Want to support your favorite artists during the pandemic? Here’s our weekly roundup of some of the best live streaming concerts this weekend. Check ’em out! Friday: “Cayamo in the Round” is streaming live Friday starting at 7PM with Molly Tuttle, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Poltz and Paul Thorn. Details here. Friday: Amy Helm is streaming […]
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
Gillette Stadium to Host Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru March 19 through April 18
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Raycom-Legacy Content Company, in partnership with Mattel, Inc., announced today that Gillette Stadium will host the popular Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru from March 19 through April 18, 2021. This must-see, kid-focused event allows families to enjoy the thrill of the larger-than-life showcase of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks and legendary vehicles from the comfort […]
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Six Picks Music: The Best in Streaming Music This Weekend – Patti Smith, Todd Rundgren and Tank and the Bangas
Slowly but surely, clubs and concert venues are making plans to re-open with live music. Until that happens, we’ll continue to list some of the top livestream shows coming up this weekend. Here’s this week’s listing. Friday: Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye bring their “50 Years of Words and Music” to the people. The show […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Winter Storm Watch Issued for Thursday, Feb 18: More Snow/Ice/Rain on the Way
Another winter storm is on the way. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of Rhode Island for Thursday into Friday. Snowfall totals of 4-7 inches of snow are in the forecast for the region. Details below. …WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING… * WHAT…Heavy […]
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RI Jazz Great Greg Abate to Release “Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron” in April
Woonsocket native saxophonist Greg Abate is releasing a new album “Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron” on April 2, a tribute to the keyboard legend Barron. An inductee in the RI Music Hall of Fame, Abate has played and recorded with artists as diverse as Phil Woods, Richie Cole, Jerome Richardson, as well Kenny […]
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Dropkick Murphys to Livestream “Still Locked Down” on St. Patrick’s Day 2021
True to their annual tradition – with a twist for these turbulent times – Dropkick Murphys will unite with music fans from around the globe for Dropkick Murphys St. Patrick’s Day Stream 2021…Still Locked Down to virtually celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT. The free streaming online concert–with no in-person audience–will be simulcast […]
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Six Picks Music – Valentine’s Day Edition: Bill Harley, Grace Potter and Judy Collins
Live-streamed concerts have come a long way since the pandemic began last March. This weekend features some Newport Folk favorites and several Valentine’s themed concerts from around the world. Friday: Local Family performer and Grammy winner Bill Harley streams “Walking Each Other Home” at 7PM with help from Noah and Dylan Harley. Details here. Friday: […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Winter Storm Warning issued for Sunday, February 7th, 5-9 inches Predicted (Updated)
The National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Storm Warning” for the region for Sunday, February 7th. The storm is expected to impact all of Rhode Island including Newport. We’ll keep you updated all weekend. Keep up to date on cancellations, parking bans, and more here – LIVE BLOG | Snow-Related Cancellations, Closures, and Delays […]
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Region – Storm Beginning Monday Morning
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for all of Rhode Island including Newport. The storm is expected to overspread the region Monday morning. We’ll have updated cancellations and delays throughout the duration of the storm. LIVE BLOG | Snow-Related Cancellations, Closures, and Delays …WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM MONDAY TO 1 […]
Posted inNews, Weather
Winter Storm Watch Issued for Region – Storm Expected Monday
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for most of the area. The storm is expected to overspread the region Monday. We’ll have updated cancellations and delays throughout the duration of the storm. …WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON… * WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 […]
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Six Picks Music: Top Live Streams This Weekend – War and Treaty, Brandi Carlile and Isbell/Lovett
Live Streamed concerts have come a long way since the pandemic began last March. This weekend features several from across the country. We’re listing a few favorites below. Friday and Saturday: Ann Arbor Folk Festival with artists including Colin Hay, Dar Williams, War and Treaty, Bruce Cockburn, David Bromberg and more. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j00JKIIjcK4 War […]
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What’s Up Interview: PPAC President Lynn Singleton
How does the region’s most admired performance venue ride out the COVID pandemic? With bold leadership and military-like planning. We recently spoke with Lynn Singleton, longtime President and CEO of one of the state’s most respected institutions, the Providence Performing Arts Center. With almost 40 years at the helm of PPAC, Singleton thought he has […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez to Stream Live from Narrows Center Friday Jan. 29
