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Home , Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Smither, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Newport Folk Festival, Seymour Cassel

Worldwide Movie Culture Returns At This Year’s Rhode Island International Film Festival

Entering its 18th year since its founding by George T. Marshall, the founder of the Flicker Arts Collaborate, RIIFF has become a focal point of international films by everyone from up-and-coming filmmakers to highly seasoned actors and directors. Between August 5 and 10 this year, roughly 270 films will be shown including Flavio Alves’ Tom In America, Marcelo Mitnik’s En las nubes (In the Clouds), and Selcuk Zvi Cara’s Mein Leztes Konzert (My Last Concert).

Since 2002, the RIIFF has been a qualifying festival for the in short film categories. Numerous stars and celebrities have attended RIIFF over the past decade including Seymour Cassel, Andrew McCarthy, Kim Chan and Michael Showalter. Some have had the honor of receiving the Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2001 it was awarded to Breakfast At Tiffany’s director, Blake Edwards, accepted by his wife, renowned actress Julie Andrews. In 2009, the honor went to the multi-Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine.

This year’s recipient is , known for originating the role of Captain Van Trapp in “The Sound of Music” on Broadway and Oscar nominated for 1958’s The Defiant Ones. Bikel speaks 10 languages, and will be presenting his film, “Journey 4 Artists” a multi-lingual, musical piece that seeks to bridge cultural gaps through and stories, including Bosnian, Jewish and Arabic samples. It will be paired with Cara’s Mein Leztes Konzert, a short Yiddish film about a composer, which Quirk calls, “A visual poem. I haven’t really seen a film like this before.” They screen Sunday at 2:30 at RISD’s Metcalf Auditorium.

Events during this year’s festival include the Rhode Island Film Forum, a symposium of film industry leaders and the local film community, assembled to discuss a variety of topics from the technical side of cinematography to the future of film festivals. Also, a workshop on balancing your film’s budget will be presented by Tom DeNucci of Woodhaven Productions.

“We’re very excited to have two nights of screenings at PPAC this year,” says Festival Artistic Director Shawn Quirk. That includes the opening night screening and gala at 7pm on Aug 5th.

Scriptbiz, a long-standing screenwriters workshop, and KidsEye, a celebration of children’s film, will also be taking place during RIIFF, as will a midnight horror show on Friday night, featuring the post- apocalyptic Another World by Israeli filmmaker Ellan Reuven and Ben Gordon’s short Dracula & My Mother, starting at 11:30pm at the Bell St. Chapel.

Local films will also be showcased. “We have a great mix of local and global,” says Quirk. There will be Steel Shoes, a documentary about horseback riding by Cranston filmmaker Alyssa Migliori, featured shorts by locals Eric Latek and Bill Smith, and an afternoon “Underground Fest” dedicated to up and coming local filmmakers (8:30pm Saturday at Bell St.).

To view the film schedule, showcase locations, and purchase tickets, go to: riff.festivalgenius.com

Top 10 Shows at the Newport Folk Fest

Every July in Rhode Island, The City By The Sea becomes electric with some of the best musicians on the planet coming to play . The has reemerged as one of the premier stops of the summer music festival season. Famous for being the site of ’s highly amplified rock ‘n’ roll performance back in 1965, the festival has also played host to legend , , , and . To give you a guide of what you can’t miss this time around, here are my 10 things you have to check out at this year’s Newport Folk Festival:

10.) All Newport’s Eve @ The Newport Blues Café

The night before the official start of the festival on July 24, there will be a stacked bill at The Newport Blues Café on 286 Thames Street featuring everyone’s favorite new Nashville musician by way of Providence, Joe Fletcher and his band of Wrong Reasons, fellow Nashville resident J.P. Harris and his Tough Choices, Philadelphia folk phenom , fellow Philadelphians Toy Soldiers, Dead Confederate’s T. Hardy Morris, Dallas’ Andrew Combs, The Deslondes from , Providence’s orchestral pop act Arc Iris and New England singer-songwriter Ian Fitzgerald. If you’re in the area this is surely a pre-festival party you don’t want to miss.

9.) The After Parties

One part of The Newport Folk Festival that makes it so special are the shows buzzing around town after each day. On Friday, June 25 at Jimmy’s Saloon on 37 Memorial Boulevard Roz & The Rice Cakes, Torn Shorts, Pier Jump and Silverteeth will be bringing the fun while the following night at the Saloon Boston rock ‘n’ roll act Oldjack will be throwing their 2nd annual Newport Nights with fellow Bostonians Tigerman WOAH, The Rationales & Nate Leavitt with Providence blues-rockers The Silks joining in on the fray. At The Tavern On Broadway right in the heart of downtown Newport on Saturday, The Mighty Good Boys will be making you dance like you have ants in your pants for a night of bluegrass you can’t miss. If that isn’t enough, Deer Tick will be playing all three nights at The Blues Café as part of their annual Folk Fest after parties. Each night is filled with amazing acts sharing the stage with Deer Tick and be prepared to expect the unexpected.

