A Capitol Fourth and more on Rhode Island PBS

Live on Rhode Island PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, A Capitol Fourth - America's favorite Independence Day celebration - will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country's best-known musical artists, topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. Twenty television cameras will be stationed around Washington, D.C. to capture the sights and sounds of the concert, making at-home viewers feel like they are front and center for the show on July 4 starting at 8 p.m.

This year’s A Capitol Fourth on Rhode Island PBS welcomes back host Tom Bergeron, the two-time Emmy Award-winning television personality (Dancing With the Stars), and stars music legend Barry Manilow. Back by popular demand following his powerful debut performance on the show in 2009, Manilow will lead an all-star cast, including Candice Glover, the Season 12 winner of American Idol; country music artist and American Idol winner Scotty McCeery; actor and singer Darren Criss (Glee); musical prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho; Broadway and television star Megan Hilty (Smash); Broadway’s new hit Motown The Musical; and five-time Academy Award-winner John Williams conducting music from the Oscar-winning blockbuster Lincoln, with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. 

In celebration of America’s 237th birthday, the show will be capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with live cannon fire provided by The United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now an A Capitol Fourth tradition. Also participating in the event will be The Choral Arts Society of Washington, along with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C. 

A Capitol Fourth will be rebroadcast on Learn at 9:30 p.m. on the 4th, and then on Saturday, July 6 at 12:30 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS.

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Rhode Island PBS Commemorates Independence Day 2013

July 4 

7 p.m. - Bristol's Fourth of July: A Celebration of History and Independence

8 p.m. - A Capitol Fourth 2013

9:30 p.m. - 3, 2, 1 Fireworks

July 6

12:30 a.m. - A Capitol Fourth 2013

2 a.m. - 3, 2, 1 Fireworks

noon - 3, 2, 1 Fireworks

12:30 p.m. - A Capitol Fourth 2013

7 p.m. - (Rhode Island Stories) Bristol's Fourth of July: A Celebration of History and Independence

July 7

11 p.m. - (Rhode Island Stories) Bristol's Fourth of July: A Celebration of History and Independence

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WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable services: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable services: Comcast 819HD, Verizon 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 7776.

WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; on cable: Cox 808, Verizon 478, Full Channel 89, Comcast 294 or 312.