Once one of the great shipping ports in the New World, Newport, RI has also been celebrated at various times in history as the great summertime play ground for the rich and richer. At other times Newport’s notoriety has centered around its connection to the America’s Cup Race or even its reputation as the home of the prestigious Naval War College . If you are looking for the best advice for visiting Newport this summer keep all of its past glories in mind but fix your focus on the incredible music festivals that occur here every summer.
1. The Newport Jazz Festival The best advice for visiting Newport, RI this summer is to arrange your stay so it includes the dates August 10-12, 2007. If you can arrange that kind of visit you will put yourself in position to enjoy one of the real classics in musical entertainment. In 1954 jazz enthusiasts gathered in Newport, RI for the first extended, outdoor musical festival of its kind. Since that beginning, the Newport Jazz Festival has attracted name performers and advanced the fledgling careers of jazz newcomers all in one overpowering annual festival
For years anyone who was anyone in the jazz community put the Newport Jazz Festival on their to do list . Newport became a gathering place for jazz aficionados each summer. Jazz greats who performed at Newport included the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Harry Connick,Jr. and Ray Charles along with countless other instrumentalists and vocalists. Last year’s concert included performances by Chris Boti and the Dave Brubeck Quartet. The 2007 Jazz Festival will not announce its formal schedule until May, 2007 but the festival will undoubtedly continue to bring in big name talent and allow jazz lovers a look at the best new talent coming along. For more information about the Newport Jazz Festival and this year’s offerings visit www.festivalproductions.net
2. The Newport Music Festival If you aren’t a jazz fan but you love classical music then the best advice for visiting Newport, RI this summer is to schedule your vacation to include some days between July 6-22. That’s the time frame for this year’s 39th annual edition of the Newport Music Festival . Quite distinct from the Jazz Festival, the Music Festival provides Newport citizens and visitors with a total of 67 individual concerts.
There are anywhere from 3 to 5 concerts scheduled each day. Morning concerts begin at 11 a.m. and afternoon concerts start at either 4 or 6 p.m. The evening concerts begin fashionably late at 9 p.m. It was discovered early in Newport Music Festival history that the instruments used to produce featured classical music did not perform as well in the open air of Newport. Since that recognition, concerts for the most part are held in several of the mansions of Newport, known formerly by their wealthy owners as “cottages”. Today their elegance lends special charm to the music magic produced throughout the festival.
The music offered is selected chamber music and the artists who perform are a unique mixture of world renown musicians and prominent new performers. The effect on the Newport community is considerable . A special feature of the Newport Music Festival is the presentation of 6 midnight concerts offered at free admission . Leisure Group Travel Magazine selected the Newport Music Festival as one of the “Top 50 Outstanding Festivals and Events in North America” and not without reason. Apparently they agree that the best advice for visiting Newport this summer is to come during a week when you can enjoy this wonderful musical feast. For more information about the Newport Music Festival visit www.newportmusic.org .
3. What’s behind this Both the Newport Jazz Festival and the Newport Music Festival give the city of Newport a real injection of capital by drawing thousands of people here each year. But when folks come to Newport they always seem to get more than their money’s worth. The best advice for anyone visiting Newport, RI this summer is to make sure to enjoy not just the music but the breathtaking natural beauty that serves as the community background. Newport offers water sports at five local beaches. Gooseberry Beach and Third Beach are especially fine options for families because of the lack of undertow and the relatively gentle waves. Good advice for visiting Newport, RI this summer is to check out one or more of these waterfront venues .
If you prefer you can also enjoy the natural beauty of Newport from a spot on the water, rather than in it . Just take yourself to Newport Harbor to Classic Cruises of Newport where you can arrange for a speedy tour of the harbor by motor boat or a more leisurely adventure on a sailing vessel. Either way you will have a great water adventure and an opportunity to see what provides the background for the Music and Jazz Festivals of Newport. To investigate boating options visit www.cruisenewport.com
4. Newport Grand For some folks life is more fun when they take a chance. For those folks and for anyone looking for a change of pace, good advice if you visit Newport, RI this summer is to find your way to the Newport Grand Casino. You won’t find anything like the Boardwalk at Atlantic City or even anything the size of Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun Casinos in nearby Connecticut. What you will find is an opportunity to do something entirely different. At Newport Grand you will find an oasis of slot machines and simulcast betting opportunites only a mile or two from Newport’s shops and shoreline.
The Newport Grand has been recently enlarged and offers a reasonable variety of slot favorites and new games to meet every budget. You can even make a night of it and enjoy the fine cuisine offered at the Newport Grand. The best part of playing at the Newport Grand is when you come out, whether you won or lost, you will find yourself still on an incredibly beautiful island with lots of great music still to be enjoyed.
Newport is a great vacation spot anytime, but the best advice for those visiting Newport this summer is to come for a musical treat, either the Jazz Festival August 10-12 or the Newport Music Festival July 6-22 and then enjoy everything else Newport has to offer too.