8.) Reignwolf (Friday 2:55 @ Quad Stage)

You can talk about great up-and-coming acts, and then you have to talk about Seattle blues act Reignwolf. Lead by wildman Jordan Cook on guitar and vocals, Reignwolf promises to leave quite the impression by leaving it all on the stage. These guys are just coming off from doing a tour with Black Sabbath and Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell are singing their praises. They don’t have an album out yet, but you can check out a few tracks from Reignwolf on their website at reignwolf.com.

7.) J. Roddy Walston & The Business (Saturday 1:15 @ Harbor Stage)

A rip roaring rock ‘n’ roll band out of Baltimore, J. Roddy Walston & The Business are definitely going to be the prime attraction to light up your Saturday afternoon by the sea. This quartet came out with one of the best albums of 2013 with Essential Tremors and I highly suggest picking up a copy at the merch table after you see them play.

6.) The Devil Makes Three (Friday 2:05 @ Fort Stage)

It can be weird at times to see a band perform as a trio without having any drums, but The Devil Makes Three are so good they don’t need any. This folk act from Santa Cruz, Calif., has some local roots from performing with Joe Fletcher on numerous occasions and staging a benefit show for the late David Lamb of Brown Bird at Fete in Providence last year. I had the pleasure of seeing The Devil Makes Three play The Folk Fest back in 2011 and I’ve been a fan ever since.

5.) (Friday 5:30 @ Quad Stage)

The Newport Folk Fest always has its fair share of legends that perform and on Friday you’ll be able to experience one up close and personal with reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. Jimmy is the only living musician who holds the Jamaican Order Of Merit along with being famous for hits like “The Harder They Come” and “Many Rivers To Cross” as well as his covers of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.” If you like to groove and you like to move, then Jimmy should be exactly what you’re looking for.

4.) Trampled By Turtles (Sunday 4:10 @ Quad Stage)

Straight from Duluth, Minn., bluegrass act Trampled By Turtles have a great cult following in the folk community and seeing them play the Quad Stage on Sunday will be a fantastic way to highlight your Folk Fest finale. A week ago they put out their seventh studio album, Wild Animals, so they’ll likely perform a few live renditions off of it. Ideal for the folk enthusiast, Trampled By Turtles very well could be one of the top live bands to see throughout the entire festival.

3.) (Sunday 3:20 @ Fort Stage) No stranger to playing Newport Folk, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst is sure to amaze with his heartfelt songs and intense demeanor on stage. The kid from Omaha, Neb., is a trailblazer in his own right and it seems that the more he plays the more his illustrious reputation grows. Like many of the acts performing this year, Conor has a new solo album out with Upside Down Mountain. His versatility is astounding; expect Conor to bust out a few new songs to mix in with a bunch of classics.

2.) (Sunday 4:45 @ Fort Stage)

Right after Conor Oberst plays on Sunday, stick around for something special when ’s Jeff Tweedy heads up to the Fort Stage. He’s currently working on a project with his son Spencer called Tweedy and they should be putting out their debut album Sukierae this September. Who knows? Maybe Spencer will join his dad on stage. Regardless, seeing Jeff Tweedy perform is something that no music fan should miss.

1.) (Saturday 6:15 @ Fort Stage)

This one is kind of an obvious choice to be #1, but can you blame me? The rock ‘n’ roll enigma from who is now based in Nashville has his second solo album out, Lazzaretto, which is pretty damn good. He’ll be the headliner for the festivities on Saturday. Jack White is a treat to see perform and he lives up to the billing as one of the best guitarists on the planet.

Besides these 10 things that you can’t miss at this year’s Newport Folk Festival, there will be so much talent floating around Fort Adams and plenty of activities to partake in. The best part might be Boston’s Dan Blakeslee strumming his black kraken adorned acoustic guitar as the festival goers embark on their nightly escapades. For all the info on what else is happening at The 2014 Newport Folk Festival, check out newportfolk.org.

FringePVD Brings Work on the Fringe Into the Fold The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society was founded in 1958 to accommodate the influx of artists and performers who tended to appear around the edges of the traditional Edinburgh Festival, unannounced and unplanned. Instead of discouraging these performers from dropping in, they were incorporated into the event in the slightly anarchic spirit of the performers themselves. The Fringe was purposefully formalized, but unorganized with “no artistic director and … shaped by the very initiative and vision of performers willing to showcase their work here.” Many American cities have embraced the Fringe ethos and now curate annual Fringe Festivals of their own, encouraging artists to present their work, unvetted, but loosely organized to maximize exposure and impact. Providence now joins the fray and announces its very own Fringe Festival as The Wilbury Theatre Group announces the 1st annual FringePVD, to be held July 24 through July 26, 2014. The only such festival in the New England area, FringePVD will bring together more than 50 individual theater, music, dance, multimedia and performing artists for four nights of over 30 performances in participating venues throughout the capital city.

