3rd annual Meshanticut cultural placemaking Confestival

08.20.25 - 08.24.25

Produced by the Providence Cultural Equity Initiative.

Sponsored by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

donations

meshanticutconfestival@provcei.org 401.264.6120

The Meshanticut Cultural Placemaking Confestival is free and open to the public.

Meshanticut Living culture festival

Curated by Donald W. King and Gabriel Alexis, and rooted in local and diasporic traditions, the Living Culture Festival is a genre-defying daylong music and culture experience that showcases live performances and artistic expressions that vividly embody and celebrate the community-driven values of the Confestival.

RSVP

WHAT IS THE MESHANTICUT CONFESTIVAL?

A conference that convenes local and international stakeholders to network and develop best practices in Cultural Placemaking.

A Living Culture Festival that demonstrates Cultural Placemaking principles in action.

A mechanism for promoting other Cultural Placemaking Initiatives in the Greater Providence area.

Confestival MISSION

Confestival Rationale

Confestival MISSION

To advance the cultural tourism sector by

stimulating interest and investment in Cultural Placemaking as an ethical and sustainable marketing and economic development strategy.

CONFESTIVAL GOALS

Confestival Rationale

Confestival MISSION

Foster relationship building within the international cultural tourism sector.
Present speakers, workshops and networking opportunities that inform Cultural Placemaking best practices and the public.
Present interactive experiences that embody Cultural Placemaking principles and strategies.

Confestival Rationale

"Cultural tourism represents a global market of approximately $7 billion annually. The Confestival is PCEI's flagship initiative to engage the international cultural sector and economy to leverage a greater portion of this market for the Rhode Island economy."

Raymond Two Hawks Watson President/CEO

Videos

Invitation for confestival

Raymond Two Hawks Watson President/CEO is officially invites you to "MESHANTICUT CULTURAL PLACEMAKING CONFESTIVAL."

Cultural placemaking conference

A two-day event including keynote speakers, workshops, and workgroups.

Group ondas

Part of the Meshanticut Confestival, here to teach the history of capoeira and the origin.

Thanks to

Our sponsors and supporters

Events

Cultural Placemaking Conference

RESOURCING LOCAL INDIGENOUS FUTURES

Providence Public Library

150 Empire Street, Providence, RI 02903

(8.21.25 / 8.22.25) (8:30am – 4:00 pm)

A two-day event including keynote speakers, workshops, and workgroups.

Facilitates development of partnerships, strategies, and policies that promote and support the international Cultural Placemaking sector.

RSVP

RESOURCING LOCAL INDIGENOUS FUTURES

Rhode Island Foundation

1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903

(8.20.2025) (10:00 am)

A one-day workshop and symposium gathering for RI-based Indigenous leaders and local/regional funders to examine and catalyze funding for Indigenous-led cultural projects in RI.

Exploring how we can more effectively resource the ecosystems that nourish Indigenous-led cultural work.

Cultural Exchange Ceremony

RESOURCING LOCAL INDIGENOUS FUTURES

Placemaking Providence meet up

Providence City Hall

25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903

(8.20.2025) (6:00 pm)

Opening ceremony to lay the foundation for a productive series of discussions and events to follow.

Cultural exchange is key to establishing strong relationships and facilitating economic development opportunities internationally.

Placemaking Providence meet up

Cultural Acknowledgement Ceremony

Placemaking Providence meet up

AS220 Main Stage

115 Empire Street, Providence,

RI 02903

(8.21.25) (5:30pm - 7:30pm)

A networking event for placemaking professionals hosted by Placemaking.

RSVP

Cultural Acknowledgement Ceremony

Teatro ECAS

679 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02908

(8.22.25) (7:30 pm)

Event recognizing and honoring the contemporary culture bearers of the Meshanticut community.

Fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultural communities comprising Meshanticut while celebrating the contributions and resilience of its people.

Honorees include Silaphone Nhongvongsouthy, Richardson Ogidan, and Francis Parra.

Ondas Sonoras (Sound Waves)

Cultural Acknowledgement Ceremony

Oakland Beach

Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886

(8.22.25) (7:30 pm)

A ceremony commemorating the memory and abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade while highlighting the cultural ties that connect Rhode Island to Africa and South America.