Friday — @the Met, Lights, Savoir Adore @Firehouse 13, Skyzoo, Zumo Kollie, M3 and Good Sports, @the Narrows, Jonathan Edwards @AS220, Soul Control, Give, Mouth of Flowers, Collision, Sweet Jesus @Patrick’s Pub, John Larson @Lupo’s, the English Beat, the Agents, Llama Tsunami, Guns of Navarone @the Spot Underground, AER, Sophistafunk, Brandon McLean

Saturday — @the Penalty Box, Dirt @the Met, Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons, Pete Bernhard, the Mighty Good Boys @Firehouse 13, the Viennagram, Bring the Knife, Fever Wolves, People of Color, Mother Night @AS220, Alec K. Redfearn and the Eyesores, the Throttles, the Denver Boot, Maria Monk, Barn Burning @the Whiskey Republic, the Complaints @PVD Social Club, Auburn, Longshot, Die Another Day, Manners @Local 121, Villainer, Lunglust @the Spot Underground, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, Relative Souls

Sunday — @Firehouse 13, Sayings, You Are My Only Friend, Homecoming, Bendingtree, Knox and the Overstreets, Static in the Radio

(Photo of Llama Tsunami by Amy Obarski)

If you haven’t checked out ‘Building Blocks; Contemporary Works from the Collection’ at the Museum of Art, tomorrow would be the perfect day. Admission to the RISD Museum on the last Saturday of every month is free.

There’s a lot to like in this exhibit, for instance the 2006 Brian Chippendale installation Home on the Run. Every square inch of this piece is minutely dotted and speckled with paint and pasted with decals, ephemera, and bits of posters — inside and out. He then added a few paintings for visual interest. (How did he know when it was done? Was there some moment in time when he decided that anything more would just be. . . too much?) A SpongeBob lamp suffuses the space in a cozy glow.

Building Blocks runs through Sunday, March 25. Remember, January 28th is a free Saturday, admission is free.

(Photos courtesy of the Museum of Art Rhode Island School of Design. The picture at right, taken out the front door, shows Six Towers by Sol LeWitt across the room. Exterior shot after the jump.)

RISD Museum, 224 Benefit Street or 20 North Main Street (hours and admission)

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Let’s talk cold patch. No, it is not a Coldplay tribute band (ew, I just threw up a little), cold patch is a type of asphalt that can be applied straight from the container without heating and does not require heavy rolling. It is a quick fix to get us through the winter until the street can get properly repaired. But how to report the potholes?

Turns out there’s an app for that. Jef Nickerson over at Greater City: Providence went on a walkabout yesterday with Mayor Taveras and his press secretary David Ortiz for a demonstration of the City’s new ProvConnex iPhone app (an Android app is in development). From Jef,

The app allows residents (and visitors I suppose if they like) to report a myriad of issues from unshoveled sidewalks, to potholes, to broken street lights and trash strewn lots, and more.

This seems like a great idea, and judging from my experience just taking the above picture, people sure want somebody to report to.

Go to GCP for Jef’s full report and links to the free download. Best of all, Jef has given the app a test drive and has posted a slideshow complete with screenshots, sort of a tutorial really. (Jef has been kind enough to include the phone number as well as a link to the website for reporting these problems for the iLuddites.)

Nine Dollars . . . Nine Libraries.

Head down to AS220 Saturday night for performances by Alec K. Redfearn and the Eyesores, the Throttles, Maria Monk, the Denver Boot, Barn Burning, and more tba. All proceeds to benefit the nine neighborhood libraries operated by Providence Community Library. With host Rory Raven.

$9, doors 7pm, show 7:30pm, Saturday, January 28, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Developer Evan Granoff has announced plans to convert the historic Arcade — closed since 2008 — into a complex of shops and “micro-loft” apartments. According to The Providence Business News only the first floor will be devoted to retail.

The solution includes 48 small apartments, most ranging from 220 to 270 square feet, located in the former retail spaces on the second and third floors.

The apartments, which will be furnished, including refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves - but no stoves - will be marketed toward recent college graduates and young professionals, Granoff said. Rents will start at $550 per month.

Renovations are to begin immediately with the goal of reopening the space next fall. (Mayor’s comments here.)

