Capturing The Friedmans

See the Trailer



Capturing the Friedmans is one of the most riveting and startling movies I've seen in some time. I don't want to give too much away, but it's an astonishing documentary about a regular family who get torn apart by an awful crime that the father and one of the sons may or may not have committed. Throughout the movie I kept on yo-yoing back on forth--- did they do it? Didn't they do it? There's no way they could have done it! But then, why did they do that? But where's the physical evidence? And why didn't they get a better lawyer?


Part of the film are actual home movies from the family. It started out as a documentary about one of the brothers and his work as a clown (that's right, the oldest Friedman is a birthday party clown in NY. Actually, I should say he is THE birthday party clown in NY. I've seen him perform, I've talked to him, and he's very good! If an ambassador's kid is going to have a birthday party, you get this guy.) But the documentary changed focus when the film-maker discovered the skeleton in his family closet.


I highly recommend this movie (it's currently playing at the Avon Cinema in Providence.)


See the official website

See Jesse Friedman's website (the brother that was accused of the crimes)

Flea Circus on Coney Island -August 17!

SEE THE MOST MINISCULE SHOW ON EARTH! The flea circus is coming back to its roots! The first flea circus on Coney Island in over 40 years! One performance only at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. August 17, 8 pm! Watch trained fleas perform spectacular circus stunts as seen before (and on top of) the Crowned Heads of Europe. These Educated and Industrious Insects will perform upon command! They pull chariots, walk a tightwire, and dance to the strains of actual music! The Finale is a death-defying spectacular of unbelievable proportions!

AS SEEN ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL, THE HISTORY CHANNEL, and THE CBC (CANADA) Be Amazed and Mystified by these Curious Natural Wonders. Discover the strange but true history of the Flea! Thrill to the astonishing Chariot Race! It's all live, It's all real, and it's all on the inside! THIS IS THE SAME SHOW THAT WAS FEATURED ON TIMES SQUARE IN 2002! So step right up, and see for yourself the show that Details magazine called "one of the top ten alternative circuses in the country." AUGUST 17 AT 8 PM $5 (free for members!) CONEY ISLAND CIRCUS SIDESHOW 1208 SURF AVENUE, BROOKLYN (F,Q, or W trains) CALL 718 372 5159 or visit http://www.coneyislandusa.com Here's what the press has said: "Too Ludicrous and Perversely Fascinating to Miss!" DIGITALCITY.COM "The appeal is irresistible. Professor Gertsacov, every bit the fantastical impresario, in his purple top hat and cash register voice, introduces us to... a high-spirited glance back at an entertainment form that had been dead as a door nail. Old Time Vaudeville is New Again!" NEW YORK TIMES "Gertsacov holds the audience (and the performers) in the palm of his hand." LOS ANGELES TIMES For more press quotes, visit http://www.trainedfleas.com/press/ For more information visit http://www.trainedfleas.com

Artist's Health Insurance Resource Center

A major concern for artists and small arts organizations is affordable health insurance. Because many artists do not receive health insurance through employment, and do not qualify for needs-based insurance, they frequently fall between the cracks.

In response to this crisis, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) convened a national forum in 1994. Participants urged the establishment of an Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC) to assist the arts community nationwide in accessing information about health insurance options. The Actors’ Fund of America was selected as the NEA’s partner organization in implementing this program.

Through this initiative, The Actors’ Fund provides the arts community with information on a community and national basis to inform artists of their health insurance options. Information is provided through their website and a toll-free hotline. Information is available on a state-by-state basis.


See the Information for Rhode Island or call the toll-free hotline (For some reason the toll-free number is not listed on the website! When I find it out, I will post it here!)

FILM SERIES AT COLUMBUS THEATRE

PICTURE START FILM SERIES Picture Start is an annual summer festival of independent short films, animation, short features and documentaries. Started in 1999, their mission is to support the RI film community, by creating a forum for discussion for audiences and filmmakers. They focus on work that has limited commercial possibilities, like documentary, short films, animations, and experimental work. You'll be able to see films here that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else! The festival runs every Wednesday from August 13 (that's today!) to September 17. Shows start at 8 pm at the Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway in Providence. Tickets are $4.00 per evening, and a bargain at twice the price! For programming information visit the Picture Start Website NOTE: SADLY, YOU NEED FLASH 5 TO VIEW THE SITE. *

* I say sadly, because it is my opinion that Flash sites generally aren't efficient at getting information into the hands of consumers, and while they often look cool, they are not very user friendly. Picture Start's website isn't bad-- but nothing they do couldn't be done in HTML, and would take much less time to load, and be available on just about any computer without additional download. Just my opinion!

