303 replies to this topic

[Cotuit]

eltron, on May 3 2005, 01:39 PM, said:

I just got back from Buenos Aires, and the city is filled with street fairs and activity, performers of all kinds (including a full blues band just wailing away on the street) vendors, etc. Its a sponteneity that gives it real flavor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's all very chicken and egg though. You need people on the streets that will pay the buskers to make it worth their while to be there. But at the same time, the buskers and the atmosphere they create is what is going to make people want to be on the streets.

I think we need the retail to flesh out on Westminster and other parts of Downcity, and the new residents that will come with the condos (especially at OneTen) will help add more people to the street. Maybe then we'll hit a critical mass where it makes sense for buskers and other street activity to flourish. More food vendors during the summer would be a good thing too. We need more then Dell's Lemonade too.

You can't really depend on WaterFire nights alone to make the street scene come alive.

[Lova]

Buskers and vendors feed on a critical mass of pedestrians. Waterfire has it, Westminster does not. Also, the city has to understand that licensed venues are not the answer to every social activity. Regulation is taxation, friction, constriction. It's getting much too tight in RI.

Waterfire can 1) grow street life and 2) acclimate the public. If buskers know they can come down to waterfire and make $300, they will do it again, and maybe even move closer to the action, then try Wesminster on a Friday, Weybossett on a Thurs... Enrich the environment.

I'd also like to see full moon parties, maybe at Waterplace or India Point. Just provide power for bands and let it happen.

[Cotuit]

Lova, on May 3 2005, 04:21 PM, said:

I'd also like to see full moon parties, maybe at Waterplace or India Point. Just provide power for bands and let it happen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WaterFire proves that people want to be Downcity. Ways need to be found to entice them at non-WaterFire times. I think the good news is the mayor totally understands that we need arts venues be it shows at PPAC, or a guy playing the harmonica on a corner. Problem is the city is desperate for money, it's really tempting to try to squeeze 10 bucks out of that harmonica player if you can.

[Magellan98]

Prov Place stores will remain open until 11Pm on Waterfire nights this summer according to the Projo.

[matt]

Magellan98, on May 22 2005, 03:42 PM, said:

Prov Place stores will remain open until 11Pm on Waterfire nights this summer according to the Projo.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

good.  two words: Mens Room

[CtownMikey]

we shoulda met tonight at the first 2005 waterfire.. but of course i have to F-ing work tonight

[Cotuit]

CtownMikey, on May 27 2005, 03:01 PM, said:

we shoulda met tonight at the first 2005 waterfire.. but of course i have to F-ing work tonight

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there one tonight, because there's one tomorrow?

[CtownMikey]

sry.. i meant saturday night

[Frankie811]

Barnaby Evans brings Waterfire to Columbus, OH.


http://www.waterfireonthemile.com/

[Cotuit]

So Columbus stole all those braziers!  

I like the picture of Columbus superimposed over the Basin Waterfire.

[Frankie811]

http://www.pbn.com/c...s.php/id/116204

[Frankie811]

http://www.projo.com...1.17bf5146.html

[ruchele]

On the conversation of if we need a Waterfire replacement, I think it's more than time.  I mean, Waterfire can keep going, say, once a month in the summer, for those people who continue to enjoy it.  But I'm not really all that turned on by the pseudo-spiritual music and the accompanying pseudo-solemnity of it. I have been twice in the past 10 years-  it was cool, but I don't need to go back, and I think many people feel the same way.  

I'd much rather just have the musical performances, street performers, food vendors, and other events that have built up around Waterfire occuring regularly.  Why not just have a bi-weekly River Festival, where we can just get together and enjoy the company of the rest of the city, hang out downtown, and appreciate live arts performances?  Or a whole series of summer festivals on different themes?  I think that would be a good enough excuse to come out for a good time, without it being the whole Barnaby Evans ego-extravaganza. He may have a trademark on the "burning stuff to music"  idea, but we certainly don't need that to have a good party. Or do we?

[Frankie811]

ruchele, on Aug 11 2005, 08:53 PM, said:

On the conversation of if we need a Waterfire replacement, I think it's more than time.  I mean, Waterfire can keep going, say, once a month in the summer, for those people who continue to enjoy it.  But I'm not really all that turned on by the pseudo-spiritual music and the accompanying pseudo-solemnity of it. I have been twice in the past 10 years-  it was cool, but I don't need to go back, and I think many people feel the same way. 

