Rhythm & Roots Returns To Rhode Island This Weekend
Thursday, August 29, 2013
The Rhythm and Roots Festival returns to Charlestown this Labor Day weekend. The event, in its 16th year, draws thousands annually to Ninigret Park. As usual, festival organizer Chuck Wentworth and his staff have put together an incredible line-up led by artists as diverse as Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Marcia Ball, and Los Texmaniacs.
Carolina Chocolate Drops
One band excited to be returning to the festival are the Carolina Chocolate Drops, fan favorites from a year ago. In April, the Grammy Award winning act put on a roots music clinic at Lupo’s. It’s a slightly different scene at a festival, according to co-founder Rhiannon Giddens. In an interview with GoLocalProv, she noted “you’ve got your own fans and new folks who aren’t as familiar with the band. So you might talk a little less, and play a little more.”
Giddens also commented on the growing appreciation of “Roots” music in recent years. She attributes some of it to a “backlash” to electronic pop music that is so prevalent these days. “Roots music pulls from America’s past and connects to the human condition,” she observed. “Its authentic music and people connect on many levels.” The band will play two sets - they appear Sunday on the main “Festival Stage” and on the “Heritage Stage” with Cajun star Cedric Watson.
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This festival is a great family event. They have some of the best facilities and programming for children of all ages – including great entertainers for the kids like storyteller Mark Levitt and musician Keith Munslow . There’s also the popular Kids Cajun Academy (for kids 7-17), a state of the art playground, arts and crafts, a Mardi Gras parade, and movies in the kids tent at night! There are also numerous food vendors to keep the little (and big) ones happy!
With five stages of great music, the biggest challenge will be trying to get to see all the great artists appearing. As festival veterans will tell you, it’s not an easy task. The main “Festival Stage” is the biggest draw, but sometimes you get the best performances at the other sites. Plan carefully, and be prepared for a few surprises! A full schedule of the weekend is posted here.
Look for a review of the Rhythm and Roots Festival on GoLocalProv next week!
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