Rhode Islanders Invited to Free Philharmonic Concert on Thursday

RHODE ISLAND—The Rhode Island Foundation is celebrating its 100th anniversary by inviting the public to a free concert by the Rhode Island Philharmonic at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park Aug. 18 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Community is at the heart of what we do. Community begins where people gather for shared experiences. We couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate our centennial than one of the state’s best-loved spots,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO.

It will be the first time since 2004 that the Philharmonic has played in Roger Williams Park. The two-hour program will include rousing standards like the Star Spangled Banner and the 1812 Overture and fun favorites such as Star Wars and Olympic Fanfare.

“There will be a caravan of food trucks and room for thousands of music lovers on blankets and lawn chairs. It should be a spectacular evening,” said Steinberg. While the concert will begin at 7 p.m., food trucks will begin serving at 5 p.m. Among the trucks scheduled to be serving are Haven Brothers, GottaQ, Del’s, Sarcastic Sweets and Plouf Plouf, a mobile French bistro.

Even though the event is free and open to the public, the Foundation has arranged for Rhode Island Public Radio to broadcast the concert live on RIPR.org, 88.1FM, 91.5FM and 102.7FM.

The announcement comes as the Foundation’s centennial celebration is in full swing. Founded on June 13, 1916, with a $10,000 gift from industrialist Jesse Metcalf, the Foundation’s assets have grown to nearly $800 million. Over the past five years, the Foundation has awarded more than $165 million in grants.

The centerpiece of the centennial celebration is a $10 million campaign to restore Roger Williams Park. The work will include improvements to the park’s entrances, new signage, expanded walkways and bicycle paths and repairs to the Museum of Natural History, the Bandstand, the Casino and the Temple to Music.

In addition, the Foundation awarded $500,000 in grants to fund community-building activities in every city and town and staged the Centennial Community Conversation series, which brings people together to share suggestions for improving life in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2015, the Foundation awarded $41.5 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information about the concert, visit http://rifoundation.org/pops.