State House Holiday Concerts to Feature 3,000 Student Musicians from 54 Schools

State House Holiday Concerts to Feature 3,000 Student Musicians from 54 Schools

(Providence, RI – November 24, 2014) 

Young people from Primrose Hill School in Barrington perform at the Rhode Island State House in 2012 as part of RISCA's Holiday Concert Series

The holiday season is upon us, and the musical talents of Rhode Island school musicians will be showcased as part of a month-long musical celebration of the holidays during the month of December.

“We’re pleased to be continuing this holiday tradition of student performances at the Rhode Island State House,” said Randall Rosenbaum, Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. “Close to 3,000 student musicians from fifty-four schools throughout the state will perform at the Rhode Island State House in a special series of musical performances.”  The concert series starts on Monday, December 1st and runs through Friday, December 19th.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

The concert series, organized by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, will feature music of the season, performed by students from schools throughout the State of Rhode Island. The performances are all in the Rhode Island State House.

A one page holiday concert flyer can be found at http://www.arts.ri.gov/holiday

The list below is arranged by city/town. For a video that provides a glimpse of the holiday concert season at the Rhode Island State House, see an excerpt of the 2013 performance of the combined choirs of McCourt Middle School and North Cumberland Middle School in Cumberland at http://www.arts.ri.gov/holiday-video

About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.

List of Holiday Concerts - Arranged by City/Town

BARRINGTON

Tuesday, December 2 at 9:30am, Primrose Hill Third Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of David Lauria

Wednesday, December 10 at 10:30am, Nayatt School 3rd Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of Karen DeWitt

Tuesday, December 16 at 11:30am, Barrington Middle School Jazz Band from Barrington, under the direction of Dail Bienkiewicz

Tuesday, December 16 at 11:30am, Barrington Middle School 8th Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of Kerri Thurber

Wednesday, December 17 at 11:30am, Sowams School Third Grade Chorus from Barrington, under the direction of Mark Vadnais

BLOCK ISLAND

Thursday, December 18 at 11:30am, Island Sound from Block Island, under the direction of Megan Hennessy

CENTRAL FALLS

Friday, December 12 at 9:30am, Segue Square Mile Singers from Central Falls, under the direction of Matthew Gringras

CHARIHO SCHOOL DISTRICT

Friday, December 19 at 9:30am, Ashaway Elementary School Chorus from Ashaway, under the direction of Michael Zielski

Tuesday, December 9 at 10:30am, Chariho Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus from Wood River Junction, under the direction of Lynn Dowding

CRANSTON

Monday, December 8 at 11:30am, Cranston West Jazz Combo from Cranston, under the direction of Arthur Montanaro

Wednesday, December 10 at 11:30am, Cranston High School West Orchestra from Cranston, under the direction of Christine Harrington

CUMBERLAND

Monday, December 1 at 9:30am, Combined Choruses of North Cumberland and McCourt Middle School from Cumberland, under the direction of Shannon Davis and Thomas Alger

Monday, December 8 at 10:30am, Cumberland High School Clef Singers from Cumberland, under the direction of Janita Ducharme

Tuesday, December 16 at 9am, Blackstone Valley Prep Musicians from Cumberland, under the direction of Raffi Rachdouni

Tuesday, December 16 at 9:30am, Blackstone Valley Prep Allegro Strings from Cumberland, under the direction of Piera Leone

EAST GREENWICH

Wednesday, December 3 at 10:30am, Cole Middle School Music Department from East Greenwich, under the direction of Megan Catelli

EAST PROVIDENCE

Wednesday, December 3 at 11:30am, St. Mary Academy-Bay View Orchestra from Riverside, under the direction of Stephanie Isidoro

Thursday, December 4 at 11:30am, Riverside Middle School Concert Band from East Providence, under the direction of Mark Maguire

Friday, December 12 at 11:30am, Martin Middle School Concert Choir from East Providence, under the direction of Robert Rappa

Monday, December 15 at 10:30am, Riverside Middle School 7th & 8th grade chorus from Riverside, under the direction of John Baldaia

