About this Event
Newport Live and the Norman Bird Sanctuary are excited to kick off their 4th annual Summer Outdoor Concert Series with someone we first brought you in our opening year, fan favorite (and one of ours, too), Alisa Amador. Alisa is celebrating the release of her new album, Multitudes. Alisa's shows with us have been selling quickly, and with her winning Tiny Desk Concert of the Year since she was last here, we're sure they'll go fast...so grab your tickets now.
" It surely was a day of joyful tears. And those joyful tears for Alisa Amador, the winner of the 2022 Tiny Desk Contest, came at a time when she had been considering putting her music career on hold. For the staff of NPR and the Tiny Desk crew, it was our first Tiny Desk concert with an audience in over 800 days, and Alisa's captivating music surely intensified our spinning emotions. Alisa Amador opened with her Contest-winning entry "Milonga accidental," a song about embracing your contradictions. It's a song that our judges — iLe, Big Krit, Michelle Zauner (of Japanese Breakfast), Raveena, Nate Chinen (of member station WBGO), Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter and I — all found to be so filled with passion. I often fall for a song because of the lyrics, and this is the first Tiny Desk Contest winner whose winning song is in Spanish. " — Brian Boilen, NPR
Alisa grew up in Boston, Maine, Puerto Rico and Argentina, and was raised by Rosi and Brian Amador, her Latin-folk musician parents who play in the band Sol y Canto. She's been singing since she was four, and has been entering the Tiny Desk Contest every year since 2018. In 2022, she won! Tiny Desk Concert of the Year.
Alisa Amador is a connector. Her EP, Narratives, is a six-song snapshot in time. It’s a deep look at a person stumbling through life in two languages — English and Spanish — and in many states of mind about it all. Alisa’s crystal-clear vocals are so effortless throughout Narratives that it’s almost easy to forget how technically talented she is, until she moves from almost-spoken-word territory to a powerful chorus without hesitation or illustrates a repetitive refrain that’s so affecting it feels like you might want to live inside it for a little while.
“Shawn Colvin meets Joni Mitchell has lunch with Amy Winehouse meets Suzanne Vega add Diana Krall in a quiet unassuming never loud package even singing in Spanish and French.” — VANCE GILBERT
Alisa has been learning these lessons since she began performing as a backup singer for her parents’ bilingual Latin folk band Sol y Canto at age five. This is where her ease with performing comes from; she and her twin brother grew up touring extensively with their parents’ band. Through their high school years, Alisa and her twin were often crammed into a minivan or backstage, loading in and out, and passing time by making styrofoam puppets out of coffee cups and stirrers.
Alisa began playing classical guitar at age 10, inspired by her father, and eventually found the electric guitar a decade later. The new instrument was versatile enough to honor her many influences and styles. “I was 19, and playing it felt like coming home.” When listening to Alisa’s music, her time spent immersed in Latin folk and jazz is undoubtedly present in her own songs, written in both English and Spanish. But there is also pop, funk, soul, and something uniquely her own. Alisa’s specialty is sparking connection, across both listeners and musical styles.
“Alisa Amador is a pitch-perfect rendition of my wildest dreams.” — CYRENA TOUROS, NPR ALL SONGS CONSIDERED
About the Evening
Newport Live and Norman Bird Sanctuary present the third season in their "Summer Outdoor Concert Series" at the beautiful Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island. Tickets for this previously sold-out series will go quickly. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Beer from Ragged Island Brewing and wine from Newport Vineyards will be available for purchase along with soft drinks. Merchandise will also be available for purchase.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and ticket-holders are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy dinner on Mabel's Studio Lawn overlooking the fields and ocean prior to the show. Please note that outside drink is NOT permitted. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the Sanctuary's Barn.
About the Venue
The Norman Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center. All guests are asked to respect the following guidelines:
- Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited.
- Outside beverages and seating are not permitted.
- Dogs are not allowed.
Weather
All concerts will be held rain or shine. Be prepared for extremes such as sunshine, heat, wind, or rain. Dress accordingly. In case of rain, we'll meet you in the barn.
Parking
Please park in the main Norman Bird Sanctuary parking lot only.
Refreshments
A selection of beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No outside beverages will be permitted.
Disruptive and Improper Conduct
Participants are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and to refrain from conduct and language that would be offensive and/or disruptive to performers or other event participants. Participants who violate these rules may be asked to leave.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 3rd Beach Road, Middletown, United States
USD 35.00
