In DownCity is throwing their 3rd annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party with food trucks, kids activities, and vendors selling vintage, vinyl, and effects pedals at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Yard Sale at Grant’s Block.

Music by DJ Studebaker Hawk and Mariachi de Brown (great last year).

Two, count ‘em two, blocks of Westminster will be closed off this year between Eddy and Clemence Streets, with food trucks, face painting, and the famous Craftland piñata bashing (bring either a sledge hammer or your own candy). Free masks for the first 500 guests. The weather report is very promising.

Noon to 6pm, Sunday, Cinco de Mayo, Westminster Street between Eddy and Clemence (directions)

The Harrington School of Communication and Media presents “Media and Civic Engagement Showcase.”

Come see short videos, photography and more media that URI students have created for the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence this semester. Find out more about URI’s new Urban Immersion program. Meet Nonviolence Institute leaders and learn how they are helping reduce violence in Rhode Island. Light fare to be served.

6pm to 8pm, Wednesday, May 1st, PAFF Auditorium, URI, 80 Washington Street, facebook

(3.31) Spring is coming! Time to dust off those old cranks, pump up those tires, and tighten those breaks! its time to get that booty back on that steel/aluminum/carbon (if ya fancy) steed!

FIVE BUCKS A TABLE, so get 5 friends and its a buck a spot. Or come on down and grab a table for your own — bet you will make those 5 bucks in a minute. (Show up at 11am to set up.)

Bring anything bike-related to sell.

Noon to 5pm, Eastah Sunday, March 31, AS220, 115 Empire Street

Again, a little late on this one — people need a heads-up on reading a whole book I suppose —  but there is still time. Read fast! You have until 6pm Wednesday to read A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore. Better still, if a reading group is your thang, hook up with these people and get directly into the loop yourself; I clearly can’t be counted upon. This week’s group will be led by Brian Folan.

Tall. Dark. Handsome. Brian studied English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK. Now a resident at AS220, Brian has started working on his own novel. He is a founder/editor of caringtapes.com (est. 2010), an open-forum art blog and contributor/editor for Squarepop.com. Previously, he has worked at Dunkin’ Donuts, Showcase Cinema, Atkins Farm Deli, and the Norwood Cemetery, and more. He didn’t like any of those jobs.

6pm to 7:30pm, Wednesday, February 27, AS220 Reading Group, 115 Empire Street

Ellie’s Bakery opened up just last week at 61 Washington Street serving baked goods made on the premises as well as espresso drinks. Also, cozy interior (pix after the jump) with a good view of the street for people-watching.

Seen here is barista, and occasional Dose contributor, Jim Almo. (Jim is glowering at me specifically . . . he is usually quite pleasant.)

Mr. Almo (a former What Cheer Brigade percussionist) and his new band Local Lights open tonight (Saturday) in the AS220 concert hall. They go on at 9:30pm sharp. (He’s in the band, it isn’t his band. I don’t want to start a fight, but I’m also tired of trying to fix that sentence.)

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“I’m All In” is a nicely ambiguous phrase. Who are we talking about here, the artist or the viewer? Am I tired? Am I gambling? Am I through the looking glass? Opening reception today (January 5) for “I’m All In: New Works by Ben Watkins” at the AS220 Project Space on Mathewson Street. The figures in his works range from natural organic shapes (antlers, eggs, hands) to croquet wickets to this precise architectural silhouette that suggests an algebraic function. Mr. Watkins describes his process:

I use raw materials, such as wood, metal, and plaster, because they have such great potential. They are blank slates ready for manipulation. Surface preparation is one of my great joys.  I love to wet-sand and make a surface so pristine that your eye floats into it. The subjects I tend to discuss with my work are ones of great simplicity, and the concentrated work I do to prepare the materials and the surface allow me to focus on what is vital in those elements and how to express the fluidity and beauty of those raw materials. The world is a complicated place.  I want to create something quiet and simple, a piece where the viewer, in concentrating on the line and arc and surface, becomes aware of what is essential to the materials themselves. If that then leads to them to ponder larger questions about time and meaning, so much the better.

