Smoke on the Water (9/28/13)
When my Providence friend suggested we attend something
called Water Fire in his Rhode Island town, he
described it as “a night out in the city with campfires on the river.” My mind fondly
recalled college keggers, where we sat around bonfires in the middle of the
woods and drank until it became difficult to walk back to our dorms. Not
knowing what to expect, but trusting his judgment for fun things for me to do,
I agreed to the itinerary. We were already booked for a Fountains of Wayne/Soul
Asylum show at Boston’s Paradise Club and a day on Block Island for lighthouse
photo ops (see part 2), so I figured it was a safe bet.
Now what I had envisioned and what we
experienced were two vastly different things. I expected to see fires built
along the banks of the river…not in
the river! Thousands of people turned out, typical from what I was told, to
take in the sights and sounds of this distinctive fall evening. And there were fires,
hundreds of fires, illuminating the waterway that transverses one of the oldest
of American cities.
The flames were constantly tended by groups
of volunteers who cruised by in firewood-stocked boats to maintain a consistent
blaze at each pot. These vessels jockeyed for water space with many more small,
rented kayaks adorned with illuminated fish overhead. I thought it all seemed a
bit beyond the scope of any fire codes that surely exist in a city filled with
so much valuable antique--and flammable--architecture.
The throng that disguised the city’s
challenged economic times lined the river, eating local fare, buying souvenirs,
and watching performers toss flames about with acrobatic precision. As we made
our way along the water, I noticed various genres of music emanating from under
the bridges. Certain songs seemed gift-wrapped for the many young lovers
strolling about, their eyes reflecting the flames and glazing with the sheer
joy of it all.
A bit more wandering about brought us to one
of the tunnels that open and close along the river. In one, a thousand tiles
produced by school students proclaimed sentiments of 9/11. It was surely an
example of quantity over quality, as several of the contributions were either
nonsensical or even irreverent. Perhaps it was by design. Regardless, the city
glowed with the unseasonable warmth fueled by the nurtured flames.
I’ve never seen anything quite like Water Fire. My hometown of Pittsburgh,
like other cities, has its “Light-up Nights” for special occasions (like
holidays and playoff games), but this was different. The sense of community I
felt was palpable and special, and the warmth of the people matched the heat
coming off the river. If you’re ever near this self-proclaimed “Creative Capital,”
be sure to catch the fire!
(Next week: Part 2: "Sound of Lights")
I've lived 45 minutes from Providence for 9 years. I definitely need to get to this!
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