It was a classic rock show for the ages Thursday. August 18 when Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening played Bold Point Park in East Providence. The band successfuly recreates the classic songs of one of rock and roll’s greatest acts, Led Zeppelin. Tribute bands can be tricky … they need to walk a fine line […]
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 inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (August 19-21)
Every Friday we survey the best on the local music scene, from stadium shows to dive bars. Check out “Six Picks” for the upcoming weekend below. Friday: After a two-year pandemic delay, Lady Gaga and her Little Monsters invade Fenway Park in Boston for a long-awaited show. The “Chromatica Ball Tour” is part theater, part music, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks Events: What to do in RI this weekend (August 19-21)
Summer’s not even close to over – don’t even think about it. Over a month to go on the calendar with lots of great beach days ahead! Check out a few ideas for what to do this weekend below in “Six Picks Events.” Saturday and Sunday: The Rocky Point Historic Baseball Festival is a unique […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Six Picks” Washington County Fair, annual event runs August 17-20
A Rhode Island tradition returns to South County beginning Wednesday, August 17 running through Sunday, August 20. The Washington County Fair is back in Richmond, with a full lineup of events including country music stars, friendly competitions, an amusement midway, and delicious treats from around the state. Here are six “not-to-be-missed” attractions to check out! […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhythm & Roots Festival on schedule for Labor Day Weekend
As Covid surged last winter, things looked bleak for Rhode Island’s renowned Rhythm and Roots Festival. Facing health issues and uncertainty around vendors, longtime Producer Chuck Wentworth announced in February that he was ending the popular Labor Day Weekend event. Fans were disappointed but understood Wentworth’s position. Simply put, running a music festival is a […]
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TICKET GIVEAWAY: What’s Up Interview – Jon Pousette Dart, playing Narrows Center Friday, August 19
For a time in the 1970’s, the Pousette-Dart Band ranked among every New England college kid’s favorite live act. With singalong lyrics, tight harmonies, and a soft rock vibe that sounded as good in the dorm room as it did in the arena, the Pousette-Dart Band seemed to be everywhere. They disbanded in the 1980’s, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: Backroads Blues Festival at Bold Point Park
A near-capacity crowd greeted three blues greats Saturday, August 13 at Bold Point Park in East Providence for the Backroads Blues Festival’s inaugural concert. Grammy-award-winning artists Buddy Guy, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd put on a great show all around, which saw each artist pushing the limits of modern blues. At age 86, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Cowsills announce first new album in 30 Years “Rhythm of The World” out September 30
Newport natives The Cowsills today announced a new album is on the way, their first in over 30 years. Rhythm of the World will be released on September 30 on Omnivore Recordings. The band is scheduled to make a stop in Rhode Island at the Park Theatre in Cranston, February 11, 2023 when they join […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (August 12-14)
Another busy weekend on the local music scene … here are my “Six Picks” for the upcoming weekend! Saturday: He is music and he writes the songs … legendary performer Barry Manilow returns to the Civic Center, ahh, The Dunk, perhaps soon to be … the “AMP” in Providence (if Amica Insurance obtains naming rights […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Aug. 12-14)
We’ve got another perfect forecast for fun around Rhode Island this weekend. Check out a few ideas below in our weekly column “Six Picks Events.” Friday: The Boston-based family theater ensemble The Gottabees bring their live production of Go Home Tiny Monster to the Theater-by-the-Sea Friday with early shows at 10AM and Noon. The popular children’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Award-winning RI hip-hop artist Chachi Carvalho, playing Waterfire August 13
A special Waterfire this weekend celebrating communities of color is coming to downtown Providence on Saturday, August 13. Sponsored by Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC), the event is described as “an immersive cultural experience filled with exciting performance artists and locally renowned musicians and singers representing Black, Hispanic, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Latino cultures.” Musical […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, playing Bold Point with Buddy Guy Saturday August 13
An all-star lineup of blues greats is coming to Bold Point Park Saturday, August 13 when the Backroads Blue Festival rolls into East Providence. Leading the charge is Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who organized the tour featuring blues legend Buddy Guy and recent Grammy Award winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, who, at age 21, has taken the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, History
This Day in RI History: August 9, 1918 – Director Robert Aldrich born in Cranston
