Artclectic New England

This podcast was created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of incredible arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. On today’s show, the phenom known as Anita Crackinstuff returns with Don’t Save the Laughter for After...a new segment about local history, and a song by local band, Belly . But first, an interview with Sokeo Ros of Everett Company Stages School. He serves as the Co-artistic director and director of hip hop program. Everett is a multi-disciplinary performance arts incubator. It includes a Company, Stage and School, with a group of artists who create, perform, teach and mentor students. The school explores complex social issues through a combination of theater, dance, music and video. At the heart of the organization is the belief that the arts can transform lives across cultures, generations, and economic backgrounds, and create a more just, equitable and joyous future. Anita Crackinstuff. She is Big Nazo's most loyal fan, ...

Podcasting is a great way to share information, whether it has a local or global perspective.   If you have just starting producing your show – or you are thinking about launching one – this is going to be a very helpful session for you! I have over two decades’ experience in the world of radio and producing other audio content.   A few months ago, I launched an audiozine called Artclectic New England. It spotlights arts, culture, and lifestyle in the region.    You can listen to it here:   https://soundcloud.com/artclectic-new-england This two class session will feature tips and tricks on how to rock your podcast because it is all about the planning, the execution, and the distribution so you can share it with the world.   Here are some of the things we will be talking about: interview prep, working with a co-host, creating an editorial calendar, creating a script – just to name a few. The cost is $30 for both classes – that’s it! And, I’ll eve...

I attended a really fun event at AS220 Industries back in April: DRINK + INK!  It is a ticketed event at the space that provides supervised access to some of their equipment to make things and, of course, there is wine (plus some tasty snacks). I was familiar with the general scope of offerings made by the arts organization  which includes a performance space and gallery along with classes.  I had an impressionable conversation with their community membership manager, Edwige Charlot, that led me to sign up for my very first class: Intro to Letterpress (the special discount I received from attending the social event helped, too!). A class on letterpress had been on my bucket list for quite a few years now, so I was pleased as punch to see that my June schedule aligned with the date the two-part class was taking place. I had a great time with the other attendees learning how to make a plate to make my very first letterpress art.   If you have in a s...

I took my very first class with  Frequency Writers  this past weekend at  What Cheer Writers Club  and what a fantastic class it was! Frequency is a growing community of writers based in Providence, Rhode Island. Through workshops, free events, talks, readings, and open mics, they aim to engage writers of all levels of experience, ages, and backgrounds. The studios they offer are both to challenge and support students, while also encouraging collaboration with other local creative communities. Frequency is a moving creation of the people in it. Kristen Falso-Capaldi  is a writer and teacher who served as our instructor for the four hour session on how to manage your time so you can prioritize your writing. There were nine of is in the room and each of us came with our own unique story as to why we want to write and what prevents us from doing it. I walked away with a fantastic reading list and share it here with you (thanks, Kristen!) if you are inter...

I am one of the sixteen people who has never seen Little Shop of Horrors.  How can that be?  Well, it took me some time but I did get to see a very fine production of it this past week at Trinity Rep. If you are on of the other fifteen people who have also never seen the show, here is a quick rundown: A strange and unusual plant seems like just the thing to save a beleaguered Skid Row flower shop and its hapless employees, Seymour and Audrey. But when that plant turns out to feed only on blood and is inclined toward world-domination, well… things get a little messy. The off-off-Broadway show of the early eighties was based on the low budget film from 1960.  Later, in 1986, Frank Oz directed a film that started Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, and Bill Murray (!). It has a typical Hollywood ending from what I gather. Trinity Rep, set designer, Sara Brown, offered up a colorful stage set up that offered ample opportunity for actors to move around and really use the spa...

I am so excited to launch my new podcast, Artclectic New England !  Thanks to What Cheer Writer's Club, Anita Crackinstuff, and The Callouts for being part of this program.  Here is the script to give you and idea of what is included in the show! Hello and welcome to the first episode of Artclectic New England…I’m your host, Dennise Kowalczyk.  This is a new podcast created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of delicious arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. It is a work in progress but expect to hear a lot about my new hometown, Providence, in every episode because, well, it is that amazing. On today’s program, a reflection piece that includes a song by local band, The Huntress and Holder of Hands , but first, an interview with the staff of What Cheer Writer’s Club – it is a non-profit located in downtown Providence, RI – and full disclosure:  I am a new member and producing Artclectic New England in the new podcast st...

One of my pleasures of living in Providence, Rhode Island is the discovery of new-to-me loveliness.  Tonight was one such experience. My new friend, Christine (*) recommended I check out this cool place called riffraff , a combination bookstore and bar, located  in Olneyville which is only a few blocks away from my home: "Riffraff draws its inspiration from the best independent bookstores and neighborhood bars, establishments that are welcoming and comfortable and integral to the community. It's the kind of place where readers looking for a selection of thoughtfully curated books might sit down at the bar and ask their neighbor what they’re reading, and where those meeting a friend for a good inexpensive drink might also pick up a book at the same time." I love this place!  I think I learned about an event featuring two authors through What Cheer Writer's Club and decided to check it out.  Tonight, Caren Beilin - author of Spain - and Aaron Shulman - auth...