festival 2010 headliners...
Sweet Honey In The Rock®
She Rocks!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
VMA Arts and Cultural Center
83 Park Street, Providence [map]
Sweet Honey In The Rock have been inspiring audiences for more than 30 years with their soul-stirring blend of gospel, blues, jazz and hip hop. Famous for their vocal virtuosity and vast repertoire of historically African American music, this Grammy-award winning a capella ensemble was dubbed a "National Treasure" by First Lady Michelle Obama. FirstWorks Festival 2010 culminates with an electrifying performance featuring "Indaba", a musical dialogue between youth and elders that unites the first women of song with the Junior Providence Singers. Presented through the VMA Arts and Cultural Center/ FirstWorks Partnership.
Get the best seats… buy your tickets now!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset Street, Providence [map]
This year’s festival kicks off with a mesmerizing mash-up of vintage comics and dance as the Cirque du Soleil of the dance world collides with Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman. An absolute one-of-a-kind company, Pilobolus dazzles audiences with ingenious choreography, daring physicality, and raw athleticism, spiced with the sensuality of the human body and a hefty dose of humor. Pilobolus returns to the FirstWorks Festival stage with a thrilling performance of new and classic works, not to be missed. Presented in partnership with PPAC.
Get the best seats… buy your tickets now!
beyond the firstworks festival...
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Providence Performing Arts Center
220 Weybosset Street, Providence [map]
Join the celebration as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, America's Cultural Ambassador to the World, bring their unparalleled artistry to Providence for the first time ever. Few companies captivate an audience like the Ailey dancers, whose soulful energy has dazzled audiences worldwide for over 50 years. Be sure to experience this magnificent 55-dancer strong company in a program featuring Ailey’s signature masterpiece, Revelations, which uses African-American spirituals and holy blues to explore the places of deepest grief and utmost joy. Presented in partnership with PPAC.
Get the best seats… buy your tickets now!
summer performances...
Free Summer Lunchtime Concert Series: Rising Stars of FirstWorks at Washington Trust
July 2010
WASHINGTON TRUST DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE BRANCH
At the intersection of Westminster and Orange Streets [map]
Representing FirstWorks and Washington Trust’s shared commitment to community and artistic excellence, this three-week series spotlights the diverse talents of our region’s most inspiring young performers.
Performances by:
Voces de los Andes
July 15th, 12:00 noon
Voces de los Andes celebrates the rich musical tradition of Bolivia and the Andean region of South America and will feature the haunting and evocative sound of the panpipes. The family ensemble of musicians is led by Bolivian master "charango" player and singer Silvio Cuellar and includes five children between the ages of 10 and 17.
Damhsa Irish Dance Studio
July 22nd, 12:00 noon
Damhsa Irish Dance Studio will perform a variety of Irish dances, with both modern and traditional choreography on July 22nd. Named after the Irish word for dance, the group was founded with the mission of giving children the opportunity to express their interest in Irish Dancing and Irish culture.
The Rhode Island Kung Fu Club
July 29th, 12:00 noon
The Rhode Island Kung Fu Club will perform the lion dance, a traditional cultural practice that combines kung fu-inspired movement by two practitioners as the “lion” with accompanying percussion music. The art symbolically represents the fostering of positive energy and good luck while warding away negative energy.
Presented with support from:
recent events...
Harker: A look inside the short film
FREE comic book launch and film screening
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Rhode Island School of Design
Chace Center - Michael P. Metcalf Auditorium
20 North Main Street, Providence [map]
FirstWorks presents a FREE screening of the film short “Harker” and the world premiere launch of its new companion comic book “Harker: A look inside the short film”. The event is part of FirstWorks’ annual screening of cutting-edge puppet film shorts curated by Heather Henson, daughter of beloved puppetry pioneer Jim Henson.
Fashioned in homage to the silent classics of German Expressionist film, “Harker” tells the story of hero Jonathan Harker’s encounter with the vampire Nosferatu, a re-animated corpse that compels others to do its will through a malevolent psychic influence. The new comic book reveals artist Scott Shoemaker’s original storyboard illustrations for the film and captures a rare, behind the scenes look into the creative process.
Scott Shoemaker and puppeteers Scott and James Silson will attend the screening and the Silson twins will engage audience members in a hands-on workshop using puppets and props from the film. To celebrate the comic book launch, all audience members will receive a FREE copy of “Harker: A look inside the short film”.
FREE and open to the public.
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
event highlights 09-10
Film screening with Heather Henson
Handmade Puppet Dreams Volume IV
and Yamasong
April 19, 2010
Rhode Island School of Design
Chace Center - Michael P. Metcalf Auditorium
20 North Main Street, Providence [map]
FirstWorks invites you to experience the freshest, funniest and most off-the-wall selections from the magical world of puppet film shorts! Introduced by series curator Heather Henson, daughter of beloved puppet film pioneer Jim Henson.