Festival organizer, Josh Short, who is quick to distance himself from any sort of leadership role in FringePVD, nonetheless is the one who got the ball rolling after initial conversations with Trinity Rep’s Mike Gennaro. Short states that the concept started slowly, with no fanfare, just the idea to seek out the type of performance being done outside of the traditional “company” structure that is so prominent in the state. “There is so much talent around,” says Short, “and with no infrastructure (i.e., ‘working for other people’) some of them get lost and have to move to Chicago or other larger cities to get noticed. We started speaking at first to independent artists who fall between the cracks and perform in city warehouses and apartments, instead of rented theaters.” Over beers, Short slowly began to build interest in the idea of a weekend of gloriously unconnected performances in various locations throughout Providence. Eventually “for fear of not getting enough participants,” an open call went out and over 30 submissions came through. Asked if there were any rejected submissions, Short claims that there were none, only that any already established or published work would simply not fit the ethos of the event. “Otherwise,” says Short, “the only way we would reject any requests for performance would have been if the dates were already too full.”

Similar to Wilbury’s New Works program, the idea of FringePVD is not just to put on a show, but to allow artists to showcase and workshop new pieces to solicit feedback and improve their creations. With the encouragement and backing of several Providence theater stalwarts such as Trinity’s Gennaro and Curt Columbus as well as Steven Pennell of the Urban Arts and Cultural Program at the URI Feinstein Campus downtown, Short was able to secure some of the resources necessary to produce such an ambitious undertaking. Also instrumental were Lynne McCormack, Director of Art, Culture and Tourism for Providence, and a Pell Grant from the Tourism Council. This money, stresses Short, is to cover the overhead of securing the venues and associated publicity costs, not to make any sort of profit. The small fees charged at each performance will go directly to the artists involved and not to the venues or organizers.

A reluctant curator, Short hopes that he can now step back and watch the event grow organically, in the same way that other such festivals have mushroomed across the country. He does not want people to see this as a Wilbury event, but as an artist-sponsored happening that grows in scope to become an official non-profit agency outside of any one particular company or group. Theater companies may want to try out a new piece or an individual may have a new work that they cannot produce in any other way. Local artists have a chance to be recognized, Providence’s diverse audience can be engaged in a much more direct way than traditional venues allow and both sides may “engage fully in the global dialogue and global community surrounding this kind of work.”

Performances will be spread across AS220’s 95 Empire Black Box Theater, Aurora Providence, The Movement Exchange, URI Providence Campus and The Wilbury Theatre Group’s performance space at the Southside Cultural Center, along with other non-traditional performance spaces and parade routes throughout the city. Performers range from Lenny Schwartz’s Daydream Theatre to local music by Srsy and beyond. “FringePVD brings arts organizations throughout the city together to provide artists the opportunity to present their work in a way that supports each of them, as well as the continued growth of Providence as a recognized leader in the arts,” says Short. “In addition, it supports our mission to provide our audiences access to the cutting-edge works at the forefront of American theater.”

FringePVD, Providence’S Fringe Festival, opens July 23 and runs across various locations throughout Providence until July 27. Visit fringepvd.org for schedules and to learn more about the artists involved.

Roots Report: Cruel Summer Breeze

National and Local Music Surround Rhode Island Summer Okee dokee folks … I know I say this every year; summer is NOT my favorite season. That being said (again), Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer” is the perfect summer song and I think of it on those hot, hot days when I can’t breathe. On the flip side, “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts is what plays in my head when it cools enough to be bearable. Seals and Crofts was my first concert back in June of 1976. They played the Providence Civic Center and that show started my addiction to concerts. I still can’t believe that my parents used to shuttle me back and forth to concerts downtown, almost weekly. In the ’70s it seemed that just about every act played arenas. These days, most people probably don’t even remember who Seals and Crofts are, though I did hear a nice version of “Summer Breeze” by Lisa Couto and Ray Cooke last week at the Downtown Sundown Series. Today, national touring acts are lucky to fill smaller venues. Yes, BIG headliners like Springsteen can still fill arenas, but there really aren’t many others who can. I paid FIVE dollars the NIGHT OF THE SHOW for a Bruce Springsteen concert ticket at the Civic Center back in 1977. Man, I feel old, but like the rest of the saying goes, “I got to see all the good bands!” Anyway, summer was the time that most of the big rock shows rolled into town. Sometimes I would be going to a show a week at the Civic Center, sometimes even two. Summer is still one of the best times to catch live music and a lot of the time it is outdoors. Last month’s Motif Summer Guide had a pretty full listing of summer music, but I will highlight some of the good stuff happening in July, inside AND out! Read on.

The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River has some of the best shows around all year long and even if the heat of summer becomes oppressive, they have a state-of-the-art air conditioning system to keep everything cool. On Friday, July 11, the Grammy Award winning songstress of the ’90s folk boom, , will play the Narrows. Colvin is best known for her hits such as “Sunny Came Home,” “Steady On,” “Diamond in the Rough,” “Shotgun Down the Avalanche” and “I Don’t Know Why.” Get your tix for this ASAP; they won’t last. A few months ago I was checking some links for cigar box guitars and I came across Samantha Fish. She was making amazing things happen with the little 4-string instrument. I watched a few YouTube videos of her playing electric guitar and was wowed by her skills. Her cover of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath is incredible. This blues diva slides into the Narrows on Saturday, July 12. This is a must-see show! If you are looking for a great FREE show, you’re in luck. Thursday, July 17 it’s Block-a-palooza 2 featuring Buckwheat and Girls, Guns and Glory. This is a free show that takes place in downtown Fall River in front of the District Court House and is sponsored by the Narrows. There is always something good going at the venue on the other side of the big, old Braga Bridge. Cross over to narrowscenter.org and find out more.

