The Newport Folk Festival is known for recruiting the best folk, blues and roots artists every summer. The Festival also excels at discovering emerging talent. Indeed, established stars like Brandi Carlile, Hozier, Amy Ray and Dawes got a boost from Newport Folk early in their careers. This year, we had a chance to speak to […]
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, People & Profiles
WhatsUp Interview: Cimarron at Newport Folk Festival
Which band travelled the farthest to the 2019 Newport Folk Festival? The answer would probably be Cimarron, a band that travelled all the way from the plains of Eastern Colombia. We spoke to band Director Carlos Rojas Hernández via e-mail (and google translate) to learn a little more about this unique act. 1. What are […]
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WhatsUp Interview: Amy Ray at the Newport Folk Festival
Singer-Songwriter Amy Ray, one half of the legendary duo Indigo Girls, returned to the Newport Folk Festival this year, almost 30 years since her first appearance there. The Indigo Girls were headliners at the Festival throughout the 1990’s, an important period of growth and renewal for the historic festival. I sat down with Ray for […]
Posted inNews
2019 Newport Folk Festival: The Weekend’s Best Photos
We’re sharing some of the weekend’s best photos from WhatsUpRI photographer Rick Farrell. Enjoy these memories of the 2019 Newport Folk Festival. [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”4″ display=”basic_slideshow” arrows=”1″ transition_style=”slide”]
Posted inArts & Culture, News
CBS Morning News Covers Dolly Parton’s Surprise Appearance at Newport Folk
The CBS Morning News broadcast a feaure this morning on the surprise set from Dolly Parton at Saturday’s Newport Folk Festival. The piece also highlighted the role of Festival favorite and recent Grammy Award winner Brandi Carlile. The segment also featured Carlile’s new band The Highwomen, who performed at the Fesitval. Here’s the link to […]
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The 2019 Newport Folk Festival – Day 3 Recap
The final day of the 2019 Newport Folk Festival was indeed memorable. No doubt, it was the first music festival to feature a Muppet singing on stage … more on that later. The day opened with strong sets from The O’ My’s and E.B. the Younger, both first time festival performers. The Preservation Hall Jazz […]
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The 2019 Newport Folk Festival – Day 2 Recap
Day 2 of the 2019 Newport Folk Festival picked up where Day 1 left off. Once again, female artists ruled the day with their music taking center stage. Early highlights included strong sets from Newport first-timers Haley Heyndericxx, Jade Bird and Susto. Illiterate Light woke up the Quad Stage crowd with a powerful set. Jupiter […]
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The 2019 Newport Folk Festival – Day 1 Recap
Day 1 of the 2019 Newport Folk Festival is in the books, and by all accounts, it was a day to be remembered. There were great vibes, the weather was perfect, and surprise guests appeared at every turn. 2019 is undoubtedly the year of the woman at Newport Folk. The Highwomen, a supergroup comprised of […]
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Newport Folk Festival: My Top 10 Picks
The Newport Folk Festival arrives Friday. Read on for my Top 10 picks for the 2019 Festival. NOTE: These are my personal choices – sets that I hope to catch. It’s not intended to be an all-encompassing “must see” list. Everyone’s picks are different – List your Top 10 in comments below! Jeff Tweedy – […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A conversation with Providence-based Granny Squibb, sponsor of the 2019 Newport Folk Festival
Want to support a growing local business while enjoying the sounds of the Newport Folk Festival? Well, the newest sponsor of the Festival has deep Rhode Island roots. Granny Squibb was founded in 2009 by RI native Robin Squibb, who used her grandmother’s original recipe to bottle organic iced tea. The company increased production, marketing […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2nd RI Festival honoring Les Paul coming to Parlor Bar & Kitchen on August 9th
A unique concert celebrating the legacy of guitar innovator Les Paul and featuring an incredible combination of guitars and other ephemera from his personal collection is coming to Newport on Friday, August 9th. The 2nd Annual Les Paul Memorial, which is scheduled for 8 pm to 1 am at Parlor in Newport, includes some of […]
Posted inThings To Do
Live Local Music & Arts Festival returns to Great Friends Meeting House on July 20th
The Live Local Music & Arts Festival returns to the Great Friends Meeting House on Saturday July 20th. The festival, in its third year, is a celebration of the art and culture of Newport and Rhode Island as a whole. Live Local gives visitors from across the world a first-hand view of what it means […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
WhatsUp Interview: Dopey Lopes, Coming to Diego’s in Middletown on June 15th
