Rhythm and Roots Festival

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Rhythm and Roots Festival

Labor Day Weekend ~ New England's Premier Festival of Roots Music & Dance. www.rhythmandroots.com
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Labor Day Weekend ~ September 1, 2 & 3, 2023 ~ New England's Premier Festival of Roots Music & Dance.

06/07/2025

🔥 Artist Spotlight: GRAMMY award winner Molly Tuttle will be here at Rhythm & Roots on Saturday, August 30.

Molly Tuttle is redefining roots music with her signature blend of blazing flatpicking, heartfelt songwriting, and innovative sound. Whether she’s shredding on stage or delivering soul-stirring ballads, Molly brings an energy that’s nothing short of mesmerizing. Tuttle's new album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, is set for release two weeks before she arrives, and with all we've heard, we are in store for an already stellar artist's ascent in real time.

Snap up your spot now 🎫 👉🏼 rhythmandroots.com

Preview new CD ▶ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FrhGHihBv/
City of Gold Video Pick ▶ https://youtu.be/_57y1juyMvw?si=47z12_G1BimRW-P9&t=5
GoodWorks Entertainment

06/05/2025

🔥 Artist Spotlight: The New Breed Brass Band delivers a vibrant fusion of second line traditions with influences ranging from Caribbean rhythms and New Orleans hip-hop to modern R&B icons like Bruno Mars and Silk Sonic. Their dynamic sound captures the heart and soul of New Orleans, blending the city’s musical heritage with a bold, contemporary twist.

Led by Jenard Andrews, whose familial ties include the legendary trumpeter James Andrews and uncle Trombone Shorty, the band’s roots run deep in New Orleans’ musical culture. Trombone Shorty himself played a pivotal role in the band’s evolution, encouraging them to transcend their early days of covering Rebirth Brass Band classics and develop a voice of their own.

Now, their music carries the rhythmic versatility of New Orleans jazz, funk, and hip-hop—drawing from Cash Money Records, bounce grooves, and second line culture—all woven together into a sound authentically their own.

Jenard describes it best, saying, “We wanted to get real New Orleans street on them.”

The New Breed Brass Band has captured the attention of audiences worldwide, touring across North America and Europe and sharing stages with The Fray, Blackalicious, Dr. John, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Their latest album, Made in New Orleans, showcases their rich artistry, featuring collaborations with local legends such as Kango Slim, Wild Wayne, the late 5th Ward Weebie, and Jeff Coffin of Dave Matthews Band.

Paving the way for a new era of second line music, New Breed Brass Band is a thrilling celebration of New Orleans’ next generation. Follow their lead down the parade route and experience the joy, energy, and cultural heartbeat they'll bring to Rhythm & Roots on Friday, August 29!

Join us! 🎫 👉🏼rhythmandroots.com
Lineup🌟 rhythmandroots.com/artist-lineup
E News ☀️ bit.ly/VibeAlive
Playlist 🎧 bit.ly/rrplaylist2025
GoodWorks Entertainment

06/04/2025

🔥 Artist Spotlight: Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes is a living legend of cultural storytelling. Based in New Orleans, Sunpie is a musician, naturalist, park ranger, and educator who embodies the vibrant traditions of Afro-Louisiana music. Leading his band, Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, Barnes has crafted a distinctive sound that blends zydeco, blues, gospel, jazz, and African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms into a unique “musical gumbo.” His performances are electrifying, featuring his powerful vocals and incredible versatility on the accordion, harmonica, piano, trombone, and more.

Sunpie has been an integral part of Louisiana’s cultural and musical scene for over three decades, performing at iconic events like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival. His music is rich in tradition and storytelling, informed by his work as a park ranger with the National Park Service, where he educates visitors about Louisiana’s unique ecosystems and cultural heritage. He has also taken his music around the world, performing in over 50 countries.

Barnes’s influence extends beyond the stage. Since 2010, he has served as the leader of the Northside Skull and Bones Gang, a legendary Mardi Gras group that has upheld ancestral traditions since 1819. His commitment to cultural preservation includes co-authoring the book Talk That Music Talk, focused on preserving New Orleans’ brass band traditions.

Sunpie’s talents have reached other mediums, too. His music and expertise have been featured in films (Déjà Vu, Jonah Hex), television shows (Treme), and award-winning documentaries. Further highlighting his artistic versatility, Sunpie toured with Sting and Paul Simon from 2014 to 2016.

Join us at the Rhythm and Roots Music Festival to witness the magnetic energy of Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots. With their infectious Afro-Louisiana sound, they promise a performance that will make you move and leave you inspired.

Labor Day Weekend! 🎫 👉🏼rhythmandroots.com

06/02/2025

🚨 Vendor Spots Filling Fast! And there's only ONE PLACE to apply!

Sought after vendor spaces are carefully balanced to feature a variety of the best food, drink, artisans, and wares you'll ever find at an outdoor festival.

Vendors Apply Here 👉🏼 https://rhythmandroots.com/get-involved/vendors/
(website link in bio)

06/01/2025

Young music lovers catch music legends & emerging bands, assuring another generation keeps roots music vibes alive.

👉🏼 And children 12 & under attend FREE.

With a comfortable festival experience, spacious covered dance floors, sprawling lawns, and great food, and camping, we make it easy to introduce your kids to an outstanding summer music festival experience at what's been repeatedly voted "RI's Best Roots Music Festival."

