PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley and the City of Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with founding producing partner FirstWorks, today announced the headliner and grand marshals for PVDFest, the City’s signature celebration of art, culture, and community, that will take place on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, September 7. PVDFest 2025 will once again transform Downtown Providence into a dynamic, open-air stage filled with music, dance, food and immersive art experiences that reflect the vibrancy of the Creative Capital.
Headlining Act: Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti / France)
Haitian-born singer and Vodou priestess Moonlight Benjamin blends fiery Caribbean melodies with gritty 70s blues-rock, creating a powerful and rebellious sound all her own. Nicknamed “The Caribbean Patti Smith” by The Guardian, she channels the spirit of artists like Alabama Shakes, Dr. John, and Oumou Sangaré, delivering raw, electric performances worldwide.
Praised by legends like Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) and Iggy Pop, Moonlight Benjamin has toured globally and earned acclaim from The Guardian, New York Times, Songlines, and more. Her music is a fierce, soulful incantation that is equal parts rock, resistance, and ritual.
“As founding partner of PVDFest, FirstWorks curates the festival year after year with a mix of Providence’s own creative stars and electrifying talent from across the globe — a combination that reflects our city’s unique role as a meeting place for local brilliance and global artistry,” said Kathleen Pletcher, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of FirstWorks. “On September 6, ‘the Caribbean Patti Smith,’ Moonlight Benjamin, will unleash her powerhouse voice on the PVDFest main stage at City Hall, joining our sparkling local‑global lineup to ignite the heart of our city’s biggest celebration.”
In addition to the globally renown Moonlight Benjamin, Saturday evening of PVDFest will also feature anchor performances by women whose talents are celebrated locally and nationally, including Eshawnee, Becky Bass, and DJ Lady Ruck.
PVDFest 2025 Grand Marshals
“I’m thrilled to announce this year’s PVDFest Grand Marshals, who embody the spirit of creativity, community, and cultural pride that defines Providence,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “We are honored to celebrate the leadership and legacies of Agonza, Ramona Bass-Kolobe, and Chip Douglas during the Creative Capital’s biggest arts and cultural event.”
- Agonza is a celebrated Hispanic/Latin muralist and painter whose vibrant, community-rooted artworks enliven public spaces and honor diverse narratives across Providence. Agonza also hosts the PVDFest Mural Battle, where local artists will compete in a live paint-off that engages and electrifies the crowd.
- Ramona Bass-Kolobe is a storyteller, singer, and founding member of Rhode Island Black Storytellers and Rites and Reason Theatre. Ramona is known by many by her stage name The Watermelon Lady and has celebrated African diaspora culture through story and song since 1972.
- Chip Douglas is a Providence-based creative, curator, and radio host who has spent over two decades producing events and platforms that celebrate artists, storytellers, and community voices. Through his work as a host, speaker, and mentor, he empowers others to tap into their inner creativity and build lasting legacies.
PVDFest Grand Marshals will lead the People’s Parade down Washington Street to City Hall on Saturday afternoon. Parade registration is still available for cultural heritage groups and nonprofits, who are invited to sign up on the festival’s website.
Vendor Announcements
- Frog & Toad joins PVDFest this year with special-edition 2025 tshirts, stickers, and a commemorative poster, all are available online and at PVDFest. Proceeds support the festival and are designed by local artist Michael Ezzell.
- Haus of Codec will join PVDFest again this year with their Illuminated Night Market in Burnside Park on Friday, September 5 beginning at 5:00 pm.
- BLKMKT will return to PVDFest on Saturday, September 6 from 3:00-6:00 pm in the Mathewson Street lot.
- The PVDFest Market, curated by Juicy Market, will return to PVDFest on Washington Street and Burnside Park on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
In total, more than 200 vendors, artisans, and community groups will be on this year’s festival footprint. Visit pvdfest.com for the latest updates and announcements.
Sponsors
PVDFest is made possible with generous support from the City of Providence, Providence City Council, Providence Tourism Council, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, iHeart Media, Boston Globe Rhode Island, WM, ProvPort, Waterson Terminal Services LLC, WPRI Media Group, America News, Frog & Toad, Citizens, Breeze Airways in partnership with Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, Dimeo Construction Company, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Amica Insurance, SURV, Heritage Restaurant Group, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Insomnia Cookies, Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara LLC, Bank of America, GatherWealth Investment Management, Cornish Associates, Stifel, First Bristol Corporation/Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites, Santander, Rhode Island Monthly, Hey Rhody Media, BankNewport, The MUSE Foundation, The Foundry, Providence Place, Hall of Grafx, RI Housing, and Seven Hills Rhode Island. Sponsorships are still available; visit pvdfest.com for more information.