SNL’s “Beehive Queen” Christine Ohlman, will be live streaming from the Narrows Center Friday January 29th with her band Rebel Montez. Known for her mile-high platinum-blonde hairdo) Ohlman is the current, long-time vocalist with NBC’s Saturday Night Live Band whose sixth critically-acclaimed CD with Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez, The Deep End, was honored on […]
Posted inNews
Trinity Rep Announces Online Programming Including “America Too: Reckoning and Resilience” Beginning Jan. 28th
Acclaimed RI theate Trinity Repertory Company, announced two new virtual programs this week. In partnership with the Providence Public Library, America Too: Reckoning and Resilience launches on January 28 at 7:30 pm ET and continues through May, meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month. Hosts Michelle Cruz, Joe Wilson, Jr. and Christina Bevilacqua will be joined […]
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What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “One Night in Miami”
Amazon Studio’s One Night in Miami is a movie for our time. Based on the critically acclaimed play by Kemp Powers, the historical drama tells the fictional story of a summit involving four pivotal members of the African-American community on the night Cassius Clay became the world heavyweight champion in 1964. It’s easy to see […]
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Roomful of Blues to Stream Virtual Show at Narrows Center Friday, January 22
Miss your monthly dose of Roomful? It’s been almost a year, hasn’t it? We look forward to the day we can get back out there and rock with them, meanwhile, here’s a chance to catch the legendary Rhode Island band in a live stream from the Narrows Center for the Arts. Roomful of Blues plays […]
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“Paste Studios on the Road: Boston” Streaming Concerts This Week from Passim
This week, Paste Studios on the Road brings a series of livestream performances from some of the regions best musicians. Paste Studios will be taking over Club Passim for three days of live streams featuring New England artists. Paste will go live Wednesday 1/20 and continue Thursday 1/21 and Friday 1/22 with four shows a […]
Posted inNews
Reflections on Martin Luther King Day 2021
I entered Kindergarten in the Fall of 1968 at the newly renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, a school that continues to educate a diverse population in the Mount Hope neighborhood in Providence. King had been assassinated the previous Spring, and the school took on his name and his mission soon after. My Kindergarten […]
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Tank and The Bangas to Perform Virtual Concert with Louisiana Philharmonic Tonight (January 15)
January 15, 2021—Tonight, “Best New Artist” Grammy-nominee and critically acclaimed band Tank and The Bangas will debut an on-demand virtual concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at 8:30PM EST. Presented with support from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and filmed in New Orleans’ historic Orpheum Theater, the performance will feature renditions of numerous […]
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What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “Rock Camp: The Movie”
Rock Camp: The Movie is a new film documenting a program that allows well-healed fans to “live the dream” and play in a band with rock stars for a long weekend. No doubt, hanging out for a few days with rock icons is a great experience if you can afford it, and it’s certainly memorable […]
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PPAC Community Outreach Committee Announces ARTS Scholarships 2021
Providence, RI – The Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is pleased to announce that applications for the ARTS Scholarships 2021 program will be available on Thursday, January 14, 2021; applications will then be accepted until Friday, February 26, 2021 at 4PM. Guidelines in English and Spanish and applications will be […]
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John and Aimee Oates Announce Songfest 7908 to Support FeedingAmerica.com
Nashville, TN – January 13, 2021 – John and Aimee Oates have partnered with FeedingAmerica.org, nugs.net and Drive Entertainment Group to create and produce: “OATES SONG FEST 7908” An all-star collection of like-minded artists have answered the call to participate in a virtual streaming broadcast on March 20, 2021. The show will be streamed free […]
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Wilbury Theatre to Present World Premiere of “The Race” Opening Jan. 15
PROVIDENCE, RI (January 12, 2021) – The Wilbury Theatre Group presents the world premiere of The Race by Mark Binder, directed by Brien Lang. This challenging new play, done in an emerging new performance medium, examines the common, and sometimes uncommon, obstacles of a high-pressure corporate interview dance in the Zoom era. Performances will be […]
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What’s Up Interview: Director/Producer Chris Sparling, RI Native, Screenwriter of “Greenland”
What does a respected Hollywood writer/director/producer from Rhode Island do when a nation goes into lockdown? He hunkers down in his home state, like everyone else, of course. Like many, Providence native Chris Sparling has spent the past several months working from home on films in various stages of production, while awaiting the release of […]
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What’s Up 2020 Top 10: The Music (Folk, Roots, Rock)
It’s never easy to pick the best music of the year, particularly when there are so many worthy releases in numerous genres. Below are ten of my personal favorites from 2020 in Americana – that elusive spot where folk, roots, rock, and county collide. Drive-By Truckers – The Unraveling. One of the great rock […]