As much as anyone, touring musicians have been hit especially hard by COVID-19. The spring quarantine and subsequent regulations regarding crowd size have made it difficult for artists to play live. Slowly, live music has been returning to the region, with venues like Askew in Providence leading the way. A makeshift stage on the sidewalk […]
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.
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Six Picks Music Live and Streaming This Weekend – Dennis Brennan, Will Dailey and Charlie Marie
With COVID-safe live music slowly returning to the region, we’re kicking it up a notch this weekend on “Six Picks.” We’re previewing a few live and local shows as well as some online streams available worldwide. Please follow all state guidelines and venue policies when heading out this weekend! Saturday: Boston-based roots rocker Will Dailey […]
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Rocktober: Busy Month Ahead for Music Fans at the Greenwich Odeum
Things are heating up for music fans at the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich. A pair of live concerts along with a series of popular films in a COVID-safe, socially distant setting kick off the month of October. Check out some the events coming to the Odeum below. As always, please take proper precautions when […]
Posted inThings To Do
Ticket Giveaway: Wynton Marsalis Septet at the Yarmouth Drive-in Oct. 8
Multiple Grammy Award winner Wynton Marsalis is bringing his show to the Yarmouth Drive-in on Cape Cod on Thursday, October 8th. The socially distanced drive-in concert is part of a series that includes artists Max Creek, Moe, and the Disco Biscuits. Click here for the complete schedule. We’re offering a free pass to the show […]
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Six Picks Music – Live and Streaming This Weekend: Larkin Poe, Joan Osborne and Forever Young
Friday: Award Winning Neil Young tribute band Forever Young will be streaming from the Narrows Center at 8PM. Details here. Friday: Tonight at 7PM, head to Askew in Providence for a live, socially distanced outdoor show with Greg Sherrod and The Get Down. Details here. Friday: Passim Streams presents Mark Erelli streaming live from the […]
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Ticket Giveaway: Darci Lynn Farmer at Yarmouth Drive-In Oct. 4
Comedian, singer, and ventriloquist, Darci Lynn Farmer is bringing her show to the Yarmouth Drive-in on Cape Cod on Sunday Oct. 4. The “America’s Got Talent” winner will perform live at one of New England’s largest entertainment complexes on Sunday, October 4. The family-friendly show begins at 3:00 PM. Tickets are on sale at yarmouthdrivein.com. We’re […]
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Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis to Perform “Freedom and Democracy” Show at Yarmouth Drive-in Oct. 8
Performing as a septet with Wynton Marsalis, musicians of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, America’s most renowned big band, present a concert of newly composed works and arrangements by Marsalis around the theme of freedom and democracy at the Yarmouth Drive-in on Cape Cod. Marsalis takes the stage at one of New England’s biggest […]
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Six Picks Music: Weekend Music Live and Streaming – GA-20, Bonneroo, and Farm Aid
This weekend is perhaps the biggest we’ve seen in streaming music since the pandemic began. Several music festivals are streaming and a few COVID safe local gigs are happening as well. Saturday: Bonneroo has a virtual ROO-ALity weekend with a with music streaming this weekend from Dave Matthews and Friends, Metallica, The White Stripes, James Brown, […]
Posted inThings To Do
America’s Got Talent Winner Darci Lynn Farmer To Perform Live at Yarmouth Drive-In Oct. 4
Comedian, singer, and ventriloquist, Darci Lynn Farmer is bringing her incredible talent to the Yarmouth Drive-in on Cape Cod. The winner of America’s Got Talent will perform live at one of New England’s largest entertainment complexes on Sunday, October 4. The family-friendly show begins at 3:00 PM. Tickets go on sale to the general public […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Award Winner Children’s Author/Musician Greg Lato to Perform at Garden City Gazebo Friday 9-25
RI based author/musician/storyteller Greg Lato will present a special socially distanced musical storytime Friday featuring his children’s book TRY and music from his new award winning, top 15 iTunes charting children’s album Create My Own World. CREATE MY OWN WORLD has won a 2020 ‘CD of the Year’ Creative Child Award and is a Winner […]
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Six Picks Music: Weekend Music Live and Streaming – Neal & the Vipers, Sheryl Crow and Deer Tick
There’s great music happening around the state and streaming around the world this weekend. Many live streams are now using production crews for a high quality home experience. Check out some of our top picks below. Friday: Alicia Keys premieres her new album in a Livestream at 6PM. Details here. Friday: Sheryl Crow will be […]
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Trinity Rep Cancels In-Person Performances Until Fall 2021 – Will Offer Digital Productions
More than six months after the pandemic first forced the closure of theaters around the country, Trinity Repertory Theatre has made the difficult decision not to produce in-person, indoor performances at Trinity Rep until fall 2021. During this pause in production, Trinity is committing to equity, diversity, and inclusion work; education initiatives; and digital content […]
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What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President”
