Experience Lovecraft in Providence – no pass required!
**A DOWNLOADABLE set of MAPS and programming schedule is NOW available here!**
As part of NecronomiCon Providence, we’re really trying hard to engage and excite the entire community, not just the folks coming from far and near to attend the convention. So, here’s a handy summary of all the things you can do *without* a pass to the convention:
CONVENTION KEYNOTE ADDRESS, First Baptist Church in America (75 North Main Street), THURSDAY August 22nd, 5:30-6:30pm
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi, church historian Stanley Lemons, and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras welcome all to Lovecraft’s city, and to NecronomiCon Providence, 2013. With our close partners at WaterFire, we’re very happy to announce this very special public event held in one of Lovecraft’s favorite buildings in Providence (“…the finest Georgian steeple in America”). The hour will feature music by internationally-famed classical singer and organist, Gigi Velasco. In particular, she will play Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in d minor, sing a unique Norwegian folk piece, and close with Boellman’s Toccata from the Gothic Suite. You might also to hear a little something humorous for the occasion (can you guess what?). ALL are welcome!
Lovecraft Movies, all week long!
We’ve got a great line-up of feature-length films and short productions that span a great range of movie styles and flavors, but all either based on or directly inspired by Lovecraft’s works. Over 18 blocks of films, most with the actual filmmakers on hand to discuss their works, and all of them are open to the public. Click here for the full list!
The Convention’s official Masquerade Ball, Friday night, August 23rd, 9pm
Our official convention costume/masquerade/fancy-dress soiree, The ELDRITCH BALL, is Friday night at 9pm, in the opulent Grand Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel. It’s open to all, not just convention attendees — BUT, there is a dress code. Read more about it and order your tickets by clicking here!
Ars Necronomica, Lovecraftian art exhibits, all month long
Our three gallery art exhibition of Lovecraft-inspired works is completely open to the public for most of the month of August, and well into September. Please check them out. Click here to get detailed information, and click here to go to the facebook event page for these shows.
Lovecraft Walking Tours – August 17th, 20th, and 22nd
The Rhode Island Historical Society will be conducting their superlative Lovecraft walking tours of College Hill, on Saturday August 17th, Tuesday August 20th, and Thursday August 22nd, all departing the John Brown House at 11am. If you’re looking for a great stroll around Lovecraft’s Providence, sign up for one of these RIHS tours by clicking here.
An evening of conversation at the Providence Art Club, Wednesday, August 21st
Come to the Providence Art Club (11 Thomas Street) at 6:30pm for an evening with famed Lovecraft scholar, Henry L.P. Beckwith! This will be an intimate chat about Harry’s singular perspective on Lovecraft, the man — but all are welcome to come and join in. Cash bar, too!
Providence Athenaeum, starting Thursday, August 22nd, at 6:30pm
The famed Athenaeum is about to become home to a gorgeous, donated bust of H.P. Lovecraft, and afterward, it will sit among the panoply of literary figures in that fine building. The public are welcome to stop by any time after the unveiling and check it out, as well as their display “The Shadow over College Street” – a great collection of items related to Lovecraft (letters, manuscripts, etc), on loan from Brown’s John Hay Library. Read this nice little summary for more info.
NOTE: due to limited space, the unveiling ceremony, from 6:30 to 8pm Thursday evening is a ticketed event and is nearly sold out – as available, tickets can be secured here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/7773606065 However, the bust and the rest of the displayed items will be available for viewing during the Athenaeum’s other special extended hours Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
CONCERTS – Saturday night, August 24th
We’ve got two major concerts we’re thrilled to announce, both entirely open to the public: Famed international acts, Neurosis and Lustmord pair up for a colossal sonic experience never before seen, all in Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – in Lovecraft’s favorite theater in town, The Strand. Tickets are on sale here, and bear in mind it’s an early show, in order to make room for…
WaterFire co-presents a stellar outdoor concert on Steeple Street adjacent to Waterplace park, starting Saturday night soon after the start of that night’s WaterFire festivities. Headlining are the bands Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, from Vancouver BC, and Providence’s own Big Nazo Creature Band! Several other special acts will be joining them, including The Difference Engine from Boston. This is a FREE show, and a destined to be a truly memorable one!
WaterFire – Saturday night, August 24th — Waterplace Park, downtown Providence
Of course, we’re really proud to say that the amazing folks at WaterFire have really gotten into the mad spirit of bringing Lovecraft back to Providence, so you can expect a very special themed event the evening and night of Saturday the 24th! As always, WaterFire is free for all to come and enjoy.
Other Events around the community
Check our overall schedule for more, but here are some recent additions:
Tuesday, August 20th (Lovecraft’s Birthday!)
A ceremony will be held at the Providence Rochambeau Library where the HP Lovecraft Bronze Bust Project will make a donation to the childrens literacy program. The ceremony will be held at 2:00pm.
The Ladd Observatory on the east side of Providence will be hosting a special open house in honor of Lovecraft’s Birthday, from 8-10pm. The Ladd will also have a special convention open-house on Thursday night, from 8-10pm.
Wednesday, August 21st
Ada Books, on Westminister Street on Providence’s westside, will have a special open mic reading of Lovecraft’s story, The Dreams in the Witch House. All are welcome to join in and sign on to read a passage. 7pm!
Come to the Providence Art Club (11 Thomas Street) at 6:30pm for an evening with famed Lovecraft scholar, Henry L.P. Beckwith! This will be an intimate chat about Harry’s singular perspective on Lovecraft, the man — but all are welcome to come and join in. Cash bar, too!
Thursday, August 22nd
PROVIDENCE BLACK HERITAGE WALKING TOUR
The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society offers this walking tour of Providence sites of African American historical interest. Amid the celebration of Howard Lovecraft’s legacy, we should remember that the fantasist who declared “I Am Providence” was also a racist and a segregationist, and that real people suffered in Rhode Island (and elsewhere) from policies and practices that Lovecraft advocated. This walking tour is one way of remembering this former slave-state’s complex history.The tour lasts 90 minutes and costs $10 per person. All proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.
For more information contact Ezra Claverie through www.ShadowOutOfProvidence.com.
More TBA