PVDFest returns to Burnside Park for the fifth year in a row. Discover all the Creative Capital has to offer through Providence’s signature arts and cultural event. Once again, the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy has curated an entire day full of arts and cultural programming that is fun for the whole family.
Plan your visit to the park around a certain performance, or pop by at any time (or many times!) and experience the magic and fun.
Below is the full schedule of Burnside Park events for Saturday, June 8.
Stage Performances:
12:00: Guided meditation with HUSH Providence
Take a break during the day for some quiet time with HUSH Providence. Mindful walking, stone stacking, coloring, guided meditation and more.
12:30: Open Drum Circle with Sidy Maiga
Originally from Mali, Maiga is based in Rhode Island and has traveled the world drumming and teaching. He combines the best of West African percussion traditions with the modern rhythms of the Caribbean and hip-hop. Bring your own djembe or any musical instrument or sit in on one of Maiga’s to participate in an open drum circle with one of Rhode Island’s musical treasures.
1:30: Naturalization Ceremony with Dorcas International
Over 30 people will become new citizens of the United States. Their families, along with honored guests, Mayor of Providence, Jack Reed, and Federal Judge McConnell will join this special ceremony. Immediately following the swearing in, several new citizens will tell the stories of their journey from refugee to citizen.
2:30: Sidy Maiga with Mestizas
Malian master percussionist Sidy Maiga plays with Mestizas, a quartet made up of Cuban, Uruguayan and Spanish members, playing Afrocuban and Afrouruguayan music.
3:00: RI Kung Fu Lion Dancers
A non-profit martial & cultural arts group practicing kung fu & Chinese lion dance, the RI Kung Fu Lion Dancers will perform a traditional Lion Dance. This festive and cultural performance combines the movement and spirit of kung fu with drumming, and symbolizes good luck and positive energy.
3:30: Songs with Ricky Rainbow Beard
Ricky Rainbow Beard brings his special flavor of fun and songs celebrating color, sound, play and everyone!
4:00: Raffini Storytelling
A self-made artist, actress, and teacher from the South Side of Providence, Raffini has long been committed to the community. She teaches Black History and theatre, and tells stories that nurture the spiritual and creative abilities of youth. She will join us with storytelling from Africa and beyond.
Photo by Scott Lapham
5:00: Keith Munslow
Keith Munslow brings his unique performance to kick off PVDFest in Burnside Park. A musician, storyteller, cartoonist and standup comedian for kids, Keith gets kids and parents dancing and laughing.
7:00: Girls Rock! RI Sampler Session
Girls Rock! Rhode Island turns up the volume with Youth and Lady Camp rockers with performances of original music.
Performers include:
Franny Binder
Amelia Ross
Phoenix
8:00: Ocean State Ocean Stage
Celebrate World Oceans Day with The Whale Guitar Project and two hours of ocean inspired music and sing along shanties with The Whale Guitar. Envisioned by Jen Long, designed by William Schaff and built by Rachel Rosenkrantz,The Whale Guitar is an instrument of change! This Moby Dick inspired work of art symbolizes the need to act now for ocean and climate health. It has been played by hundreds of musicians to carry its sea-change message upstream to inland fans. Tonight a host of Providence musicians will rock you on a rolling Sea of Love to proclaim and celebrate another ocean advocacy born in the Ocean State: World Oceans Day!
Artists performing in this order from 8 – 10pm:
Intro by Bonnie Combs and Jen Long
Ant Savino
Sharks Come Cruisin
Michelle Cruz
Breachway
SwampBirds
Ben Stewart
Heather Rose in Clover
Finale: Sea of Love group song
Activities, Artist Installations & Interactive Projects
12:00 – 6:00: Hush Providence “Rest Area”
Take a break during the day for some quiet time with HUSH Providence. Mindful walking, stone stacking, coloring, guided meditation and more.
12:00 – 6:00: My Living Monument with Becci Davis
My Living Monument is a multi-sensory, interactive installation that uses a designated site of memory to spark conversations about monuments, commemoration practices and the politics of public space. This iteration tells the story of six Rhode Island women who were contemporaries of General Burnside, as well as, their contributions to the state, nation, and world.
12:00 – 6:00: The Dorcas International Marketplace
Artisans and craftspeople from around the world display and sell handmade art and crafts.
12:30 – 5:30: Rattscallion Facepainting
Heidi Born of Rattscallion Facepainting is a regular at our summer Storytime + Art in the Park series. Face painting is FREE.
1:00 – 3:00: Xiomara Art Experience
A kid-run art making space & gallery.
3:00 – 6:00: Bonnie Combs and her Reuse & Recycle Sewing Station
Bonnie Combs uses her sewing machine to give new life to old t-shirts by turning them into a reusable bag. Feel free to bring your own old t-shirt and leave with a bag!
3:30 – 5:30 The Giant Squidstravaganza
The Giant Squidstravaganza, host of The Cephalopodcast, will be greeting you from the depths of its three hearts, and engaging humans in exciting and relaxing activities.
6:00 – 7:00: Instrument Petting Zoo with Girls Rock! RI
Try out some new instruments at the Instrument Petting Zoo while listening to tunes from DJ Ari Mercedes.
6:00 – 10:00: Providence Children’s Film Festival & Ricky Rainbowbeard present a selection of short films and projections.
Happening all day!
- World of a Book Story Rooms: Harold & The Purple Crayon, Dr. Seuss, Where the Wild Things Are, Good Night Moon, Moon Man, Wonky World of Roald Dahl (by artists Ricky Katowicz & Alison Paul)
- World Oceans Day celebration
- Tide Line mural by Scott Lapham at the Imagination Center
- Jen Long’s Rainbow RecyCLEAN Arch
- Shoreline Bottle Spinners by Joan Wyand
- Welcoming Rhode Island Festival Exhibit with Dorcas International
- Games, hula hoops & photobooth by Tufts Health