5 Live Music Musts - June 19, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - June 19, 2015
Benjamin Booker at the Met Tonight
Anyone who’s ever been to a music festival will rave about the act that unexpectedly blows you away. It happened to me at last year’s Newport Folk Festival when I caught a blistering set from Blues/Punk rocker Benjamin Booker. He’s since been recognized by major publications like Spin and Rolling Stone, and played on Late Night and Conan. The 26 year old New Orleans native cites Gun Club, Blind Willie Johnson, and T. Rex as influences. Booker is in Pawtucket at The Met tonight for what should be a great show. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Hometown boys Last Good Tooth open at 8PM.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRoz and the Rice Cakes at PPL Tonight
The "Don't Stop the Music" program at the Providence Public Library concludes tonight with homegrown RI band Roz and the Rice Cakes headlining the bill. Tonight’s extra special with an EP release party for Roz and the Band. Copies of Close Encounter will be available on vinyl and cassette. The show also includes Texas psychedelic band Megafauna. The music starts at 7PM with Classical Gas, the Classical High School Jazz Band. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Summer Solstice Festival in Cumberland Saturday
The longest day of the year may officially be Sunday but the best day for Celtic/Americana music in Rhode Island this summer is tomorrow. A multitude of acts on 5 stages will be playing at the Blackstone Valley Theatre’s 5th annual Summer Solstice Festival. Highlights include Welsh band Calan, The Gothard Sisters (pictured), Pendragon and many more. Tickets are $15 for adults, 10 for seniors, $5 for kids. Festival runs from 11AM-7PM at Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland. Rain date is Sunday.
The 40th annual PrideFest will be held from Noon – 8PM on the South Water Street Greenway in Providence tomorrow. The annual event features a variety of activities including over 100 venders, a beer/wine garden, a kids area, and of course, great music. Artists appearing include American Idol Crystal Bowersox, Pearl and the Beard, and RuPaul’s Drag Race all-star Shannel. The festivities begin at Noon.
1 of 52 Hunger Network Concert
Tomorrow night also marks the 2nd annual 1 of 52 Hunger Network Concert at the Contemporary Theatre Company in Wakefield. The concert is a fundraiser to benefit the Jonnycake Center of Peacedale and the North Kingston Food Pantry. Performers include Mark Greenwood, Tammy LaForest, Ed McGuirl, Mother of Dylan and Paula Claire with Rudy Cheeks. Support a great cause - tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. More details here.
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Top Free Summer Concerts in RI
Waterplace Park
Modern rock sounds dominate the Waterplace Park Summer Concert Series sponsored by the City of Providence and WBRU. Great acts like Lovejoy, St. Motel (pictured), Life in Film, and 2015 WBRU Rock Hunt winner Public Alley are scheduled on Friday nights starting July 17. Click here for the complete list of shows.
Downtown Sundown Series
The Downtown Sundown Series is like an outdoor coffeehouse with a focus on area singer-songwriters. Its held at the Roger Williams Memorial in downtown Providence Saturday nights starting June 20. There’s great line up scheduled including up and coming songwriter Ian Fitzgerald, Dan Lilley, Cardboard Ox (pictured), and Allysen Callery (who may even play her set regular "Sundown"). Click here for details.
Wickford Summer Concerts
Families are encouraged to attend the WIckford Summer Concert Series which begins on Tuesday June 16. All concerts are at the town wharf and artists include Nancy Paolino and the Black Tie Band, The RI Rednecks, and the White Eyed Lizard Band (pictured). Shows begin at 7PM and run until August 11. More information here.
Garden City Concerts
The Garden City Shopping Center in Cranston hosts a popular Wednesday night series every summer which features some of the best artists around. The series emphasizes oldies, R&B and Jazz. This summer, check out The Barons, Red Hot Horns, and Dan Morretti and the Hammond Boys (pictured). Click here for the complete list of performers.
Carolyn's Vineyard
Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard has two music series this summer. On Sundays from 1PM-4PM, its world class jazz with performers like the Steve DeConti Trio, and the Doug Wolverton Trio (pictured). Thursday nights from 6PM-9PM, check out modern rock, folk and more with artists including Jesse Dee, Jetty, and Amy and the Engine. Note: There is a $10 parking fee for these shows with a $10 credit which can be used toward the purchase of a bottle of estate wine. Details here.
Blithewold Mansion
The Blithewold Mansion and Arboretum in Bristol is the site of a Wednesday night concert series featuring some great talent. Performers include Atwater Donnelly, Superchief Trio and the Copacetics (pictured). Shows begin at 6PM. Note: $7 charge for members, $10 for non-members. Full schedule here.
Newport Vineyards
In addition to Shakespeare, Yoga, and wine-tasting, Newport Vineyards has a Saturday afternoon series of area folk artists scheduled. Performers include the Ed Pepe Trio, Joanne Lurgio (pictured), and Organic Pickers. Music runs from 1PM-4PM on Saturdays through July 18. Click here for details.
Narragansett Town Beach
Friday nights will be rocking at the Gazebo across from Narragansett Beach right through Labor Day weekend. Several top cover bands including Abbey Rhode (pictured) , Big Cat Blues and Foreverly Brothers are scheduled to perform. Click here for the full schedule.
RI Philharmonic Pops
There are numerous free and inexpensive classical performances around the state this summer. The highlight has to be the annual 4th of July concert at India Point Park with the RI Philharmonic Pops Orchestra. The Pops also play Narragansett, Bristol and Pawtucket later in the summer. Click here for more.
