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.
Elmhurst Clean & Green presents five consecutive Tuesdays (July 9, 16 & 30, August 6 & 13) of programming at Fargnoli Park (Jastram & Smith Streets) all beginning at 6pm. On July 9, get your groove on with the Super Chief Trio as they kick off summer festivities in the park. The gospel sounds of RPM Voices hit the stage on July 16. On July 30, Grammy Award-Winning artist Bill Harley will perform his delightful blend of singing and storytelling. Bring your dancing shoes on August 6 as the Island Farm Bluegrass Band take the stage. On August 20 Wealth on the Water closes out the programming for the summer in the park.
On select Wednesdays this summer (July 10 & 24, August 7 & 21), the Friends of Brown Street Park will present performances at Brown Street Park (behind Hope High School) all beginning at 5:30pm. The angelic sounds of RPM Voices will fill the park as they kick things off on July 10. A night of toe-tapping, hand-clapping and good ole rockin' is in store on July 24 with Joe's Backyard Band. Think Dirty Country meets 70's era Stones when Smith & Weeden hit the stage on August 7. The swinging sounds of the Superchief Trio finishes out the summer festivities in the park on August 21.
For three consecutive Wednesdays in July (July 17, 24 & 31) Family Service of RI / Providence Children's Initiative will bring food and fun to Harriet & Sayles Park (Harriet & Sayles Streets) beginning at 5:30pm. On July 17, an old fashioned block party takes place with live music, DJs, face painting, food trucks, and so much more. Learn the finer ways to shake it during a Salsa class or take part in a painting class on July 24 while enjoying cuisine from Providence's finest food trucks and tunes spun by local DJs. On July 31 live music, a breakdancing crew, face painting, and free popcorn closes out the series at Harriet & Sayles Park for the summer.
Dexter Training Grounds (Armory Park) (Parade St. between Cranston St. & Westminster St.) is the place to be on four consecutive Thursdays (July 11, 18, 25 & August 1) 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 world folk sounds of local favorites the Gnomes kick things off on July 11. Learn a new step or two on July 18 as Jesus Andujar and his band Grupo Sazon hold a Salsa workshop from 6pm to 6:30pm before taking the stage for a full performance. On July 25, enjoy a full-on Contra Dance with Rachel Panitch, Andy Grover, Max Newman, and Linda Leslie. During the intermission, students from Community Music Works will be performing. Master Djembe Drummer Issa Coulibaly and Friends close out the programming in Dexter for the summer on August 1 with a drumming workshop from 6pm - 6:30pm before taking the stage for a performance.
As part of the performing arts series, Opera Providence will perform four Sundays (July 14, 21, 28 & August 4) 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 along with popular Broadway hits.
On Fridays in August (August 2, 9, 16 & 23), ECAS Theatre will bring Spanish-language and bilingual music, dance, and theater to the young and old alike at Roger Williams Park (Broad St. Entrance). Performances begin at 3pm.
The Smaller Sights and Sounds program, a new addition to the Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative, engages smaller or newer volunteer park groups by transforming their neighborhood parks into community hubs for the arts, healthy living, and play. The five additional parks are: Neutaconkanut Recreation Area, Bucklin Park, Gladys Potter Park, Viscolosi Park, and Corliss Park.
Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy and the Silver Lake Little League will be hosting performances that are fun for everyone at Neutaconkanut Recreation Area (675 Plainfield St.). On Tuesday, July 16, head up to the Neutaconkanut Hill Upper Area for Music for Children with Lindsay Meehan. Then join in on the party Thursday, July 18 at 6pm featuring the up-beat eclectic music from Joe's Backyard Band.
On three Thursdays (July 11, 25, and August 15) this summer, Friends of Viscolosi Park (at the end of Chalkstone Ave; nearest intersection: Rowley St.) will present entertainment your entire family will enjoy. There will be an array of events, all starting at 6pm. On July 11, Music for Children with Lindsay Meehan will perform. She engages the children with a multi-faceted style using music, drama, dance, art, storytelling, and imaginary. The next performance will be on July 25 featuring Puppets with Lisa Abbatomarco. Closing out the programing in the park on August 15, will be Part of the Oath. They will perform their original contemporary dance Chicken Little based on the classic fable.
Friends of Gladys Potter Park (Humboldt & Elton Streets) will present two programs in July at Gladys Potter Park both beginning at 4pm. The first will be on Tuesday, July 9 featuring Puppets with Lisa Abbatomarco. The other will be on Wednesday, July 17, where the dynamic dance band Rhythm Room will take the stage to get the audience moving with their energetic, eclectic style of music.
Friends of Bucklin Park (109 Bucklin Street) is featuring various programs at Bucklin Park. On Wednesday, August 7, bring the family to the Treasure Island program beginning at 10am. At the end of the month, on Saturday, August, 24, they will host Touch a Truck Family Fun. The whole family can climb aboard vehicles, including big rigs, fire trucks, and construction equipment.
There will be even more family fun at Corliss Park (30 Corina Street) this summer. Friends of Corliss Park will feature two programs. The first one will be on Friday July 26 at 5:30pm with Music One taking the stage. Come to see some local teens showcase their talents. On Sunday, September 1, at 12pm the park will come alive with various children's performers. It will be an enjoyable day and perfect way to end the summer.
The 2013 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative is sponsored by the City of Providence, Mayor Angel Taveras, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, Department of Parks & Recreation, Partnership For Providence Parks and CW28.