Check out some local socially distanced outdoor music as well as the best in online streaming this weekend in our weekly column “Six Picks.” All Weekend: The Philadelphia Folk Festival is happening virtually all weekend long. Check out over 100 of the best folk artists including Richard Thompson, Rhiannon Giddens, Billy Bragg and Molly Tuttle. […]
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
Watch “Jazz on a Summer’s Day” to Benefit the Newport Festivals Foundation
Filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and directed by world-renowned photographer Bert Stern, Jazz on a Summer’s Day features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O’Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, and closes with a beautiful rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer” by Mahalia Jackson […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine”
A new documentary out now recalls the highs and lows of Creem magazine, founded in 1969 by Detroit record-shop owner Barry Kramer. “America’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Magazine,” was named after the English rock band Cream, a not-so-unintentional poke at the more widely respected rival Rolling Stone. Creem was an intentionally rude, foul-mouthed, hotel-room-trashing social […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Date Updated: FirstWorks Concert with Orlando Hernández Thursday Aug. 13th at Roger Williams Park
The Summer Beats pop-up concert series sponsored by FirstWorks at Roger Williams Park features live, socially distanced performances with local and international flavor. The final performer this summer is Orlando Hernández, an interdisciplinary performer who weaves theater, percussion, and improvisation into immersive experiences of collective rhythm and reflection. He’ll be moving to the smooth sounds of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Jazz Together” and “Newport Jazz Revival Radio” Coming This Weekend
As you know by now, the Newport Jazz Festival will not be happening this weekend. However, the Festival does have some great programming on tap. On Saturday and Sunday, check out amazing sets from the Newport Jazz archives. Be sure to tune in on Saturday August 8 (7PM -11PM ET) and Sunday August 9 (2PM […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “Marley”
An official re-release of the Bob Marley biopic Marley is cause for celebration. The film, originally released in 2012, is out on pay-per-view and in virtual screening rooms now. This look at the legendary reggae artist ranks among the best music documentaries ever made. Marley takes a comprehensive view of the singer’s life and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’sUp at the Movies: We Review: “If You Could Read My Mind”
A new documentary on the life and music of Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot offers a comprehensive take on the singer-songwriter. The film has just been released to “virtual screening” rooms including Newport’s Jane Pickens Theater here. It’s most definitely worthy of your attention. Best known for hits like “If You Could Read My Mind”, “Sundown”, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
Newport Folk Festival Programming Streaming All Weekend
As you know by now, the Newport Folk Festival will not be happening this year. But don’t fret, the Festival has put together some special moments for this weekend. There are ticketed and free online events starting Friday at 11AM, when the Festival typically launches – details below. See you next year at the Fort! […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Live Music Returning to Greenwich Odeum Saturday – Allysen Callery, Marc Von Em and Heather Rose Playing
After several successful movie showings over the past few weeks, the Greenwich Odeum is planning its first concert since Coronavirus closed the venue in March. Saturday night, it’s a facemask mandatory, socially distant evening featuring well known singer-songwriters, Allysen Callery, Marc Von Em and Heather Rose. With the pandemic on everyone’s mind, Odeum President Dan […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Jazz is a Rainbow” Tribute to Aretha Franklin Streaming August 14th
Jazz is a Rainbow, now in its 17th year, is a unique ensemble of talented teens who perform some of America’s greatest songs from the Jazz Songbook. This year’s program, scheduled for August 14th, is dedicated to the one and only “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. The Providence based ensemble spends two weeks each summer rehearsing six […]
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What’sUp Interview: Newport Folk Musician Courtney Marie Andrews
Along with dozens of other artists, Courtney Marie Andrews had hoped to be performing live in this coming weekend at the Newport Folk Festival. Of course COVID-19 got in the way, but you can still see her play in a live stream, as part of the “Deer Tick and Friends” event happening Saturday at 8:30PM. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: Weekend Music Online and In Person – Gilman, Noone and AC-DC
We’re welcoming back our popular “Six Picks” column this weekend. We’re including some live local music from venues that are following state protocols. We encourage you to continue to do the same when you head out. As always, enjoy the music! Friday: Pump House Music in Wakefield has outdoor shows scheduled this weekend Friday and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
WhatsUp Interview: Peter Noone Coming to Misquamicut Drive-In Sunday July 26th
More than 55 years since his band Herman’s Hermits were part of the British Invasion that revolutionized popular music, Peter Noone is still connecting with his fans. Noone will be playing live at the Misquamicut Drive-In in Westerly on Sunday July 26th at 8:30PM. He is enthusiastic about getting back out on the road, socially […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Streaming Online This Weekend (July 17-19) – Neutral Nation, Neal and Julie Rhodes
