We knew we were going to be in the area around the time of WaterFire so we made sure to find a…read moreplace to stay and spend the night here. We had never been to anything like this or even really heard that much about it so we were interested to see what it was. WaterFire started about 30 years ago as an art installation that was meant to bring more people to the area and it definitely works. They light the braziers along the rivers, pipe beautiful music through the air and have volunteers on boats going from spot to spot, tending the flames and refilling the wood. There are tons of people there. Just walking and enjoying being outside and being together. The vibe is so relaxed and so peaceful but yet busy and exciting at the same time. It's kind of hard to describe unless you see it for yourself. We headed out around dusk when there was still light in the sky and it was a little chilly but I soon forgot about that. Words can't really express how you're just sort of drawn into the piece and beauty of this whole thing. I feel like this review can't even do it justice. We walked around for over an hour but our dog did start to get cold even though we had her in her jacket, so we headed back to where we were staying for a little while. Once it was dark and we were all warmed up, we headed out again because it was just so enjoyable to be there that we really wanted to come back. The second time we wandered through the street fair area and looked at some of the tables and street vendors. I got a really cool ring that was made out of a an old ornate spoon. There were also food vendors but everything was pretty busy so we ended up getting food on the way back to our hotel. There were families and groups of friends and couples, all just soaking in the magic and ambiance and ultimately we drifted back towards the water again because that is where the real magic is. We sat for a long time watching people float by in gondolas and watching the volunteers slowly push the boats through the canals, adding wood to the flames causing them to rise up. Everyone was friendly and in a good mood and strangers were chatting with each other. There was a real sense of community and peace. This was honestly one of the most romantic evenings I've had with my husband in a long time as well. We nuzzled noses and shared a few kisses to the music and the flame. If you are anywhere near Providence during WaterFire, don't even think about it just go. It's totally free! You don't need tickets or even to plan really. You can just enjoy the fire light and the music and being together in a beautiful place. It's absolutely unforgettable.

Last night, the Waterfire theme was Clear Currents. A yearly event that brings kayak enthusiasts…read moreto the river and basin with brightly lit paper fish figures. One of the Chinese dragon boats from the Pawtucket Dragon Races made an appearance as well. The event was very well attended, with many areas of the Riverwalk at capacity during peak times. Foot traffic jams made it difficult to navigate freely around the basin area. Lots of vendors and food trucks located around the RISD campus gave the event an even more festive flair. A great way to bring downtown Providence alive !

Great costumes, brutal storyline…read more We would threaten our children with a big nazo performance if they didn't behave. To them, it was the serious punishment.

Passed by this place while on my way to the Biltmore and was like "what the hell is this place!?"…read moreSo when I was done at the Biltmore (a baby shower, not a trick, get your mind out of the gutter), I went back to take a closer look. The window display is really cool and incredibly interesting as you can see by the pictures. Of course I yelped them when I got home and then did some research....they're going to be performing in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver! Excited to see them perform!

This is a great theater, especially for comedy shows. I like that it is a little smaller than PPAC,…read moreit is more manageable and no bad seats in the house. It is a beautiful theater. There is a good amount of parking in the area, but definitely need to plan ahead to walk up the hill if you don't use their parking lot. Their parking lot is expensive in my opinion, so I always try to find street parking or use the mall garage. They get really great shows here too. My only complaint is that the shows NEVER start on time.

Great historic theatre in Providence! We most recently saw The Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge…read morehere and it was a sold out show. Even with a full house, there was no line to get in. We were greeted kindly by the ticket scanners and the ushers, and were led to our seats. There are adequate restrooms on both floors and we experienced very little wait time there as well. Our seats were awesome - Front row of the balcony all the way on the left, and the view was perfect. Taking a star off because the sound wasn't very balanced in this part of the venue, but it was still a great show. Seats here are comfortable, the theatre is beautiful, and there is a lot of street parking as well as a lot close by to the theatre. Vets is smaller than its sister theatre, PPAC, and a little more manageable. Great place for a concert or a theatre performance.

Great place to catch a Live Pro(v) wrestling. Nice little setup in downtown Providence, with other…read moreamenities as well.

