Summer is a busy time for music in Newport, with the highlights being Folk Fest the last weekend in July and Jazz Fest the first weekend in August.  But what about the few days in between these two giant music festivals? Well that is what BridgeFest is for: to “bridge the gap” between these two festivals in order to keep the music going for ten full days. It starts on July 27th and goes through July 30th with over 50 artists at more than nine venues.

BridgeFest was created by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County in order to give visitors a reason to stay and locals a reason to get out and enjoy some local music.  They work with the Newport Festival Foundations to support the local music scene in Newport.  BridgeFest hosts all types of musicians, aspiring music students, emerging artists, galleries, wineries, farms and restaurants.  This is the 7th year of the festival.

Some of this years festival locations include: Queen Anne Square, Jimmy’s Saloon, Bowen’s Wharf, Trinity Church, St. Matthews in Jamestown, and the Redwood Library.  There will be an opening night Soiree held on the 27th to kick things off.  It goes from 6pm to 8pm at  the Sanford-Covell Marina on Washington Street.  ZanRicky will be playing and the Rhode Islands Ballet Theater will be putting on a dance performance.  This event will also feature a silent auction, a raffle, wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres.

To check out whose playing and when, click here.  Keep the music going and support your local musicians!