WaterFire Providence would like you to see some photos from their New Year’s Eve 2009 Masquerade Party (held at the Old Stone Bank on S. Main, a beautiful building inside and out). The party celebrated not only the end of another brilliant year for WaterFire it kicked off their 15th year of public art in Downtown Providence.

First there is the final and special WaterFire of the season. The fourth annual “Flames of Hope” lighting will help mark ‘breast cancer awareness month’ and purchases of pink ribbons of light and pink glow necklaces will help support the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation and WaterFire. A torch ceremony begins at the State House (which will be bathed in pink) at 5:30pm.

You may also be interested in the Hot Tub Blowout Expo at the RI Convention Center today (until 8pm) and again tomorrow. This sure sounds like a tough sell; in this state? in this economy? Talk about a nonessential budget item. Then again I have a real problem with sharing big steaming tubs of hot water with other peoples’ feet . . . and their junk . . . and their business.

WaterFire lighting, Saturday night 6:18pm (to 12:30am), Downtown

There are several happenings tonight in addition to the usual fabulousness of the flaming floating braziers: Maker Faire is taking over the Sovereign Plaza at Weybosset and Westminster Streets from 2pm to 10pm; the author and the illustrator of the new children’s book WaterFire Duck will be signing their work from 6pm to 10pm by the stage in Waterplace Basin; the staff of Roger Williams Park is mounting a pumpkin preview with carved jack-o-lanterns to whet your appetite for their upcoming Halloween event; and there will be a Clear Currents installation involving canoes and paper fish. (Today’s details at WaterFire)

Lighting 6:51pm, Saturday, downtown

If you have ever wanted to have an up close, water-level view at WaterFire, now is your chance. WaterFire is looking for experienced paddlers to navigate canoes decorated with glowing fish among the braziers during the September 19th lighting. Canoe enthusiasts can get more information at the WaterFire website about how to be a part of the magic.

Flaming rivers of flaming flames — 100 braziers, atmospheric music, fried dough, Oracles, Fire Dancers, Origami Guy, and swing music at the Sovereign Plaza Ballroom with a free swing dance lesson at 7pm. Venetian carnevale masks will be available for $3 (at the Amica tables) with proceeds supporting Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island.

WaterFire 7:38pm to midnight, Saturday

The weather will be perfect for WaterFire or anything else for that matter. Head downtown at sunset for the lighting. Scheduled for the Plaza Ballroom at the Turk’s Head building, “a night of Latin rhythm featuring the Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, the Masacote Dance Company, and The East Side Edition.”

7:56pm, Saturday, downtown

Pretty nice weather for a stroll downtown — fried dough, oracles, glow sticks, music, people watching, beer. And you know what else summer in the city has going for it? No damn mosquitoes. Lighting at 8:07pm Saturday. More info at WaterFire.

With a special performance by Spogga and the Spogganauts. It looks like they start playing at 6pm on the stage at the Waterplace Park Basin and according to the announcement “at 8:30pm we set SPOGGA on FIRE!!! (It’s kind of a one time trick so you should be here)”. Fun for the whole family.

Also, the WaterFire website has the details of a special walking tour starting at the Roger Williams National Park.  Join Park Ranger John McNiff at 6:30pm at 282 North Main Street or call 521.7266.

And there is a concert at India Point Park at 7:30pm followed by fireworks tonight at 9:15pm. (Other events and fireworks at ProJo).

Okay, it looks like we’re actually going to be getting some decent weather. It is hoped that tonight’s WaterFire will impress the visiting mayors, and I’m sure that the irony of our hallmark spectacle being fire-related will not be lost on them. The creepy/soothing ambient music is a big part of the experience and the music page on the WF website explains some of what goes into this atmospheric mixtape.

The soundtrack often returns to works by four principal composers - the Estonian composer Arvo Part’s modern reinterpretations of ancient Christian and Russian Orthodox liturgical music; the Armenian folk melodies played by Djivan Gasparyan on the Duduk or Nay (an Armenian oboe); the American avant-garde composer David Hykes’ settings of various religious music for small chorus using vocal techniques derived from Tibetan “overchanting”; and selections from Nicholas Lens’ brilliant work Flamma Flamma - The Fire Requiem.

I knew that was Flamma Flamma. My sister owes me ten bucks, she thought it was Mony Mony. Click here for info on how to get your own music considered for use. Good website by the way — easy to navigate, informative, and visually appealing.

Sunset at 8:21pm, Saturday, 7pm salsa lessons at Turks Head Plaza followed by dancing 8pm to 11pm

You know the drill. Starts at sunset, creepy/soothing music, living statues, fried dough.  Bring your parents and maybe they will stop asking you questions about your future for an hour or so. Head downtown. The slight weather issues forecast for today should not be a problem.  Check the WaterFire website for updates.

Barnaby Evans has set up a First Giving page for those who wish to help support one of Providence’s most appealing attractions with a modest donation.

“It’s like adding your very own log to the fire!”

May I add my own note that WaterFire brings a lot of out-of-town tourism to the city, and a lot of extra cash revenue. I would consider a donation to WaterFire a well-paying investment in the City.

All the non-profits are hurting in this economy.  Making a donation can be a great way to cross someone off your gift list without leaving the house.  Here is a short list.

There is a rumor going around that there might be a New Year’s Eve WaterFire — help make that happen.

The medical marijuana advocacy group RIPAC still has work to do. They continue their lobbying efforts to establish dispensaries where patients could safely acquire some decent weed. This operation runs lean — your money will not be wasted.

Community MusicWorks on Westminster Street provides after-school education and performance workshops, filling in the gaping hole left by budget cuts in the public school system.

The Steel Yard asks you to support their annual appeal so they can continue with their community shop access and youth training programs.

The WaterFire theme tonight is ‘Flames of Hope’ to increase awareness of and raise money for breast cancer research.  A special ‘Flames of Hope Village’ will be set up across from the State House at the intersection of Francis and Gaspee Streets. Day-long events include: a family block party from noon to 4:30pm; a 5:30pm torch ceremony; and a $30 wine and art party — a $60 VIP pass gets you to the really good eating — from 6pm to 11:30pm. The State House will be bathed in a pinky glow. (More at ProJo.) Contact the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation at 861.4376.

Head up to the river from Steeple Street to Providence Place to view the flaming braziers.  I think we have some out-of-state visitors we are trying to impress, so drag a comb through your hair and act like you’ve been someplace. I am not a meteorologist, but I am predicting awesome with a chance of fabulous!

Wednesday/WaterFire/lighting at 6:51pm

The 5:18 update on the WaterFire website says they’re going for it. It looks like the weather has cleared up just for the event. So get down there. That fried dough isn’t going to eat itself. Starting time 8:02PM.

WaterFire starts tonight at 8:25PM.