As the pandemic continues, we’ll continue listing some of the best local and national live streams here weekly. This week, we’ll headline with some local favorites. Stream on …. Friday: Local Blues/Rock legends Neal and the Vipers are live streaming from the Narrows Center at 8PM. Details here. Saturday: Julie Rhodes and the Electric Co. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Steven Van Zandt to Host Live Stream Talk to Benefit “Teach Rock” Thursday July 16
Steven Van Zandt, a multi-platinum artist, producer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and founder of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation and its TeachRock arts integration program, will be holding a series of living-room style talks with special musical and celebrity guests and education heroes from those cities discussing music, education, and national issues. Co-hosted by Drew Carey, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Misquamicut Drive-In to Host Live Concert with Ghost of Paul Revere Wednesday July 15th
With the concert industry slowed significantly by the COVID-19 crisis, artists, venues and promoters are getting creative. Once considered near-obsolete, drive-in theaters are making a comeback, showing movies and more recently, music. One of Rhode Island’s two remaining drive-in’s, the Misquamicut Drive-In in Westerly, is putting on a series of concerts in addition to the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Grammy Winner Lori McKenna to Launch New Album in LiveStream July 24th
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Lori McKenna will perform a special acoustic livestream concert on Friday, July 24 at 8PM from her hometown venue, Club Passim, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Available to stream via the venue’s Facebook and YouTube pages, the event will feature McKenna performing songs from her highly anticipated new album, The Balladeer […]
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Music Streaming Online This Weekend – Margo, Elton and Moe. (July 10-12)
Check out some streaming shows coming this weekend! Friday: Margo Price will be celebrating the release of her new album “That’s How Rumors Get Started” live from Dees Country Lounge in Nashville at 8PM. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVbYyUu8uEg Friday: Tyler Childers is replaying “A Concert a Day” from Pickathon at 4PM. Details here. Friday: Moe. will […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brewery of the Month: “The Guild” Ranks High on the Local Scene
After a quarantine respite, our “Brewery of the Month” column returns for July. Going forward, we’ll visit a different local establishment regularly and report back on our findings. We know, it’s a tough assignment… On a more serious note, like many small businesses, local breweries have been adversely affected by the economic downturn. We encourage […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Streaming Online This Weekend (July 3-5) – Lucius, Elton, and “Rock for Relief”
Friday: Elton John begins streaming his “Classic Concert Series” at Noon today with a vintage show from 1976 in Edinburgh, UK. The stream benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGmSx01JL7U Friday: Lucius is featured at 4PM on “A Concert a Day” recorded live at Pickathon 2019. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKH0-dV4n9k Friday: […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “John Lewis: Good Trouble”
John Lewis has some advice for you… “Get into trouble, good trouble,” he recommends. The 80-year-old Congressman and longtime Civil Rights advocate from Atlanta, GA is the subject of a new documentary, John Lewis: Good Trouble. The film opens in the virtual screening room of the Jane Pickens Theatre Friday July 3rd (Details here). The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Streaming Online This Weekend (June 26-28) – James Montgomery, Black Power Live and Porch Pride
Friday: A new concert series developed by local music leaders Tish Adams and Sam Kopper is streaming live Friday at 5PM. This week, check out James Montgomery and Friends performing as part of the “Music Seen” series. The show streams at 5PM here. All Weekend: Bluegrass Pride is hosting a special “Porch Pride” event this […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up at the Movies: We Review “Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things”
How did a young woman labeled an “ungovernable, shaggy street kid” become the “First Lady of Song?” A new documentary on the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald does an outstanding job answering that question. The film is being released this week on pay-per-view, and is available Friday though the virtual screening room at the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Music Streaming Online This Weekend (June 19-21) – Lockn’ Festival, Dead & Co. and More
All Weekend: “Light from Lockn'” is a streaming Festival with dozens of artist streams and vintage performances all weekend long. Performers include The Allman Brothers, Grace Potter, Charles Bradley and Margo Price. Details here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vABn53YCGbM Friday: Kaia Kater has a concert replay from 2017 on Pickathon’s “A Concert a Day” at 3PM. Details here. Friday: […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Band on the Run: Crooked Coast Takes to the Highway for COVID Safe Gig
Many local bands, eager to play to live audiences, are getting creative. One innovative idea – if fans can’t get out to hear you play, you bring the concert to them. And that’s what one popular Cape Cod-based band did a few weeks back. “My wife actually came up with the idea of bringing the […]