Friday, December 19 at 11:30am, East Providence High School Wind Ensemble from East Providence, under the direction of Marisa Martinez and the East Providence High School Concert Choir from East Providence, under the direction of Maryann Lasorsa 

FOSTER – GLOCESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Monday, December 1 at 11:30am, Clayville Elementary Chorus from Clayville, under the direction of Charlotte Ethier

Friday, December 12 at 12 noon, Ponaganset Chamber Chorus from Foster-Glocester, under the direction of Derek Sabatini

JAMESTOWN

Monday, December 15 at 9:30am, Jamestown School Jazz Band & Chorus from Jamestown, under the direction of Karyn Kauffman

JOHNSTON

Friday, December 19 at 10:30am, Ferri Middle School Select Band and Select Chorus from Johnston, under the direction of Tom Conlon (chorus) and Pat Aubin (band)

LINCOLN

Monday, December 8 at 9:30am, Lincoln High School Choir from Lincoln, under the direction of Brandon Lahoud

LITTLE COMPTON

Thursday, December 18 at 9:30am, Wilbur/McMahon Schools Chorus from Little Compton, under the direction of B.J. Whitehouse

NARRAGANSETT

Tuesday, December 9 at 9:30am, Narragansett Pier Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus from Narragansett, under the direction of Michael Simeone with the Narragansett High School Chorus from Narragansett, under the direction of Sarah Kane

NORTH KINGSTOWN

Thursday, December 4 at 10:30am, Davisville Middle School Jazz, Strings and Chorus from North Kingstown, under the direction of Brenda Young

PAWTUCKET

Tuesday, December 2 at 11:30am, JMW Chorus from Pawtucket, under the direction of Scott Beauregard

Thursday, December 4 at 9:30am, Shea High School Glee Club from Pawtucket, under the direction of Anne Lagace

Monday, December 15 at 11:30am, Nathanael Greene Elementary 6th Grade Band Ensemble from Pawtucket, under the direction of Carminda Mahajan

PORTSMOUTH

Friday, December 12 at 10:30am, Portsmouth High School Concert Choir from Portsmouth, under the direction of Gael Berberick

PROVIDENCE

Tuesday, December 2 at 10:30am, Robert L. Bailey Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Cathleen Markovitz

Friday, December 5 at 9:30am, Paul Cuffee School 5th Grade Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Frances Candelario

Friday, December 5 at 10:30am, Carnevale Elementary School Chorus with the DelSesto Middle School Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Robert Maher

Friday, December 5 at 11:30am, Mount Pleasant High School Winter Chorus from Providence, under the direction of Danielle Lucini

Wednesday, December 17 at 10:30am, Feinstein Elementary School Bell Choir/Advanced Guitar Ensemble from Providence, under the direction of Wayne Kilcline

SCITUATE

Wednesday, December 3 at 9:30am, North Scituate Elementary Chorus from North Scituate, under the direction of Charlotte Ethier

Tuesday, December 16 at 10:30am, Hope Elementary Chorus from Hope, under the direction of Charlotte Ethier

SMITHFIELD

Thursday, December 11 at 10:00am, Smithfield High School Concert Band from Smithfield, under the direction of Kelly Chartier

Thursday, December 11 at 10:30am, Smithfield High School Chorus from Smithfield, under the direction of Katherine Young

SOUTH KINGSTOWN

Tuesday, December 9 at 11:30am, Peace Dale Elementary Chorus from PeaceDale, under the direction of Christine Pierce

Wednesday, December 17 at 9:30am, Vivace from Curtis Corner Middle School from Wakefield, under the direction of Laurette Vitello

WARWICK

Monday, December 1 at 10:30am, Toll Gate High School Jazz Band from Warwick, under the direction of Nicholas Reed

Wednesday, December 10 at 9:30am, Holden Elementary School Chorus and the Hoxsie Elementary School Chorus from Warwick, under the direction of Antonio Grelle

