Newport† VOL. 38. NO. 12
Folk, Jazz Festival Lineups Announced NEWPORT – The lineup for 2010 edition of George Wein’s Newport Folk Festival is set, with Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin) scheduled to open the festivities at the International Tennis Hall of Fame with acclaimed bluegrass group Steep Canyon Rangers. Building on a hugely successful 2009 edition, this year’s festival promises to be one of the most anticipated concerts in years. Organizers are describing this year’s event as the spirit of an open-hearted, old-fashioned family reunion. Kicking off July 30 at the Hall of Fame and continuing to July 31 and August 1 at Fort Adams State Park, tickets for this year’s festival are already available locally, and will go on sale worldwide Friday, March 26, at 10 a.m. at www.newportfolkfest.net. This year’s Folk Festival features Andrew Bird, Brandi Carlile, The Swell Season, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Liz Longley, Blitzen Trapper, The Felice Brothers, Dawes, Justin Townes Earle, The Avett Brothers, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, and Punch Brothers with Chris Thile coupled with a creative blend of established artists including John Prine, Doc Watson, Levon Helm, Tim O’Brien, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Steve Martin and more. The lineup for the Carefusion Newport Jazz Festival lineup was also announced earlier this week, with Jamie Cullum and Grace Kel-
DECISION 2010
BORN FREE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2010 GEORGE WEIN’S NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL LINEUP FRIDAY, JULY 30 Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers Tim O’Brien SATURDAY, AUG. 7 John Prine,Andrew Bird, Brandi Carlile, The Low Anthem,Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Doc Watson & David Holt, Calexico, Dawes, Nneka, O’Death, Liz Longley, Blitzen Trapper, A.A. Bondy, Sam Bush, Horsefeathers, and more Organizers have announced the lineup for this year’s Folk Festival
ley kicking things off at the Hall of Fame on Friday, Aug. 6. The weekend will bring acts including the Herbie Hancock and Wynton Masalis, Chris Botti, Freedom Band: Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett,Christian McBride, Roy Haynes, Jamie Cullum • Ahmad Jamal,Maria Schneider Orchestra,Jazz Mafia’s Brass, Bows & Beats, Fly: Jeff Ballard-Larry Grenadier-Mark Turner, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society with special guest Bob Brookmeyer, Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing • Anat Cohen, Newport All-Stars with Howard Alden,Randy Brecker, Randy Sandke, George Wein and guests Wein has, since 1959, found Newport a scenic and hospitable venue for presenting the very best
of this country’s jazz and folk music. “Newport is like a second home to me and I always look forward to the next visit,” said Wein “There is something so perfect about being in Newport near the water and that old stone fort – all gathered in to sing with family and friends – that keeps me wanting to come back year after year,” said Yim Yames. “It’s like the walls of the fort are arms, and I feel secure when I am near them, protected by the spirits there – past, present, and future. And, I like to hear our voices bouncing off those old stone walls as my eye drifts to the sailboats on the seashore and the people just smiling and taking it all in.”
SUNDAY, AUG. 8 Levon Helm’s Ramble on the Road The Swell Season, The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings Justin Townes Earle, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Punch Brothers with Chris Thile, The Felice Brothers, Tao Rodriguez Seeger Band, Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three., .and more The Newport Jazz Festival lineup was also announced earlier this week. It can be found online at www.Newport-Now.com
After 6 years, Connolly to bow out
By Tom Shevlin NEWPORT – Mary C. Connolly, a three term incumbent City Council member who took an active role in speaking out on issues from education to accessibility, has decided not to run for a fourth term. In a simple statement issued last week, Connolly wrote, “I want to thank you for the time and courtesy you have given me during my last 3 terms of office. I will not be seeking re-election for the 2011 term for Newport City Council at Large.” Connolly’s decision not to run is the first to be announced among sitting councilors, who face reelection in November. In an interview on Tuesday, Connolly said that got a great deal
out of years of public service, and hoped that her constituents felt she served them well. “It was an absolute commitment to the people of Newport,” Connolly said. “I sincerely believed in that. And I felt that I gave them my very best. “
...While Armstrong makes it official NEWPORT - Herb Armstrong has announced his candidacy for an at-large seat on the Newport City Council. Armstrong, a native Newporter, believes that the City Council must take a more proactive long-term approach to problems such as budget, infrastructure, schools, and economic development in order to develop a vision and strategy for Newport’s future
that addresses the economic difficulties the city faces. Armstrong also said that as a council member, he will take the lead in finding ways Aquidneck Island communities can work together more effectively. “Regionalization of our school system and consolidation of other municipal functions may be the only way our island communities can afford to provide the services our residents need and expect. Armstrong is currently chair of the Newport Beach Commission and points to the Commission’s efforts over the last three years to work with city administration on long-range projects for Easton’s Beach including addressing beach closures due to pollution, plans for seaweed collection, renovations to
the Rotunda, and marketing the facilities for more upscale weddings and events. “If Newport is to continue to prosper, we need to have a vision of our future and the leadership to make that vision reality.”
...and Perkins confirms her interest Also with eyes on a City Council seat is Susan Perkins, an attorney and Third Ward resident, who confirmed on Monday her intentions to throw her hat in the race. Perkins, an attorney with offices in Providence and Newport, says that she’s undecided about whether to run for an at-large seat or challenge incumbent Councilwoman Kathryn E. Leonard for a ward seat.
Court upholds Middletown hunting restrictions By Tom Shevlin MIDDLETOWN – An ordinance prohibiting hunting on area beaches which came under fire from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for disrupting the state’s animal control plan has been upheld by a Superior Court ruling. According to the decision, filed last week in Providence Superior Court, Middletown councilors were not in violation of state law, nor did they conflict with any overriding agency regulations when they passed an ordinance prohibit hunting on Second and Third Beaches. Rather, the decision states, Middletown’s authority to enact the challenged ordinance came from its Home Rule Charter and from RI Gen. Law 45-6-1(a), which empowers municipalities to regulate firearms for safety purposes. Last fall, concerns about the potential hazards of hunters’ discharging weapons in close proximity to beach goers prompted Middletown to amend its Code of Ordinances to include the following provision: “No person shall use or discharge any rifle or other firearm in the pursuit or hunting
Read More on pg. 11
“There are so many reasons,” Perkins responded when asked for the reasons behind her decision to run. “My heart and soul are in Newport,” she added. A newcomer to city politics, Perkins grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Newport for the last 17 years. She is a graduate of Bryant University and Roger Williams School of Law. She said she plans on making her interest official in the coming weeks. Each of these stories – Connolly’s departure, Armstrong’s entry, and Perkins’ intentions were first reported locally on Newport Now. For more breaking news, be sure to bookmark www.newport-now.com
Quick Hits St. Joseph’s Parish celebrated a milestone on Friday evening: 125 years young! Bishop Thomas Tobin paid a visit, as did some 200 parishioners. Read about this true community church on Page 2.
Iron John! Child & Family Services aims to inspire the next generation of great chefs during their second “Iron John” event for boys. Read about it on Page 8
Spring has sprung!
••• Be sure to visit Newport Now for the latest news and informtion throughout the week