After just two months of operation, Art Night Bristol & Warren was honored with a 2012 Regional Tourism award. On May 8th, Governor Chafee presented the award at the 27th Annual Tourism and Unity Luncheon and Travel Exchange held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. This year’s Luncheon theme was “Beautiful Rhode Island”, aimed at commemorating the state’s fervent culture. The honorees helped to make travel and tourism the $5.2 Billion industry it is, and maintain over 41,000 jobs statewide. Click here to learn more about Art Night-Bristol & Warren.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
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
Spring is here, and while some of us will take advantage of the nicer weather by sitting outside in the sun or cruising around with our windows down, there are some brave souls out there who take a slightly more exciting route: riding motorcycles. Nothing can beat driving down the road with the sun on your back and the wind in your face, but if you road-warriors out there want to take a load off while also meeting some fellow bikers, stop by Smart Moto in Seekonk for their Bikes and Coffee event, held every Saturday from 9-11am.
Bikes and Coffee is a social meeting for all types of motorcycle riders. You can park your bike in the Smart Moto lot and then step inside for delicious coffee and doughnuts. The real fun, however, is out in the parking lot, where riders can check out each other’s bikes trade stories. Hey, maybe you’ll make some new riding buddies. Whether you’re a seasoned rider, just bought your first bike, or simply have a love for all things motorcycle, this is definitely the place to be.More
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
Bristol House of Pizza will be celebrating 35 years of serving the community on Monday, April 30. To thank their customers for their continued support and patronage, they will be selling pizzas at half price and giving away prizes all day. In addition, with every purchase made in the restaurant on the 30th, you can enter into a raffle to win Red Sox tickets. The drawing will be held at 6pm (presence not necessary to win). It's a good excuse to check our their newly expanded restaurant space and enjoy some of the food that's kept them in business for decades.More
This Saturday, April 7, legendary chef, cookbook author, TV personality and all-around quintessentail French dude Jacques Pépin comes to Barrington Books to sign copies of his latest, Essential Pépin. The book collects more than 700 of his favorite dishes and recipes from the six decades of his career. Pépin is one of the grand, old wisemen of the culinary world, a contemporary of Julia Child, with whom he co-hosted a PBS show, and one of the most decorated chefs in the world. He currently hosts a public television series also called Essential Pépin. This is a rare chance to meet and greet one of the towering figures of French cookery. In the meantime, let the man himself show you how to prepare an omelette (trust us, you're not doing it as well as he can):More
What do a non-profit organization for children, a radio station and a furniture store all have in common? They are all teaming up to bring the third annual Touch-A-Truck to the area on Sunday, April 15 from 11am-2pm. Project Undercover, Cat Country 98.1 and Cardi’s Furniture Superstore will be in the front parking lot of Cardi’s in Swansea to show off some sweet rides. The parking lot will be full of emergency and military vehicles, fire trucks, police cars, dump trucks, moving trucks and more. Usually these vehicles are whizzing by, but for one day only you and you can get up close and personal with them. Last year, the event had over 500 attendees who enjoyed food, games, music and the warm fuzzies of charity. This event is open to the public and the cost of admission is an unopened package of socks, underwear or diapers. The donations will be sent by Project Undercover to children in need due to poverty or emergency situations. In the case of inclement weather, the event will take place inside Cardi’s spacious warehouse.More
One of the area’s most beloved schools, Our Lady of Fatima in Warren, is unfortunately facing a plan for closing in June upon the end of this academic year due to financial problems and low enrollment. The private, Catholic, co-educational high school, directed by the Sisters of St. Dorothy, has been in operation for 47 years. Families of students who attend Fatima received letters in February telling them of the impending closing. Parents, students and alumni immediately responded with a fight protesting the awful news and are still currently trying to do everything they can to save the school. Many of the 50 students enrolled this year travel from around the state and think of Fatima as not just a place to learn, but a place to be surrounded by family as well. As the school and community continue to work to reverse this decision, we hope that all the members of the Our Lady of Fatima family receive the miracle that they all are hoping for.More
Those who want to learn a thing or two about hip-hop dance would do well to go to the source: New York City. However, this Sunday only, a bit of NYC will come to do. Just Dance! studio in Warren will host a two-hour workshop from 11:30am-1pm on April 1 with professional hip-hop choreographer Dister Rondon, who has worked with singer Fantasia and choreographed ads for Apple, Verizon and the Gap. It's a rare opportunity to learn a unique dance form from a working professional in a fun, low-pressure environment; dancers of any skill level are welcome, and no one is expected to be able to master the moves in one day. Rondon only asks that students "show respect for the culture and be willing to participate when and if they feel comfortable." Students will also be learning for a good cause: of the $45 sign-up fee, $10 goes to support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Space is limited, so call 401-486-4478 or email swinn11@cox.net to sign up today.
See footage of Rondon at work here: