A Pageant for Providence

A free, COVID-safe artistic experience.

August 13, 2021 | 11am
August 14+15, 2021 | 6pm
Providence, RI

The Tours

  • Broad St
  • Federal Hill
  • Pedestrian Bridge
  • State House
  • East Side
  • Downtown/Non-Walking

The Pageant for Providence celebrates the Providence community, provides space to reflect and reckon with the past year, and offers an opportunity for healing and catharsis as we dream into what post-pandemic life will look like. It is a piece made by and for the people of Providence, Rhode Island.

The Pageant begins as an “artistic audio walking tour” of the city, and concludes with a short communal ceremony and performance at the Providence Rink at Kennedy Plaza. You may choose one of six possible tours, and each tour has its own unique audio experience. Each tour concludes at the Providence Rink.

We respectfully honor the Narragansett people, their elders past and present, whose land Providence currently occupies.

Steps

  1. Register & select a tour.
  2. On the day of the event, you’ll receive an email or text message with a link to the streaming (or download) audio tour.
  3. Follow the self-guided audio tour at a leisurely pace (approximately 35 minutes).
  4. The tour will conclude at Kennedy Plaza for a short communal ceremony and performance.
  5. (Optional) Join us for an after-party at the Trinity Beer Garden next door.

The Artists

The Dreamers

As we lived through the events of the past year—the pandemic, the renewed push for racial justice and equality, the presidential election—we realized we didn’t want to make a play, that this moment felt much bigger than that, and required a different kind of art-making. We wanted to make a piece that would offer, not closure, but a powerful experience that would deepen our connections as we move through this period of “re-emergence.”

But, mostly, we wanted to honor the beauty and complexity of our dear city, and lift up the many Rhode Island artists that are involved.

Taibi Magar

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Westminster Street!

Tyler Dobrowsky

Fave PVD Spot

The area around Prospect Terrace, where you can see the State House and all of Providence, is especially dear to me

Eli Nixon

Links
Fave PVD Spot

The hill near the Del’s truck at India Point Park

Orlando Hernández

Links

Kristen Gibbs

Fave PVD Spot

the smokestacks at the power station, especially the first glimpse you get of them on 195 headed into the city

Michelle Cruz

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Fox Point. I like feeling the presence of our past Cape Verdean ancestors who landed here in 1893.

The Writers + Musicians

Susan Adekunle

Fave PVD Spot

My favorite location in PVD will have to be Federal hill because it’s an awesome street and if you are looking forward to eating in one of the best restaurants, federal hill has a couple.

Mary-Kim Arnold

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Swan Point Cemetery

Christina Bevilacqua

Links
Fave PVD Spot

The block of Westminster where it meets Weybosset (at the Turks Head Building) and its terminus at Memorial Boulevard (where it turns into College Street and crosses the river), walking in either direction.

Rachel Blumberg

Links

April Brown

Fave PVD Spot

My home is my favorite location in Providence

Marisa Brown

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Neighbor’s Lane

Tina Cane

Links
Fave PVD Spot

the view from Prospect Park

Kufa Castro

Reza Clifton

Umberto Crenca

Links
Fave PVD Spot

the river walk downtown. Spent many hours contemplating at the river

Julie Danho

Links
Fave PVD Spot

I love Waterplace Park. I work right next to the park and often try to look at it as a tourist, imagining how surprised I’d be to see that park—with its gondolas and pedestrian bridges—in Providence. I grew up in Rhode Island, and I’m still amazed when I remember what downtown looked like before the park was built and the rivers were uncovered.

Jackie Davis

Links

Darcie Dennigan

Fave PVD Spot

India Point Park at sunset

Dr. Carl Russell Gross Public Humanities Project

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Our favorite location is the Special Collections room in the James P. Adams Library at Rhode Island College. That’s where we read the Papers of Dr. Carl Russell Gross.

Phil Eil

Links
Fave PVD Spot

The Blackstone Park Conservation District, near the Seekonk River.

Mario Gomez

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Finding a spot near the water in India Point, next to the water but far away enough from the street / highway traffic.

Sherenté Harris

Links
Fave PVD Spot

My favorite street corner right now is at the corner of Angel and Benefit where the electric box mural is behind the First Baptist Church that says, “This is Narragansett Land”

Wanda Hopkins

Fave PVD Spot

My favorite street in Providence is North Main. This is where the Roger Williams Memorial Park is located. It is a piece of land that commemorates the generosity of the Indigenous people. It is a beautiful place to walk around, read historical facts, or just sit in. When I walk around this park, I am walking in the steps of my ancestors, The Narragansett.

Caitlin Howle

Links
Fave PVD Spot

There are two, the first is the park next to Plant City/the Pedestrian Bridge, because it gives me what I think is the best view of Providence and seeing the Superman building always gives me butterflies. Second is Benefit Street, specially looking at house 88. That’s where Sarah Whitman lived, and I cannot get over the fact she dumped Edgar Allan Poe’s ass and was a respected author in her own right. I’ve just started researching and writing about her.

Jane Hesser

Links
Fave PVD Spot

The ruins on Westminster Street downtown.

Katie Hughes-Pucci

Links
Fave PVD Spot

The corner of Hope St and Olney St (where I first met my husband on a blind date)

Daryl Jamieson

Julia Jarcho

Links
Fave PVD Spot

the swamp in blackstone park. giant turtles!

Tracy Jonsson

Links

Ricky Katowicz

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Whichever part I am currently in. I love this city too much to pick one spot but I am partial to my home on Medway, the cobblestones near Carpenter Street, Wayland Bakery, and India Point Park.

Vatic Kuumba

Matthew Lawrence

Links
Fave PVD Spot

South Water Street was always my favorite but it’s too popular now so I’ll pick short and narrow Union Street. It’s short and narrow but over the years so many of my favorite things have been on Union Street downtown. I saw my first concert when Lupo’s was on the corner (before it moved), spent far too much of my twenties in the Providence Eagle (before it moved), and have eaten and drunk way too much between Bodega Malasana (RIP) and now Oberlin.

Ronald Kevin Lewis

Marleny Luna

Catarina Lorenzo

Sidy Maiga

Fave PVD Spot

Downtown Providence (BurnSide Park)

Marta Martinez

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Weybosett Street, downtown PVD

Marcel Mascaro

Fave PVD Spot

There’s an alley near broad St. , behind the Micky D’s that has a beautiful graffiti of a panther , coming out of it’s skin?

Marco McWilliams

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Providence waterfront

Niko Merritt

Ana Bess Moyer Bell

Taylor Polites

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Roger Williams Park near my house has been a true lifeline throughout the past year+. It is a treasure.

Jonathan Pitts-Wiley

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Wooowww. Too tough to call! I’ll say wherever there are interesting stories to experience and capture with my camera.

Dave Rabinow

Links
Fave PVD Spot

the Bell Street Dog Park; as one of many families to adopt a “pandemic dog”, this park has allowed us to be outside and social even when things felt scariest. My favorite street, however…I love crossing the footbridge over the river near Memorial Park. I love (and am always nervous on) bridges; they always lead to something, but they’re not necessarily supposed to be there.

Catia

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Woonasquatucket River Greenway. It goes on forever and I love that little patch of nature and despite it being next to the highway I still find quiet and peace there.

Gina Rodriguez-Drix

Fave PVD Spot

--- aesthetically speaking, I love Wickendon Street! There’s something about the way the sunlight bends along the curve and on a good day, when the port doesn’t take over, you can smell the water. Other than that, I love the calm of Roger Williams Park, the sounds of Olneyville Square, the way people drive on Broad Street (I know I know) and pockets of downtown. I like cafés but am trying to graduate into liking bars.

Shey Rivera

Links
Fave PVD Spot

too many to name! But love walking downtown up to the pedestrian bridge.

Jennifer Sanchez

Fave PVD Spot

Prospect View Terrace. It’s still my go to place to find peace and tranquility when I feel anxious or overwhelmed

Sussy Santana

Links

Kate Schapira

Links
Fave PVD Spot

Sidewalk Ends garden

Mack H. Scott III

Deb Salem Smith

Links
Fave PVD Spot

The East Bay bike path.

