Summertime……And this Column is Humongus Okee dokee folks…It’s unofficially summer. The Memorial Day Weekend starting gun has been fired. I hope that you’ve done some eye stretches and are ready to read the marathon list of summer music and fun that I now bestow upon you all. I feel like a teacher that gives homework to their students at the end of the year just to dash the hopes of having an assignment-free vacation. My “assignments” are entertaining and supportive. Go forth and listen to as much music as you can this season. Enjoy yourselves. Support the local, regional shows and local venues. Buy your tickets EARLY! (The Newport Folk Festival is SOLD OUT. It has been since soon after they went on sale about month ago. “Fa-ged-a- bowd gettin’ tix ta dat”) There are PLENTY of other events that can more than make up for the lack of Folk Fest tix. Read on. I have included as much amusing stuff (musical and otherwise) as I could find and remember this time around. There will be a test. Downtown Series Ready. Begin. OK, this isn’t music, but it’s cool! The Downtown Sundown Series is already underway with Shakespeare’s As you Like It, directed by Bob Colonna and presented by The Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater (TRIST). Admission is FREE. Takes place outdoors at Roger Williams National Memorial,282 North Main Street,Providenceat8pmevery Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday thru June 17th. Dial (401) 331-6118 more info. Check down the column a way for more Downtown Sundown Series activities. The Hunger The Hunger Task Force, a joint initiative of the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale and theURIFeinsteinCenterfor a Hunger Free America, holds its Sixth Annual Community Hunger Awareness Day event on Thursday, June 7th. The event will take place at Marina Park inSouth Kingstownfrom5-7pm(rain date is June 14). Performing at5pmis internationally renowned country blues singer and guitarist Paul Geremia. Paul has 11 albums to his credit and has headlined venues throughout theUS,CanadaandEurope. The Westmoreland Street Jammers close the show with their signature big sound including three lead guitarists and a full complement of vocalists. These veteran musicians have rockedSouthCountyat community events, private parties and nightclubs since 2006. The event is free of charge, but attendees are asked to bring donations of non-perishable food to contribute to the Community Hunger Awareness Day food drive. Pizza and ice cream are being donated by local vendors and will be served free while it lasts. Look for the sign, Marina Park is located right off of Route1 inWakefield. Vacancy @ theGreenwich Besides having the weekly Open Mic, Open Jam and assorted Friday night bands at the Greenwich Hotel, they have added the (semi) weekly Songwriter Sessions on Thursday nights. On June 7th, you can catch Bob Kendall and Brian Shovelton; June 14th brings in Keturah Burgess, Tammy LaForest, and Earl Faria; June 28th: Johnny Provo and TBA; July 12th: Brian Minisce and TBA will all perform in the window onMain Street. Music starts at9pmand keeps playing untilmidnight. For more, check in at www.facebook.com/greenwichhotel Padding the Stats Music at Lily Pads closes out its season with two great shows. On Friday, June 8th, enjoy an Evening with Jonah Tolchin and Friends. Tolchin celebrates the release of his latest disc, Criminal Man. Jonah is joined by Haunt the House, Allysen Callery, Dan Blakeslee, Shea Vaccaro, Ian Fitzgerald, and Eric and Sandra Lichter. On Saturday, June 23rd, witness the genius that is JP Jones. This troubadour has been making music for more than three decades; crafting 13 highly personal albums with more than 150 songs reflecting his life experiences. JP will be joined by jazz guitarist, composer, and music educator Steve DeConti, as well as special guest: teacher, actor, surfer, singer and crafter of songs, Matt Fraza. Both shows begin at7:30pmand are held in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County,27 North Roadin Peace Dale. For more, float on over to www.musicatlilypads.org. RISA Women Rule! The Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) proffers its ninth annual “Women of RISA” show at the Church Street Coffeehouse inWarren. This show was started by RISA member Jan Luby because I (yes, me) inadvertently booked all MEN at a RISA showcase at Stone Soup the prior spring. This year’s offering of lovely sirens spotlights Tracie Potochnik, Katherine Quinn, Nellie Walcoff, Carolyn Waters and host, Jan Luby. The Church Street Coffeehouse is located at theFirstUnitedMethodistChurchonChurch StreetinWarren. Fore more, worship over to www.churchstreetcoffeehouse.com. RISA/AS220 Songwriters in the Round shows continue all summer on the second Sunday of every month from6-8pm. It’s a unique opportunity to hear four different songwriter’s takes