WEST GREENWICH

Friday, December 12 at 11am, Exeter/West Greenwich Senior High Chorus from West Greenwich, under the direction of Ronald Runner

WOONSOCKET

Thursday, December 11 at 11:30am, Harris Elementary School Singers from Woonsocket, under the direction of Kimberly Picard

Thursday, December 18 at 10:30am, Woonsocket Middle School Chorus from Woonsocket, under the direction of John Burns

Marketing to State and Local Government With the RI Division of Purchases

         Marketing to State and Local Government
                                                With the RI Division of Purchases 

Date:           Tuesday,  December 2, 2014
                    8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location:   Commerce RI
                    315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101
                    Providence, RI 02908


If you've ever wondered how state agencies, cities, counties, school boards, and authorities buy their goods and services, then this is the class for you. 

The RI Division of Purchases will inform participants on how to register as a vendor, who to contact, where to find opportunities, and what the requirements are for bidding and how to get paid.  Specific attention will be given to doing business with the State of Rhode Island and many units of local government.

                                               Register now at: www.riptac.org/training
                                                  Event is free and parking is available

Questions: Soraya Sundberg, ssundberg@commerceri.com, 401-278-9173

孫琰當選東格林威治鎮學校委員

羅德島大學電腦工程副教授孫琰（Yan Sun），十一月四日以52%，2700多票的最高得票率，當選羅德島州東格林威治鎮學校委員會委員。

            孫琰將是該鎮成立 337 年以來的首名華裔學校委員。

        昨（五）日，孫琰在回應本報探問時表示，她和競選團隊非常感激所有支持者，這次參選能得到鎮民認可，既感驕傲，也深覺責任重大，將盡心盡力幫助鎮內小孩學習得更好，更愉快，開心。

孫琰坦言，因為這次選舉，結交了許多朋友，四日這天，許多人都特地請了一天假，沒去上班，上課的分頭幫她在該鎮五個投票站助選，光傳單就發了三千多張。

孫琰透露，羅德島州的華人，因為有馮偉杰（Allan Fung）參選州長，全都開始關注選舉，從沒登記做選民的也去辦了手續。四日那天，東格林威治鎮的投票站，也因為他們助選，到處都是馮偉杰的競選標語牌。投票結束後回家在電視上看開票，看到最後馮偉杰只差三個多百分點的落選，特別鬱悶。

            羅德島州東格林威治鎮學校委員會今年的委員改選，競爭格外激烈，在四個出缺席位中，選民擁抱了三名新人，包括無黨籍的孫琰（Yan Sun），無黨籍的Michael Fain，以及民主黨的David Osborne。另一名當選者為在位，第三度連任的共和黨籍Mary Ellen Winters。

            孫琰等三名新人都是“東格林威治父母爭取卓越（East Greenwich Parents for Excellence）”這新組織的成員。去年春天，一批不滿在任學校委員會表現的家長們，走到一起，成立了這組織。

            該組織的非正式領導人Rebecca Bliss表示，他們不滿是因為在任的學校委員會行政不透明，而且不和家長們互動，打交道。

            他們希望學校委員會處理的問題包括延遲初高中上課時間，增加全日幼稚園。有個專門委員會正在研究這兩個議題。此外，他們也質疑學校委員會的策略計劃過程。

            得最高票的孫琰在公開論壇中告訴選民，她將回應每一通電話，每一封電郵。

            Michael Fain表示，孫琰的話極得人心，尤其是那些家有學齡兒童的父母。他認為選舉結果顯然表達了選民希望有改變的心意。

         