{This story was originally published on September 7, 2020. It was republished on January 3, 2020, because of it’s January 3 premiere on CNN.} In my recent interview with music writer and retired MTV Executive Bill Flanagan, the Warwick native explained how the new film Jimmy Carter: Rock and Roll President came to be. “My […]
Posted inArts & Culture
FirstWorks to Present the Rhythms of Oumou Sangaré and Sidy Maiga Thursday, Sept 17th
Experience the soul-lifting sounds of Mali in a live stream Thursday September 17th with Grammy winner Oumou Sangaré and master drummer Sidy Maiga. An outspoken activist for women’s rights, the “songbird of Wassoulou,” Oumou Sangaré raises her voice to build awareness for women’s issues in Africa and to inspire audiences worldwide to be stronger, together. Teaming up […]
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Tish Adams Jazz Quartet to Play Special Show Friday, Sept. 18
One of the state’s most admired jazz acts, the Tish Adams Jazz Quartet, will play a live show this Friday September 18th in East Greenwich. The show, designed as a fundraiser for struggling local artists and venues, will be live-streamed beginning at 6PM. The location of the live show will be e-mailed after tickets are […]
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Newport Folk Legend Chris Smither Releasing New Album + Passim Live Stream in October
Chris Smither will be performing a special concert next month live at Club Passim to celebrate the release of his latest album, More From the Levee. Smither will play an acoustic set live in an empty Club Passim, a music venue that hosted his very first gig when he arrived in Cambridge in his early […]
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Album to Benefit The Parlour (PVD) Released – Local Musicians Featured
An special album to benefit a beloved music venue in Providence has just been released. The Parlour has hosted national touring artists and local acts in recent years, while supporting numerous emerging bands and holding frequent fundraisers. “Everyone’s Welcome – A Benefit Compilation For The Parlour” is now available on Bandcamp here. The album is […]
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URI Guitar Festival to Return Virtually September 25-27
A world class guitar festival is returning to the region on the weekend of September 25-27. The University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival, now in its 5th year, will bring internationally recognized artists to a three day online conference, featuring workshops, masterclasses and performances. We spoke to Festival Director Adam Levin, who shared some Festival […]
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Six Picks Music: Weekend Music Live and Streaming: Sofi Tukker, Dawes and The Lemonheads
There’s live music and lots of live streaming around town this weekend. Check out our list and be safe! Friday and Saturday: Inside Lands, a streaming festival from the folks at Outside Lands, including never before seen footage from the past 12 years of the festival’s history. Artists include Jack White, Elton John Gorillaz and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business
Record Store Day Returning Saturday August 29
As you may have heard, vinyl records have made in resurgence in recent years, after almost becoming obsolete in the digital world. Buying records is especially helpful these days as a source of revenue for artists who are unable to tour. Record Store Day is an annual event that celebrates the vinyl record album every […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Ticket Giveaway: Yacht Rock Revue Coming to Yarmouth Drive-In Friday August 28
Yacht Rock Revue has made national headlines for their over-the-top shows covering 70’s classics from artists like Hall & Oates, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins and America. The band is playing the Yarmouth Drive-In Friday night, August 28th, as part of their “Hot Dads in Tight Jeans” tour. We’ve got a set of free tickets to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: Catching up with Newport Jazz Festival Fave Grace Kelly
No doubt, it’s been a rough summer for music fans around Newport. Among other things, we’ve missed out on the artistry and excitement of the many festivals that take place on the island each year. No one has missed it more, however; than the artists who play the Festivals. Grace Kelly, a fan favorite at […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Six Picks Music: Weekend Music Live and Streaming – Grace Potter, Brain James and Queen Esther
We found several socially distanced concerts going on this weekend around the region. We’re listing a few in our weekly column along with some shows that are streaming online. Remember to follow all safety protocols and enjoy! Friday: Grace Potter live at 8PM the Yarmouth Drive-In in Yarmouth, MA. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml7TmC__eDc Friday: Danielle Miraglia […]
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Allman Betts Band Playing Yarmouth Drive-In Thursday August 20th – Tickets Still Available
As you’ve probably heard, Coronavirus has not been kind to professional musicians. Many bands and artists are on an indefinite hiatus, leaving their fans in limbo. A few promoters, however, have gotten creative, developing alternative concert formats, including the COVID safe “drive-in” theater model. One of those venues, the Yarmouth Drive-In, has been chugging along […]
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What’s Up Interview: CBS Commentator/Writer Bill Flanagan to Release “Fifty in Reverse”
Longtime music industry insider Bill Flanagan is a busy man these days. In addition to satellite radio shows on Sirius/XM and his Sunday morning gig on CBS, the retired MTV executive and Warwick native has a new book out as well as a new film about to be released. I spoke to Flanagan last week […]