FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park Free Summer Concert Series Continues this Sunday with the Sounds, Ideas and Spirit of Carnival
Creole soul trumpet master Etienne Charles and educational workshops welcome live audiences to The People’s Park!
Providence, RI—Members of the community are invited to attend, and Media are welcome to cover the FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park free summer concert series in the gorgeous outdoor setting of the Roger Williams Park Bandstand. Presented in partnership with Roger Williams Park Conservancy and the Providence Parks Department, the six-concert series continues this Sunday, August 15, 2021 with Trinidad-born jazz trumpet master, Etienne Charles. Charles and his band bring “Creole Soul” and the sounds of their newest album “Carnival: The Sound of a People Vol. 1” to the FirstWorks Live stage. The band leads an excursion into the varied acoustic sounds, grooves, chants and rituals of the native Trinidad and Tobago carnival. This FirstWorks Live performance is featured as a PVDFest “summer happening,” as Providence’s signature arts festival resumes for 2021 to include citywide arts events spanning June-September.
A menu of free activities exploring the sounds, ideas and spirit of Carnival kicks off with a PVDFest Ideas panel discussion on The Legacy of J’ouvert in Carnival outside of the Roger Williams Park Casino at 1:30 PM. Etienne Charles, Gabriel “David” Alexis, and Becky Bass will discuss the legacy of J’ouvert, a traditional festival originating in Trinidad and Tobago but celebrated throughout the Caribbean.
At 2:15 PM, Etienne Charles and his band lead a workshop that explores the music of Carnival. Learn about instruments, rhythms, and how it all works together at the Roger Williams Park Bandstand.
At 4:00 PM, two-time New England Urban Music Award winner Becky Bass leads a workshop on The Steel Pan from J’ouvert to Carnival outside of the Roger Williams Park Casino. Attendees are welcome to bring their percussion instruments to participate in this interactive workshop in which Bass will discuss and demonstrate the journey of the steel pan and its place in J’ouvert celebrations.
The Providence Drum Troupe stir up a celebration starting at 4:00 PM. Featuring acrobats, fire-arts, stilt walkers, hoopers, lasers and dancers from near and far, their funky beats and positive, interactive energy culminate in Etienne Charles’ headline performance at 5:00 PM at the Bandstand.
In the event of rain, Etienne Charles’ concert and related Carnival events will take place inside the Roger Williams Park Casino instead of at the Bandstand and Casino lawn. Space is limited, first come first served. Masks are strongly encouraged for indoor events.
FirstWorks and Roger Williams Park are committed to following the State of Rhode Island’s guidance on COVID-19 precautions. Patrons are encouraged to view the latest state guidelines at reopeningri.com as guidance develops.
The FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park concert series offers a global journey from Polynesian dance and drums to Andean folk music, international hip-hop to Caribbean Carnival, red-hot Latin jazz to red roots Americana. For more information and the full series line-up visit http://first-works.org. To learn more about events in Roger Williams Park visit www.rwpark.org.
FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park is presented by FirstWorks in partnership with Roger Williams Park Conservancy and Providence Parks Department. A PVDFest Summer Happening.
FirstWorks’ Carnival! funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.
Special thanks to Providence Tourism Council for generous support of FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park.
WHO: Trinidad-born jazz trumpet master –– Etienne Charles and his band
a PVDFest featured summer happening
WHAT: FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park summer concert series
WHEN: Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 5:00-6:00 PM
WHERE: Roger Williams Park, Bandstand. Park entrance located at 1000 Elmwood
Avenue, Providence.
HOW: Live, in-person performance is free and open to the public.
WHY: The FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park series offers park visitors a chance to experience artists representing a global range of genres and backgrounds for free in the gorgeous and welcoming setting of “The People’s Park.”
WHO: Musicians Etienne Charles, Becky Bass, and cultural practitioner Gabriel “David” Alexis
WHAT: PVDFest Ideas panel discussion: The Legacy of J’ouvert in Carnival
WHEN: Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 1:30-2:15 PM
WHERE: Roger Williams Park, outside of the Casino. Park entrance located at 1000
Elmwood Avenue, Providence.
WHO: Jazz Trumpet Master Etienne Charles and his band
WHAT: FirstWorks Live Workshop: Carnival Music
WHEN: Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 2:15-3:00 PM
WHERE: Roger Williams Park, Bandstand. Park entrance located at 1000
Elmwood Avenue, Providence.
WHO: Steel Drummer and Vocalist Becky Bass
WHAT: FirstWorks Live Workshop: The Steel Pan from J’ouvert to Carnival
WHEN: Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 4:00-4:45 PM
WHERE: Roger Williams Park, outside of the Casino. Park entrance located at 1000
Elmwood Avenue, Providence.
WHO: Performance: Providence Drum Troupe
WHAT: FirstWorks Live—Music at Roger Williams Park summer concert series
WHEN: Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 4:00-5:00 PM
WHERE: Roger Williams Park, near the Bandstand. Park entrance located at 1000
Elmwood Avenue, Providence.
About FirstWorks
FirstWorks is a non-profit based in Providence, Rhode Island whose purpose is to build the cultural, educational and economic vitality of its community by engaging diverse audiences with world-class performing arts and education programs. Since 2004, FirstWorks festivals, performances and programs have attracted more than 600,000 participants. FirstWorks Arts Education combines the power of the arts and experiential learning and reaches over 5,000 students in person across 40 public and charter schools in Rhode Island. Virtual Learning opportunities have expanded that reach, creating new ways for the arts to propel learning.
FirstWorks is the founding partner of PVDFest, collaborating with the City of Providence to produce the City’s free signature arts celebration since 2015. In 2019 PVDFest drew 130,000 visitors to Providence to experience music, art and spectacular performances. Embracing collaboration, FirstWorks has fostered over 90 community partnerships across business, social service, government, arts, and education sectors. Visit http://first-works.org to learn more.
About Roger Williams Park Conservancy:
The mission of the Roger Williams Park Conservancy is to sustain and enhance Roger Williams Park as a vibrant public space for all. An independent nonprofit organization, the Conservancy works in partnership with the City of Providence Parks Department to steward the Park, offer community programs, raise resources, coordinate marketing efforts, and plan for its long-term sustainability and enjoyment by the community. Visit https://rwpconservancy.org to learn more.
About PVDFest:
For the seventh year, Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and founding partner FirstWorks will host PVDFest, Providence’s signature art festival this summer and fall. Providence’s world-renowned art, culture and culinary community join forces with artists from around the corner and across the globe to deliver a once in a lifetime experience. Live music, dance, food, and visual art installations transform the city in a multi-day, multi-arts take-over of public spaces, parks and outdoor stages in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Visit http://pvdfest.com to learn more.