These are not cuttlefish. Not even close. I meant to take a picture of this succulent dish on a recent trip to O Dinis, but as soon as it came to the table I just started eating and I couldn’t stop. The grilled cuttlefish is only available on Wednesdays, but everything else I have ever tried has been excellent as well. (They also have an octopus special, not grilled, on Fridays which I have not tried.) The decor of this extraordinary little Portuguese restaurant is somewhat eccentric. The assorted stuffed animals were gifts to owner Dinis Paiva, but he is responsible for amassing the vintage radio collection on display (pix after jump). A television tuned to a Portuguese network is generally on — soccer is a big favorite — and most of the customers and waitresses are conversing in Portuguese as well. It’s an exceptional experience.

The grilled cuttlefish comes with either boiled potatoes or rice. I recommend the rice so you can more effectively wrangle all the sauce onto your fork and into your mouth.

O Dinis, 579 Warren Avenue, East Providence, open seven days, 438.3769

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Some number of us will be gathering at 8pm (Wednesday January 25) at the Wild Colonial in Providence.  (And we’re looking for new folks to help organize Drinking Liberally — if you’re interested, please come by and let us know.)

Members of the Zhejiang University Wenqin Arts Troupe will perform a special Chinese New Year show this Saturday. The troupe consists of six talented teams, including a symphony orchestra, a vocal group, a dance team, a drama team, a keyboard orchestra, and a Chinese traditional music team. The performance consists of eleven acts including both contemporary and traditional song and dances, percussion performances, and calligraphy demonstrations.

The visit from the Zhejiang University Wenqin Arts Troupe is one of several events from Brown University’s Year of China focusing on the long trajectory of cultural production in Greater China. More to come.

Free and open to the public.

8pm to 9:30pm, Saturday, January 28, RISD Auditorium, 17 Canal Street

Rhode Island native Viola Davis has been nominated for the ‘Best Actress’ Oscar for her role in the movie The Help . . . or as Charlie Rose kept saying, Help. (Who did she play, Ringo?) Davis last made the local papers by helping out the cash-strapped library in her home town of Central Falls. According to IMBD,

Her family moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island when she was two months old. Davis has described herself as having “lived in abject poverty and dysfunction” during her childhood.

Davis credits in part her involvement in the arts at her Alma mater, Central Falls High School, for her love of stage acting. Davis majored in theater at Rhode Island College, graduating in 1988; in 2002 she received an honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the college. . . While Davis was a teenager, her talent was recognized by Bernard Masterson when, as director of Young People’s School for the Performing Arts in Rhode Island, he awarded Davis a scholarship into that program.

As to how this category might play out: Mara is too new, it’s not her “turn” yet; Close and Streep might split the “look at me, I’m acting” vote; and the Marilyn movie was a bit of a bore. Davis just may have a shot at this thing. (More at Oscar nominations.)

The young playwrights of our TAG TEAM program have been learning about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the history of the Civil Rights movement in America. To celebrate Dr. King’s dream the kids have decided to create a play about how a dream for social change can inspire positive actions to make the world a better place for all. Please join us for what is sure to be a weekend of splendid performances.

Four performances only. Tickets are free but reservations are encouraged. For more info go to Manton Avenue Project; theatre by children, for everyone.

Friday, January 27 at 7pm/ Saturday, January 28 at 3pm and 7pm/Sunday, January 29 at 3pm

Friday through Sunday, Media and Arts Center at Met Public, 325 Public Street, 401.331.7007

Happy Chinese New Year. What better place to celebrate the Year of the Dragon than Dragon 2000 at 127 Mathewson Street. They are open every day.

Dragon years usually bring prosperity, and this is the best year for having babies so get busy. Dragon babies are fearless, creative, ambitious and a little conceited. However, every six decades (1952, 2012, etc.) is a Water Dragon or Black Dragon year. According to one “expert” who believes the Year of the Water Dragon is not a good year,

“It will be marked by economic slowdown and an increase in epidemics and health risks involving viruses.”

Jeez, can we catch a break here? (Note to self, need more firecrackers and Purell.) Well, might as well eat. So go down and say hello to owner Dave, and his associate Wen (picture after the jump). The food is yummy.

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Head over to the Granoff Center Friday for the opening party of The Providence Postcard Project — 1000 postcards, 100 photographs, 22 neighborhoods — you may still have time to participate yourself.

The Providence Postcard Project, by artist Betsey Biggs, explores the familiar souvenir medium of postcards as a source of reflection by the residents of Providence on what meanings the city holds. Beginning this week, the project will be distributing pre-addressed, postage-paid postcards featuring photographs taken by Biggs during her visits to the neighborhoods of Providence. We invite you to stop by any Providence Community Library location, or the Brown Bookstore, to pick up a postcard or three and share your stories about Providence.

