Summer Beats with FirstWorks: Afro Rican Jazz with William Cepeda

August 14, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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Summer Beats with FirstWorks: Afro Rican Jazz with William Cepeda

Sunday, August 14th 4:00 – 8:00

4:00 – 5:00 PM  FREE, ALL-AGES MUSIC WORKSHOP

In the afternoon before his 6 PM performance, William will share his cultural heritage through a lively, free music workshop for families. Through hands-on activities, participants will explore the genres and evolution of Puerto Rican music (Taíno music, bomba, plena, música jíbara and danza). He will share instruments and select rhythm songs for each genre and participants will play Puerto Rican rhythms. Workshop participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments.

At 6:00 PM  – William Cepeda & Afro-Rican Jazz Band 

FirstWorks Summer Beats celebrates the heritage of Puerto Rican music and its African roots with trombonist William Cepeda from San Juan, who is known as a cultural icon of Puerto Rico. Cepeda’s seven-member Afro-Rican Jazz Band heats up the crowd with an innovative blend of jazz and traditional Puerto Rican musical forms such as bomba, plena, Jibaro, and danza, at an open-air concert at the Roger Williams Park Bandstand. A protégé of Dizzy Gillespie, Cepeda has created a new shade of jazz with a hip flavor. Lydia Perez, an award-winning Afro-Taino artist from Rhode Island, will lead dancers from the Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy in an energetic concert opener.

Details

Happy #GivingTuesday2025! Did you know that Roger Williams Park Conservancy, with the help of our many wonderful partners, brought more than 50 programs to the Park this year? Help us offer even more free or low-cost, family-friendly events in 2026 with a donation!

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From family picnics in the Rose Garden and concerts at the Bandstand to seeing the cherry blossoms bloom in the Japanese Garden every spring and sled-riding in the winter, Roger Williams Park is the backdrop of so many memories year-round, and even more opportunities to escape into nature, connect with neighbors, and attend events in the future! 🌸☃️🍂🌳

With your continued support this #GivingTuesday2025, and collaborating with @pvdparks , we can’t wait to offer even more free family-friendly programming, make accessibility upgrades and restorations of historic structures, steward critical green spaces, and more in 2026.

Follow the link in bio to donate, with options for one-time or recurring gifts.

Drone footage by @derecola.photo
#GivingTuesday2025 is just around the corner, and we get it – there are so many wonderful local nonprofits seeking support this time of year!

Why include Roger Williams Park Conservancy in your giving plan? 

Behind the more than 50 free and low-cost programs hosted every year, the restoration of beloved historic structures still playing a role in the community today, and the expansive green spaces and waterways sustaining humans and wildlife alike, there are crucial partnerships and much hard work that goes into stewarding Roger Williams Park.

As Board Member Chris Lanen shares – and so many families can relate to! – "the Park provides [a] retreat into nature. Individually, it gives me a place to exercise and decompress. As a parent, it gives my child a magical place to play, explore, and learn throughout the year.”

Find the link to donate in our bio, with options for one-time or recurring gifts!
To all those celebrating, happy Thanksgiving from RWPC! Don’t forget: our trails and paths are always available for a rejuvenating post-feast walk! 🍂

We would love to hear what you’re thankful for about Roger Williams Park – is it a favorite piece of architecture or a serene place to retreat into nature? A favorite event or family outing that’s become a tradition? Let us know!
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