Get out of the kitchen this Thanksgiving…

…spend more time visiting with your friends and family. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is coming up next week! Are you ready? Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that always seems to creep up on us, and because the holiday itself is on a Thursday it always seems like you don’t have a lot of time to prepare. So maybe you could use a little help?

Whether you will be breaking bread with two people or twelve, you may want to consider the bounty of delicious offerings from Whole Foods Market. I stopped in this past weekend to the Whole Foods Market in Garden City Cranston to sample some of their Thanksgiving Menu, and in my opinion there really is something for everyone, and it’s easy as pie! They have a traditional dinner which includes a free-range turkey (several different varieties to choose from) along with all the sides that everyone expects at the table; mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and pie…but they also have a Vegan Dinner too.

You can choose to have your turkey cooked for you or prepared with an herb butter rub to slip into the oven. Everything tasted totally homemade and fresh (nothing artificial or overly seasoned).  If you’re a “foodie” like me, and want to take it up a notch for the holiday, you might consider something from their cheese board or an hors d’oeveres like the Shrimp & Asparagus Strudel (yum!) or my personal favorite from the tasting, the Roasted Corn & Lobster Bisque.

You may decide to get the whole enchilada (Thanksgiving Dinner in a box) or you can just select your favorites a la carte and slip that gourmet stuffing right into Grandma’s casserole dish and voila – you’re amazing! You can place your order in person at the store, or you can order online but in any case you should order by Monday, November 19th.

If you will be traveling for the holiday to visit family or friends, a unique and hand made hostess gift always hits the spot.  Be on the lookout for my post later on this week – I will share some local events where you can find unique hand made gifts, including the Meadowbrook Waldorf Holiday Faire on 11/17-18.

Thanksgiving weekend is the last weekend before the BIG EVENT – Festival Fete’s Holiday Market! December 1st and 2nd, from 10am -5pm daily at Garden City Center in the former Borders Bookstore space.  In support of Art is Smart, there is a $3 suggested donation entrance fee. Whole Foods Market will have a small cafe set up inside the Holiday Market to keep you well nourished while you shop! They will have sandwiches (Italian Grinder or Caprese Sandwich) Chicken Soup,  Mesclun Goat Cheese Salad, Chips, Cookies, Water and Soda as well as a PB&J with milk box for the kids.

Whole Foods Market has been a wonderful sponsor for Festival Fete and we are so thankful!

WARNING: Riotous entertainment ahead!

Have you heard? Ladies of the Rolling Pin will be in the house! This totally unique Morris dancing group is prepared to entertain you while  you shop at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market on December 1st and 2nd at Garden City Center, Cranston.

Ladies of the Rolling Pin are an effervescent and truly unique blend of Border Morris from Olde England interspersed with a generous helping of Yankee Ingenuity, all cooked up in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

Morris dancing is England’s national dance – and is known to have existed since the late 1400s – while Border Morris dancing emanates from the border between England and Wales (and specifically from the rural counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire).  Morris dancing is synonymous with festive merriment and revelry, and was performed both the in streets and even provided entertainment in the royal court of Henry VIII – although until the 20th century was a male-only activity!

Rosemary Stitt shared this information with me about her lively troupe:

The Ladies of the Rolling Pin have been simmering our delectable and unique blend of Morris Dancing since 1998 and have a well-deserved reputation of being flour-dusted tarts.  Some of our dancers are also our founding members but we’re also very fortunate to have a loyal band of very talented (and also tolerant) musicians, without whom, we would be nothing!

We’ve performed in England (two tours to date) as well as far and wide across New England, both at ales and at various local fairs, festivals, farmers’ markets and community events.  We love sifting our flour and spreading frivolity and smiles whatever the excuse to kick up our heals and raise our rolling pins!  As one of our favorite mantras goes “We’re out of the kitchen because the kitchen is closed”!!

Click on the image below to see a video of the Ladies of the Rolling Pin in action, then come to Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City to see them live! They will be performing on Saturday, December 1st starting at 11:00 am.

Not quite as “riotous” but definitely entertaining,  the wonderfully talented Rhode Island Children’s Chorus will be performing on Saturday from 1:00 – 2:00. The Rhode Island Children’s Chorus is an incorporated, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which was founded in 2003 by Christine Noel, its Artistic Director and Joyce Wolfe, Executive Director.  From its beginnings with 14 singers, the chorus has grown to over 200 current members and is composed of six choirs.

The Children’s Chorus hosts two major concerts a year, where all groups perform both separately and jointly.  In addition, the combined group appears at many local and regional invitational events – and we are honored to have them at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market!

