Free outdoor festival, concerts and exhibits coming up in September at the Narrows

FALL RIVER — The Narrows Center for the Arts jumps into its busy fall season with a new gallery show, a free outdoor festival and a killer lineup of concerts in September.

It all kicks off on Sept. 4 with the Narrows Music Festival. The free outdoor concert held at the Gates of the City will feature award-winning blues, soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland and local favorites Ward Hayden and the Outliers and Mark Cutler and Men of Great Courage. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and lawn chairs are encouraged.

The month's lineup of concerts features the following ticketed events:

Sept. 10 Todd Snider: The American Troubadour Tour

Troubadour, meaning an itinerant singer of songs, is a word that dates back centuries, and comes from the French verb “trouver,” which is to find. These musical wanderers would find and invent stories humorous and intellectual, romantic and earthy, performing them as they went from town to town. Troubadour is also the word that acclaimed musician-raconteur Todd Snider leans on to describe himself and his latest release, “Live: Return of the Storyteller.”

Sept.15  Ambrose Akinmusire

During his 15-year career, Ambrose Akinmusire has paradoxically situated himself in both the center and the periphery of jazz, most recently emerging in classical and hip hop circles. He’s on a perpetual quest for new paradigms, masterfully weaving inspiration from other genres, arts, and life in general into compositions that are as poetic and graceful as they are bold and unflinching.

Sept. 16 James Hunter Six

Over the span of 30 years, James Hunter has worked on the railway, busked in the streets of London, provided backup vocals and guitar for Van Morrison, played clubs and theaters all over the world, written scores of original songs, and recorded some of the most original and honest rhythm & soul albums of the last two decades.

Sept. 17 Richard Thompson

An iconic figure in British folk-rock, Richard Thompson is arguably the genre's greatest triple threat: a dazzling guitarist, an outstanding songwriter, and a strong and evocative vocalist. Thompson would have a seismic impact on both U.K. folk and rock, incorporating elements of traditional music in a way that sparked a new interest in authentic British folk.

Sept. 22  An Evening with Cowboy Junkies

Sometimes revolutions begin quietly. In 1988, Cowboy Junkies proved that there was an audience waiting for something quiet, beautiful and reflective. “The Trinity Session” was like a whisper that cut through the noise -- and it was compelling. It stood out in the midst of the flash and bombast that came to define the late 80's. The now classic recording combined folk, blues and rock in a way that had never been heard before and went on to sell more than a million copies.

Sept. 23  The Jayhawks

The incredible harmonies and distinctive arrangements of The Jayhawks set them apart from the rest of the Minneapolis music scene that emerged in the 1980s. Over the course of almost 4 decades, 11 albums, countless memorable live shows and enough personal drama to fill a couple of Behind the Music episodes, this beloved band soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans and peers in the process.

Sept. 29 Donna the Buffalo

Donna the Buffalo offers everything you want in a roots band -- songs that matter, a groove that makes you dance, an audience that spans generations, and a musical voice that evokes a sense of community.

ART GALLERY EXHIBITIONS

Sept. 10 to Nov. 5

“Three of a Kind”

Three artists who use a welding torch to create works of art. Each one has a different purpose, but all come out the same. They create art from metal in different ways. Musical instruments, statues, and hammered metal. A collection of found objects to untouched metal molded into art. Each artist is in a world of their own, but as they say, “All roads lead to Rome,” so here they are. “Three of a Kind.”

The Narrows Center for the Arts, located at 16 Anawan Street in Fall River, MA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Narrows exhibits visual artwork of every medium in two art galleries and houses a 430-seat concert space showcasing international, national and local performers of various musical genres. Offering arts educational programming, local school tours, artist studio spaces and free festivals for the community, the Narrows proudly presents an ever-growing access and fellowship in the arts. Visit: narrowscenter.org

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Narrows announces September concerts, festival and gallery shows