圖片說明：

            羅德島大學電腦工程副教授孫琰(右)坦言丈夫支持，她才下決心參選的。（檔案圖片，菊子攝）

        孫琰（中）參選學校委員，有張耀華（左）擔任競選經理，羅德島州華人僑領，也住在東格林威治村的吳子平（右）支持。（檔案圖片，菊子攝）

            孫琰（中）向馮偉杰（右二）介紹她丈夫（左二）。（檔案圖片，菊子攝）

馮偉杰沒當選州長 羅州華人鬱悶

羅德島州首名華裔州長候選人馮偉杰（Allan Fung）四日晚以大約4%的得票率差距抱憾，在眼匡泛淚中宣佈退讓，揚言“我會回來”。

            馮偉杰現任的羅德州克蘭斯頓市（Cranston）市長一職，一任四年。參選州長失利，並不影響他的市長職位。目前他的任期還有兩年。

            1970年二月出生的中國台山移民之子馮偉杰，去年十一月就宣佈意願，多方徵詢意見後決定參選羅德島州州長，並陸續獲得曾參選美國總統的朗尼（Mitt Romney），有全美知名度的新澤西州州長Chris Christie等頗為驚人的各方面支持。

            馮偉杰四日晚發表退讓感言時強調，他們的競選團隊打了一場好選戰。會後他私下感慨表示，五日面對羅州新聞媒體時也再重申，他的競爭對手，民主黨籍的雷萌朵（Gina Raimondo），出動了兩名總統，兩名第一夫人，再鼓動溫和黨候選人希雷(Robert Healey)臨尾參選才打敗他，讓他有雖敗猶榮之感。

            瞭解羅德島州選情的人都知道，那是指美國現任總統奧巴馬，第一夫人米雪兒，以及美國前任國務卿暨第一夫人希拉莉等曾親臨羅德島州，曾任美國總統的柯林頓，也用錄音電話為雷萌朵拉票。

            四日晚馮偉杰在台上感性表示，“我會回來”，但走下台來和支持者一一擁抱後，理性說明，現在還很難說，將來如何，但他那為民服務的心永久不變。選舉結束後，他的心思將放回為克蘭斯頓市民努力服務上。

            四日晚，出席選舉晚會的人，聽到馮偉杰的開票結果一路領先時，都很興奮，紛紛議論著就要締造歷史了。

            亞洲燒烤（Asian Grill）東主陳任卓不但讓陳素馨等兩名女兒都為馮偉杰競選做義工，還說動了今年當選為欖城安良工商會會長的黃超炎發起該會會員來支持馮偉杰。羅德島華人協會的葉超，吳子平，陳和棟，陳雅，章賢信，陳子為，趙軍，丌靄雲，呂師進，呂蘭英，連漢強，連少玉，以及羅州華人張君慈，陳咪咪等人都從羅州各地趕到會場。

            當他們看到羅德島州州長開票結果，代表溫和黨參選的希雷(Robert Healey)得票率竟高達22%時，都恨聲表示，就是這人攪局。如果他不出來選，馮偉杰就一定當選了。

            根據維基百科，希雷是羅德島州酷駝鹿（Cool Moorse）黨的創辦人，曾七度參選羅德島州的州長等全州性職位。曾經有過得39%的得票率。他所創辦的酷駝鹿黨，1999年創辦，2002年解散。

           為馮偉杰助選時，想出要羅德島州中餐館在大選前幾天一律發送”投票給馮偉杰（Vote for Allan Fung）“這“幸運籤（Fortune cookie）“點子的葉超也倍加感慨。他透露，把十萬個幸運籤分送到羅德島州的將近三百家中餐館，看來還不夠。下次要做更多幸運籤，甚至要西餐廳也發。

            羅德島州的非正式開票結果為，民主黨雷萌朵（Gina Ramondo）40.2%，123,460票。共和黨馮偉杰（Allan Fung)36.27%，111,297票。溫和黨希雷（Bob Healey）22.07%，67,707票，獨立無黨派Kate Fletcher 1.06%，3250票，獨立無黨派Leon Kayantian，0.37%，1138票。