RI Children’s Chorus

On Sunday, December 2nd, we will have the Cranston Cello Choir performing from 11:00 – 12:00, and then at 2:30 the Irish Dancers, Tir Na Nog will perform. Tir Na Nog Irish Dancers are based out of Blackstone River Theatre, in Cumberland, R.I. Under the direction of Erika Damiani, all the dancers learn traditional Irish and modern-day choreography, solo and group steps, and ceili dances. Dancers range in age from 7 to adult and perform at festivals, parades and private and public events. If you are interested in lessons, or having them perform, please contact Blackstone River Theatre at 401-725-9272 or email ErikaIrishDance@gmail.com. We hope you enjoy their performance!

The Holiday Market will be open from 10-5 daily on December 1st and 2nd, and there is a $3 suggested donation to support Art is Smart. There will be plenty of additional entertainment for the whole family as you shop together and get into the merry spirit of the holidays!

Many thanks to our sponsors!

Wachusett Mountain, celebrates winter fun for families with skiing, snowboarding and various other activities on their many trails and facilities.

A Cornucopia of Art Events tonight and this Weekend

Artists Cooperative Gallery of Westerly – Small Treasures Exhibit & Opening Reception – Wednesday, 11/7 (tonight)

Painting by Westerly, RI Artist, Laura Gaffke

A painting that brings summer’s warmth to a cold winter day. A delicate leaf-shaped choker that feels like a hug from nature. Some of the best things in life really do come in the smallest packages. Those who appreciate the little things will enjoy “Small Treasures,” the November gift show featuring small artwork – and big hearts – at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly. Come meet the artists at the show’s Opening Reception – Wednesday, November 7th from 5 PM to 8 PM. The show continues until December 1st.

The Jamestown Art Center is having a Print Studio Opening tonight, Wednesday, November 7th from 6-8 pm. Featuring work from JAC instructors and students. For more info, visit the Jamestown Art Center’s website.

We love to support our local artists! One of Festival Fete’s Holiday Market artists, Courtney Batt, owner of Batting Designs will be selling at the Craftopia sale this Sunday, November 11th from 10 am – 4 pm at Hope Artist Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI.

Cornucopia Fine Arts Show and Sale –Portsmouth, RI
November 10, 2012 to November 10, 2012
The Pennfield School, 110 Sandy Point Avenue, Portsmouth, RI

Cornucopia is a fine arts juried show and sale that benefits student arts program at the Pennfield School. There will be more than 60 artists showcasing and selling their handmade items. The artists’ palette cafe will also be available for lunch and snacks.

Time : 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission : $2 at the door; children admitted free.
Phone : 401-849-4646

Thank you to our sponsor Tricom!

Featured Holiday Market Artist: Joanne DeLomba

Artist Joanne DeLomba has been a longtime friend to Festival Fete and we are so excited to have her join us on December 1st and 2nd for Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City. Joanne has been a regular on the Festival Fete blog (so you can read more about her in previous posts) but she sent me some great images of her latest creations, along with her (fun!) comments:

LADD OBSERVATORY Check out this oversize earthenware charger measuring a generous 11 and a half inches across! Decorated in a bold blue and two-tone green leaf pattern with an abstract geometric pattern on the rim. Gracing the center is a depiction of a landmark observatory – located in Historic Providence, which is a city known for “Boldly going where no man has gone before”!

RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE  This nice earthenware, hand painted charger measures over 10 inches in diameter and is painted in “spaghetti sauce red” bands with green accents! Situated ‘politically correct’ in the center is a nice postcard depiction of the Capitol Dome of Providence, Rhode Island lovingly embraced by the state’s favorite Crustacean. Is there something fishy going on at the capitol? You tell me.

COLLEGE HILL   An ‘OLD IVORY’ China plate in bread and butter size, measuring 8 inches in diameter, is the canvas for this landscape of College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island. Handpainted with a delicate floral design in Robin’s Egg Blue and gold scroll work. The recognizable home to Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design is seen here on just another average day on lovely College Hill.

VISIT SCENIC RHODE ISLAND   A nice 10 inch earthenware server in a cheerful ‘picnic’ pattern of yellow and orange checkerboards, polka dots and blue banding with flowers! A very ‘summer-time’ design reminding us to Visit Scenic Rhode Island…if not for the scenery then at least try a LARGE order of Calamari!

To learn more about Joanne and artwork, you can read this blog post, or visit her website: http://www.joannedelomba.com

Many thanks to one of our sponsors:

ART & Events in RI this Weekend

Felted acorns by Janice Kissinger, photo by Robyn Ivy.

