Other Side by Barry Fain
A spectacular November Concert seventy years in the making
One of the biggest musical (and certainly important, historically) events of the season will be held on Sunday, November 9 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium when Temple Emanu-El and the Holocaust Education and Resource Center of RI combine in a full stage, 200 hundred person musical event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Kristallnacht riots in Europe. The concert, which is 70 years to the day of the tragedy which marked the beginning of the Holocaust, will be presented in seven parts with music and video. Organized by Cantor Brian Mayer of Emanu-El, the evening will include four cantor soloists, singers from churches, synagogues and universities around New England and a 40-piece professional orchestra. Narrating a special script written for the evening will be Mr. Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy, in what promises to be a most unusual once-in-a-lifetime event. Tickets are available by calling 421-ARTS and, we’re told, are going fast. Congrats to both the Jewish and non-Jewish community for daring to combine historical relevance and four centuries of music... in short, for going boldly where no man (or woman) has gone before.
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How to get a Head in this tough economy
One countercyclical business in a down economy is booze. The more the market is down, the bigger the brewskis. Which is probably good news to organizers of this year’s Great International Beer Festival on November 8 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Last year attracted some 220 entries and over 6,500 attendees. The event promises live music (Bourbon Boys during the day and Route 44 at night), food and of course unlimited sampling. The day will be divided into two separate tastings: 1-4:30pm and 6:30-10pm. Tickets are $36 at the door or available on line at www.beerfestamerica.com. A portion of the proceeds will go to the RI Community Food Bank. So on that note, Skoal, Salute, L’Chaim or whatever works for ya.
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Brown kicks into a higher gear
After its dramatic two-point victory over traditional rival Harvard in the rain last month, the Brown Bruins are poised to make a serious run at the Ivy League football championship this year. You’ll have two chances to cheer them on this month when they play Yale on November 8 and Columbia on November 22. The games are at Brown Stadium on the corner of Sessions and Elmgrove. What better way to spend a Fall afternoon than to pretend the Ivy’s love of the gridiron matches that of the Big Ten, only smaller. The Brown Bear himself (or is it herself?) will wander through the crowd offering hand to paw high fives and of course there’s the marching band, usually up to something humorously inappropriate. Tickets are cheap and good seats are always available. So on that note, go Bruno!
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Two East Side institutions pack it in
One of the best parts about retail on the East Side is that it remains a bastion for some wonderfully eclectic independent retailers. Of course the chains continue to make inroads, which is why it’s always sad when some of the old-time indies bite the dust. This past month, two of our favorites closed up shop. Spike’s, that great hotdog emporium on Thayer Street, was forced out by rising rents and an expansion from next door. It was recently described by one blogger as “the one place that could unite Thayer Street’s disparate population of college students, Eurotrash, bikers and teenagers.” Laments another blogger: “I’ll miss the sign that says ‘We’ll barter. Show us your breasts and we’ll give you a free hotdog.’ “ And Miko, with its scanty attire and sex, uh, implements, fell victim to over-expansion and has closed up its recently relocated store on Wickenden. Owner Jeff Gelman will be moving on to other pursuits as yet unclear. We’ll miss both operations and thank them for making our city the quirky, unpredictable place we love.
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Making Out on the Couches?
The Cable Car Cinema on South Main Street (you know, the art flick place with couches) has new owners. Daniel Kamil and Emily Steffiian have bought the place from longtime owner Albert Bilodeau who took over from his brother Raymond. The theatre was started 32 years ago. The new owners promise they will be retaining Cable Car’s commitment to independent and foreign films. They also say they will probably retain the couches, though admit a good cleaning may be order. Our guess is when they pick up the old cushions, they’ll find so much hidden change, they may end up covering the full cost of the purchase. Welcome to the new owners and here’s hoping the theatre’s wonderful tradition will remain intact. Interestingly the building itself is owned by RISD Holdings, part of an investment endowment fund that stipulates the property be used as an income-producing operation for the school’s endowment.
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Blue State Goes Read.
Despite the closing of Dunkin’ Donuts on Thayer Street, Thayer could never be accused of being caffeine deprived. Still we admit we’re quite excited by a new addition coming soon. As we all eagerly await the planned Brown Bookstore renovations in January, we understand a new, in-store coffee shop will be part of the upgrade. Borrowing the model made successful by Borders and Barnes and Noble, coffee and munchies would seem to be a perfect fit. Call it Brewing amidst the Browsing. We understand Blue State Coffee has won the contract, though we must admit we always thought bookstores represented a “read” state. More important we’re juiced up about the new and improved bookstore itself and hope it becomes a wonderful place to hang for both students and residents, picking up some of the slack created by the demise of the beloved, but now departed, College Hill Book Store.
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