Braziers filled with wood burn at WaterFire along Providence’s urban rivers. (Marriott Providence)

Barnaby Evans, the creator and mastermind of WaterFire Providence, informs me that it will star in a television show airing at 7:30 on Monday, June 12, on PBS Channel 36 in the Rhode Island area. The show is called “Weekends with Yankee,” and the episode is called “Land and Water.” The WaterFire segment is almost 9 minutes.

In Rhode Island and around the world, this is must-see TV. WaterFire was performed for the first time on New Year’s Eve in 1994 and since 1996 has featured multiple lightings, normally every two or three weeks from May through October or even November.

The work, which is known in the art world as an “installation,” is perfect for Providence’s intimate urban rivers, especially since they were uncovered and lined with beautiful bridges, river walks and parks. It is great to walk along, hand in hand, or with all of your best  friends and family, or (my favorite) by yourself. I wrote a piece about it years ago called “Sex and WaterFire.” It may be that Barnaby Evans has never forgiven me for it (though he commissioned it), and yet who can deny that, except perhaps for the late, great Bill Warner, no individual has had a greater positive impact on Providence than Barnaby Evans, at least not since Roger Williams (including Buddy Cianci).

So tune in on Monday. That’s this coming Monday, Ch. 36 at 7:30 p.m.