Award-winning Director, Producer, and Screenwriter Robert Aldrich was born on August 9, 1918 in Cranston, RI. Aldrich is best known for his films including Vera Cruz, The Dirty Dozen and The Longest Yard. Aldrich grew up in Cranston and attended the Moses Brown School and later the University of Virginia. Coming from a wealthy family […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: Lisa Morales brings warm vibes to the Norman Bird Sanctuary
A near sell-out crowd greeted Texas-based singer Lisa Morales at the Norman Bird Sanctuary Friday evening August 5 in a concert co-produced by Newport Live. Morales charmed those assembled with stories of love, loss, and redemption. It was the first time seeing her live for many in the crowd. Morales played several from her upcoming […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (August 5-7)
Mid-summer weekends means live music, crowded dive bars, and more. Check out “Six Picks Music,” our weekly rundown of some of the best shows in the region. Sunday: UPDATE: Location changed to The Strand in Providence. Fresh off their debut appearance at the Newport Folk Festival a couple of weeks ago, Ukrainian traditional folk band […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: William Cepeda Afro-Rican Jazz Band playing free concert in Providence Sunday Aug. 14
Another in a series of outstanding concerts is coming to Roger Williams Park in Providence on Sunday, August 14 at 6PM when FirstWorks Summer Beats presents William Cepeda’s Afro-Rican Jazz. Cepeda, a cultural icon in Puerto Rico, was born and raised in Loiza, the heart of San Juan’s “Little Africa.” The trombonist has recorded several […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks Events: What to do in RI this weekend (August 5-7)
With another heat wave expected, here’s our weekly preview of some cool events happening around RI this weekend. There’s something for everyone this weekend – check out “Six Picks Events” for August 5-7, 2022. All weekend: The Charlestown Seaford Festival returns to Ninigret Park for a weekend of fun and delicious food. The festival is […]
Posted inArts & Culture
TICKET GIVEAWAY: We interview Lisa Morales, playing Norman Bird Sanctuary Friday, August 5
Another in a series of world-class concerts is coming to the Norman Bird Sanctuary on Friday, August 5 when Americana singer-songwriter Lisa Morales makes a stop in Newport. We’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to the show courtesy of Newport Live. Just e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by Thursday August 4 at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Samara Joy shines at 2022 Newport Jazz Festival
Among the many highlights at last weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival was the Festival debut of Samara Joy, a 22-year-old jazz vocalist who played the Harbor Stage Saturday afternoon. I sat down with the NYC-based singer for a brief chat just before she took the stage. It was her first time at the festival, and Joy, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2022 Newport Jazz Festival: Shift in direction – Day 3 recap and photos
Sunday, July 31 concluded three days of fun in the sun at the historic Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. Post pandemic, the full return of the festival was well attended, selling out on Saturday with near sell-outs Friday and Sunday. Whether intended or not, the theme of this year’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2022 Newport Jazz Festival – Day 2 recap and photos
A sell-out crowd squeezed into Fort Adams State Park Saturday, July 30 for Day 2 of the 2022 Newport Jazz Festival. Once again it was a day for youth to shine, as well as one that saw women artists taking charge. There was more energy in the line-up than ever before behind bands like Sons […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2022 Newport Jazz Festival off to a great start – Day 1 recap and photos
Jazz is back at Fort Adams. The 2022 Newport Folk Festival kicked off on Friday, July 29 with a diverse lineup that included some new names along with some familiar artists. In recent years, the Friday program has introduced younger artists to the festival crowd – this year’s program was no different. A series of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Events: What to do in RI this weekend (July 29-31)
It’s officially mid-summer, and before you know it … Don’t even think about finishing that thought! Here are a few good ways to spend the upcoming weekend. We present “Six Picks” Events – have a grea wekeend! Thursday: Art Night Bristol is a tradition that includes gallery and studio tours in the seaside town. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s it like to play the Newport Folk Festival? Meet 16-year-old banjo sensation Nora Brown
The 2022 Newport Folk Festival featured artists in genres from hip-hop to rock, punk to bluegrass. One young artist is among those focused on keeping the folk tradition alive. I spoke to teenage banjo extraordinaire Nora Brown who is turning 17 next week. Needless to say, she was excited to be returning to the festival […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ticket Giveaway: Dedicated Men of Zion playing Newport Congregational Church Saturday July 30
Thanks to Newport Live, we’ve got two pairs of tickets to giveaway to a high-energy show coming to the Newport Congregational Church this Saturday night. To enter for tickets to see Dedicated Men of Zion, e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by 5PM on Thursday, July 28. Winners will be notified Thursday evening. Newport Live is […]