by Diane Brady

We arrived at dusk in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, at Water Place Park along the Providence River.

“The music started low, and as the sky darkened it began to sound like part of an ancient Celtic ritual.”

The music started low, and as the sky darkened it began to sound like part of an ancient Celtic ritual. A boat rounded the curved shoreline, with a figure dressed in black beating a gong. This was followed by other black boats with black-clad crews holding torches and lighting the braziers that seemed to float on the water. The fires multiplied as people lined the shore, almost as if waiting for a sacrifice to come into view in an ancient rite.

WaterFire began in 1994 as a fire sculpture installation by Barnaby Evans, a local artist. In 1996, he created his second fire installation at an arts festival. When residents kept asking to see the piece again WaterFire Providence was organized to continue staging the event. In 1997, the Providence Journal proclaimed it the most popular work of art in the city’s history.

A popular addition to the event is the Sovereign Plaza “ballroom.” On certain WaterFire evenings, there is dancing under the stars on a polished black dance floor located in the heart of the financial district, very near the river, in front of the Sovereign Bank.

Dance lessons are offered ahead of time and featured dances include ballroom, swing, Argentine tango and salsa.

Does WaterFire have any significant meaning? The artist said he just wanted people to enjoy the beauty — and indeed we did!

WaterFire began in mid-May and continues through mid-October.

WaterFire: www.waterfire.com.

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