Roots Report: July 2023

Okee dokee folks… Well, it’s officially summer – my least favorite season of the

year. It is my annual obligation to say that. People always find it hard to believe. I like the other three seasons! Fortunately I am not alone in my disdain for this time of year. There are pockets of us all around. It’s the heat. It makes life miserable and for some it is seriously unhealthy. Somewhere along the way to where I am now, about 25-ish years ago, I started not being able to handle the temperatures of summer. I don’t know if it was my own physiology or climate change but now heat just “kills” me. Have I mentioned that I hate summer? The ONLY thing that makes summer go by fast is all of the music that is around. Read on…

Lots of music moves outdoors during the summer months and a lot of it is free. Here are just some of the free outdoor shows that are coming up:

If you live in Northern RI or feel like taking a little drive, head over to Frederickson Farms Chopmist Hill Marketplace, 985 Chopmist Hill Road in North Scituate. On Wednesdays they hold car shows from 5 – 7pm, but Thursdays are when the music happens. Every week from now until September, from 4 – 7pm, Frederickson Farms presents live music. Visit fredericksonri.com/events periodically for information on upcoming performances. 

Bristol is the heart or RI’s Fourth of July celebration. In addition to the legendary parade they hold almost a full two weeks of nightly concerts on the waterfront. You can catch the tail end of the scheduled shows that run until July 2. On Friday, June 29 it’s Rusty and the DMB Project. June 30 is Jon Tyler and the Down City Band. July 1st you can enjoy Back In The Day. Sunday, July 2 wraps the series with the Liz Spencer Group and David Clark’s “All About Joel.” The concerts are held at Independence Park on Thames St in Bristol and the music starts at 6:30pm. For more, boom, boom over to fourthofjulybristolri.com/concert-series-line-up

Newport Recreation has been hosting NIMFest concerts for years at the King Park gazebo on Wellington Avenue. Every Sunday from 3 – 6pm you can enjoy a free concert by the water. July 9: Down City Band,; July 16: Chelley Knight & Dope Things, Judy n’ Deez Guys; July 23: Eddy’s Shoe, CC Louise & Friends; July 30: Ryan Lee Crosby, MEL & Unruly Roots. August features FAVE and Mechante et le Connard on Aug 6; August 13: Larry Brown Swinglane Orchestra; August 20: Diane Blue All-Star Band with Ilana Katz Katz; August 27: The Firehouse Band. For more, ga-ze-GO to: fb.com/nimfest

Libraries are great resources for EVERYONE. They are crucial to an enlightened society. Those who try to squelch information and reduce funding for libraries are those who probably could use education and enlightenment more than anyone! The Weaver Library in East Providence, in addition to all the great services they provide, will be hosting a summer concert series. July 5: The New Providence Big Band; July 12: Governor’s Own 88th Army Band; July 19: Magnolia; July 26: Navy Band Woodwinds Quintet; August 9: The Jesse Liam Band. The shows are held on the Weaver Library Lawn located at 41 Grove St in East Providence. Concerts start at 6:30pm. For more, Dewey Decimal over to: www.eastprovidencelibrary.org

PVD World Music is presenting shows over the Summer. Live music is featured on the first Thursday of the Month through October. Unique genres and performances presented by this organization will be live at the Providence Innovation District Park located at 120 Peck St in PVD. July 6:The Willie J Laws Band; July 29: the Classic Vide Band at Roger Williams Park. August 3: Radio Saba.September 14: Nana B Cool. For more thorough and updated information, rotate around to pvdworldmusic.com

Down in Westerly, the Watch Hill Sunset Concerts on the Green have lots of entertainment that’s worth the drive. July 1: The Italics; July25: Duke Robillard; August 8:The Old North; August 22: Ernie Smith with Soul Shot. The concerts are held on Bay St in Watch Hill from 6 – 8pm. Don’t get the blues, get the lowdown on the green at

fb.com/profile.php?id=100054459069748

“I will stay with ‘Concerts in Westerly’, for $1000, Alex.” While we are in Westerly, the Westerly Town Beach is the place to be for some great music two nights a week. Shows run from 6 – 8pm. The Monday Night Jams feature: July 10: Never Enough and The Peel and Eat All Star Band; July 17: John Ford Coley (yes the “England Dan and” guy!) and the Cryers;  July 24:The Fake Experience; July 31: John Cafferty and Beaver Brown; August 7: David Tessier’s All Star Band of All Stars (truly one of RI’s best and most fun bands!); August 14: Souls on Fire. The Wednesday Blues on the Beach has: July 12: Ed Peabody and the Big Blue Thing; July 19: Roomful of Blues; July 26: Blues Beatles; August 2: Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood;August 9: Swinging Blues from Texas with Johnny Nicolas, Katie Shore and Greg Piccolo; August 16: 706 Union Avenue. For more, beach blanket bingo over to TunesontheDunesRI.com

We are going to continue with the “W”s that are presenting free shows with the Town of Warren. They will present concerts at the Band Shell at Burrs Hill Park on Sundays from 5 – 8pm. July 9: Merchants of Cool; July 16: The Pogs; July 23: Detroit Breakdown; July 30: Eastbay Wind Ensemble; August 6: Back in the Day; August 13: Run for Cover; August 20: Steppin’ Out featuring New Image; August 27: Country Heart. For more, get “Running Up That Hill” (Kate Bush hit one billion streams! Used this “punny” reference just so I could mention that!) to www.townofwarren-ri.gov

Wrapping the “W” concerts we head to the City of Woonsocket for the Levitt Amp Music Series. These are held on Fridays from 6 – 9pm at River Island Park located at 95 Bernon Street in Woonsocket. July 7: Kyshona with Eastern Medicine Singers; July 14: Angie K with Charlie Marie, Young Dubliners with Julie Rhodes;July 28: B2Wins; August 4: Girls on Grass with Alexus Lee; August 11: The Agents with MAU; August 18: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas with Kickin’ Brass. For more, don’t resist, just volt over to fb.com/LevittAMPWoonsocket

Please realize that just because something is listed as FREE doesn’t mean it is truly free. It does cost money to produce and someone is paying for the event. Some are funded by grants while others are funded by individual donations. If you are enjoying a free show this summer, find out how it is being paid for. Some organizations will “pass the hat” at shows while others list free tickets online but allow an option for donations when you checkout. Either way, your support is surely always welcome.

Follow my column and podcasts for more events as they are added over the summer! Stay

cool. That’s it for now. Don’t forget you can listen to my podcasts at:

motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast. You can also find my concert photographs at

motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening. johnfuzek.com