The Ocean State is in full summer mode now. Dragon parties, parades, food fest (that’s plural), our first WaterFire, a seaside art trolley, and Joe Pera. I’ve rounded up only the best for you, neighbors. Let’s ride.
ISLAND FILM FEST
The sixth Annual Block Island Film Festival runs now through May 31. A variety of a dramas, comedies, thrillers, and documentaries will be screened at the Block Island Maritime Institute, and Champlin’s Marina & Resort, according to the fest’s press release; screenings followed by filmmaker Q&As. Tickets are available at the door prior to screening, according to website. Short films: $7 (Includes Q&A); short film block: $8; feature film and spotlight film: $10 (Includes Q&A.) Schedule and details here.
‘90s PARTY WITH DRAGONS
In case you’re reading this Thursday: ‘90s kids, beeline to Roger Williams Park Zoo for “Sip & Stroll: Battle of the Bands ‘90s Night” May 30. According to billing, the 21+ set will rock out to a live ‘90s themed Battle of the Bands and get a chance to compete in costume contests. Bonus: Your ticket even includes access to explore the Dragons & Mythical Creatures experience. I’ll be the one singing Counting Crows songs with a monkey. 5:30-9 p.m. $18. 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Details here.
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LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Trinity Rep concludes its season with the Tony-winning musical “La Cage aux Folles,” with book by Harvey Fierstein, music by Jerry Herman, and directed by resident company member Taavon Gamble. The play centers on drag club owner Georges, and his husband, Albin, who performs at the club. “Hijinks ensue” when Georges’ son becomes engaged to the daughter of a homophobic politician and Georges tries to hide his sexuality, according to billing.
Gamble says on Trinity’s website: “In many ways, the conversations within this show seem more present than ever as we fight to hold on to our constitutional rights, and to combat systemic racism and discrimination against those with differing gender and sexual identities. It’s about acceptance, respect, and everyone being able to say ‘I am what I am’ with dignity and pride.” May 30 is a pay-what-you-wish preview. Regular nights from $24. Through June 30. 201 Washington St., Providence. Details here.
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PRIDE GALA
June is Pride Month, and on May 31, Rhode Island celebrates with the Hope Gala Rhode Island at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol from 5:30-10 p.m. According to billing, the “night of celebration and support” includes food and live entertainment. Formal attire is requested. Proceeds to benefit Newport Pride. Ticket includes h’ors d’euvres, open bar, dessert bar and dancing. $125. 101 Ferry Road. Details here and here.
EAST PROVIDENCE PRIDE
EP kicks off Pride Month with a parade and celebration June 1. It starts at 10 a.m. with flag-raising and remarks at City Hall. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. from City Hall to Pierce Field. Then it’s a celebration with performances, food and art vendors from noon to 3 p.m.. Free. 145 Taunton Ave., East Providence. Details here.
FREE RISD EXHIBITION
Catch RISD’s annual graduate thesis exhibition “RISD Grad Show 2024″ at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Halls C & D through June 1 from noon to 5 p.m. According to billing, it includes work by students in Architecture, Ceramics, Design Engineering, Digital + Media, Furniture Design, Glass, Global Arts and Cultures, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, Jewelry + Metalsmithing, Landscape Architecture, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Teaching + Learning in Art + Design and Textiles. Free. 1 Sabin St., Providence. Details here.
ITALIAN FOOD FEST
Foodies, rev your engines. Federal Hill, Rhody’s own Little Italy, hosts its 5th Al Fresco on the Hill on Saturdays now through Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight. People can stroll the avenue and sample food from local restaurants and shop at retailers set up outside. There will also be live entertainment and artistic performances. Details here.
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SUMMERFEST IN PAWTUCKET
Summer starts now in Pawtucket. The Guild, a craft cooperative brewery and beer hall, hosts its 2nd Summerfest June 1 with food trucks, local live bands, “your favorite cookout foods, lawn games, and more,” according to billing.
