Subscribe | Follow | Advertise

Good morning, Providence. This is PVD Current, the newsletter as uplifting as a perfectly brewed coffee.

What to expect in today’s Current:

• 🌟 A record-breaking night at PPAC

• This weekend’s events❗️

• 🌿 Historic land transfer to the Pokanoket Tribe

Let’s get to it.

— Oscar Punchak

Coastal Cafe Chronicles

Where I Tried: Pastiche Fine Desserts (92 Spruce St, Providence, RI 02903)

What I ordered: Small iced mochaccino with oat milk + lemon poppy scone

What it cost: $11.07

I was recommended Pastiche, so I tried it out. It’s a block over from Federal Hill on a street filled with plenty of parking. I like the look of the inside. It’s small but well-decorated. As for the food, I’m not a scone guy but chose to get one anyway. Surprisingly, I really liked it and would get it again. The coffee was really good too. If I’m not mistaken they get their coffee from New Harvest down the street - who I like and have highlighted before. They have a bunch of other baked goods which I think is their main thing. Definitely check them out.

Reply to this email with how many guesses it took you!

Currents & Waves

🎭 Mamma Mia! Smashes Records at PPAC

The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) announced that its recent engagement of Mamma Mia! broke box office records, grossing over $1.572 million and attracting nearly 24,000 attendees across eight performances. This makes it the highest-grossing one-week Encore Series event in PPAC's history, surpassing the 2022 run of Les Misérables. PPAC President J.L. Singleton noted the show's economic boost to Providence and expressed enthusiasm for future performances, including Hamilton and A Christmas Carol later this year.

🌿 Brown Transfers Historic Land to Pokanoket Tribe

Brown University has transferred 225 acres of its Mount Hope property to the Pokanoket Indian Tribe, fulfilling a 2017 pledge to preserve the ancestral land of Metacom, a significant Indigenous leader. This marks the first phase of a transfer into a preservation trust to ensure stewardship of the culturally and historically important site. The university will also sell adjacent parcels to Bristol for conservation. Meanwhile, Brown is preparing to relocate its Haffenreffer Museum collections from the site to Providence by 2026.

🏳️‍🌈 Providence Earns Perfect LGBTQ+ Equality Score

Providence has achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for the 10th consecutive year, remaining the only city in Rhode Island to earn this distinction. The MEI evaluates inclusivity in municipal policies and services for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, Providence gained recognition for its HIV/AIDS support services and domestic partner benefits. Mayor Brett Smiley celebrated the achievement, emphasizing the city’s commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive environment for all residents and visitors.

Weekend Events

Comedy 😂 

• Nick Swardson: Toilet Head | Nov 22 (Learn more)

  • Location: The VETS

  • Description: Join Nick Swardson, America’s Sweetheart, as he tackles the hard issues of diarrhea, edibles, and Norm MacDonald.

• Family Friendly Comedy Show | Nov 22 (Learn more)

  • Location: Bring Your Own Improv

  • Description: This interactive improv show invites audience participation through applause, suggestions, or joining the performers on stage.

• Caffeinated Insomniacs | Nov 22 (Learn more)

  • Location: Bring Your Own Improv

  • Description: This interactive improv show invites audience participation through applause, suggestions, or joining the performers on stage.

• Paul Virzi | Nov 22-23 (Learn more)

  • Location: Comedy Connection

  • Description: Catch comedian Paul Virzi live for an unforgettable night of laughs and storytelling.

• Live Comedy | Nov 22-23 (Learn more)

  • Location: The George on Washington St.

  • Description: Every weekend enjoy live comedy with the best comics in the North East.

• Live Improv | Nov 22-23 (Learn more)

  • Location: Kismet Improv

  • Description: Kismet’s hilarious and high-energy performers are ready to dazzle you with their signature improv show.

Family 👪

• Plant Walks in Roger Williams Park | Nov 22 (Learn more)

  • Location: Museum of Natural History and Planetarium

  • Description: Come learn about plants in the park while the Museum of Natural History in Roger Williams Park is closed for renovations.

• Yoga for Everybody | Nov 23 (Learn more)

  • Location: Roger Williams Park Gateway Center

  • Description: These accessible yoga classes are good for beginners and long-time practitioners alike!

• Candle Art Workshop | Nov 23 (Learn more)

  • Location: Paint & Vino

  • Description: Immerse yourself in the art of creating beautiful candles. Learn the essential techniques and discover unique fragrances.

