HOP A TROLLEY
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.
42nd ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF HISTORIC HOUSES
History buffs, take note: PVD celebrates its annual Festival of Historic Houses on Saturday, but tickets should be purchased in advance; sales end June 7 at noon, according to the website. Presented by the Providence Preservation Society, the fest — June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — offers self-guided tours of historic homes and gardens in the Mount Hope neighborhood, including Larch Street, Ivy Street, Forest Street, and Catalpa Road, according to website. GA $70. Details and tickets here.
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BIG PRIDE FLEA
June is Pride Month, and PVD has the second annual Big Pride Flea June 7 from 5:30 -9:30 p.m. According to their Insta, “it’s an opportunity for us as a gay-owned business to showcase our fellow LGBTQ+ vendors and allies, own the joy in our existence, and celebrate our differences and each other during Pride month.” 10 Sims Ave. Details here.
And read our guide for more events across Rhode Island throughout Pride Month.
PACK A SUITCASE
The Suitcase Junket sounds like a four-piece rock-blues band jamming out. But he’s just one dude. Matt Lorenz rocks 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. 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.
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TOM CRUISE AND THREE WITCHES
Stream flix at home anytime. Summer nights are for the drive-in. Misquamicut Drive-In screens cult-classics “Hocus Pocus” June 7 at 9 p.m., and “Top Gun” June 14 at 9 p.m. Just add Junior Mints. Bring your crew — one ticket per carload. $25. Gates open 6:30 p.m, previews at 8 p.m. 316 Atlantic Ave., Westerly. Details here.
SOCCER TIME
Get your Ted Lasso on. The Ocean State now has a pro men’s soccer team, Rhode Island FC, and this week they take on Louisville City FC June 8 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. At Beirne Stadium at Bryant University. 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. Details here.
2nd ANNUAL PVD PORCHFEST
We’re doing it again. The East Side turns into a full-on campus of concerts June 8 with the 2nd Annual Providence Porchfest. From 11th Street to Angel Street, Camp Street to Freeman Parkway, porches will become stages, and local musicians will rock a neighborhood. From 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., catch dozens of shows. The fest is free. The only goal is good vibes. There’s no food or beer stands per se, so they encourage you to support local eateries and pubs. Fest is rain or shine. Let’s rock, PVD: This is how you grow community. Schedule, lineup, map and more here.
BE THEIR GUEST
Be their guest: If you live in Newport County, or work in the hospitality industry, you score free admission to over a dozen Newport attractions June 8-10. Residents of Jamestown, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton are included in this offer, according to the Preservation Society of Newport County. Participating spots include: The Breakers, The Elms, Rosecliff and Green Animals Topiary Garden, Newport Art Museum, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Greenvale Vineyards, Newport Vineyards & Winery, Redwood Library & Athenaeum and more. Visitors must show proof of residency or proof of hospitality employment. See all details here.
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WHOSE LINE IS IT, ANYWAY?
I’m a sucker for improv, so this looks awesome. At the Ocean State Improv Festival, now through June 9 in Wakefield, catch performances showcasing “performers from all over the world.” You can also try it yourself: According to their Insta, there are still spots for daytime classes and workshops. Individual show tickets from $25; workshops from $40. At Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main St., Wakefield. Details here.
KIDS CON
School’s almost out for summer, and if the kiddos are already climbing the walls, let ‘em get their recess on at Kids Con in Cranston June 8 from 4 to 10 p.m. Billed as an evening of fun at “RI Night Market at Mulligan’s Island,” expect activities, games, and entertainment for kids of all ages,” expect “kid and family vendors, interactive workshops… arts and crafts,” food trucks and the like — plus, kids can meet Bluey. $10. At Mulligan’s Island Golf & Entertainment, 1000 New London Ave. Details here and here.
CHOCOLATE AND WINE
Name a more iconic duo, I’ll wait. Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth hosts the class of your dreams with “Corks + Cocoa. You’ll taste six combos — perhaps Vidal Blanc and Chocolate & Chèvre Truffle, or Pinot Gris Ramato with Citrus Goddess Orange Cream Chocolate Truffle — to learn “the art of pairing two of life’s most indulgent pleasures…This class is designed to elevate your palate and expand your appreciation for the amazing synergy between wine and chocolate.”…I feel like I’m gonna get an A here. June 8, 1-3 p.m. 21+. $89. 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth. Details here.
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WESTERLY BLOCK PARTY
Westerly’s Grey Sail Brewing kicks off summer with a block party June 8. Expect a new beer release, live music from noon to 7 p.m., free pint glass engraving for the first 24 people, axe-throwing from 1-3 p.m., Vetrano’s wood-fired pizza, and adult and kid-friendly lemonade bar, according to their Insta. Noon to 8 p.m. Grey Sail Taproom. 65 Canal St., Westerly. Details here.
WOONSOCKET PRIDE FEST
Woonsocket Pride Fest on June 9 features six hours of “drag performances and local artistic talent, speeches from community leaders, food trucks and vendors, tables for local organizations, a performance with the LGBTQIA+ flags,” and more, according to billing. Noon to 6 p.m. at River Island Park. 40 Island Pl., Woonsocket. Details here.
TROOPTOP THURSDAYS RETURN
‘Tis the season for our rooftop beer garden season. WaterFire Providence’s TroopTop Thursdays return to rock the top of WaterFire Arts Center starting June 13 and running every week through Aug. 29, except July 4 and July 25. See lives performances and art. There will also be fund-raisers for different nonprofit organizations depending on the night. Each week, you can catch the sunset, and the current exhibition, 5-9 p.m. Expect snacks and local beer and win. The featured nonprofit receives a portion of the profits from Troop’s special co*cktail. This week, the nonprofit is Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council; with performances by DJ Olive Girl. In The Gallery: “When I Get Home” by the 2023-24 WaterFire Accelerate Cohort. 475 Valley St., Providence. Details here.
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ON THE FARM WITH BILL HARLEY
Yes. I’m in. But if you need more details… Pat’s Pastured in Greenwich hosts “Music + Dinner at the Farm” with Bill Harley June 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Billed as “a celebration of our community, this land, and the food we grow,” the dinners also feature live music and an opportunity to visit with the farm animals. Adult dinners include Pat’s Pastured grass-fed burger, homemade veggie burger, or two Pat’s Pastured hot dogs; seasonal side salad and beverage. Kids dinners include a choice of Pat’s Pastured hot dog or mac and cheese, chips and beverage.
I’m among the legion of Rhode Islanders who grew up on Harley’s music. “50 Ways to Fool Your Mother” and “You’re In Trouble” were my ride-to-school staples. A former Providence resident and member of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, Harley started singing for kids in Providence some 40 years ago. Along the way, he won two Grammys and wrote 15 books. Bring your kids to either meet their fave musician, or introduce them to this local legend, who lives in Seekonk.
“Seekonk, we don’t quite know where we fit. I lived in the capital, moved five miles, and that got me out of the state,” he told me previously. Kids $15, adults $30. 830 South Road, East Greenwich. Details here.
JUNETEENTH BLOCK PARTY
Kin Southern Table + Bar hosts their 4th Annual Juneteenth Block Party June 14 from 5 p.m to 1 a.m. Expect food, specialty co*cktails, games, live entertainment and dancing, according to billing. Admission $5; kids 12 and under free. 71 Washington St., Providence. Details here.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. ONGOING FUN…
‘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 hom*ophobic politician and Georges tries to hide his sexuality, according to billing. From $24. Through June 30. 201 Washington 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 hrough 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.
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.
Until next week, Rhody: Keep rockin.’
Lauren Daley can be reached at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @laurendaley1.
