Rhode Island???s historic Blackstone River Valley
Suggested events for March 4-5, 2017 Weekend
CELEBRATING CULTURE AND GREAT MUSIC!
The March 4-5 weekend is filled with great ethnic happenings and an array of local music concerts all happening in Rhode Island???s Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.
Besides captivating industrial heritage, Blackstone River Valley is a wonderful ethnic cultural tapestry for residents and visitors to experience, especially through the region???s communities, sites and entertainment.
Over the weekend don???t miss a moment of some of the best happenings to enjoy with family and friends so close to home in Southern New England!
Saluting RI???s Irish heritage!
According to the 2010 US Census, Rhode Island has over 243 thousand residents claiming Irish ancestry, which is 23 percent of the ???Ocean State???s??? population.
The City of Pawtucket, RI is one of the municipalities with strong connections to Ireland. Each year the city leads off with Rhode Island???s month long Irish heritage celebration each March, with its signature Pawtucket St. Patrick???s Celebration, happening Saturday, March 4.
The parade starts at noon and marches from McCoy Stadium to Pawtucket City Hall on Roosevelt Avenue. This year???s Parade Marshall is local community activist Tom Rogers, known for his involvement with local beautification efforts.
After the parade head over to the Pawtucket Armory Arts Center, 172 Exchange Street, for the Post Parade Celebration, featuring food and music from pipe bands.
Before the colorful festivities start off prior to the parade, don???t miss the start of the first leg of the month long Tour De Patrick road races that will be held at other Irish heritage celebrations statewide.
More details on the parade are on social media at https://www.facebook.com/events/699520950125167/
Details on the road race are at http://www.tourdepatrick.com/
Meanwhile, if you want to explore an important aspect of how early Irish immigrants to Rhode Island worked and left their mark on the expansion of industry, head to the Blackstone River State Park, Lincoln, RI.
The linear park and bikeway spans alongside a well preserved portion of the Blackstone Canal, which was hand dug by Irish immigrants and in operation 1828-1848, as a key transportation connection to the Blackstone River Valley???s factories and farms to the ports in upper Narragansett Bay. The original towpath now serves as the Blackstone River Bikeway.
The park???s Visitor Center is at Interstate 295 north in Lincoln. The park can also be accessed off Front Street (Route 123) in Lincoln. More information on the park is online now at http://www.riparks.com/History/HistoryBlackstone.html
Weekend of concerts!
For those looking for the best in live and local on the music scene, Blackstone River Valley is your destination!
Over the last two decades Blackstone River Valley has become a major Southern New England haven for some of the very best breakthrough music talent, along with hosting top headliners.
Here are just some concerts to attend over the weekend:
Friday, March 3, 7 pm
Philanthropy Tea & Coffee Company
11 Money Hill Road, Chepachet, RI
401-710-9780
Once again, the musical group Dueling Pianos returns with sing-along, clap-along tunes, which are a local favorite. This venue is an upscale caf??, theatre company, and entertainment venue hosting local events.
Friday, March 4, 8 pm
Stone Soup Coffee House Concerts
Slater Mill Historic Site
67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
Folk artists Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rogers perform in concert, as part of Ms. Schmidt???s newest CD ???We Are Welcomed.???
Ms. Schmidt???s music is expressed via her talented repertoire through music, poetry, story, laughter. drama, and celebrating the moment.
Sally Rogers performs traditional, contemporary and original ballads and song, interwoven with stories taken from her life as a performer, a wife and a mother.??
Weekend Performances, March 4 & 5
Blackstone River Theatre
549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI
401-725-9272, www.riverfolk.org
Saturday, March 4 – TWO SHOWS!?? 5 PM and 8 PM, $30.00
World renowned group, L??nasa performs Irish acoustical music, with a collection of nostalgia and high-energy stylings. .
Singer Karan Casey is known for being one of the most influential vocalists in Irish traditional and folk music.
Sunday, March 5, 7 PM, $25.00 advance / $30.00 day of SHARON SHANNON BAND
Ms. Shannon is regarded for her talents in traditional Irish tunes and Irish-influenced compositions, including unexpected styles from around the world.
March 3 & 4
Chan???s Jazz & Blues Concerts
267 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI
401-765-1900, www.chanseggrollsandjaz.com
Friday night, March 3, 8 pm
$20/advance, $22/at door
Lucky Peterson
See this live show with the son of bluesman James Peterson, known for his guitar and keyboards backup, playing with greats like Etta James, Bobby ???Blue??? Band and Little Milton, among others.
Saturday night, March 4, 8pm
$12/advance, $14/at door
Neal Vitulo & the Vipers
This favorite Rhode Island based band offers over three decades of high energy and blues music, performing with such artists as Roy Buchanan,????B.B. King, Albert Collins, Jimmie Vaughan,?? Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Dixon, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Plant, and Johnny Copeland.
Also, visit www.tourblackstone.com for more daily events and visitor information.
Questions and comments on the Blackstone River Valley can be e-mailed at BVTourism@aol.com
For a complete listing of all events happening throughout the year in the Blackstone River Valley, visit our Calendar of Events on the web at www.eventblackstone.com