THURSDAY
11:00am-1:00pm
Our friends at the Rhode Island Historical Society will conduct one of their superb historical walking tours of Lovecraft’s old haunts along the east side of Providence, leaving from the John Brown House at 52 Power Street. Reservations required at the above link.
1:00 – 3:00pm
WORKSHOP: Let’s Make a Movie! Welcome to the Unspeakable Machine (Second floor, 95 Empire)
Hellbender Media and Seattle International Films present the “Let’s Make a Movie!” workshop! Join us for a weekend-long adventure that combines filmmaking and improvisation to walk you through the steps of making your own short movie. If you’ve always wanted to make one, now’s the time to learn! Local professional filmmakers Edward Martin III and Ryan K. Johnson are your guides on this crazy journey of hyperactive moviemaking discovery! this is the first of a multi-part workshop this weekend, the culmination of which includes making a movie at Necronomicon. If you like, you can attend any of the parts, but the best experience comes from attending all the parts. Even the scary one. Especially the scary ones.
2:00-3:30pm
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.
4:00 – 5:30pm
A Celebration Commemorating the S. T. Joshi Endowed Research Fellowship ( John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Brown University)
Brown University Library, home to the largest collection of H. P. Lovecraft materials in the world, will host a reception in the Lobby of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library to celebrate the launching of the S. T. Joshi Endowed Research Fellowship for research relating to H. P. Lovecraft, his associates and literary heirs. The fellowship is sponsored by The Aeroflex Foundation and Hippocampus Press, and is named for S. T. Joshi, Brown alumnus (’80, MA ’82) and prominent Lovecraft scholar. A smaller satellite exhibit of “The Shadow Over College Street: H. P. Lovecraft in Providence,” co-hosted by the Providence Athenaeum, will be on view. The exhibition explores Lovecraft’s youth in Providence and the city’s role in shaping his career as a master craftsman of “weird fiction.” Refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.
5:30 – 6:30pm
Convention Keynote Address (First Baptist Church in America, 75 North Main Street)
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
Scholar S.T. Joshi, historian Stanley Lemons, and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras welcome all to Lovecraft’s city, and to NecronomiCon Providence, 2013. This special public event, in one of Lovecraft’s favorite buildings in Providence (“…the finest Georgian steeple in America”), 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!
6:30 – 8:00pm
Lovecraft Bronze Bust unveiling (Providence Athenaeum Library, 251 Benefit Street)
A cornerstone of some overdue local recognition, and the culmination of much toil, we’re happy to co-present the unveiling of Bryan Moore’s bronze bust figure of Lovecraft at the most significant bastion of literature in Providence — the Athenaeum. The unveiling will begin shortly before 7:00pm, but space is absolutely limited so this is a TICKETED event. Additionally, the Athenaeum will be housing a number of important Lovecraft relics and papers (from the Hay Library collection) during the convention. This site is also a stop along Lovecraft walking tours we’re conducting during the convention – so, everyone should have an easy chance to stop by.
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.
7:00 – 9:00pm
Ars Necronomica exhibition opening reception (Cohen Gallery, Granoff Building, 154 Angell Street ; Dodge House Gallery, Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street)
Come and feast on the singular collection of art we’ve amassed to represent the myriad influences Lovecraft’s work has had on artists around the world. Tonight is the official convention openings for two of our three shows – at Brown’s Cohen Gallery, and the Providence Art Club’s Dodge House. Additionally, please make the sojourn over to Julian’s gallery and restaurant for our third amazing show – though the official opening is earlier in the week. For more information about Ars Necronomica, please check out the main page.
9:00pm – 1:00am
The BLACK LODGE! (The Red Fez, 19 Peck Street), and Pub Crawl-ing Chaos in the streets of Providence… (at several sites)
The Red Fez is hosting a Private party for all Guests and VIP (Golden and Silver Key) Attendees. Not to worry if you’re not on the list – there are MANY bars in the area, several of which will be offering drink specials in honor of NecronomiCon Providence. Just… don’t forget that this is the first night — pace yourselves!
Please read our Anti-Harassment Policy