The Blackstone River Theatre

Blackstone River Theatre Mission

The mission of Blackstone River Theatre is:

to present the performing and visual arts;

to offer arts education; and

to preserve and support diverse traditions of music, dance and visual arts, with an emphasis on those groups that settled in the Blackstone River Valley.

As a cultural arts center, the heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, as well as world music, acoustic blues and more, have found a home at Blackstone River Theatre. In addition to concert programming, BRT presents children's shows, participatory dances, and an Art Gallery of rotating work that showcases local artists.

As an arts education center, BRT offers the opportunity for members of the community to actively engage the arts through Heritage Arts Studio classes. Believing that the arts help cultures connect, Blackstone River Theatre is dedicated to improving arts awareness and providing performance opportunities for diverse participants. BRT encourages arts engagement that is broad and active.

As a community center, BRT rents out its space for both public and private functions. Events that have taken place include ESL and women's self-defense classes; arts, environmental and preservation workshops; public forums on education and youth leadership; and birthday, wedding and anniversary celebrations.

Blackstone River Theatre, across from the old Ann & Hope Mill on Broad Street in Cumberland, is the former site of the Unity Masonic Lodge. Built in 1928 and abandoned in 1987, the brick structure has been and continues to be renovated for use as a nonprofit cultural arts and community center. Spearheaded by members of the Rhode Island-based music ensemble Pendragon, the Theatre also provide arts education and instruction through its Heritage Arts Studio initiative.

After an initial four-year, all-volunteer renovation effort, BRT has been open for performances since September, 2000. Renovations and improvements are ongoing. Future plans include the renovation of another large performance area as well as office/meeting space on the building's third floor. This effort will include the purchase and installation of a handicapped-accessible elevator and other necessary upgrades and improvements. The theater, like all Rhode Island places of assembly, has continued to upgrade our fire alarm system and evacuation equipment to adhere to the new state guidelines.

Facts and Figures

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BRT History

Over 13 years ago, a vision for enhancing the quality of life for residents of the Blackstone Valley was born. The challenge was to turn an abandoned, heavily vandalized historic building into the new home of the Blackstone River Theatre - a nonprofit cultural arts center where the music, dance and folk arts traditions of the Blackstone River Valley come to life.

Since July, 1996, when Blackstone River Theatre took over the former Unity Masonic Lodge at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, it has been painstakingly transformed from a building targeted for demolition into what is now one of the brightest spots in the Valley. The renovation work was spearheaded by Russell Gusetti and Bob Drouin of the RI-based music ensemble Pendragon who coordinated a small but dedicated group of volunteers with financial support provided by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, the Town of Cumberland, and several local businesses.

Enthusiastic support of the BRT by the Town of Cumberland is evidenced by a new 15-year lease from the Town (as owner of the building) signed in 2002.

Volunteer efforts since mid-1996 now total over 27,000 hours and have averaged over 2000 volunteer hours per year since reopening.

In order to advance the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor's cultural interpretation mission, the Blackstone River Theatre presents programming that links interpretation of Valley culture to the traditional/folk arts agenda of the theatre. Though many people associate the word culture with only the fine arts, an anthropological view reminds us that culture embodies every activity in which we as individuals, families, communities and countries engage. The traditional and folk arts, handed down from one generation to the next over time and place, are a most powerful vehicle for conveying the legacy of a community. Giving a space for this to happen is the mission of the Blackstone River Theatre.

Past Performers

Blackstone River Theatre programming strives to bring the best in national, international, regional and local music to its stage, emphasizing the folk music traditions of those groups that settled in the Blackstone River Valley.

From 1995-mid 1996, BRT presented over 100 concerts and special events at our old Central Falls location including:
Cherish The Ladies Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies Tommy Makem Karan Casey Dave Van Ronk Pendragon Chanterelle	Atwater-Donnelly Paul Geremia Dick Gaughan Tony Trischka & Skyline David Mallett Tony Cuffe Northern Lights	Craobh Rua Jack Hardy Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill The Battlefield Band Nomos and many others.