Special guest artist Sam Koji Hale joined Henson for our annual insider's peek into the best of cutting-edge puppet films. In a special, artist-up-close presentation, Hale unveiled his new short film "Yamasong", which was produced by Henson as a music video for the L.A. based percussion group On Ensemble.
View photo highlights in the FirstWorks online gallery.
Michael Moschen
illusions in motion
March 13, 2010
Veterans Memorial Auditorium (VMA Arts and Cultural Center)
1 Avenue for the Arts, Providence, R.I. [click for map]
One of the world's most visionary performing artists, Michael Moschen, the "juggler without compare" has revolutionized an ancient circus art, transforming it into a mesmerizing form of theatre. Be there as this master of illusion and MacArthur Genius Fellow wields the power of physics, math and art for an unforgettable performance experience.
Watch videos of Moschen in motion in the FirstWorks video gallery.
FirstWorks Festival 2009
September 24 - November 15, 2009
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
In its sixth year, the 2009 FirstWorks Festival celebrated: icons of music & the moving image, the cultural legacy of American masters, cutting edge digital arts and more. Audience members and students from communities from across the region engaged in exciting performances, "Artist-Up-Close" Q&A sessions, and arts learning workshops.
View photo highlights from our seven-week festival in the FirstWorks photo gallery.
Presented in collaboration with the City of Providence's Dept. of Art, Culture + Tourism.
Summer Lunchtime Concert Series: Rising Stars of FirstWorks at Washington Trust
July - August, 2009
WASHINGTON TRUST DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE BRANCH
Representing FirstWorks and Washington Trust’s shared commitment to community and artistic excellence, this five-week series spotlights the diverse talents of our region’s most inspiring young performers, including vocalists, dancers and musicians.
Performances by: Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School Youth Jazz Combo, Voces de los Andes, JUMP!, Ocean State Children's Choir, and Masti.
Presented with support from:
Angkor Dance Troupe
June 7, 2009
RISD MUSEUM - CHACE CENTER, MICHAEL P. METCALF AUDITORIUM
The nationally acclaimed Angkor Dance Troupe leads audiences on a visually stunning journey through the sights and sounds of ancient Cambodia. In the hands of young dancers, coconuts and fishing nets bring to life the lively rhythms of the countryside.
Families will thrill to the splendor of mischievous mermaids and monkeys meeting onstage in colorful epic pursuit.
"Dancing Silks" Pre-show presentation
RISD MUSEUM - CHACE CENTER, MICHAEL P. METCALF AUDITORIUM
Join us before the Ankgor Dance Troupe performance for a closer look at the ancient costumes and characters of Cambodian dance. A panel of cultural experts will present "Dancing Silks," an exploration of the fabrics, fashions and archetypal figures that propelled these riveting stories through centuries of live performance.
View photo highlights in the FirstWorks online gallery
Heather Henson's "Handmade Puppet Dreams Vol. I"
Film screening and artist appearanceApril 27, 2009
RISD MUSEUM - CHACE CENTER - MICHAEL P. METCALF AUDITORIUM
From the humorous to the horrifying, this zany collection of film shorts showcases the rising stars of cutting-edge puppetry. As part of our year-round programming, FirstWorks welcomes RISD alums Heather Henson and Emmy nominated puppet designer Paul Andrejco for an Artist-Up-Close screening of “Handmade Puppet Dreams, Vol. I”.
Daughter of the beloved puppetry pioneer Jim Henson, Heather introduces a new generation of puppeteers through her handpicked series of independently produced film shorts, exploring unique approaches to animation through a spectrum of puppetry styles.
View photo highlights in the FirstWorks online gallery
Presented in collaboration with the Rhode Island School of Design's Office of Student Life.
The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma
March 6, 2009
U.S. Tour Premiere Performance - Providence Performing Arts Center
Legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his brilliant Silk Road Ensemble launch their U.S. tour in Providence with an unforgettable evening of music-making. Hailed as a modern Marco Polo, Ma unites artists from regions of the ancient Asia-Europe trade route known as the Silk Road to create musical experiences which have delighted audiences around the world. Together with Ma, these powerful Silk Road musicians set off on a cross-cultural journey to reach the heart of understanding.
Watch video highlights from our Season of the Silk Road
First Course with FirstWorks
March 1- March 6, 2009
Experience local flavor! Illustrious Providence restaurants celebrated FirstWorks’ “Season of the Silk Road” with a tantalizing offer: from Sunday, March 1st through Friday, March 6th, enjoy a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of any regular dinner entrée.
Participating restaurants included: Aspire, CAV, Costantino’s, Local 121, Rue de L’Espoir, Temple Downtown.
The Silk Road Celebration
post-performance partyMarch 6, 2009
Your once-in-a-lifetime chance to celebrate the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma as they launch their North American concert tour in Providence! Sip champagne, sample signature cocktails and savor sweet delights with members of the Silk Road Ensemble at the Hotel Providence Ballroom, immediately following the performance at Providence Performing Arts Center.Co-hosted by the Honorable David N. Cicilline, Mayor of Providence, Kathleen Pletcher, Executive Artistic Director, FirstWorks.
