Ingredients: Charitable Organization. Select a local non-profit organization that is invaluable to a community and people feel inspired to support. Calendar Date. Find a date that works for most, if not all, of your volunteers. Venue. Select the venue from a list of potentials who have an opening on your target date. Consider: location, stage and venue size, parking, beverage selection, kitchen/grill, cost of facility- free is best! Musicians/ Bands. Choosing the most popular local bands around is key to attracting a large crowd. Conduct a poll using social media where fans can vote for their favorite/s. Sound /Lighting Engineers and Photographers/ Videographers. Seek out talented pros to ensure optimal auditory and visual presentation. Vendors. Select local artisans and small businesses who are willing to pay a reasonable fee for space, donate to the raffle, and bring their own table and accessories. Volunteers. Event coordinators, promoters, entrance security, ticket sellers, raffle ticket sellers, raffle item donors, sponsors, stage crew and stage manager all work together for a common goal: Raise money and awareness for charity while entertaining the masses.
Add in a dash of enthusiasm, a handful of stamina and work ethic, a sprinkle of patience and a generous portion of perseverance. Bring mixture to a boil, simmer slowly over many months and serve
on your target date. Enjoy!
A few months after I launched the Facebook group: Rock ‘n Rhode* in November 2017, my friend Nino Trovato, Matthias Steele* drummer/ vocalist/ promoter contacted me about coordinating a charity event featuring local bands and vendors. Lineups changed, bands quit, one band was fired, our original sound guy disappeared and was replaced less than a week before showtime, but one thing remained constant: We were committed to helping our charities while producing an entertaining event.The first Rock ‘n Rhode Fest*, held at Club Roxx* in North Kingstown RI, featured: Maiden New England: Iron Maiden Tribute Band*, Hard Rock Shakedown*, Skeleton Krew*, Matthias Steele, Shotgun Trust*, Shermer High*, Wanted Man: Ratt Tribute Band* as well as headliner 21 GUNS, and raised money and awareness for The Tomorrow Fund* and Hope Foundation International*.
Following a brief recuperation, we jumped into the planning of Rock ‘n Rhode Fest II* to benefit Operation Stand Down RI* and a local musician who was badly injured in a motor vehicle accident. Realizing that recruiting bands who shared our passion and commitment to helping our charities was our top priority, Nino and I selected RNRFII’s bands ourselves and booked the same venue with it’s new name: O’Connor’s Pub. The Papa Joe Show* opened our event which featured: Off Kilter*, Chained to Insanity*, Psycle*, Therapy*, Hard Rock Shakedown, Rhode Kill* and headliner Maiden New England.
Following the success of the first two Rock ‘n Rhode Fests and the increased membership of Rock ‘n Rhode, we found we had many more bands wanting to participate in the upcoming Rock ‘n Rhode Fest III* than we had slots to fill in the lineup. My RNR admins and I created a contest in our group where band members nominated their bands in a poll and fans voted for their favorites. An album of competing band pages and videos was created to facilitate the voting process, while also helping to expand the bands’ fan base. While the Covid 19 pandemic and quarantine-induced cancellation and rescheduling of our 2020 event date negatively impacted the number in attendance, many of the guests reported that it was our best fest to date. Many stayed beginning to end and most of the crowd was on their feet dancing. RNRFIII was held outdoors at Tavern on the Hill* and Witzend*, Amber Rose and the Renegades*, Voo Doo Vixen Band*, All Over*, 21 GUNS* and LA’s Backstage Pass rocked the palladium for their fans and Operation Stand Down RI.
