Here Come the Bands

PRONK!, Rhode Island’s annual celebration of freestyle brass and drum music, will be returning to Providence with a cacophonous and joyful oomph on October 8. Describing itself as a “heartfelt antidote to mainstream culture,” PRONK! operates with a delightful disregard for social and music convention; radical acceptance is the essence of the occasion, and freedom of expression its triumphant raison d’être. The event is held on Indigenous Peoples Day to support the protest against the nation’s pathological admiration for Columbus and actively embraces communities the organizers describe as, “outfits and misfits.”

The parade on South Water Street will feature bands both marching and on stage, artists and vendors from across the country, including local talents The Extraordinary Rendition Band. Known as ERB for short, this Providence-based group plays, “free, guerrilla-style” music centered around brass and woodwind instruments, with the single intention of, “uplifting everyone in earshot.” It is the positive, community-driven approach to music by bands such as ERB that makes this grassroots event such a success each year. And with its family-friendly attitude, PRONK! is ensuring that its unique, universal message continues for generations to come.

PRONK! takes place on Oct 8. Bands will perform on several stages along South Water St beginning at 2pm, the parade will kick off from the Wild Colonial Parking lot at 5:30pm and performances will continue into the evening between Hot Club and the hurricane barrier.