Saturday, August 19
Event Details
Saturday, August 19
Supported by Cox Business & Cox Media
Clear Currents Fire Community Paddling Night
Full Lighting
Artist & Food Vendors Open at 6:30 pm
Capoeira Performances in Waterplace Park Start At 4:00 pm
WaterFire Lighting: Sunset ( 7:40 pm ) – Midnight
Music Program
Join us for a full lighting this Saturday, August 19, supported by Cox Business and Cox Media. The lighting will begin at 7:40 p.m. and the braziers will remain lit until midnight. On-shore programming will open at 6:30 p.m.
“Cox Business is proud to support another season of WaterFire which provides an amazing experience for guests, from near and far, and has a highly valuable impact on the local business community.”
Eddie Jenkins, Vice President, Cox Business.
The August 19th WaterFire will celebrate Clear Currents, the community paddling event celebrating improved water quality in RI. Clear Currents features close to 65 illuminated Japanese koi fish temporarily mounted on kayaks that registered participants will paddle up and down the river after sunset. The brightly colored fish beautifully complement the 80 wood-burning braziers installed on the river. Clear Currents celebrates the cleaner water that led to the opening of the Narragansett Bay Commission’s Combined Sewer Overflow; an initiative that has dramatically improved water quality throughout the entire bay area over the past few years.
WaterFire Walking Tours
Now booking for August 19th with tours at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Experience the magic of WaterFire like never before with this behind-the-scenes walking tour! Led by a long-time WaterFire volunteer and history teacher, this tour covers the remarkable origin story, artistry, and hidden gems of Providence’s most cherished event. Your guide will bring you through the heart of the city, walking alongside the path of the braziers that will be lit just a few short hours later. You will also receive a certificate to add a wish to the Starry, Starry Night installation during the lighting. BOOK NOW »
The WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza kicks off Washington Street and Steeple Street from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where visitors can browse and shop from a variety of local artists and makers in mediums such as glass, photography, jewelry, and more. This outdoor artisan fair will showcase some of the great artwork created in Rhode Island and offer visitors the opportunity to support the local arts economy by purchasing work by Rhode Island-based artists.
On Washington Street, visitors can explore Recycled SilverWear, Deb Hickey Photography and Collage, Maeven in Me, Jessie Jewels Art, Moonlight Jewelry, Sophie Foulkes, Into the Woods, Land and Seaglass, Odettas, K&T Jewelry And Accessories, and Adelante Shoe Co. On Steeple Street: Amber N Crystals, Stone Soup, UncouthCurations, Roses N Dragons Designs, Revibed Vinyl, All Things Lavender, The Roving House, Casted By T, Broken Arrow Studios, Eric Sturtevant Illustrations, Sunu Body, Sparkle&Glow By Yvonne, and Boojie Lolli.
Steeple Street Music Stage will feature local musical act, Dan Mach-Holt and The Hang. There will be three sets throughout the night, at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m.
WaterFire Marketplace will return to Canal Street, stop by to support WaterFire with a donation or a purchase of locally designed apparel, glassware, books, and gifts. Make a quick and easy donation with the DipJar and glass blowing by Gather Glass. WaterFire will also have additional ambassador and merchandise stations in front of the RISD Auditorium, and on both sides of the basin in Waterplace Park.
Andrew Anselmo, Origami Master will be hanging out all night at Market Square and visitors can find A Silent Soapbox living statue at the bottom of Washington Street Bridge and Canal Walk starting at sunset. Ten31 Productions will be illuminating the World War Monument in Memorial Park.
The Starry, Starry Night installation returns to Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge; add your light to the night by wishing on a star or dedicate a luminaria candle lantern.
Food fairs will be open on Washington Street, College Street, and Canal Walk. Enjoy local food from festival favorites. On Washington Street: Kettle Korn Express, One2Taco&More, Full House Q, Saugy’s, The Incredabowl Food Company, Scoop T’s Ice Cream. On Canal Street: Gong Cha, Del’s Lemonade. On College Street: Vegan Suga, Pita Pocket, Spanglish, Pam’s Grill on the Go, FireWorks Catering, and Sal’s.
Trinity Brewhouse will have two locations, one on the corner of Canal and Steeple Street, and the other on the corner of Canal and Washington Street. They will be serving up local brews and wine from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Grupo Ondas capoeira will be on the stage in Waterplace Park from 4:00 – 8:00 pm and will participate in a special performance during the WaterFire lighting ceremony. Grupo Ondas will culminate a week of cultural events by hosting a spectacular graduation at the Waterplace Basin Stage before the WaterFire lighting on Saturday, August 19th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a roda performance by the instructors and students of this stunning martial arts. The Grupo Ondas Capoeira team out of Warwick RI is led by Mestre Tigri of Providence who is the first capoeira Mestre of Cape Verdean descent.
Ladies of the Rolling Pin along with four other Morris Dancing groups will be performing in Memorial Park from 5:00 – 7:10 pm. Morris Dancing, which originates from England, is known to have existed since at least the 1470’s. In the early days, Morris Dancing even took place in the royal courts – even in the palaces of Henry VIII – but as time progressed, it became a staple in the fairs and markets of almost every town. It remains England’s national dance today but meanwhile, Morris Dancing has also been transplanted across the oceans, to far-away lands, including to New England! Most of the teams performing this evening dance in the “Border Morris” style (denoting the border of England and Wales), which includes hitting sticks – and in one case, rolling-pins – rhythmically. All have added their own exuberant twists to traditional dances with a lot of attitude and a great deal of fun! Participating dance troupes include Ladies of the Rolling Pin, Mystic Garlands, Jack in the Greens, Firebird Morris, & Stick in the Mist.
Catch three fire-spinning performances beginning at 8:15 p.m. and continuing at 9:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. by Cirque de Light.
Organizer
