Valentine's Date Idea: Dr. John Show at the Park Theatre

, Feb. 14, the Park Theatre in Cranston will host a special Valentine’s Day show by Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. John. Returning to Rhode Island following his sold-out performance in late 2012, Dr. John is sure to dazzle once again with the high-energy music that has defined his award-winning career.

Following the show, there will be a New Orleans and Mardi-Gras-themed Valentine’s Day After Party at the Stage Door Lounge, located within the Theatre.

Universally celebrated as the living embodiment of New Orleans’ rich musical heritage, the unique sound of Dr. John, or Mac Rebennack as known to friends and family, combines awe-inspiring elements of blues, jazz, funk, rock and roll, and zydeco.

Following the launch of Rebennack’s colorful music career in the late 1950s—when he wrote and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City—a notorious gun fight forced him to give up the guitar and concentrate on organ and piano. Having perfected his craft, Mac soon became one of music’s most in-demand artists, playing on albums by Sonny and Cher, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, and the Rolling Stones’ infamous Exile on Main Street.

It was during this time he also launched his solo career, developing the charismatic persona of Dr. John. Adorned with voodoo charms and regalia, a legend was born with the breakthrough album, Gris-gris, which firmly established his unique blended sound with deep Creole roots.

Over the course of his career, Dr. John has brought home Grammy awards in 1989, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008 and 2013. In 2004, his musical love letter to the city of New Orleans, “N’awlinz Dis Dat or D’udda,” was recognized with the prestigious Académie Charles Cros 57ème Palmarès award in France. It was the first time in more than 30 years that an artist from North America received the award. In support of his home city, and following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Dr. John stepped-up to coordinate a number of benefit concerts while releasing the album, City That Care Forgot, which won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Today, after a half century of creating music for himself and others, including Carly Simon, James Taylor and Neil Diamond, Dr. John continues to write, arrange, produce and interpret with a passion that has yet to wane to the delight of audiences across the globe. 

Dr. John will take the stage of the Park Theatre at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55 and available by calling the Box Office at (401) 467-7275 or online at www.ParkTheatreRI.com.

The Park Theatre is located at 848 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910. Free parking is available for all shows.