The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has pledged the use of federal stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to design, construct, and install information kiosks on the perimeter of Burnside Park and the corner of Exchange Terrace and Kennedy Plaza by RIPTA’s bus stop Q that will help bolster GKP’s accessibility and vitality for transit riders and other pedestrians.   The immediate goals of the information kiosks are to enhance the GKP area and provide more access to transit and other information for pedestrians.  For more information please click here.

Just 5 more dates remaining in the season for the Thursday night Burnside Park Music Series. Here is the schedule, with the last two shows expected to be pretty exciting.

September 2nd: WBRU Presents: Johnny Lingo – Alt pop singer songwriter; WBRU Rock Hunt Winner 2004; Providence Phoenix best male Vocalist 2009.
myspace.com/johnnylingoband

September 9th: Oom Pa Pas – Super fun Bavarian band for that ultimate German biergarten feel! myspace.com/oompapaband

September 16th: Afrosonic Collective – DJ BlackDove’s electric relaxation – beer and beats! afrosonic-ri.blogspot.com

September 23rd: Debo Band featuring Fendika – An exhilarating 11-piece Ethio-groove collective created as a means of exploring the unique sounds that once filled dance clubs of 1970s Ethiopia.
This is the debut U.S. tour of Debo Band and their Ethiopia-based guests, Fendika. deboband.com

September 30th: Death Vessel – Sub Pop recording artist – Rooted in a traditional feel of folk and early Americana—- this music sounds as progressive, experimental and modern as it is antique and old-world. deathvessel.com

Relax with this after-work music series. Check out bands and DJs from all over New England before you head to dinner and Movies!  on the Block! Free! Thursdays, beer garden runs from 4:30-7:00pm with performances from 5:30-6:30pm.

Check out the full story here!

The Beer Garden is back and in full swing!

Relax with this after-work music series every Thursday between 4:30-7:30pm with music from 5:30pm-6:30pm. Check out bands and DJs from all over New England before you head to dinner and outdoor movies! Free! Upcoming shows include:

June 17th – Double Decker Dance Band

June 24th – Superchief Trio

July 1st – WBRU Presents: Sean P Rogan

See you there!

UPDATE: Please note – the start date for yoga classes has been moved to June 17th, at 12:15pm. See you then!

Free Lunch Hour Yoga for All | Burnside Park in Greater Kennedy Plaza
Thursdays 12:15 – 1:00 pm

Take a mid-day break to relax the mind and refresh the body under the trees of Burnside Park in Kennedy Plaza with your teach Chris Belanger from Whole of the Moon Yoga.

This unique experience was conceived with both new-comers to yoga and city office workers in mind.  Each session will include a period of centering, simple & relaxing guided breathing exercises, gentle yoga postures & movements and a period of deep relaxation.  Come as you are!  Classes are intended and designed to be accessible to all. All shapes, sizes, ages and ability levels are welcome.

We meet in Burnside Park – directly between the fountain and Washington St.   Dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat, blanket or towel.

Tip: keep a yoga mat in your office so you won’t forget it each week! Ocean State Job Lot carries them for around $7 — a great price especially when the class is free!

Greater Kennedy Plaza is undergoing a transformation full of vibrant activity and we want you to be a part of it!  We’ve got a great lineup for this season, but there’s still time to get your spot.  Deadline for the June Bazaar is May 26th.  Download an application here: http://www.kennedyplaza.org/weekly-events/

We encourage vendors of all kinds to present their wares in this exciting, urban setting.  Delicious food, treasured antiques, vintage books, crafty art, handy merchandise, and fun!

The Market Bazaar will be held every first Tuesday of the month from 11am – 5pm on the sidewalk along the Washington Street side of Burnside Park.  At $15 the Market Bazaar is an affordable opportunity to reach new customers.  Questions? Please contact Jen Smith at jen@kennedyplaza.org

This summer, Farm Fresh Rhode Island will offer Market Baskets at the
Downtown Farmer Market! Now, you can support many local farms and
artisans around the state with a quick and easy pick-up!

While a traditional CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) connects one
farm to one supporter/family, the Market Basket will bring together
produce from all of the vendors present at each market. For customers
who might need to get back to work or to their family, a Market Basket
will provide the convenience of a generous assortment of the market’s
fruits, vegetables, and artisan food in one box. It will be ready for
pickup so you can get your staples and have time to browse the market
for some extra goodies.

The Market Basket works by paying a fixed price up front and then
coming to each market weekly during the summer to pick up your basket.
The fixed price we collect will go directly to all the farmers
participating, to help with their costs during the season. Farm Fresh
will serve strictly as the direct link between you and the local
farms, taking care of logistics and adding to your convenience.

This summer, baskets will be $215 for 10 weeks. There will be two
10-week periods, giving you the flexibility to choose and consider
which dates work best for you. Download a 2010 registration form
http://www.farmfreshri.org/about/docs/2010marketbasket.pdf, fill it
out, and indicate the Kennedy Plaza Market to purchase your Market
Basket.

The Downtown Farmers Market begins June 4th! Get your Market Basket
now before they sell out!
For more information, visit http://www.farmfreshri.org/about/markets_csa.php

You’ve seen the solar-powered BigBelly trash compactors throughout Greater Kennedy Plaza. Now each of the six environmentally friendly receptacles has a partner — bottle + can recycling! No need to hang onto your empty bottles while you’re out and about or, gasp, throw them in the garbage. Now you can hit up one of the six convenient locations throughout Biltmore and Burnside Parks as well as the Soldiers & Sailors monument area in Kennedy Plaza while you’re hydrating downtown.

Learn more about citywide efforts to increase recycling here!

Sponsored by the Providence Foundation
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Noon to 5 PM

Tour lofts, apartments and condos in downtown Providence, the heart of the Creative Capital! This year, our tour will also highlight several brand new properties. You’ll get a chance to visit a range of places from luxury residences to affordable units, and everything in between. All of these fantastic buildings are within walking distance to restaurants, theaters, and more!

For more information on this free event, click here!