SUMMER GETAWAYS TO PROVIDENCE INCLUDE VARIETY OF FESTIVALS, EVENTS AND OPENINGS
05-24-2008
~Sound Session, WaterFire, IronMan, Restaurant Weeks,
Indie Arts Festival, Chace Center Grand Opening~
PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 21, 2008 – With travel costs on the rise, Providence invites vacationers to stay close to home with events and festivals throughout the summer. Families, couples and solo-travelers alike can take advantage of the scenic city’s WaterFire installation, Sound Session concerts, Restaurant Weeks, and the first annual Indie Arts Rhode Island Festival. The summer’s celebrations will culminate in the September opening of Rhode Island School of Design(RISD)’s Chace Center, including an exclusive exhibit featuring RISD alumnus Dale Chihuly. Activities and events include:
WaterFire, May through October 2008
Returning for its 13th year, WaterFire Providence is an award-winning art installation created by Barnaby Evans consisting of more than 100 bonfires blazing through the three rivers of downtown Providence. The flickering firelight is complimented by the movement of the crowd and beat of international music. WaterFire is a free event enjoyed along the city’s riverbanks. The 2008 WaterFire season begins on May 24 with regular lightings through October 11. For more information, please visit www.waterfire.org.
Sound Session, July 6-12, 2008
Sound Session is a city-wide, trans-cultural music celebration reflecting the dynamic vitality of Providence with an array of sounds including Jazz, Reggae, House, Latin, Classic Soul, Funk, Hip Hop and Afro beat. Many of the events, including a lively block party and parade through the streets of the downtown area, are free and open to the public. Sound Session is produced by the Providence Black Repertory Company and the Providence Dept. of Art, Culture and Tourism. For more information, visit www.providencesoundsession.com or call (401) 441-0623.
Providence Restaurant Weeks, July 6 - 19, 2008
This event celebrates one of the hottest destinations on the culinary map. Approximately 60 of the Providence area’s best restaurants will offer sumptuous meals at special prices. A three-course lunch will be priced at $12.95, and three-course dinners will be $29.95. For more information, a preview of menus at participating restaurants, or to make reservations online, visit www.ProvidenceRestaurantWeek.com.
Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island, July 13, 2008
On July 13, 2008, Providence will host the Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island. The event, which attracts participants from around the globe, will encompass 70.3 miles of the state including a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. Value hotel packages for participants and spectators will be available throughout the city. For more information visit www.ironmanrhodeisland.com
IndieArts/ri Festival, July 19, 2008
On Saturday, July 19, Burnside Park on Kennedy Plaza, will be home to the first annual IndieArts/ri Festival. The free, day-long celebration, featuring the work of a number of young and talented local artists and musicians, will also include an open art marketplace. For more information visit www.indieartsri.org.
Rhode Island Film Festival, August 5-10, 2008
This six-day event, the largest public film festival in New England, begins in the second week of August and is an Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences qualifying event. Events will be held at venues around Providence featuring screenings, filmmaking workshops, meet-and-greet industry events and seminars. For more information visit www.film-festival.org.
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