One of the best summertime venues around is the Yachting Center in Newport. The big white tent off of America’s Cup Avenue went up earlier this year for the Newport Concert Series. I am very excited that Alanis Morissette will be playing what is advertised as an “intimate and acoustic” show on Thursday, August 21. Tickets for that show go on sale on July 10. Also playing is Kenny Wayne Shepherd on Sunday, August 31. Do a little dance, make a little love and get down with KC and the Sunshine Band on July 9. Have a little faith that the / will knock you out on July 12. Get close to the edge with Yes on July 13. You don’t need a million dollars to see Barenaked Ladies on July 18. Welcome The Machine’s Pink Floyd Tribute and laser show on July 25. Don’t forget to get there early (6pm) and relax in the dockside courtyard and listen to the sounds of the local performers such as Heather Rose, Steve Allain, Ed McGuirl, Bob Kendall, Joe Auger and others at the Point Stage! For more, sail to newportwaterfront events.com

If you don’t already have tickets for the Folk Festival in Newport, you are probably out of luck. You can always try. Don’t worry; there is more music than you can shake a stick at in Newport. What the hell does “shake a stick at” mean, anyway? Nimfest presents FREE afternoon concerts in King’s Park on Wellington Avenue. Right on the water, in the Gazebo, you can hear music every Sunday, all summer. Former Newport resident and RI Music Hall of Famer, Susan Cowsill of the legendary Cowsills band, will prove to you why she is worthy of RIMHOF status on July 13. Other shows on the summer schedule include: JP Jones on Aug 3, and Li’l Anne and Hot Cayenne on the 17. For more, nimbo over to: facebook.com/nimfest. BridgeFest is the music festival between music festivals. Taking place during the four days that link Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, BridgeFest presents “high quality, local music in Newport County venues.” Highlights of the many events are Songwriters in the Round featuring Allysen Callery, Mark Cutler, Bob Kendall and Ken Shane to benefit the Rhode Island Food Bank on Tuesday, July 29 at the Channing Memorial Church; on July 31 is Americana Night featuring The Mighty Good Boys, The Little Compton Band, Able Thought and Shotgun at Sandywoods in Tiverton; Sync or Swim at the Jamestown Central Baptist Church happens on Wednesday, July 30. Busking at Bowens has been added to this year’s fest. Chris and Diane Myers play on the 29 from 7:30 – 10pm, and Perrotti and Wright crank out the tunes on Thursday, July 31. Span over to newportbridgefest.com for more.

The next best thing to the Beatles that came out of the ’60s was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Their album Four Way Street was a major influence on me and was the main reason I switched to acoustic music (wooden, as Crosby puts it) when I was 16. You can hear the CSN part of CSNY at PPAC on Tuesday, July 15. I have seen CSN many, many times and have even met them, although it did take 35 years for the trifecta. Does anyone remember the time Stephen Stills played in the cafeteria of CCRI in Lincoln on a rainy afternoon about 25 years ago? It was a short, three-song set, but was an amazing experience. Don’t miss this one. The group will perform songs from their extensive catalogue, as well as new material from each member. Carry on to ppacri.org for more info.

If you would like to see another letter-named band, then get to The Met. It was January 1966 when pianist Terry Adams started NRBQ in his Louisville home. Adams soon met guitarist Steve Ferguson while both were still teenagers, and that meeting was the catalyst to take the show out of the house and onto the stage. NRBQ released its self-titled debut album for Columbia Records in 1969. Forty-five years later, after more than 20 studio albums, more than a dozen live albums and numerous compilations, not to mention countless and legendary, live performances around the world, NRBQ released a new studio album, Brass Tacks. Recorded with Terry Adams on keyboards and vocals, Scott Ligon on guitar and vocals, Conrad Choucroun on drums (Ligon and Choucroun have been playing with Adams for seven years) and Casey McDonough (who joined the Q in 2012) on bass and vocals, Brass Tacks is brimming with swinging rhythms, sweet vocals, and sparkling sound. The New Quartet swing the tour in support of this disc by The Met on Friday, July 18. For more, hammer your way to: themetri.com Finally, here are some random shows to satisfy your summer music cravings. The 2014 New Bedford Folk Festival happens on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 – 6. Performers include Ronny Cox, Cliff Eberhardt, Jonathan Edwards, Vance Gilbert, , Grace Morrison, Bill Harley, Poor Old Shine, , and many, many more. newbedfordfolkfestival.com

The Towers in Narragansett has Thursday concerts/dances all season. Notable are Reminisce on July 10, James Montgomery Blues Band on July 17 and Original Jelly Roll Soul on July 31. thetowersri.com

