Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative 2014 Schedule Announced

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Angel Taveras, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, the Department of Parks + Recreation and the Partnership for Providence Parks are pleased to announce the schedule for the 2014 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative. From music and dance to storytelling in the park,Celebrate Providence! showcases local performers in city parks throughout the summer. All events are free and open to the public.

Opera Providence will present Opera in the Park on four Sundays (July 6, 13, 27 and August 3) starting at 5 p.m. in Hopkins Square (located at the intersection of Charles St. and Branch Ave.). The series features exceptional talent from all over the region. Each performance will highlight favorites from the operatic repertoire and popular Broadway hits. On July 6, Afternoon Delight from the Italian Operas will kick off the Opera series. The group Opera to Broadway will take the stage the following Sunday, July 13. Gilbert, and Sillivan, and More will take the stage on July 27, followed by Zing Went the Strings of My Heart! on August 3.

Community Health Innovations liven up Billy Taylor Park on four Tuesdays (July 8 and 22, August 5 and 19) with the Billy Taylor Summer Performance Series. The first performance on July 8 will feature Case Closed!, a hip hop dance group that will be sure to get you moving! On July 22, get ready to take a trip to the Island of Hawaii with a performance by Flowers of Polynesia. Hear some great poetry and polish up your writing skills on August 5 with James Monteiro and Hannah Resseger. The series will close on August 19 with Valarie Tutson and Friends who will present stories celebrating the Mount Hope neighborhood. All events will feature face painting and open air art displays by Barbieo Barros Gallery.

Elmhurst Clean & Green’s Fargnoli Concert Series takes over Fargnoli Park (located at the corner of Jastram and Smith Streets) for six consecutive Tuesdays (July 15, 22, 29 and August 6, 12, 19), all beginning at 6 p.m.

On select Wednesdays this summer (July 16 and 30, August 13 and 27), the Friends of Brown Street Park will present Summer Concerts at Brown Street Park (behind Hope High School) beginning at 5:30 p.m. On July 16, a local band, Ragged Company, will kick off the series.  Come back on July 30 ready to rock and roll with Smithand Weeden who will play a mix of rock n’ roll and country. On August 13, Ravi Shavi will have the crowd moving with their unique sound that combines punk, modern indie, and new wave with a shot of rock n’ roll. The Children’s Museum will also lead an instrument making class. On August 27, Joe’s Backyard Band will close out the series.

For three consecutive Wednesdays in July (July 16, 23 amd 30) the Family Service of Rhode Island Providence Children’s Initiative will present its Annual Neighborhood Block Parties at Harriet & Sayles Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. On July 16 the Providence Children’s Museum will present an instrument-making tutorial. There will be a performance from hip hop dance group, Project 401 and Zumba instruction. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes! On July 23, learn some salsa dance moves from Mambo Pa Ti and listen to some poetry. See the Extraordinary Rendition Band, a street band of brass, reeds and percussion, and watch Samia, a youth dancer on July 30 to end the series.

Dexter Training Grounds (Parade St. between Cranston St. and Westminster St.) is the place to be on three consecutive Thursdays (July 17, 24, 31) as the West Broadway Neighborhood Association presents West Side Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. The series will begin with a performance by Keith Munslow, an award-winning performer who combines music, storytelling, visual art, and improvisation on July 16. Come back on July 24 for a performance by The American Band. They are one of the oldest bands in the U.S., playing a range of classical and modern works. Join us July 31 for the final performance of the series when hip hop dance and theater performance group, Everett Company, will put on a great show.

On Saturday, August 2 Oasis International brings the African Summer Bash to Richardson Park beginning at 1 p.m.

On Thursdays in August (August 7, 14 and 21), ECAS Theatre will bring Spanish-language and bilingual music, dance, and theater to the young and old alike duringGozadera en el Parque at Roger Williams Park (Broad St. entrance). Performances begin at 5 p.m.  Come by on August 7 and catch a play by Ta’To Nitido, the ECASTheater’s youth team. There will also be a folkloric dance presentation, a performance by Babum the Clown, and a karate demonstration. Join us on August 14 for a poetry reading with Marleny Luna and Sussy Santa. Las Chapanecas from Mexico will perform a folkloric dance, and Poder 1110, a local radio station, will be holding asinging contest. Come enjoy the final performance on August 21, which will feature a Dominican folk exhibit, a folk dance presentation and performances by localmusicians.

West Elmwood Housing brings Simmer Down Thursdays to Bucklin Park on August 7, 14 and 21. All shows begin at 6 p.m. Join us on August 7 for a night with a RhodeIsland Black Story Teller and Play Date. Come by and enjoy the World Celebration on August 14, featuring music and art reflecting the various cultures of residents in Providence’s West End. Don’t miss the final performance of the series on August 21, which will feature dance performances from the West Elmwood CheerleadingTeam, performing their winning routine from Nationals.

The Summit Neighborhood Association will present the annual Summit Music Festival on Saturday, August 23 beginning at 10 a.m. in Lippitt Park.

The Smaller Sights and Sounds program, now in its second year, engages smaller or newer volunteer park groups by transforming their neighborhood parks into community hubs for the arts, healthy living and play. The seven participating parks are: Peace & Plenty Park, Corliss Park, Viscolosi Park, Fr. Lennon Park, Gladys Potter Park, Patterson Park and Blackstone Park.

For more information please visit www.providenceri.com.  The 2013 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative is sponsored by the City of Providence, Mayor Angel Taveras, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, Department of Parks + Recreation, Partnership For Providence Parks and CW28.

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