An innovative new program combining classical music with social action is coming to Providence Sunday December 5th. That’s when FirstWorks is presenting renowned classical violinist Johnny Gandelsman with selections from “This is America” at the First Unitarian Church in Providence at 4PM. Ticket information here. Gandelsman is a founding member of string quartet Brooklyn Rider […]
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
Summer Concert Announcement: Chicago to tour with Brian Wilson
As we head into the heart of winter, it’s never too early to start planning for summer concerts. By all indications, the summer of 2022 will be a busy concert season, with artists eager to perform post-pandemic. Today, two legendary acts, Chicago and Brian Wilson announced a summer tour beginning June 7th in Phoenix, AZ […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Hubby Jenkins coming to Common Fence Point December 4
Another in a series of top-notch concerts is coming to the Common Fence Point Arts Center in Portsmouth Saturday, December 4th, when acclaimed Roots musician Hubby Jenkins is scheduled to perform. I spoke to Jenkins last week by phone from his home in New York and was reminded it’s not his first time playing the […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Buy Local “Six Picks” – Local Art and Gift shops
The holiday shopping season is upon us. Supply chain issues aside, there are dozens of 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 present some of our favorite art […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend – Neutral Nation, Deer Tick and the All-Star Stars
It’s one of the busiest weekends of the year in live music with local bands dominating our weekly column “Six Picks.” Our favorites this week include past and (likely) future members of the RI Music Hall of Fame. Have a great weekend! Friday: The one, the only, the legend that is Bob Dylan rolls into […]
Posted inNews
Concert Recap and Photos: The Schemers ring in the holiday season at The Met
It’s not every night when you get to check out a group of “local boys” looking and sounding like they are the greatest rock and roll band in the world. We’re talking about local legends The Schemers, who put on another stellar show Wednesday, November 24th at The Met in Pawtucket, proving once again, that […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Festival releases 2021 Thank You Video
In an email to fans today, the Newport Jazz Festival released a Thank You Video which included a tribute to George Wein. The Festival thanked fans and announced they will have ticket sales information for the 2022 Festival in the new year. The 2o22 Newport Jazz Festival is scheduled for the weekend of July 29-31. […]
Posted inThings To Do
Six Picks: The best in live music this weekend – Bromberg, Bonamassa and Beauquet
The pre-holiday weekend is here along with a wide variety of music around the state. Check out some of our favorites below. Saturday: Don’t miss the debut album release show at the Galactic Theatre in Warren from fuzz-infected RI band Beauquet, led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Ava Callery. Balloon Thief and Bocheck open around 9PM. Details here. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brewery of the Month: We visit West Passage Brewing Co. in North Kingstown
The state’s newest small batch brewery, West Passage Brewing Company, was a nice discovery on a recent rainy evening. The former Gillian’s Ale House on Post Road near Wickford in North Kingston has been renovated and transformed into a multi-room tasting center and restaurant. The brewery, which opened this summer, features an extensive food and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Award-winning jazz pianist Kenny Barron playing Zeiterion Arts Center Thursday, Nov. 18
National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and Grammy nominee Kenny Barron will be appearing at” Stage Door Live” on Thursday, November 18th at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford. Tickets are available for the show here. Barron will also be performing at “Celebrating George Wein,” a special concert in honor of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up at the Movies: Capsule reviews – “Finch,” “Passing” and “Love Hard”
We’ve watched a few streaming movies over the last few days – one was great, one fair, and a third, although popular on Netflix, didn’t quite inspire. Check out our reviews and let us know what you think. Finch – Tom Hanks has upgraded his co-star from a volleyball (Wilson in Castaway) to Jeff the […]
Posted inNews
Concert Recap and Photos: Cheap Trick rocks PPAC
Cheap Trick strode into the Providence Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 13 for an old-fashioned rock show. The band is one of the better “legacy” acts currently touring, presenting a strong live show with adept musicianship and spot-on vocals. After a few sound problems got worked out, the band settled into a nice grove. Led […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend – Cheap Trick, John Fogerty, and Forever Young
Another busy fall weekend on the local music front – featuring rock legends, local veterans, and shiny newcomers. Read on for my “Six Picks” this weekend. Friday: RI-based rockers and Motif music award winners Viking Jesus will be celebrating their new “vinyl” with a record release party at Pumphouse Music in Wakefield. Jodie Treloar Sampson […]
Posted inNews
