Ready or not, it looks like we’re in for the season’s first snowstorm. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for portions of northern and central Rhode Island for Sunday, December 11. A fast-moving storm will impact the region beginning Sunday afternoon. The forecast calls for 2-4 inches of snow in parts of the region, […]
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: The best in local music this weekend (Dec. 9-11)
“Six Picks” is our weekly music column which highlights some of the best shows in area music, from big concerts to smaller, local gigs. We’ve got a little of each this weekend. Here goes … Friday: An under-the-radar outlaw country artist makes a stop at Askew in Providence Friday when Florence Dore headlines an early […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
‘Six Picks’ holiday book shopping: Best books about Newport
With the holiday shopping season reaching its peak over the next couple of weekends, we’ll be sharing some ideas for unique gifts available locally. Here’s a nice list of Newport-related books for you to consider curated by Charter Books proprietor Steve Iwanski. There’s a good mix of fiction and non-fiction, some art, and a little […]
Posted inFood & Drink
‘Six Picks’ RI Breweries celebrate National Lager Day Saturday, Dec. 10
Rhode Island breweries will be joining their national counterparts this weekend to celebrate “National Lager Day” on December 10. The cold, refreshing lager is the most popular American beer, a key component at backyard barbeques, ball games, and neighborhood pubs. Check out some of our favorite locally-brewed lagers from around the state. Ragged Island Brewery […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ticket Giveaway: The Smithereens coming to the Greenwich Odeum Saturday, Dec. 10
The Greenwich Odeum will be rocking and rolling Saturday, December 10 when The Smithereens pull into town. The band, which had its heyday in the 1980s and early 1990s will feature fellow traveler Marshall Crenshaw on guitar and vocals, as well as original members Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros, and Dennis Diken who we interviewed last week. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Sean Rowe playing La Farge Arts Center Saturday, Dec. 10 in ‘Newport Live’ show
The final show of 2022 presented by Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music) is coming to the LaFarge Arts Center (Newport Congregational Church, 73 Pelham Street), on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 PM. Headliner Sean Rowe and opener Mary-Elaine Jenkins, both highly regarded folk/roots artists, will kick off a great night of music. More on Sean […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Interview: Dave Sarazen of Laden Valley, playing Top of Pelham on Dec. 8
This is one of those “see them now, before they blow up” moments… happening Thursday, December 8 when Laden Valley, an up-and-coming Newport band plays a hometown gig at Top of Pelham. They’re even bringing an internationally known star along for the show. Fellow Newporter Elizabeth Beisel, best known as a medalist in Olympic swimming, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Dec. 2-4)
Another busy weekend on local music scene. We’ll focus our attention on a few area shows helping us get into the holiday spirit. Happy December! Saturday: “A Very, Very Cassie and Maggie Christmas” features Nova Scotia-based artists Cassie and Maggie MacDonald at the venerable Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland. The sisters are described as “haunting […]
Posted inArts & Culture, People & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Legendary rapper Kurtis Blow, appearing at PPAC Dec. 7 in ‘Hip Hop Nutcracker’
Going to see Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” during the holiday season is a time-honored tradition for many families. Over the past few years, a troupe of singers, dancers, and musicians have put a twist on the tradition in the award-winning production “Hip Hop Nutcracker.” Originally staged ten years ago, the show has grown in popularity and […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Wind Advisory issued for Wednesday, Nov. 30 for all of Rhode Island
A Wind Advisory is in effect Wednesday afternoon and evening when a fast-moving storm is expected to impact the area. Residents of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts can expect heavy rain, gusty winds, and possible power outages. Winds may gust as high as 55 MPH. Read the text of the National Weather Service Advisory below: […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Marie Osmond, performing with RI Philharmonic at the Providence Performing Arts Center Dec. 22
With almost six decades in the entertainment industry behind her, you might expect Marie Osmond to be slowing down a bit. Definitely not the case. In an interview earlier this week, I found the multi-talented entertainer a juggernaut, going strong at age 63, moving forward, and loving life. I caught up with Osmond as she […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Nov. 25-27)
Thanksgiving weekend is known for homecoming shows, where locally-based bands play your favorite venues in front of hometown fans. That’s our focus in “Six Picks Music” this week, as we feature top shows from Westerly to Woonsocket and beyond. Friday: One of the greatest bands to ever come out of the Ocean State, The Schemers […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Alisa Amador playing Jamestown Art Center Dec. 3