Seen here: Putting on an Addition, 10″ x 15″, hydrocal plaster.

Reception 4pm to 7pm, Saturday, January 5, AS220 Project Space, 95 Mathewson Street

Lots of people taking advantage of the rink downtown.

Adults $6. Monday through Friday 10am to 10pm/ Saturday and Sunday 11am to 10pm. Full information at Greater Kennedy Plaza.

Don’t forget about the good work being done by Skate for Joy, a Providence-based non-profit dedicated to keeping kids “off the streets and on the ice.” Skate For Joy was founded in 2001 and launched a beginner synchronized skating team in 2010.

They provide a weekly after-school learn to skate program in the afternoon from December to March, weather permitting, this year also launching a basic hockey skills program at the Bank of America City Center rink. They also provide participants with a healthy snack, life skills speakers, positive role models and all necessary equipment.

Last August when Channel 10 reported that downtown jewelry store Copacetic had been robbed again (three times in two years) we wondered whether owner Don Beohner would finally pack it in and find a less “inviting” location. But he’s still right there on Peck Street becoming something of a downtown folk hero.

Turns out that two of the break-ins had been perpetrated by the same guy, one Kevin Jackson, who Providence Police nabbed within the month (he is currently at the A.C.I. having violated his parole on an earlier charge). The store’s security camera got some good tape on Jackson who got fingered (and not in a good way) by the women in his life whom it is safe to assume he had badly pissed off.

So those of you who would like to see a vibrant retail scene return to downtown Providence, help make it happen and do some shopping there this week; there’s some great shops and it’s not a mall. Copacetic (17 Peck Street) has jewelery, cool clocks, and whacky gadgets which the proprietor will gladly demonstrate. (He also repairs watches and costume jewelry.) Don’t forget, two hours free at the parking meters for the holidays.

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(11.30) This event is kind of a scene. Check out the 11th Annual Craftland Show Opening Party,

. . . a quirky holiday sale located in downtown Providence, featuring an eclectic assortment of fine crafts and cutting-edge handmade items by local and national artists. This year, of our 170 independent crafters, we’re presenting the work of over 100 Rhode Island and Massachusetts artists, allowing customers to keep their shopping both local and unique.

The first 100 shoppers receive highly-coveted goodie bags stuffed with freebies, coupons and more. Refreshing beverages from Trinity Brewhouse, delicious snacks from Julian’s Restaurant, a photo booth to capture fun moments, and back by popular demand — DJ’s Matthew and Jason!

(Seen here are tree ornaments representing two of the world’s great religions: Christianity and Bacon.

5pm to 9pm, Friday, November 30, Craftland Holiday Bash, 235 Westminster Street, Facebook

Craftland kicks off its 11th annual holiday show on Friday, November 23 with thousands of gifts for everyone on your list. Half of the 170 artists featured in this year’s show are local to the area. Their work includes everything from

. . . handmade housewares and masterfully-crafted handbags, to adorable stuffed animals, cozy crocheted and knitted goods, one-of-a-kind art pieces, beautiful books, clothing, and our now-famous print wall, featuring dozens of screen printed pieces in a variety of prices and sizes.

Park at the Grant’s Block parking lot (enter on Weybosset Street) for two hours free with a validation stamp from Craftland or the 15 other participating downtown shops and restaurants. Complete list and parking information can be found at In Downcity.

Open seven days, 10am to 6pm. Open late, Thursdays thru Saturdays, 10am to 8pm.

Craftland Show now through December 31, 235 Westminster Street

Ice ice baby. The downtown skating rink will open for limited hours on Wednesday and Thursday, with regular hours starting Friday. Children under 16 years must accompanied by an adult or reasonable facsimile. Thanksgiving holiday hours are:

Wednesday, November 21st open at 4pm
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 22nd open at 4pm
Friday, November 23rd 10am to 10pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 10pm as usual. The Brown University hockey team will skate with the public and sign autographs on Friday afternoon. Skate rental $4. More information at Greater Kennedy Plaza.

