JustinFest Takes Center Stage at the Narragansett Brewery
Marshfield native Justin Grankewicz did a lot of cool things during the 32 years of his life. This includes being a part of Marshfield Student Broadcasting at Marshfield High School, being a performer at the heralded King Richard’s Faire and lending his multi-instrumental and stunning vocal talents for the Providence rock act The David Tessier All-Star Stars. Along with these things, he left a positive impression on everyone he encountered until a car accident tragically cut his life short on March 14, 2023. To celebrate Grankewicz’ legacy, a bunch of his friends, family and loved ones are going to be putting on a party at the Narragansett Brewery on 271 Tockwotton Street in Providence’s Fox Point neighborhood at 6pm. It’s called JustinFest and it promises to be a one-of-a-kind event that features live music, laughs and high spirits.
Local comedian Frank Dixon is going to be hosting the extravaganza while The All-Star Stars, singer-songwriter Beth Barron and Kraig Jordan as the folk-pop moniker The Glare will be performing with an hour-long open mic kicking off the evening. There’s going to be belly dancing courtesy of Kamil as well to add some elegance and excitement.
“Justin was one of my closest friends and he was beloved by many,” David Tessier says about JustinFest. “What can possibly fill a void left by the passing of someone who is an integral part of your life? I don’t think anything can really ease that pain, but I believe that the intense feeling of loss can be directed into something positive. If you talk to anyone who knew Justin, they pretty much all say the same thing, that he was a best friend to them and that he always made everyone feel special. It seems universal among the people who knew him. He was a passionate man, passionate about life and passionate about art.”
“He was passionate about our band, sometimes keeping it going, when it seemed like it would fall apart,” he adds. “I don’t think he ever really knew how important of a role he played in that. What do you do with all that grief and emptiness? We decided that we wanted to honor him once a year with an event where his friends and family could mingle with folks who maybe didn’t know him and share some of his infectious joy. We wanted to put a situation together where people could come together and just have community. The musical and entertainment acts are just a small part of this, JustinFest is about people being together, talking, laughing, maybe crying, but just being together in peace.”
JustinFest is free for all who attend, but there will be a suggested pay-what-you-can donation to benefit both a foundation and scholarship fund that’s been made in Grankewicz’s name. Both things aim to provide youths with greater opportunities in the fields of theatre, music, dance and all performing arts.
“If we can raise a little money to help some kids pursue their dreams, the same kinds of dreams that Justin had, all the better,” Tessier mentions. “We know Justin would be pleased to know that people were having a drink, a smoke or a song, just because he happened to exist. In the end, I think it’s something most people wish for, to have had a positive impact in some way on the generations going forward.”
On top of all this, Hangar 420, who are known for their cultivation of Willie Nelson’s cannabis brand Willie’s Reserve, are going to be sponsoring the event. They’re also going to be generously supplying gift cards for free pre-rolled joints for a promotion called “Joints on Justin” that’ll surely add to the celebration. As a person who had the pleasure of knowing Justin Grankewicz, I always knew him to be a swell and talented guy and I know that this debut edition of JustinFest will pay tribute to his legacy and memory in joyous fashion. Even if you didn’t know him, come on out for what should be an extraordinary experience.
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