A rising star on the national music scene is returning to the area next weekend for a show at the Jamestown Arts Center. Alisa Amador, the 2022 winner of the highly regarded Tiny Desk Concert contest, is a growing voice in the singer-songwriter community. She first appeared in the region last summer when she played […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Shop Local “Six Picks” – Art and Gift shops in Newport and beyond
The holiday shopping season is upon us. Supply chain issues may impact big box stores, but there are dozens of local options out there for finding great gifts for family and friends. Each week between now and Christmas, we’ll select six of our favorites in different categories from Aquidneck Island and beyond. This week, we […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Ladies of Folk to play Askew in Providence Sunday, November 27
Here’s a great way to spend the final night of the upcoming holiday weekend while supporting a popular homegrown music festival. The Rhode Island Folk Festival, held every summer at Rose Larisa Park in Riverside, welcomed over 2500 guests last year while charging no price for admission. Needless to say, the festival incurs significant costs, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Food & Drink, Sports, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ World Cup Edition – Best spots to catch all the action in Newport and beyond
Soccer fans rejoice! The World Cup has finally arrived and games will be airing through the finals on December 18. You may have heard that you won’t be able to buy a beer at the matches in Qatar, however, many local bars, breweries, and restaurants will be open for the games which begin as early […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Food & Drink
RI breweries a hit at ‘Foxwoods Beerfest: Battle of the Brews’
Over three thousand beer lovers filled the Rainmaker Expo Center at Foxwoods Casino Saturday, November 19 where “Foxwoods Beerfest: Battle of the Brews” was held. The event kicked off the holiday season at the popular casino, with Connecticut’s Juice Box Band blasting out the hits. Several Rhode Island breweries served up samples and more, alongside […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Foxwoods Beerfest: Battle of the Brews returns Saturday, Nov. 19
This weekend welcomes the return of the Foxwoods Beerfest, an event featuring numerous national and regional breweries. Several favorites from Rhode Island will be there including Grey Sail, Proclamation, Whalers, and Narragansett. The event runs from 3PM-7PM in the Rainmaker Expo at Foxwoods. Click here for more information and tickets. More on Beerfest: On Saturday, November […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (Nov. 18-20)
Is it me, or does there seem to be more live music than ever before? I’m sensing it’s a sign of the times, as Covid wanes, and folks want to get back out there and socialize. Maybe we just appreciate it more. So it’s tough to just pick six, but here are a few ideas […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (November 17-20)
With gift-giving season finally here, there will be lots of opportunities to shop locally. We’re highlighting a few events that feature local crafts and merchants along with a lot more happening around Rhode Island this weekend. Thursday: Don’t miss the opening reception tonight as WUN photographer Rick Farrell joins fellow photog Richard McCaffrey for their […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: Les Misérables begins a thrilling run at PPAC
Question: Why is Les Misérables considered by many to be the greatest musical of all time? Answer: It’s a compelling character-driven story, with powerful acting, timeless music, and impressive set design. Those elements, which drove the musical to prominence in the 1980s, were on display at the show’s opening night performance at the Providence Performing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
UPDATE: Performance re-scheduled for Dec. 8 – Canadian skating performers Le Patin Libre coming to Providence Rink
UPDATE (11/30): Due to refrigeration issues at the Providence Rink, the ice will not be ready in time for FirstWorks’ scheduled performances featuring Montreal’s Le Patin Libre for the Three Nights of Lights festival this Thursday, December 1, 2022. FirstWorks has rescheduled Le Patin Libre for Thursday, December 8, 2022 with three free performances at […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
TICKET GIVEAWAY: Catching up with Erin McKeown, playing Jamestown Arts Center Nov. 19
The “Women’s Voices” concert series returns to the Jamestown Arts Center with singer-songwriter Erin McKeown taking the stage on Saturday, November 19. (Thanks to Newport Live, we’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away to the show. To enter, e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by 5PM Wednesday November 16. Please put “Erin McKeown tickets” […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Les Misérables returning to PPAC November 15-20
It’s a show that continues to inspire audiences over 35 years since debuting in London. The Tony Award-winning musical Les Misérables returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center for several performances next week. Tickets for the Providence Performing Arts Center engagement November 15 – 20, 2022 are on sale now here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5ImbMCxtE More about the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: Stanley Jordan channels Hendrix at the Greenwich Odeum
Guitarist Stanley Jordan and his band brought fire, grace, and top-notch musicianship to the Greenwich Odeum on Friday, November 11. A tribute to Jordan’s idol Jimi Hendrix, the band completely captured the spirit of the legendary rock god. The show brought smiles to long-time Hendrix fans as well as those who enjoy a little improvisation […]