Dopey Lopes knows a little about rock and roll. The Newport-based musician began playing in 1987, as founder and front man of Two Guys and Another Guy, his band that opened for acts like the Neighborhoods, the Meat Puppets, and Verbal Assault. He toured the East Coast in the 90’s and recorded two albums, Welcome to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Theater Review: Trinity’s “A Christmas Carol” welcomes the holiday season
The redemption story that is “A Christmas Carol” returns to Trinity Rep this season to great fanfare. Overall, it’s a solid production with no major surprises. The 2018 version strays only slightly from the original, mainly by incorporating campy, comic elements and a few unscripted quips throughout the performance. By the final scenes, there’s a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (Sept. 6 – Sept. 12 )
A quick glance of “Six Picks” this week shows the range of music around Rhode Island you can enjoy this weekend. We’ve got everything from Punk to Reggae, and a whole lot in between. Read on for some of the best music anywhere! Yo La Tengo at Columbus Theatre Tuesday (Providence) Critically acclaimed Yo La […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (Aug. 30 – Sept. 5 )
Festival season ain’t over in RI as the Rhythm and Roots Festival returns to Ninigret Park in Charlestown this weekend. We could easily make our “Six Picks” from that festival alone, but want to include a couple of other sweet shows this weekend. Here’s where it’s at… Rhythm and Roots Festival Fri, Sat, Sun at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (August 23-August 29)
With only a few summer weekends to go, now is the time to get out and enjoy some live music. We’ve got your “Six Picks” here, including a popular festival in Providence and more. Providence Folk Festival Sunday (PVD) What would Roger Williams think? The 5th annual Providence Folk Festival is back at the Roger […]
Posted inArts & Culture
WhatsUp Interview: Ward Hayden of GGG – Playing at Rhythm and Roots Festival Labor Day Weekend
What’s in a name? In 2005, a band innocently casts itself as “Girls, Guns & Glory,” a tribute to the great “singing cowboy” Gene Autry. At the time, the name was catchy and slightly badass, reflecting the true outlaw country spirit that characterized the band’s sound. Over the years however, the name became an issue, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (August 16-August 22)
Another busy summer weekend on the RI music scene. We’re highlighting a super mix of national acts, some talented locals and a new festival happening in Cranston. Read all about it on “Six Picks.” RI Blues Festival at All Weekend at Mulligan’s Island (Cranston) Mulligan’s Island, usually a golf range off Reservoir Ave in Cranston, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
WhatsUp Interview: John Hall of Orleans – Playing Providence Folk Festival
The Providence Folk Festival returns to the capital city Sunday August 26th with a full line-up of local and national acts on two stages. Headlining the free festival this year will be musician, activist and former Congressman John Hall, who’ll be playing the Roger Williams National Memorial for the first time. Hall is perhaps best […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Six Picks: The Best in Local Music This Week (August 9-15)
“Six Picks” is our weekly rundown of some of the best music in the area this weekend. We mix it up with national touring acts and outstanding local artists playing the spots you known and love. This week, we focus on some top indie acts, along with a couple of all time great bands … […]
Posted inArts & Culture
2018 Newport Folk Festival: The Musicians Speak
(Above: Nicole Atkins, Photo: Ken Abrams) The 2018 Newport Folk Festival is in the books. There were numerous highlights – new discoveries along with some revered favorites. While there, I spoke with a several artists backstage to get their thoughts on playing the iconic festival. All were clearly soaked in the moment; they understood the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Young Bands Make the Scene at Newport Jazz Festival
“Wow… Spectacular… As good as any band at the Festival.” Those were just some of the comments overheard at the Newport Jazz Festival all weekend following sets by high school and college students from across New England and around the world. In addition to the URI Jazz Band led by Joe Parillo, two other acts, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
PHOTOS: Sunday at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
(Pictured: Jazzmeia Horn, Photo: Ken Abrams) With Saturday’s rain seeming like an ancient memory (except for the occasional mud patch), Newport Jazz 2018 concluded on an upbeat note. The performances ranged from traditional jazz to modern funk, with pretty much everything in between. Day 3 highlights included a beautiful set from singer Jazzmeia Horn, the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Photos: Saturday at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival
(Pictured: Grace Kelly, Photo: Ken Abrams) A near-biblical deluge didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance at the Newport Jazz Festival on Saturday. From headliners Jose James, Andra Day and Grace Kelly to newcomers like the URI Jazz Orchestra, good vibes rules the day. Check out a few or our favorite pictures below.