PVDFest returns to Providence next weekend. Here are 5 acts you won't want to miss
After two years off due to COVID-19, PVDFest is finally returning to Providence, bringing art installations and performances from all over the world to the capital city from June 10-12.
Gather Glass will be demonstrating the art of glass blowing, The Haus Of Glitter will be glitzing up downtown with Afro-Latin, hip-hop, house and disco music, and The Era Footwork Crew from Chicago will be putting on an interactive dance party, along with presenting an all-ages dance workshop and talking about their history of activism.
These are just a few of the events that will be happening, along with plenty of live music. Here are five acts you won't want to miss.
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Rebirth Brass Band
June 10, 8 p.m. — The City Stage, 25 Dorrance St.
For nearly 40 years, the Rebirth Brass Band has been a New Orleans music staple. In 2012, they won a Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album for "Rebirth Of New Orleans," and they performed at the same awards show. They’ve also been part of the HBO series "Treme" and they’ve collaborated with the likes of John Fogerty from Creedence Clearwater Revival, G. Love & Special Sauce, Maceo Parker and Robbie Robertson of The Band.
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Big Nazo Intergalactic Creature Band
June 10, 5 p.m. — The City Stage, 25 Dorrance St.
Speaking of staples, Big Nazo has been a major part of the Providence arts scene for ages. The performance troupe has various aspects to what they do, with the Intergalactic Creature Band being their most recognizable component. Seeing them at the old Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel years ago with the legendary band Parliament-Funkadelic will always be a great memory, and they’re always a treat to see live, whether on the street or on the stage.
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The Hammer Party
June 10 — The Red Door, 49 Peck St.
Coinciding with PVDFest is a two-day event titled “Riot at The Red Door” showcasing a bunch of punk, metal and new wave bands on both June 10 and 11 outside the bar. One of the acts featured during the first day are Providence punks The Hammer Party, with a sound that compares to Fugazi and The Jesus Lizard with more of a hardcore flair. As of press time, the full lineup for both days had yet to be announced, so follow The Red Door either on Facebook at facebook.com/reddoorpvd or on Instagram at instagram.com/reddoor.pvd to stay in the loop.
Vieux Farka Touré
June 12, 5 p.m — Afrika Nyaga Drum and Dance Festival, The City Stage, 25 Dorrance St.
The son of the Malian “desert blues” legend Ali Farka Touré, Vieux has been following in his late father’s guitar-playing footsteps since the mid-2000s. He’ll be taking part in the “festival within a festival,” along with local acts Sidy Maiga & Afrimanding and Chachi Carvalho & The International Players, among many others. Vieux has also made music with the likes of Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks from the Tedeschi Trucks Band and John Scofield during a fairly prolific career.
The Benji’s
June 12, noon — Burnside Park Stage
Starting out in Los Angeles and now based in Providence, The Benji’s have a high-energy approach to alternative rock. The trio of guitarist Philip Geronimo, vocalist Maryssa Morse and drummer Adam Cargin having a unique sonic setup, due to Morse incorporating synth for the low end rather than a bass. On top of this, I’m pretty sure they’re the only alt-rock act in the local scene that does a GG Allin cover, and I think that’s cool.
For more information, go to pvdfest.com.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: PVDFest 2022: Festival returns to Providence. Here are 5 must-see acts
