Arts and Health Series || WaterFire for Recovery
September 14, 2019 – Full Lighting
- The Rally4Recovery celebrations in Turk’s Head Plaza will open at 4:00 pm
- Arts Fairs, Food Vendors, and Special Performances and Events start at 5:00 pm
- Sunset at 6:57 pm; the fires will remain lit until 12:30 am
- Music Program
All Full WaterFire installations light up over eighty braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street Park on the below scheduled evenings. Lighting occurs shortly after sunset and the event continues until half past midnight. In respect to the Recovery Month celebration, this WaterFire lighting is being presented as a dry event. On behalf of all of those in recovery, we thank you for your support and understanding.
WaterFire for Recovery celebrates the 30th-Anniversary of National Recovery Month sponsored in part by Alkermes; the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; and Rally 4 Recovery RI; in partnership with the RI Department of Health; and the RI Department of Corrections. With additional support from Gilead, CVS Health, Rhode Island PBS, and CODAC Behavioral Healthcare.
WaterFire for Recovery – National Recovery Month 30th-Anniversary Celebration
4:00 pm in Turk’s Head Plaza
This year is the 30th anniversary of National Recovery Month, Rally 4 Recovery RI has partnered with WaterFire Providence to host an honorary WaterFire lighting on September 14th that will include a Rally held in the Turks Head Plaza of downtown Providence. The rally will start at 4:00 pm and will feature different food vendors, resource tents, and non-profits there to provide information on addiction and recovery. The rally will conclude at sunset with a procession to the river and lighting of the fires. The resource fair and live music will continue throughout the night continuing to make it a destination for visitors. On the night of September 14, there will be no alcoholic beverages served because we are committed to standing behind those in recovery.
The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza
The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza, in partnership with Bryce Studio, is happening again on both Washington Street and Steeple Street from 5:00 – 11:30 pm., this outdoor artisan fair will showcase some of the great artwork created in Rhode Island in mediums such as glass, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more. The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza will offer visitors the opportunity to support the local arts economy by purchasing work by Rhode Island-based artists.
Visit the WaterFire Marketplace on Canal Street and help light up Providence. Support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, glassware, books, and gifts. Pin where you are from on Map Center’s maps and watch glass blowing by Gather Glass.
Grab a bite to eat! Visit one of our great food vendors:
Washington Street
- Hummingbird Syndicate
- Kettle Korn Express
- Saugy’s Hot Dogs
- Sweet Smokin’ Pits
- Hometown Poké
- Mad Good Cookie
- Red’s Street Kitchen
On the River Walk between College and Washington Streets
Steeple Street
- The Nutty Bavarian
College Street
Various Locations:
Live Music at the Steeple Street Unplugged WaterFire Music Stage
The Steeple Street Unplugged Music Stage will feature the excellent singer and songwriter Bernard John, “direct and sincere, Bernard John writes songs for both the heartbreakers and the brokenhearted. His voice and lyrics powerfully fill a room without any hint of restraint. If melancholy is the bread, then hope is the butter. That is the unrestricted fight for balance his music brings, and it is a fight he knows all too well.” Bernard will be playing three sets starting at 7:00 pm. There will also be a special performance by Gendo Taiko and Grupo Ondas Capoeira on stage at 9:00 pm.
Sidewalk Astronomy on the River Walk
Sidewalk Astronomy will offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the stars and planets in the sky. Stop by their learning lab on the riverwalk near College Street.
Exhibitions at the RISD Illustration Studies Building Gallery
The exhibition at ISB is free!
The Creative Marriage of Words and Images
The ISB Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of work by alumni SooJin Buzelli 96 IL and Chris Buzelli 95 IL, including finished paintings and published pieces, along with sketches and preliminary designs that reveal the collaborative process behind the Buzellis’ extraordinary creative output. SooJin is a world-renowned art director who commissions hundreds of illustrations each year, and Chris is an award-winning illustrator known for his distinctive work.
The gallery is open every WaterFire night from 12:00 to 10:00 pm.
Dates: August 17 through October 18
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 12:00 – 5:00 pm.
Address: 55 Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903
Visit Starry, Starry Night
The Starry, Starry Night Installation will shine brightly in Memorial Park. Join thousands of WaterFire visitors in Memorial Park where the public is encouraged to add their own light to the night. For a small donation to WaterFire, make a wish upon a star or make a dedication with a luminaria candle lantern in the park. The park will be aglow with hanging blue stars and a constellation of twinkling luminaria candle lanterns below.
Step back through history at the Governor Stephen Hopkins House
Make time to see The Governor Stephen Hopkins House located at 15 Hopkins Street (off Benefit Street). They are open for tours: Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. and April through November on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & until 7:00 p.m., when they fall on a full WaterFire lighting (the last tour begins at 6:30 p.m.).
Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
The museum is also open by appointment, for which there may be a modest admission charge. Please email [email protected] to make an appointment.
About the author
I've worked at WaterFire Providence since 2003. For the first 9 years of my career, I worked in the Production Shop learning all of the details that go into the physical production of the event. In 2012 transitioned to the role of managing WaterFire's social media and web presence. I now head up WaterFire Providence's digital projects including, web, social, databases, and our physical IT infrastructure.
Hi! I’m trying to find where I can purchase tickets for the September 14th firewater boat ride. I cannot seem to locate it. Could you please help me find a way to purchase the tickets?
978-985-1152
Thanks,
Amanda
Hi Amanda, we don’t sell tickets for boat rides. You can make reservations with La Gondola or the Providence River Boat Company. Check under tours on https://waterfire.org/visit.
Is there still a partial Waterfire on Sunday, September 1? It is on the schedule but the information that scrolls states the next Waterfire is Saturday, September 14.
Yes, there are lightings on both dates. The September 14 event is the next full lighting. The event on the 1st is only a partial lighting; meaning there are no on-shore activities and we’re only lighting up about 1/2 the rivers. There will be 52 braziers lit at the partial lighting from the Providence Place Mall to Steeple Street.
I’m trying to get contact info for a vendor who was there selling reclaimed license plates but never got his full name. I want to purchase items but can’t seem to find him. His name was Adam. If he has a website it it possible
To get that from You ? Thanks. J
Hi Jane,
I believe the vendor you are looking for is RI Artisan Birdhouse.
All the best, Tim
I’m interested in carrying a torch at the Salute to Veterans lighting on Nov.2,2019. Im a vietnam era submarine sailor who would love an opportunity to be involved.Any information you can provide me would be greatly appreciated. thanks Brian
Hi Brian, the signup forms are available on our website – https://waterfire.org/waterfire-salute-to-veterans/