FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACT: Bronwyn Dannenfelser

September 20, 2015

401.640.4038

Bronwyn@waterfire.org

WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE ANNOUNCES DETAILS  

FOR SEPTEMBER 26th FULL LIGHTING:

Chinese Culture Night at WaterFire - Celebrating the 11th Anniversary of the Confucius Institute, & A Salute to RI Educators, and Innovation in Education: A Showcase of Success in Rhode Island!

PROVIDENCE, RI - WaterFire Providence is excited to announce the details for the next full lighting on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 . The full lighting is sponsored by Webster Bank, the Confucius Institute and US-China Institute at Bryant University, and Lifetime Medical. Sunset is at 6:38 PM. The fires will be lit shortly thereafter and burn until midnight. The lighting will be kicked off by a 100 torch Ring of Fire.

WaterFire welcomes back longtime sponsor, Webster Bank. "Season after season, WaterFire brings people from all walks of life together, in celebration of all the things that make Providence a great place to work and live. It's a monumental undertaking, and Webster is pleased to have played a role in it for the last eight years,” says Robert Twomey, Regional President of Webster Bank.

WaterFire is excited to welcome back longtime supporter and 2015 season sponsor Lifetime Medical. For over 35 years Lifetime Medical has provided dedicated Registered Nurses and Home Health Aides to tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders. If you would like your loved ones to be safe and independent at home, we're the agency for you. Lifetime Medical...Home Care you can trust. Lifetime Medical is currently hiring and will have a tent on Canal Street during WaterFire at which you will be able to learn more and apply for open positions.

Chinese Culture Night at WaterFire is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the US- China Institute. The US-China Institute and the Confucius Institute at Bryant University will be joining WaterFire all evening long! Headquartered in Beijing, China, the Confucius Institute is a global education network dedicated to teaching Chinese language and culture, and promoting understanding on China worldwide. “The U.S.-China Institute and Confucius Institute at Bryant University are proud to be a sponsor of WaterFire Providence. This year we are celebrating the 10 Year Anniversary of the U.S.-China Institute, and will share our diversity with the community through promoting Chinese language and cultural heritage.”Dr.Yang

The US-China Institute and Confucius Institute will be sharing Chinese Culture all evening long:

• 5:00 PM – 10:00pm: WaterFire guests are encouraged to visit Steeple Street to learn about all of the incredible facets of Chinese Culture abroad and right here in New England through interactive displays, exhibits and a Tai Chi practice area.

• 5:20 PM - 6:40PM: Prior to lighting The Confucius Institute will be hosting very special performances highlighting Chinese culture and performance art including a Chinese Dragon Dance performance on the basin stage in Waterplace Park.

WaterFire Salutes Rhode Island Educators: The Rhode Island Department of Education

(RIDE) will be recognizing the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year as well as 75 additional

distinguished Rhode Island educators at WaterFire this Saturday. The commended educators will

gather to be recognized in a ceremony taking place at Memorial Park.  Education Commissioner Ken Wagner will speak as well as the Teacher of the Year. Starting at 6:20 PM., teachers will be participating in a torch procession from Starry, Starry Night to the basin for the lighting of WaterFire. A very special thank you to Bananagrams and Thames & Kosmos who will be supplying each of the 75 distinguished Rhode Island Educators with full game sets for their classrooms.

Innovation in Education: WaterFire Showcase of Educational Excellence located at Market Square from 6 -11PM, WaterFire will host an inspiring display of exhibits and interactive projects showcasing Rhode Island Talent and Students.

The International Association of Lighting Designers New England Annual Convention is presenting two student projects, which will be the lighting of the Irish Famine Memorial installation and a Shadow Play performance on Amos Street Alley, next to the RISD Auditorium after dark.

Power up with National Grid! National Grid charging stations will be located throughout the event on September 27th. Stop by and charge up your smart phones and other electric devices so that you can capture all of the incredible sights at WaterFire.

Visit the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza located on Washington Street, which will feature a dozen local artists and craftspeople, will be opening it’s doors to the public in the afternoon until 11 PM.

Don’t forget to step by Canal Street, where Dunkin Donuts will offer free product samples to refresh and enjoy.

WaterFire’s favorite characters are back for another enchanting evening.

• Ten31 Productions returns with their interactive living statues and gargoyles in Memorial Park shortly after lighting.

• Andrew Anselmo “The Origami Guy”

• Catch mime artist Michael Grando in costume as the Commedia dell’arte character Pierrot, as he cruises the river tossing carnations to visitors along the shore.

• Fire spinners Liz Knights and Andrew Lindsay will dazzle you with their breathtaking performances throughout the night.

Become part of the art and add your light to the night in the Starry Starry Night Installation in Memorial Park where you can wish upon a star or write your own personal dedication on a luminaria candle lantern. Visit the WaterFire Merchandise Store at Canal and Steeple Streets and mini merchandise and donations stations throughout the installation.

The Nursing Placement First Aid Station. Located on Washington Street, Nursing Placement will provide first aid care to the public at anytime during the event. The First Aid RV will also serve as a meeting place for missing children and their parents to reunite. Nursing Placement are also taking applications for new team members.

Upcoming WaterFire Providence dates for the 2015 season include October 3rd and November 7th. WaterFire is still looking for additional community support to add more dates to the 2015 season to continue making Providence a better place to live, work and visit. For information about sponsoring or supporting WaterFire Providence, please contact Bronwyn Dannenfelser, Director of Resource Development at 401-273-1155 or bronwyn@waterfire.org.

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WaterFire is an independent, non-profit arts organization whose mission is to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience, fostering community engagement, and creatively transforming WaterFire for all to enjoy. The powerful work of art is installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence as a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance. To learn more about WaterFire or make a donation visit http://watefire.org or https://www.facebook.com/waterfireprovidence.