Singer-Songwriter Janis Ian helped pave the way for modern songwriters. Where would today’s confessional singers be without ballads like “At Seventeen,” not to mention the groundbreaking classic “Society’s Child?” A compelling new documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, directed by Varda Bar-Kar, opens at the Jane Pickens Film and Event Center on April 3. The film […]
Jane Pickens Film and Events Center
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up in Music: We preview the statewide Spring concert scene
Better weather, longer days and longer nights mean music fans from around the region are awakening from their winter slumber. There’s lots going on at area concert venues – we’ve got all the highlights of the Spring Concert Season leading into early June at venues around the state. More concerts are expected to be added […]
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What’s Up Interview: Acclaimed Irish violinist Máiréad Nesbitt playing Jane Pickens March 9
As March arrives, all things Irish take over the city by the sea. One highlight of the St. Patrick’s Day season will undoubtedly be the concert by violinist Máiréad Nesbitt, who takes Jane Pickens Film and Event Center stage on Sunday, March 9. Click here for tickets. I caught up with the top-selling Grammy Award-nominated […]
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Jane Pickens to screen 2025 Oscar SHORTS and films nominated for Best Picture beginning February 6
Jane Pickens Film and Event Center is celebrating awards season with a curated lineup of 2025 Oscar-nominated films, including this year’s acclaimed shorts program and limited screenings of top contenders. “The Oscar Shorts are always one of the most anticipated films we show in February.” says Kathy Staab, owner of Jane Pickens. “The three categories of […]
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Flashback: Meet fans who were there when Bob Dylan went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival
With the film “A Complete Unknown” creating a lot of interest in Bob Dylan and the Newport Folk Festival where he made history in 1965, we thought it was time to hear from some local experts. We spoke to several music fans who were there on that fateful day 60 years ago when one of […]
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Movie Review: New Bob Dylan biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ is a complete hit
“People make up their past, they remember what they want, they forget the rest.” So says Timothée Chalamet, who plays Bob Dylan in the brilliant new film, A Complete Unknown, in a tense confrontation with Elle Fanning, who plays Sylvie Russo, a character based on Dylan’s on-and-off NYC girlfriend Suze Rotolo, as she prods him […]
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What’s Up in Music this season: We preview the statewide winter concert scene
Things aren’t slowing down at all on the local music scene, with a wide variety of concerts scheduled over the next three months ranging from indie-rock to classical. Here’s a statewide rundown of some notable shows coming your way over this winter season. Ragged Island Brewing brings back the popular Barn Sessions with shows highlighting […]
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What’s Up Interview: Zach Williams of The Lone Bellow, playing Jane Pickens Sunday, October 20
The Lone Bellow certainly know something about playing music in Newport. The Nashville, TN, by way of Brooklyn, NYC, trio has played the Newport Folk Festival several times in the modern era, going back to their first appearance at Fort Adams in 2013. This weekend, they return to the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center […]
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What’s Up Interview: John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, playing Jane Pickens on October 8
Five for Fighting founder John Ondrasik knows a little bit about songwriting. Ondrasik formed Five for Fighting (yes, he’s a hockey fan) as a solo artist in 1995, after music executives found his name too difficult to pronounce… or market. He had modest success with 1997’s Message for Albert, his critically acclaimed debut album, but […]
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What’s Up Interview: Comedian Tom Cotter on ‘No Apologies’ tour, coming to Jane Pickens Sept. 26 with comics Jim Florentine and Tammy Pescatelli
Comedian Tom Cotter makes no apologies … except for the time he had to apologize for a joke about the Pope. More on that later… The Providence native shared a few laughs earlier this week when I spoke to him on a call from his home in New York. With a career going back to […]
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Judy Collins coming to Jane Pickens August 15-16 – We revisit our 2022 interview with legendary singer-songwriter
Note: This interview was originally published in July 2022. It has been updated. Click here for tickets to see Judy Collins at Jane Pickens Film and Event Center. So what do you ask a folk music icon who inspired one of the greatest love songs of all time? That was my challenge recently as I […]
Posted inArts & Culture
What’s Up Interview: James Montgomery headlining concert at Jane Pickens Friday, May 24
The historic Jane Pickens Film and Events Center is hosting a special concert this Friday, May 24, a benefit show for two local causes with headliner and hometown hero James Montgomery. The concert benefits Newport’s Broadway Streer Fair as well as Operation Stand Down RI, an organization dedicated to supporting local veterans. The singer/harmonica player […]
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What’s Up Interview: Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies, band playing Newport May 9
