BridgeFest: Representing RI Spirit

Late July is a bustling time in downtown Newport with the Folk and Jazz fests bookending the last two weekends of the month. With Newport Folk Festival running July 24 – 26 and the Newport Jazz Festival from July 31 – August 2, you’re going to have to pay your babysitter double time on these last heat-soaked days of July.

A problem arises: What is the music-lover to do in the wasteland that represents the weekdays between the Jazz and Folk Fests? For the 7th year in a row, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Newport County is hosting BridgeFest, a celebration of art, music education and of course, the best in live local music. This festival will last from July 27 – 30, filling in that mischievous gap between Newport’s biggest festivals.

Whether you enjoy arts and crafts or some music-centered yoga classes, BridgeFest is the place to be when anxiously awaiting your next taste of George Wein’s festival extravaganza after Folk Fest. Everything will kick off on Monday, July 27 with a 7th annual opening soiree featuring music from ZanRicky.

The highlight of this festival comes through its variety of music, whether you’re a fan of local rock or prefer the classical stylings of Bach. In Queen Anne Square, you can receive your fixing of jazz via some eclectic stylings of Caribbean and folk jazz. Classical offerings will be provided at St. Matthew’s Church in Jamestown with daily performances that focus on the celebration of Bach’s 330th birthday (who looks pretty good for his age).

Motif, in conjunction with Jimmy’s Saloon, will host this year’s rock stage, featuring outstanding local acts that will expose you to the best the RI music scene can offer. All artists featured are Motif music award nominees — and many of them winners — guaranteeing a quality of music that is far superior to other local scenes. I highly recommend catching SexCoffee on Tuesday and The Viennagram on Thursday, but honestly, you won’t go wrong going any of the four days.

If you’re just sick of all this music and hullabaloo, head to Trinity Church for BridgeFest’s arts and crafts fair where you can sit back and relax while watching your child create your next fridge masterpiece. Free yoga classes will also be provided daily at the festival along with an interactive musical education seminar at the Redwood Library.

Newport is a happening place this summer and you’d be crazy not to go explore what this ocean town has to offer. While the Folk and Jazz Fests have become looming giants, don’t forget BridgeFest, an incredible week-long representation of RI spirit and the soul of Newport.