazine? Well, unfortunately the editors at Cat Fancy are currently spoken for, but one of our editors is available — and for a good cause, too. Tonight you can stop by McFadden's at 7:30 to meet the lovely and talented Erin Swanson, chat with her, maybe offer to buy her a drink, and then get into a bidding war with that meathead down the other end of the bar as you both vie for her affections by donating money to charity. Yes, Erin, ever the good sport, has agreed to auction herself off to help Children's Wishes raise money to make sick children's dreams come true as part of the organization's third annual Dream Date Auction. Tickets are only $10, and you get the chance to bid on Erin, as well as a number of other sassy ladies and dapper gentlemen. Last year's auction raised over $7000 to fulfill the wishes of deserving children. And maybe you'll get to fulfill your wish of dating a sexy magazine editor. Oh, all that hot talk about dangling participles and assonance... More
Red Sox Nation, it’s time we have a talk. This isn’t going to be easy, because I come to you not as one of your own, but as The Enemy: a Yankees fan, a loyal subject of the “Evil Empire.” But see, that’s part of the problem. I’m not The Enemy. I’m just a baseball fan. It’s only when you insist on viewing baseball as a cataclysmic battle between two diametrically opposed forces that I become “The Enemy.” And that, my Dustin Pedroia-loving friends is precisely the point. (For the record, I quite like Dustin Pedroia and have nothing but respect for him. Ditto for former closer Jonathan Papelbon, Trot Nixon, Gator and any number of Red Sox gamers throughout the years. That being said, Youk is kind of a douche.) A lot of you take this just a bit too seriously. It’s time to grow up and learn to enjoy baseball for the game that it is.
As I write this, your beloved Sawks are dead last in the AL East, having just been thumped 18-3 by the Texas Rangers – and at home, no less. Boston’s 4-7 start, following on the heels of last September’s epic collapse, has again turned Red Sox Nation into a circular firing squad. There’s so much finger pointing, gnashing of teeth and throwing of tantrums that the casual observer could be forgiven for thinking something important was actually at stake. The airwaves of WEEI are brimming over with hysterical emotion as caller after caller throws in his two cents worth of outrage and armchair coaching. Doomsday has been predicted, the honor and integrity of the ownership have been questioned, and first-year manager Bobby Valentine has been called a “cockaroach” (sic). It’s only April.
Part of the problem is that Red Sox Nation spent generations as a downtrodden baseball backwater, a land of disappointment, broken dreams and epic collapses where defeat was constantly being snatched from the jaws of victory. Those days are over, but … More
The 4th Annual SENE Film, Music and Arts Festival kicked off last night at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket. Our assistant editor, Erin Swanson, was there as artists, filmmakers, actors and musicians mixed and mingled, enjoying complimentary beer and wine, live music and film screenings. Highlights included harp music by Sarah Ann McGinnis and the documentary Sweetlife, which told the story of three college students who founded Sweetgreen, an organic salad and frozen yogurt company, right from their dorm room. If that weren't impressive enough, they went on to organize Sweetlife Food & Music Festival, the largest of its kind on the East Coast. Bonnaroo, watch out. Sweetlife 2012 will feature Zola Jesus, Delta Spirit, The Shins and Kid Cudi (amongst many others). Check out the trailer here:
Imagine our surprise when these sweet cupcakes arrived at our office this morning. Clearly, someone at the newly renamed Big Blue Bug Solutions, formerly New England Pest Control, knows that the best way to get our attention is with food. It seems like the name change was inevitable, given the fact that their mascot, the famed "big blue bug" Nibbles Woodaway, is one of the best-known and most iconic corporate symbols in New England. We wish them luck with the name change, and thanks for the sweet treat (from the also iconic Wrights Dairy Farm, no less). More