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 […]
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
‘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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 24-26)
Lots going on around the region this weekend .. let’s get right to it! Friday: One of the highlights of the Newport Winter Festival is the Fire at the Fort, a family-friendly, Cajun-themed indoor-outdoor event at Fort Adams with live music this year from Keith Munslow & The Ubiquitones. S’mores and more will be provided […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Comedian Kevin Hart coming to the Amica Mutual Pavilion April 22
Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated comedian and box office sensation Kevin Hart is headed to Providence’s Amica Mutual Pavilion on April 22. He’s presenting the “Reality Check Tour” to Providence, awarded the highest-grossing Comedy Tour of 2022 by Billboard magazine. Hart was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Comedy Act of 2022. Hart is known for […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Chart-topping blues/rock band GA-20 to play The Met Saturday Feb. 25
Ready for some high-energy rock and blues? Then don’t miss GA-20, the Providence/Boston-based trio playing this weekend at The Met in Pawtucket. We interviewed co-founder Matt Stubbs last summer and since then, the band’s popularity has continued to explode. They’ve graced the cover of two national magazines, Vintage Guitar and Guitar Player, while getting frequent […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Ticket Giveaway: We interview Teddy Thompson, playing Newport Live show Friday, Feb. 24
Singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson is coming to Newport’s La Farge Arts Center (at the Newport Congregational Church) on Friday, February 24. Thanks to sponsor Newport Live, we’ve got a pair of tickets to the concert to give away. To enter, just e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 22 at 5PM with “Thompson Tickets” in […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Middletown Senior to produce “Cabaret” at Newport Playhouse this weekend
“What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play.” Inspiring lines from an inspiring show… A Middletown High School senior has a major task ahead this weekend. Like most seniors in RI, Aleksandr Kobrynich was tasked with designing a unique project for his graduation requirement. That project will be shared with […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Leading New England musicians playing David Crosby tribute at City Winery in Boston Feb 27
Some of New England’s favorite folk/rock/blues musicians will be on stage for a musical celebration of David Crosby at City Winery Boston on Monday, February 27. Tickets are on sale now for the 7:30pm show at citywinery.com/boston. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame. The iconoclastic Crosby, who died last month was “A […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ February school vacation week ideas for families
Here’s our roundup of some fun family activities to do over the upcoming February vacation week. Keep the kids busy… and parents from going crazy … with these ideas for winter break. Go Speed Racer. Take the kids go-karting at RI Indoor Karting in Lincoln which features a 1/3 mile track and speeds up to 45MPH. (No worries […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb. 17-19)
Another busy winter weekend on the local music scene… check out our weekly column “Six Picks Music” for the deets. Friday: Canadian rockers The Guess Who were at the top of the charts in the late 1960s behind such FM radio staples as “American Woman,” “No Time” and “These Eyes.” A few tickets remain for […]
Posted inNews
Concert Pics: The Love Hangover at Revival Brewing Co.
The Love Hangover is an annual post-Valentine’s Day event established by Providence-based artist and musician Jen Long. This year’s concert featured a number of well-known locals, including established performers and rising stars playing Revival Brewing at Lost Valley Pizza in Providence. The show was a benefit for RIOT RI, a non-profit that uses music creation, […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 17-20)
President’s Day Weekend is upon us and the continued warmer-than-normal weather means it’s time to get out and enjoy! Here are a few of the best events happening around the region this weekend. All Weekend: Newport Winter Festival has dozens of events for kids, adults, families, and more. There’s music including the Jimmy Buffet tribute […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse – duo coming to United Theatre in Westerly March 2
Roots/folk music fans should be looking west these days, at least as far as Westerly, RI. First up, keep an eye out for Watchhouse, coming to the United Theatre on March 2. (We’ll have previews of other shows scheduled there soon too!) The band consists of husband-wife team Andrew Marlin (vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo) and […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Family fun at Newport Winter Festival
It’s certainly been a mild winter so far, and with warmer-than-normal temperatures forecast for school vacation week, there’s no excuse not to spend a few days enjoying the 35th annual Newport Winter Festival. Bring the kids to some cool events happening all week beginning with a few ideas below. Note: The best way to experience […]
Posted inNews
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb. 10-12)
Another busy weekend on the local music scene with shows spanning the worlds of country, classical, rock and roll, and jazz. Check out some top choices in our weekly column “Six Picks Music.” All Weekend: One of the region’s best listening rooms, Pumphouse Music Works was struck by a damaging fire last year. The popular […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb 10-12)
Rumor has it there is a football game Sunday, and many of you will be celebrating the great American pastime that is Super Bowl Sunday. (Where’s that petition to make Monday a national holiday?) But there’s a lot more going on this weekend, we detail a few favorites below in “Six Picks Events.” All Weekend: […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Black History Month: RI’s Greatest African American Musicians
From Opera to Doo-Wop to Jazz, African-American artists have contributed enormously to Rhode Island’s musical heritage. As part of our celebration of Black History Month, we’re introducing you to a few Rhode Islanders who paved the way. For more, check out the videos in the story below and visit the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Feb 3-5)
“Six Picks Music” is our weekly column highlighting some of the best in local music. This weekend, it’s about fusing the elements that make great music with shows from Westerly to Woonsocket. We’ve got everything from metal to jazz and a whole lot more. Friday: Rock hard at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT […]