Did anyone else hear that? [Rumbling noise] I can’t tell if it’s fireworks, soccer fans, or the herd of some 100 elephants we have coming our way. This wild week, it could be any of the above, my friends. And as your loyal 401 Fun columnist I have all the details for you on all that and much more. Let’s ride.
GO FOURTH AND HAVE FUN
In case you’re reading this on July 4, I’ll mention some fun highlights happening tonight:
SPECIAL FOURTH WATERFIRE: We have a full WaterFire tonight, baby. Onshore programming and vendors start at 6:30 p.m., sunset at 8:24 p.m. Pyres lit until 11 p.m. A few highlights: Find food fairs on Canal Walk from 6:30 to 10 p.m.; find R1 Indoor Karting on Canal Street at the same time. See a display of some 50 American flags flying along the river on Memorial Boulevard. Catch performances by fire spinners from Cirque de Light. The Starry, Starry Night installation returns to Memorial Park near the Crawford Street Bridge; add your light to the night by wishing on a star or dedicate a luminaria candle lantern. Providence. Full details here.
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HARBOR LIGHTS: Newport celebrates with fireworks over Newport Harbor 9:15 p.m. on July 4. The city suggests best viewing from a “westward facing spot along Newport Harbor.” Popular viewing locations include Perrotti Park, King Park, and Queen Anne Square. They note that parking will be limited before the fireworks. Visitors are encouraged to use the city’s public parking lots. Details here.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN FUN: The Annual South Kingstown 4th of July Celebration kicks off 5 p.m. on July 4 a at Old Mountain Field, (831 Kingstown Road, Wakefield.) Fun includes live music, food, 50/50 raffle, kids activities and fireworks around 9 p.m. Details here.
YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND: Calling all jamgrass fans, Yonder Mountain String Bands, which includes Massachusetts native Adam Aijala, jams at Westerly’s United Theatre on July 4 for a special concert. As of this writing, tickets are still available. Go go go. 8 p.m. From $38.50. 5 Canal St., Westerly. Details here.
SEE R.I.’s DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE
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The State Archives will be open for special Independence Day hours on the Fourth of July so the public can view Rhode Island’s three copies of the Declaration of Independence.
“Rhode Island is fortunate to have three magnificent copies of the Declaration of Independence, and it is a special experience to see them up close and in person,” Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore said.
According to the secretary of state’s office, the Declaration of Independence was first printed in the Philadelphia print shop of John Dunlap on the evening of July 4, 1776, after being approved by Congress earlier that day. On July 6, 1776, a copy was forwarded to Governor Nicholas Cooke of Rhode Island. On July 12, 1776, Solomon Southwick, printer for the Newport Mercury, received payment for reproducing 29 copies for distribution to town clerks. In January 1777, a second printing of the Declaration was authorized and given to Connecticut native and printer Mary Katharine Goddard of Baltimore. The second printing is significant as it made public for the first time the names of each signer. And the William J. Stone engravings of the Declaration of Independence were ordered by the US Department of State and through a joint resolution of Congress.
From 10 a.m. to noon, the State Archives will display its three versions of the Declaration of Independence: the Southwick Printing (1776), the Goddard Printing (1777), and the Stone Printing (1823). 33 Broad St., Providence. Details here.
THE GREAT ELEPHANT MIGRATION
Humans are not alone on this planet. Sometimes we need that reminder. Starting July 4 and through Sept. 6, a herd of some 100 life-size Indian elephant sculptures are migrating to Newport, presented by Art&Newport.
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The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraiser to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race to share space, according to its website. The sculptures were made by a community of 200 indigenous Indian artisans from the Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan and Soliga tribes in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, according to their website.
The herd begins its United States migration in Newport. The city suggests parking at Easton’s Beach and walking to Memorial Boulevard or taking the RIPTA trolley down Bellevue Avenue: Viewing is best along the Cliff Walk, where the 52-elephant display is taking place at Salve Regina University’s McAuley Hall, The Breakers, and Rough Point, according to their Insta. Learn more here, here and here.
‘INDEPENDENCE DAY,’ SHARKS AND ABBA
Watch Netflix on your iPad all winter. Summer is for outdoor big screens, and Misquamicut Drive-In has summer blockbusters screening all weekend. Celebrate Independence Day with “Independence Day.” Catch “Jaws” July 5, “Grease” July 6, and “Mamma Mia” July 7. Just add Twizzlers. Bring your crew — it’s $25 per carload. Gates open 6:30 p.m. Previews at 8 p.m; movie at 9 p.m. 316 Atlantic Ave., Westerly. Details here.
SOCCER TIME
Rhode Island FC, the state’s very own pro men’s soccer team, takes on Indy Eleven July 5 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. At Beirne Stadium at Bryant University. 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. Details here.
