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 The Blackstone River Theatre (BRT), a 501 (c)(3)
nonprofit cultural arts center where the music, dance and folk arts
traditions of the Blackstone River Valley come to life, will celebrate its eighth anniversary in September, 2008! With an emphasis on the culture
of the ethnic groups that settled in the Valley, BRT presents weekly
acoustic-based music concerts, monthly folk dances and children's
events, as well as special events on a year-round basis.
BRT is dedicated to supporting, promoting and developing the arts for our community and its artists by creating awareness, and providing both educational and performance opportunities. As part of our Heritage Arts Studio initiative, BRT pursues arts education outreach by offering classes and workshops at the theatre. This school for the traditional arts allows the local community to discover or reconnect with traditional art forms and become Participants in our area's rich arts heritage.
Since re-opening in late 2000, BRT has seen over 50,000 audience members attend over 775 events. BRT also rents out its space for private and corporate events and maintains a rotating art gallery showcasing works by local visual artists. To serve our community, we have hosted adult ESL classes as well as self-defense classes for women offered by the Cumberland Police Department. Our newest endeavor is a partnership with The Town of Cumberland's Office of Children, Youth and Learning by hosting several after-school classes, children's literacy classes and other special events.
Blackstone River Theatre also presented the first-ever Blackstone River Theatre Celtic Festival in July, 2007 at Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland. The event drew over 2,000 people who saw over 20 acts perform on four stages. Look for the 2nd annual Blackstone River Theatre Celtic Festival on July 19, 2008 at Diamond Hill Park!
"The Blackstone River Theatre may be the best place to see a show in Rhode Island and they celebrate their seventh anniversary with Celtic heavyweights Pendragon..."- Rick Massimo, Music Editor Providence Journal
"...the Corridor's premier institution for promoting the traditional
arts."- John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National
Heritage Corridor 2003 Annual Report
" ...one of the greatest venues to hear live music in in this country!" - Award-winning blues artist Duke Robillard (who recorded a live DVD at BRT in 2004)
Voted "Best New Folkie Haven" in the 2000 Providence PhoenixTHE BEST issue, Editor's choice
"At the Blackstone River Theatre, the four-year renovation effort has resulted in the most comfortable hall and best acoustics that I have ever experienced for a folk show." - Mark Flanagan, The Sun Chronicle
"The Blackstone River Theatre is a magnificent new venue, not far from Providence or Boston. Housed in a beautifully restored old Mason's lodge... it hosted a rare live performance by Jacqui McShee and John Renbourn who obviously enjoyed playing together again, especially in the acoustically fine main hall." - Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen,Aug-Sept. 2003
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