After a full summer of virtual shows, Levitt AMP Woonsocket has returned to offer live, in-person performances. Mark your calendars for Friday nights through October 9th, as the Millrace Patio at 40 South Main Street, Woonsocket comes alive with free concerts from 6pm – 8:30pm.
With a goal of bringing people together through the power of free, live music, we’re thrilled to offer in-person events again this year” shares Meg Rego, Coordinator of the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series.
For those familiar with the Levitt AMP experience, rest assured that while the mini-series is going to look a little different from Levitt of the past, the core remains the same. Attendees will hear talented musicians from different genres, there will be great food on site, and the cost of admission hasn’t changed – it’s FREE.
September 25th will feature local act Brian James Soul Jazz. The group previously performed on the Levitt stage opening for Grammy Award Winning Luther ‘Guitar Jr.’ Johnson in 2019. The band delivers a unique, high energy fusion of jazz, funk, and classic rock. Cuffs Counter will be on site cooking up wood-fired pizza and enumerators from the US Census Bureau will be present to make sure that all attendees have been counted in the 2020 Census as the September 30th deadline looms.
Guests can rest assured that these events are COVID-friendly. Attendees are required to wear masks when walking about and bathrooms are frequently sanitized throughout the evening. Forget your mask at home? No worries, our Friends at RI Mask Makers have donated stylish hand sewn masks for anyone in need.
The Levitt Foundation has been incredibly supportive of grantees this season. With the uncertainties of COVID-19 and the rapidly changing state guidelines, each grantee was able to apply for a $5,000 “bridge grant” to continue community building activities in their community. The Woonsocket grant was initially used to offer a seven week virtual series curtesy of archived footage from O-N AM & FM Radio. The series offered a look back at some of our favorite performers from the last two years. It drew over 3,000 viewers.
As the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Planning Committee learned more about COVID-19 and how it spreads and received guidance on outdoor events, we hosted two pop up events on the Millrace Patio feature the Caribbean Soul Duo on September 11 and Back Rhodes on September 18. These shows were well-received, drawing small crowds of 40-60 people, and provided some additional patrons to Market Square as attendees visited Ye Ole’ Fish and Chips and New York Lunch for dinner in additional to patronizing Cuffs Counter who was on site cooking wood-fired pizza.
We’ve always know that people love coming together and that music is the perfect way to accomplish that. After such a long hiatus, it’s been wonderful to see our community gather once again and we hope to continue offering live performances for as long as the weather holds” shares Rego. She continues “fortunately, I’m not beyond tossing on a puffy coat and hat to see a live show.”
Schedule
September 11 – Caribbean Soul Duo
September 18 – Back Rhodes
September 25 – Brian James Soul Jazz
October 2 – Julie Rhodes
October 9 – RI Son