Morning Notes: Kenny Loggins to appear at newportFILM’s ‘Conviction of the Heart’ screening

Published On: July 18, 2025

Good morning, Newport! Today is Thursday, July 17, the 198th day of 2025. There are 167 days left in the year.

🎶 On this day in 1954, the first Newport Jazz Festival, then known as the American Jazz Festival,

was held at the Newport Casino

. The two-day event featured academic panel discussions and live music performances from Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lee Konitz, Eddie Condon, and many more.

🚨 You need to know

Grammy-winning music icon Kenny Loggins will make a special appearance at newportFILM’s outdoor screening of “Conviction of the Heart” on Thursday, July 24th at the Newport International Polo Grounds in Portsmouth. The documentary, which chronicles Loggins’ remarkable 50-year career journey from a shy, unpopular kid to the creator of what many call “the Soundtrack of their Lives,” will be preceded by a pre-film conversation featuring the legendary artist himself alongside director Dori Berinstein, moderated by Variety’s Addie Morfoot.

The timing of Loggins’ Newport appearance is particularly fitting, as he’s scheduled to perform at the sold-out Newport Folk Festival the following day, Friday, July 25th. The documentary screening offers fans an intimate look at the man behind classics like “Footloose,” “Danger Zone” from “Top Gun,” and “I’m Alright” from “Caddyshack,” exploring his artistic genius, gift for collaboration, and remarkable resiliency throughout decades of reinvention in the music industry.

“Conviction of the Heart” takes viewers deep inside Loggins’ creative process, featuring backstage and onstage footage from his 50th Anniversary Reunion Concert with Jimmy Messina at the Hollywood Bowl, as well as personal revelations about his challenges as a rock star dad and husband. The 93-minute film includes insights from music industry luminaries, including Clive Davis, Michael McDonald, Richard Marx, Melissa Manchester, David Foster, and Kevin Bacon, painting a comprehensive portrait of an artist who has remained relevant across multiple generations.

The family-friendly outdoor event begins at 5:00 PM with venue opening, followed by live music from Dan Burke at 6:45 PM, the pre-film conversation, and the 8:25 PM screening. Food vendors, including Ben and Jerry’s, Rising Tide BBQ, and Java Jai Coffee Co., will be on-site, with picnics allowed and on-site parking available. The suggested $10 donation event is described as bike-friendly, though dogs are not permitted at the venue.

For more details on the event,

click here

Here’s what else you should know

🗓️ On this day in 2020, civil rights icon John Lewis, whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress,

died at age 80

👉 Aquidneck Islanders will

gather in Washington Square

this evening to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Congressman Lewis’s passing as part of a nationwide “Good Trouble Lives On” day of action.

🚘 The classic cars of tomorrow from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s (along with retro fashion and Jay Leno!) were on full display at the Audrain Youngtimers event at McAuley Hall. WUN’s Vernoica Bruno was there and has a

recap and photo gallery

🗓️ On tap this week/weekend: Newport Classical, Newport Dance Festival, Save the Bay Swim, Newport Beer Run, Lobster Muddy Festival, and more.

Full Roundup

📰

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