Celebrate Providence! 2011 Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative

Events through August 27

Mayor Angel Taveras, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce the Celebrate Providence! 2011 Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative. From music and dance to Opera In the Park, Mayor Angel Taveras' Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative showcases the art of local neighborhoods in city parks throughout the summer. All events are free and open to the public.

On Wednesdays, the Friends of Brown Street Park will present performances on July 20, August 3 and August 17 at Brown Street Park (behind Hope High School) all beginning at 5:30pm. The Double Decker Dance band kicks things off on July 6 and Tevellus performs on July 20. The AS220 Criss-Cross Orchestra brings their worldly sound to the park on August 3; Infusion Experience closes out the performances at Brown Street Park on August 17.

Dexter Training Grounds (Armory Park) (Parade St. between Cranston St. & Westminster St.) is the place to be every Thursday in July (July 7, 14, 21 & 28) as the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) presents four exciting performances all beginning at 6pm. RPM Voices and Inca Son perform on July 7 and the Double Decker Dance Band performs on July 14. The AS220 Criss-Cross Orchestra performs at the park on July 21 and Carlos De Leon closes out the performances at Dexter Park on July 28.

Opera Providence will perform four Sundays (July 10, 17, 24 & 31) starting at 5pm at Hopkins Square (at the intersection of Charles St. and Branch Ave.). Opera Providence is under the musical direction of Rene de la Garza and Dr. Robert DeRobbio. The series' eighth year features exceptional talent from the region. Each performance will highlight favorites from the operatic repertoire and popular Broadway hits.

Every Monday (July 11, 18, 25 & August 1) in St. Johns Park on Atwells Avenue from 6:30-8:00pm, there will be an evening of song and music representing the cultural diversity and ethnic heritage of the neighborhood. On July 11, 18 & 25 Domenic DiPasqaule & Orchestra Romanza will sing Italian favorites. Kim Trusty performs the songbooks of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn on August 1.

The Friends of Elmhurst will present performances by local artists in Fargnoli Park, the heart of Elmhurst. Performances will take place every Tuesday at 6PM from July 12 - August 16. Tony Cerbo, RI's own Michael Buble, performs on July 12 and on July 19 Bad Luck and Trouble Blues Band performs. On July 26 the Complaints perform and on August 2 the Regulars perform. The Brooklyn Brothers take the stage on August 9 and the August 16 performance will be announced shortly.

Billy Taylor Park hosts the Mt. Hope Learning Center Summer Jams on Wednesdays (July 13, July 27, August 10 & August 24) beginning at 6pm. Paul Williams' Sweet P Blues Band kicks things off on July 13. The Neo Soul sounds of Zili Misik fill the park on July 27. August 10 brings Johnny Miranda's Cape Verdean Band to center stage then Carlos De Leon closes out the performances at Billy Taylor Park on August 24.

On July 30 Peace & Plenty Park will host a late afternoon filled with music and activities beginning at 5pm.

On Thursdays in August (4, 11, 18, & 25), Olneyville Housing Corporation will present a music series at Riverside Park (Aleppo St. off Manton Ave.) at 6pm. The What Cheer? Brigade performs on August 4 and the AS220 Criss Cross Orchestra perform on August 18. The performances on August 11 and 25 will be announced shortly.

Fridays in August (August 5, 12, 19, & 26) ECAS Theater presents music and theater at Roger Williams Park beginning at 5:30pm.

On Sunday, August 14, the Summit Neighborhood Association will host the Summit Music Fest featuring performances from Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reason, Midnight Honey and more from 1pm-5pm at Lippitt Park.

On Saturday August 20 & 27 beginning at 6pm, Better Providence will host the Get Lively Experiment at India Point Park featuring Providence's own DJ's Damian Ewens and Dave Allyn and many other collaborators. Bring a blanket and enjoy the newly designed India Point Park and the hottest DubStep, Electronic and Hip-Hop music.

All performances in this series are free and open to the public, so please take advantage of these special cultural opportunities to enjoy our local artists.

The "Celebrate Providence! 2011 Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative" series is presented and sponsored by the City of Providence, Angel Taveras, Mayor, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, and the Department of Parks & Recreation.

For more information or to get the schedule, http://cityof.providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism/npai-2011-schedule.