FirstWorks Fall 2022 Newsletter

Fall 2022 Newsletter

“I learned how important it is to act on an impulse to be part of something, even if it requires a lot of courage.”

—Community Participant, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company “What Problem?”

JULY + AUGUST

Our free SUMMER BEATS series was back this year celebrating music from around the corner and around the globe. Concerts in partnership with Roger Williams Parks Conservancy featured Rhode Island-native rapper and hip-hop artist Flawless; and pioneer of “Afro-Rican jazz,” William Cepeda, with a family percussion workshop and an opener by Rhode Island’s own Lydia Perez with the Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy, Inc. (PRIAA).

Music with a Mission

FirstWorks brought Ukrainian folk-rock group DakhaBrakha

Providence, as a PVDFEST HAPPENING, drawing over 550 attendees. With the current war, the group has taken on the mission of cultural ambassador, celebrating national pride in uncertain times through the unifying power of music.

“ FirstWorks thinks big and delivers big. High marks for finding creative ways to deliver Arts Learning programs through diverse artists and their concepts for the community.”

—Deborah Drew, National Grid Foundation

William Cepeda Afro-Rican Jazz at Roger Williams Park

Championing Firsts in the Arts

FirstWorks’ Artistic Ambassador Daniel Bernard Roumain premiered “The Telling” alongside brilliant local collaborators at WaterFire Arts Center. Developed in partnership with FirstWorks, “The Telling” is a searing response to the fierce urgency of racial injustice and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Roumain’s multi-disciplinary chamber music event provoked the question: “What is the role and responsibility of the living in a time of terror, trial and trauma?”

OCTOBER + NOVEMBER

Dancing, Thinking & Growing Together

Dance icon Bill T. Jones mobilized our community around questions of belonging in a performance for over 1,000 at the VETS Auditorium. The show, “What Problem?” featured a cast of 26 local participants who brought their voices and histories to the stage. Mr. Jones’ residency was co-presented by FirstWorks and Brown Arts Institute and included a scholarly panel, a post-show discussion, four educational engagements for students, and a Town Hall discussion and brunch.

A Standing Ovation for Service

FirstWorks bids farewell this season to Vice President Rob Panoff, who will leave the FirstWorks Board after over 10 years of steadfast service. Dedicating his expertise to FirstWorks’ fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, and beyond, Rob is an unflappable champion of FirstWorks’ mission—and can always be found in the audience at FirstWorks events. We celebrate Rob’s achievements and extend our utmost gratitude for his work on behalf of the arts in Rhode Island.

“I am so grateful to Rob for his decade of devoted service. He has poured his heart and soul into the organization, and given so freely of his time, talent and treasure. He has been a mentor and a real inspiration to his fellow board members. We will miss him dearly, but his impact on our thriving nonprofit will be felt for years to come.”

—Catherine Terry Taylor, FirstWorks Board President

IMAGE CREDITS: All photography by Erin X. Smithers, unless otherwise noted.

“What Problem?” Performance at The VETS

“The Telling” Performance and Town Hall at WaterFire Arts Center; photos by Jared Jorge

“ I think more events like this could change our communities in the best way possible.”

—Community

Participant, Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company

“What Problem?”

Providence, RI 02908 PERMIT NO. 973