Sunday, May 31, 2015

Come And Hear The Wealth Of Great Music In Newport RI

By Ericka Marsh


Rhode Island has distinguished itself as one of the premier summer music spots in the world. With plenty of annual festivals and streams of popular musicians, there are enough activities to satisfy the enthusiastic fans year round. Getting to know the premier attractions is a must for any music lover.

Visitors flock to the Newport Jazz Festival every year because it really is that good. Everyone wants to hear at least one day of the performing lineup during the multiple day festivities. In 1954 the first one was presented at the venerable Newport Casino. The greats that performed are part of the royalty of jazz. The news went round the globe, and the venue was sold old completely. Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Gene Krupa are just a few of the top notch people who have participated in the festival that has made music in Newport RI so very special.

Fort Adams State Park, a beautiful venue perched at the mouth of the harbor, fills with jazz performers by the hundreds. It is a cool place, with sea breeze and top rate music wafting over the crowds. There are plenty of vendors with souvenirs, crafts, food and drink available. The only warning is to buy tickets well in advance to ensure that there will be some left. There are tickets sold for the opening night cocktail party and concert held at the traditional Newport Casino. Due to the large attendance, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is used there, rain or shine, for these additional options.

For those interested in being part of the non profit organization that supports festivals in the city, contacting Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. Is a start. This group presents a gala each year for an intimate gathering of dedicated philanthropists.

The robust Newport Folk Festival has been a premier presenter of stellar folk music since 1959. The founder of these city festivals used his business acumen to bring together a history list of the best in the folk genre. Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash are just a few of the profoundly famous names that have performed here.

For classicists and chamber music enthusiasts, there is nothing quite like the Newport Music Festival held in the Preservation Society Mansions. Additional intimate venues and stages in surrounding neighborhoods have become the debut spots for more than one thousand classical performers presenting an American debut. Rhode Island has played a distinctive role in supporting the introduction of greats such as baritone Robert Merrill and pianist Claudio Arrau. There has been a classical music presence in the area since 1920, or so.

A wonderful family event sponsored annually by the Arts and Cultural Alliance is called Bridgefest. Its goal is to make the best of emerging musicians accessible to entire families. To make this possible, venues from all around the city are booked with concerts. For four days, adults and children are welcomed to local parks, beaches, mansions, wineries and restaurants to hear what is new locally.

Newport, Rhode Island is practically synonymous with summer musical events. Come and feel alive at its great concerts.




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