PVD POV

Marisa Luse of Rhode Island Black Storytellers on the stories we tell. Every family has a storyteller. When does it become an art form? Marisa found RIBS through her son, a young author, then joined the first RIBS Legacy Program cohort. She also takes us behind the scenes of bringing the National Association of Black Storytellers Festival and Conference to Warwick. Plus a famous family connection...

Few people know the Providence Performing Arts Center like Alan Chille. He started there in 1984, when the building needed serious work and the budget was close to nothing. Forty-two years later, he’s PPAC’s president and CEO. In this episode, Alan walks us through the building’s life as a 1928 Loew’s State movie palace, the threat that nearly turned it into a parking lot, and the push that saved...

Caroline Payson didn’t grow up going to museums. She was raised in South Boston by deaf parents and was the first in her family to go to college. From there she found her way to the Cooper Hewitt in New York. Today she leads the Providence Children’s Museum, which turns 50 next year. In this episode, Caroline explains why the museum is built around play and what it means to give kids “ownership” o...

Some coffee shops are just coffee shops. Rise 'N Shine Coffee Bar, tucked into Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood, is something closer to a restoration project you can order a latte in. Owner Neal Kaplan came to Providence decades ago for graduate work at RISD, ended up renting a studio in a Smith Hill carriage house, and never really left — eventually buying that same building and spending year...

When visitors arrive in Providence, Phyllis Blanchette is often one of the first people to welcome them. In this episode of PVD POV, GoProvidence Visitor Services Manager Phyllis Blanchette takes us behind the desk at the Providence Visitor Center. She shares how answering a newspaper ad for a volunteer opportunity launched her career in tourism, what brought her back to Rhode Island and why perso...

Providence is a city best experienced by slowing down and noticing the details. This week on PVD POV, we're joined by writer and editor Elyse Major, editor-in-chief of Hey Rhody Media Co., whose work has also appeared in publications like Yankee Magazine., Providence Monthly, Hey Rhody, and publications throughout New England. Inspired by her recent feature highlighting the perfect spring weekend...

The Providence Tattoo Convention returns this August, and we're joined by co-founder Jeff Burt to talk about what makes the event unlike any other in New England. Jeff shares how the convention came to life, why Providence was the perfect home, the history of tattooing in Rhode Island, and what attendees can expect from this year's event, including world-class artists, live tattooing, entertainmen...

Secretary of State Gregg Amore joins PVD POV to talk about Rhode Island 250, the state’s role in America’s founding, and the events happening across Rhode Island to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. From rare copies of the Declaration of Independence to Liberty Tree plantings, WaterFire, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, and plans for a future Rhode Island History Center, this episode digs into wh...

In this episode of PVD POV, we sit down with James Beard–nominated chef Derek Wagner of Nick’s on Broadway. From starting as a dishwasher at 14 to building one of Providence’s most respected restaurants, Derek shares how he found his path in the kitchen, why he chose to stay in Providence, and how that decision shaped his approach to food. We also dive into his philosophy on sourcing, cooking with...

Spring in Providence means one thing: food truck season is back. On this episode of PVD POV, we sit down with Eric Weiner of PVD Food Truck Events to talk about how a single night with six food trucks turned into one of Rhode Island’s most anticipated weekly traditions. From Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park to new locations across the state, Eric shares how these events have grown into com...

  On the latest episode of PVD POV, we sat down with Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi to talk about one of the city’s newest additions and what it represents for Warwick as a whole. The conversation centered on the new outdoor skating rink behind City Hall, which has quickly become a popular gathering spot for families and visitors. Designed as a boutique, flat rink, the space was intentionally built t...

In this episode of PVD POV, we’re joined by Jennie Dorsey, Director of Education & Program Development at the American Cider Association, to talk about CiderCon , the premier global cider conference, coming to Providence for the first time ever. Taking place February 2–5 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, CiderCon brings together cider makers, industry professionals and enthusiasts alike f...

Providence is a waterfront city in ways a lot of people never see. In this episode of PVD POV, we sit down with Kristen and Tom from Providence Riverboat and The Landing to talk about river tours, local makers, and why seals and dolphins sometimes crash the party in downtown Providence. Kristen shares how The Landing grew into a year-round café and shop stocked with Rhode Island–made jewelry, cand...

