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Pawtucket Arts Festival to kick off Aug. 28 |
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Wednesday, 08 July 2009 |
PAWTUCKET -- A performance by internationally renowned musician C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band plus food samplings from some of Pawtucket’s finest restaurants will highlight the Aug. 28 “Festival Gala” program, the official kick-off of this year’s 11th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival.
“Gala Night” takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Slater Mill in Pawtucket.
A pre-festival concert featuring Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp is slated for July 21 at McCoy Stadium.
Chenier, the son of late zydeco music pioneer Clifton Chenier, has been dubbed “the crown prince of zydeco.” Since inheriting leadership of his father’s group, the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Chenier has continued to pay tribute to his father’s sound and has expanded the zydeco tradition.
“Festival Gala” tickets will cost $10 at the gate. Children under 10 will be admitted free.
The entire festival will take place Aug. 28-Sept. 13 at locations throughout Pawtucket and will be a showcase of performing arts (The Gamm Theatre, Mixed Magic Theatre and the Community Players), visual arts at local galleries, music, ethnic foods and poetry. Many events are free to the public. The diverse schedule includes a “Celebration of French Culture” and the R.I. Dragon Boat Races on Aug. 29; the Slater Mill Labor and Ethnic Heritage Festival on Aug. 30; music and poetry by Aurea on Sept. 5; a block party in historic downtown Pawtucket on Sept. 6; a performance by jazz musician Greg Abate and Occidental Gypsy on Sept. 11; the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance’s “Pops in the Park” (featuring the Rhode Island Philharmonic) on Sept. 12; and Stone Soup Folk and Arts Fest on Sept. 12-13.
Another pre-festival event will be the 82nd Annual Greek Festival, presented by the Assumption Church, on Aug. 14-16.
“Given the severe economic downturn, where else can you bring your family and friends for a great time for free or at a very small cost? Pawtucket is the place “said state Rep. Peter F. Kilmartin (D.-District 16). He and his wife, Kristen, are serving as the festival’s honorary co-chairs. “This year we ratcheted up the entertainment and added many new events including a French festival and a musical block party in historic downtown Pawtucket. As in previous years, musical and artistic programming is family-friendly and geared for all age groups,” Kilmartin added.
“There are literally dozens and dozens of fun and interesting events throughout the three-week festival,” noted Herb Weiss, Pawtucket’s economic and cultural affairs officer and the chairperson of this year’s festival. “The main events will take place at highly convenient locations such as McCoy Stadium, the Assumption Church, the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center, Pawtucket’s historic downtown area, Slater Memorial Park and the School Street Pier, in addition to Slater Mill,” he added.
Kilmartin stated that many area businesses sponsor the festival and thus are vital to its success. He particularly cited major media sponsors WPRI/CBS 12, WNAC/Fox Providence, Clear Channel Communications, WSNE-FM/WHJY-FM, Cox Media/Cox Communications and the Pawtucket Times; principal sponsors such as the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the Taiwan Visitor Assoc.; and other sponsors such as the Hope Artiste Village, Webster Bank, Bank of America, Schofield Printing, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Affairs Office.
A complete listing of all festival events, locations, times and sponsors is available at www.pawtucketartsfestival.org or by calling program coordinator Diane Agostini at 724-5200.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 10 July 2009 )
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