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Exciting things are happening on the Southern border of Rhode Island and Connecticut. Westerly, Rhode Island, has blossomed with new spaces to explore arts, culture, and nightlife. Whether you’re looking for live music, film, or theater, downtown Westerly has something for everyone.
In the heart of downtown Westerly, The UNITED is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex hosting a wide range of events. Restored and reopened in 2021 with a mission to “unite the community through the arts,” The UNITED is at the center of this dynamic community; rarely does one size fit all, but the UNITED’s state-of-the-art facilities, including a black box theater that can welcome both seated and standing room concerts, three additional movie theaters, a gallery space hosting intimate performances, poetry nights, and other themed events, and a music school, RI PHIL Music School @ The UNITED is as close as one can get to a “mini Lincoln Center” without venturing into New York City.
Fans of folk, rock, alternative, jazz, visual art, ballet, opera, author talks, and tabletop gaming will find something to love at the UNITED. Spring performances include Watchhouse and The Wood Brothers in March, Pure Dance by Festival Ballet Providence, Peter Swanson (author), Dale Degroff (mixologist, King Cocktail), The Walkmen, and rare solo sets by Langhorne Slim
with John Craigie in April.
Only a short walk from The UNITED is their sister venue, the historic Knickerbocker Music Center (referred to as The Knick). The Knick was built in 1933 and re-envisioned in 2014 to include a Tap Room venue adjacent to the Knickerbocker’s Starlight Ballroom to cultivate emerging performers and offer a range of dishes with a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, as well as sweet and savory staples, so that guests may enjoy a full dinner or light bites with every performance. Hosting regional and national bands emphasizing the blues, The Knick has since welcomed famous contemporary artists to its stage, including Jon Batiste, Robert Earl Keen, and Deer Tick. Coming to The Knick this spring are The Felice Brothers and Dela & Steady Rock ft. The Organically Good Trio in March, Josh Rouse, Hiss Golden Messenger, The Mallett Brothers Band, and Pete Francis (of Dispatch) & Jesse Terry in April.
Easily accessible to visitors and locals alike, downtown Westerly offers ample parking options. The UNITED and The Knick form a “walking campus” at the center of a thriving nightlife scene where you can find everything from trendy bars to cozy cafes. Whether you’re in the mood for a sophisticated cocktail or a cold beer, you can enjoy refreshment and entertainment at The UNITED or The Knick five nights a week, from Tuesday through Sunday.
True to their non-profit missions, there is a shared belief between The UNITED and The Knick that visual and performing arts are essential to any community. Both venues are committed to promoting and supporting the arts in Westerly and beyond. Their commitment to the arts doesn’t stop with their performances. They also offer a range of educational and community programs that promote arts education and engagement for people of all ages. Programs like
Youth-on-the-Mic, an open mic on stage at The Knick for young performers 18 and under. And monthly Improv workshops provided by Providence Improv Guild at The UNITED.
Westerly is a true hub for arts and culture in the region, throughout Southeastern Connecticut and coastal Rhode Island. With all of these incredible offerings, it’s easy to see why their downtown is quickly becoming one of the most exciting destinations for arts, culture, and nightlife.
Unitedtheatre.org | @unitedtheatre | @theunitedtheatre
5 CANAL ST | WESTERLY, RI 02891 | (401) 388-8208
Knickmusic.com | @knickmusicri
35 RAILROAD AVE | WESTERLY, RI 02891 | 401.315.5070
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