SUGGESTED $10 DONATION
Miantonomi Park
120 Hillside Ave. Newport, RI
ABOUT THE FILM: Before Coachella and Woodstock, there was Newport. From 1963 to 1966, the Newport Folk Festival catalyzed America’s youth, creating a forum for the protest song to grow, for a generation to find its voice, for Bob Dylan to evolve from political balladeer to leather-jacketed rock n’ roller. Newport & the Great Folk Dream is an immersion into these years, told by those who were there—including Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, the Freedom Singers. Like the festival itself, this film uses the draw of the stars to expose a thrilling range of American musical styles—Gullah Island gospel, stinging delta blues, ancient-sounding milling songs of Cape Breton—what Variety describes as “a broad and exquisitely chosen swath of the music” that conveys a society where democracy embraces diversity. From award-winning filmmakers Robert Gordon and Joe Lauro, and drawn entirely from rare and previously-unseen archival footage, Newport & the Great Folk Dream shows how music can illuminate struggle, inspire courage, and stir passionate controversy.
Photographs will be taken at this event. Images may be used by newportFILM for promotional purposes.
Please visit our 2026 newportFILM outdoors FAQ Page for more info!
| 5:00 PM: | Venue Opens |
|---|---|
| 6:20 PM: | Live Music by Randy Robbins |
| Pre-film Conversation: | Robert Gordon (Director) |
| 8:00 PM: | Film Begins |
| Food Vendors: | Newport Sushi Co, Boru, Ben and Jerry's, Wiener Wagon, Ja Patty |
| Rain Venue: | Rogers High School (15 Wickham Rd, Newport, RI); Please note that though our weekly film screenings do not require a RSVP, the back up rain venues are more limited in capacity than our outdoor venues. Please note that your RSVP does NOT guarantee a seat in the event that we move indoors due to rain. Seating is first come, first served and we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the start of film. |
| Parking: | Limited parking will be available on site |
| Run time: | 99 min |
| Directors: | Robert Gordon |
| Producers: | Joe Lauro, Robert Gordon, Laura Jean Hocking |
| Executive Producers: | Dan Braun, Josh Braun, Bruce Feldbaum, Robert Gordon, Joe Lauro |
Outdoors 
