FirstWorks, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting art with audiences, announced their 2025 Summer Beats Concert Series featuring a lineup of global artists.

“FirstWorks created Summer Beats six years ago to gather community and unite us through the arts. We are uplifted by audiences aged 1-100 dancing, listening, enjoying food, and finding joy and replenished spirits through the music of extraordinary artists,” said Kathleen Pletcher, Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks. “Global Journeys is a theme we continue to embrace as we invite artists from across the world to Rhode Island and stellar local artists share stages as performers and hosts.”

The powerful, all-female salsa sextet Las Guaracheras kicks off the summer series at the Roger Williams Park Bandstand on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Las Guaracheras were founded in Cali, Colombia and perform Afro-Caribbean rhythms, salsa, as well as music from the Pacific region of Colombia.

Coming up next is a groundbreaking collaboration with The William Cepeda & Elio Villafranca Sextet: Merging Roots, at Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The “Merging Roots” project unites these two renowned musicians in a dynamic exploration of the shared African roots connecting Cuba, Puerto Rico and New Orleans. The event coincides with Food Truck Friday, nearby at the Roger Williams Park Carousel Village starting at 5:00 p.m.

The third concert of this year’s Summer Beats global journey transports audiences to the ancient crossroads through the Khyber Pass with an electrifying performance by Pakistan’s Khumariyaan, on tour as part of Center Stage, at the Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. With its propulsive, furious sound, Khumariyaan is celebrated for blending traditional folk music with modern styles. The event coincides with Food Truck Friday, nearby at the Roger Williams Park Carousel Village starting at 5:00 p.m.

In an exciting new expansion for FirstWorks Summer Beats, the finale concert featuring Cape Verdean vocalist Elida Almeida will take place in the city of Central Falls at Jenks Park on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. The concert celebrating Cape Verdean musicians and heritage will also feature local hip-hop hero, Chachi Carvalho, who will open this special local/global double bill concert.

For more information about free FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts visit https://firstworks.org.

Las Guaracheras – an all-female salsa sextet from Colombia

Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Roger Williams Park Bandstand

Free and open to the public

The William Cepeda & Elio Villafranca Sextet: Merging Roots – Afro-Cuban / Afro-Rican jazz collaboration

Friday, July 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn

Free and open to the public

Khumariyaan, on tour as part of Center Stage – Pakistani folk fusion

Friday, July 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn

Free and open to the public

Cape Verdean vocalist Elida Almeida double bill with hip-hop hero Chachi Carvalho

Saturday, August 9, 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Jenks Park, Central Falls

Free and open to the public