The following is a list of performers who have played at Blackstone River Theatre's new home in Cumberland since reopening in September, 2000.
2000
The Ken Lyon Band David Mallett The "New" House Band The Jack Hardy Band Harvey Reid	Aine Minogue Skip Healy Pendragon with Bridget Fitzgerald The Windbags Compass Rose	Atwater-Donnelly The Karan Casey Band Sean Tyrrell Paul Geremia Josee Vachon
Children's Programming
"Allison and the Blackstone" with Marc Levitt and Pendragon Rosalita's Puppets Marvelous Marvin's "The Magic of Science"
2001
Viva Quetzal Kevin Burke Ockham's Razor Matapat Pendragon The Ken Lyon Band Windharp Tony Cuffe Kathleen Guilday and Laurel Martin Dave Van Ronk Martin Carthy Kelley Lennon Schimmel Yarina Josee Vachon Aine Minogue John Renbourn Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies	Craobh Rua Northern Lights The Zorgina Vocal Ensemble The Neon Valley Boys Daithi Sproule and Randal Bays James Keelaghan and Jez Lowe Robin Huw Bowen with Sue Jones-Davies Atwater-Donnelly Pendragon Harvey Reid Marilyn Mair Steven Jobe Dick Gaughan The Robbie O'Connell Band	Dervish The Kim Trusty Band The Howard Fishman Quartet The Small-Torres Guitar Duo The Smoking Jackets Eric Anderson The Jennifer Roland Band Brenga Astur The Jack Hardy Band Cuareto de Plectro Assai Plainfolk Cliff Haslam and Compass Rose Hurricane Skip Healy Johnny Cunningham
Children's Programming
Perishable Theatre's "Eco-Spy" Marvelous Marvin's "How the Body Works" "Johnny Appleseed" with Marc Levitt Keith Munslow's "Can't Sit Still" Aubrey Atwater with Traditonal Music for Kids "Tales of an October Moon" with Marc Levitt Rosalita's Puppets' "Jill and the Beanstalk" Sea Music for Children with Dave Peloquin and Everett Brown "Allison and the Blackstone" with Marc Levitt and Pendragon Perishable Theatre's "Invasion of the Homogenoids"
2002
Gabriel Yacoub Broderick Rocky Hollow The Smoking Jackets Bill Petterson Windharp Hurricane Yarina The Angel Band The Jack Hardy Band Pendragon with Skip Healy and step dancers Kevin Doyle and Kieran Jordan The Karan Casey Band Paul Geremia	Magical Strings John Renbourn Fairport Convention John Sherman and David Surette Tempest Josee Vachon Hillbilly Voodoo Kerri Powers The Jennifer Roland Band The Ken Lyon Band Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem The Cathie Ryan Band The Kim Trusty Band	Brian McNeill Mac McHale and the Old Time Radio Gang Solas Matt Haimovitz Mary Ann Rossoni Dan Lilley Bohola The Neon Valley Boys Chanterelle featuring Josee Vachon The Robbie O'Connell Band The North Star Jazz Ensemble and The Woodvale String Quartet Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen
Children's Programming
Keith Munslow's "Weird Kid in the Class" Sea Music for Children with Dave Peloquin and Everett Brown Rosalita's Puppets' "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Dragon" "Allison and the Blackstone" with Marc Levitt and Pendragon Aubrey Atwater with Traditional Music for Kids Rosalita's Puppets' "In Search of the Unicorn" Rosalita's Puppets' "Sea Story" Keith Munslow's Children's Show Marvelous Marvin's "The Magic of Science"
2003
Fairport Convention with Equation Cherish The Ladies Harvey Reid The Hatfield-McCoy Trio Little Johnny England The Ken Lyon Band Patty Larkin Old Blind Dogs North Sea Gas Liz Carroll and Daithi Sproule The Cathie Ryan Band RISA Rhode Island Songwriters Night	The Faire Winds Tour The Beans Hanneke Cassel Band The Neon Valley Boys Frankie and Sean Gavin John Fuzek Keith Munslow and Pam Murray Robbie O'Connell Joyce Andersen The Alleged Ceili Band Kerri Powers Chris Turner	Thom Enright and Marty Ballou Atwater-Donnelly Stefan Couture and the Campfire Orchestra Broderick Aoife Clancy and Flynn Cohen Aine Minogue Pendragon with Skip Healy Kevin Doyle and Kieran Jordan The John Whelan Band Sol y Canto
Children's Programming
Perishable Theatre's "The Door Inside the Book" "The Legend of Johnny Appleseed" with Marc Levitt The Toe Jam Puppet Band The Bill Harley Family Show Aubrey Atwater with Traditional Music for Kids Marvelous Marvin's "The Magic of Science"
2004
Atwater-Donnelly Phønix Windharp The Robbie O'Connell Band bohola Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies The Laura Cortese Band Bill Petterson/Kerri Powers The Angel Band Eire Japan Beolach Pendragon Paul Geremia/Martin Grosswendt Chanterelle featuring Josee Vachon Cillian and Niall Vallely	Joyce Andersen/David Francey The Jennifer Roland Band Tempest Magnolia Niamh Parsons with Graham Dunne Andy Irvine with Rens van der Zalm The Alleged Ceili Band Iona The Ken Lyon Band Lisa Moscatiello and Rosie Shipley Sara Milonovich and Greg Anderson North Sea Gas	Andy M. Stewart & Gerry O'Beirne The Highwaymen The Sprigs - Brendan Bulger & Billy Knox Classical Cellist Matt Haimovitz Bretons & Co. Siúcra The Hanneke Cassel Band The Neon Valley Boys James Keelaghan & David Francey Mick Moloney, Robbie O'Connell and Dana Lyn The Duke Robillard Band Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen
Children's Programming
Rosalita's Puppets "Winter Wonderland" Keith Munslow Aubrey Atwater - Traditional Music for Children Marvelous Marvin's "The Magic of Science" "Allison and the Blackstone" by Marc Levitt and Pendragon Bill Harley Rosalita's Puppets "Mrs. Claus and The Ice Queen"

