Woonsocket Launches Summer Music Series 'Passport'

WOONSOCKET, RI — In an effort to increase engagement and attendance at their annual summer concert series, the organizers of the Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series have launched a "passport" program with the chance to win a sweet prize. Anyone who collects 15 stamps before August 23 will be entered into a pool, with one lucky person taking home $1,000.

The program was inspired by snarky Facebook users complaining about the long, inconvenient drive to Woonsocket, saying you "need a passport" to get there. Meg Rego, the concert series' organizer, said you only need to attend a concert once to understand why it's worth the drive.

"It takes persuasion, but once I’ve convinced someone to make the trip, they’re hooked. And why wouldn’t you be? There’re activities for the kids, an on-site bar, delicious rotating food options, and the best part – incredible, live music!" Rego said.

The 20-page passport includes the 10 Friday-night Levitt concerts and 15 local businesses. They are available for free at all Friday night concerts.

The series kicked off in June and runs through August 23, skipping July 5 for the holiday. All concerts run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at River Island Art Park.

Here's a look at the upcoming concerts.

July 12

• Steve Smith and the Naked Truth (Rhythm & Blues): Nothing says Rhode Island like Steve Smith and the Nakeds. With a 45 year musical history in the state, and a well-earned position in the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, The Nakeds are excited to return for a second year of Levitt AMP Woonsocket, thrilled to play their music and give back to the community. Though known for their covers, this show will feature their original songs.
• OB Howard (Indie): Dreamy indie-folk trio O.B. Howard delivers 'harmony-heavy folk-influenced rootsy goodness'.

July 19

• Luther Guitar Jr. Johnson (Blues): This Grammy Award Winning musician hails from Mississippi and is known as one of the premier blues artists to emerge from Chicago’s music scene. Johnson served a long sideman apprenticeship with both Magic Sam and Muddy Waters. Today, Luther is widely considered the foremost proponent of the West Side guitar style and the heir apparent to the late Magic Sam’s West Side throne. An acclaimed musician, he also made a guest appearance in the movie The Blues Brothers.
• The Brian James Quartet (Jazz): Not your grandma’s Jazz, the high-energy Brian James Quartet fuses elements of jazz, rock, funk, and R&B, creating an infectious sound that reaches all audiences.

July 26

• Doobie Powell (Gospel): Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Doobie lives out his faith through his passion for music. He’s produced five critically acclaimed albums. Powell is a talented Recording Artist, Producer, Singer, Songwriter, Composer and multi-faceted Musician, fueled and persuaded by his passionate devotion to his faith.
• V!DA Praise Team (Praise): Led by Bishop Gonzales, Pastor Valerie Gonzales, and Luis Acevedo, this Woonsocket-based group shares it’s musical gifts through a combination of bi-lingual faithful songs. Their style ranges from traditional gospel to hip hop and R&B.

August 2

• Kwame Binea Shakedown (Soul): Kwame Binea’s unique background - grew up in West London, native origins in Ghana, teenage years in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and current residence in New York City – informs his work. “Mix Rock and Roll with Silky Soul, screaming blues with folk and you get Kwame Binea” says The Apollo Theater. “My music is organic,” says Kwame, “it embodies life, love and struggles. I’m driven by my mantra of Peace, Love & Positivity so that propels and drives the messages for most of my lyrical content. It’s also party music and danceable, so if our music moves you and makes you move, that’s a great night.”
• The Z-Boyz (Surfer Rock): A power trio playing surf rock, soul and funk for your listening and dancing pleasure.

August 9

• Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles (Rock): Rock and Roll musician from Taunton, Massachusetts, Sarah has been described as “walking that fine line between punk and country.” She’s made seven records and racked up countless touring miles. She’s collected shiny things, including an Americana Music Award nomination, multiple Boston Music Awards, and song credits on TV shows Sons of Anarchy and The Night Shift.
• Sidy Maiga (West African Drums): Levitt AMP Woonsocket Veteran, Sidy Maïga is a master of West African rhythms, but can also play Latin music and hip-hop. His eight-piece band AfriMading includes a singer, dancer, a balafon, which resembles a wooden xylophone, and the kora, an African stringed instrument that resembles a cross between a lute and a harp, that comes together in vibrant music that will get your feet moving and hands clapping.

August 16

• Flor de Toloache (Mariachi): New York City’s first and only all-female mariachi­ group, Grammy Award-winning ensemble Flor de Toloache, is pushing genre boundaries and getting concertgoers dancing with their fresh, versatile take on traditional Mexican music. The group constructs its dynamic sonic framework with explosive vocal harmonies and searing solos rounded out by soaring violin, nimble vihuela, bright trumpets and propulsive guitarron in vibrant songs that honor the heritage of mariachi music while delivering their own unique sound.
• Julie Rhodes (Blues): Returning to the Levitt AMP Woonsocket stage for a second year in a row, Julie Rhodes is a powerhouse vocalist with authentic soul, grounded both in the songwriting traditions of yesterday’s Americana and today’s very present social and political issues.

August 23

• Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience (Zydeco): An eighth-generation Louisiana Creole, Simien taught himself to play accordion while still in his teens. As one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music, this two time Grammy Award Winning artist is internationally renowned for his grooving combination of New Orleans funk, reggae, blues and zydeco. His music was featured in several feature films, including The Princess and the Frog, The Big Easy, Exit to Eden and A Murder of Crows.