Now in its second year, The Rising Stars of FirstWorks series celebrates the diverse talents of Rhode Islands most inspiring young performers and renews Washington Trust and FirstWorks shared commitment to community and artistic excellence.
The series opens on July 15 with Voces de los Andes, a group that celebrates the rich musical tradition of Bolivia and the Andean region of South America featuring the haunting and evocative sound of the panpipes. The family ensemble of musicians is led by Bolivian master "charango" player and singer Silvio Cuellar and includes five children between the ages of 10 and 17.
Damhsa Irish Dance Studio will perform a variety of Irish dances, with both modern and traditional choreography on July 22. Named after the Irish word for dance, the group was founded with the mission of giving children the opportunity to express their interest in Irish Dancing and Irish culture.
The series concludes on July 29 with a performance of the Chinese lion dance by the Rhode Island Kung Fu Club. This traditional cultural practice combines kung fu-inspired movement by two practitioners as the lion with accompanying percussion music to foster positive energy and good luck while warding away negative energy.
About FirstWorks
FirstWorks connects art with audiences year-round through the exceptional vitality of artists first appearances, childrens first experiences with performance and the premiering of new works. Beginning with an unprecedented collaboration with Providences Department of Art, Culture & Tourism, FirstWorks was launched in 2004 as a vehicle to build community, reach underserved audiences, and present extraordinary arts programs that elevate Providences national profile. In the six years since, FirstWorks has produced ten groundbreaking arts festivals, attracted 55,000 participants, and engaged more than 100 nonprofit community organizations and schools.