Summer 2022 just keeps getting sweeter!
We are beyond honored that our very own Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series was just named the Best FREE Outdoor Concert Series in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly!
The summertime series, which occurs Friday nights from June 17 through August 19 at River Island Art Park in Woonsocket, delivers acts ranging in musical genres, from Pop and Reggae to Americana and Zydeco. Every week, concert attendees are also greeted by food trucks, local craft vendors, cultural activities, and an on-site bar provided by Ciro’s Tavern, the Woonsocket based series has steadily gained momentum since its inception in 2018.
I could not be more proud of the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series community. To everyone who attends our shows, every musician who’s performed on our stage, every food and craft vendor, the nonprofits who pop up to share resources, to each and every person who has volunteered their time to make this series possible, to the sponsors who financially support the Series year after year, and to the thousands of people who voted to bring free music to Woonsocket – CONGRATULATIONS! In just 4 short years, you’ve created Rhode Island Monthly’s Best FREE Concert Series in the State of Rhode Island. It’s a dream to be a part of this community.
Meg Rego, NWBRV Director of Resource Development & Communications
As the lead funder and impetus behind the series, the Levitt Foundation pulls out all the stops to help build community and transform underutilized public spaces–River Island Art Park being no exception. Employing every resource available to them, the nationally recognized Foundation focuses on spreading the joys of free, live music. Levitt, NWBRV and the city of Woonsocket’s commitment to music and community, was recognized on July 21 at Roger Williams Park Zoo when nearly 1,400 Rhode Islanders came out to celebrate the sold out Best of Rhode Island event.
Our Best of Rhode Island™ Awards honor the best of small businesses and organizations around the state, so we were very excited to award the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series as our editors’ pick for best free outdoor concert series. It’s been incredible to watch the amount of effort this small team has put into the series over the years and watch it grow into the community gathering event it is today. And we were so glad that so much of the Levitt AMP team came out to celebrate with us at our Best of Rhode Island™ event. A well-deserved win for a great group.”
Lauren Clem, Rhode Island Monthly Associate Editor
The 2022 Best of Rhode Island party celebrated the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series and 395 additional winners, honoring the best of the best in true Ocean State style. The picturesque Zoo-based setting came complete with a red carpet, photo booth, caricature artists and refreshments from area restaurants.
Funded by a grant from the Levitt Foundation, the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series combines the best of the summer concert experience in one riverside venue- food trucks, vendor pop-ups, an onsite bar and high-energy shows featuring local and national acts like Steve Smith and the Nakeds and Nashville-based rock outfit the New Respects. Bring your blanket and head up to Woonsocket for this free, Friday-night series that runs all summer long.
RI Monthly, August 2022
We’d like to thank Rhode Island Monthly for recognizing our organization and great city. Community concerts have become synonymous with summer across the Ocean State. “It’s wonderful to see the gathering power of the arts across the State and to know the impact that these free nights out have on families, neighbors, and cities and towns” shares Meg Rego. “At the same time, we believe Levitt AMP Woonsocket to be something special and it’s a true honor to be recognized with this award.”
When we first began planning the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series back in September of 2017, I don’t think any of us could have guessed what it would end up becoming. I am so proud to be part of this festival- it’s one of my favorite events to produce every year!”
Adam Brunetti, Production Manager- Levitt AMP Woonsocket
Join us this Friday, August 5 for internationally-acclaimed Latinx and Texan pop sensation, Gina Chavez with award-winning R&B singer-songwriter opener Lisa Bello!
I’ve spent my life playing nice and making myself small. Then I toured the U.S. and the world and saw how women everywhere — from Nebraska to Uzbekistan to Argentina — know what it means to be silenced in the face of power. This album is for them, for all of us. An anthem to reclaim our bodies, our hearts, our voices, and show the world what we’ve known the whole time: we are La Que Manda (The Woman in Charge).
Gina Chavez
The multi-ethnic, Austin native is a 12-time Austin Music Award winner—including 2015 Musician of the Year and 2019 Best Female Vocals. In addition to more than a million views on her NPR Tiny Desk, an hour-long PBS special, and a 12-country tour through Latin America, the Middle East and Central Asia as a cultural ambassador with the U.S. State Department, Chavez released her album La Que Manda, in May 2020, telling the story of a woman coming into her own power.
Friday’s opening act, Lisa Bello, is known for a fulfilling lifetime of songwriting, vocal ability, and humanitarianism. She was awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the Hip Hop category, Boston Music Awards Female Vocalist of the Year and R&B Vocalist of the Year, the New England Nightlife Independent Artist of the Year, and OUTMUSIC Awards Humanitarian Songwriter of the Year.
See you Friday at the Park!
In more than a half century of radio and TV broadcasting I have worked with dozens of outstanding people. But none have won my admiration more than Meg Rego. Meg’s courage, grassroots work ethic, positivity, and caring for others is unequaled in my experience. Meg is like a ‘wish list’ of all the most important qualities of the perfect leader/organizer, rolled into one person.
Dave Richards, owner and manager of WOON AM & FM Radio.
I admire Meg greatly, and I consider myself lucky to work with her. Meg’s the kind of person I want to be when I grow up.
LOVE free, live, local music, but not able to get out to River Island Art Park every Friday? We’ve got you covered! O-N Radio is in the park each week, live broadcasting the weekly concerts for our at-home listeners!
Miss the live broadcast? Both YouTube and Facebook save copies of our live broadcasts for replay after the concert is over!
