20th Anniversary Rhythm & Blues Heritage Month Gala

COST: $15 in advance / $20 at the door
DATE: Friday August 11, 2023
TIME: PM - Midnight
LOCATION: Cape Verdean Progressive Center
329 Grosvenor Avenue, East Providence, RI

FEATURE: Front & Center Live Performance Show Band

HIGHLIGHTS: 20th Anniversary Celebration with Music, Historical Highlights of Rhythm & Blues (R&B) in Rhode Island, special guests, honors & raffle.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society, Inc. (RIRBPS)

RIRBPS is pleased to be holding our 20th Anniversary Celebration and Rhythm & Blues Heritage Month Festival featuring Front & Center Band, a five-piece live performance show band of experienced musicians and vocalists. The 20th Anniversary Celebration will highlight the legacy, heritage and history of R&B Music in Rhode Island and the contribution of R&B to the local culture.

In 2006 the Governor of Rhode Island and Mayor of Providence, proclaimed August as R&B Heritage Month. This Proclamation noted that Black community Rhythm & Blues may be the most significant cultural contribution to local music. This contribution influenced and enhanced the quality of life of all of Rhode Island. This legacy has been preserved by the diversity of performers throughout the RI entertainment community. Proclaiming R&B Heritage Month also closed a gap in RI history.

RIRBPS offers a variety of programming. The Instruments for Children's Program has donated more than 700 usable instruments to needy students throughout RI. Instruments are collected, cleaned, refurbished and repaired before being donated to needy students. The Oral History Project archives are housed at the Rhode Island Historical Society. We also offer educational programming and musical performances to enhance and introduce historic R&B music to the community.

Details about the Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society may be found on our website http://www.bluespreservationsociety.org,  email at rirbps@gmail.com  or at 401.461.0012.

Keep Rhythm & Blues Alive!

Sylvia Whiting, Secretary, Rhode Island Rhythm & Blues Preservation Society
12 Kipling Street, Providence, RI 02907