Roses Are Red, Magazines Are New... 🌹

Pop the heart-shaped confetti! January is officially in the rearview, and we’ve made it to February with our sanity (mostly) intact. That calls for a little celebration – and today’s newsletter is serving up all the feel-good vibes you didn’t know you needed.

Fall in Love With Our February Issues!

Love is swirling through the air, just like our February issues! 💕 This month, we’re celebrating every kind of love – romantic, platonic, familial, and, of course, self-love. Dreaming of your big day? Flip through our Hey Rhody Annual Wedding Guide for all the inspo. Providence Monthly, So Rhode Island, and The Bay are filled with restaurants, under-the-radar destinations, and gift inspo for the Valentine’s Day, along with Super Bowl snacks and a special feature on our company’s 50-year anniversary. Grab a copy and fall in love with Rhode Island all over again!

Brown Bee Coffee Creates a Cafe Experience Like No Other

More than just a coffee shop, Brown Bee Coffee is a globally inspired experience where architecture, ambiance, and artisan pastries meet. Owner Waleed Ghazi weaves his passion for design and hospitality into every detail, from custom teakwood furniture to house-baked croissants with bold, unexpected flavors. Read more online at ProvidenceOnline.com.

^{• Writing and photography by Emily Olson}

^{Presented by Rhode Island International Film Festival}

The Red Carpet Rolls Out in Providence for RIIFF

If you look forward to the world-renowned Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) every August, save the date for their annual fundraiser on the night of the Oscars. In partnership with ABC 6, The Red Carpet Experience at the Graduate Hotel in Providence is a can’t-miss event for film lovers to be a part of Hollywood’s biggest night during the live tele-cast. A cocktail hour, plated dinner, and dessert add to the glamor of the night.

It’s only fitting that RIIFF would provide this exclusive experience to fans, having seen 93 Oscar Nominations since its founding in 1997, and a total of 14 wins, with six films up for awards this year. RIIFF brings a legacy of discovering new and innovative voices in independent film, having featured the works of notable names like Denis Villeneuve, Brian Cranston, Terry Gilliam, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and more, as well as offering a foot in the door for international filmmakers.

“RIIFF is a lynchpin event for the global film industry,” says executive director Shawn Quirk, who has been involved with the festival for over a decade. Last year alone, RIIFF screened 286 titles representing 62 countries. “RIIFF's goal has always been to highlight a dynamic program of filmmaking that provokes, engages, and entertains all walks of life. Children's animations, thrillers, genre films, international dramas, LGBTQ cinema, TV pilots, webseries, feature films and documentaries – we have it all!”

An engaging night of cinema, the Red Carpet Experience on March 2 at 4:30pm highlights RIIFF’s ongoing ties to the Academy Awards, and the festival’s commitment to being a meeting ground between filmmakers and fans. The evening will also feature the Producers Circle Awards in partnership with Steven Feinberg and the Rhode Island Film and Television Office. Reserve tickets online. Learn more about the festival at RIFilmFest.org.

^{• By Abbie Lahmers, photo courtesy for RIIFF}

Treat Yourself, Rhode Island Style

February is the perfect time for a little self-indulgence, and Rhode Island’s vibrant independent businesses make it easy. From luxurious spa treatments to handcrafted chocolates and best-selling books by local authors, every purchase supports the Ocean State’s thriving creative community – so go ahead, splurge a little. Read more online at ProvidenceOnline.com.

^{• By Tara Teal}

Harvesting Hope at Farm Fresh RI

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is expanding its Harvest Kitchen program with a $10,000 grant from the Jacques Pépin Foundation. The initiative provides at-risk youth with hands-on culinary training, mentorship, and workforce skills, equipping them for careers in the food industry while strengthening the state’s local food system. Read more on our latest blog at HeyRhody.com.

^{• By Jenna Kaplan, photo by Farm Fresh RI}

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Beacon of calm in a sea of chaos. ✨

Photo by: @kadircarcamo

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