Published in the Pawtucket Times on August 27, 2001

For those seniors seeking great music and artistic programming at not cost or for those grandparents seeking suitable fun, entertainment and educational opportunities for the grandchildren, Convergence 2001 Pawtucket International Arts Festival may just well fit the bill.

Some have told this writer that the font size of the official arts festival brochure is too small for seniors to read. So true, but there is so much information jam-packed into the brochure highlighting the three-week schedule of events, from September 7 to 23, all sponsored by the City of Pawtucket. So, if you must squint your eyes and learn about the more than 50 visual and performing arts, workshops, great music and dance performances in downtown Pawtucket and at the historic corridor of Slater Memorial Park.

So many choices, so many events to attend with your grandchildren. Well, here’s my top picks for your consideration.

Puppet Shows: On Sept. 8, from 10 to 11 a.m., Ducan Patran, an acclaimed puppeteer with Yorick’s Puppet Theater, brings his hand carved unique marionettes to the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center. On Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., youngsters will also be captivated by four large puppets, courtesy of the internationally recognized The Big Nazo. Mingling among the crowds, these larger than life puppets dressed in very unusual attire will please the youngsters as they stroll through Slater park all day.

Children’s Arts Exhibit: Come see the work of 300 members of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club. During the summer, children ages 6 to 12 created tiles pertaining to a theme. Come see those tiles, which will be on display at the Boys & Girls Club, One Moeller Place in Pawtucket, from Sept. 7 to 23. Additionally, a giant mask created by children enrolled in the Salvation Army after-school program will be on view on the weekend of Sept. 15 at Slater Memorial Park. On Sept. 21, come watch a competition sponsored by the Pawtucket YMCA, where more than 100 children will create their own drawings on the sidewalk of the the City’s Main Street.

Storytellers and Animals Galore: Come to Slater Mill Historic Site’s Fabulous Fall Fiber Festival on Sept. 9, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m to listen to storytellers and to visit a petting zoo of live animals such as llamas, sheep, goals, and angora rabbits, whose fur produces the yarn for textiles.

Chainsaw Art: On Sept. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Rhode Island Environmental performance artists and wood sculptors Michael Higgins and Billy Rebele will carve two small immigrant children out of two large logs. Both young and old will marvel as the logs, take shape at Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in downtown Pawtucket.

Dragon Board Races: Last year hundreds of spectators lined the riverbanks at the former State Pier off School Street to watch quarter-mile races between two brightly colored 38-foot line Chinese dragon boats with 16 paddlers, a drummer/flag catcher and a steer person. With American Airlines donating 18 free round trip tickets to the winning boat crew, we expect more competitors for the races, scheduled on Sept. 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring your grandchildren to see Chinese arts demonstrations and dough figure making. Watch a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performed and other traditional dances performed by more than 20 dancers in their brightly colored traditional costumes. Listen to 10 Boston Chinese youths playing a mixture of traditional Chinese hammer dulcimer music along with a Chinese yo-yo demonstration. These activities are planned to take place during the dragon boat races.

Festival planners have made it very easy for you and your grandchildren to reach the day-long events. Park your car at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and catch a RIPTA bus to the boat races and Taiwan Day Festival. Or travel to the site by taking a ferry boat from the Taft Street landing.

Workshops and Demonstrations: This year children can learn to make clay sculptures, re cycled art and scarecrows, too. Pawtucket art teachers will even show you how to make musical instruments from assorted materials. By bringing your grandchildren to Slater Memorial Park on Sept. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., they can also learn more about the different artistic media, weaving, wood, jewelry and glass blowing, all taught by local artists. In addition, check out the Wheels of Wonder Bus with its interactive activities during the day as well.

And there’s so much more to see. Why not view the mural of prehistoric dinosaurs, created by Rhode Island painter and illustrator Michael Bryce that will be permanently installed in the Pawtucket Public Library. Viewing of this large mural takes place from Sept. 7 to Sept. 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

With two weeks before this mammoth Pawtucket arts festival kicks off with a gala on Sept. 7, the City of Pawtucket is in the process of distributing a schedule of events to every public and privately managed senior complex in the City. Programs are also being distributed by local businesses. Additionally, a listing of festival events will be printed in The TImes, beginning Sept. 3, continuing for a three-week period so stay tuned.

For more information, or to obtain a schedule of events, call 401 742-2200,