More Arts Meetings!

CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS There are three more public meetings of the Mayor's Arts, Culture and Tourism Steering Committee.  The committee, a group of arts, business and community leaders, was created to help develop the City's new Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism, and begin the work of creating a cultural plan for the City of Providence. Wednesday, August 13 , 4-6 pm Open meeting at the Elmwood Community Center - 155 Niagara Street 4-6 pm. Thursday, August 21, 5-7 pm - A meeting with the Film Community will be held at the Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Downtown Providence. Thursday, August 27, 5 pm- A meeting for Individual Artists will be held at Monohasset Mills Project Gallery, 53 Kinsley Avenue, 2nd Floor. For more information, check the website of RI Citizens For the Arts

VICTORY DAY: RI'S UNIQUE HOLIDAY

Originally known as VJ day (Victory over Japan Day), this holiday started in 1948 to celebrate our World War II triumph. Other states also celebrated it as well. But over the years, other states cashiered the holiday, but we kept it going. And even though the word Japan has been stricken from the name of the day, that's as far as the General Assembly has been willing to go. There are perennial attempts to change the name to something like Remembrance Day, but they never get further than committee.


See an online exhibit about American War Posters

See some British World War II Posters

HELD OVER THROUGH AUGUST 17

Rose Weaver's Menopause Mama has been a HUGE success for the Perishable theatre. It's been playing all summer , and even now it's completely sold out (except for Saturday 8/9 and Saturday 8/17) If you haven't seen it, you better get your ticket right away! You get your tickets through ArtTix The tickets cost $25 each, but it's worth it! (And yes, they're air conditioned!)

Visit Perishable's website

Visit the Menopause Mama Webpage

Visit ArtTixRI online or call 401-621-6123 to charge by phone.

Rhode Island International Film Festival August 5-10

Now in its seventh year, the Rhode Island International Film Festival celebrates the independent spirit in film and has become a haven for independent filmmakers from throughout the world.


This year the Festival will present 25 World Premieres and 21 US Premieres. Films have been entered from 42 countries and 32 states. Attending the Festival will be filmmakers, producers, distributors, cast and crew. RIIFF is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backers, and the film-going community. Of special note is that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has elected to recognize the Rhode Island International Film Festival as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the Annual Academy Awards. With more than 1400 film festivals worldwide, only 47 have this recognition.

SPECIAL NOTE

A friend of mine is in a film in the festival (about clowns!), so go and see it! The film is Amores Payasos, a short film playing with "Schtickmen" ), my friend is Christine Duenas, and the show is on Sat, Aug 9th at 3:15 PM at the Columbus Cinemateque, 270 Broadway.


Find out more about the Festival


Call the festival at 861-4445 for showtimes, or see the calendar online

First Night May Ride Again!

As you may or may not now, First Night is currently in serious doubt of happening this year (due to budget shortfalls, a deficit, etc) I met today with a bunch of artists, as well as the organizers of First Night, to see if there's something that we can salvage, and perhaps continue the First Night Tradition. All of the artists were in agreement-- we wanted First Night to continue!


We are asking people to write letters to their elected officials to help the ball rolling-- this is the letter that I wrote-- feel free to send your own to the Mayor of Providence, to the Governor, and to anyone you think can help!


Find your elected officials

---

MY LETTER

Dear Mayor Cicciline:



My name is Adam Gertsacov, and I am an artist and performer living

in Providence  I am the author of the best-selling book Rhode

Island A to Z  I’m also a professional clown and performer.



I recently attended a meeting of artists to discuss the possibility of

 making First Night happen this year.  At this meeting the 25 artists

or so that attended the meeting were all in agreement: we want First

Night to happen.  It may not be as big as it was last year, but we all

are going to work together and revive First Night..



I urge you as both a citizen of Providence and as an artist to make it

happen.  Champion First Night to corporate sponsors, to your political

supporters,  and to the city council.   Give First Night  the funding

that it needs to hire a staff person and get the ball rolling.  Speak

with the Police and the Fire units to donate services  or give at cut

rates the necessary services to make First NIght possible.  Help First

Night organizers find venues which will make in kind donations.  

Make First Night happen!



This festival is part and parcel of the continued renaissance of

Providence as an artist’s city.  Withdrawing city support will cripple

the efforts of the arts community to revive the festival, and

irreparably damage the reputation that Providence has as an arts

friendly community.



I urge you to become a champion of the arts, and a champion of First

Night Providence.