If you would rather play music than dance to it, the the Mediator Stage is for you. The weekly open mic gives you a chance to play, but also features some great talent. Coming up is Charlie Cover on July 10, Fred Meltzer on July 17, Kari Tieger on July 24 and Tammy Laforest on July 31. Dial up their new website: mediatorfellowship.org

If you’re jonesin’ for some coffeehouse music, this’ll give you your fix … outdoors. The Downtown Sundown Series is a FREE event that happens at Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 North Main Street in Providence. On Saturday, July 12 from 7 – 9:30pm, enjoy the music of Kala Farnham, Heather Rose, Kristen and J, and The Rank Strangers (hearinrhodeisland.com). Chuck Mead will be at Norey’s in Newport on Sunday, July 13 at 8pm (chuckmead.com). Jim Carpenter and the Hoolios will be at the Greenwich Odeum on July 19. Opening the show will be the MacLean Sisters (theodeum.org). Music At Lily Pads brings you and Lucy Wainwright Roche on Sunday, July 20 (musicatlilypads.org). At Sandywoods, it’s The Little Compton Band and Four Bridges on July 5, Jim McGrath on July 11, Wise Old Moon and the Meadows Brothers on July 13, The Rank Strangers on July 25, and Session Americana on July 26 (sandywoodsmusic.com). Multi-instrumentalist Tristan Ethier will perform Sunday, July 27 at 11am at Java Madness in Wakefield. This 14-year-old Coventry High School sophomore will sing and perform jazz, blues and rock on acoustic and electric guitar and tenor saxophone (javamadness.com).

That’s it for now. If, in the future, you would like me to consider something for my column, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Thanks for reading! John Fuzek www.johnfuzek.com

48 Hours of Filmmaking Madness

48 Hour Film Festival Comes to Providence

For months you’ve been getting your team ready, and then you get the assignment: a genre, a prop, a line of dialogue and a character. Now you’ve got just 48 hours to make a movie! It’s going to be an intense, sleepless, caffeine-driven madhouse of creativity and chaos. But that is what makes The 48 Hour Film Project so awesome!

For Melinda Rainsberger, city producer for Providence, it’s a passion and a challenge that she’s loved for the last eight years. “It’s the most intense 48 hours of my life every year!” she tells me.

For the ninth year, the Rhode Island Film Collaborative (RIFC) will run Providence’s chapter of The 48. RIFC president, Anthony Ambrosino, said, “The amount of hard work and creativity that goes into one 48-hour period is staggering. We’re proud to give local filmmakers this opportunity to showcase their talents in the spirit of friendly artistic competition.”

This is no rinky-dink film festival; The 48 spans 130 cities on six continents, from San Diego to Taipei. Winning films from local contests compete for the international title of Best Film of the 2014 48 Hour Film Project. Cash prizes and bragging rights are also awarded. Winners of The Providence 48 will compete in New England’s ITVFest, and the winner of that will receive $1,000. Other prizes for local winners include gift certificates, studio time at Kay Studios, acting lessons with LDI Casting Director Anne Mulhall and tix to the SENE Film Festival. Nationally, winners will get $5,000 and a whole host of bonuses including screenings of their films in venerated venues such as Filmapalooza, South by Southwest and Cannes.

But there’s more than just money or prizes involved. Some contestants started their own production companies, some found their calling as actors or directors, and some simply managed to get out of their comfort zones and try something truly amazing — instead of just talking about being creative, The 48 gives them the chance to be creative.

“When you’re spontaneous, it shows how creative you can be,” Melinda says, “especially under such a tight deadline.”

Registration is available until Friday, July 11. Visit 48hourfilm.com/en/providence for details and registration information. Providence’s best films will be screened at Cinemaworld in Lincoln on July 15th through 17th. Celebrate

“There is really no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than celebrating its music”

The traditional music of America is being celebrated in one of America’s most historic sites right here in our own backyard. Wednesday marked the launch for the 1st Annual BlueGrass Music Festival. Cranston Mayor, Allan Fung, and Warwick Mayor, Scott Avedisian, were both in attendance. The unveiling took place in historic Pawtuxet Village. The mayors were joined by local residents and band members who will be performing in this week’s festival. This marks the first time that both cities, in association with the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance, will come together to put on an event for everyone in the community to enjoy.

The weekend long event begins July 4th and continues throughout the weekend. During the day, Aspray Park in the heart of Pawtuxet will be taken over by local food vendors, farmer’s market, arts and crafts booths and live acoustic performances and jams by local bluegrass artists. In the evening, the festival moves to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet with performances by Grammy nominated bands Blue Highway and SteelDrivers along with award winning innovator Tony Trischka & Great Big World and many more.

Chris Keenan, who helped plan and organize the music festival, emphasized that even if you do not know anything about Bluegrass it will still be a great experience and you are guaranteed to have a good time. “There is really no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than celebrating its music,” said Keenan. Bluegrass with Street Cred

“While we have some of these amazingly talented musicians here,” Keenan added, “We’ll also be conducting a series of master classes.” From seminars on the basics, to workshops for all skill levels, to some serious insider music-tips, these more intimate sessions will focus on Banjo, guitar, vocals, songwriting, the music business, or just Q&A about how to jam, or what it’s like to be on the road.” It’s a chance to get up close and personal with some amazing talent,” says Keenan. Pete Wernick, Mike Kropp, Susahn Fiering, George Harper, as well as members of Blue Highway, SteelDrivers and Tony Trischka will be leading the sessions.

