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The fires will be lit shortly after sunset (7:54pm) and remain lit until MIDNIGHT.
Tonight’s sponsors are: Fidelity Investments & Amica Insurance
& Power up with National Grid at their Washington Street phone charging station
“Fidelity is proud to continue our relationship with WaterFire by sponsoring this wonderful evening, , and we will once again be distributing thousands of hand-folded origami cranes as a gift from our employees to the WaterFire attendees. We are pleased to be a part of this unique element of the Rhode Island community.”
– John Muggeridge, Vice President, Public Affairs
“For 10 years, Amica Insurance has been a proud supporter of WaterFire Providence, and we are happy to continue our support of this magical experience, which remains free to the public,” said Patti Genovese, a senior sponsorship specialist with Amica Insurance. “Amica’s mission is simple: To create peace of mind and build enduring relationships,” Genovese said. “We practice this daily, not only with our policyholders, but also with other members of the community. Our employees look forward to volunteering at WaterFire, as well as many other events that we sponsor.”
“National Grid strongly supports WaterFire and all that it means for Providence and Rhode Island,” said Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island. “This signature event has become a leading contributor to the vitality of our economy as it continues to gain international recognition while drawing thousands of visitors who might otherwise not have visited the region.”
What’s Happening on Saturday?
WaterFire Schedule:
4:30pm – 9:30pm Capoeira Batizado on the Waterplace Basin Stage
- Enjoy the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Grupo Ondas that combines fighting, dancing, acrobatics, and music into a “game” that is as breath-taking to watch as it is to play!
5:00pm – 11:30pm – The WaterFire Store
- 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.
6:00pm – 11:00pm – The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington Street
This outdoor show will be held on Washington Street, in the heart of WaterFire. WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza will offer visitors the opportunity to purchase artwork by Rhode Island-based artists. Featuring work by the following artisans: Harliquinn Designs Handcrafted Originals, My Stonington Garden, Strawberry Lane Designs, Urbandudz, Within Water, Riker Art Glass, New Moon Ceramics, Wrist Candy, Framboozled Accessories, SepiaLepus Illustrations, LuckyBird Studio, Debs Designs, Mad Knits, Bryce Studio, Utopian Collection & Recycled SilverWear.
6:00pm – 10:30pm – National Grid Courtesy Phone Charging Stations on Washington Street
- In partnership with National Grid there will be two courtesy phone charging stations on Washington Street near the entrance to the Arts Festival Plaza. Stop by and refuel your mobile device.
6:00pm – 10:30pm on Canal Street
The Hood Dairy Soup Boutique
- Located on Canal Street between Steeple and Washington Streets, the Soup Boutique will be offering samples of Tazza Crab Bisque with Tarragon Corn Coulis, recipe by Chef Ben Lloyd, Tazza Caffe, Providence.
7:30pm – 8:15pm Folkloric Bolivian Performance on the Waterplace Stage
- Bolivian band performance on the Waterplace basin stage, Voces de los Andes, celebrating the rich musical tradition of Bolivia and the Andean region of South America
- A traditional pre-Columbian Aymara blessing of fire and water will be performed by Fraternidad Folklorica Boliviana on the Waterplace stage
- Followed by a torch procession to the Bolivian Urkupina Festival in the Bank of America City Center
6:30pm – 11:45pm – Ignite Providence Music Stage on Steeple Street
- 6:30pm – 7:15pm – Los Amigos.
- 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Kim Trusty. The dynamic and multifaceted Kim Trusty is a powerful and diverse vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and actress. Kim draws on jazz, rhythm & blues, vocal improvisation, roots, rock and undemanding lyrics, bringing her life, heart and work experiences into unforgettable and unique performances.
- 9:00pm – 11:45pm – Jesus Andujar & Grupo Sazon. A Latin orchestra based in Rhode Island. Since 2003 Jesus Andujar and his talented musicians have been producing authentic music from the spanish caribbean; Salsa, Merengue and Latin Jazz.
- 9:45pm & 10:45pm – Mambo Pa Ti dance demonstrations. Rhode Island’s premier Latin dance company.
Sunset (7:54pm) – Midnight
- 80 bonfires on the rivers accompanied by WaterFire Music
Sunset (7:54pm) – 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)
8:00pm – 10:00pm – How to Make a Paper Crane with Fidelity Investments
- Fidelity Investments, long-time WaterFire sponsor, will be in Memorial Park teaching visitors the art of origami and sharing 1,000 cranes with the crowd! Click here for instructions on folding paper cranes or watch the instructional video below.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiWHd6bGS1A[/youtube]
8:00pm – 10:00pm – Catch WaterFire Performers along the River
- Spogga and Benjamin Reynolds, will be performing their fire dancing magic, skillfully dancing amidst the sparks spinning fire along the river; you can find them 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.
Other Events Throughout the City:
The Rhode Island Bolivian American Association celebrates the 24th Urkupina Festival 2013 with a full program on Saturday and partial festivities on Sunday, August 11th. The day starts with a solemn mass at St. Patrick’s Church at noon on Smith St. and festivities kick-off with a Procession and Folkloric Parade (2:00-3:00pm) from St. Patrick’s Church on Smith St. to the Bank of America City Center. Be sure to stop by the Bank of America City Center between 3:30pm-9:00pm for Folkloric Dance Performances. For details about the festival please visit the RIBAA website.
RiverWalk: Before the Fires are Lit! Discover the winding history and continued importance of Providence’s rivers! Urban outdoor sculpture and beautiful civic and commercial buildings of varied architectural styles provide the setting for stories of Providence’s fabled past and dynamic present. Tours last 60 min. and depart at 5:30 p.m. from the John Brown House Museum on 52 Power Street in Providence. Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at the John Brown House Museum on the day of the tour. Reservations requested for this tour.
Downtown Sundown Series at Roger Williams National Memorial from 7:00pm – 9:30pm. Come down to 282 North Main Street and enjoy a free Music Concert with Emma Joy Galvin, Ed McGuirl, Steve Allain, Aoife Clancy, and Lily Faith Milne.
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.
