Ten bucks gets you into Rock the Art at River Falls Restaurant Aug. 8, the second of five fundraisers fueling Woonsocket's $70,000 125th birthday block party Aug. 29.
The organizing committee's coffers are already swelling from a combination of the most recent fundraiser (Woonsocket Rocket Night July 18), adopt a pole sponsorships and donations solicited from local businesses, said Matt Moylan, owner of Ciro's Tavern and fundraising chair. "We're at the 60 percent mark," of their goal, he said.
Rock the Art patrons will get an evening of dancing to live rock music from 6-9 p.m., hors d'oeuvres and an assortment buffet of pasta and chicken dishes. There may be a few other culinary surprises, as well, said Dave Gouin, a co-owner of the restaurant.
Guests will also peruse painting and sculptures from local artists for sale.
After Aug. 8, three $10 admission fundraisers remain before the block party:
- Aug. 14: Then and Now at St. Ann's Arts and Cultural Center (a slide show of historic Woonsocket images)
- Aug. 20: Jazz Up Woonsocket at Chan's (Chinese food and jazz music)
- Aug. 22: Social Ocean Luau at Christopher's Restaurant (Outdoor pig roast and island party)
Eleven bands will play non-stop from 7 to 10 p.m., complemented by light shows, performance artists, and vendors. It will be the largest block party on the East Coast, boasted Beauparlant, who organized the city's 100th birthday block party in 1988.
The latest block party was set in motion by Mayor Leo Fontaine, who asked Beauparlant to bring his organizing talent to bear on the feat. "I knew that Al was back in the city and thought that if anyone had the energy to bring this together for the city, it would be Al," Fontaine said.
"The reason the Mayor called me in here is to unite this city," Beauparlant said, and bring people together after a series of rough times for Woonsocket. "That's exactly what's been happening," said Beauparlant, who gauged the spirit of cooperation generated as "88 times 10".
Beauparlant isn't doing it alone. He's got the help of four others: Co-chair Linda Plays, Moylan, and Mike Dubois, entertainment chair.
Taking the time to focus on a positive, fun goal has been good for people in the city, said Moylan. People in Woonsocket have taken a lot of bad news during the last few years, he said, so it's good to focus on something positive for a change. "We're at rock bottom. It can only go up," Moylan said.
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