Saturday, July 04, 2009
FOLKIES, FOOD, AND WHALES
Providence has one, Newport has one - thankfully, there's nary a self-respecting city that's lacking an arts festival these days. New Bedford has one, too, natch. While providing plenty of arts and crafts, theirs focuses on con-temporary folk music. Today and Sunday, an array of guitar-strumming singers will offer their story-songs to a roots-loving audience. Stacy Earle and Mark Stuart, Cliff Eberhardt, Jonathan Edwards, John Gorka, Richard Shindell, Red Molly - the stage at the Greater New Bedford Summerfest will feature veterans and newcomers alike. There are whaleboat races, lots of seafood, and plenty of art. And don't forget that Maria Muldaur with the Red Hot Louisiana Band kicks off the fest on Friday (6:30 pm, $15) at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Shows are from 11 am to 9 pm | $10 each, $15 for both days | 508.979.1568 | newbedfordsummerfest.com
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Sunday, July 05, 2009
FLY YOUR FLAG
Letting the world know you're proud of your cultural identity is a great feeling, and introducing others to the particulars of that culture generates even more self-esteem. The food, music, arts, and socializing that is at the center of the Cape Verdean Independence Day Celebration at India Point Park in Providence speaks volumes about local CV residents and their traditions. Up and running since 1976, it's said to be the oldest annual Cape Verdean gathering in the country. This time around it will also feature education and health workshops, as well as plenty of children's activities. The music and dancing is key to the program; performers include Gao Salgado John Viera, Rabenta, Tchuni Preta, and Soldado Di Liberdade. The fun runs from noon to dusk | 401.617.9833 | ricapeverdeanheritage.com
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Monday, July 06, 2009
JUMPING THE NET
As I write,
Venus Williams is pressing forward at Wim-ble--don, while Ana Ivanovic has
stepped to the side with an injured thigh. Yep, lots of people are talking
soccer, and many more are following the Sox, but don't forget: there's a great
blend of agility, power, and strategy to be found in tennis, especially on the
grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue,
Newport. The 2009 is part of the ATP World Tour, and the next stop after Wim-bledon for
many of the world's best racket-wielders. The Van Alen Cup is worth a half mil
in loot. The week of activities is always capped by the induction ceremony;
this year, former Grand Slam Singles champ Monica Seles is being feted.
Athletes on the schedule stretch from Mardy Fish to Fabrice Santoro. The
matches run through the 12th | 401.849.3990 | tennisfame.com
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SPORTS
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
READY FOR ACTION
Artists need to bring their
work where the audiences are, be it a meadow or some college kid's apartment.
The Missoula Oblongata theatre troupe is down with that notion. Its agility is based on making
sure anywhere and everywhere can be turned into a venue. Lights, sets, costumes
- their whole kit 'n' caboodle can be ready to go in a few minutes. When they
get to AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence, they'll be presenting a piece
titled The 50 Greatest Ladies and
Gentlemen. It's about a cowardly war
vet tracking down his brother after receiving a mysterious letter. To see how
"dance mania" and a secret spider fit into the narrative, you'll have to swing
by Rhode Island's reigning arts space at 10 pm | $6 | 401.831.9327 | themissoulaoblongata.com
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THEATER
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
RAISING A LITTLE SAND
I was breezing through Duke Robillard's latest in
the car the other day - our local blues hero still has a knack for revitalizing
those classic jump and boogie tunes. Stomp!
The Blues Tonight (Stony Plain) rifles
through the songbooks of Roy Milton, Wynonie Harris, and Lowell Fulson,
bringing them to life with plenty of smart solos and deep swing. Of course,
it's always best to catch Robillard in person - that's where the grace and
energy of his performances truly take control. He's bringing his stuff to a free show at the Westerly Blues On
the Beach series at Westerly Town Beach, Atlantic Ave-nue, Misquamicut,
from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free (401.348.2597, bluesonthe beachri.com). And if you miss him at the shore, you can catch him
in the city. On July 9, he'll play at the Concert Under the Elms series at the
John Brown House Museum, 52 Power St, Providence, at 6:30 pm | $8, kids under
12 free | 401.331.8575 x 33 | rihs.org
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MUSIC
Thursday, July 09, 2009
REFINEMENT
Straight As in high school, a stint at Stanford, a love of
computer research in acoustics - there were a few things Vienna Teng crossed off
her list before it was time to start writing, singing, and performing her
rather exquisite songs. The Frisco-based pianist brings a well-measured passion
and a vocal style reminiscent of Aimee Mann to the new Inland
Territory (Zoe). The disc wafts classical allusions into the mix
while making room for a full-tilt hoe-down. See if the stuff she trots out at
Narrow Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River, Massachusetts, is
refined enough to suit you and your iPod. Katie Herzig opens at 8 pm | $23 |
508.324.1926 | ncfta.org
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MUISC
