Tonight’s lighting is brought to you by
The US Conference of Mayors
&
Waste Management
The fires will be lit shortly after sunset at 8:19 pm and remain lit until 12:30 am.
Weather Updates:
(Updated: 6/13/09 9:21 AM): At long last, the sun is shining in Providence and the preparations for tonight’s WaterFire are in full swing. Stages are going up, braziers are being loaded, and all signs point to a truly incredible evening at WaterFire!
We need everyone to donate…
Your support keeps us going. We are asking everyone to make a donation at a WaterFire Ambassador station. We will give you a glowing blue necklace so that you can add your light to the night! Donate $20 or more and receive a special RED glow necklace!
See what surprises await for a gift of $100 or more!
(Please realize that the commercial novelty vendors outside the park are not affiliated with WaterFire and your purchase there does not support WaterFire. Many WaterFire visitors find the flashing, strobing novelties disruptive and distracting; and that they ruin the calm of the WaterFire evening).
WaterFire Luminaria Tributes:
Do you have a special wish, dedication, and/or remembrance you would like to make at WaterFire? Please visit one of our luminaria stations to have a luminaria paper lantern lit to commemorate a loved one, a hope, a dream, or simply to honor your visit to WaterFire.
For a suggested $5 donation, a WaterFire volunteer will light your candle lantern and lead you into the park to place it in a special spot so you can share your light and your tribute with the world. Click here for more information!
Starry, Starry Night!
Tonight, Barnaby Evans and WaterFire Providence unveil the most "stellar" project to date - one that asks you to dream big and share your wish with the world. A wish for peace; a wish for love; a wish for grace; whatever your wish may be, come and share it at WaterFire and help us create a spectacle in the sky.
One hundred luminous blue stars will be suspended in the triangular grove of trees in Memorial Park next to Hemenway’s restaurant. Add your light to the night by writing your wish on a ribbon and attaching it to your own star and hanging it in the constellation overhead for a $20 donation. The beautiful stars will also be fore sale so you can take the magic of WaterFire home with you. Please join us by making a wish and adding your light to the night.
Tonight, we are honored to have Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba of Hiroshima coming to WaterFire to set his own star alight to promote world peace.
WaterFire is a celebration of community and we are dedicated to inspiringthe city of Providence. Our wish is that with your support, we can make many more wishes come true.
The Music of WaterFire:
WaterFire offers a new and unusual program of music each night that is curated by Barnaby Evans from sources all around the world. The music is likely not something you have heard before and we hope you discover something new and wonderful.
WaterFire prints a detailed music program for all full lightings which lists the artists’ names, the CD titles, and the exact start time of each piece. Please pick one up at a Ribbons of Light station, where you also can make a donation to Keep the Fires Burning! (The programs cost us about $3 to print.)
**Tonight is the debut of our featured artists chosen from SONICBIDS!!**
Click here for more about the Music of WaterFire and information regarding how to send us your suggestions and inquiries!
Verizon Jazz Stage brings us an International Jazz event tonight!
Sovereign Plaza Ballroom presents a Night of Salsa with music and dance performances!
Spogga Spins Fire!
Spogga, the WaterFire Fire Dancer, will be performing throughout the park. Spogga has recently released his new DVD featuring his music and his fire performances at WaterFire.
WaterFire Gargoyles!
Discover the Gargoyles at the WWI monument in Memorial Park near College Street and South Main Street. The Gargoyles are the creation of Ten31 Productions in Providence.
Mime Artist Michael Grando!
Michael Grando, the noted master mime, will portray Pierrot (Pedrolino) from the Commedia del’arte, in his naive and everlasting quest to win the heart of the beautiful girl. Pierrot will be tossing hundreds of long-stem carnations to the crowd from a boat starting at 8:30 PM and continuing throughout the evening. Each flower is accompanied by a different quote that illuminates the connections between life and art.
Andrew Anselmo: "The Origami Guy" in Market Square!
For years, Mr. Anselmo has brought his origami paper creations including frogs, cranes, penguins and many more to the streets of Providence to the delight of thousands. He will be located at the corner of Market Square next to the RISD Auditorium, between South Main Street and the river.
WaterFire Merchandise:
7:00PM - 10:30PM WaterFire Merchandise Sales Table opens at the RISD auditorium for the night. Purchase WaterFire merchandise such as posters, t-shirts, commemorative hats, and tote bags and help keep the fires burning!
Please visit this page often as the evening gets closer!
We will be filling it with exciting updates and great tips & information!