The Music Never Stopped … Deadheads and fellow travelers, get ready to party … Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra is coming to town. The band will play their 3224th show (yes, they keep track) and their first show ever at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30. They surpassed […]
Providence Performing Arts Center
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As Real as it Gets – Jason Isbell provides a clinic in great songwriting in solo concert at PPAC
If you weren’t at the Providence Performing Arts Center last night, you missed one of the best shows of the year. Yup, already! On what felt like the coldest night of winter, the Alabama-born singer warmed hearts with a solo performance in a show that rivals anything I’ve seen in recent years. Isbell excels in […]
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Meet cast members of HAMILTON, playing PPAC through December 22
The blockbuster musical Hamilton has returned to the Providence Performing Arts Center, and by all accounts, the show is as strong as ever. The Broadway spectacle, now on its third run in Providence, plays through Sunday, December 22. Very few tickets remain – Click here for details. For those unfamiliar with the groundbreaking musical, here’s […]
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Concert Photos: Mannheim Steamroller brings holiday spirit to PPAC
A holiday tradition returned to Providence on Friday, December 6, when Mannheim Steamroller stopped by the Providence Performing Arts Center. The award-winning 15-piece ensemble presented their Christmas show, featuring popular hits along with dazzling effects, before a near-sell-out crowd. Percussionist/composer Chip Davis founded the American neoclassical collaborative in 1974. They’re known for blending classical music […]
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What’s Up Interview: Newport native Nora Eschenheimer, starring in Trinity’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
NOTE: The 2024 production of Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol at the Providence Performing Arts Center runs through December 4, and again from December 26-29. The show is on hiatus from December 5-25 when the theater hosts HAMILTON. Click here for details. A Rhode Island tradition for theater lovers is back – Trinity Rep’s production […]
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Theater Review: ‘A Beautiful Noise’ indeed – Neil Diamond musical is a hit at PPAC
The hype is real. The Broadway hit A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: The Neil Diamond Musical, which kicks off its national tour this week at the Providence Performing Arts Center, is an entertaining night of song and storytelling packed with the legendary singer’s hits along with a peek into the life of the character who shaped them. […]
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Meet the cast of ‘A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: The Neil Diamond Musical,’ playing PPAC September 21-28
The National Tour of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: The Neil Diamond Musical kicks off this weekend at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show runs Saturday, September 21, through Saturday, September 28, with limited tickets still available. Click here for details. A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the story of an artist’s rise from struggling songwriter to international […]
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What’s Up Interview: Tommy Gardner, aka Tommy Buoy of Yachtley Crew, playing PPAC July 27
Yacht Rock enthusiasts, prepare “sail away” with Yachtley Crew, a band guaranteed to “make your dreams come true.” The band cruises on into the Providence Performing Arts Center where they’d “really like to see you tonight,” (well, July 27), and even better, you don’t have to be a “Rich Girl” or boy to attend. Appearing […]
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Theater Review: ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’ soars at PPAC
When a legendary Hollywood actor headlines a play, there’s always a risk they could steal its thunder. No doubt, many theatergoers buy tickets to see one of their favorite actors on stage. In the case of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, running at the Providence Performing Arts Center through Sunday, February 11, the appearance of Richard […]
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Concert Photos: Bush rocks Providence Performing Arts Center in high-energy show
A capacity crowd was on its feet all night long as rock stalwarts Bush brought a high-energy show to the Providence Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 21. Thirty years after they broke out of the London rock scene, the band brought hits from throughout their career, including “Everything Zen,” “Glycerine,” and “Comedown.” Next up […]
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Concert Photos: The Beach Boys bring ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’ to PPAC
An enthusiastic crowd greeted “America’s Band,” when the Beach Boys brought some “Good Vibrations” to the Providence Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 16. The iconic band rocked two solid sets of classic hits, including “Surfin’ USA,” “I Get Around,” “God Only Knows,” and “California Girls.” The Beach Boys at PPAC (Photo: Rick Farrell)The Beach […]
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Ticket Giveaway: Win tickets to see Bush at PPAC on Tuesday, November 21
Grammy-nominated rock band Bush bring their Nowhere To Go But Everywhere Tour to the Providence Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 21 and thanks to PPAC, we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to the show. To enter, email Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by 9AM on Thursday, November 16. Please put “Bush Tickets” […]
