I pulled into the Swansea YMCA not knowing what to expect or where to go. The fields were full of youth sports and I didn’t see any signs advertising RiverStock. I walked aimlessly around the parking lot for a bit, and was heading towards the building entrance when I heard a guitar soundchecking. I navigated my way towards the sounds, eventually finding a plot of grass with scattered canopies and a stage in the middle. I’m not sure how I missed it at first, but I found a spot and sat in the sun, just as performers were about to start.
Steve Rodrigues started RiverStock during the pandemic and has been growing it since, providing an entertaining day outside with good music while also raising money for various charities.
“RiverStock started during the pandemic summer of 2020 when music venues were shut down,” Rodrigues explains. “We opened up our back yard in North Dighton, MA, so there would be a space for people to hear live music. I had been doing Facebook Live sets a couple of times a week, so we got musicians together once a month on a Sunday. By the end of the summer, it outgrew our yard, and year two we made a deal with the Swansea YMCA.”
The Somerset and Swansea chapters of the Massachusetts Cultural Council have given RiverStock grants to help cover expenses. There are no vendors and nothing for sale, just a welcoming atmosphere with people getting lost in the music and the sunshine. RiverStock has no entry fee, but accepts donations that go to a different charity at each monthly event.
“There have been a lot of events that raised cancer-related funds,” Rodrigues says. “We’ve helped cancer patients and research, animal causes, and other medical research.”
Sunday’s event raised $725, which Rodrigues will be donating to the National Alzheimer’s Coordination Center in memory of Katherine Bomar Childs, Deb Dalton Bracken, and his father Frank C Rodrigues. They’ve raised close to $30,000 encompassing all our events over the last 6 years.
The summer events take place at Soico/FIRSTFED YMCA, but January sees them move to The Narrows in Fall River, MA for WinterStock.
“WinterStock benefits a scholarship fund to assist students from the music department at my Alma Mater, Durfee HS in Fall River,” Rodrigues says when discussing events affiliated with RiverStock. “Last December we pulled the old “Singing for Shelter” series helping the homeless population on Aquidneck Island under the RiverStock umbrella, and ‘ShelterStock’ was born.”
Each RiverStock event has different performers ranging from quiet acoustic folk to full-band rock and roll. The music is family- and dog-friendly, though I didn’t see many kids in attendance (minus the many within earshot during their youth sports practice).
“Each date is its own little festival, with a different roster of performers,” Rodrigues says. “Our goal is to just give music lovers a place to enjoy playing and listening.”
Not knowing what to expect, I didn’t bring any sort of covering besides a hat, but most of the crowd had the foresight to bring a canopy or umbrella and a cooler. Next time, I’ll know to pack those items and that the event is in the empty field to the right of the parking lot.
“First-time attendees can expect top-notch entertainment, and just about the most peaceful and loving vibe they’ll ever find,” Rodrigues says accurately.
RiverStock has a familiarity. Most people there seemed to know each other; excited to catch up with friends and enjoy the music.
“It’s all about the faces we see one Sunday a month, and the love they have for each other and for the musicians,” Rodrigues says. “It’s our own little melting pot.”
Catch upcoming RiverStock outings on June 28 at 1pm, at the YMCA, 271 Sharps Lot Road, Swansea, MA. Find future dates at fb.com/steven.rodrigues.58