We all know Brown students are constantly looking for ways to innovate and change the world–a lot of college students are. What is unique to Brown students, however, is their continued efforts to engage in social enterprises. The Social Enterprise Ecosystem Economic Development (SEEED) is the first national conference that emphasizes conducting business to improve communities, rather than simply to make a profit. The effort is a collaboration between the University and Social Venture Partners Rhode Island.

The SEEED Summit spans Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27. Registration begins on Friday at 8 a.m. in Sayles Hall. The conference has many guest speakers and table discussions that cover topics ranging from social impacts of business to mobilizing the social enterprise movement. At last year’s conference, there were more than 425 social enterprise leaders from 15 states. Many business leaders visited and helped coach current social entrepreneurs. Make sure to check out the website and, if you’re interested, register. Tickets are discounted for students and are available for either one or two days.

In the midst of midterm season, everyone at Brown makes the desperate dash between class, Starbucks and the SciLi all weekend in their attempts to finish everything on schedule. It’s only healthy to break free of the routine and enjoy Providence in the (almost) springtime! Close your laptop, your textbook and your Facebook and check out the local scene! This week, we have a wide variety of events to suit a range of interests, so there’s no excuse to stay on the Hill (not even that Stats exam).

1. Providence French Film Festival
When: Saturday and Sunday: 12, 2, 4:15, 6:30 and 9 p.m.
Where: Cable Car Cinema

The nearly two-week-long French Film Festival, which is presented by Brown, ends this weekend!  From 12 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, you can drop by Cable Car Cinema and see a celebrated French film for only $7. Films vary from documentaries like Les Invisibles (The Invisibles), which follows the lives of homosexuals in France who paved the way to social justice, to witty comedies such as Le sens de l’humour (Sense of Humor), which tells the story of two comedians who are kidnapped by a serial killer in Quebec. You don’t need a beret or baguette to enjoy these French masterpieces, we unofficially recommend both. [Read more →]

Well friends, the long weekend has come and gone, but never fear! After three grueling days of class, you’re in for a blissful Saturday and Sunday. Why? Because it’s Oscar season, of course! And Rhode Island is ready! So grab a friend and get beyond the bubble this weekend. We’ll show you how. [Read more →]

Are you around this weekend and looking for something new and innovative to see?  Well, you’re in luck.  While your friends tour Boston and NYC, you can tour the stories of your peers in the Undergraduate portion of “Writing is Live.”  This weekend at the Rites and Reason Theatre, you can see readings of new plays by students studying writing for performance.

“Writing is Live” aims to put on theater works in progress. Their goal is to experiment with what writing means in terms of creating “live” theater.  This weekend, there will be a wide range of play readings dealing with different subjects, forms, and themes. Chances are you will come out with a new opinion of what a “performance” can be.  Check out the schedule after the jump. [Read more →]

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous (and aren’t planning to spend this weekend bundled up with your laptop, like I am), serious props to you! Here are a few ideas to coax you out of your dorm room and out into the Winter Wonderland that Providence is becoming.

1. American Idiot, Green Day Musical

Where: The Providence Performing Arts Center (220 Weybosset Street)
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.
Why: Your inner 13-year-old will be overjoyed, a feeling your outer 13-year-old never had the luxury of experiencing.

Tonight is opening night of American Idiot, a musical based on the award-winning Green Day album with the same name. If the thought of Green Day brings back memories of your first middle-school crush, colorful iPod nanos, and long school bus rides, this could be just the nostalgia experience you need. And surprise! the plot is centered on suburbian teen angst. Everyone either went through that and needs to laugh about it, or never did and wishes they had. So what are you waiting for? Pull on those snowboots, call up your favorite cab driver, and head on down to the Providence Performing Arts Center tonight!

2. Mardi Gras Ball

Where: Fete Lounge, 103 Dike Street
When: Saturday Night, 8 p.m.
Why: To forget about the snow for a while and pretend you’re in New Orleans!

What’s that holiday that’s right around the corner? No, not Valentine’s day… it’s Mardi Gras! Oh, right! That wonderful day of masks, beads, indecent exposure and jazz, and you can find it all this Saturday night at Fete Lounge’s Chanteuse Mardi Gras Ball. A live band, complete with brass section, promises to keep your groove-thang shaking all night long, and according to the event page, “drunken revelry will be justly rewarded!” Haven’t you always wanted to earn those beads?

3. Providence Bruins hockey game

Where: Dunkin’ Donuts Center
When: Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
Why: To show off your Providence pride!

If you’re sick of watching college sports or want an unforgettable first date with that hot athlete who finally said “yes,” make the trek down to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for a rough and tough hockey game. This Sunday, the Providence Bruins take on the Manchester Monarchs in what is sure to be an adrenaline-rush of a hockey game. Hundreds of screaming fans, men on ice skates, and only a hop, skip, and a jump from campus, there’s no reason not to go!

The ice skating rink at the Bank of America City Center downtown has been one of the only reminders of the winter season this year. However, this popular wintertime retreat is coming to a close once again on March 17th (St. Patty’s Day, if I must remind you). This week the rink began special End of Season hours, which are now Mondays through Fridays from 2PM to 10PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 10PM. The whole shebang will cost you $10 ($6 for entry, $4 for skates).

So bid adieu to the winter with one last hoorah at the ice skating rink this weekend…if you have time, that is. There will be a lot going on. Choose wisely.

Image via. 

You aren’t going to Mardi Gras for the long weekend, and you’re not going home either. Instead of watching TV shows in your bed all day (which is more difficult since the demise of Megavideo), go out and explore Providence and beyond. There’s really a lot to do beyond College Hill…

Ice skating at Kennedy Plaza costs $6 and is open until 10 PM.

1)   Go ice-skating at Kennedy Plaza downtown. Who cares if you haven’t skated since you were 9 years old? It’s like riding a bike…you never forget. And even if you do, worst-case scenario is you fall on your face in front of some Providence locals, big deal.

2)   Visit Newport for the annual Winter Festival, which includes activities like mansion tours and scenic trolley rides. For those 21+, indulge in a package deal that includes a helicopter ride, vineyard tour and wine-tasting.  The festival takes place the 17^th to the 26^th. [Read more →]