Newport Arts Festival to Benefit Looking Upwards This Weekend

Editor's note: The following event was rescheduled from Aug. 27-28 due to

Artists, acclaimed musicians, local chefs, and the Aquidneck Island community again set their sails to the Newport Yachting Center this weekend for family fun and to raise money for Middletown's , Inc.

Now in its fifth year, the two-day Newport Arts Festival welcomes about 5,000 visitors each year. The works of more than 60 national and regional artists will be featured from a variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, jewelry, fiber, glasswork, photography, woodwork, metalwork, sculpture and mixed media. The festival also will feature children's entertainment and activities and café foods.

"Looking Upwards, like so many nonprofits, works to providing the best quality of services we can offer, on a very tight budget," said Denise Lussier, Director of Communications for Looking Upwards. "Proceeds from the event benefit the agency's mission of supporting adults with disabilities and children with diverse needs to live fulfilling lives."

Among the festival highlights this year, noted Lussier, is the "Saturday Morning Spotlight on Families," a program led by Christopher Kavi Carbone that will begin at 10:30 a.m. with "Family Yoga & Stretching," followed by an 11 a.m. "Music Celebration" performance.

"Family yoga led by Christopher Kavi Carbone is a playful and gentle way to be together as a family and bring a sense of ease to the start of your weekend," said Lussier.

She described the "Music Celebration" as a program to incorporate dance, music and fun for the whole family, "from the littlest babies to big kids and adults too."

This weekend's two-day festival is sure to offer fun the whole family can enjoy: Browse a colorful marketplace of fine and functional art on Newport's scenic waterfront; View the work of select regional and national artists, including wearable art, wood and glasswork, paintings, photography, pottery and more. Plus enjoy acclaimed live music from bluegrass to jazz, plus children's entertainment and activities to spark young imaginations.

Founded in 1978, the Middletown-based nonprofit agency Looking Upwards produces the festival annually as one of its main fundraisers to help support its programs and services. The agency serves more than 500 adults with developmental disabilities and children with special healthcare needs, working with direct support workers, nurses, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, and other professionals to provide assistance. 

Musical Acts:

SATURDAY 9/24

• "Saturday Morning Spotlight on Families," led by Christopher Kavi Carbone, will begin at 10:30 a.m. with "Family Yoga & Stretching," followed by an 11 a.m. "Music Celebration" performance.
• 12:30-1:30 - Kim Lamothe Tree-Oh
• 2:00-3:00 - Acousticana
• 3:30-4:30 - The Bit Players
• 5:00-6:00 - Andy Kimbel

SUNDAY 9/25

• 10:30-12:00 - TKLS Perspective & Knuf Said.
• 12:30-1:30 - Delta Generators
• 2:00-3:00 - Della Mae
• 3:30-4:30 - Love in Stockholm

Festival hours

• Sat., Sept. 24, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Sun., Sept. 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission

• Admission to Newport Arts Festival is $8 per adult. Children under 12 get free admission.
•  Tickets may be purchased at the gate the weekend of the event, or at the Newport Yachting Center box office. 

Performance Schedule

• See the weekend's complete lineup.
• See all special performances for children.

Parking & Directions

• Click here.

For more information

• Visit www.newportartsfestival.com.
• Call 401-847-0960, ext. 25 Monday through Friday.