This WaterFire lighting is brought to you by
CVS Caremark Downtown 5k
&
Boston Sports Clubs
WaterFire Providence is presented on the three rivers in downtown Providence and will be lit shortly after sunset at 6:46 pm and remain lit until 12:30 pm.
Weather Updates:
(Updated: 9/19/08): WaterFire is going ahead as planned. It’s a beautiful day and we anticipate a gorgeous, clear, cool evening. Please check back here for regular updates on both weather and special events.
The Ribbons of Light Program:
WaterFire volunteers will be giving out gifts of glowing blue Ribbons of Light in exchange for donations to support WaterFire. WaterFire is an independent non-profit and your contribution is what Keeps the Fires Burning. The volunteers are located along the river at stations marked by illuminated blue columns. Please make a donation to support WaterFire and keep the fires burning. Donations of $3, $5, $10 or more are much appreciated and allow us to keep offering this event for free. All proceeds go to support WaterFire. By wearing a glowing blue necklace you will become a part of the artwork and create a river of soft blue light flowing alongside the riverbanks.
Thank you for coming to WaterFire and thank you for your support! Please realize that the commercial novelty vendors outside the park are not affiliated with WaterFire and your purchase there does not support WaterFire. Further, many of those who attend WaterFire find the flashing, and strobing novelties they sell are disruptive and distracting and ruin the calm of the WaterFire evening.
WaterFire welcomes the 31st Annual Rhode Island Heritage Festival:
This evening’s WaterFire features representatives and flags from the 31st Annual Rhode Island Heritage Festival in glorious procession from the State House to WaterPlace Park. Join us as we honor the diverse ethnicities of our Rhode Island community and the cultural contributions made by immigrants from around the globe. After the procession, the international flags will be on display on the pedestrian bridges throughout WaterPlace Park.
Live Irish Music at WaterFire!:
Come join us this evening as WaterFire unveils a new feature, the Irish Stage! Located along the river downstream of WaterFire just south of the Irish Famine Memorial [the stage is across Dyer Street from Capriccio (near the Gazebo) and south of the Crawford Street Bridge (which features the three flags)]. This evening, the Irish Stage will showcase live musicians and will be good "craic" for all! The concert will be from 8:00 to 10:00 pm and will be preceeded by a presentation of Irish dancing by Damhsa Irish Dance Studio led by Grainne Lanigan and Colleen Beirne.
Tonight’s program is sponsored by the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial Committee and features Eamon Coyne and Mance Grady playing fiddle and bodhran from 8:00-10:00pm and the Irish piper Joe Foley.
"It’s very rare that you see just a fiddler and bodhran player in performance, but with Eamon Coyne and Mance Grady, that’s more than enough to light up the night with their fiery playing. Come join us for this unique opportunity to hear two consummate musical talents and powerhouse players in the Celtic tradition."
Click here for more information on these incredible performers.
The Low Anthem’s new CD featured:
Providence-based band, The Low Anthem released its second CD "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" on September 5th at Providence’s Firehouse 13. Hear featured at WaterFire the gorgeous haunting first track of the new CD, "Charlie Darwin" (played at 9:46pm) and "To Ohio" (played at 10:34). The Low Anthem features Ben Knox Miller, Jeffrey Prystowsky, and Jocie Adams in the new Americana folk indie tradition, The New Folk Movement. We wish them well on their current national tour. "Charlie Darwin" can be heard by clicking here.
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Presenting Cafe Vivace! For your dining and drinking pleasure:
WaterFire is pleased to feature beer and wine at Cafe Vivace on College Street, just off the river between the bridge and North Main Street.
Presented in partnership with Parkside Grille and Rotisserie on South Main Street, this venue is on College Street near the historic Market House building. Cold beer in the park, hard lemonade beneath the trees, and fine wines by the glass, along with Parkside’s famous Neopolitan-style grilled Margarita pizza and other specialties, including their famous all-beef Hot Diggity Dogs and Ozzie’s grilled steak burgers. Also on College Street are hand-made French desert crepes, spicy Indian food from Taste of India, ocean fresh seafood at the Raw Bar, exquisite, award-winnng hand-made pastries from Pastry Gourmet of the East Side, and more!
WaterFire brochure & music program:
WaterFire prints a wonderful 48-page program that is full of photographs, and essays and information about WaterFire, the artists, and upcoming events. It is available for a donation from the Ribbons of Light stations marked by the illuminated blue columns of light. Please see the volunteers at the stations for a printed program. The program also has a complete listing of all the music featured for this evening.
The music at 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 programs vary each night and we always offer something entirely new. 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 (and often for partial lightings too). The program lists all the music including the artists’ names, the CD titles, and the exact start time of each piece. We urge you to support these artists by buying their work and sharing your interest in them with others.
Please pick up a complete music program from a WaterFire volunteer at the Ribbons of Light stations illuminated by blue balloon sculptures. (Please make a donation to Keep the Fires Burning! The programs cost us about $3 to print.)
Barnaby is always interested in hearing new music or in getting suggestions and you can email him about the music at music@waterfire.org. Artists are always welcome to send new material to WaterFire for consideration at WaterFire Providence, 101 Regent Avenue #12, Providence, RI 02908. Please realize that we cannot afford to return the material to you and it may be some time before we get to it.
The WaterFire cranes!
Earlier this season we introduced this year’s 2008 origami crane design. Nearly 7000 hand-folded origami cranes were given away as gifts in partnership with our sponsor Fidelity Investments. A few will be available tonight for those who missed them from the volunteers at the Ribbons of Light stations. The origami crane is a symbol of peace and fidelity and are folded by the employees of Fidelity Investments in partnership with WaterFire as a gift to the entire community.
In commemoration of this annual event we are once again offering WaterFire’s special collectable porcelain origami cranes for sale. The cranes are hand-made of traditional green celadon porcelain and each come in a fun special gift package with an explanatory booklet about WaterFire. The cranes are available for $10 each at the WaterFire sales table in front of the RISD Auditorium (between Washington and College Street along the river). They may also be ordered from WaterFire at (401) 273-1155, ext 141. The proceeds all go to support WaterFire.
Light Luminaria Candle Lanterns for Good Luck
Light your own luminaria candle lantern and participate in WaterFire by adding your light to the Renassiance City!
WaterFire invites you to dedicate your Luminaria paper lantern with a commemoration, a dedication, a wish, a rememberance, your name, or the reason for your visit to WaterFire. You will light your candle lantern and be led into the park where you will place it in a special spot. All the dedication cards are saved and preserved in a book at WaterFire.
The candle lanterns are available for a donation to WaterFire. Please give what you can. We suggest a donation of $10 per candle.
By lighting a lantern you will become directly involved in the event in a memorable and special way and you will join the ranks of those who support WaterFire.
WaterFire walking tours of Historical Providence:
5:30PM - 6:30PM Walking Tour of Historical Providence presented by the RI Historical Society. Tour starts at the John Brown House at 52 Power Street. Tickets are $10/person. Reservations are strongly encouraged at 401.273.7507 x62 or bbarnes@rihs.org
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! A new addition tonight are the special porcelain origami cranes!
WaterFire Gargoyles!
8:40PM-11:00PM Discover the Gargoyles at the WWI monument near College Street and South Main Street. The Gargoyles are the creation of Ten31 Productions in Providence.
Michael Grando portrays Pierrot!
8:30PM - 11:00PM 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 during the evening. Each flower is accompanied by a different quote that illuminates the connections between life and art.
Spogga spins fire!
8:30PM - 11:00PM 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.