What’s Up Interview: Evan St. Martin of Laden Valley, coming to Jane Pickens Theater November 18th
A good old-fashioned album release party is coming to Newport’s Jane Pickens Theater on Thursday, November 18, celebrating folk band Laden Valley’s new release, Landline. Led by Newporter’s Evan St. Martin and Dave Sarazen, Laden Valley straddles the line between folk, roots, Americana and county, and features warm harmonies and intelligent songwriting. They’ll be playing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
FirstWorks presenting Johnny Gandelsman’s “This is America” December 5th
FirstWorks, a Rhode Island cultural organization known for innovative programming, is presenting a special event at the First Unitarian Church in Providence on December 5th. Curated by Grammy Award-winning violinist Johnny Gandelsman, “This is America” is a new commissioning and recording project featuring over 20 works for solo violin written by a diverse group of […]
Posted inNews
Cheap Trick coming to Providence Performing Arts Center
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Cheap Trick will perform live on the PPAC stage on Saturday, November 13 at 8 PM. The show will be their first performance in the theatre since 1989. Cheap Trick is known as one of rock’s hardest working live acts, playing live in venues worldwide more than 150 […]
Posted inNews
Concert Recap and Photos: The Fixx rocks the Narrows Center (November 5, 2021)
Friday, November 5th saw a nice turnout at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, where The Fixx put on a strong show for a near-capacity crowd. Openers Tony Scalzo and Miles Zuniga of Fastball warmed things up on a cool fall evening. The main act, UK-based The Fixx, was up next with […]
Posted inNews
Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend – Wallflowers, Garcia Peoples and Sugar Cones
There’s rock and roll in the air this weekend with several high-energy concerts around the state. Check out some live music today! Friday: It’ll be an all-out rock show Friday at the News Cafe in Pawtucket when four of the mightiest local bands take the stage beginning around 7PM. Bands include Sugar Cones, Ski Bunny, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant presenting shows at Wyndham Newport beginning November 17th
The Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant today announced that the Wyndham Hotel and Johnny’s Restaurant will host shows scheduled during the holiday season. The popular spot in Newport was forced to close in August due to flooding caused by Hurricane Ida. The Playhouse is presenting Santa’s Murder Mystery November 17-December 19. Click here for tickets […]
Posted inHistory
This Day in RI History: November 4, 1928 – Poet Hannah Weiner is born
Poet Hannah Finegold Weiner was born in Providence on November 4, 1928. Weiner became a well-known writer in the 1960’s, part of the avant-garde Language Poet movement. Weiner graduated from Classical High School in 1946 and went on to Radcliffe College, class of 1950 (magna cum laude), where she wrote a dissertation on Henry James. […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Trans-Siberian Orchestra offering $25 tickets for 25 Hours for Nov 28th Mohegan Sun show beginning Thursday
UNCASVILLE, CT (November 3, 2021) – Multi-platinum, progressive Rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra(TSO) will bring its highly-anticipated Winter Tour back for 2021 to Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, November 28th. In commemoration of the three-time platinum album’s anniversary, TSO will offer concert tickets for $25 for 25 hours only on Thursday, November 4th at 9:00am through Friday, November 5th at 10:00am. Tickets are […]
Posted inThings To Do
Ticket Giveaway: Garcia Peoples Coming to Channing Church Saturday, Nov. 6th
Thanks to the folks at Common Fence Music, we’ve got another ticket giveaway this week. Scroll down for directions on how to enter. And yes, there’s a familiar reference in the name, but no, the founders of Garcia Peoples are not related to Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Their music, however, is the natural […]
Posted inNews
Kenny Chesney Plans “Here and Now 2022” tour with August 26th and 27th stop at Gillette Stadium
The tour features August 26 and August 27 stops at Gillette Stadium, marking Kenny Chesney’s 20th and 21st times headlining Gillette Stadium. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – “When we realized we weren’t getting to spend 2020 with No Shoes Nation, I never thought it would be three years until I would see my most favorite people in the world,” […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Concert Recap and Photos: S.G. Goodman brings wit, wisdom, and good vibes to the Casino Theatre
Another in a fine series of concerts from Common Fence Music came to Newport Saturday, October 30th when S.G. Goodman and her band headlined a formidable show. Goodman, who played the Newport Festivals “Folk On” this summer, brought penetrating lyrics, wide-ranging vocals, a tight backing band and a large does of Kentucky wit to the […]
Posted inNews
“Six Picks” Halloween Edition: The best in local music – Low Lily, Big Lux and Whitney
There’s a lot of variety on the music scene this weekend, with some up-and-coming talent, as well as some old favorites. Here are a few not-to-be-missed shows! Friday: RI’s own James Montgomery Blues Band will jam on into the night when they play Chan’s in Woonsocket Friday at 8PM. Details here. Saturday: Chicago-based indie band […]