By: Surya Moreira

Photos by: Karin Tavares

Summer Music Festival Therapy

It’s that time again — as the sun spends more time in the sky and the grass comes back to life, so does the world of music festivals. Magic happens in these places, which is apparent when you witness people congregating to celebrate the music they love and creating a bond through the appreciation they share. Life’s about having new experiences and a festival is a pretty easy one to check off the bucket list. Are you feeling a little lost lately? Maybe a festival is just what you need. There’s an opportunity almost every weekend in the summer, so embrace this amazing chance for music, light and love. You might elevate yourself to a new mindset.

Strangecreek in Greenfield, Mass., is the unofficial start of the festivals in New England. Thousands of people have caught on to this phenomenon over the past 12 years and their connection to this place is a strong one. People come from all around with smiles on their faces and proudly call it their home for four days. They set up camping villages in the woods with like-minded music lovers. Also known as Wormtown, the property has multiple stages with over 80 performers throughout the weekend and late night cabins with performances until the sun rises. An array of vendors sell unique clothing, artwork and jewelry. An eternal bonfire burns the duration of the weekend, keeping the music souls attending the festival warm and together. These are just a few elements that make this event special. Many parts of a festival are amazingly indescribable; you must pursue it yourself to learn more.

Festivals hold a unique energy that can help you find meaning in life. Because music is a natural antidepressant, these getaways are equivalent to a happiness retreat. They’re a form of paradise. When people have a few days to decompress and enjoy themselves, their attitudes and perspectives change. Something changes in us when we dance like no one is looking — being at a music festival lets your soul breathe. People express themselves in the most unique of ways. Festival goers wear wild costumes and adorn themselves with body paint, and you can see your friends’ inner personalities express themselves like never before. Many people enjoy this time so much that they skip sleep to embrace the entire experience. And here’s the funny thing: When people are truly happy they tend to be more open and giving. They loosen their judgments and predispositions. If you go, you may find yourself in the middle of a glorious field bonding with new friends in a blow up pool, while listening to the best music. You might even fall in love for the weekend.

Your amazing moment is out there if you’re willing to let go of what you know as yourself and grab onto the bond that music provides. For many of us it starts with Strangecreek, but it does not end there. Let your soul open itself to something new and come to a music festival. I’ll be right there with you.

Up In The Air: The Closest Thing to Heaven Without Dying

As a native of Roswell, New Mexico, I’m accustomed to looking to the sky for activity. We consider it a tourist attraction. In Rhode Island, however, The Ocean State, it makes sense that most people look to the water for summer fun. And while I cannot argue with anyone wanting to anchor down at Potter’s Cove for AquaPalooza, I want word on the street to reflect Rhode Island’s plentiful reasons to keep your eyes to the sky as well. Newport’s Annual Kite Festival

“It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s — a gigantic dragon?” is what you could be saying if you head to this year’s Kite Festival on July 13 and 14 in Newport. The festival takes place at , a premier spot for kite flying that keeps the sky colorful all summer long. For those with young’uns, there is no better way to spend a Saturday. There will be contests like the Bol races (running upwind while pulling a parachute) and the Candy Drop — something akin to a large piñata that releases candy, which is, unfortunately, restricted only to children. New kites will be given to contest and raffle winners, and if the festival sparks an interest in a new hobby, even better! Ron Kitt, owner of Kitt Kites and host of the Newport Kite Festival, has a mobile site at Brenton Park and offers free lessons every weekend during the summer. The events are free of charge, and beginning at noon on Saturday and Sunday, there will be demonstrations of Sport Kites and Power Kites, Rok (and roll) battles among traditional Japanese Rokkaku-style kites, and The Largest Kite contest. Randy the Kite Man, known for his large show kites, will be back this year from and bringing a gigantic dragon with him. Grab a Del’s and enjoy the show.

Another “super-fly” event worth attending is the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival at URI on July 18 through 20. What was once a small gathering of hot air balloonists has now become one of the greatest summer attractions in Rhode Island. Now in its 36th year, this festival has a calendar so full of activities that people will enjoy arriving at an ungodly hour of 5:30am to catch the sunrise balloon launch and staying until 9pm to watch the dusk balloon lighting and firework display. There will be wildlife shows, carnival games, craft booths, a car show, tightrope walkers, steel drummers and a rockin’ R&B band. All are free with admission. There will also be a BBQ contest in which teams compete for $1,000 and a chance to represent Rhode Island at the National BBQ Championship this year. (Great news for foodies like me: It’s not too late to be a BBQ judge! You can find applications online.)

