Get ready to ignite your summer nights as Season 6 of the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series kicks off on June 14, and keeps the groove going until August 23 (taking a break on July 5). Join us Friday’s all summer long, from 6 pm to 9 pm at the vibrant River Island Art Park (95 Bernon Street, Woonsocket, RI) for an unforgettable experience that’s free and open to all. Our mission? To bring communities together through the power of live music! Each evening showcases a local opening act followed by a touring headlining artist. Prepare to be immersed in a world of originality as our lineup takes the stage! At Levitt AMP Woonsocket, we’re dedicated to nurturing the musical ecosystem by prioritizing investment in artists who create their own unique sounds. So get ready to experience the heartbeat of creativity with every performance!
But that’s not all – the park transforms into a buzzing hub of activity with food trucks, vendors, kid-friendly fun, and a bar courtesy of Ciro’s Tavern. Get ready to groove, because this summer is about to hit all the right notes!
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the release of our hot upcoming lineup for this summer’s 6th Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series!
2024 Lineup!
June 14
Precious Perez (Reggaton & Salsa)
Get ready to dance your heart out with Precious Perez, also known as “the blind reggaetonera!” This rising star, with roots in both America and Latin America, is about to light up the stage with her electrifying blend of reggaeton and salsa. Hailing from Boston and now calling Kentucky home, Precious is a force to be reckoned with after graduating from Berklee College of Music with flying colors. But it’s not just about the music for Precious; she’s on a mission to break barriers as the first blind reggaetonera in the Latin music scene. Leading the charge for inclusivity, she’s the President of Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD), proving that nothing can stop her from making waves in the industry.
June 21
Shamarr Allen (New Orleans Fusion)
Let the good times roll with Shamarr Allen, the embodiment of the vibrant spirit of New Orleans! From the soulful streets of the Lower 9th Ward, Shamarr brings an explosive fusion of jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk, blues, and country straight to your ears. Leading the charge with his trumpet and vocals in “Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs,” he’s not just a performer; he’s a collaborator extraordinaire, having shared the stage with legends like Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, and Lenny Kravitz. Whether he’s rocking out at festivals worldwide or crafting musical magic behind the scenes, Grammy-nominated Shamarr Allen is the ultimate embodiment of the True Orleans experience!
June 28
OKAN (World Music)
Feel the heartbeat of Afro-Cuban rhythms with OKAN! This award-winning, women-led ensemble is about to take you on a musical journey like no other, blending the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk, and global rhythms. From the streets of Havana to the concert halls of the world, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne are on a mission to spread messages of immigration, courage, and love through their captivating music. With roots in Grammy-nominated projects and a dedication to preserving indigenous musical traditions, OKAN is ready to steal your heart and set your soul on fire!
***No show July 5 due to Holiday***
July 12
Steve Smith & the Naked Truth (Big Brass)
Rhode Island’s musical legends are back, and they’re bringing the brass! Steve Smith & the Naked Truth have been lighting up stages for over five decades, earning their place in the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. With a lineup that boasts a powerhouse rhythm section, a sizzling brass ensemble, and the charismatic vocals of Steve Smith himself, get ready to groove to their original tunes like never before. From the heart of Rhode Island to the Levitt stage, the Nakeds are here to show you what it means to bring the big brass energy!
July 19
Tartan Terrors (Celtic Rock)
It’s time to get Celtic with the Tartan Terrors! These kilt-clad rockers are on a mission to bring the energy of a Celtic invasion to stages across North America. Mixing rock show vibes with the infectious rhythms of Celtic music, they’ll have you laughing, dancing, and tapping your feet all night long. From Times Square to Scottish festivals, the Tartan Terrors have conquered stages big and small with their distinctive sound and infectious energy. Get ready to experience the ultimate Celtic rock extravaganza!
July 26
Black Opry (Country)
WXPN’s Black Opry Residency is about to shake up the Country scene like never before! Celebrating the rich heritage of Black Americana musicians, this groundbreaking residency is reclaiming their rightful place in the American musical canon. From country to blues, folk to gospel, Black Opry is the home for Black artists, fans, and industry professionals making waves in the roots music scene. Get ready to witness the true diversity and depth of Americana music with Black Opry leading the charge!