• A Christmas Carol | Nov 23-24 (Learn more)

  • Location: Trinity Rep

  • Description: A timeless holiday tale of redemption and joy, Trinity Rep’s reimagined production of A Christmas Carol has been a beloved New England family tradition for over 45 years. 

Arts 🎨 

• Harvest Moon | Nov 22 (Learn more)

  • Location: Paint & Vino

  • Description: Immerse yourself in a fun and creative atmosphere as you craft your own unique 16×20 inch masterpiece!

• The Power of Faces: Looking at the Global Refugee Crisis | Nov 22-24 (Learn more)

  • Location: 280 Brook Street, Stephen Robert ’62 Hall

  • Description: An exhibition of documentary photographs by independent humanitarian advocates Daniel Farber Huang and Theresa Menders.

• Barbara Healy and Robin Nunes | Nov 22-24 (Learn more)

  • Location: 296 Angell Street

  • Description: Central presents the work of two local artists: Barbara Healy and Robin Nunes.

• Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella | Nov 22-24 (Learn more)

  • Location: 350 Division Street Pawtucket

  • Description: The new Tony Award-winning Broadway adaptation of the classic musical.

• Franklin Williams: It's About Love | Nov 22-24 (Learn more)

  • Location: The Bell, List Lobby

  • Description: Showcasing six decades of vibrant, emotionally charged artwork, blending figuration and abstraction to explore themes of love, loss, and intimacy through his unique use of color, symbolism, and mixed media.

Markets 🍅 

• Pawtucket Farmers Market | Nov 22 (Learn more)

  • Location: Jordan’s Jungle

  • Description: Check out all of Pawtuckets favorite local vendors

• Farm Fresh Winter Farmers Market | Nov 23 (Learn more)

  • Location: Farm Fresh RI

  • Description: The largest indoor wintertime farmers market in New England.

• The Good Trade | Nov 23-24 (Learn more)

  • Location: WaterFire Arts Center

  • Description: Featuring 90+ independent makers for a weekend of shopping, drinks, and supporting small businesses.

• Providence Flea | Nov 24 (Learn more)

  • Location: Farm Fresh RI

  • Description: This unique marketplace features carefully selected small businesses offering handmade and vintage goods.

Check out the sports section lower down in the email! Lots of fun things happening this weekend

If you got this far please check us out on Instagram and give us a follow @PVDCurrent

Seaside Skies

FRIDAY

51°🌡 37° | 🌧️ | 💧 47% | 💨 SSE 12 mph

SATURDAY

48°🌡 40° | 🌧️ | 💧 45% | 💨 WNW 17 mph

SUNDAY

52°🌡 35° | 🌤️ | 💧 2% | 💨 WNW 18 mph

(The forecast as of the night before this newsletter was published.)

Sound Waves

FRIDAY

Ladder 133 | Local Music | 6:30 pm

Moonshine Alley | Hope for Rain | 9 pm

FarmFresh RI | Glow | 6 pm | Learn more

SATURDAY

Moonshine Alley | Michael Brennan | 5 pm

The VETS | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue | 8 pm | Tickets

Moonshine Alley | 7 Roads Band | 9:30 pm

SUNDAY

Luigi's Restaurant | Ron Giorgio | 6 pm

Maritime Matches

FRIDAY

🏒 Amica Mutual Pavilion | Providence Bruins Giveaway: Black & Gold Souvenir Poster | 7 pm | Tickets

SATURDAY

⚽️ Rhode Island FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 12 pm

Where to watch:

• Official RIFC Watch Party: Moonshine Alley, Providence

• Official Supporters Watch Party: The Guild, Pawtucket

• Other Providence Watch Parties:

  • Providence Brewing Company

  • Moniker Brewery

  • Troop PVD

  • Providence G Pub

• Additional Statewide Watch Parties:

  • Picos Restaurant, Pawtucket

  • German American Cultural Society of RI, Pawtucket

  • Proclamation Ale Company, Warwick

  • Newport Craft Brewing, Newport

_{Watch party round-up courtesy of Patrick McKenna!}

🏒 Amica Mutual Pavilion | Providence Bruins Giveaway: Team Hat | 7 pm | Tickets

That’s all for today…

Thank you for reading all the way through! Feel free to email us with any questions or suggestions. You’ll hear from us again on Monday.

Thanks,

Oscar Punchak | Publisher, PVD Current