RI Urban Teens to Perform "The Harlem Strut" in Providence on August 8
GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team
RI Urban Teens to Perform "The Harlem Strut" in Providence on August 8
The performance, which is free and open to the public, is at 2 PM, and features youth from Providence, including students from the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA), who have spent the summer rehearsing six hours a day preparing the show under the musical direction of internationally acclaimed musicians Michael Palter and Lynne Jackson, and the artistic direction of Robb Dimmick.
About the Peformance
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe participating youth in the photo are (starting in the back row) Axel Rosario, Drew Parker, Vanessa Oseghale (behind Drew), Janell Brown, Charles Laws, Ari Couto, Kalif Madriaga, Steven Rosario, Luna Abreu Santana, and Jose Baez. In the front row are Sagai Connor and Gian Montiero.
The students learned songs from the jazz tradition, developing vocal phrasing, acting skills and choreography. The original production, conceived by Dimmick and written by Palter and Jackson, celebrates Harlem, freedom and self-determination.
Now in its twelfth year, the summer program "Jazz is a Rainbow" is produced by Opera Providence and funded by the Providence Shelter for Colored Children and the Rhode Island School of Design. It teaches vocal jazz techniques and history to young performers and also takes 50 youth to the Newport Jazz Festival each summer.
What Rhode Islanders Used to Do in the Summer
Crescent Park
Crescent Park was an amusement park in Riverside, East Providence, Rhode Island from 1886-1979.
After declining attendance during the 1970s the park was closed. The only remaining structure is the 1895-vintage Charles I. D. Looff Carousel, designed and built by Charles I.D. Looff as a showpiece for his carousel business.
If you got a ring in the clown's mouth, you win a free ride on the carousel.
Rocky Point
Rocky Point Park was one of Rhode Island's most popular summer destinations.
Located in Warwick on the Narragansett Bay, the amusement park was in operation from the 1840s until it closed in 1995.
The best attractions were the Corkscrew, Log Flume, and the Freefall.
For lunch, families ate at the Shore Dinner Hall which served clamcakes, lobsters, and New England Clam Chowder.
You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park, a documentary on the park, had its world premiere at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket.
The Beaver Brown Band
Rhode Islanders may have seen John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown before they became famous.
John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown began their careers in Rhode Island during the 1970's.
In 2012, they were inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame.
Drive-ins
Although drive-ins are now a thing of the past, the Rustic is still in operation in North Smithfield.
Since its opening in 1951, three screens play two first run feature films each starting at dusk. The drive-in is open from late April through late September.
Warwick Tent
The Warwick Tent, known as the Warwick Musical Theatre, was opened in 1955 by Buster Bonoff.
The theater, which was located in a tent, paid homage to traditional circus structure by presenting plays in the round.
Warwick Tent began as summer stock but switched focus to famous singers and entertainers in the 1970's.
Narragansett Park
Narragansett Park was an American race track for horse racing in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The race track opened on August 1, 1934, which was two months after gambling in Rhode Island was made legal.
The grandstand seated up to 10,000 people.
Clam Bake
Hosting a clam bake is a tasty Rhode Island tradition.
Families would gather on beaches and serve mussels, crabs, steamers, lobster, and quahog.
Lum's Hot Dogs
A Lum's hot dog and a cold, root beer was the perfect combination on a summer night.
Although now closed, a few Lum's chains were located throughout the state.
Miniature Golf
Miniature golf is a perfect summer activity whether you are with friends or on an awkward first date.
To relive the experiences of youth, there are many miniature golf places to check out in Rhode Island.
