20 years ago

The Rhythm and Roots Festival was in its fourth year at Ninigret Park.

Host Steve Riley introduced Donna the Buffalo, Asleep at the Wheel, Marcia Ball, Natalie McMaster and a host of great Cajun, Zydeco and roots bands.

Dave Jepson moved his City Nights Dinner Theatre from the Old Farm in Warwick to Pawtucket and now to Westerly.

Larry Bonoff brought Randy Travis to PPAC.

Cranston pianist Wayne Farrell entertained flyers at T.F. Green and shoppers at Nordstrom’s.

Anne Scurria and Phyllis Kay starred in “Dinner With Friends,” directed by Brian McEleny at Trinity Rep.

Lucy Kaplamsky played the Odeum.

40 years ago

Neil Simon’s “Only When I Laugh,” starring Marsha Mason and James Coco, was at the Showcase.

Faye Dunaway starred in the eerie “Mommy Dearest.” William Hurt and Kathleen Turner starred in the classic “Body Heat.”

Rhode Islander Lon Cerel entered the Guinness Book of Records by becoming the fastest balloon animal sculptor in the world.

The arts community and the world were stunned with the 9/11 attacks.

Parish House Theatre performed “A Streetcar Named Desire,” starring Jennifer Ondrejka as Blanche and Alan Patrick Duane as Stanley.

Providence Opera Theatre presented “Maan of La Mancha” at the Ocean State.

Rhode Island College offered “Ladies at the Alamo.”

“The Gin Game” was at the Stone Bridge Inn in Tiverton. “I do! I Do!” was at the Bay Voyage Inn in Jamestown.

Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat were at the Providence Civic Center.