A special event is coming to the Newport Classical Recital Hall at the Emmanuel Church on Friday, April 28. The concert “For Mike” is a benefit for the Mike Renzi Musicianship Award scholarship at the University of Rhode Island. The award is given annually to a URI student who is a Rhode Island resident majoring […]
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
Concert Review and Photos: Suzanne Vega sparkles at Jane Pickens
Back in the mid-1980s, when the idea of acoustic guitar-based music on commercial radio was about as far-fetched as, well, the idea of acoustic guitar-based music on commercial radio today, Suzanne Vega emerged. The singer-songwriter of classics “Luka,” “Tom’s Diner,” and “Marlene on the Wall,” returned to Newport Sunday, April 16, for a charming and […]
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What’s Up Interview: Singer Joan Osborne coming to the Greenwich Odeum on April 22
A powerful voice in modern music is coming to the Greenwich Odeum on Saturday, April 22. That’s when singer-songwriter and song interpreter Joan Osborne visits the Ocean State. Osborne has played alongside some legends – Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, The Dead – and has shined leading her band since releasing her first album Relish in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (April 14-16)
With the warm weather offering a preview of summer, “Six Picks Music” suggests some retro, top-down live music this weekend. Classic rock never goes out of style, so today, we’ll focus on the genre, as seen through various incarnations, tributes, cover bands, and more. Have a great weekend! Saturday: For over 40 years, Stone Soup […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 14-16)
Things continue to spring back to life around Rhode Island this weekend with some great theater, a foodie film event, ballet, and a cannabis festival all on the agenda. Check out “Six Picks Events” below to learn more. All Weekend: The Foodie Film Festival returns to the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center in Newport […]
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What’s Up Interview: Singer Matt York presents ‘Willie Nelson: Songs and Stories’ at Newport Playhouse on April 29
Legendary musician Willie Nelson turns 90 years young later this month. There’s a celeb-filled birthday gala for him in Los Angeles and locally, a slightly smaller concert at the Newport Playhouse on April 29. Matt York, a Boston-based country singer-songwriter, will be playing a special show of Nelson favorites along with stories and more about […]
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‘Little Richard: I am Everything,’ new doc playing Jane Pickens Tuesday, April 11
In the history of rock and roll, there are a handful of giants to point to, progenitors who got the ball rolling, so to speak. We’re talking about artists who hit the charts in the mid-1950s, at the birth of rock and roll, way before the Beatles, Hendrix, Clapton, and the Stones. Chuck Berry, Fats […]
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‘Six Picks+’ family fun in RI for April school vacation week
Tired of being couped up all winter? Want to get the kids off their screens? Well, we’ve got a few ideas on how to keep busy for school vacation week. The newest game attraction in Providence is Archery Games, a fast-paced indoor game of combat archery, a combination of dodgeball and archery, that uses soft […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (April 7-9)
There’s a classic rock feel this week in our column “Six Picks Music” as we preview some of the best shows around Rhode Island this weekend. Get out there and support live music! Friday: NYC-based Melt brings soul and psychedelia, existential pop, and ethereal jams to Fete in Providence this weekend. With buoyant energy and […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 7-9)
Happy Easter, happy Passover, happy long weekend for many! Check out some fun events around Rhode Island this weekend in “Six Picks Events” below. All Weekend: Dinosaurs Among Us opens at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence this weekend (running through August 13). The exhibit features nearly 60 life-size animatronic and interactive dinosaurs, with […]
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What’s Up Interview: Roz Raskin on new Nova One album ‘create myself’
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 […]
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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 […]
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‘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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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‘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 […]
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‘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 […]
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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 […]