OFF THE BLOCK

OFF THE BLOCK

A preview of upcoming off-island events........

Affordable housing and historic preservation

On Saturday, March 13, Preserve Rhode Island is hosting a panel discussion, from 1 to 3 p.m., and tours of some of the state's most beautiful affordable housing projects, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Stephen Ostiguy, executive director of Church Community Housing Corporation, and Clark Schoettle, executive director of the Providence Preservation Society Revolving Fund, will discuss funding and project-planning considerations for affordable housing projects that rehabilitate historic buildings. The event will be held at St. Elizabeth's Court, 109 Melrose Avenue, South Providence. Free. (272-5101, cdichiera@preserveri.org)

Last days of Home Show

You still have time to make it to the annual Home Show, being held through Sunday, March 14, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence. Show times are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: adults, $10; seniors, $6; children 6 to 12, $3; children 5 and under, free.

‘Phenomenal Woman'

Living Literature, a group of Rhode Island-based actors who take literature from the page to the stage in a reader-theater-style performance, will present four evenings of "Phenomenal Woman: Fabulous Female Authors of Poetry and Short Prose," an event celebrating the many roles women play throughout their lives. Featured writers will include Sandra Cisneros, Grace Paley, Maya Angelou, Emily Dickenson, Kate Chopin and Dorothy Parker. Performances will be Monday, March 15, at the North Kingstown Free Library; Monday, March 22, at the Cranston Public Library; and Wednesday, March 24, at the Rochambeau branch. All begin at 7 p.m. Free.

Gallery Night Providence

Thursday, March 18, is the 2004 season opener for Gallery Night in Providence. Visit any of the 26 galleries and museums that open their doors for free, including the Bankri Gallery, Bannister Gallery, Ben Weiss Gallery, Providence Art Club, John Brown House, RISD Museum, Tsetse Gallery and URI Feinstein Providence Campus Gallery. From 5 to 7 p.m., free transportation will be available from 1 Citizens' Plaza. Visit www.gallerynight.info for a full listing of galleries, a map of free parking and directions. (751-2628)

‘America's Women': discussion and book signing

On Thursday, March 18, journalist Gail Collins will present her book, "America's Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines," for a discussion and book signing in the auditorium of the Providence Public Library, Central Branch, 225 Washington Street, at 7 p.m. Collins became editorial page editor of the New York Times in August 2001, the first female to assume that role. Free.

‘The Royalty of Doo-Wopp'

Harvey Robbins' "The Royalty of Doo-Wopp" returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center for one performance only, Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m. The tunes of Speedo and the Cadillacs, the Hall of Fame Clovers, the Diamonds, the Capris, the Tune Weavers and Shep's Limelights will have you dancing in your seats! Tickets — at $25, $35, or $45 — can be purchased at the box office, by calling 421-2787, online at ppacri.org, or through Ticketmaster.

‘Mamma Mia'

The musical featuring a mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and a trip down the aisle you'll never forget will be staged at the Providence Performing Arts Center Tuesday, March 23, to Sunday, April 4. Ticket prices range from $42.50 to $62.50 and can be purchased at the box office, by calling 421-2787, online at www.ppacri.org, or through Ticketmaster.

Right whale lecture

The Roger Williams Park Zoo invites you to take part in "Conserving the North Atlantic Right Whale," a March 25 lecture on the world's most endangered whale. Despite being protected from the whaling industry since the 1930s, there are fewer than 350 right whales left. Dr. Bob Kenney will review the biology and status of North Atlantic right whales and discuss the many factors that could be preventing their recovery. This free program will take place at the zoo's Meller-Danforth Education Center, at 7 p.m. Pre-registration required. (785-3510, Ext. 378; www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org)