$5 designated driver included unlimited soft drinks. $20 general admission includes souvenir cup, your first pour — and sunglasses to the first 150 guests. 2-10 p.m. 461 Main St. Details here.
TREE POSE
If you’re yoga curious and love plants, you might try “Intro to Yoga at Plant City” June 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Join your neighbors for a “judgment-free introductory yoga class. You’ll delve into the origins of yoga, discover mindfulness practices you can incorporate anywhere, and learn physical postures aimed at cultivating strength, flexibility, and inner peace,” according to billing. Class is $15 — the plant-based foods aren’t included, but you might want a post-yoga brunch while you’re there. $15. BYO water and mat if you have one. They’ll have extra. $15. 334 South Water St., Providence. Details here.
FIRST FULL WATERFIRE OF THE SEASON
Beep beep beep! This is not a drill, neighbors, I repeat, this is not a drill. WaterFire season is upon us. Since the dawn of time, each summer, Rhode Islanders join together and light pyres to that great Coffee Milk in the sky, toasting with strawless Dels and hoping for a good clam cake season… or something like that. A few highlights of Saturday’s event:
Fire-spinning performances, live music, an origami master, a living statue. The Starry, Starry Night installation returns to Memorial Park. Find food fairs on Washington and College streets and Canal Walk. Trinity Brewhouse pops up on the corner of Canal and Steeple and the corner of Canal and Washington from 6:30-10 p.m. Find Escape Rhode Island and R1 Indoor Karting on Canal Street from 6:30-11 p.m. Sunset is 8:14, lighting at 8:30 p.m. All details here.
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THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF BRASS MUSIC
… Clouds Hill in East Greenwich will be on June 2, anyway. BYO picnic and lawn chairs for “four centuries of music for brass instruments” as the Narragansett Brass Quintet rocks hits from Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654) to George Gershwin (1898-1937). 3-4:30 p.m. $30, students free with school ID. Clouds Hill Museum. 4157 Post Road. Details here.
CAPE VERDEAN PROCESSION
The Tockwotton Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Place will “revive a cherished tradition” with a procession “to honor the 90th Anniversary of the St. Antonio Association and Cape Verdean contributions to RI,” on June 2, according to the group’s Facebook page. The theme: “Following In Their Footsteps.” Procession steps off at 1 p.m. from the corner of Benefit and Wickenden streets, and includes spoken word performances, drummers and more. Details here and here.
TASTE OF RHODE ISLAND
It’s not all coffee milk and quahogs. Warwick hosts the Taste of Rhode Island June 5 at Warwick’s Crowne Plaza. Local restaurants will feature their signature dishes, plus wine, beer and spirits, live music, photo booths and raffle. A partial list of participants, according to the website: Aquidneck Island Oyster Co., Cake Me Happy, Iggy’s Boardwalk, JA Patty, Legal Sea Foods, Narragansett Beer, Pasta Beach, Providence Brewing, Sarcastic Sweets, Seaworthy Coffee Roasters, Warwick Ice Cream, and many more. They warn this will sell out and tickets will not be available at the door. Advance tickets here. General admission $60. 6-10 p.m, 801 Greenwich Ave., Warwick. Details here and here.
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JOE PERA
Everyone’s favorite 35-year-old grandpa is bringing his slow and gentle comedy to The Strand June 6. Get ready to have the plain and obvious stated to you so slowly it’s oddly hilarious. His holiday special had me in tears. If you have HBO Max, “Joe Pera Talks to You” is a must-stream. Check out his full comedy special on YouTube here. See more Pera here. From $35. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. 79 Washington St. Details here.
ALL ABOARD THE ART TROLLEY
Well, this is awesome. Starting June 6, you can ride the Newport Art Trolley for free as you take in art in the City by the Sea. According to billing, the Art Trolley picks up art-lovers from Perrotti Park (adjacent to the Brenton Hotel) and tours participating galleries. See a gallery map here. More details here, and here.
ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S BAND
Close your eyes and The Suitcase Junket sounds like a four-piece rock-blues band jamming out. Open them, and he’s just one dude, Matt Lorenz, rocking weird, handmade, found-object instruments: a guitar he rescued from a dumpster — a drum fashioned from a gas can, a salvaged toy keyboard, a box of bones and silverware. He might hum into his guitar hollow for a buzzy, chamber effect. Might throat-sing, yodel or whistle.
“I was always a dabbler. Eventually in college I realized I wasn’t someone who was going to become the best at any one instrument. I didn’t have that kind of brain,” he told me previously. See it to believe it June 7 at 7 p.m. at the Jamestown Arts Center presented via Newport Live. 18 Valley St. $35. Details here; learn more here.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. ONGOING FUN…
DRAGONS AT THE ZOO: Kids can explore “Dragons & Mythical Creatures” at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Billed as an “immersive experience featuring over 60 life-size animatronic wonders.” Through Aug. 11. Not included with regular zoo admission. $9 ages 2 and up. Under 2 free. 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Details here.
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS: Weather permitting, some 15 local food trucks park at Roger Williams Park at 5 p.m. each Friday through Sept. 27. Bring a chair or blanket and soak up live tunes from local artists, jump on the carousel, hop the train ride. Free admission; pay for what you eat. 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Details here.
ERIK ROCK, GRETA GRANITE AND THE THUNDERSTONE: In case you missed the unveiling last weekend, it’s officially Troll Time in Rhode Island. Renowned trash artist and recycle activist Thomas Dambo’s two trolls in Ninigret Park are now open to the public.. 5 Park Lane, Charlestown.
FOOD AND ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR: Food, art, and architecture come together for Downcity Providence Food Tours, noon to 3:30 p.m., on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November. Get an insider’s view of creative and lively Providence during a tour lasting more than three hours over 1.7 miles. Discover some of the city’s award-winning restaurants, its hidden art and historic architecture. Tickets $76-$94 per person. 1 Ship St., Providence. Details here.
BROWN’S ART WALKING TOURS: Brown University now offers free public art walking tours led by Brown students every weekend. Learn about Brown’s public art collection with a 40-minute student-curated tour, exploring six works of art. All tours are outdoors, rain or shine. No registration required. Meet up at 1 p.m. On Saturdays, meet at the Eli Harvey sculpture, Bronze Bruno, on the College Green (79 Waterman St.) On Sundays, meet at Tom Friedman’s Circle Dance, on the Campus Walk. Tours run weekends through Nov. 17. Map and all details here.
GREEN ANIMALS: Watch out! It’s an elephant! And a bear! And an ostrich! … Sorry, they’re plants. Yup, the Preservation Society of Newport County’s Green Animals Topiary Garden is open for the season, featuring some 80 topiaries in the shape of animals and designs — and loads of flowers — on the 7 acres. BYO Picnic. 380 Corys Lane, Portsmouth. Open daily 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Tickets sold in packages with house tours. Details here.
FOOD TOURS: Foodies, Rhode Island Red Food Tours offers tours now through November. Wear your comfortable shoes for a 1.7-mile walking tour. ($76 per person, or $94 per person with alcohol.) Or join a Newport Neighborhood Food Tour May 17, or Downcity Providence Food Tours May 17. All details here.
INSIDE “THE GILDED AGE”: Newport Mansions hosts guide-led tours based on HBO’s Emmy-winning series: Their “Inside ‘The Gilded Age’ Tour” is now updated for Season 2. Take an epic nearly four hour guide-led tour of locations where the Emmy-winning period drama was filmed, according to billing. Through June 28. 1:15 p.m. $250 non-members. Pick up and drop off at Gateway Transportation Center, 23 America’s Cup Ave. Details here.
IN “DOUBT”: Theater-lovers: “Doubt: A Parable” wraps up the Gamm Theatre’s 2023-24 season. John Patrick Shanley’s 2005 drama won both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play and makes “for an intriguing, thought-provoking production,” according to a Globe Rhode Island review. At the Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick. Through June 2. Tickets from $25. Details here.
Until next week, Rhody: Keep rockin.’