2017 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative

Providence, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism,
the Department of Parks & Recreation and the Partnership for Providence Parks
announced the 2017 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts
Initiative.
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza’s Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative celebrates the
culture and creativity rooted in Providence neighborhoods through performances in
local parks. Organizations receiving a grant to participate in the initiative this
year include Opera Providence, Partnership with Providence Parks, Providence
Children’s Film Festival, Fargnoli Park, Stages of Freedom/Jazz is a Rainbow, the
West Broadway Neighborhood Association, Family Service of Rhode Island and Project
401/Alleppo Street Park. All events are located in public parks and are free and
open to the public.

Hopkins Square hosts performances produced by Opera Providence at 5pm on July 9,
July 16, July 23 and July 30. After curating the successful «Opera on the Hill»
series, Opera Providence brings entertaining and family friendly favorites from
their operatic repertoire to Charles Street. The weekly themes and selections will
showcase music from Latin America, Italy and America while providing a festive and
welcoming atmosphere to Opera fans and those experiencing the genre for the first
time.

Harriet & Sayles Park will host performances produced by Family Service of Rhode
Island at 5pm on July 11 and July 25. Artists and
performers from the community who empower audiences of all ages are slated to
perform during the series, allowing audiences to experience and celebrate the
artistic talents that reside in the neighborhood.

Fargnoli Park hosts performances produced by The Partnership for Providence
Parks at 5pm on July 11, July 18, July 25, August 3,
August 22 and August 29. Each event will feature live performances from local
artists, activities and a family film being screened to close out the evening.

Dexter Park hosts performances produced by the West Broadway Neighborhood
Association (WBNA) at 5pm on July 13, July 20 and July 27.
Partnering with Farm Fresh Rhode Island, each performance will have a farmer’s
market from 3:30pm to dusk while Laughing Gorilla will set up a beer garden. On July
13, a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4pm to welcome two new additions to
the park; a bocce court and chess table. Children’s chess games and prizes will
follow the ceremony before Karma Band takes the stage at 5:30pm. On July 20, Lindsay
Meehan will delight the crowd performing children’s music followed by KC Moaners. At
the July 27 event, the Cranston Street Armory Animated by Art project hosts a
Masquerade Party beginning at 5pm. At 5:30pm, a bilingual English-Spanish adaptation
of Romeo & Juliet will be performed directed by Trinity Repertory Company’s Tyler
Dobrowsky. AC+T is sponsoring this creative collaboration between Trinity
Rep, Rhode Island Latino
Arts, The Steel Yard,
and neighborhood residents with funds from the National Endowment for the
Arts. WBNA will be selling popcorn and water on-site at all
events with proceeds to benefit their organization.

Richardson Park will host a performance produced by Oasis
International at 1pm on July 29. The African
Summer Bash will have something for everyone including food, live music, dance,
games, fashion and much more!

The Providence Children’s Film Festival
(PCFF) will bring the Festival to five Providence parks every Wednesday in August at
7:30pm in select locations. Bring your own blanket or chairs to enjoy
family-friendly movies under the stars. Local youth musicians/artists will warm up
the crowd with performances before the screen lights up at dusk with a special
curated reel of international short films originally shown at past Festivals.

Prospect Park hosts performances produced by Stages of Freedom & Jazz is a Rainbow
at 5:30pm on August 10 & 11. Sixteen inner-city teens from Providence schools,
under the direction of Jazz is a Rainbow, will perform an original musical tribute
to Sammy Davis, Jr. entitled «Mr. Wonderful,» showcasing his signature songs, such
as «The Candy Man» and Mr. Bojangles.» The show not only makes for an entertaining
evening but also helps these talented Providence teens develop singing, dancing,
acting and teamwork skills.

The Providence Children’s Museum lends imagination
to the Celebrate Providence! events this summer, bringing joy and play to the
neighborhoods! Keep on the lookout for them at select events all summer or visit
their website for more information.

Acting City Council President Sabina Matos and Metro PCS will present a movie night
at RiverSide Park in Oyneyville on Saturday, July 15 at 6pm.

For more information and an updated schedule, please visit:

Celebrate Providence! 2017

The 2017 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative is sponsored
by the City of Providence, Jorge O. Elorza, Mayor,
Department of Art, Culture +
Tourism, Department of Parks &
Recreation, Partnership For Providence
Parks and the City’s Eat, Play, Learn
Initiative.