Providence Cultural Equity Initiative

“Changing how the story of Rhode Island is told and sold.”

www.ProvCEI.org

For Immediate Release

Providence, RI — The Providence Cultural Equity Initiative, with generous financial support from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, proudly announces the Third Annual Meshanticut Cultural Placemaking Confestival, taking place Wednesday, August 20 through Sunday, August 24, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Confestival is a dynamic five-day cultural celebration and learning experience designed to promote cultural placemaking as a transformative tool for ethical tourism and sustainable economic development. As a signature initiative in the Greater Providence area, and officially sponsored by the Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas, the Confestival serves as a platform for showcasing and strengthening cultural placemaking strategies that elevate local and global communities.

The mission of the Confestival is:

“To advance the cultural tourism sector by stimulating interest and investment in cultural placemaking as an ethical and sustainable marketing and economic development strategy.”

Key goals of the Confestival include:

• Fostering relationship-building within the international cultural tourism sector

• Presenting informative workshops, speakers, and networking opportunities

• Showcasing interactive experiences that model best practices in cultural placemaking

At its core, the Confestival is rooted in the belief that cultural placemaking empowers cultural communities to develop and market their cultural assets in ways that attract international tourism while preserving authenticity and heritage.

Signature Confestival Events:

Cultural Placemaking Conference

Thursday, August 21 – Friday, August 22 (8:30am – 4:00 pm) Providence Public Library (150 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903)

This two-day conference brings together cultural placemaking leaders and stakeholders from around the world. Attendees will engage in in-depth discussions, workshops, and strategy-building sessions.

Confirmed Conference Keynote Speakers:

• Gregorio Lucena Scarpella - Director, Global Cultural Districts Network

• Ethan Kent - Executive Director, Placemaking X

Living Culture Festival

Saturday, August 23 (12pm – 10pm)

The Steel Yard (27 Sims Avenue, Providence, RI 02909)

Curated by Donald W. King and Gabriel Alexis, this genre-defying festival features live artistic, musical, and cultural presentations that vividly embody the community-driven values of the Confestival.

Confirmed Festival Performers:

• Pomham Singers (Providence, RI)

• Boo City (Providence, RI)

• Home Town (New York, NY)

• Magi (Providence, RI)

• Digital Ancient Dub (Providence, RI)

• Jonathan Scales (New York, NY)

• Grupo Ondas (Providence, RI)

• FutureBandDC (Washington, DC)

Additional Confestival Events:

Resourcing Local Indigenous Futures

Wednesday August 20, 2025 (10:00 am)

C.I.C. (225 Dyer Street, Providence, RI 02903)

Cultural Exchange Ceremony

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 (6:00 pm)

Providence City Hall (25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903)

Ondas Sonoras (Sound Waves)

Friday, August 22, 2025 (6:30 pm)

Oakland Beach (Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886)

Cultural Acknowledgment Ceremony

Friday, August 22, 2025 (7:30 pm)

ECAS Theatre (679 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02908)

The Meshanticut Cultural Placemaking Confestival is free and open to the public.

For event registration, speaker details, full schedule, and 2025 sponsors visit www.meshanticutconfestival.com or contact meshanticutconfestival@provcei.org or 401.264.6120

#Confestival2025 | #CulturalPlacemaking | #ProvidenceEvent