Mission Statement: Rock ‘n Rhode welcomes you. The cool kids. The rock music enthusiasts, fanatics, and musicians. This group’s mission is to help keep local (Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut) music alive and well. In this era of social media and downloadable music, people aren’t seeking out nightclubs and the live entertainment they offer with as much enthusiasm as they did decades ago. This is why Kate Carroll created Rock ‘n Rhode, and why many of you joined. We want a world where talent is valued over auto-tune and digitally manufactured music. We seek the unity and human connection that come about when a group of people gather together to hear live music. Thank you for being a part of this group. Whether you are a musician, a music fanatic, or a music enthusiast, it is our collective mission to keep local music relevant, alive, and abundant. Let’s continue to Rock the Rhode!
Admins: Kate Carroll, Adam Leipf, Mark Wayne Farias, Joseph Thibault, Jack Lessard, Joe Spaziano, Mars Lazzarus. Cover art designed and created by Johnny Buck of JBuck Graphic Design.
Rock ‘n Rhode Fest
09/08/2018. Venue: Club Roxx, managed by Kevin C. Heise, Jr. Charities: The Tomorrow Fund, Hope Foundation International. Event Coordinators: Kate Carroll, Nino Trovato. Emcee/ Stage Manager: Eric Tier. Sound Engineer: James Garvin. Lighting Engineer: Scotti Rawkstah. Photographer/ Videographer: Bryan Poor of Photogasm. Back-liners: Nino Trovato, Jami Blackwood and Mike Jones. Volunteers: Michelle Leiber, Geoff Carron, Joao Santos, Richard B Such, Sarah Ruggieri, Kessa Halo, Chelsea Williams, Melissa Tabbitha and thank you to the helpful staff of Club Roxx. Vendors: Kessa Kreations, Devil’s Halo, Blackwood Amplifications, Dennis Conte Designs.
“Original old-school metal” featuring Anthony Lionetti on lead vocals and bass guitar, Nino Trovato on drums and background vocals and Jami Blackwood on guitar.
Powerful and on-point tribute to Iron Maiden with Adriana Solorzano as Bruce “Dicklessin”, Frank Sabbath as Steve Harris, Eric Hand as Nicko MCBurr, Andrew Donald as Adrian Smith, Tim Bruneau as Dave Murray and
“High-energy classic hard rock cover band”with lead guitarist/ lead vocalist Bruce Grupposo, bass guitarist/ vocalist Bill Henderson, Christopher “Spaz” Spano on drums and Dean Grupposo on rhythm guitar.
“High-energy 80’s rock and pop band” with Jeff Byrd on lead vocals, Lou Sasso on drums, Vance Simmons on lead guitar, Dave Brochu on keys and synthesizer, and Scotti Rawkstah on bass and vocals.
“National touring tribute to the band and music of RATT” starring Sal Difilippo on lead vocals, Stephen Dyon on guitar and backing vocals, Steven Burrows on guitar and backing vocals, Ron Kalci on bass and backing vocals and Talon Blaque on drums and backing vocals.
“Party rock band” featuring Christopher Phillips on lead vocals, Bill Toth and Rob Brouillard on guitar and vocals, James Garvin on bass and vocals and Anthony Frattarelli on drums.
“An independent non-profit charitable organization, provides daily Financial and Emotional Support to children with cancer and their families treated at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI. The Tomorrow Fund strives to ensure access to the highest level of comprehensive care while raising public awareness of childhood cancer.”
“A nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to providing basic medical and dental assistance to the indigenous Aetas in the Mount Pinatubo locale and the isolated poor of the Philippines.”
Rock ‘n Rhode Fest 2
09/07/2019. Venue: O’Connor’s Pub, managed by Kevin C. Heise, Jr. Benefitted Operation Stand Down RI and to offset the cost of medical treatment and rehabilitation for Sabbath Drums. Event Coordinators: Kate Carroll, Nino Trovato. Emcee/ Stage Manager: Eric Tier. Sound Engineer: Chris David of Amped Up Concert Productions. Lighting Engineer: Scotti Rawkstah. Photographer: Scott and Christy Duncan of CDSD Photography. Back-liners: Nino Trovato, Chris David, Frank Sabbath, Bruce Grupposo. Volunteers: Terri Martelli, Tammy D’Antuono, Paul Joseph Levesque, Adam Leipf, Geoff Carron, Sarah Ruggieri, Kessa Halo, Chelsea Williams, Eric Lemay, and the helpful staff of O’Connor’s Pub. Vendors: Kessa Kreations, Devil’s Halo, JKBakes RI, Mandy’s Handmark’s/ My Heart Designs, The Bath Witch, The Artistic Creations of Sue Dussault Eddins, O’Scare-A, and Dennis Conte Designs.
