In response to COVID-19, many events like the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series have been canceled for in-person gatherings. However, NeighborWorks and the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Planning Committee are committed to bringing us all together through the power of free, live music – even if it means coming up with alternative measures!
Beginning on July 10th, you’ll be able to view Levitt performances on our Levitt AMP Woonsocket facebook page every Friday night at 7:30 P.M.
While we’re saddened we won’t be able to gather in River Island Art park this year, we’re happy to be able to bring Levitt right to your Living room! Shares Meghan Rego, Director of Resource Development and Communications at NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley.
The 2020 Levitt AMP Woonsocket Virtual Series is presented by Woonsocket Radio and TV (WOON 99.5 FM and 1240 AM), as the station has archived every moment of our past 20 shows and it generously sharing the footage, allowing us to bring some of your favorite performers back to your screens on Friday evenings.
We’re so fortunate to have WOON as a partner on this project! They’ve been at literally every concert and every piece of footage you will see comes from their archive shares Rego.
In addition to our virtual series, Levitt Foundation has pledged to support our community, bringing together once again. Pending State health guidelines, it is our goal to offer a series of in-person concerts on a smaller scale at Millrace, 40 South Main Street, Woonsocket, this Fall. Stay tuned for dates and band announcements.
The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series has been a part of our summer experience since 2018, when our community was victorious in bringing the series to our City through a hard fought online voting process. In the past, we’ve witnessed esteemed musical artists like Grammy winners Terrence Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Luther Guitar Jr. Johnson, and Flor de Toloache, along with many other incredibly talented musicians grace our river-front stage. Concerts were held every Friday night at River Island Art Park and were entirely free for local businesses and community members to come and enjoy. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, we won’t be able to gather together in person – but the show must go on!
Like in previous years, you’ll see multiple artists each Friday night from July 10th through August 28th. For Week 1, we have 2019 performer Kwame Binea Shakedown, a New York City band with rock ‘n’ roll-inspired music, and 2018 Adaawe, an all-female group combining musical genres that are upbeat and multicultural, on tap. Beyond the archived footage, get excited for some performer interviews, local talent, and even a preview of our 2021 Season.
And as if that wasn’t enough!! As always, we’re inviting you to show off your #MusicMoves for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local restaurant each week. We know that this series will be enough to get you out of your seat and on your feet. Snap a shot of you or you family enjoying the online series, post it to facebook or instagram tagging @LevittAMPWoonsocket and #MusicMoves to enter to win. One photo will be selected every week and highlighted in the virtual show.
The reality is, Levitt AMP Woonsocket, as we’ve come to know and love it, has been postponed until 2021. But in the meantime, we plan to do everything that we can to bring as much of the Levitt joy as possible into your lives this summer, shares Rego.
This decision did not come easily, as it impacts many people in our community, including our dedicated committee members, crew, artists, presenting partners, community partners, volunteers, vendors and sponsors, in addition to the thousands of friends, families and neighbors who enjoy free Levitt AMP concerts in River Island Art Park every summer.
Looking on the bright side, our grant is secured for 2021. We don’t need to enter the public voting phase. And the Music will return.
Until then, we’ll “see” you on July 10th!