Blackstone River Valley

Spanning 46 miles, two states and 24 cities and towns from Worcester, MA to Pawtucket, RI, the Blackstone River Valley is a living tapestry of people and places that helped shape America's legacy. Known for being the actual birthplace of our nation's Industrial Revolution, the Valley is more than just brick factories, mill villages and a proud working class background. The area has quaint farms, rustic nature trails and serene river settings that offer spectacular scenic wonders and unique recreation getaways.

Besides its history, ethnic diversity and environment, the Blackstone River Valley is now known as a haven for family-friendly arts and entertainment, offering a wide selection of performing arts; the Blackstone River Theatre is proud to be a unique interpreter and presenter of the Valley's rich heritage.

The Blackstone River is an American Heritage River located in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. In 1999, the US Congress named the National Heritage Corridor in honor of the late US Senator John H. Chafee of RI, who co-sponsored legislation creating the region in 1986.

For more information, please visit the website of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor at: www.nps.gov/blac/home.htm

Board of Directors

Blackstone River Theatre is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers and administered by a Board of Directors. Board members are: Robert J. Drouin, Chair, Aubrey Atwater, William K. Austin, Timothy Draper, George Gifford, Rich Horwitz, Lisa Mosczynski, Tony Nobrega, Robbie O'Connell, Aaron Usher, Linda Zelenski.

Executive Director: Russell J. Gusetti
Chair, Board of Directors: Robert J. Drouin
Artistic Director: Mary Lee Partington
Secretary/Treasurer: Linda Zelenski
Technical Director: Doug Brunelle

BRT Sound/Lighting Specs

Sound and lighting at Blackstone River Theatre is coordinated by Doug Brunelle. Artists may direct sound/lighting questions through Russell Gusetti at russell@riverfolk.org. Please mail or send a PDF of tech sheet at your earliest convenience.

The following is a list of BRT sound equipment. NOTE: Artists are required to provide their own backline - guitar and bass amps and drum sets.