“ROCK/BLUES Dance band that adds everything from Swing to Hair Metal…” with Chris Tavares on bass, Mark Campbell on percussion/ backing vocals, Bobby Bam Bam Trahan (RIP) on percussion/ backing vocals and Papa Joe on rhythm guitar and lead vocals.
A talented band of teenage musicians: Alyssa Forget on lead vocals, Tyler Hartford on keyboards, Andrew Ouellette on guitar, Nate Tavares on guitar, Kelly Medeiros on bass and vocals, mentored by their drummer
Dennis King.
An original hard rock/ heavy metal band featuring Dave Lazz on guitar and song composition, Sue Dussault-Eddins on vocals and lyrics, Paul Bucacci on drums, Eric Lemay on bass and
A “Rock/Modern Rock/Hard Rock/Metal”cover band with Mike Tee on vocals, Randy Stone – Guitar/Vocals, Jamie Monast on guitar, Steve Xenopoulos on bass/vocals and Spazz Manian on drums/vocals.
An original metal band starring James “Victor- Mortis” Adams on lead guitar/ vocals,
Marco Leva on drums, Fague on bass and Joshua McLaughlin on guitar.
Rock ‘n Rhode Fest 3
09/27/2021. Venue: Tavern on the Hill in West Greenwich, RI, Raised money and awareness for Operation Stand Down RI. Event Coordinator: Kate Carroll, Adam Leipf, Joseph Thibault and Mark Wayne Farias, Eric Tier. Vendor Coordinator: Mena Raso. Emcee: DJ Gadget and WWRI 105.5 FM, Stage Managers: Joseph Thibault and Chris David. Sound Engineer/ Lighting Engineer/ Back-lines: Chris David of Amped Up Concert Productions. Photographer/ Videographer: Mark Wayne Farias and Joseph Thibault. Volunteers: Tammy D’Antuono, Joyce Hill Bastien, Adam Leipf, Pauline Ouillette King, Chelsea Williams, and the helpful staff of Tavern on the Hill. Vendors: The Roller Queen, My Heart Designs & Handmarks Jewelry, O’Scare-A Art by Cayte Major, Peace Poppy Unique Art and Gifts, Carol’s Colors, RhoDyeLand, Twisted by Ken, Salty Bath Shop, Crazy Critters Crochet, Kelly’s Kloset, Gone Crafty Desserts, Crafts by Ali, Anchor Threads Embroidery Inc., Love Life Gifts, Bark Avenue Pet Boutique, Color Street/ MK by Dayna, Athena’s Novelties with Denise, Crafty Creations, Jeanette’s Crafts, Susan’s Sweet Treats, Handmade by Sophia, Okees Amusements Food Truck with Lu Ann Rossi, The Sheet Lady- Sheets & More by Shirley, Scentsy by Alison, Car Seat Ponchos by Kelsey, Reiki Gifts by Chelsea, Doggy Bandanas and Bows by Bethany, Miscellaneous by Carol, Personalized Items by Sandra. Sponsors: Amped Up Concert Productions, WWRI 105.5 FM Radio, Karen Proffit.
“Fronted by 2 female vocalists, All Over brings the party and keeps the dance floor going all night long. Featuring Frances Terry on vocals, Holly Tomlinson on vocals, Bill Toth on guitar, Thomas Bullock on guitar, John Pina on bass and Anthony Fontaine on drums.”
