Nova One can be dangerous … The Providence-based indie rock band certainly doesn’t espouse violence, but they’re not afraid to sing about life’s little (and big) conflicts. The band’s new album, create myself, out last week, explores the challenges of intimacy and relationships as deeply as any release in recent memory, with a casual intensity […]
Ken Abrams
Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams writes about music, the arts and more for What'sUpNewp. He is also an Editor and Writer for Hey Rhody Media. Ken DJ's "The Kingston Coffeehouse," a roots/folk/rock radio show every Tuesday, 6-9 PM on WRIU 90.3 FM. He is a former educator in the Scituate, RI school system where he taught Social Studies for over 30 years.
He is on the board of the Rhode Island Folk Festival and Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), a non-profit that brings diverse musical acts to the Newport area.
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
RI singer-songwriter J. Michael Graham playing CD release party at Foolproof Brewing April 21
Pawtucket-based singer-songwriter J. Michael Graham is hosting a CD release party later this month at Foolproof Brewing to celebrate his new album. Best known for producing the annual River Bend East Songwriters Festival, Graham’s album Live From Little Rhody features tracks recorded in the studio and live at a recent concert. So how did it […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: The English Beat bring ska power to the Odeum
Question: How do you get a sold-out crowd of skanking rude boys and girls (OK, youngish boomers) on their feet for a 90+ minute concert? Answer: Bring a high-energy show from the iconic UK band The English Beat to town. That was the scene in East Greenwich Saturday night April 1 when the band, led […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 31 – April 2)
Friday: 2023 Motif Music Award winner and nationally recognized tribute band The Winehouse Project plays Chan’s in Woonsocket on Friday at 8PM. Check out lead vocalist Lisa Kay’s take on Winehouse classics as she fronts one of the top tribute bands anywhere. Click here for details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdKX_Xg6UZw Saturday: The English Beat ruled the charts in […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (March 31- April 2)
There’s lots to do this weekend in Rhode Island for fans of all ages and interests. Here are some top picks to get you out of the house on this early April weekend. Saturday and Sunday: Families won’t want to miss Bluey’s Big Play, with four shows at The Vets in Providence this weekend. Check […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Alex MacLeod of Rock Hearts; band playing Blackstone River Theatre April 8
A local band you may not know is getting a lot of national attention. Rock Hearts, a Charlestown, RI-based bluegrass/country band has been making waves in recent years. These guys are going places… if they’re not there already. Rock Hearts recently released Wanderlust, their new album on the renowned Nashville label 615 Hideaway Records. You […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
Rhythm and Roots Festival announces 2023 lineup
The Rhythm and Roots Festival today announced the lineup for the 2023 festival happening Labor Day Weekend in Charlestown. The lineup features new and returning artists including Greensky Bluegrass, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, and the Robert Cray Band. The festival takes place over three days from September 1-3 at Ninigret Park in Charlestown. This […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Graduate Sessions music series to celebrate one-year anniversary Sunday, April 2
The Graduate Sessions is a free songwriter series featuring local players held on the first Sunday of every month in Providence. The series will be celebrating its one-year anniversary on April 2, at 5PM in the Poindexter Coffee, a cozy vintage-style cafe located inside the historic Graduate Hotel (formerly The Biltmore). This series, hosted by […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 24-26)
Check out “Six Picks Music” every Friday for some of the best in live, local music around the region this weekend. This week, we mellow out a bit to focus on some top singer-songwriters playing live this weekend. Friday: A few tickets remain available at Jane Pickens Film and Events Center in Newport for an […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: HADESTOWN at PPAC ranks among the best
How do you adapt an ancient Greek tragedy into an uplifting modern musical? In the case of HADESTOWN, look to indie-folk musician and playwright Anais Mitchell who blends contemporary issues into a timeless story, with great music, brilliant choreography, and a compelling plot. The award-winning musical HADESTOWN is in town at the Providence Performing Arts […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Christian Dryden of The Ritualists, playing Askew March 31
A rock show is coming to Askew in Providence on Friday, March 31, a gig that came together in a somewhat non-traditional manner. The Ritualists have never played in Rhode Island, and while that’s not necessarily out of the ordinary for a touring band, the circumstances bringing the band to town are more unique. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Concert Recap and Photos: Soul Asylum brings good vibes to the Greenwich Odeum
90’s rockers Soul Asylum, a band that was once in heavy rotation on MTV, brought a special stripped-down acoustic show to the Greenwich Odeum on Saturday, March 18. The duo of Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith were strong all night long with a nuanced two-guitar attack, before a near-sell-out crowd. The pair ran through a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 17-19)