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What’s Up Interview and Ticket Giveaway: We speak to Mike Love of the Beach Boys
Only one music group gets the designation of “America’s Band.” That band, of course, is The Beach Boys. Under the leadership of founding member Mike Love, the band tours regularly, averaging about 150 shows a year. They’ll be appearing at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 16, and we’ve got two free pairs […]
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Ticket Giveaway: Tower of Power to play PPAC with RI Philharmonic October 28
Need a dose of soul power? We’ve got the cure! Legendary Oakland, CA band Tower of Power will join the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra for a special concert at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 28. Thanks to our friends at PPAC, What’sUpNewp has two pairs of tickets to give away to the […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Van Morrison as good as ever at the Providence Performing Arts Center
Van Morrison thrilled fans in the first of two shows at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Friday, September 22. The legendary artist, known for hits like “Have I Told You Lately,” “Brown-Eyed Girl,” and “Moondance,” was particularly strong Friday night, driving his band through a high-energy set of rock, country, and skiffle classics along […]
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Bob Dylan returning to Providence Performing Arts Center November 10
Award-winning singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is returning to the Providence Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 10 for an 8PM concert. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, September 15 at 10AM here. Considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan is known for such classics as “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Blowin’ in the […]
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Concert Recap and Photos: Counting Crows and Dashboard Confessional rock PPAC
Longtime fans were on their feet for a high-energy show at the Providence Performing Arts Center on a warm Tuesday night in mid-July when 90s rockers Counting Crows and openers Dashboard Confessional took the PVD stage. Both bands rocked the house with their hits and more and shared the stage for a pair of encores, […]
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What’s Up Interview: Rus Anderson, star of ‘The Rocket Man Show’ at PPAC Friday, June 16
The Providence Performing Arts Center’s “Cool Summer Nights” concert series continues Friday, June 16, with the Elton John tribute band “The Rocket Man Show.” I spoke with Rus Anderson, star of the show last week, as he was preparing for an East Coast swing ahead of a tour of the UK. “I’m very grateful that […]
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Concert review and photos: John Mellencamp firing on all cylinders at PPAC
Rock icon John Mellencamp made an impressive return to the Providence Performing Arts Center on Sunday, June 11, playing his heart out to a sold-out house. The Indiana-born Rock and Roll Hall of Famer last played in the capital city in 2015. Mellencamp is a master storyteller, whether he’s singing “a little diddy about ‘Jack […]
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ILL – Abilities ‘No Excuses, No Limits’ show headed to PPAC Saturday, May 13
Luca Patuelli is known as Lazylegz. He’s had a muscular condition called arthrogryposis since birth. “It can affect any part of the body,” said Patuelli in our recent interview. “This [hit] my legs,” so he gets around with the help of braces and crutches. So, when I tell you that Patuelli manages and performs in […]
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Van Morrison’s concert at PPAC postponed until September 22 and 24
Van Morrison fans, you’ll have to wait a little longer to see Van the Man. The singer’s two-night stand, originally scheduled for May 11-12 at the Providence Performing Arts Center today has been postponed. The following statement was issued by PPAC this afternoon: Providence, RI – With regret, the Van Morrison performances on Thursday, May 11 […]
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Theater Review: Beetlejuice as good as it gets at PPAC
Who’s the most loveable demon around? You’ve got to say his name three times. It must be spoken, unbroken. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice! “Beetlejuice,” the last Broadway show of PPAC’s 2022/2023 season, is as good as the best shows PPAC presented this year – and that includes “Tina” and “Six.” “Beetlejuice” is arguably better, as it’s […]
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PPAC announces student winners of ARTS scholarships
Providence, RI – The members of the Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) are pleased to announce the recipients of the ARTS Scholarships 2023 program, made possible by the generosity of Textron Charitable Trust and PPAC’s Annual Fund Donors with support from the Ocean State Charities Trust. The 2023 class of recipients is PPAC’s largest […]
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Theater Review: SIX, amazing and stunning at PPAC
Whatever you do, don’t go into “Six,” the Broadway musical at the Providence Performing Arts Center through next Sunday, April 23, expecting a boring historical look at the six wives of Henry VIII. “Six” is an amazing and stunning work, unlike any Broadway show that preceded it. Presented in concert form, complete with fantastic music […]
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‘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 […]