Rhode Island
As Blackstone River Theater in Cumberland, RI celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, we talked with Russell Gusetti, executive director, about what makes the theater so distinctive as a musical venue, cultural center and community gathering space. How did the Theatre get started and what was your mindset in the early days? In July 1996,…
Scottish Fish are Ava Montesi (fiddle), Caroline Dressler (fiddle), Giulia Haible (cello, piano), Julia Homa (fiddle, piano), and Maggie MacPhail (fiddle, piano). They return to Blackstone River Theatre after being the first band to sell out their debut concert so don’t miss this incredible show! The five members of Scottish Fish, now in their early twenties, came together when they were young girls, ages 7-11,…
The illustrious group of child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. The enormously popular chorus is composed of four touring choirs that hail from dozens of nations and together give over 300 concerts a year around the world. Christmas…
We can’t think of a better way to end our 25th Christmas season than by bringing back Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen! Harvey has performed at BRT for longer than any other musician, going back to our days at the old Central Falls location. Joyce & Harvey’s spirited and reverent Christmas concert draws on traditional holiday repertoire, unknown…
On the Trail is a modern acoustic band that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful traditional songs. The group was founded through their love of bluegrass and the band the Punch Brothers. They have already gained recognition and praise for their exploration and strong execution of the challenging music, as well as for their new original music. The…
New Orleans jazz exponents Soggy Po Boys, native to New England, return to Blackstone River Theatre for a Saturday matinee show! Spreading the good news of New Orleans music across the northeast and beyond, the Po Boys formed in 2012 to shake the walls of a local club on a Fat Tuesday but have honed their…
Zafarán crosses time and boundaries and incorporates musical traditions from around the Mediterranean, weaving together such diverse threads as Southern Italian chants, Sephardic love songs, Romani laments, and Turkish and Greek folk tunes. With driving rhythms, virtuosic improvisation, and the powerful voice of award-winning Italian singer Carmen Marsico, Zafarán bridges languages and cultures with their own eclectic…
The Swedish phenomenon Symbio is regarded as one of the most prominent bands from the progressive Folk & World music scene today. Hearing this symphonic duo will make you doubt the fact that they are only two musicians on stage. This is music that you have never heard before — prepare for a mesmerizing and…
Drenched in the emotions of blues, soul, folk and country music, roots singer-songwriter Kerri Powers uses her dramatically dark voice to mine the depths of romantic heartbreak and broken dreams in the edgy narratives of her songs. A native of rural Massachusetts, Powers sings the blues with such authentic, down-home grit that you might well think she’s from Mississippi. With “Love…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … … and for years Eileen and the band have been celebrating the glorious story of Christmas, thoughtfully, uniquely and with pure unbridled joy! Eileen’s Irish and American roots shine throughout the evening’s beautiful mix of traditional, story-filled, age-old Wren Day songs, poems, and of course, foot…
From the start, the band’s complex arrangements and unique sound reshaped the boundaries of traditional music and energized audiences the world over. Critical acclaim followed, The Irish Echo describing the band as the “the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet:” MOJO magazine named the band “the new gods of Irish music,” adding that “nobody…
The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse — three distinct voices that together make an achingly perfect vocal sound. Starting as a happy accident of solo singer/songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Wailin’ Jennys have grown over the years into one…
Experience the Magic of Celtic Music with the Seán Heely Celtic Band Get swept away by the irresistible energy of the Seán Heely Celtic Band (SHCB)! With a powerful blend of ancient melodies from Scotland and Ireland, vibrant rhythms from Galicia and Brittany, and original modern compositions, SHCB creates a rich musical journey through the…
George M. Cohan, (1878-1942), famed Broadway song and dance man whose songs helped define the World War I generation, was born in Providence RI on July 3, 1878. A statue honoring Cohan at the corner of Wickendon and Governor Streets in Providence was created by noted sculptor Robert Shure, who also created the Irish Famine Memorial in Boston and in Providence. The…
Irish and Celtic music and dance are popular throughout New England not just around St. Patrick’s Day but all year round, thanks in large part to Spectacle Live, the region’s premier music promotion company. Based in Lexington, MA, Spectacle has booked five top-selling Irish and Celtic shows this summer alone, at concert halls in Massachusetts,…
Traditional music that causes a wonderful stir and fills to overflowing every venue – that is Cécilia! Widely recognized as three of Canada’s finest musicians, it is a pleasure to see how much enjoyment Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer find in playing together. While honouring their heritage as Cécilia, their music making has…
Nathan Gourley, Joey Abarta, and Owen Marshall are three of the finest traditional musicians in the Northeastern U.S., bringing together fiddle, uilleann pipes, bouzouki, and guitar in a beautifully expressive and masterfully crafted sound. Their latest album, Copley Street 2, builds on the success of their acclaimed 2016 release, weaving together intricate tunes with deep musical chemistry and…
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These organizations promote Irish Culture in New England.