Please be advised that Blackstone River Theatre is an intimate 165-seat room with excellent acoustics. Amplifiers are generally overkill and drum sets seldom need more than one or two pieces to be miked, if that. The audience space measures roughly 35 feet wide by 45 feet in length. The stage is a small raised proscenium stage (16 feet wide by 12 feet depth). We have professional lighting but offer no follow spots or lighting technician, just a general 5-spot wash on stage with colored back lighting on the curtain.

BRT Sound System

2 EAW MK5266 Mains powered by QSC amps
4 JBL Eons (self-powered) Floor Monitors (15 inch horn)
OR
4 Community floor monitors powered by QSC amps (12 inch horn)

Mixer:
Mic Channels have 4 band EQ W/2 Swept Mids
Allen & Heath 2000 with:
24 mic/line channels
4 aux sends (pre/post selectable)
plus 2 aux sends (pre/post selectable)
4 sub groups

Processing:
1 DBX Stereo Graphic EQ for Mains
1 DBX Stereo Graphic EQ for 2 Monitor Mixes
1 Yamaha Stereo Graphic EQ for 2 Additional Monitor Mixes
1 Lexicon MPX1 FX Processing
Up to 24 Channels of Mic Snake
4 Returns Available for Monitor Mixes

Blackstone River Theatre Venue Information

Blackstone River Theatre
549 Broad Street
Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864-6910

Blackstone River Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization.

Tickets/Administrative Office
On performance days or nights, the box office will be open 2-3 hours before show time.
TEL (401) 725-9272
Web site: www.riverfolk.org
Office hours vary week by week; leave a detailed message and your call will be returned as soon as possible by phone, fax or e-mail.

Policies

No smoking is permitted anywhere within the Blackstone River Theatre! For your convenience, urns are located outside of the front door and handicapped-access entrance.
The use of cameras or audio/visual recording devices is prohibited without the express consent of theatre management. Management reserves the right to confiscate equipment brought into the theatre in violation of this rule. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please silence all beepers and cellular phones or have them checked with the House Manager. Patrons anticipating emergency calls should notify the House Manager.
Late Seating — Patrons arriving late for an event will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager during an appropriate moment during the performance.
Fire Exits are identified by lighted signs throughout the building. In the event of an emergency, walk to the exit nearest your seat or follow the instructions of a BRT staff member. Please familiarize yourself with these exits and the layout of Blackstone River Theatre when you attend a show.
Please do not walk or climb on the stage for any reason. The stage and backstage and kitchen areas are restricted for the use of musicians and staff ONLY.

Blackstone River Theatre is a handicapped-accesible facility.
There is a handicapped-accessible ramp which leads from our parking lot directly to the main concert hall; there is an accesible bathroom on this level. Upon request, we will provide a listing of what is available in our second-floor gift shop for your ordering convenience.

Men and women's restrooms are located on the second-floor level.
There is also a unisex handicapped-accessible bathroom off of the lobby on the lower level.

Gift certificates are available for all shows.
Contact the front desk or managing director for information. Gift Certificates or Balances Are Not Redeemable for Cash. If you do not use the full amount of your gift certificate, BRT Will Write You Another Gift Certificate For The Balance.

Blackstone River Theatre always needs volunteers.
If you are interested, please call (401) 725-9272 or visit the volunteers page for more information.

Light food and beverages are available at our concession areas before performances and during intermissions. Please note that food and drink is permitted in the auditorium; however, please be respectful of the audience when eating or drinking (noise really carries in our theatre!) and please discard your trash at the end of the show.

Blackstone River Theatre does not sell or permit the use of alcoholic beverages on the premises by theatre patrons. If you are interested in serving alcoholic beverages as part of a special event or rental agreement with Blackstone River Theatre, the theatre has to apply for a special one-day Class F (beer and wine) license available through Cumberland Town Hall AT LEAST 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT. (This fee will be included in your rental fee). As part of a rental agreement, you will also be responsible for all load-in/load-out and clean-up of supplies and equipment on the day of the event.