Storyte
ller Len Cabral is opening the former Black Rep space on Westminster for a new arts cafe and performance stage. I was sad to see it closed, it’s beautiful inside, and won’t be empty much longer.
PROVIDENCE — A nonprofit arts group, led by well-known Rhode Island storyteller Len Cabral, plans to use the former Providence Black Repertory Company building at 276 Westminster St. for a café and performance space called the Westminster Roots Cafe.
Cabral is board chairman of Providence Inner City Arts, which will operate the café. Cabral said the organization will present theater, storytelling, music, dance, poetry and community workshops in the new space, which he hopes to open sometime in March.
Part of the group’s mission is to showcase diversity within the city, he said, and he hopes to team up with local arts groups, libraries and educators.
Cabral said Providence Inner City Arts is best known for presenting the Florentine Faire and other community arts events throughout the city in the ’70s and ’80s. Cabral said the organization is not trying to duplicate the Black Repertory Company, although he was an admirer of Black Rep’s projects.