Sylvia Ann Soares

Mike Stanton

Meg Sullivan

Links
Fave PVD Spot

My favorite corner is our MAP Clubhouse corner in Olneyville. I also love the Armory Park playground, now that I have a kid, and the Farmer’s Market there on Thursdays. I love Riverside Park and the Woony Bike Path. Yikes, I can’t choose a favorite, I’m sorry!

Tytain Sun

Fave PVD Spot

Mount Pleasant Library

Joel Thibodeau

Charlie Thurston

Fave PVD Spot

The Armory Park. The castle-like Armory looks so wonderfully out of place.

Val Tutson

David Valentin

Jay Walker

Links

Rose Weaver

Links

The Details

As we lived through the events of the past year, we sought to make an experience that would give space for mourning, for protest, to scream at the sky, and to hope for the future. A piece that would offer, if not closure, something like catharsis. A piece made of by and for the people of Providence, Rhode Island.

FAQs

Why is it called a Pageant?

We chose this title in reference to an earlier definition of “pageant,” which included “public entertainment that includes a procession.”

Where to park?

We suggest parking near your beginning location, where there should either be free or metered parking. Please note that after the central event you will have to walk back!

How long is the walk?

Each tour is about a mile from the starting point to the skating rink in Kennedy Plaza, taking about 35 minutes. The central gathering (once everyone arrives) will be about 20 minutes (about 75 minutes total).

The longest walk is from Broad Street and it is 1.25 miles, the shortest is The Pedestrian Bridge at .9miles. Each walk will have moments of rest, and you can always pause the audio tour if you want to! Remember you will either have to walk back from Kennedy Plaza or arrange other transportation. Wear your walking shoes!

Can I ride my bike?

Sure! Although the walking tour will be paced for walkers, so you might not have the optimal audio tour experience, but you are free to stop and start the file as you need to. Also, remember to be safe listening in your headphones while biking!

What if I don’t have a smartphone?

No problem! Just let us know when you make the ticket reservation and we will make sure to have an mp3 player available for your use during the event.

What if I don’t have headphones?

No problem! Just let us know when you make the ticket reservation and we will make sure to have an headphones available for your use during the event.

What if I don’t want to or am unable to walk?

No problem! Choose the Downtown/Non-walking tour!

What if I have a hearing disability?

Let us know during the reservation process and we will have a transcription available for whichever neighborhood you choose!

What if I speak Spanish?

Let us know during the reservation process and you will be given a Spanish translated audio tour!

Is there an age recommendation?

We recommend the Pageant for ages 12 and above!

What if I want to listen to all the audio tours?

You can! After the Pageant, all six audio tours will be available on our website for one year for any and all to listen to.

Will there be assistance at the event?

Yes! Pageant staff will be monitoring the audience as they go on their tour, and will be able to provide water and other assistance as necessary.

What happens if it rains?

We will be in touch with a rain date.

What steps are you taking to be COVID-safe?

We are committed to keeping Pageant for Providence Covid safe. To ensure your wellbeing amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we are working with the Brown University School of Public Health and are continually assessing federal and state policies and plan to abide by the latest guidelines.

  • The entire event is outdoors
  • All staff members and performers are fully vaccinated
  • All participants must either be fully vaccinated or show proof of a recent negative test
  • All attendants must take a short Covid screening before entry
  • All materials used for this event will be fully sanitized
What can I do to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
  • If you are experiencing any Covid-like symptoms, refrain from attending the event
  • If you are not fully vaccinated, make sure to wear a mask

Contact

Email us at pageantforprovidence@gmail.com with any questions!

Core Values

Anti-Racism

We acknowledge the centuries of systemic racial oppression in Providence. The Pageant has partnered with majority BIPOC artists, with BIPOC oversight throughout its creation and is structured for their self-determination.

Artistic Inclusivity

We believe that everyone is an artist. We recognize and value each person’s contribution to the Pageant, whether they are a writer, musician, an audience member, or part of our staff.

Community

The Pageant is made of, by, and for the people of Rhode Island. It highlights and invests in local writers, historians and musicians, and offers an opportunity for audiences to experience Rhode Island’s tapestry of artistry.

Our Supporters

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Website designed and built by Lara Henderson, Kay Belardinelli, and Amy Ferreira.