Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - March 28, 2025
GoLocalProv
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - March 28, 2025
We have expanded the list, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Over the past 14-plus years, more than 7,000 have been tagged as HOT or NOT.
Email GoLocal by midday on Thursday about anyone you think should be tapped as "HOT" or "NOT." Email us HERE.
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - March 28, 2025
HOT
Erminio Pinque: The Artist Behind Big Nazo
Michael Rose has a great column on a master creator and his new show:
If you have attended a WaterFire or scores of other events in Rhode Island in the last couple of decades, you may have run into a troop of colorful robots, aliens, and other creatures. Known as Big Nazo, these larger-than-life puppets are the brainchild of local artist Erminio Pinque. In this project, he has organized performances throughout the region and around the world.
Now, through April 12, Rhode Islanders can see original drawings and artworks by Pinque in Angell Street Galleries, a new space at 324 Angell Street in the heart of the East Side.
HOT
Harry Potter is Coming to Providence - PPAC Announces Six Broadway Shows for 2025-26 Season
The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) announced on Tuesday that six critically acclaimed and award-winning shows will be part of the upcoming Broadway season in Providence.
PPAC President Lynn Singleton said that "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" coming to Providence is a major win for the venue.
According to Singleton, PPAC currently has around 13,000 season subscribers; he said that the show, based on the popular book series, could bring in "an additional 3,000 to 4,000" more.
"A high tide lifts all boats," he added.
Singleton said, “We invite you to ‘come along for the ride’ and join us as a subscriber to PPAC’s 48th Broadway Season. A number of shows in our upcoming season have storylines where the lead characters go on a ‘great adventure’ to a new destination or a new state of mind."
HOT
Phil Martelli Jr.
Bryant's men's basketball coach is off to take the top spot at VCU.
He played a tremendous role during his two seasons at the helm in Smithfield, and made a big impact on the program and the school in just a short span.
HOT
NCAA Tournament Bound
The Providence College men’s hockey team is in the NCAA Division I Tournament, and the Friars will play the University of Denver in the 1st round in the Manchester region; the game is on Friday at 5:30 PM.
Ten years ago, the Friars beat the Boston University Terriers 4-3 to win the 2016 National Championship in Boston.
GoLocal sports columnist has a great preview of Friday's game - READ HERE.
This season, the Friars are 21-10-5.
About NCAA Hockey Championships
The tournament features 16 teams, all competing for a national title in a single-elimination tournament. Regional play takes place from March 27-30; the four regional winners will move on to the Frozen Four, where the semifinals will be held on April 10.
The national title game on April 12 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO.
HOT
Big Weekend in Providence
The Culinary Collective and the Lil Rhody Laugh Riot comedy festival take over Providence this weekend.
The city will be hopping - don't miss out on any of the fun.
NOT
South American Dictators Have Nothing on These Two
Some of Rhode Island's mayors appear to be oblivious to ethics and we hate to besmirch South American dictators, but these two seem oblivious.
NEWPORT
GoLocal started asking questions this week about a strange relationship between a Newport organization seeking financial sponsorships, that then requested that people send their donations to the Mayor of Newport’s office.
The group's solicitation, in part, was to support upcoming events, including one to be held at the hotel restaurant and bar that Mayor Charlie Holder manages.
Here is how the money was flowing, when GoLocal began to inquire about the ties between the group and Holder's office.
PROVIDENCE
Last Friday, GoLocal unveiled that the City of Providence’s Internal Auditor had uncovered more than $145,000 in payments to city employees deemed improper.
The payments were overtime payments for employees who were not eligible for overtime; the improper payments were made over the last four years.
The Internal Auditor, Gina Costa, who is de facto the Providence of Providence's financial watchdog, exposed the payments, and now, GoLocal has learned that one of the recipients of over $18,000 of these “improper” payments has tendered his resignation and is leaving city service.
He has not repaid the funds. READ MORE
PHOTOS: Holder, campaign; Smiley, GoLocal
NOT
PC Leads Big East in Players Entering the Transfer Portal
The Friars are getting hammered with their players entering the transfer portal.
Six have entered the portal, more than any other team in the Big East.
NOT
Defense Failure
The complete lack of judgment and professionalism in leaking critical military operational information to a reporter is an embarrassment to the Trump administration.
PHOTO: FOX News promotional