on the same theme. The June 10th program presents host, Joanne Lurgio; Lisa Couto, Ross Robinson, and Ronnee Ringquist. For more about all RISA events, compose your way over to www.risongwriters.com. Small Wonders Nestled past the Fantastic Umbrella Factory gardens, attached to the Small Axe shop is the one of the best kept secrets around, The Small Axe Café. Every Sunday from2-4pmyou can hear live acoustic music out on the patio (weather permitting). The Fantastic Umbrella Factory is just off Route1 inCharlestowna little pastNinigretPark. Head down and grab a bite to eat before or after shopping or beach-going and take a stroll through the garden near the Small Axe. Don’t forget to say hello to the animals! The Fantastic Umbrella Factory is located at4820 Old Post RoadinCharlestown. Scheduled to perform so far this season are: June 17th-Joanne Lurgio, June 24th-Diamond Eyed Jacks. For more about this series; chop, chop, chop over to: www.facebook.com/smallaxeproductions. Bluegrass@ The Wood If you’re down at the beach on a Sunday and want to hear some great music instead of sitting in traffic on the way back, pop over to the Wood River Inn onMain StreetinRichmondfor “Sundays at the Wood.” The first Sunday of the Month is always the Motif Award winning Open Mic. So bring an instrument and play a song, or three. The remaining Sundays are saved for scheduled talent. roster rotates between The Rank Strangers; Mike Boulay and friends; and The Bubblin’ Crude. For more, forest over to: www.facebook.com/pages/Sundays-at-The-Wood or punch in: 401-539-9800 Narrow Music One of my favorite venues to play and to see music is theNarrowsinFall River. I always say that they should open a Bed and Breakfast there because they have so many back to back to back great shows! This summer is no exception. Head out across the Big oleBragaBridgetoFall Riverfor some of the best music anywhere. June 7th: America’s Jewish Troubadour-Kinky Friedman, June 8th: Fred Eaglesmith’s Traveling Show, June 12th: Blues guitarist Robert Cray, June 15th: Aoife O’ Donovan of Crooked Still, June 16th: the electrifying guitar player- Ronnie Earl, June 17th: traditional and contemporary music with Tim O’ Brien, June 21st: The 40th Anniversary of the Flatlanders, June 22nd: acoustic guitar veteran Pierre Bensusan, June 27th: The legendary Jefferson Starship, June 28th: Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl Band featuring Lou Ann Barton, July 12th: Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express, July 13th: Royal Southern Brotherhood featuring Cyril Veville, Devon Allman and Mike Zito, July 26th: a cappella with the Persuasions, July 30th: cellist/singer-songwriter-Ben Sollee, August 3rd: spiritual sounds with The Lee Boys, and August 15th: Ruthie Foster, and August 17th: Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes. For more, taper to: www.ncfta.org Chan’s Eggrolls and cool music If you’re looking for some A/C to get out of the summer heat and would like some Chinese food to go with it, then you’re reading in the right spot. Chan’s inWoonsockethas a packed summer schedule to keep you cool and full. On June 9th The Chili Brothers bring their roots-rich, funky-good music to Chan’s. June 23rd, don’t miss the “Live at Chan’s” recording session with Blues legend, Luther “Guitar” Johnson & the Magic Rockers as they get their mojo going and make the night a rockin’ combo plate. For more, fortune your way to: chanseggrollsandjazz.com/calendar.htm Urban Legends On Saturday, June 9th (rain date June 10), the 5th Annual Urban Pond Procession will start at Mashapaug Pond (behind Job Lot on Reservoir Avenue) at 9:45am and arrive at the Temple to Music, Roger Williams Park at 11:45am. You can park at theTempleto Music at9:15and take the shuttle bus to Mashapaug Pond. For more, proceed to www.urbanpondprocession.org. Knick of Good Times InWesterly, The Knickerbocker kicks it up and gets you over the hump up with no cover, “Let’s Dance” Wednesdays. Starting June 13th, you can hop to such bands as The Cartells, Superchief Trio, High Times and more. Thursdays keep right up with another no cover night. Roots, Rock and Reggae music by acts like Southern Twist, The Cadillac Horns; and Girls, Guns & Glory will keep you moving all summer. In addition to dancing the Knick also offers great concerts for your aural satisfaction. Brooklyn-based songwriter, soul singer and Knick fav, Jonah Smith returns on Friday, July 27th. To keep up with the Knick, knack-patty-whack over to: www.theknickerbockercafe.com Sandywoods Muse-ings TheSandywoodsCenterfor the Arts in Tiverton is a relatively new venue that is providing “Tivertonians” with a hub of unique and exciting activity. Located at43 Muse Wayin Tiverton (that’s greaterMassachusettsfor all you Rhode Islanders –just kidding!) the recently entertainment licensed room has a healthy summer itinerary.