PORTSMOUTH — Members of the Common Fence Point Improvement Association invite the community to join them from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 28, for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the newly renovated and reopened CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center. 

The center, formerly known as the Common Fence Point Community Hall, is located at 933 Anthony Road.

Following the 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting on the steps of the building, the public is welcome to participate in activities both indoors and out.

Entering the hall, visitors will be welcomed by representatives of some of the program providers whose educational programs can be experienced at CFP Arts, including CFP Zumba, Newport County YMCA, Common Fence Music, CFP Art and Aquidneck Singers. 

Visitors can sample a ballroom dance lesson with Dancing the Dream Productions’ instructor Sue Young, or participate in a bit of “instant theater” with Portsmouth Community Theater. The Gallery at Common Fence Point will be presenting its “Best of CFP show,” a collection of photographs with a neighborhood theme. All artwork sales will support continuing work on the center.

Across the street from the hall in the CFP Park, the Newport County YMCA will host a bounce house for children. Food trucks McCray’s Seafood, Castaway Gourmet, and Sarcastic Streets will also be onsite selling lunch items and treats. Visitors are invited to spread out picnic blankets in the park, or sit inside at provided tables.

Free parking is available across from the CFP Arts, Wellness & Community Center. The hall is fully accessible. 

The building renovations have been funded in part by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the Van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Newport County YMCA, the Champlin Foundation, the Spier Family Foundation and BankNewport. 

Common Fence Music

Later that night, Common Fence Music returns home after a year on the road to kick off its fall concert series with front man Woody Pines and his band.

With his catchy rhythms, jumpy lyrics, and wildly delirious sense of fun, the Nashville troubadour is known for the kind of raise-the-rafters, boot-shakin’ jump blues that used to be banging out of juke joints all over the South in the late 1940s. 

Having traveled all over the streets of the United States and Europe, road testing his songs and “hillbilly boogie” sound, Woody draws from the catchiest elements of the music he loved, adding in hopped-up vintage electrification to get that old country dancehall sound down right. 

Keeping with the spirit of the event, BBQ pulled pork sandwich plates and country-style pie will be available from the CFM kitchen in addition to its signature selection of baked goods and beverages. For those who prefer to carry in their own fare, this event will be BYOB and picnic.

The show starts at 8 p.m. Doors will open to CFM members at 7 p.m., and at 7:15 p.m. for non-members. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, $10 for CFM members. Tickets and information may be obtained at CommonFenceMusic.org and will also be available for purchase at the door.