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 […]
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
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, […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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‘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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Six Picks’ Newport Jazz: ‘Not to be missed’ sets at this weekend’s Newport Jazz Festival
The 2022 Newport Jazz Festival arrives this weekend! The festival features a truly phenomenal line up with diverse acts representing numerous genres, all connecting to jazz on some level. These bands like to have fun, an expressed goal of festival Artistic Director and 2022 performer Christian McBride. Very few tickets remain – the festival is […]
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2022 Newport Folk Festival Day 3: Joni Mitchell appears for historic set
In Saturday’s Newport Folk recap, I wondered how the Festival could outdo itself after welcoming music legend Paul Simon to the Fort Adams stage. There were rumors of a “big name” coming on the third day of the 2022 festival, but there are always rumors at Newport that fail to develop, so most festival-goers were […]
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2022 Newport Folk Festival: Surprise Appearance by Paul Simon – Day 2 Recap and Photos
Saturday, July 23 at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival was a day to be remembered. The festival was overdue for a big surprise performance, and Saturday’s appearance by Paul Simon certainly fit the bill. There were some hints earlier in the year when Nathaniel Rateliff announced the “American Tune Review,” as a planned festival set. […]
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2022 Newport Folk Festival: Day 1 Recap and Photos
If there was a theme to the first day of the 2022 Newport Folk Festival on Friday, July 22, it was variety and diversity. A wide range of sound was represented, including several genre-defying bands and artists. No doubt, the focus was simply all about great music. The festival was more or less back to […]
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Six Picks Music: The best in local music this weekend (July 22-24)
It’s the busiest time of the year for music in Rhode Island, so you would think picking the top six concerts would be easy this weekend. Not the case, however, there are just too many great shows to choose from. Hope you can get out and enjoy some live music this weekend! All Weekend: The […]
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Pete Seeger postage stamp unveiled in ceremony at Jane Pickens Theater
Longtime Newport Folk Festival board member, performer, and activist Pete Seeger was honored in a ceremony at the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center Thursday, July 21. Members of the Seeger family were present when a new “forever stamp” with Seeger’s likeness was unveiled by the United States Postal Service before a packed house. The […]
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Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (July 22-24)
Festivals, festivals, and more festivals… In what is expected to be the hottest weekend this summer, we’ve got some cool ideas for things to do around the state. Check out our “Six Picks Events” for the weekend of July 22-24. All Weekend: The Newport Folk Festival has finally arrived. Three days of the world’s best […]
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What’s Up Interview: Maeve Gilchrist of Silkroad Ensemble, playing Newport Folk and Indian Ranch
One of the more innovative acts playing the Newport Folk Festival this weekend could have easily been booked for the Newport Jazz Festival … or even the Newport Classical Music Festival. When it comes to genre, the Silkroad Ensemble, led by Artistic Director and NFF veteran Rhiannon Giddens, is impossible to pin down. The group […]
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‘Six Picks’ Newport Folk: ‘Not to be missed’ sets at this weekend’s Newport Folk Festival
With over 50 acts scheduled to perform at this weekend’s Newport Folk Festival, it’s close to impossible to pick just six favorites, but we’ll give it a go. The historic festival begins Friday, July 22, and runs through Sunday, July 24 at Fort Adams State Park. We’ll have complete coverage on WhatsUpNewp including daily recaps […]
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TICKET GIVEAWAY: What’s Up Interview – NFF alum Laura Veirs, playing Newport Vineyards July 21
A Newport Folk Festival veteran is returning to the area for a concert on Folk Festival eve, Thursday, July 21. Laura Veirs is headlining a show at Newport Vineyards in Middletown on Thursday at 6:30PM along with openers Brooklyn songwriter Mary-Elaine Jenkins and Richmond, VA-based Andy Jenkins. Thanks to Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), […]
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What’s Up Interview: Musician Don Chilton, plays on the soundtrack of new film ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’
It might be tough to guess the instrument Newport resident Don Chilton is featured on in the new movie Where the Crawdads Sing. The highly anticipated Reese Witherspoon-produced film has opened in theaters and Chilton contributed to the soundtrack … but not on his usual trumpet. If you listen closely, you’ll hear him playing sea […]
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Six Picks Music: The best in local music this weekend (July 15-17)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Music festivals are in full gear in Rhode Island. We’re sharing a pair happening in Cranston this weekend plus a few more concerts around town. Come back next week for “Six Picks Newport Folk” edition. All Weekend: It’s Deer Tick season in RI…. the boys from PVD […]
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RI Blues Fest Saturday, July 16 at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston, we speak with Doug Woolverton
Get ready to kick out the jams this Saturday, July 16 at the Rhode Island Blues Fest at Mulligan’s Island Golf and Entertainment Complex in Cranston. The festival is followed a day later by the Nashville RI Country Fest at the same location. Both festivals are family-friendly and include food trucks, beer tents, and a […]
Posted inThings To Do
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (July 15-17)
A warm mid-summer weekend means it’s time to head to the coast. Here are a few things to do this weekend around Rhode Island. All Weekend: The Newport Classical Music Festival continues this weekend with world-class concerts scheduled. Friday, it’s “Opera Night” with La Boheme at The Breakers, and Saturday it’s “Cocktails and Concert” with cellist […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Psychedelic Furs turn up the heat at The Strand in Providence
A pair of bands who first rose to prominence in the 1980s brought a high-energy show to The Strand in Providence on July 13, 2022. Longtime fans remarked how strong both bands sounded throughout their sets. Punk icons X opened the show behind the vocals of Exene Cervenka and creative force John Doe. Set highlights […]
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What’s Up Interview: Ballroom Thieves, releasing new album and playing the Newport Folk Festival
It’s no secret that the pandemic almost destroyed the music touring industry. Understandably, some bands gave up during the two-year slowdown, while others hunkered down and made the best of a bad situation. Maine-based Ballroom Thieves were one of those bands who were down, but not out, managing to put together a new album which […]
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What’s Up Interview: Legendary Singer Judy Collins, coming to Jane Pickens for two shows August 19-20
What do you ask a folk music icon who inspired one of the greatest love songs of all time? That was the challenge as I prepared for a phone call with singer-songwriter Judy Collins recently. I decided to keep it simple … my first question, “Do you prefer Judy or Ms. Collins?” was enough to […]