Trinity Brewhouse is back with a fresh look and familiar vibe. Angel and Jason Winpenny, the team behind Patio on Broadway, walk us through revamping the space, bringing back fan-favorite art, launching Trinity Beer Co. in cans, and re-energizing the Mug Club. We talk menu updates, celeb sightings, WaterFire tents, and why being steps from the Convention Center and AMP matters for game days, conce...

The 195 District transformed what used to be a stretch of highway into one of Providence’s most vibrant gathering spots. Park Manager Jacob Nathan joins us to talk about its walkable design, packed event schedule, and what’s next — including the long-awaited pavilion with The Guild Beer Garden and Seven Stars Bakery. From yoga on the green to fireworks on the river, it’s all happening where the hi...

WaterFire isn’t just an event — it’s a tradition that’s shaped Providence for three decades. In this episode of PVD POV, we sit down with Chris Donovan, Development Manager at WaterFire Providence , to talk about what makes this public art installation so powerful, the stories it inspires and the community that keeps it alive. We also look ahead to FireBall: Phoenix Rising, WaterFire’s annual gala...

Roger Williams Park Zoo has long been one of the most beloved institutions in Rhode Island, and in this episode, we find out exactly why. Executive Director Stacey Johnson joins us to talk about what makes the zoo such a vital community asset, from behind-the-scenes conservation work to major upgrades like the new education center and the return of the penguins. We also dig into the surprising sci...

Send us a text This week on PVD POV, we sit down with Bradly VanDerStad, founder of Providence Tour Company , to talk about how one person’s love for the city turned into a thriving small business. From uncovering hidden histories to experimenting with new ways for people to experience Providence — like speakeasy-style strolls and art and architecture tours — Bradly shares what it means to build c...

Send us a text Rhode Island is having a movie moment, and we’re here for it! In this episode of PVD POV, we're joined by Shawn Quirk and Ericka Atwell from the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) to talk about what makes this event so unique, why Hollywood is paying attention to Providence and how local talent can get their big break. From screenings at iconic venues to red carpet gla...

Send us a text The latest episode of PVD POV takes us inside Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, where Rhode Island FC President David Peart and Stadium GM Paul Byrne reflect on a high-energy launch month packed with soccer, rugby, and Rhode Island flavor. From locally-sourced stadium snacks (yes, there’s a pastrami sandwich you need to try) to a growing calendar of events like concerts and cha...

Send us a text Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of a major meeting or convention? This week on PVD POV , we sit down with one of our own: Carley Foto from the Convention Services team at GoProvidence. Carley walks us through the magic of event planning, from pre-con visits and community outreach to why the bathrooms at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport deserve a standi...

Send us a text Nora Barré is back — our very first return guest on PVD POV! As Executive Director of the Downtown Providence Park Network, Nora is always up to something creative, and this time she’s unveiling her biggest project yet: a new Wayfinding system designed to connect downtown Providence through art, signage, and interactive installations. From 200 custom-designed banners to music-playin...

Send us a text What started as a pop-up has turned into one of the hottest spots in Providence! In this episode of PVD POV, we sit down with James Dean and Joe Hafner, the masterminds behind Irregardless Biscuit, to talk about their journey from pandemic pop-ups to a thriving business in the West Side. They share how a simple biscuit recipe sparked a sensation, their approach to keeping things fre...

Send us a text Sports tourism is big business in Rhode Island! From NCAA basketball to Rubik’s Cube competitions (yes, really!), Jonathan Walker, Senior Director of Sports Sales at the Rhode Island Sports Commission, takes us behind the scenes of how these events come to town. We’re talking economic impact, community involvement, and the surprising sports that bring thousands of visitors (and thei...

Send us a text In this episode of PVD POV, we sit down with Kat Craddock, editor-in-chief and CEO of Saveur magazine, to talk about her deep ties to Rhode Island’s food scene. From her journey in restaurants and food media to bringing Saveur back to print with a Rhode Island-based printer, Kat shares her passion for storytelling, quality publishing, and, of course, great food. We also dive into he...