Rock Out at a Neighborhood Bash with the Warren Folks Festival
The seventh annual celebration thrown by the Collaborative showcases Warren’s creative side, from local makers and musicians to eateries and crafts.
Visitors to last year’s Warren Folks Festival enjoy the music on the main stage. (Photo by Janet Moscarello Photography)
Visitors will pack the parking lot again at the Warren Folks Festival, the Collaborative’s annual bash celebrating all things local and creative in downtown Warren.
This year’s Fest takes place on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 7 p.m. in the back lot of 30 Cutler St. More than thirty Rhode Island artists and makers will fill the space, offering everything from artisan-designed jewelry and local bath products to handmade shoes. There is also a free Kids Crafts tent, Recycle-A-Bike tent and an information booth on the Collaborative.
“The funds this generates help us support local artists, youth and the public throughout the rest of the year, so it’s important to our organization. But mostly it’s an excuse to celebrate the community we do this for,” says Uriah Donnelly, the Collaborative’s founder and executive director.
As in past years, music is a big draw at the free event, with two stages showcasing local and regional acts. On the main stage, jazz vocalist Tish Adams and Evening Sky will kick off the festival at 1:15, followed by Providence-based Yonks and Rhode Island funk and blues artist Atticus Allen. Newport surf-rock outfit Z-boys will take the stage at 5 p.m., with Boston singer-songwriter Julie Rhodes wrapping things up with her soulful blend of blues and folk.
The second stage will host four acts, including several East Bay favorites. Aquidneck singer-songwriter Ben Shaw takes the stage at 2 p.m., followed by Latin synth-pop outfit MAU and rock group the War In Kids, both from Warren, and Providence-based indie-rock band Grizzlies.
If the music and the art don’t do it, the food alone is enough to bring the neighborhood out. Warren favorites include Hunky Dory, Bywater, Chomp Kitchen and Drinks, Chelsea’s Creamery and La Piñata Mexican Bar and Grill. Attendees can also chow down on wood-fired pizza from Anna’s Vesuviano and greasy spoon classics from Haven Brothers. To wash it all down, visitors can grab a drink from Narragansett Beer, Anchor and Hope wine or RI Cruisin’ Cocktails. Non-alcoholic beverages are available from Kristi’s Kraftails and Del’s. The beer garden is fully sponsored by Narragansett Beer with all proceeds going to the collaborative, so visitors shouldn’t feel guilty about sticking around for another pint.
“The partnership we have created with Narraganset is very important to us. They are incredibly generous and have been big supporters of the Collaborative for a long time. We couldn’t do this without them,” Donnelly says.
The fest is free and family-friendly, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. There’s no parking on the premises, so attendees are encouraged to walk, bicycle or take the RIPTA 60 Bus to Main Street. Parking is available on Railroad Avenue or at the Franklin Street Park & Ride.
This is the Collaborative’s seventh year throwing a festival for the whole neighborhood. The arts organization was founded in 2016 to offer free and low-cost, family-friendly venues for the community to create, learn and have fun through art-centered programming.
The festival takes place in the back lot of 30 Cutler St. (Photo by Janet Moscarello Photography)
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