West Side Thursdays 2018

On June 28 and three Thursdays in July, Dexter Training Ground is made more vibrant by West Side Thursdays, WBNA's summer performance series in partnership with the City of Providence, now in its 15th year!

Set against the backdrop of the Armory Farmer's Market, West Side Thursdays adds live music, Shakespeare in the park, kids activities, the Armory Market Beer Garden by Troop and Revival Brewing Company, rentable bocce balls and chess sets, and more! Always fun, always family-friendly, these weekly events are a great way to let off a little summer steam.

 

Schedule OF ACTIVITIES

June 28

Trinity Rep's The Tempest / La Tempestad

 

July 12

Nickel Jukebox + Providence Children’s Museum Activities for Kids

July 19

Roberto Arias y su Alebreke + Kids Crafts & Games by The Feast

  • 3:30-7pm  |  Armory Farmers Market

  • 5pm  |  Featured Performance by Roberto Arias y su Alebreke + Kids Crafts & Games by The Feast

  • 5-7pm  |  Armory Market Beer Garden by Troop and Revival Brewing Co

July 26

 The American Band + Providence Children’s Museum Activities for Kids


Artist BIOs
 

Trinity Repertory Company's Shakespeare en el Verano (Shakespeare in the Summer) premieres a bilingual English-Spanish adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest in partnership with Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA). Adapted by Orlando Hernandez and directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo, the production will tour throughout Providence from June 28-July 27, 2018. All performances are free, open to the public and appropriate for all ages.

A not-so-accidental storm causes a shipwreck on a mysterious island, populated only by the deposed duke Prospero, his daughter, and magical spirits. What starts out as Prospero’s pursuit of vengeance becomes a fantastical and whimsical story of love and reconciliation.
 

Nickel Jukebox is a 6 piece “Mostly Motown” band fronted by the engaging Angela B and Becky Bass, and backed by seasoned pros on bass, guitar, drums, and keyboards/sax. The tunes of Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Temptations and many others are joyfully brought to life. Some of the numbers are done faithfully, but others might contain elements of country, rock, blues, gospel, jazz, jam band, and funk. Becky Bass's superb steel drum playing adds a Caribbean sound to some of the numbers as well. Rhode Island based, Nickel Jukebox is Angela B, Becky Bass, Allan Raskin, Dave Mealey, Jeff Jacobson, and Mark Vadnais.


Roberto Arias y su Alebreke is a seven-piece ensemble led by Dominican Latin percussionist and vocalist Luis “Robertico” Arias, who has been performing professionally since his teens. He has toured internationally with such bands as Los Hijos del Rey, El Equipo de Dioni Pernandez, Boni Cepeda, The New York Band and La Gran Manzana, and recorded with such artists as David Byrne. Robertico is also a tireless educator, working with a wide range of students from elementary school-aged students to university students and adults. He and his band Alebreke have become Rhode Island institutions with their energy-filled performances of salsa, bachata, cha cha and merengue.


The American Band is a symphonic concert band comprised of over 50 adult musicians. Their repertoire is both versatile and traditional with works ranging from classical to popular, marches and operatic overtures to modern works for band. A number of smaller ensembles are also formed within the band. The band has a long and colorful history extending back to 1837, making the American Band one of the oldest continuously active bands in the United States.
 

West Side Thursdays is made possible by a grant from the City of Providence and with support from our sponsors, and is part of Mayor Jorge Elorza's 2018 Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative.
 

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

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Poster design by Jimmy Lazer