This page is updated continuously with new information. Please check back frequently! (updated: 9/25/2013)
The fires will be lit shortly after sunset (6:34pm) and remain lit until MIDNIGHT.
Music Program (Mobile Version)
Tonight’s sponsors are: Roger Williams University & Roger Williams University School of Law Celebrating 20 Years
“Much in the way that WaterFire has played an indelible role in transforming the City of Providence into the cultural destination it is today, all of us at Roger Williams University and our School of Law aim to impact the lives of Rhode Islanders across the state – from our Community Partnerships Center and our Pro Bono Collaborative to our Oyster Gardening initiative and the analysis and expertise our School of Law offers in the legal community. We are thrilled to partner with WaterFire and share the RWU story with all of this season’s attendees.” – Roger Williams University President Donald J. Farish
WaterFire Schedule for September 28th, 2013
5:00pm – 11:30pm: The WaterFire Store – Get Your Limited Edition Clear Currents T-shirt!
The WaterFire Store on Canal Street, buy a t-shirt, hoodie, poster, magnet, pendants and much more to help support WaterFire and keep the fires burning.
5:00pm – 1:00am: Experience RI Shuttle
Experience Rhode Island solves your parking and traffic problems: Forego the hassle of parking downtown on busy Saturday nights. Experience RI have introduced a “hop on, hop off” shuttle that travels throughout Providence from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM every Saturday night. Once on board you will be taken to the most popular attractions around the city. Starting Saturday, September 7, 2013 through November 9, 2013, Experience RI will donate $5.00 to WaterFire Providence for every $10 adult ticket sold on its shuttle service running on WaterFire night. Visit their booth at the WaterFire Art Festival Plaza on Washington Street on WaterFire evenings for more information.
6:00pm – 11:00pm: WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington Street
Washington Street will be lined with more than a dozen Rhode Island artists exhibiting works in handmade jewelry, sculptures, glass, paintings, prints, photography, and ceramics. This event is part of WaterFire’s on-going exploration of new approaches to creative placemaking through art, design and innovation. This larger creative placemaking program is made possible in part by the support of ArtPlace.
6:00pm – 6:30pm: Roger Williams University Dance Theater Performance on stage in the Waterplace Basin
Join the Roger Williams University Dance Theatre as they perform on the Waterplace Basin Stage before lighting in a free dance program featuring a piece titled This Way Through, choreographed by RWU alumna Angie Conte and performed by Dance Theatre students; Mandorla, choreographed by alumna Jenny Rocha and performed by Dance Theatre students with a solo by 2011 graduate Leanne Smith; and a Prelude and an Interlude choreographed and performed by RWU alumna Christina Robson with music played and composed by Michael DeQuattro, the University’s resident accompanist and composer.
6:00pm – 11:00pm: Roger Williams University & Roger Williams School of Law Celebrating 20 Years present the Roger Williams University Showcase on Steeple Street
Learn all about the award-winning programs at Roger Williams University in an exposition on Steeple Street! Join RWU throughout the evening to learn about many of the amazing programs at the school through family-friendly fun displays and interactive exhibits. Activities include a Marine Biology program touch tank and robotics demonstrations by the School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management. You can also pose with the RWU mascot, Swoop the big blue hawk, courtesy of Student Programs & Leadership. Other great programs will be shared by the School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation; the University Library; RWU Law; the School of Continuing Studies; the Community Partnerships Center; the Latino Policy Institute and HousingWorksRI; RWU Athletics and the Roger Williams University/Samsung partnership, highlighting the latest in cloud-based creative computing.
The Roger Williams University Showcase will feature displays from several of RWU’s academic and athletic departments. Included will be the Marine Biology Department Celebrating 40 years, the School of Architecture, the School of Continuing Studies: Supporting our Troops and Veterans, RWU Library Founders Day exhibit, RWU School of Law Celebrating 20 years, the Latino Policy Institute at RWU with Housingworks RI, the RWU Community Partnerships Center, and more.
7:00pm – 11:00pm: Recycle-A-Bike Bicycle Valet in Memorial Park
Recycle-A-Bike now offers bicyclist a safe and free place for their bikes: Help reduce traffic in Providence, enjoy a great ride to WaterFire and valet your bike for free! Recycle A Bike will be on South Main Street to valet and watch your bike while you enjoy the warmth of the fires and all of the wonderful events going on at WaterFire on September 28th! They are located on South Main Street right besides the World War Memorial column in Memorial Park from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM during WaterFire.
Sunset (6:34pm) – Midnight
80 bonfires on the rivers accompanied by WaterFire Music
Sunset (6:34pm) – 11:00pm – Add Your Light to the Night
- Visit our Guest Stations where you can become a part of the artwork with your own Ribbon of Light; and our Ambassadors can answer your questions and guide you to next great event!
- Share your dedication with the world and light a Luminaria Candle Lantern ($5 per luminaria)
- Make it a Starry, Starry Night by wishing upon a star and become a part of the art! ($10 to hang a wish on a star and $30 to bring home your own illuminating blue star)
7:00pm – 11:00pm – WaterFire Clear Currents Koi Fish on the River
Roger Williams University’s Marine Biology program is activating WaterFire’s hallmark, clean water initiatives: Clear Currents. Celebrating its 40th year, the RWU Marine Biology program takes an active role in the health and sustainability of one Rhode Island’s greatest resources – its waterways. On September 28th, RWU students, professors and community members will take to the water with glowing koi mounted to their canoes and kayaks. These illuminated fish will swim throughout the installation in schools as a reminder from WaterFire and Roger Williams University of the importance of Rhode Island’s waterways and marine habitats. The Marine Biology program will also be featured on Steeple Street with a display including their popular marine touch tank.
8:00pm – 10:00pm – Catch WaterFire Performers along the River
- Fire Dancer Benjamin Reynolds skillfully performs amid the sparks spinning fire along the river; you can find him performing on the boats and on ‘The Wall” of braziers in Memorial Park throughout the night
- World War Memorial (in Memorial Park): Be mesmerized The Gargoyles and the Oracles from Ten31 Productions
- Stop by Union Plaza to see the internationally acclaimed, award winning music and dance group, Inca Son. All dressed as their Inca fore-bearers performing enchanting melodies on their Andean pan-flutes.
8:30 – 9:30pm – Live Music World Premier Broadcast on the WaterFire Sound System
Community Music Works will be providing live music performances in accompaniment to WaterFire along the river. Starting at 8:30 PM WaterFire will feature Community Music Works with a 16-member string ensemble playing Arvo Part’s Fratres and his Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten (on the occasion of the centennial of Britten’s birth). This will be followed by the world premier of the 3rd movement of an original work composed by Kareem Roustom called A Voice Exclaiming. The world premier of the entire piece will be performed by Kronos Quartet and Community Music Works on November 8 at the RISD Auditorium presented by FirstWorks and Community Music Works. A full listing of all the music throughout the night is always available online (posted the day before each event) or you can get the titles live in real time on the WaterFire Music Twitter feed @WaterFireMusic.
Other Events Around Town
3:30pm – 9:00pm – IonaFest: Celebrating The Life and Legacy of Iona B. Dobbins
The First Annual “IonaFest,” hosted by the Art League of Rhode Island, will celebrate the life and legacy of Iona Dobbins, arts advocate and former executive director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and her contributions to the arts in Rhode Island. Each year, the event will be hosted by a different arts organization and represent varied arts disciplines, with the on-going goal of highlighting all art forms practiced in the state. Funds raised, will benefit the host organization in three categories: scholarship, program or operating expense.