Perishable Theatre is an incredible demonstration of what happens when sheer will, passion for the…read morearts, dirty hard work, and a rare genetic disease intersect (for reals! See below). The shows are great (and getting better!), they have a slew of weekly events (improv! dance dance party party!), they offer affordable classes (playwriting! acting! belly dance!), AND they are a centrally-located studio rehearsal option for other performing artists. Jingle Belles and a Few Balls, their yearly fundraiser, is a well-cherished holiday tradition in Providence: a burlesque-heavy variety spectacular with a kooky theme - what else can get you in the holiday spirit but some breasts donning glittery Santa Claus pasties? Their tagline is 'Rhode Island's Research & Development Theatre' because they are one of the only theatres in Rhode Island that present original works from nation-wide sources. That's awesome, AND I think this label often gets them unfairly dismissed as a playground for the avant-garde theatre set. Although they do a fair share of experimental stuff, I have seen some incredible, super-audience friendly performances at Perishable. I've been attending shows at the theatre for the past five years, and the quality of performances increases steadily with each season. 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch', performed this past April, was seriously some of the best theatre that I have seen in Providence. The theatre is a black box with handicap access, tickets are affordable to the masses, the bathrooms are clean and spacious (there's two one-at-a-timers), and you can bring in drinks from the AS220 bar next door (bonus!). Free parking can be a pain if it's a busy night downtown, but parking behind the library is usually a good, free bet on any night of the week. The staff of the theatre is small, but VERY dedicated and includes Amy Lynn Budd - director of the theatre arts school and momma of the burlesque scene in PVD. As part of Perishable's season, Amy Lynn is presently working on the third iteration of her biographical play called 'The Thing That Ate My Brain....Almost', a wacky Ed Wood-esque horror flick/comedy detailing her experiences living with a rare and nearly-fatal genetic illness called VHL. Amy Lynn's play is a great example of the kind of the bizarrely gripping tales of humanity you'll see onstage at Perishable. From such a small budget and rather limited space comes some really well-done theatre. I would caution more conservative patrons to do some reading about a show before you attend - there is no denying that some of their work can be, well....weirder than your average community theatre. If you're looking for safe, stick to PPAC. If you're down for a little theatrics - get to Perishable!

Our friend who lives in Providence discovered the Wilbury Theatre Group completely by accident, as…read moreshe was looking for activities for us to do during our visit. We managed to catch the opening night showing of Once while we were in town and really enjoyed ourselves. I believe it's first-come-first-served seating, so I do recommend coming early if you want a specific seat. We were a little bit late and arrived about 15 minutes before the show and somehow managed to get the last 3 seats together. The show was great - it felt like very intimate, which was a completely different experience to my first time seeing Once, which was on Broadway in a huge theater.

An award-winning, not-for-profit professional theatre company, The Wilbury Theatre Group engages…read morethe community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. The theater's leadership group is idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in their mission to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires. I volunteer as an usher and I have enjoyed many of the thought provoking productions that make you think...many out of the box. The director of the group, Josh Short has the vision to bring to Providence, many plays and productions that provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, with performances that tackle a wide range of contemporary themes and incubate new ideas through clear storytelling and artistic innovation. They have many levels of tickets, with some of them being offered as "pay what you can", to allow all people to enjoy good theater. Their new setup at the Waterfire Arts Center on Valley street, provides a solid venue with great facilities and parking for all patrons, including a bar and a nice roomy lobby.

Recently, I took part of the Providence Ghost Tour. It was great…read more Courtney, our tour guide and owner was full of information, stories and tidbits regarding the history of Providence and some of its famous ghosts who actively still make themselves visible in the area. The tour starts and ends at Prospect Terrace Park, right by the Roger Williams statue. It is about 90 minutes long and it does take you around several sites around College Hill where you will hear stories about lovers, soldiers, poets and many other who have died and have stayed behind as ghosts. Check it out next time you have a few free hours during the evening. Tours run daily.

Did the ghost tour from Prospect Park on Tuesday night with my newly graduated kid. Was a fabulous…read moreexperience and Courtney is so knowledgeable, funny, personable, organized and prepared! You can tell how much she cares about Providence and the world of life and death :) It was a terrific experience and I felt very important following my guide in her gorgeous period dress, too. Thank you!

World Class Ballet Company in Providence RI. I was fortunate last night to accompany my brother to…read morea performance of Up Close on Hope at Festival Ballet Providence. This was an intimate performance in one of the larger rehearsal halls that held ~140 patrons. Each of the numbers were original pieces choreographed by a company member, unique and wonderful in their own right. The performances were moving, emotional and uplifting. A pleasure supporting this up local talent!

this is the worst place in ri for ballet. not only do they treat their dancers horrible but they…read moretreat the parents the same when they try to speak up about the treatment. not to mention the director tried to rip off Boston ballet and tries to rip off local ballet companies names. have some honor and dignit. I swear since the last director passed this company has taken a nose dive downhill. Do not send your kids here for classes unless you enjoy being humiliated in front of other students.