Experience the soul-lifting sounds of Mali with Grammy winner Oumou Sangaré, hailed as the greatest living female voice in African music, and master drummer Sidy Maiga. An outspoken activist for women’s rights, the “songbird of Wassoulou” Oumou Sangaré raises her voice to build awareness for women’s issues in Africa. The raw power of her stirring […]
Curated by violinist Johnny Gandelsman, “This is America” is a new commissioning and recording project featuring over 20 works for solo violin written by American and US-based composers. The invited composers – including icons like Rhiannon Giddens and Conrad Tao – were asked to reflect on the events of the past year and to consider […]
Produced through a creative partnership between FirstWorks and WaterFire Providence, “The Seeing” is an exhibition featuring six film works scored by renowned composer, violinist and activist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR). Roumain will be present to greet attendees during “The Seeing” exhibition’s opening reception taking place on Thursday, January 20, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. He will lead a half-hour […]
Natále is a genre-defying singer-songwriter whose homes include Philadelphia, Tel Aviv, and New England. Her music is an eclectic mix of soul, folk-rock, and Middle Eastern vibes. Inspired by the musical revolutions of the 1960s & ‘70s, Natále’s music is a direct channel to finding solace in inner solitude. Her latest music video “Moreno” premieres […]
IMPACTS ON CREATING ART AND COMMUNITY BUILDING Renowned Rhode Island-based musician Sidy Maiga’s expertise lies in traditional and contemporary Malian and West African music. Sidy is highly skilled in djembe and dundun, two percussion instruments whose importance goes beyond rhythm, style, and musical skill. These instruments and their construction require cultural knowledge that signifies the […]
“Part living history, part concert, all uplifting” —The Washington Post While they may appear worlds apart, Mali’s Amadou & Mariam and the Blind Boys of Alabama share something that is undeniable: deeply felt music of the soul that transcends cultures, nations and musical styles. For over 40 years, Amadou & Mariam have combined their personal love story with a global […]
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the City of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture+ Tourism and founding partner FirstWorks will once again host PVDFest, Providence’s free outdoor signature arts festival, June 10-12, 2022. After an unimaginable two years, artists and performers from around the corner and around the globe will reinvigorate and rebuild Providence’s world-renowned art and […]
Providence’s favorite creatures from another planet will touch down to kick off PVDFest with an extraterrestrial space-funk dance party! These mutant musicians, alien go-go dancers, and rowdy robots combine stand-up comedy, sci-fi, dancing, daredevil stunts, soap opera hysterics, and professional wrestling with live rock and funk music and audience-interactive improvisation. If it sounds crazy now, […]
Welcome to the PVDFEST Opening Night VIP Party A Gathering of Champions for the Arts in Providence! Mayor Jorge Elorza, Director of Providence Art, Culture and Tourism Lizzie Araujo and FirstWorks Executive Artistic Director and Founder Kathleen Pletcher cordially welcome you to the kickoff event for the Capital City’s signature cultural festival. Join us for […]
Trumpeter/Vocalist from New Orleans, USA From playing himself in the HBO Series “Treme,” to barbecuing outside his New Orleans bar, Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge, to sitting in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins keeps himself busy when he isn’t on stage doing what he does […]
A New Orleans Institution Since 1983 For almost 4 decades, the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band has been stunning fans with a fiery live show and a rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while weaving a tapestry that combines elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and the […]
