Roots Report

Okee dokee folks … Before I do anything, I want to send a shout-out and a BIG THANK YOU to all who attended, performed at – and helped run the Rhode Island Folk Festival this year. I will just name a few here – Beth Barron, Allysen Callery, Anthony Loffredio, Jen Long, Dave Carney, Jaimie Doyle, Louis Oppenheimer, Ed McGuirl, Edwin DeSahzo, Ted Hayes, Mark Cutler, Ed Dean, Loraine Lesniak, Rich Watrous, Karen Murphy, Dianne Fuzek, Maha Janik, Michelle Malone, Tom Rush, Chris Berardo, Diane Sullivan, Mayor Bob DaSilva, RISCA, and so many more. The one comment I heard more than any was “It was amazing!”

It was fitting that the tenth anniversary of The Rhode Island Folk Festival was the best one to date. Riverside’s Crescent Park was packed with music, vendors, people, and dogs! In addition, we gave away about a dozen free guitars to kids in the Young Folks Area. Gibson guitars supplied more than half of those as a donation. We hope every year, it plants seeds for tomorrow’s local performers! What amazes me is that thousands of people showed up at this festival, and when it was over, the park was SPOTLESS! Thank you for supporting The Rhode Island Folk Festival for ten years!

I saw a quote pop up on Facebook last week. The quote, which is attributed to Richard Thompson, though I could not verify it, reads “To stand up on stage, alone, with an acoustic guitar, requires bravery bordering on heroism, bordering on insanity.” I just want all the non-musician folks who think that getting up on stage and performing is easy to remember those words. The fear of public speaking is often listed as a top-five fear. Performing is even harder. Local musicians always need your support! Read on…

A beautiful noise will soon be heard at The Providence Performing Arts Center. And by “beautiful noise” I mean the sounds of the jukebox, Broadway Musical: A Beautiful Noise that celebrates the life and music of the legendary performer Neil Diamond. It’s the true story of a kid from Brooklyn who became a chart-busting American music icon with over 120 million albums sold. The show includes hits such as “I’m A Believer” (yes, Neil wrote that one if you didn’t know!), “Solitary Man,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline.” If you never had the chance to see the icon in concert, this is the next best thing. The show was created in collaboration with Diamond himself, so it has to be great. Don’t wait! Get your tix now and don’t miss this one! The show opens at PPAC on September 21, and runs through September 28. For more, “Holly, Holy” over to PPACRI.org, “If You Know What I Mean.”

Over at Vets, they are ramping up for a fall (into the aisles laughing) you won’t forget. On September 20, Nurse John brings in his Short Staffed show. The very next night, September 21, SNL alum, David Spade hits the Vets with his Catch Me Inside tour. Then on September 22, Brad Williams rounds out the trilogy of comedy shows for September. If you want to hear one of the biggest and best bands ever assembled, then you will definitely want to check out the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Deuces Wild tour when it comes to Providence on October 3. There is just so much going on at Veterans Memorial Auditorium for you to enjoy. For more, run to: thevetsri. com.

Harry Chapin was a great songwriter, performer, and activist. Unfortunately, he died way too soon. I remember that day in 1981 when Harry died; it was a very sad one. Chapin was one of my early musical influences and I was fortunate to have met him in the 1970s. Over the years his family and former band members have kept his legacy alive with sporadic shows honoring him. This year, The Chapin Family has been touring with the Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories Live show and will bring that show to the Garde Theatre in New London, CT on Friday, September 13. The musicians include Harry’s brother Tom, who some may know from his own music as well as his TV show, “Make A Wish;” Harry’s daughter, Jen, who has performed at The RI Folk Fest in the past; Steve Chapin, The Chapin Sisters (Abigail Chapin and Lily Chapin), Big John Wallace, and Howard Fields. At the show, you’ll hear Harry’s classic songs, including “Cat’s In The Cradle,” “Taxi,” “Mr. Tanner,” “Mail Order Annie,” “W•O•L•D,” “All My Life’s a Circle,” and more. The Garde Theatre is a very easy 60-minute drive, it’s VERY easy to park, and a wonderful place to catch a show. If you haven’t yet been, this is the perfect reason to get to The Garde. For more, take the “Greyhound” over to: gardearts.org.

This event should be a rite of passage for EVERY Rhode Islander – King Richard’s Faire. It’s a journey back in time and maybe to another dimension, where knights and ladies-in-waiting wander the grounds along with all sorts of cosplaying patrons. There is food, fun, fire-eaters, minstrels, jousting, acrobats, puppets, lots of performances, medieval vendors and so much more. King Richard’s Faire is the largest Renaissance festival in New England. They invite you to “Escape your reality and be prepared to make memories that will last a lifetime in our world of magic and merriment!” Don thyself a costume or go as you are but isn’t it time you went to King Richard’s Faire? Weekends through October 20 in Carver, MA.

For more, Timeline over to: kingrichardsfaire.net This November, please remember to KEEP THE WEIRDOS OUT! •

That’s it for now. You can listen to my podcasts at motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening. johnfuzek.com.

Photo: Amber Ardolino and Nick Fradiani jukebox it in A Beautiful Noise. Credit: Julieta Cervantes