I'd much rather just have the musical performances, street performers, food vendors, and other events that have built up around Waterfire occuring regularly.  Why not just have a bi-weekly River Festival, where we can just get together and enjoy the company of the rest of the city, hang out downtown, and appreciate live arts performances?  Or a whole series of summer festivals on different themes?  I think that would be a good enough excuse to come out for a good time, without it being the whole Barnaby Evans ego-extravaganza. He may have a trademark on the "burning stuff to music"  idea, but we certainly don't need that to have a good party. Or do we?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think your definately missing something at Waterfire. Some people just don't get it. It's like the people I see drive down Ocean Drive in Newport doing 40mph and not stopping. Some people just can't bring themselves to stop and smell the roses. Always something to do, somewhere to go, people to see and places to be seen at. Always in a rush and usually stress out. After all, who wants to see wood burning on the water with somber music. When the people stop coming in cars and buses in the thousands then let's stop Waterfire. Not before.

[Nyuszi]

Aww, why's everyone hating on the WaterFire?  I think it's great - it's one of the reasons I moved here, I still go 3-4 times per year, and it's one of the few times I feel the downcity really come alive.

I agree that it's become a Providence institution, in line with the Swan Boats, and should continue as long as it sustains itself.

It's also SO MUCH more that some crazy former RISD students' pretentious art installation.  (I actually had that though during the last one I attended - that if you describe WaterFire, it sounds weird and awful, but once you go, you see how wonderful it is.)  The Sovereign Ballroom is always well attended and feels like a great street party, the incorporation of Sound Session a few weeks back was excellent, and there's always food vendors on the east side of the canal.

I mention all this because, at the beginning of the summer, I was kind of WaterFire-d out.  I'd never found my way south enough to discover the auxilliary things I just listed.  The Cape Verean night was probably the most fun I've had in RI this year.  But none of that would exist now without WaterFire, and if WaterFire goes, it'll be gone too.

[Frankie811]

Nyuszi, on Aug 11 2005, 09:10 PM, said:

Aww, why's everyone hating on the WaterFire?  I think it's great - it's one of the reasons I moved here, I still go 3-4 times per year, and it's one of the few times I feel the downcity really come alive.



I mention all this because, at the beginning of the summer, I was kind of WaterFire-d out.  I'd never found my way south enough to discover the auxilliary things I just listed.  The Cape Verean night was probably the most fun I've had in RI this year.  But none of that would exist now without WaterFire, and if WaterFire goes, it'll be gone too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes that was a great night. The weather was perfect. So where did you move from?

[Baines]

ruchele, on Aug 11 2005, 06:53 PM, said:

On the conversation of if we need a Waterfire replacement, I think it's more than time.  I mean, Waterfire can keep going, say, once a month in the summer, for those people who continue to enjoy it.  But I'm not really all that turned on by the pseudo-spiritual music and the accompanying pseudo-solemnity of it. I have been twice in the past 10 years-  it was cool, but I don't need to go back, and I think many people feel the same way. 

I'd much rather just have the musical performances, street performers, food vendors, and other events that have built up around Waterfire occuring regularly.  Why not just have a bi-weekly River Festival, where we can just get together and enjoy the company of the rest of the city, hang out downtown, and appreciate live arts performances?  Or a whole series of summer festivals on different themes?  I think that would be a good enough excuse to come out for a good time, without it being the whole Barnaby Evans ego-extravaganza. He may have a trademark on the "burning stuff to music"  idea, but we certainly don't need that to have a good party. Or do we?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let me support your position with modifications...Waterfire is a great operation and gives Providence a signiture identity...it should stay. What it needs is to be enhanced and supported by making it a venue for concerts..there are still many older big name groups and some newer ones that would draw enough for Waterplace to handle to the max and provide high quality music - where are the concert promoters and the city on this?? An entire Summer series could be held.

[Cotuit]

Baines, on Aug 11 2005, 09:21 PM, said:

What it needs is to be enhanced and supported by making it a venue for concerts..there are still many older big name groups and some newer ones that would draw enough for Waterplace to handle to the max and provide high quality music - where are the concert promoters and the city on this?? An entire Summer series could be held.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It would be nice to get a more youthful component involved in the ancilliary events. A few times a year have a concert at Station Park (not jazz, not ballroom, something the 20-somethings are into).

[Frankie811]

Cotuit, on Aug 11 2005, 11:30 PM, said:

It would be nice to get a more youthful component involved in the ancilliary events. A few times a year have a concert at Station Park (not jazz, not ballroom, something the 20-somethings are into).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmmmmmm   I'm not to sure about that. In the past I believe it was either WBRU or WHJY that held concerts there during the summer. But I can't remember if there was any trouble there or at the mall or not. Despite the music, I still see all age groups represented at Waterfire.


http://www.urbanplan...ndpost&p=100880


http://www.urbanplan...ndpost&p=103209

[Frankie811]

I don't see why we are having this debate about waterfire now. The crowds are still coming, from near and far, to enjoy a free and popular public display of art. It's heartwarming to see families, friends, lovers, strangers, couples and groups relax and take in the moment. For those who are tired of Waterfire I say fine, stay away. Barnaby Evans is an artist who's not about to see Waterfire turned into some kind of freak show that you all want to see it become. But I yield that new music needs to be introduced at some point.