August 2
CJ Chenier (Zydeco & Blues)
Get ready to party Cajun-style with CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band! Born and raised in the heart of Creole country, CJ delivers soulful vocals, masterful accordion-driven Zydeco and Blues like no other. With a Grammy-nominated pedigree and a stage presence that’s larger than life, CJ has shared the spotlight with legends like his father, Clifton Chenier, (“The King of Zydeco”) Paul Simon, and Ray Parker Jr. From backyard barbecues to international festivals, CJ Chenier brings the deep roots and irresistible rhythms of Americana music to audiences around the world!
August 9
Plena Libre (Dance)
Get ready to move and groove with Plena Libre, the masters of Afro-Caribbean dance music! For nearly three decades, this trailblazing band has been thrilling audiences around the globe with their infectious blend of Plena, Bomba, jazz, and more. With four Grammy nominations under their belt and a reputation for electrifying performances, Plena Libre is the ultimate party-starter. From mesmerizing hand drumming to raucous horns and soaring vocal harmonies, they’ll have you dancing all night long to their scintillating beats!
August 16
Phillip-Michael Scales (Blues)
Get ready for a musical journey with Phillip-Michael Scales, where indie rock storytelling meets the soulful passion of the blues! Growing up with the legendary B.B. King as a close family friend calling Phillip-Michael “nephew,S Phillip-Michael carries on the family tradition with his own unique sound and style. From dive bars to international festivals, his music resonates with audiences around the world, blending indie rock grit with the heartfelt emotion of the blues. With a knack for captivating storytelling and a stage presence that commands attention, Phillip-Michael Scales is a force to be reckoned with in the world of indie rock and blues!
August 23
Patty PerShayla & the Mayhaps (Rock)
Rock out with Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps! This powerhouse trio is about to take you on a wild ride with their riff-driven rock anthems and punky blues grit. Hailing from Grand Rapids to Nashville, Patty & the Mayhaps are no strangers to the stage, with an EP that’s already making waves in the industry. With a big attitude and even bigger sound, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps are here to shake up the music scene one stage at a time, so get ready to join the party and let loose!
Since 2018, the free, family-friendly, 10-week music series has transformed River Island Art Park into a cultural hub of entertainment on Friday evenings. With goals of amplifying community pride, enriching lives through the power of free, live music, and creating vibrant public places, the work we do fosters tourism, enhances the resident experience, and is a point of pride for the City.
Over the last few years, the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series has become the place to be on Friday nights. Residents have personally told me that they consider it to be the best arts event they attend all summer!”
NWBRV Director Meg Rego
Thank you to our Sponsors!
The series is organized by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley in partnership with the City of Woonsocket, Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative, and O-N Radio Worldwide. This series would not be possible without the generosity of national and local sponsors. Thank you for your support! Your tax-deductible donation will be directly invested into the 20 talented musicians brought to the stage in River Island Art Park.
A special thank you to our early sponsors:
- PRESENTING SPONSOR: The Levitt Foundation
- GRAMMY LEVEL SPONSORS ($2500+): Woonsocket Head Start, RISCA, Navigant Credit Union
- ALBUM LEVEL SPONSORS ($1000+): AutumnFest, Bella Mente Counseling, Sierra Solutions Group, Milford Federal Bank, Bacon Charter School for the Arts, Shoreham Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, River Falls Restaurant
- EP LEVEL SPONSORS ($500+): Pineda’s Outdoor Living, Woonsocket Freemasons – Morning Star Lodge #13, Apex Technology Group, Sonia Lindsey Giving Fund, Dean Bank, Nationwide Construction, Woonsocket Housing Authority
- DEMO LEVEL SPONSORS ($250+): Buxton Hollow Farm Natural Products, Councilman David Soucy, Lamagna Law Offices, Mitson Law Associates, Woonsocket Teachers Guild, Bally’s Twin River Casino
- FRIENDS OF LEVITT ($25-$249): Madison Leigh Properties LLC, Vision Associates, David Stoll, MD, Nancy and Raymond Benoit, Emily Buckbee, Carrie Zaslow, Ricki Chevalier, Woonsocket School Committee Member Alan Leclaire, Nancy Giambusso, Clarisse Dexter, Meg Rego
“The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonprofits across the country to activate underused outdoor spaces through the power of free, live music—bringing people together, fostering belonging, and invigorating community life. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt concerts are welcoming and inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together.
In 2024, the national Levitt network of music venues and concert sites is presenting 650+ free concerts in 45 towns and cities, with audiences over 750,000. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Levitt Foundation is dedicated to advancing equitable music ecosystems through research and partnerships. www.levitt.org”
