Looking to make Pawtuxet ‘mecca’ of Bluegrass events

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 6/26/14

By KELCY DOLAN

On the 4th of July weekend Angry Lobster Events, in association with the Rhode Island Bluegrass Association, is hosting a brand new Bluegrass festival to celebrate “America’s …

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Looking to make Pawtuxet ‘mecca’ of Bluegrass events

Posted

By KELCY DOLAN

On the 4th of July weekend Angry Lobster Events, in association with the Rhode Island Bluegrass Association, is hosting a brand new Bluegrass festival to celebrate “America’s music on America’s birthday.”

With local and nationally acclaimed Bluegrass artists, Tom Bousquet and Chris Keenan, co-founders of Angry Lobster Events, believe that “Bluegrass on the Pawtuxet” has the potential of becoming a destination event. They have received calls from all over the nation and some calls from other countries.

On Wednesday, Chris Keenan, organizer for the festival, held a press conference on the Pawtuxet Bridge. She invited Warwick’s and Cranston’s mayors to the event. Both Mayor Scott Avedisian and Mayor Allan Fung agreed that Bluegrass on the Pawtuxet Village would benefit not only their own cities, but all of Rhode Island.

Fung said, “This is the beginning of a one of a kind tradition that won’t only be enjoyed by Cranston and Warwick, but the whole state and the country. I hope this event will start a tradition that lasts for generations and keeps bluegrass alive for years to come.”

“This is a great addition to the great programs Pawtuxet Village already has in place,” Avedisian said. “This festival has a little something for everyone to enjoy.”

Marta Martinez came to the press conference to thank Keenan and Angry Lobster Events on behalf of both the Friends of Pawtuxet as well as the Pawtuxet Village Merchants.

She said, “This event will help put us more prominently on the map. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the shops and restaurants throughout the weekend.”

Of course a music festival needs the supports of its musicians. Mike Kropp, from the bluegrass band the Kropp Dusters, who will be performing at Rhodes on Pawtuxet on Friday night, came to show his support. He will also be teaching one of the master classes at the festival on playing the banjo.

He said Rhode Island has a “rich” musical history and joked that both mayors would learn to play the banjo and have a duel at the end of the weekend.

Most importantly, he said, “Bluegrass is alive and well all over the world and this festival has the hopes of making Rhode Island the Bluegrass Mecca of New England.”

Pawtuxet will be transformed into a Bluegrass dreamland with vendors during the day, food, and of course the artists. Master class workshops will also give participants the opportunity for a more intimate meeting with famous artists. Numerous artists signed on to teach master classes, including Mike Kropp, Tim Stafford, Suzahn Fiering and many more. Each master class will cost $15, but an unlimited workshop pass can also be bought for $25.

Throughout the weekend local artists will be playing in Aspray Park and in numerous cafes. On Friday and Saturday night big names in the Bluegrass tradition will perform concerts at Rhodes on Pawtuxet, including Blue Highway, the Carter Brothers, George Harper, the Kropp Dusters, and many more. Tickets for Friday night’s performance are $35 and $37.50 Saturday night. Tickets for both nights are $65.

Although daytime activities are free, the master classes and the concerts at the Rhodes on Pawtuxet do have varying costs. For more information, a list of performers or to purchase tickets, visit www.angrylobsterevents.

com, www.ribluegrass.com or www.etix.

com. You can also call Angry Lobster Events at 489-9714.

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