Connect Providence » Places

Providence Love Fest Returns to City Hall

Mike Ritz — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:14:28 +0000

I HEART PROVIDENCE

Connect Providence and Providence Monthly invite you to gather at Providence City Hall (25 Dorrance St) from 6-8pm on Thursday, February 11, 2010 for the second annual I HEART PROVIDENCE.

I HEART PROVIDENCE is an outwardly expressed who’s-who celebration of people’s love for Rhode Island’s capital. The event is open to the public and features complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drinks and live musical performances inside Providence City Hall, followed by an after party at nearby Aspire Restaurant, 311 Westminster Street.

“I HEART PROVIDENCE provides a way for people to show their love for our great city,” says event creator Mike Ritz, “Thousands of people inside and outside Rhode Island viewed the online video created from our private confessionals at last year’s event. This year, New Urban Arts and PhotoBooth Planet are assisting us with an on-site project that will be created by each attendee. We call it, ‘Give Your Heart to Providence.’”

In partnership with One Financial Plaza (Providence’s second largest

One Financial Plaza's Big Heart

building, aka the Hospital Trust Building), local artist Carla Ricci will brighten the Providence skyline by arranging light from the building’s windows to create an oversized heart from the 17th-22nd floor which will be viewed by the whole city.

“About a block from City Hall, the One Financial Plaza heart will be seen from I-95 and serve as a beacon to everyone taking part in the festivities on February 11th. Plus, it will serve as a symbol of everyone’s monumental love for the city on Valentine’s Day. Providence, will you be our Valentine?” asks Ritz.

Food for I HEART PROVIDENCE is provided by Ebisu, El Rancho Grande and Hudson Street Deli. Desserts are provided by Cutie Pies, Sin Custom Cakes, and Tip C Cupcakes. Miss Wensday & The New Medicinals will dazzle attendees with great live musical performances throughout the night. Cash bars provided by the RI Convention Center. Arts and crafts provided by Queen of Hearts Providence. Providence trivia will be provided by Quahog.org. Video documentary of the event to be produced by The 989 Project.

See last year’s video, The People’s Confessions.

RSVP to EVENT

About I HEART PROVIDENCE
I HEART PROVIDENCE is Connect Providence’s signature event to further connect the people inside the city to the people outside of the city and state. This event is celebrated on the Thursday before Valentine’s Day at City Hall annually.

The results are in… Providence scores HIGH!

Mike Ritz — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:37:55 +0000

The people have voted and Travel + Leisure has published the results. Providence scored high in many categories. It probably comes as no surprise that our food and airport are getting top ranks.

CHECK IT OUT!

Providence Needs Your Vote

Mike Ritz — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:30:05 +0000

Vote early and often.

Let the rest of the U.S. know what we already do.
Between April 16 and May 15, visitors to travelandleisure.com can vote on which cities to include in this year’s “America’s Favorite Cities” survey, which opens June 1 –only five will make it into the ultimate lineup of 30 cities.

Show your dedication to the Ocean State by voting in the Travel + Leisure America’s Favorite Cities. There are just 10 on the list to choose from, so the choice is easy. Providence is one of them. We’re about to make it easier for you. What does Anchorage have to show for itself? Detroit is only known for rusting motors. Kansas City can boast a song title of the same name and barbecue sauce, but what else? Memphis has a sweeping history, but does it have a future? Salt Lake City needs to be sweeter to be a contender, and St. Louis is merely the largest city in Missouri. Baltimore, Houston and Cleveland are just too sprawling to feel cozy. The obvious selection, and one we all “heart,” is Providence. Cast your vote today.

I HEART PROVIDENCE: The People’s Confessions

Mike Ritz — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:11:03 +0000

I HEART PROVIDENCE: The People’s Confessions from Mike Ritz on Vimeo.

Those of us who live in Providence already know how great our capitol is. Now is the time to share that love with the rest of the world…to attract others who understand our creative will, friendly community, and appreciation for personal liberty and independent thought. Showing others our great city will bring opportunity. We welcome newcomers who share our vision and bring ingenuity and innovative ideas that meld into our community consciousness. We are the smallest state in the country, but we have the BIGGEST heart.

“The People’s Confessions” is a free online video that we encourage everyone to link to and upload to as many websites and online forums as possible. Saturate the internet with our Providence love. Have visitors coming from out-of-state? Send them our video. Have co-workers, family, and friends around the world? Send them our video. “The People’s Confessions” is Providence’s business card – distribute it.

WE HEART PROVIDENCE!
Owen Johnson & Mike Ritz

Where’s that $138 million going?

Mike Ritz — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:14:34 +0000

WBNA on left. Leadership Rhode Island on right. Photo by Elaine Collins.

The buzz term lately has been “shovel-ready” projects. The Westside has announced that $3.3 million is headed to Westminster Street.

Visit the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to see where the rest of it is going.