Thursday, November 1st – Felting Workshop presented by the Fayerweather Craft Guild. For only $5 Andrea Martin will teach you about this historic craft that you can use to make ornaments, wearable items and other decorations. Workshop is from 10am – 1pm and advance registration is required. Fayerweather House, 1859 Moorefield Road, Kingston. 789-9072 http://www.fayerweathercraftguild.com

Saturday, November 3rd – Jamestown Art Center Fundraiser “Santa Mamba Fall Fiesta” from 7:30 – 10:30 pm.

Saturday, November 3rd – Fall Coat Drive (this is not art related, but this is a great event presented by our sponsor, Whole Foods Market Garden City). Donate your gently worn winter coats at Whole Foods Market from 10am – 4pm and you will be eligible to win a gift certificate to Garden City Center! The coats will be donated to Comprehensive Community Action Program of Cranston. Whole Food Market Garden City – 151 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, RI. 401–942-7600.

Also on Saturday you can launch a pumpkin from a trebuchet at the Pumpkin Launch at Carpenter Farm, 522 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield. 783-8958 http://www.carpentersfarm.org. (This is also not art related – but I think it sounds like fun and if you’re a fan of the TV show Modern Family, you might recall the “Punkin Chunkin” episode?)

Huge thanks to our friendly sponsor, Whole Foods Market Garden City!

New Holiday Market Video

Happy Halloween!

Hot off the press! I’m thrilled to share this new Holiday Market 2012 video featuring a glimpse of the Festival Fete Holiday Market artists:

The Holiday Market will be on December 1st and 2nd from 10am – 5pm daily in Garden City Center, Cranston. The former Borders Bookstore space will be totally transformed into a festive holiday market with some great entertainment including the Ladies of the Rolling Pin, the Rhode Island Childrens Chorus, Tir Na Gog Irish Dancers, the Cranston Cello Choir and Santa Claus! There will also be free gift wrapping and while you get a jump on your holiday gift shopping, the children can visit the Creation Station to make a hand made gift for a loved one, or participate in the community art project.

I know that for so many on the East Coast, this is a very different kind of Halloween as you recover from the effects of hurricane “Sandy”. Many of our friends from New York, New Jersey and here in Rhode Island are without power and many schools are closed. I am wishing everyone a safe and comfortable Halloween, hopefully in good hands with family and friends or at least a pleasant hotel. It may be difficult to feel gratitude in a time of stress, but you may be inspired by this article in Natural Awakenings Magazine this month, “Grounded in Gratitude“.

Speaking of gratitude…many thanks to our sponsors!

Art is Smart for the kids: Young Artists’ Booths

Festival Fete’s non-profit, Art is Smart is an important part of each Festival Fete production and is a great opportunity for kids to support kids through activities such as the Young Artists’ Booths. One of the ways that Festival Fete supports Art is Smart is by reserving a section of booths for young artists in grades 1-12 to sell their paintings, sculpture, jewelry or other hand made creation. It’s a great experience for the young artists, and they help support the arts by donating 10% of their sales to Art is Smart. We have some really great talent lined up for Festival Fete’s Holiday Market so be sure to stop by and see some of the Young Artist Booths at Garden City on December 1st and 2nd.

You will definitely want to check out “A Little Bird by Zoe” where you will find wonderful little origami earrings and hair clips.

Zoe started doing origami at the age of ten and is self taught.  She has been interested in making jewelry since she could string macaroni into a necklace.  Zoe started making these particular origami earrings within the last year, and the Labor Day East Greenwich Art Festival was her debut.  She is looking forward to Festival Fete’s Holiday Show at Garden city. Zoe is a high school honors student and is saving up for a trip to Rome with the Latin Club.

Rylie is another one of our young artists that will be at the show. She is an enthusiastic jeweler and I know that she has been working very hard to prepare for the show. Her bracelets and earrings are made with tiny beads in every color you could imagine, and she even takes custom orders!

Here is a little sampling of the artwork from some of our other “Young Artists”:

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Art is Smart supports public school art teachers by donating funds to help them purchase supplies for their art classes. The money raised by Art is Smart at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City will go directly to a Cranston, R.I. Art Teacher.  If you are an art teacher interested in requesting funding, please contact Jennifer Neuguth by email for more information. It’s a simple and straightforward process for raising and distributing funds. Art is Smart is based on pure passion for the arts, and supporting art education for children.

Festival Fete’s Holiday Market will be open from 10–5 daily on December 1st and 2nd. There is a $3 suggested donation entrance fee to support Art is Smart. Many thanks to one of our yummy sponsors:

Artful things to do this Weekend with the family

Special Holiday Event at Waves of Creation, Wakefield, RI

Stop by Waves Of Creation any time on Saturday, Oct 27 from 10-5 or Sunday, Oct 28 from 11-3 and paint as many holiday ornaments as you would like for just $2.25 each. Ornaments make great personalized gifts from children to their teachers, grandparents, scout leaders etc. Dozens of designs available.

