As Part of FirstWorks’ 20th Anniversary, Small Island Big Song Comes to The Strand
This year marks 20 years of FirstWorks being a vital arts entity in Providence by presenting and curating live events, furthering arts education in “The Ocean State” and having a positive impact on youth within the city and beyond. It’s most definitely a cause for celebration and the arts non-profit is going to be putting on shows, workshops and other festive gatherings throughout 2024. The next installment of this endeavor is taking place at The Strand Ballroom & Theatre on 79 Washington Street in Providence on March 15 with Small Island Big Song taking the stage. This multimedia collective puts the spotlight on Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations who are on the front lines of climate change while putting on a dynamic performance. There will be a variety of visuals being shown while the band exhibits their diverse array of music on stage with it all starting at 7:30pm.
The upcoming show is the culmination of workshops and conversations that Small Island Big Song has been conducting with the local community in various locations since this past weekend. This is only one of many events that FirstWorks is going to be bringing to “The Creative Capital” over the next few months while abiding by a theme titled “Global Journeys”.
“We’re thrilled to bridge this ocean-spanning performance project with Providence,” Kathleen Pletcher, who is Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks, said in a press release. “As we celebrate FirstWorks’ 20th anniversary in 2024 with a ‘Global Journeys’ theme, we connect artists and ideas from around the world to the creative communities outside our own front door. The ‘Artivists’ of Small Island Big Song dazzle us with the beauty of their island homes, while moving us to examine our own relationship to climate and the ocean. Stay tuned for more amazing experiences in 2024!”
The act comes from a variety of different places including Madagascar, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Mauritius and Tahiti. They also play unique instruments such as the valiha and kayamb along with guitar, bass and percussion. Stylistically, they have a fluid approach with their music touching upon roots reggae, indigenous folk and spoken word. To say that this experience will be extraordinary is an understatement. It sounds like it’s going to be a one-of-a-kind show unlike anything else anyone has ever seen.
To grab tickets to see Small Island Big Song at The Strand, click on the link right here. It promises to be a unique way to kick off the weekend while also learning a thing or two about cultures from a different part of the world.
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