Although the weather is not quite keeping pace, the concert season in Newport is certainly heating up. Next up at Jane Pickens Film and Events Center – iconic 90s band Crash Test Dummies roar into town on May 9. Click here for tickets. Tagged as adult-contemporary act in the early/mid 1990s, the band was also […]
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What’s Up Interview: Michael Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies, playing Jane Pickens on February 23
One of the more innovative bands in rock and roll is headed back to Newport. The Cowboy Junkies last played the “City by the Sea” in 2022, a follow-up to a remarkable performance at the 2008 Newport Folk Festival. The Junkies have been making critically acclaimed music since the late 1980s, never veering far from […]
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Movie Preview: Joan Baez biopic ‘I am a Noise’ coming to Jane Pickens October 13-18
A new film about legendary folk singer Joan Baez tells her remarkable story, an intimate portrayal of her “public, private and secret life.” Joan Baez, I am a Noise, directed by Karen O’Connor, Miri Navasky, and Maeve O’Boyle, is playing at the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center October 13-16. Advance tickets are available here. […]
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‘Six Picks’ Music: The Best in local music this weekend (Sept. 22-24)
We’ve got everything from punk to bluegrass this week in “Six Picks,” our weekly column of the best in local music. With more rain expected, be sure to check the links for outdoor shows for storm-related updates. Saturday: Punks for Pets is an annual event organized by local musician Jenn Lombari at Nick-a-Nees in Providence […]
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‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (September 8-10)
The late summer weekend brings an impressive lineup of top-notch music to the region in a variety of genres. Have a great weekend! Friday: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist Grace Potter was a hit last summer at the Newport Folk Festival when she returned to the stage the morning after her band’s set was cut short due to […]
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‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (June 16-18)
This is one of those weekends where there are just too many shows and not enough time! Indeed, there’s something for everyone in our weekly column “Six Picks Music” – have a great weekend! Friday: Outdoor concerts return to the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown Friday when Newport Live presents South African jazz with the […]
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What’s Up Interview: RI drummer Jesse Humphrey of Carbon Leaf, band playing Jane Pickens Friday, May 5
An award-winning band from Richmond, VA is headed to Newport’s Jane Pickens Film and Events Center on Friday, May 5. Best known for 2001’s “The Boxer,” and the 2004 hit “Life Less Ordinary,” Carbon Leaf plays an Americana blend of bluegrass, rock, folk, Celtic and pop. With a dedicated fanbase, they regularly sell out shows […]
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Concert Review and Photos: Suzanne Vega sparkles at Jane Pickens
Back in the mid-1980s, when the idea of acoustic guitar-based music on commercial radio was about as far-fetched as, well, the idea of acoustic guitar-based music on commercial radio today, Suzanne Vega emerged. The singer-songwriter of classics “Luka,” “Tom’s Diner,” and “Marlene on the Wall,” returned to Newport Sunday, April 16, for a charming and […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (April 14-16)
Things continue to spring back to life around Rhode Island this weekend with some great theater, a foodie film event, ballet, and a cannabis festival all on the agenda. Check out “Six Picks Events” below to learn more. All Weekend: The Foodie Film Festival returns to the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center in Newport […]
Posted inThings To Do
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 24-26)
Check out “Six Picks Music” every Friday for some of the best in live, local music around the region this weekend. This week, we mellow out a bit to focus on some top singer-songwriters playing live this weekend. Friday: A few tickets remain available at Jane Pickens Film and Events Center in Newport for an […]
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Six Picks: The best in local music this weekend (December 16-18)
With 2022 winding down, there are only a couple of weekends left to get out and support live music. We’re previewing a few shows below … have a great weekend! Friday: The Friday Songwriter Series at Foolproof Brewery in Pawtucket is back this weekend with a trio of Rhode Island’s best – Allysen Callery and […]
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What’s Up Interview: Craig O’Keefe of ‘The Sixties Show,’ coming to Jane Pickens November 20
Put on your tie-dye t-shirts, hop in your VW van and plan on heading on down to the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center on November 20. The Sixties Show is coming to town. The Sixties Show is a multimedia theatrical production built around classic songs from the decade that changed everything. The performance features […]
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What’s Up Interview: Legendary Singer Judy Collins, coming to Jane Pickens for two shows August 19-20
What do you ask a folk music icon who inspired one of the greatest love songs of all time? That was the challenge as I prepared for a phone call with singer-songwriter Judy Collins recently. I decided to keep it simple … my first question, “Do you prefer Judy or Ms. Collins?” was enough to […]