Providence, Rhode Island

Culture

Providence is one of the most culturally diverse cities for its size. Because of the presence of Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, the city attracts intellectual minds from throughout the country and the world. Much of the cultural awareness of the city arose after the Providence Renaissance, which was started by former mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr..

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The East Side neighborhood of Providence includes the largest contiguous area of National Historic Society-designated buildings in America. The nearby Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum has a fine collection of trees and plants, including the largest sequoia on the East Coast. Roger Williams Park in the southern part of the city contains a zoo and the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, while the main art museum is the RISD Museum.

Related Topics:
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum - Zoo - RISD

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The city is the home of the Tony winning theater group Trinity Repertory Company and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. Providence is also the home of several performing arts centers such as the Veterans Memorial Auditorium and the Providence Performing Arts Center.

Related Topics:
Tony - Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra

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In addition to the Providence Public Library and its 9 branches, Providence is home to the Providence Athenaeum, which is one of the oldest lending libraries in the world. Edgar Allan Poe, a longtime Providence resident, was a regular fixture there.

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During the summer months, there are multiple WaterFire events on the downtown rivers. The Bank of America Skating Center, formerly the Fleet Skating Center, is located near Kennedy Plaza in the downtown district. The public art displays, most notably sculptures, change on a regular basis.

Related Topics:
WaterFire - Bank of America

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The popular animated television series Family Guy takes place in Quahog, a fictional suburb of Providence.

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Media

The city is served by the daily newspaper The Providence Journal, which is also available throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The alternate newspaper Providence Phoenix also serves Providence and the surrounding area.

Related Topics:
Newspaper - The Providence Journal - Rhode Island - Massachusetts - Providence Phoenix

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Providence is the center of Rhode Island's broadcasting market, which also encompasses New Bedford, Massachusetts. The city is served by television stations representing every major American television network as well radio stations originating from Providence and Boston. The major network-affiliated television stations based in Providence are WLNE-TV (ABC and licensed to New Bedford), WJAR (NBC), WPRI-TV (CBS), and WNAC-TV (FOX). Other stations serving the Providence market include WLWC (UPN/The WB and licensed to New Bedford), WRIW-LP (Telemundo), and WPXQ (i). WSBE-TV is Rhode Island's PBS member station.

Related Topics:
Rhode Island's - New Bedford, Massachusetts - Television stations - Television network - Radio stations - Boston - WLNE-TV - ABC - WJAR - NBC - WPRI-TV - CBS - WNAC-TV - FOX - WLWC - UPN - The WB - WRIW-LP - Telemundo - WPXQ - I - WSBE-TV - PBS

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Sports

Providence has hosted the Gravity Games alternative sports tournament during several recent summers. The city is also the home of the American Hockey League team Providence Bruins. The Pawtucket Red Sox, the AAA baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, is in nearby Pawtucket. The NFL's New England Patriots play in Foxborough, which is situated part way between Providence and Boston. The city's defunct baseball team, the Providence Grays, won a national championship in 1884. Nevertheless, most baseball fans--along with the local media--tend to follow the Boston Red Sox.

Related Topics:
Gravity Games - American Hockey League - Providence Bruins - Pawtucket Red Sox - Boston Red Sox - Pawtucket - New England Patriots - Foxborough - Boston - Providence Grays - 1884

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Major colleges and universities fielding NCAA Division 1 athletic teams are Brown University and Providence College. The latter is a member of the Big East Conference. Much local hype is associated with games between these two schools or the University of Rhode Island.

Related Topics:
Brown University - Providence College - Big East Conference - University of Rhode Island

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Providence has its own roller derby league. Formed in 2004, it currently spots two teams, namely Providence Mob Squad and Sakonnet River Roller Rats.

Related Topics:
Roller derby - 2004

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