(8.13) An evening of live music and dancing is on tap at tonight’s full WaterFire lighting, but there will be plenty of entertainment prior to sunset, on three different stages starting at 6pm. The food and artist markets and the POC (Papitto Opportunity Connection) Community Village* will also be opening at 6pm. There’s a lot going on tonight!
Here’s a quick rundown of the three stages:
Waterplace Basin, 6pm to 8pm — Cultural performances from around the world: Cambodian dancers, Bollywood and Bhangra, Polynesia dancers and drummers, Lao Youth Dance, and more.
POC Soundstage at Steeple Street, 6pm to 11:15pm — Becky Bass, Sidy Maiga, Chachi Carvalho, DJ Cadillac Jack.
Washington Street Bridge Stage, 6pm to 11:15pm — Alexus Lee, Clatta Bumboo, Robertico Arais.
Visitors strolling along Steeple Street, Canal Street, and Washington Street can connect with more than 40 POC-funded organizations. The flags of 217 nations will wave in the breeze around the WaterFire installation between Washington Street Bridge and the Crawford Street bridge.
Also look for the Capoeira demonstrations with Grupo Ondas on College Street from 6pm to 11:15pm. And the Chinese Lion Dancers will be popping up. As we said, there’s a lot going on tonight!
*Founded in 2020, the Papitto Opportunity Connection is a non-profit private foundation “dedicated to listening and working together with Rhode Island’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.”
The Papitto Opportunity Connection was formed by Barbara Papitto as a continuation of the long-time commitment she and her late-husband Ralph have made to creating educational opportunities and supporting children impacted by systemic racial injustice in Rhode Island.
(Seen here is Waterplace Basin at sundown. There’s lots of seating built into the side of the hill.)
Ignition 7:48pm, Saturday, August 13, WaterFire, (directions)