The Village of Wakefield is having their annual Fall Festival on Main Street this Saturday from 3-6pm. Featuring live music, pumpkin carving and spooky fun for all ages, it is sure to be a good time. Break out your costume early and join the fabulous costume parade right through downtown. For more info about the festival and the activities planned visit their Facebook  page or the website below.

Can you believe it?! We are only 5 weekends away from Festival Fete’s next big event – the Holiday Market in Cranston on December 1st and 2nd! And…if you are a fan of Festival Fete on Facebook, you heard that after Jennifer and David mapped out the festival site (in the old Borders space in Garden City Center) they magically produced room for 10 more booths! That means that if you are an artist interested in joining in on the fun, it’s not too late! Contact Jennifer for details…but don’t wait!

We are so thankful for our lovely sponsors, especially those that keep our kids looking sharp and feeling happy!

What’s in it for me? (say the kids) Art is Smart!

Hopefully by now we have managed to get you really excited about the seasonal entertainment and the beautiful, locally handmade items that you can buy at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City (on December 1st and 2nd), and you’re definitely planning to go. But don’t leave the kiddos home!  A Festival Fete Festival is a day for the whole family – which is especially nice at holiday time

Festival Fete’s non-profit, Art is Smart is an important part of each Festival Fete production and is a great opportunity for kids to support kids through activities such as the Creation Station and the Young Artists’ Booths. There are booths at the Holiday Market that have been awarded to kids in grades 1-12 to showcase and sell their art. In lieu of booth fees, the Young Artists donate 10% of their sales to support Art is Smart. My kids are looking forward to doing some of their own holiday shopping, and love to buy from other kids!

A Little Bird Origami Jewelry by Zoe

Art is Smart supports public school art teachers by donating funds to help them purchase supplies for their art classes. The money raised by Art is Smart at Festival Fete’s Holiday Market in Garden City will go directly to a Cranston, R.I. Art Teacher.  If you are an art teacher interested in requesting funding, please contact Jennifer Neuguth by email for more information. It’s a simple and straightforward process for raising and distributing funds. Art is Smart is based on pure passion for the arts, and supporting art education for children.

Paints for Johnston Elementary

Festival Fete continues to be a wealth of inspiration  for students in elementary Art classes in Johnston. Artwork by a child creates a memory of a lifetime and through Festival Fetes generous donations, students gain confidence and appreciation for art, and they are able to create works of art for the family to display and enjoy at home.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! – Dawn Forte, a teacher from Johnston Elementary.

Johnston Elementary Student Artwork – You’re welcome!

Everyone attending the festival is a contributor to the program, even if you don’t have young kids. For the Holiday Market in Garden City, there is a $3 suggested donation entrance fee. Other ways to help support Art is Smart are by making a cash donation, purchasing some really stylish Art is Smart merchandise such as t-shirts and mugs, or by participating in one of the projects for kids in the Creation Station that have a small fee (Beeswax Candle Making or Kite Stars/paper lanterns).

So yes, Art is Smart for the kids!

Check out our sponsor MOO for custom business cards, Mini cards, post cards and more!

Luscious Lux Aromatica

Just about every household has a scented candle burning these days. But did you ever think about what’s in that candle?

I think that the most motivating factor when someone selects a gourmet candle is scent, right? Well imagine if your favorite scent is lavender or coffee…and you have a candle burning that contains the actual essential oils from the lavender plant or coffee bean? That is exactly what you get when you burn a Lux Aromatica candle, hand-made by Kerensa Bertolino in her home-based candle kitchen in Newport, Rhode Island.

Lux Aromatica products (soy candles, soaps, perfumes, salves, bath salts and more) are made with natural waxes, botanical carrier oils and butters, essential oils for fragrance and vegetable-based preservatives for the skincare products. They are free of synthetic fragrance oils, added colors or other artificial ingredients. All ingredients are purchased from suppliers here in the United States.

Not only does Kerensa manufacture the candles by hand, she designs her labels and makes every effort to keep her packaging minimal, reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Her label design is inspired by nature, art, smell and texture.

I design my fragrances from essential oils, blending them into sophisticated, interesting perfumes that garner a broad appeal. I’m often inspired by places I’ve visited. If a place smells amazing, I want to replicated it and put it in a bottle.

Creating products from natural ingredients is a slow, meditative process. When making candles, soaps and salves, the oils are gently stirred into the molten wax or soap, then hand-poured in small batches for each fragrance. Tempering, blending, and pouring all must happen at particular temperatures, for certain amounts of time, to make each individual candle come out just right.