(weekly details updated on August 8, 2023)
WaterFire Providence announces the return of TroopTop Thursdays at the WaterFire Arts Center (WFAC) in partnership with Troop PVD and sponsored by Cross Insurance & US Rubber Lofts, proudly managed by Brady Sullivan Properties. Beginning June 1, 2023, TroopTop will return weekly* through August 31, 2023, and will showcase live performances and art experiences as well as doubling as a fundraiser for the featured non-profit organization of the night. Programming for each evening is presented by Little Guy At The Gig.
“We are thrilled to bring back TroopTop Thursdays and create a vibrant community gathering at the WaterFire Arts Center,” says Peter A. Mello, Managing Director + coCEO of WaterFire Providence, “This event not only showcases live performances and art experiences, but also serves as a fundraiser for featured non-profit organizations, aligning with WaterFire Providence’s commitment to the Providence and Rhode Island community. We invite everyone to join us for an exciting summer of world-class art experiences, camaraderie, and giving back.”
Each Thursday from June to August, with the exception of Thursday, June 8, visitors are invited to experience the current exhibition as the sun sets on the TroopTop deck starting at 5:00 p.m. and concluding at 9:00 p.m. The event is rain-or-shine, (we’ll move inside if it rains), and guests can expect a rotating selection of local beer, wine, and spirits at the bar as well as snacks provided by the UNFI Cafe PVD and ice-cream pop-ups by Gather Farm Ice Cream. Each night the featured non-profit will be the recipient of a portion of the profits from Troop’s special cocktail. This fundraising tool mirrors Troop’s BLM cocktail served at their restaurant which has raised $48,000 for local organizations doing racial justice work in Rhode Island since its inception in 2020. Some local vendors guests will be able to choose from at Troop’s bar include, Revival Brewing Company, Anchor & Hope, The Industrious Spirits Company, and Yacht Club Soda.
2023 TroopTop Thursdays Schedule:
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Non-profit organization: Haus of Codec
Performances by Mutter & Beauquet
Live painting by Sam de Soto
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Ice cream by Gather Farm Ice Cream
In The Gallery: If These Walls Could Talk by the 2023 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Non-profit organization: WaterFire Providence
Music by Nova New Chorus & Justin Arena
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery: If These Walls Could Talk by the 2023 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Non-profit organization: New Urban Arts
Performers to be announced
Live screen printing by GMR Prints
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Ice cream by Gather Farm Ice Cream
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery: If These Walls Could Talk by the 2023 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Non-profit organization: Olneyville Neighborhood Association
Music by FINE. & Joe Stopsign
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery: If These Walls Could Talk by the 2023 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Non-profit organization: The Steel Yard
Music by Nick Bishop & Nymbus
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery: If These Walls Could Talk by the 2023 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort
Thursday, July 13, 2023
Non-profit organization: Providence Biennial for Contemporary Art
Music by Cam Bells
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Ice Cream by Gather Farm Ice Cream
In The Gallery + Main Hall: Curating Commemoration: Poesis/Remedy Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Joel Rosario-Tapia
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Non-profit organization: Wilbury Theatre Group // FringePVD
Performances by Olivia Dolphin & Avi Jacob
Performers organized by The Wilbury Theatre and Fringe PVD
Snacks provided by the UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery + Main Hall: Curating Commemoration: Poesis/Remedy Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Joel Rosario-Tapia
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Non-profit organization: Vintage Pet Rescue
Performances by Soxsux & Hann Cassidy
Live bag making by Silva Works
Snacks provided by the UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery + Main Hall: Curating Commemoration: Poesis/Remedy Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Joel Rosario-Tapia
Thursday, August 3rd, 2023
Non-profit organization: One Neighborhood Builders
Music by Nick Bishop & Bare Cove
Snacks provided by UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery + Main Hall: Curating Commemoration: Poesis/Remedy Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Joel Rosario-Tapia
Thursday, August 10th, 2023
Non-profit organization: Millennial RI
Performance by Tragwag (Solo) & The Symps
Snacks by UNFI Cafe PVD
Ice Cream by Gather Farm Ice Cream
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery + Main Hall: Curating Commemoration: Poesis/Remedy Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Joel Rosario-Tapia
Thursday, August 17th, 2023
Non-profit organization: Clínica Esperanza
Music by Of Lions & Giants & Dogs on Shady Lane
Snacks by UNFI Cafe PVD
In The Gallery + Main Hall: Curating Commemoration: Poesis/Remedy Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Joel Rosario-Tapia
Thursday, August 24th, 2023
Non-profit organization: Youth Pride RI
Performances by FINE. & Older Brother
Live screen printing and painting by Vava Designs
Snacks by UNFI Cafe PVD
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery: FADED
Thursday, August 31st, 2023
Non-profit organization: PVD World Music
Performances by Space Heater X & The New Brew
Performers organized by PVD World Music
Live Art by Rat Island Press Collaboration
Snacks by UNFI Cafe PVD
Ice Cream by Gather Farm Ice Cream
Games Provided by Archery Games Providence
In The Gallery: FADED
Free parking for visitors is available at the WaterFire Arts Center.
The store + gallery at the WaterFire Arts Center is open every Thursday evening until 9:00 p.m. and will be hosting Gallery Night Providence on the third Thursday of each month.
Stay tuned for more updates!
*NO TROOPTOP ON THURSDAY, JUNE 8 (bummer)
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.
