Mayor Brett Smiley Announces Full Festival Schedule, Return of LUV U BETTER Block Party to PVDFest

Earl Bright & Elevated Choir to perform with Big Freedia

PROVIDENCE, RI - Mayor Brett P. Smiley and the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism today announced that stay silent will return to PVDFest on Friday, September 18, with the free LUV U BETTER Block Party from 5 to 10 pm at the Providence Rink. Launched in 2015, LUV U BETTER is an all-R&B party featuring DJ sets that move through different eras of R&B, soul, dance music, and contemporary influences in hip-hop.

Saturday night headliner Big Freedia will welcome Earl Bright & Elevated Choir to perform with her during her set, which begins at 8:30 pm on the Plaza Stage. This collaboration builds on a PVDFest tradition of bringing Providence artists together with nationally and internationally recognized performers. The choir, which has shared its music with the Providence community for many years, will also perform on Saturday at 12:40 pm on the Plaza Stage.

"PVDFest brings people together to experience the creativity, energy and cultural diversity that make Providence special," said Mayor Brett Smiley. "With new extended hours and the full schedule now available, residents and visitors can begin planning their weekend and discover everything this year's festival has to offer."

The full schedule for PVDFest is now available online, giving attendees a complete look at this year's performances, events and activities. This year, pre-PVDFest events are also planned for Thursday, September 10 at the Strand and Thursday, September 17 at the Providence Rink.

Mayor Brett Smiley recently announced that PVDFest will offer extended hours until 10 pm on both Friday and Saturday, giving festivalgoers more time to enjoy live music, performances, food, art and cultural experiences throughout Downtown Providence.

Produced by stay silent, Friday's LUV U BETTER event will feature Slick Vick, King Marie, Mozes, Charlie Tunes and Where's Nasty, bringing the best of R&B to the Providence Rink, which will also host the PVDFest Bar throughout the festival. Since 2012, stay silent has been a defining voice in New England arts, culture and music. The creative company and platform produces events, design and editorial content spanning hip-hop, R&B, contemporary African, Caribbean and Latin genres, as well as global club music.

"We are excited to be running back our signature R&B party series LUV U BETTER to downtown Providence for the LUV U BETTER BLOCK PARTY on Friday, September 18th as part of PVDFest 2026," said Sabrina Chaudhary, co-founder of of stay silent. "The event is free and open to all ages, so bring out the family!"

Maker Spaces and Cultural Heritage Groups will also return to PVDFest this year, offering opportunities for attendees to meet local artists and makers, explore creative work and experience cultural traditions represented across Providence's communities.

PVDFest will take place Friday, September 18, from 5 to 10 pm and Saturday, September 19, from 12 to 10 pm. Road closures and a festival map will be released in the days leading up to the event. The complete performance schedule and additional festival information are available at PVDFest.com.

PVDFest is made possible with support from the City of Providence, Providence City Council, Providence Tourism Council, WM, Boston Globe Rhode Island, iHeartMedia Providence, ProvPort, Waterson Terminal Services LLC, WPRI, Citizens, Dimeo Construction Company, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, America News, Loyal, Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses, Rhode Island Design Center, Amica Insurance, SURV, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Legacy Collective RI, GatherWealth Investment Management, Neptune, Insomnia Cookies, Hey Rhody Media Co., Rhode Island Monthly, Johnson & Wales University, Stifel, The MUSE Foundation of Rhode Island, Santander, FeedRI, and The Autism Corner.