FABRIC Arts Festival’s 5th Edition brings music, art, culinary experiences to Providence, Fall River 

FABRIC Arts Festival returns this fall from October 10-13, showcasing an international program of music concerts, art exhibitions, culinary experiences, and communal encounters in Fall River, MA and Providence, RI. A first look at the festival’s programming follows:

> Performative Dinner – October 10
The festival kicks off with a special program dedicated to contemporary Azorean practices, featuring a dinner performance that invites participants to “eat the landscape of the island.” Prepared by chefs Hugo Ferreira and Catarina Ferreira, this culinary experience will be imbued with the sounds of four prominent musicians from the archipelago: Romeu Bairos, Sara Cruz, Clemente, and João Felix.

> FESTA de FABRIC – October 11
For the first time, FABRIC is hosting its own festa (traditional festival that celebrates culture), embracing multiple communities, and transforming Fall River’s iconic P.A.L. venue (at 31 Franklin St.) into a collective kitchen and food court, centered around a dynamic dance floor experience. Festival headliner and Portuguese sensation Pedro Mafama will lead the party with his pop hits, blending various electronic and urban influences with traditional Portuguese aesthetics. Expect all the fun of a traditional festa with a contemporary edge!

> Visual Art Exhibitions – October 11 & 12
On October 11, FABRIC is hosting a collective exhibition that gathers artists in dialogue around food, knowledge, and migrations at the Ignition Space in Fall River, and on October 12 at World’s Fair Gallery in Providence. Also in Providence, on October 12, AS220 welcomes Odete, an artist whose work spans performance, text, visual arts, and music, for a concert exploring queer universes, rituals, spells, love, and contemplation.

> Communal Experience – October 13
The festival concludes with a guided collective walk on the trails of Fall River’s Copicut Woods. Participants will learn about the ecosystem, the dangers it faces, and preservation efforts, while sharing a small meal in communion.

The full program for FABRIC Arts Festival 2024, including talks, visits, educational activities, and registration procedures, will be announced in September.