News Release

River Bend East Songwriters Festival - Labor Day Weekend 2024

Two men singing while holding guitars under a tent
Mark Cutler and J. Michael Graham perform at River Bend East 2022

River Bend East

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News Release Date: July 31, 2024

Contact: Mark Mello, 401-318-4489

(PAWTUCKET, RI) – Now in its sixth year, River Bend East Songwriters Festival continues to highlight the best regional songwriting talent found throughout New England. The 2024 River Bend East Songwriters Festival will occur over Labor Day weekend, from Friday, August 30 — Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860, along the banks of the beautiful Blackstone River. All events are FREE and ample parking is available. Bring chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy; no registration is required.

The festival will kick off on Friday night with a free multi-media event and live music starting at 6:30 PM. On Saturday, River Bend East will continue with a showcase of the region's best singer-songwriters from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

Friday Night Event, August 31:
Live music outside of Slater Mill will begin at 6:30 PM. Chris Monti will welcome visitors with an opening set of West African infused folk music. The popular Americana band, Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch, will headline. David Lawlor from Run of the Mill will provide an artful background video highlighting local mills and labor history during Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch’s performance. J. Michael Graham will also debut a short music video collaboration with Lawlor between sets.
6:30 PM Chris Monti: https://www.chrismonti.com/
7:30 PM J. Michael Graham and Run of the Mill music video debut, “Stuck in a House”: https://www.jmgrahammusic.com; https://www.facebook.com/RunoftheMillShop
7:45 PM Jeff Byrd & Dirty Finch: https://www.facebook.com/jeffbyrddirtyfinch

Saturday Afternoon Event, August 31:
River Bend East continues on Saturday afternoon with a lineup of many of the region's best singer-songwriters including:
12:00 PM - Mark Cutler: https://www.markcutlermusic.com/
12:50 PM - The Same Thing Project (led by Mark Cutler):https://www.thesamethingproject.com
1:00 PM - Allison Rose: https://allisonrosemusic.com/
1:45 PM - Tribute to Mary Lee Partington, Caroline Vitale & Bob Drouin
2:10 PM - J. Michael Graham & Kevin Williams: https://www.jmgrahammusic.com/
3:00 PM - Christian and Annie from High Planes: https://www.facebook.com/HighPlanesRI/

Additional Free Entertainment:
  • Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee and founder of The Same Thing Project, Mark Cutler will lead a free songwriting workshop at Slater Mill on Thursday, August 29, at 6:30 PM. Participants will write a song with Mark that will debut at the festival during his set on Saturday, August 31. People of all ages and abilities invited are invited to participate and perform at whatever level they feel comfortable. No registration is required.
  • National Park Service rangers will provide free specialty tours of Slater Mill in honor of Rhode Island's rich labor history. Tours will be held at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., Thursday - Sunday. The Visitor Center will be open Thursday-Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM (closed on Labor Day).
  • Be sure to like the River Bend East Songwriters Festival Facebook page to receive the most up-to-date festival information. https://www.facebook.com/rbesongwriters/
Special thanks to our partners:
River Bend East
National Park Service
Pawtucket Arts Festival
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
The City of Pawtucket



Last updated: July 31, 2024

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Mailing Address:

67 Roosevelt Ave
Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone:

401-725-8638

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