LOOK UP
No matter where you live in Rhody, you’re within driving distance of fireworks this week. Make sure to check sites here in case of rain. A full list of where to see fireworks could could be another entire article, but here are some highlights starting July 5:
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Escobar’s Farm in Portsmouth announced on Facebook that they’re hosting their annual fireworks display July 5 at 9:15 p.m. 133 Middle Road, Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, just over the border in Attleboro, Mass., it’s a 25-minute laser show on July 6 at 9 p.m. “Friendlier to neighbors, pets and the environment,” according to billing, the lights show is over the Attleboro High School Football Field. Gates open at 7 p.m. with food trucks, music and activities. Sit on the bleachers, or directly on the field with a blanket; they ask no chairs on the football field. 1 Blue Pride Way.
Jamestown celebrates July 7 at East Ferry Memorial Square, with music starting at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Details here.
Dan McGowan highlighted more fireworks displays in a recent edition of his Rhode Map newsletter.
PAINT NIGHT
Whether you’re Picasso or … not, head to Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. in South Kingstown for “I Suck at Painting” night. Grab a drink, a brush, and have fun as an art instructor guides you. Show up decked out in red, white and blue. Awards will be given out for best outfit, and “worst” painting. Must purchase in advance. $30 includes drink and materials. 21+ Arrive by 6:45 p.m. 1425 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown. Details here.
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM
First food that comes to mind during fireworks season? Ice cream. We mapped a trail of 130 here, and some more highlights here.
¡ALGUIEN MÁS!
¡Alguien Más!, the ninth production in Trinity Rep and Rhode Island Latino Arts’ bilingual summer theater program, Teatro en El Verano, opens July 6. The play, by Dustin Thomas, is based on “You Never Can Tell” by George Bernard Shaw. According to Trinity’s billing, Shaw’s 1897 play “gets a 2024 telenovela twist. For as long as they can remember, the Calderon siblings’ father has been a mystery — until they unknowingly invite him to lunch. Mistaken identities and miscommunications fly throughout this comedy of errors featuring a colorful cast of characters. A farce about forgiveness and moving forward.”
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Teatro en el Verano stages free, English-Spanish bilingual productions at various outdoor venues in Rhode Island. All performances are free. BYO chair or blanket to sit on the grass, set up a picnic, and enjoy the show. This week’s schedule: July 6: Jenks Park, Central Falls; July 9: River Island Park, Woonsocket; July 11: Dexter Park, Providence. For details, full schedule and rain dates, see here.
DOUGLASS IN THE GARDEN
These words are worth the drive, no matter where you live. Bristol’s Linden Place Mansion invites Rhode Islanders to attend “Frederick Douglass: A 21st-Century Reflection on ‘What to The Slave Is The Fourth of July’” on July 7 at 2 p.m. The program includes a reading of Douglass’ powerful 1852 speech. If you can’t make this reading, I’d urge you to read this yourself. Free. 500 Hope St., Bristol. Details here.
RIVERFIRE KICK-OFF
Here in Rhody we love to combine fire and water. Aside from PVD’s WaterFire, we have Wakefield’s annual RiverFire. The summer tradition of “free live music concert events every Thursday evening” kicks off July 11, running through Aug. 8, 6-8 p.m. in downtown Wakefield. According to billing, expect live music on Main Street and The Contemporary Theater outdoor stage. Find local vendors and artisans along the river, Main Street and the Contemporary Theater. They encourage arriving early to enjoy the fires along the river that are lit at 6:30 p.m. 317 Main St., Wakefield. Details here.
BEATS FROM THE IVORY COAST
FirstWorks Summer Beats Concert Series kicks off the season with the Ivory Coast’s Dobet Gnahoré at Roger Williams Park Bandstand July 11 at 6 p.m. A 2010 Grammy winner for Best Urban/Alternative performance, Gnahoré is touring on her new album, “Zouzou” which just dropped last week. The bilingual singer uses her music to pay “tribute to the women of today and tomorrow and aims to use her words and image to empower a new generation of daring, strong and independent African women,” according to FirstWorks billing. Learn more here. Get a sense here and here. Free. Roger Williams Park Bandstand, Providence. Details here.
TAYLOR SWIFT PLANT NIGHT
Because Taylor Swift. Yup, Pawtucket’s Smug Brewing hosts “Plant Night: Taylor’s Version” July 12 in honor of the Westerly resident. (What, no night for Travis?) Your $65 ticket gets you: one drink ticket, “1 disco ball planter and hardware for hanging,” planting materials, and “Taylor Swift themed accessories.” The night includes a planting lesson, drinks and, likely, meeting some new Swiftie pals. 7-9 p.m. 100 Carver St. Details here.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: ONGOING FUN …
TROOPTOP THURSDAYS: ‘Tis the season for a rooftop beer garden. WaterFire Providence’s TroopTop Thursdays rock the top of WaterFire Arts Center. Each week (except July 25) you can catch the sunset, and the current exhibition, 5-9 p.m. Expect tunes, snacks, beer and wine. 475 Valley 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 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. Providence. Details here.
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 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 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.
Until next week, Rhody: Keep rockin.’
Lauren Daley can be reached at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @laurendaley1.