But the main attraction is, of course, the hot air balloons. One of the pilots, Jeff Haliczer, will be coming to the South County Festival for the first time with his dog, Ben, and his “Off the Wall,” Humpty Dumpty-shaped balloon. Jeff got his start flying hot air balloons in Gallup, NM (New Mexican high five!), and he’s looking forward to flying in Rhode Island, one of the four contiguous states he has not yet visited. He won’t be hard to miss with his funky balloon at the dusk glow Friday and Saturday night, or flying high each morning as the sun comes up.

I’ve often wondered if flying in a hot air balloon was a peaceful experience, since I imagine floating through the sky would be, so I asked the expert.

“My passengers fill out a guestbook after they’ve ridden with me,” Jeff replied, “and one of them once described it as ‘the closest thing to heaven without dying.’ I think that sums it up pretty well.”

For those who are interested in experiencing heaven at this year’s festival, pilots can be contacted directly. Tethered rides are also available throughout the day. Details for balloon rides and other events can be found at southcountyballoonfest.com

Even without a festival to attend, Newport is a popular summer destination. Daredevils and adrenaline junkies (you know who you are) can skydive Newport or Lincoln, RI, with Skydiving Rhode Island (1-800-591-7984). Take pictures! More subtle adventurers should look into Island Style Parasail. Parasailing is an activity that perfectly combines the air and water — soaring through the sky with a parachute while being tethered to a boat. My hot-air-balloon-serenity theory came from parasailing: amazing views, open environment, stress-free. Wade, the owner, has 17 years of experience parasailing in Hawaii and began this operation last summer. Even people afraid of heights will find nothing to fear. Tandem rides are perfect for friends, families and couples. Wade brings the Island Style to RI by igniting laughter, throwing shakas (thumb and pinky finger out), and showing folks a lot of Aloha. Call 401-601-0330 for reservations.

This summer, remember to keep your eyes up or take to the sky yourself. There’s plenty to do up in the air. Block (Island) Party — Come Get a Taste

Food, Drinks, and Events for Everyone!

Everyone — from the outdoor enthusiast to the Baggo playing beer lover — will find something to enjoy at this year’s Taste of Block Island from paddleboarding lessons to wine tastings, book signings to lighthouse tours, discounted items to the absolutely free (and who can say no to free?). During the May 30 – June 1 weekend, you’ll be able to choose from 67 events and activities around the island, and that’s in addition to the 24 participating restaurants, 40 retailers giving discounts and 13 hotels offering weekend deals. I can barely create an itinerary worthy of all that I want to do (including weaving my own potholder and building my own ice cream sundae), but here is just a taste of the Taste of Block Island.

Five Reasons To Jump On Board (the Ferry)

1. Beer and wine, hooray!

For the past six years, the biggest draw has been — not surprisingly — the beer and wine tastings. As such, these events require pre-registration (see below for details) and spots fill up quickly. For an aphrodisiacal good time, check out The Beachhead Restaurant where the wine tasting comes with sensual $1 oysters. If beer sounds more your style, check out The Mohegan Café and Brewery. Ten lucky people will get a behind-the-scenes tour with the Brew Master himself, Dave Sniffen, and enjoy a flight of beer, light snacks and a 16 oz. freshly poured draft to end the session (only $12!).

2. Bacon-Fest

Ah, what a glorious hyphenated sentiment. In addition to being surrounded by heavenly aromas, you can help decide which chef will be crowned Winner of Bacon Fest 2014! Hosted by the Poor People’s Pub and Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), this will be the first-ever BI Bacon Fest. Eight local chefs will put their best bacon dish forward (including Block’s of Fudge’s chocolate-covered bacon) and YOU can sample all of the delectable dishes and cast a vote. There will be giveaways, and the champion will earn a pig trophy. And if that doesn’t convince you, come for the free PBR (each person gets two) and the knowledge that proceeds from the entrance fee are benefiting a great cause, the Sloviken Project. This event does not require pre-registration, but you must purchase a $16 Bacon-fest Bracelet.

The Sloviken Project is a restoration project started by the BI Conservancy. They purchased the old, dilapidated ocean-front property and hope to create a public park where people can picnic, watch surfers and drink PBR.

3. Fire Pits and a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar

The National Hotel is hard to miss when exiting the ferry — a big white monument of a building — and it’s a great place to begin or end your day. For early(ish) risers who come for breakfast, you’ll get to experience a free round of the Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar with the purchase of an entrée (a previous night’s hangover is not required). Late risers can stop by for lunch or dinner and get a free cup o’ chowdah with their meal, an award-winning recipe that took first place in last year’s chowder contest. Meanwhile, for those who only cross the threshold when the sun goes down, check out the National’s fire pit out back. This year they’ll be chewing the (bacon?) fat while roasting s’mores, and you’ll get a complimentary s’more when you order any cocktail. Accommodation discounts are also available for those who wouldn’t mind waking up to a Bloody Mary Bar every day.

4. Free Souvenirs

The Glass Float Project is now in its third year, and it’s a summer-long event in which tennis-ball-sized glass orbs, uniquely numbered and stamped with the year and a Block Island logo, are hidden across the island. This year they’ve upped the ante to 500 glass orbs, which will be dispersed sporadically in waves of 100 between May and September. Keep your eyes open because it’s finders keepers (but please take only one; the greedy have a special circle in Dante’s hell).

