Celebrate Providence! 2012 Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative

Providence, RI - Mayor Angel Taveras, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce the Celebrate Providence! 2012 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.

Opera Providence will perform four Sundays (July 1, 8, 15, 22) starting at 5pm at Hopkins Square (at the intersection of Charles St. and Branch Ave.). The series features exceptional talent from all over the region. Each performance will highlight favorites from the operatic repertoire and popular Broadway hits.

Dexter Training Grounds (Armory Park) (Parade St. between Cranston St. & Westminster St.) is the place to be every Thursday in July (July 5, 12, 19, 26) as the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) presents four exciting performances all beginning at 6pm (get there a little early to explore the farmer's market which runs from 4pm - 7pm). The MOGA Band (think Brian Eno producing Folk) kicks things off at the park on July 5. Local Hip Hop star Chachi Carvalho takes his rhyming to the park on July 12 with some soulful Hip Hop for the whole family with music by Cadillac Jack and special guests. Boo City takes the stage with their mix of Rock, Country and Soul on July 19. Also on July 19, the Providence Children's Museum will have their Imagination Playground at the park from 5pm -8pm. Lindsay Adler closes out the series on July 26 with her unique blend of acoustic fusion from around the world.

On Wednesdays, the Friends of Brown Street Park will present four performances (July 18, August 1, August 15, August 22, August 29) this summer at Brown Street Park (behind Hope High School) all beginning at 5:30pm. Mix up Middle Eastern, Indian, Funk, Jam and Jazz in a blender and you've got Tevellus who performs on August 1. Get ready to clap your hands and stomp your feet as Joe's Backyard Band performs for young and old alike on August 15. Start practicing you rain dance among others as the Double Decker Dance Band hopes to keep the rain away this time on August 22. Save some of that energy because the swinging sounds of Superchief Trio closes things out at Brown Street Park on August 29.

Alliance Francaise presents a fun filled Bastille Day (French National Day) celebrating French culture in Providence with the Magnolia Band, Victoria Richter, the Regiment Bourbonnais, French food vendors, traditional French games, a bounce castle and much more! All the fun takes place in Fargnoli Park, the heart of Elmhurst, on Saturday, July 14 from 12pm - 5pm.

Thursdays in August (August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) ECAS Theater will bring Spanish-language and bilingual music, dance and theater to young and old alike at Roger Williams Park (Broad St. entrance) beginning at 5:30pm. Please note the August 23 performance will be at Riverside Park (50 Aleppo Street).

Join Olneyville Housing on Tuesday, August 7 for "Jammin' in the Park," an evening full of activities and entertainment for the whole family beginning at 5:30pm in Donigian Park. This year's concert will feature a special performance by the Big Nazo Band, performances by local hip hop artists and dancers, an arts workshop for the kids, and as always, some brass band madness! Food trucks will be on site to quench your summer cravings.

On Saturday, August 25 the Summit Neighborhood Association will host the Summit Music Fest featuring live music (MAMADOU, the Senegalese), a performance from Jump Dance Company, a kid's area with performances by Sammy & Sassy the Clowns, a beer garden by Trinity Brewhouse plus locally-sourced craft and food vendors from 1pm-5pm at Lippitt Park (Hope St between 10th/11th St).

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! 2012 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.