With the baseball season underway, it’s a good time to look back at some of the ballplayers who hail from our area. There have been over 100 MLB players born in Rhode Island, including two born in Newport. In addition, eight managers, including Woonsocket native Rocco Baldelli who currently skippers the Minnesota Twins, were born […]
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 inThings To Do
Six Picks Music – The best in local music this weekend (April 15-17)
Friday: Songs like “The Letter,” Kind of a Drag,” and “Cry Like a Baby” are classic rock staples. Friday night, don’t miss a pair of classic bands at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket when The Box Tops and The Buckinghams play those great tunes and more. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIWY8UyW9bw Saturday: Talk about classic songs … […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: We meet cast members of PPAC musical ‘Ain’t Too Proud’
If you haven’t heard, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is one of the season’s biggest hits. Running through Sunday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, the musical has earned enthusiastic reviews both nationally and locally. We met a couple of the stars of the show earlier this week at […]
Posted inThings To Do
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 15-17)
The holiday weekend is here and we’ve got a few ideas for getting out there and enjoying the Spring weather. Check out “Six Picks Events” for April 15-17 below. Friday: Food Truck Fridays returns to the Roger Williams Park Zoo and Carousel in Providence this weekend. Over 20 trucks, beer and wine, live music, and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Theater Review: Audience engaging “Ain’t Too Proud” a big hit a PPAC
If you already have tickets, “Get Ready” to have a great time at Ain’t Too Proud, the latest in a series of jukebox musicals playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center. And if you don’t have tickets, I suggest you pick some up fast, you won’t regret it! The lively musical tells the story of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Breaking: Charlestown Town Council approves Rhythm & Roots Festival Labor Day Weekend
At a meeting on Monday, April 11, the Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously to approve a permit for the Rhythm and Roots Festival. The vote clears the way for the annual event to return to Ninigret Park over Labor Day Weekend. The Festival was called off in early February when longtime Executive Producer Chuck Wentworth […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Rickie McKinnie of The Blind Boys of Alabama, playing RI April 27
Music fans … here’s a little test for you … What popular act is generally considered the longest-running band in America? The Beach Boys, The Four Tops, The Rolling Stones..? (yeah, we know they’re British). If you guessed “None of the Above,” you’d be correct. In fact, The Blind Boys of Alabama are the longest-running […]
Posted inNews
Photo Gallery: Narragansett Brewery celebrates first anniversary at new India Point location
Narragansett Brewery celebrated its first birthday at its new India Point location in Providence Saturday, April 9. The brewery has built a large following since opening last Spring, and friends packed the space to celebrate with brewers and staff. Music and high-energy fun was provided by the Providence Drum Troupe and Hollow Turle, along with […]
Posted inThings To Do
Six Picks Music: The best in local music this weekend (April 8-10)
Music is everywhere this weekend on S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night! I just can’t wait! Forgive our Bay City Rollers reference and do check out the music in a variety of styles this weekend around RI! Saturday: 90’s Alt-rock singer-songwriter Jill Sobule is best known for her groundbreaking song “I Kissed a Girl,” along with her hit “Supermodel” […]
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Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 8-10)
Rhode Island is famous for its extraordinary arts and culture scene. Live theater is a big part of that scene, with over a dozen venues producing plays. This weekend, we’re highlighting some of the best around the state. Have a great weekend! All weekend: The Broadway hit DEAR EVAN HANSEN is playing at PPAC in […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles, Things To Do
What’s Up Interview: Blues musician Selwyn Birchwood
Real music comes from the soul, believes singer-songwriter/guitarist Selwyn Birchwood. “The music that I enjoy is music that comes from people’s souls, it comes from people’s actual experiences rather than imitating what other people have experienced,” he told me in a recent interview. “Music is more authentic when people are putting themselves out there. You […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Interview: Colin Blunstone of The Zombies
Who doesn’t love the Zombies? Their songs are timeless, you know the words by heart … 60’s hits like “Tell Her No,” “She’s Not There,” and “Time of the Season.” Although those classics might seem a lifetime ago, The Zombies never stopped playing … in fact, they’ve undergone a career resurgence in recent years. “We […]
Posted inThings To Do
Two shows added to Bold Point Park including Blues Festival with Buddy Guy August 13 and Mitski July 28