The music calendar is full this weekend with cheery Irish music and much more around the region. Have fun, be safe, use ride shares when appropriate, and rock on! Friday: Grammy Award-nominated band The Killers return to the area for a show at Mohegan Sun Arena. The band will have tunes from their latest album […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks Music’ St. Patrick’s Day Edition 2023 – Music around RI
No doubt, there’s a soundtrack to St. Patrick’s Day, and whether you enjoy traditional sea shanties or Celtic punk, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a bonus edition of “Six Pick Music” with some of the best local music to celebrate the day. Sláinte! All weekend: The Boys are Back! For authentic Boston-bred Celtic punk, go […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Singer Mark Erelli, playing the Jamestown Arts Center Thursday, March 23
Creating and listening to live music is a sacred endeavor, something to be appreciated on many levels. That idea, that the concert experience is holy, is something that Mark Erelli certainly understands. The singer-songwriter is coming to the Jamestown Arts Center on Thursday, March 23 for a show produced by Newport Live. Erelli returns to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Day in RI History: March 16, 1976 Blu Cantrell born in Providence
R&B/Soul singer-songwriter and Providence native Blu Cantrell was born Tiffany Cobb on March 16, 1976. Her mother, Susi Franco, a former “Mrs. Rhode Island,” was an actress and jazz artist. From Wikipedia: Cantrell rose to fame in 2001, with the release of her debut single, “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)”, which peaked at number two […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Chibueze Ihuoma, starring in HADESTOWN at PPAC March 21-26
The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical HADESTOWN opens at the Providence Performing Arts Center next Tuesday, March 21. The musical, the brainchild of acclaimed musician Anais Mitchell, was the most honored show of the 2019 Broadway season winning four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 10-12)
Some local rising stars join a pair of music legends in town this weekend for concerts around the state. Get out there and support live music! Friday: Don’t miss the indie-rock sounds of Youngest Sun, a rising local band playing a free show at the Galactic Theatre in Warren. Check out the band’s cool vibe […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Women’s History Month: Greatest women musicians in the RI Music Hall of Fame
Rhode Island female musicians have contributed significantly to the national music scene over the years. This Women’s History Month, we’re introducing you to a few RI artists who’ve stood out among their peers. For more, check out the videos below and visit the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame website here. Eileen Farrell Eileen Farrell (1920-2002) […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Dar Williams coming to Jane Pickens March 24
Aspiring songwriters, this show’s for you. Dar Williams, known as a “songwriter’s songwriter,” is coming to Newport’s Jane Pickens Film and Events Center for a show on March 24 at 8PM. Williams is out on tour in support of her latest album I’ll Meet You There as well as her new book How to Write […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Trudeau Center to hold CD release party for Donald Torres new album March 31
The J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center in Warwick is holding a free record release and dance party on March 31 to celebrate client Donald Torres’s recently-released CD “The Man, The Myth, The Legend.” Trudeau welcomes the Rhode Island music and disability community to attend the party on March 31 from 6-9 p.m. at Trudeau’s 3445 Post Road Warwick location’s […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 3 – 5)
“Six Picks Music” is our weekly region-wide listing of some of the best in local music. We’ve got it all covered this week with music from Hip-Hop to classical guitar. Check out some of our favorites below. Friday: Motif Music Award-winning band The Copacetics bring their high-energy blend of “ska, rocksteady, reggae with dashes of […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: We speak with children’s musician Laurie Berkner on the ‘kindie rock’ movement and more
Award-winning recording artist Laurie Berkner, widely recognized as the queen of children’s music, is bringing her show to the Greenwich Odeum Saturday, March 4 at 3PM. With over 22 million monthly streams, and millions of CDs and DVDs sold, Laurie’s songs have become much loved classics for children worldwide. It’s her first major tour since […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Rhode Island Craft Beer Week begins March 3 – We speak with Matt Gray of Ragged Island Brewing
Rhode Island Craft Beer Week begins this Friday. That means it’s time to celebrate the 35+ breweries around the state! Dozens of events, from Cupcake Flight Pairings (Linesider, March 6) to PINTendo Games Night (Narragansett, March 11) are happening at participating breweries statewide between March 3-12, click here for the complete list. To learn more […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb. 24-26)
The local music scene is hopping this weekend with great live music around Rhode Island. With an emphasis on the roots, we invite you to check out a few top picks below. Friday: Local arts organization Newport Live presents singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson at the La Farge Arts Center at the Newport Congregational Church. Thompson’s work […]