Sincerely,





Your Name

Buddy Cianci The Musical

Brown University graduate Jonathan Van Gieson has written (and will produce) Buddy Cianci The Musical for the New York Fringe Festival. The show opens August 9 (and that show's been sold out!) and then runs 5 more times over the next couple of weeks. Here's the schedule: SATURDAY 8/9 @ 8:00pm SOLD OUT MONDAY 8/11 @ 3:00pm THURSDAY 8/14 @ 10:15pm FRIDAY 8/15 @ 5:15pm FRIDAY 8/22 @ 7:45pm SUNDAY 8/24 @ 1:30pm TICKETS: $15 by phone: (service charge additional) 212-279-4488 or 888 FringeNYC in person (no service charge) FringeCentral (177 MacDougal Street) Read the Production Blog See the Website Visit the NYC Fringe Festival

WILD DOG TRIATHLON

For those of you who don't believe in sedentary activity, there's a race this Sunday, if you'd like to try your hand. It's kind of a mini-triathlon.-- you swim 1/4 of a mile, bike 10 miles, and run 3 miles. Not too bad, if you like this kind of thing. Of course, it's relatively difficult (I think I could do everything except run the 3 miles-- don't press me about how long it would take!) Be warned, the swim is in the Ocean!

Date: Sunday Aug 3
Time: Registration: 6 am-7:50 am, race starts at 8 am.
Place: North Kingstown Town Beach, North Kingstown RI
Costs: $50-$59 )depending on Triathlon membership. Add $5 day of race.
Only 500 people are allowed to race, so if you are interested, check it out today!

For more information visit the organizer's website or download this PDF (Requires Acrobat Reader)

Bizarre Story in Westerly Sun!

This is where the Westerly Sun starts to look more like the Weekly World News. If you'd like to find out about improvised explosive devices, eggs being implanted into Natalie Portman, fighting evil demons by dodging BB pellets, and a plot to kill a stalked woman, well, Look No further!


Natalie Portman, full of eggs or not?

Hear in RI at the Narragansett Towers

Tonight there will be 8 local singer/songwriters performing their own material at the Narragansett Towers , 35 Ocean Road in Narragansett. The show starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are $10.00. Call 782-2597 for more information


It's part of the Hear In RI Festival which is sponsored in part by the Rhode Island Singer/Songwriter Association


Great original music, a great venue, all at a reasonable price. Who can argue with that?


Find out about other events happening at the Towers by viewing their website.


Another much anticipated event at the Towers is Hot Club of Cow Town, an amazing Texas Swing Band. They are at the Towers on Thursday, July 31!

Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island

Rhode Island is home to one of the largest Liberian Communities in the United States. Over 7000 Liberians live in the state-- as you can imagine, the intense violence currently going on in Liberia is top on their minds.

The Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island is a non-profit, non-political and voluntary community-based organization. Their principle mission is to seek and promote the welfare of all with an overriding focus on the promotion of the Liberian and African Culture.

They are planning several events over the next few days to raise awareness. Unfortunately, Their website isn't updated to include what those events are, but check the papers, or give them a call at 401-780-6718


You can also listen to a radio program from Focus RI that is an interview with several prominent Rhode Island Liberian Community Leaders.

Listen to Focus RI interview


Find out more about Liberia (courtesy of the Liberian Adoption Resource Center)

Read articles from The Pepper Bird, a community magazine published 5 times a year. The Pepper Bird is the national bird of Liberia.

Noney: The People's Currency

Noney is a new type of currency that has been going into circulation here in Rhode Island. It's a project of local artist Obadiah Eelcut (a pseudonym if I've ever heard one!)


Currency is basically an abstract concept. Money - in your pocket or your bank account - only has value because everybody believes it does. There is no longer any standard by which money is traded. (Although there have been multiple standards over time and societies)


Instead of metal, tobacco, rum, or clam shells, Noney uses a standard that is the aesthetic value of the note itself. It's an economic system backed by art and the idea of art--art that also serves as the system's currency.


The illustrations on Noney are hand drawn, then hand screenprinted onto sheets of polyethylene fiber, a material that's lighter and tougher than paper. After printing, each note is hand editioned in red ink with a number indicating its print order. Each note is also hand signed in black ink. Noney's total print run is 10,000 notes: 1,000 of each face.



Each Noney note has the same denomination: zero. This doesn't mean each note has no value... just relative value. There's no fixed exchange rate or area of operation. Noney's worth as both art and currency is something to negotiate through each individual transaction - anywhere.