A pair of summer concerts were added to the schedule at Bold Point Park in East Providence this morning. The first show features indie singer-songwriter Mitski who brings her “Laurel Hell Summer Tour” to Bold Point on July 28. Weather Station will open. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 8 here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmXFF_whkVk Bold Point Park […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Concert Recap and Photos: The Winehouse Project at The Met
Good times were rolling at The Met in Pawtucket Friday, April 1 when The Winehouse Project took the stage. Known for great live shows, the Amy Winehouse tribute band has lately been tearing it up around New England and beyond. Led by vocalist Lisa Kay, the nine-piece band rocked hard through two sets of Winehouse […]
Posted inArts & Culture
This Day in RI History: April 2, 1952, Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Leon Wilkeson is born in Newport
Musician Leon Wilkeson was born on April 2, 1952, in Newport, RI. He grew up in Jacksonville, FL and went on to become the main bass player in the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd in the 1970s, the heydey of the band. Wilkeson was originally recruited by Ronny Van Zandt to play in the Van […]
Posted inNews
Concert Recap and Photos: Mercury Rev and Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Columbus Theatre
Two of the hippest bands on the planet brought their shows to the Columbus Theatre in Providence Thursday, March 31. Mercury Rev and Brian Jonestown Massacre offered up an aural soundscape for their fans, in a concert unlike any other. Mercury Rev, founded in Buffalo, NY was up first. The band moved gracefully through their […]
Posted inThings To Do
Six Picks Music: The best in local music this weekend (April 1-3)
No April Fools when it comes to a variety of great music around the region this weekend. We’re keeping it mostly local with some fun shows previewed here in “Six Picks.” Check ’em out below. Friday: The Winehouse Project is a Rhode Island-based tribute band honoring the late singer Amy Winehouse. The Project has a […]
Posted inThings To Do
Dead & Company announce summer tour with stop at Gillette Stadium July 2
DEAD & COMPANY – Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, John Mayer, and Bob Weir, with Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti –is excited to announce its 2022 tour, the band’s seventh tour since forming in 2015, which kicks off June 11th in Los Angeles at the famed Dodger Stadium and runs through July, with a two-night stand at Citi Field, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 1-3)
April Fools Day means comedy … and we’re leading off “Six Picks Events” with a couple of fun shows around the state this weekend. That, plus a fashion show, a garden party, and great deals at Newport area restaurants! Friday: This week’s comedy show at Rejects Beer in Middletown features New England’s #1 comic Mo […]
Posted inArts & Culture
‘Michelangelo – A Different View’ coming to the RI Convention Center May 12-June 12
The most famous fresco in the world will be on display at the Rhode Island Convention Center this spring from May 12 – June 12. Michelangelo – A Different View, is an exhibit that brings the original artwork of the Sistine Chapel to eye level, for art lovers to study close up. Ticket information here. […]
Posted inNews
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit to play Bold Point Park August 26
The 2022 summer schedule is definitely heating up at Bold Point Park in East Providence. This morning, the venue on Narragansett Bay announced a pair of new concerts for late August including a special show with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. The band is playing ahead of a previously announced appearance at Beach Road […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up Interview: Musician Ben Shaw releasing new album ‘Seven Songs’
Back in May, 2019, I had a brief moment of uncertainty when I received an email from RI-based musician Ben Shaw. I knew Shaw as a sax player, but he was sharing his latest single at the time, “Sailboats,” his first release as a “singer-songwriter.” With a click of the mouse, I heard a well-crafted […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 25-27)
Friday: Grammy Award winner Melissa Manchester is playing the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich Friday at 8PM. Best known for her original work and interpretations of classic female voices, Manchester switched gears on her latest release The Fellas, where she sings songs of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Mel Torme. Good seats are still available. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks Academy Award predictions – What’s your pick to win?
With the Academy Awards coming up on Sunday, it’s time to choose our favorites on the annual award show extravaganza. No doubt, it’s a competitive field this year with no obvious favorite in many of the major categories. Check out our picks and share your favorites on Facebook. Best Picture: There seem to be three […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend – March 25-27
All Weekend: August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean at Trinity Rep in Providence is playing to great reviews. The play is the first of Wilson’s cycle of ten plays chronicling the experiences of African Americans in each decade of the 20th century. “Gem” is set in Pittsburgh in 1904 and “offers a searing and mystical […]