Starting January 27, the images and stories of the returned postcards will be on display in the lower lobby gallery of the Granoff Center for the Creative Arts on the Brown University campus. Join us for the opening party to meet the artist, pick up a postcard and share your own stories.

[Additional note: I just grabbed a few cards up at the Brown Bookstore and they are very cool. The look is straight out of the golden age of postcards with old-timey looking photographs, textured card stock, and vintage font. Only a few left. I'm going to swap in some of the other images that I like. BC]

Opening party, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Friday, January 27, Granoff Center, 154 Angell Street

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And if you don’t care for football . . . StyleWeek Providence starts today at 4pm with an accessory show, culminating next Saturday, January 28, with shows from Peach Carr and Ben Chmura, followed by a designer showcase and after-event soiree (complete schedule). All events will be held at the Biltmore in the Grand Ballroom and L’Apogee. Go here for a list of designers.

Local talent and Project Runway veteran Jonathan Joseph Peters returns as creative director and vice-president of StyleWeek brand development; Peters shows his line tonight Sunday, January 22, at 9pm.

The Blount seafood people know how to get this done. Gail Ciampa writes in the ProJo,

“The Blount Clam Shack and Soup Bar” will open at 371 Richmond Street in early spring. Blount Fine Foods, made the announcement yesterday. It will occupy the space that was Stanley’s Hamburgers, across from Rick’s Roadhouse in the Jewelry District.

A hot soup bar will offer unlimited soup and fresh bread. The menu will cater to seafood lovers with Clam Cakes, Fish & Chips, Whole Belly Clams, Lobster Rolls, Fish Reubens and Fish Tacos. Non-fish dishes will include fresh salads and sandwiches.

Their seasonal Warren location is still unbeatable on a sunny day with picnic tables right on the water — but this will be in the city and presumably run year round. Whole belly cravings can finally be satisfied without a schlep. Blount soups are very tasty.

“Forge Your Destiny” is the tagline of this soon-to-be-released video game. Should the game fail to thrive, our new state motto may well be “Forget Your Destiny.” It is well known at this point that Rhode Island’s future is linked, to the tune of a $75-million loan guarantee, to the success of this new game, the only product thus far created by Curt Schilling and his 38 Studios. Critics complained at the time that the size of the deal made it too risky. Governor Donald Carcieri was quoted as saying “Oh my god is that Curt Schilling?!”

At any rate, the demo is now out and gamers have had a chance to take it for a 45-minute test drive. (Click here to try the demo.) In this morning’s ProJo, Andy Smith interviewed Gamespot editor Shaun McInnis who remarked that “the market for role-playing games (RPGs) is highly competitive. ‘But my gut tells me this game will succeed.’” Here’s hoping. The game is scheduled to go on sale February 7, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Bees are a notorious menace: rabid, bloodthirsty predators that leave everything coated in a brown, sticky goo. Bees can smell fear so you must show them who’s boss. (This unidentified expert demonstrates accepted intimidation techniques such as growling, and being large.) The Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) and Farm Fresh Rhode Island are taking a somewhat different approach to all this.

The urban beekeeping primer will be taught by Kelly Smith, Davis Park Community Garden coordinator. Kelly owns 5 beehives and has taken bee school classes and a week-long intensive advanced course by the Eastern Apicultural Society. Kelly will give a basic overview about what it means to keep bees in the city, going over topics such as materials required for urban beekeeping, resources and available education options for bee school.

Join Ms. Smith in the greenhouse during the Wednesday Wintertime Farmers Market. (Our attorney has urged us to make absolutely clear, this is not Ms. Smith in this picture.) To preregister for the workshop you may call 401.273.9419, ext. 29, email SCLT at amber@southsideclt.org, or register online at Plant Providence.

Urban Beekeeping, free, 6pm to 7pm, Wednesday, January 25, Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket

Inspired by the fear and panic engendered by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Nancy Chunn: Chicken Little and the Culture of Fear is a series of paintings that represent the media sensationalism that infects our current political and cultural landscape, feeding our fears and distracting us from constructively dealing with real dangers. Chunn’s allegorical narrative features 339 cartoon-like paintings that re-imagine the folk fable Chicken Little.

Through Sunday, April 15, RISD Museum of Art, enter at 224 Benefit Street or 20 North Main Street, (hours and admission)