But the best part is our world-class artist lineup with music running noon to 11 pm for three days straight. Take a look who's coming and secure your spot today

👀 rhythmandroots.com/artist-lineup

📷 Tim Lyons, Hal Hanka, Isaac9s

05/30/2025

🔥 Artist Spotlight Della Mae is a GRAMMY-nominated all-female string band with infectious energy and spirit – back to play Rhythm & Roots after their 2019 much lauded set! Featuring founder and fiddle player Kimber Ludiker, lead vocalist and guitarist Celia Woodsmith, guitarist Avril Smith, and bassist Vickie Vaughn, the group showcases the unparalleled talent of top women in roots music. With members hailing from across North America and drawing from diverse musical influences, Della Mae has become one of the most dynamic and charismatic bands in the genre. Having performed in over 30 countries, they use their music to spread messages of peace, understanding, and empowerment, and leaves audiences on their feet and cheering for more.

Video ▶ youtu.be/hVBIQ4dFlMw?si=PbA7k_FgsT2ijdDR
Playlist 🎧 bit.ly/rrplaylist2025
Info and 🎟️ RhythmandRoots.com

05/29/2025

🔥 Artist Spotlight: George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners

A towering figure in New Orleans’ music history, George Porter Jr. is a standard-bearer for funk, a master of rhythm, and a living legend whose influence will endure for generations to come. George Porter Jr., renowned bassist and vocalist, is a New Orleans music legend and a pioneer of funk. As a founding member of The Meters—alongside Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli, and Zigaboo Modeliste—Porter helped define the groove-heavy sound that became the foundation of funk, originally recognized in the mid-60s as R&B. Their groundbreaking rhythms laid the groundwork for some of the most memorable grooves in music history, earning the band international acclaim. Though The Meters disbanded in 1977, Porter and Neville keep the spirit of funk thriving with their project, the Funky Meters.

George Porter's latest project showcases his signature fusion of funk, R&B, and rock. Featuring seasoned musicians Michael Lemmler (keyboards/vocals), Chris Adkins (guitar/vocals), and Terrence Houston (drums/vocals), the band has garnered acclaim both in the New Orleans music scene and on the national jam band and festival circuit. Whether in the studio or on stage, Porter continues to deliver the rich, soulful bottom-end groove that has made him one of the most celebrated bass players of all time.

George Porter Jr.'s illustrious career has spanned over four decades. He has collaborated with an array of iconic artists, including Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, David Byrne, Patti LaBelle, Robbie Robertson, Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, and many others. His session work and live performances also include collaborations with legends like Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Warren Haynes, John Scofield, and Steve Kimock. Early in his career, Porter became a sought-after bassist for prominent New Orleans artists such as Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Lee Dorsey, and Irma Thomas, among others.

We count ourselves fortunate to welcome this NOLA legend to Rhythm & Roots on Saturday, August 30th. Get 🎫 👉🏼rhythmandroots.com

05/27/2025

🔥 Artist Spotlight - The Free Label playing Friday, August 29

One of the things we love doing here at Rhythm & Roots is introducing you to bands that carry the roots music genre forward in new & vibrant ways. So this morning, we'd like to give you a wake up shot of rhythmic spirit with a quick video hit from The Free Label.

The Free Label is a self-described "independent live touring disco R&B band from Canada" also known as "your mom's favourite band." Once we heard these guys, we could tell they were going places, and their enthusiastic followers who fill the venues with hot & happy dancing would agree, THEY GOT SOUL
catch the video ▶▶ https://bit.ly/freelabelvid and see you at the fest! 🎟️ rhythmandroots.com

05/24/2025

While you are with your family and friends this weekend don’t forgot to secure your tickets for Rhythm & Roots - we'd love to see you all there! 👉🏼 rhythmandroots.com

Wishing you all a memorable and safe Memorial Day Weekend

05/23/2025

☀️ 🌶 Ready. Set. Summer!!

Start it off right and know all the Rhythm & Roots Artists songs by heart by Labor Day Weekend
🎧 https://bit.ly/rrplaylist2025 (link in bio)

05/22/2025

🔥 Artist spotlight on LETTUCE, playing Friday, August 29th

Lettuce is (a) the prime ingredient in a salad, (b) a slang for cash, (c) a green herb that can be smoked, (d) a genre-busting six-member musical collective formed in 1992 by four alumni of the prestigious Berklee College Of Music, or (e) all of the above. If you answered “e,” then you’re in on the sheer magic of a band that both feeds the rich history of funk music and combines it with strains of hip-hop, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, jam, go-go, and the avant-garde.

The GRAMMY® Award-nominated six-piece will get you dancing and kick off the festival weekend with all the right vibes!

🎫 👉🏼 rhythmandroots.com

05/15/2025

🔥 Donna The Buffalo is back at Rhythm & Roots August 30 & 31!

Since 1989, the roots rockers have elevated the jam band experience and created a community of devoted fans. Join “The Herd,” here at Rhythm & Roots and you'll understand why Donna the Buffalo plays the big festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride, Austin City Limits Festival, Merle Fest, and Philadelphia Folk Festival. The band has collaborated with notable folk and roots artists such as Jim Lauderdale, Bela Fleck, Mamadou Diabate, and Amy Helm, among others. Get your jam-band dancing fix and experience why Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryea and the band represent more than just music, they make community.

Get fest 🎟️ 👉🏼 rhythmandroots.com

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Park Lane
Charlestown, RI
02813

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http://www.rhythmandroots.com/

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Labor Day Weekend ~ September 4, 5 & 6, 2020~ New England's Premier Festival of Roots Music & Dance. The 23rd Rhythm and Roots Festival in Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI. Chuck and Deb Wentworth, Producers. www.rhythmandroots.com