EXPANDED: Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - February 24, 2023

HOT

Biden Travels to Ukraine

President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine Monday and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the capital city of Kyiv just ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In joint remarks with Zelensky in Mariinsky Palace, Biden spoke on the resilience of the Ukrainian resistance as the war enters its second year, noting how the international community initially feared Kyiv would fall in the face of Russia’s invasion.

“One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” Biden said.

HOT

Exciting New Art Space OVERLAP Opens in Newport

GoLocal's Michael Rose unveils the new gallery in Newport -- a must-read and a must-visit:

The demand for spaces to show compelling contemporary art is ever-present. Artists need walls beyond their studios to exhibit and viewers deserve to see art in galleries, where it can be best appreciated.

In Newport, local artist Susan Matthews has recently opened OVERLAP, a crisp new venue that combines gallery, shop, and studio into a singularly beautiful space. It is one of the finest new art venues Rhode Island has seen in years.

Located at 112 Van Zandt Avenue in a building that formerly housed a glass shop, OVERLAP features a stunning project space for rotating exhibitions organized by Director Alicia Renadette as well as a retail gallery space that will feature items like ceramics and jewelry by a variety of makers offered at accessible price points. At the rear of the building, owner Matthews has created an expansive new studio for active artistic practice.

READ MORE

HOT

Hendricken's Dynamic Duo - All-Star Game Part I

In September, GoLocal reported that two NBA coaches both attended Bishop Hendricken -- this week they were the head coaches for the 2023 NBA All-Star game, and Joe Mazzulla was recently named the permanent head coach of the Boston Celtics. 

Mike Malone PHOTO: Twitter, Joe Mazzulla, PHOTO: Fairmont

HOT

Celtics MVP - All-Star Game Part II

Jayson Tatum stole the show in Salt Lake City, scoring 55 points on 22-for-32 shooting to lift Team Giannis to victory in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

HOT

Joe Bruce, Now Playing Globally

Joe Bruce is one of Rhode Island's hottest music innovators—rapper, promoter, and collaborator.

Now, he is in France playing concerts.

GoLocal previously covered his international collaborations -- read more here. 

HOT

Viola Davis Snubed and Still Number 1

The Oscars snub certainly did not go unnoticed. 

Rhode Island’s Viola Davis, whose role in “The Woman King” landed her a Golden Globe nomination this year, recently took home a Grammy for “Best Audiobook Narration and Storytelling” for her memoir, “Finding Me.” 

She joined a small circle of artists who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) — and it is an exclusive club. Only 18 people have achieved the status, and Davis is the fourth Black artist to take home all the honors. 

But when it came time for this year's Oscars nominations — she was off the list. 

Davis’s 2022 film "The Woman King" is about the historic all-female warrior unit the Agojie, and how they worked to protect the African Kingdom of Dahomey.

It is now the number-one movie on Netflix. 

Overlooked by Oscars

The film is led by and stars a cast of Black women, including director Gina Prince-Bythewood -- who was also overlooked for a nomination. 

Davis topped industry publication Variety’s list of biggest Oscars snubs of the year. 

“Davis seemed certain to land her fourth acting nomination (and perhaps her first as a producer) for her stunning work in ‘The Woman King,’ a movie that not only garnered critical accolades but box office success as well. But her omission on the best actress list was one of the day’s biggest shockers,” wrote Variety. 

NOT

Billionaire Brown Student - NOT SO FAST

In September, GoLocal reported that Dylan Field, a 30-year-old Brown University dropout, was selling his company Figma to Adobe for $20 billion.

Well, don't spend the money yet.

Adobe shares fell as much as 5% in extended trading following a report that the U.S. Justice Department is planning a lawsuit to block the company’s $20 billion acquisition of Figma.

PHOTO: LinkedIn

NOT

Security Workers at Providence Place Mall Are Constantly Put in Danger

This past week -- a security officer at Macy's was threatened by a man with a knife.

A few months ago, a man tried to stab a security officer at the Mall.

In July, a CVS employee was stabbed at the mall.

NOT

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

The 38-car train that crashed on February 3.

The environmental disaster has sparked serious health concerns for the area's residents, who have expressed frustration over the slowness of the federal government's response to the crisis. 

Buttigieg finally showed up for a site visit. 

NOT

Productivity Problems

2022 is the first year since 1983 when there have been three straight quarters of year-over-year drops in average productivity per worker, according to CNBC.

And if overall productivity is down, the workforce in the City of Providence is among the worst in the country, according to a new study.

Out of 116 cities in the United States ranked — Providence ranked as the 7th "least hard-working city."

Providence is ranked 110th.

NOT

Exodus Continues - Top Women Leaving WPRI

Meteorologist Michelle Muscatello has announced she is leaving WPRI 12.

It marks the latest shakeup at the station, which saw Danielle North and Michaela Johnson depart at the end of 2022.

NOT

Ridiculous Excuses

GoLocal wrote a column about the state of the URI men's basketball program, which pointed out that last week's home game versus rival UMASS on ESPN and featured a celebration of the great 1987-88 Sweet Sixteen team failed to attract any students -- the student section was empty.

One URI fan took to social media to defend the lack of students attending the game, claiming they were away for the 3-day weekend. 

While URI fans skipped Rhode Island's big game, Providence College students packed their game over the weekend (SEE PHOTO OF PACKED PC STUDENT SECTION).

Need a better excuse.