To find out about Noney, check out the Noney website There are stories about how people are spending their Noney (and you can add your own if you like!) You can also make a transaction proposal to get some of your own noney.

Brown Juggling Club

If you are hankering to practice your showers, you want to figure out Mills' Mess, but don't quite know how, or you want to find out that men often make passes at women with glasses (at least when they juggle) then you should check out the Brown Juggling Club.

During the summer, they meet most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 (if the force behind it, Eric Cohen, can get out of the lab, and weather permitting.) During the semester, juggling moves to Saturdays 3-5 pm and possibly another day (along with an alternate indoors location in case of inclemency.)

Even if you don't have your own stuff, or don't know how to juggle, you are welcome to attend-- there's plenty of equipment to practice on, and plenty of people to guide you along the tantalizingly addictive path to juggling.


Check out their website or email Eric to get on the mailing list and find out if there will be juggling this week! (and today, July 24, there will be, weather permitting!)

Alternative Rock Providence

A great website dealing with the alternative music scene in Providence is LotsOfNoise.com. They've got listings for venues, show-listings, record stores, bands, gigs, interviews with local musicians, and a relatively new forum that allows people to chat about what they like, different bands, and thoughts about the scene.


So if you are trying to find out what's going on in the alternative scene in Providence, Lots of Noise is a good place to start.

ARTS & CULTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Mayor's Arts, Film, Culture and Tourism Steering Committee (of Providence) will convene four public meetings between July 23 and August 13. The committee, a group of arts, business and community leaders, was created to help develop the City's new Office of Arts, Film, Culture and Tourism, and begin the work of creating a cultural plan for the City of Providence.

Council members include Linda A'vant-Deishini, International Gallery; John Custer, Rhode Island College; Jim DeRentis, BankRI; Claude Elliott, The Rhode Island Foundation; Bob Jaffe, independent artist; Randy Rosenbaum, RI State Council on the Arts; Peter Bramante, Arts and business Council of RI; Tyler Denmead, New Urban Arts; Barbara Dreyer, Capitol Properties, and Tatiana Pina, Sol Gallery Group.

The committee is chaired by Ann Galligan, co-director of the Cultural and Arts Policy Research Institute at Northeastern University in Boston and a former Senior Associate Scholar at the Center for Arts and Culture in Washington, DC.

The hearings will provide an opportunity for the group to report on their progress while allowing artists, residents and the general public to weigh in on the development of the new office.

Hearing Dates and Locations: ( all hearings scheduled from 4 to 6 PM)

July 23 Jewish Community Center--401 Elmgrove Avenue
July 30 West End Community Center--109 Bucklin Street
August 6 DaVinci Center--470 Charles Street
August 13 Elmwood Community Ctr.--155 Niagara Street

If you are a big user of the Providence library system, it would behoove you to attend the Public Hearing for the FY’04 budget for the City of Providence is Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at 6:00 pm at Providence City Hall (City Council Chambers, 3rd floor).


This is the third straight year that the Library will be level-funded. While better than cutting the funding, the library is starting to wilt. Expenses go up, but the budget has not. Services will be cut system wide from the library unless they can get some additional funding.

The library is a very important resource for the poor and underprivileged (as well as the privileged and wealthy!) Attend the meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, July 22 and show your support for increased funds for Providence Public Library. (You can also show your support for a myriad of other budget issues then as well!)

Love Thy Job is a new internet company based in Providence that has a mission to support local artists. They do this primarily by offering web services (web page hosting, web page design) and by offering free news, an events calendar, and some classifieds (job listings) As of today they have 17 artists signed up, ranging from Cuban-American visual artist Tamara Diaz to punk and folk singer Jenn Kitten

Love Thy Job Artist Member Tamara Diaz

Love Thy Job Artist Member Ruth Emers

Love Thy Job was started by two graduates of Franklin Pierce College. And while they've got a noble idea (the company motto is "Don't Give Up Your Dream of Being An Artist") I think the business end is going to be a tough row to hoe. Their prices are relatively competitive ($100 a year buys you a website), but the website has a slightly amateurish look ( typos--"Choose A Search Meathod") ; not very complete news and events; seemingly limited web templates, no email or contact info for the artists. All of that takes time and energy and money to do right, and to maintain.


Still, it's a new company, it's got a good and noble idea, and I'm sure that some of these things will be corrected. I'm wishing them the best of luck, and I'll definitely check in with them to see how the company (and community of artists) develops.


Add your event for free to the Love Thy Job Database

Browse the Artists of Love Thy Job