Music and Arts on the Farm: Part 1

The Tautogs:

The Bristol, Rhode Island based Tautogs are musical duo Anita and Tom Weldon. They met in a traditional folk music community in the 1980s in Durham, North Carolina, and have been playing together ever since.

The music traditions they draw from include American fiddle tunes, English and Scottish ballads, Sea Shanties, English and Irish trad music, as well as tunes from Africa, India and the Caribbean. The traditional dance music of France and Britain made its way into their repertoire in the early 1990s. Over the years it’s become their primary focus. They perform in two different French/Breton folk dance bands, having played dances (referred to as “bal folk” in France) in North Carolina, Maryland, and New Hampshire. Most recently, with their group Bal Folk Prov, they have established a bal folk dance scene in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Nonetheless, they haven’t forgotten their roots. They continue to play songs and tunes from the great variety of cultures they have explored over the years.

Tautog instruments include mandola, banjo, accordion, French bagpipes, flute, penny whistle, and percussion. Mainly their aim is to entertain and delight, although they are always ready to answer questions about the music, and their intriguing instruments, with all of who are interested.

Plein Air Painting

Plein air painting is the practice of taking your art outdoors to paint what you see right in front of you. It became popular in the 19th century, and is still a beloved tradition today. Countless artists have headed out to the fields, forests, and beaches, realizing that there’s no better way to capture the energy and feeling of a moment than by being there in person.

Urban Sketchers is a global community of sketchers dedicated to the practice of on-location drawing. Keeping a thoughtful record of specific times and places through art, these artists tell the stories of their surroundings. They share their love for the places where they live and travel—one drawing at a time.

Bristol Immigration 1850-1940: A Complex and Beautiful Tapestry 

Immigration is a fundamental part of Bristol’s history. Our town has been profoundly shaped by immigrants.  

Bristol Historical & Preservation Society will be showcasing a sample of their exhibit, which will delve into which ethnic groups settled in Bristol and how they changed over time. They will discuss what these groups left behind in their home countries, how they travelled here, what their journey was like, and what they found here in Bristol when they arrived. They will also feature some of the history of the Port of Providence and the Fabre Line, which were important parts of the immigrant story for thousands of Rhode Islanders. Lastly, they will showcase the personal stories, artifacts, art, and history of various families who settled here in Bristol.  

We hope visitors leave here with a better understanding of Bristol’s immigrant history and the inspiration to learn more about their own families’ journey.