5. The Library is a Hot Attraction

Book nerds, rejoice! The library is a hotspot this year, particularly for free and awesome events. Check out Block Island’s debut Film Festival, featuring five short films starting at 8pm, and pick up your Scavenger Hunt list during the day. But be prepared to cross paths with me as I dart around the island and dominate the competition. (Ahem. Kidding.) For those whose competitive spirit is amplified (or nullified) by a cocktail, check out the free Baggo Tournament at The Oar Restaurant — grab a bean bag and play or cheer on the contestants.

Some very important information: In order to participate in the events and receive discounts, you’ll need to purchase a Taste of Block Island button ($5), which can be found on the BI Ferry or at the Block Island Chamber of Commerce. For events that are restricted to a small number of people, reserve a spot by calling 1-800-383-2474 or sign up in person at the Chamber. And most importantly, check out all of the events! Family friendly activities, such as Abram’s Animal Farm Tour, are great for young’uns, there’s kayaking and yoga for the exercise gurus, and museum tours and twilight walks for the deep thinkers. Find the complete list and peruse participating restaurants, retail stores and hotels at the Chamber’s website: blockislandchamber.com/taste-block-island. Don’t miss out!

Black Maria Film Festival: Panta rhei

The Black Maria Film Festival tour makes a stop in Rhode Island

Short films provide opportunities for independent filmmakers to explore the visual medium outside of the traditional constraints of narrative and documentary, sometimes becoming moving paintings. This more experimental and avant garde aspect of film dominated the two-hour Black Maria Film Festival tour stop at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence on Feb. 24, 2014, presented by its founding executive director John Columbus.

The Black Maria Film Festival presents a different selection of its winners at each stop during its five- month tour. Sponsored by the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium at New Jersey City University, the festival is named for the world’s first film studio that, according to Edison, was covered in tar paper to prevent reflections and to some resembled a “black maria” hearse in appearance. (“Maria” is pronounced with a long “i” as the accented syllable: “muh-RYE-ah.”) Now in its 33rd year, the festival has been visiting RISD for at least 30 of those years, Columbus said in his introductory remarks. According to the festival’s website, this year RISD is the 8th stop on the tour and the 2nd outside of New Jersey. Of the 10 films shown ranging from 2 to 17 minutes, four were listed on the program as made by RISD graduates or students.

The festival receives between 350 and 400 entries each year, Columbus said, and through a process of public and private pre-screenings selects 150 to be submitted to a three-member jury. There are three categories of awards given by the jury: “Stellar Awards” that qualify as Academy Award (Oscar) nominations and are limited to one in each of the four categories Documentary, Animation, Narrative, and Experimental, “Jury’s Choice” that is equivalent to first prize, and “Jury’s Citation” that is equivalent to second prize. There are also two categories of non-jury awards: “Director’s Choice” that is equivalent to third prize and “Audience Choice” that is equivalent to honorable mention.

Water Color (Fall Creek), the Stellar Award winner in the Experimental category, by Vincent Grenier, consisted almost entirely of 12 minutes of carefully edited sound and images from a fixed camera pointed at a body of water, showing it changing under different conditions of time and season with shimmering reflections and patterns of ripples, what might result if Monet and Heraclitus collaborated with a movie camera.

The Last Time, a Director’s Choice and Audience Choice winner, by Candy Kugel, a RISD alumna active in professional animation since the 1970s and who has been described as “the reigning first lady of indie-studio animation,” was a 5-minute animated narrative tribute to Vincent Cafarelli, her mentor and colleague at Buzzco Associates, who died suddenly in 2011.

The Apothecary, a Jury’s Choice by Helen Hood Scheer, the longest film shown, was a 17-minute documentary about the only druggist in a 4,000 square mile region of rural Colorado who provides the closest thing to medical care within a 2-hour drive while living in circumstances of personal tragedy.

Virtuos Virtuell, a Jury’s Citation by Thomas Stellmach, was a unique and strangely captivating 8- minute handmade animation using dancing ink blots set to the overture of Der Alchymist by 19th Century composer Louis Spohr.

Through the Tubes, a Jury’s Choice by now-alumna Sierra Urich made during her senior year at RISD, was a 12-minute surrealist film shot with a Lensbaby to provide blur and distortion focus effects to suggest disorientation as an elderly woman on oxygen goes through ordinary daily tasks.

Strange Wonderful, a Jury’s Choice by RISD graduate Stephani Swart, was a 5-minute animated film about snail-like “Little Monster” trying to fit in among human children.

Yield, a Director’s Choice by RISD alumnus Caleb Wood, the shortest film shown, was a 2-minute avant garde montage of photographs of roadkill, often “reanimating” the dead animals in flipbook style.

Also shown were Inquire Within, a Jury’s Choice by Jay Rosenblatt; Watching Waiting, a Jury’s Choice by Wesley Strick; and Solaristics, a Director’s Choice by Peter Rose.

The Black Maria Film Festival: http://www.blackmariafilmfestival.org/