圖片說明：

            馮偉杰和支持者擁抱時，眼中泛淚。（菊子攝）

            馮偉杰（左二）在女友Barbara Ann Feuton（左起），以及父親馮廣運，母親勞丹萍，妹妹馮綺蓮，馮綺華等人陪同中，宣布退讓。（菊子攝）

            馮偉杰（左二起）在父親馮廣運，母親勞丹萍陪同中宣佈退讓。（菊子攝）

            前排左起，章閑信，丌靄雲，趙軍，呂師進，呂蘭英，以及（後排左起）陳子為，葉超，吳子平等人趕到會場支持馮偉杰。（菊子攝）

            馮偉杰（左二）和吳子平（左起），葉超，黃超炎，陳任卓，陳和棟，陳素馨（右前）等支持者合影。（菊子攝）

            呂師進，呂蘭英夫婦為女兒呂艾琳（右）加入了馮偉杰競選團隊工作，感到高興。（菊子攝）

羅德島州華人為馮偉杰競選州長催票

你的一票不能少         

親愛的僑胞、朋友們：

明天十一月四日、就讓我們一起同心協力、以我們的選票、改寫羅德島二百多年的政選歷史、從過去華裔參政的一片空白中、選取馮偉傑巿長成爲

羅德島的第一位華裔州長。

我們懇請大家的支持、不單是馮巿長過去近十年來、在Cranston 巿的政績彪炳、深受愛戴、更是他過去一直熱衷於華裔福祉、在他擔任羅州華人協會主席、榮譽主席、國際領袖基金會顧問以來、一直都竭力盡心、服務僑社、成爲年青人的典範。過去多年來、在州內華裔不同的大小活動中、相信大家也一定見過馮巿長服務的身影。

朋友們、就讓我們一起以神聖的一票、推選這位年青有爲、廉潔正直的年輕巿長、能繼駱家輝大使、卅長以後、成爲美國歷史上第二位華裔卅長、能為這個國家、爲眾多的華裔作出貢獻。

朋友們、在這選情緊急、馮巿長與競選對手勢均力敵之際、你的一票實不能少、懇請你們明天務必參與選舉、使馮巿長能順利選上。

如果你們在選舉上有任何疑問、或需要幫忙、請與我們任何一位聯絡、

於此再次多謝大家的支持。

陳任卓、楊勝、何文潮、葉超         吳子平、陳和楝、鄒玉成、雷鳳慈 余威婷、連漢強、司徒子斌、孫琰 王曉元 、張耀華    劉健匡、黃超炎                        

                   敬邀

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State Arts Council Announces 2015 Shows at State Airport Art Galleries

State Arts Council Announces 2015 Shows at State Airport Art Galleries

(Providence, RI – October 31, 2014) 

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) announced today that artists have been selected for the 2015 exhibitions at the Block Island Airport Gallery on Block Island and GREEN SPACE at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.

The Block Island Airport Gallery will present works by Ben Wohlberg, Aleksander Baba-Vulic, Neal Personeus and Chris Young. Artists will be featured in quarterly solo exhibitions.

GREEN SPACE will present the work of Anastasia Azure, Carolina Arentsen, Nayoung Jeong, Aartie Kathuria, Cate Brown, Alexander Nesbit, Kathy Hodge, Karen Roarke and Nicholas McKnight.

The Airport Galleries collectively received more than 100 applications from artists.  Work for each location was chosen by a panel of artists, art professionals and community members.  Art for the Block Island Airport Gallery was selected by Grade Luddy, Robert Newhouse, Ana Flores and Neil Lang.  Work for GREEN SPACE was selected by Touba Ghadessi, Erik Gould and Lynne Harlow.  RISCA would like to thank all of the panelists for volunteering their time to review and select the work.

The Airport Galleries, a partnership between the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, promote outstanding work of notable Rhode Island artists in exhibitions throughout the year. Artwork is selected on a yearly basis; announcement of the Call to Artists is posted on the RISCA website as well as state and local press, including the Block Island Times and The Providence Journal.  To view current artist opportunities, please visit RISCA’s web blog at http://www.arts.ri.gov.

About RISCA: 

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.

About RIAC:

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation operates T.F. Green Airport and Block Island Airport and other general aviation airports in Rhode Island. A long-time supporter of public art in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation has worked with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts on a number of public art commissions for T. F. Green Airport.

For more information:  http://www.arts.ri.gov/public/airports/