LOCAL FLAVOR
At the ball, we're all fools for you
BY IAN DONNIS
Fools Ball 2002, AS220's rollicking spin on the traditional
nonprofit fundraiser, is about to unleash a jam-packed few days of fun and
creative madness with a jungle theme.
Highlights include the Fools Ball parade, an inimitable procession that will
march through downtown Providence. Participation is encouraged; gather at the
parade studio at Eddy and Fulton streets, behind City Hall, this Friday, May
10, at 11 a.m. The parade starts at noon. Those taking part include the fool, a
mythical character who lives in the Johnston landfill, who will ride a
four-wheeled bike-mobile; eight giant Tiki heads; Mr. Jack, a tall processional
figure with a cigar fuming with incense, percussive lollipops, and a variety of
other creatures created under the guidance of artistic director Erminio Pinque
of Big Nazo fame. In keeping with tradition, Mayor Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci
Jr. is due to greet the procession on the steps of City Hall.
On Thursday, May 9, AS220 will host a hip-hop performance at 7 p.m., and the
anarchistic Bindlestiff Family Cirkus will do its thing at the Columbus Theatre
(270 Broadway) at 8 p.m. A Big Nazo puppet show will grace the Columbus on
Friday, May 10 at 8 p.m. Admission to each of the Columbus events is $10.
Fools Ball 2002, the eighth such event, climaxes with a three-story house
party at AS220 (115 Empire St.) on Saturday, May 11 ($20 or $15 with a Columbus
ticket stub). Some 4000 square feet of sod and a glowing tent will transform
the art space's asphalt backyard into a elegant meadow ballroom. Organizers
promise a plethora of exquisite food, costumed revelers (remember that jungle
theme), and boisterous music, including performances by the Smoking Jackets,
Pancho Chavis, Boozoo's Magic Sounds, the Itchies, Spogga, and the Neo-'90s
Dance Band.
Besides raising money and bringing together a wildly heterogeneous mix of
folks, "Part of the fun of the party is that it's also our chance to open up
the whole building," says Geoff Griffin, AS220's minister of information.
Griffin himself will be hawking tickets to carnival games, including one that
involves knocking over Easter Island statues with coconuts, on the sod-covered
second floor of AS220. Summing up some of the preparations, he adds, "We
provide an excuse for spending a Saturday in April making lizards and robots
out of clay."
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis[a]phx.com.
Issue Date: May 10 - 16, 2002
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