$6 adults, $3 children, Bank of America skating rink, Kennedy Plaza

We finally stopped into 204 Westminster Street to see what was going on in there. Part art space, part materials up-cycling center, and all RISD student-run, the EXPOSÉ/2NDLIFE Space is where students and community can meet and collaborate.

2NDLIFE is where RISD students and community members can trade, donate, or exchange materials and supplies. Manager and California transplant, James, discussed some of the materials currently on hand (pix after the jump): the apparel students are excited about a shipment of quality leather just in from New York City; the furniture department has been inspired by the lumber (old pine heartwood) just removed from a house being renovated on the east side; and shelves are stacked with an ever-changing variety of papers, paints, and used tools.

EXPOSÉ, on the other side of the room, is a student-curated art space where students, alumni, and locals can show and sell their work. This crew also hosts performances, themed dance parties, parades, poetry readings, and happenings in general. On this particular day there were prints and zines for sale with more material expected in anticipation of the shopping season.

More pix after the jump.

204 Westminster Street, Tuesday thru Thursday, 11:30am to 6:30pm/Saturday and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm

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Rhode Island will host its first comics convention featuring sci-fi movie and television celebs as well as noted figures from the world of comics (and for some reason, the Seinfeld ‘Soup Nazi’). Organizers told the Providence Journal,

. . . the event will generally follow the same format as other comic cons, with two days of celebrity meet-and-greet sessions interspersed with costume contests, games, video screenings and vendors selling collectibles and memorabilia.

The “Star Trek” and “Battlestar Gallactica” franchises are well represented but the marquee name has got to be British actor Peter Mayhew, in that I have heard of him. He gladly reminisces about playing Chewbacca in “Star Wars” but will never again climb inside the hot, scratchy costume. Locally connected artists representing at the Con include,

Walter “Walt” Simonson, a 1972 RISD graduate who’s best known for his work on the Thor and Fantastic Four franchises; Bob Eggleton, a Rhode Island illustrator and perennial Hugo Award winner; and Ryder Windham, a Providence author whose titles include the best-selling “Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide.”

Adults $25 for one day/$35 for both days, Rhode Island Comic Con, Saturday from 10am to 7pm/Sunday from 10am to 5pm, RI Convention Center, One Sabin Street

If the film/performance event in the 95 Empire Black Box isn’t your thang (scroll down) head next door to the AS220 concert hall for live music with Sugar Honey Iced Tea, Kristen Ford Band, Rich Ferri and the Wealth on the Water, and the Crazy Exes From Hell.

come costumed and pay $4 to get in . . . no costume, you pay $6

spooky folks, spooky cocktails from The Bar @AS220, and spooky specials from FOO(D)

9pm to 11:45pm, Wednesday, October 31, AS220, 115 Empire Street

(10.23) Frank Difficult presents the Halloween Spooktacular Tuesday at 95 Empire Black Box.

Frank Difficult presents an evening of audio/visual horror. Featuring horrific short films, found footage clips and trailers, live multimedia assaults by Soft Target and Dave Public. Plus a live horror performance by Gyna Bootleg and Frank Difficult. More tba.

A night of weird short films, mostly local, some out-of-town. Always something. Poster after the jump.

$3, 9pm to 11pm, show at 10pm, Tuesday, October 23, Empire Black Box, 95 Empire Street

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Sorry this is late. Still time. Hurry. Go.

Same old haunts got you down? Then Doctor Gasp and his ghoulish folk songs are just what you are looking for this Halloween season! Come and celebrate his 10th Annual Halloween Special. This year he will be haunting the countryside with the “Misshapen Jack-O-Lantern Tour!”. These 31 shows combined make a connect the dots Jack-O-Lantern face on a map of New England… yikes! Behind the mask of this hideous creature is folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee and his bag of ghastly folk songs of vampires, ghosts, and yes… candy corn!

With Vudu Sister and Haunt the House.

$3, 9:30pm, Thursday, October 18, The Salon, 57 Eddy Street, Providence