“Music is essential for a community’s spirit”
Music plays an essential role in uniting communities and serving as their soul. The much-anticipated 4th annual River City Rhythm & Rock Festival is just around the corner, with a deadline for vendor and performer registration set for July 15. This free event taking place on August 30 from 2 to 10 p.m. at Riverfront Park in Fitchburg celebrates cultural diversity, uplifts emerging artists, and fosters unity in North Central Massachusetts through the power of music and art.
Derek Craig, the CEO and Founder of CoFF33 Corp, who collaborates with Fitchburg Creative Program Support Coordinator Audrey Pendleton-Chow to organize the festival, emphasizes the importance of providing a platform for voices that may not typically be heard on big stages. The goal is to showcase artists who reflect the local community and offer emerging talents the opportunity to perform with professional sound and lighting in front of a real audience. Through this event, the community discovers the abundance of talent present within their midst, often eliciting surprise from attendees who were previously unaware of the artistic richness in Fitchburg.
The festival’s inception in 2022 was the brainchild of Noel Plouffe from Thurston Consort, who, along with Craig, aimed to address the lack of prominent stages for local artists to exhibit their skills without leaving the city. Supported by the Mass Cultural Council, Fitchburg Creative City Partnership, and funding from MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation, the annual event aligns with the TDI Creative Cities initiative to stimulate arts-based economic progress in the region.
Musicians representing various genres, including hip-hop, jazz, R&B, rock, pop, and funk, will once again grace the stage at this year’s festival, promising a diverse musical experience for attendees. Alongside the musical performances, local food vendors, craft brewers, artisans, and businesses will showcase their offerings, creating a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and community engagement. The event also features a family-friendly area designed to cater to people of all ages, ensuring that everyone can partake in the festivities.
As Craig aptly puts it, “Music is the soul of a community.” He highlights how witnessing artists from the local neighborhoods succeed can expand the horizons of young individuals, showing them what is possible. Music also has the power to bridge divides and bring people together, fostering shared experiences that emphasize our common humanity. In a region as diverse as North Central Massachusetts, the festival serves as a platform to celebrate different cultures, stories, and experiences that enrich and strengthen the community.
The collective impact of the festival is profoundly meaningful to Craig, who finds inspiration in witnessing artists’ transformative journeys on stage. Whether it is the joy on a first-time performer’s face as they step onto the main stage or the cross-generational exchanges happening backstage, the festival facilitates connections that transcend age and musical preferences. Most importantly, the event serves as a conduit for children to explore new sounds and for parents to recognize the talent present in their local artists, fostering a sense of pride and appreciation within the community.
Craig finds immense gratification in elevating local talent through the festival and is delighted by its continued growth and impact on the community. The platform provided by the festival enables artists to showcase their work and forge valuable industry connections that extend beyond regional boundaries. The event’s ability to remain free for families is a testament to the support from sponsors and community partners who share the belief in the festival’s mission. By showcasing Fitchburg’s remarkable talent and the community’s unwavering support, the festival stands as a proud symbol of unity and artistic excellence.