So you might’ve heard about two little sold-out festivals happening this week, called [checks notes] Newport Folk Fest and Newport Jazz Fest. Didn’t score tix? Fear not, neighbor. As your 401 Fun columnist, I can tell you there’s so much going on in the Ocean State this week. Let’s ride.
‘STARTS AT SUNSET’ WATERFIRE
In case you’re reading this July 25: we’ve got a “Starts at Sunset” tonight. WaterFire brings live music and “art activations” to the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial bridge beginning at 7:30 p.m., according to billing. Sunset is at 8:10 p.m., five braziers will be lit at 8:15 p.m. and burn until 10 p.m. Plus beer garden, treats, WaterFire merch and more. 365 South Water St. Providence. Details here.
BLESSING OF THE FLEET FEST
It’s three days of peace, love and blessings at the Narragansett Lions Club’s annual Blessing of the Fleet Fest, which runs July 25-27, with the actual Blessing on July 27. The fest’s 10-miler on Friday is sold out, but feel free to cheer on the thousands hitting the pavement.
According to the website, the fun kicks off at 4 p.m. July 25 with Felix Brown Band playing 6:30-9:30 p.m. ($5 fee to music area.) Expect food vendors, games, rides, and 21+ beer tent, according to billing. On July 26 and 27, the fest runs the same hours — 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.— with no entry fee for the music area to see Heavy Rescue at 6:30 p.m. on July 26, and a $5 fee to see Those Guys at 7 p.m. on July 27. Memorial Square, Narragansett. Details here.
The actual Blessing of the Fleet starts “noonish” July 27 according to billing. It’s a parade of commercial and recreational watercraft, large and small. Boat decorating is optional, captains. A tradition started in 1972, read about the Blessing’s origins here. Salty Brine State Beach Parking Lot, 254 Great Island Road, Narragansett, adjacent to the Breachway. Details here.
KITCHEN DANCE MUSIC
If you’ve never heard of Kitchen Dance music, get ready to have your eyes and ears opened — and bring your dancing shoes. Kitchen dance music is indigenous to the Cayman Islands — think Zydeco, folk, blues, and Celtic fiddle — and for the last 21 years, Swanky Kitchen Band has been on a mission to keep it alive.
According to the band’s website, the genre boasts violin-centric roots that trace back “to the Irish and Celtic fiddling traditions brought to the Cayman Islands by its earliest permanent settlers. But the driving pulse of the music comes from the vibrant rhythms brought across by” enslaved peoples from Africa.
The 9-piece plays a free show in Providence as part of FirstWorks Summer Beats concerts. Hit up Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park July 26 — and learn a new genre of music that will have you dancing in the park (and in your kitchen later.) Free. 6 p.m., Roger Williams Park’s Dalrymple Boathouse Lawn, 1000 Elmwood Ave. Details here and here.
FRINGE FINALE
There’s still time to catch the 11th Annual Fringe PVD, now through July 27, featuring an eclectic group of outside-the-box artists and performances at various venues across Providence. There’s a jam-packed day-by-day schedule on their site. 475 Valley St. Providence. Details here and here.
JOAN BAEZ READS
If you didn’t snag tickets to Newport Folk Fest where Baez is reading — or if you did, and want to see her again — the living legend reads from her revelatory new book of poetry at the Jane Pickens Theatre July 29 at 6 p.m.
Baez, 83, only recently revealed her diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder, a coping mechanism after burying childhood abuse by her father. She talked to me about it, and how these poems in her 2024 collection, “When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance,” developed.
Stories like these need to be shared. Baez told me, “The more they’re aired, the more people are able to say, ‘She lived through it. I can live through it.” This should be powerful. Doors 5 p.m., Baez at 6 p.m. $55. 49 Touro St., Newport. Details here.
FALL DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date! … I’m not late for this event, just quoting that silly White Rabbit because “Alice in Wonderland” is popping to life in Bristol. Bring the kiddos to Coggeshall Farm on July 27 for a “Characters on the Farm Day” with an “Alice” theme. Meet Alice, the Queen, and the Mad Hatter, snap pics, try on props, plus themed activities and crafts, according to billing. Sign up for timed entry: 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m or 2 p.m. $15 adults, $8 ages 4-17; free under 4. 1 Colt Drive. Details here.
RHODY FC HOSTS NORTH CAROLINA
Rhode Island FC, the state’s very own pro men’s soccer team, takes on North Carolina FC July 27 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. At Beirne Stadium at Bryant University. 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. Details here.
ASSEMBLY OF FOOD TRUCKS
Food trucks: Assemble! (Yes, I said that in a super hero voice.) Food trucks are flocking to Burrillville’s Assembly Theatre July 28. Nosh the night away against a gorgeous backdrop: by the banks of the Nipmuc River, and where nearby Harrisville Pond cascades over a stone dam, according to billing. (I’m in.) BYO chairs and blankets, and build your own picnic from some 65 food trucks, plus beer and wine. Attendance is free, just pay for what you eat and drink. 26 East Ave., Burrillville. Details here.
COLD CHOCOLATE
Sounds good right about now —the treat, and the band. Catch the Boston-based duo at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum’s Music at Sunset series on July 31. The Americana/folk/bluegrassy chocolatiers might cover Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis,” or Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon,” and their own stuff is solid. BYO picnic, chairs or blankets and hear some music by the bay. Adults $18. Kids 5-17 $6. 101 Ferry Road, Bristol. Learn more about event here and band here.
OYSTER FARM TOUR
You’ve likely seen Matunuck Oysters on a New England restaurant menu. How did they end up on your plate? Learn how as you tour the oyster farm. Tours begin at Matunuck Oyster Bar with a discussion about aquaculture and fisheries. Guests then visit the shellfish farm in Potter Pond and see different species of shellfish in various stages of growth. From $26. Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m. 629 Succotash Road, South Kingstown. Rain or shine. Details here.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT THE AMP
OK, this looks to be an absolute trip of a night. It’s Cirque du Soleil, and they’re all bugs. It’s called “OVO” and it’s headed to PVD’s AMP Aug. 1-4. The pictures here say a thousand words. (And the trailer speaks volumes.) According to AMP’s billing, OVO portrays a new day in the life of insects, a non-stop riot of energy and movement, including a ladybug love story and Cirque du Soleil’s signature high-level acrobatic acts.
I have no idea what to expect and I need to see it immediately. Six shows run Aug. 1-4. Prices vary. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. Learn more here and here.
RHODE READS
I’m a lifelong book lover and want to spread the Ocean State literary love. Rhody is so packed with talented authors and books, I started a subsection of this column, Rhode Reads.
Don’t miss bestselling author Marjan Kamali on her latest, “The Lion Women of Tehran” at Barrington Books on July 27 at 3 p.m. Born in Turkey to Iranian parents, Kamali now lives in the Boston area. This is a sweeping story taking place over decades in Tehran. 184 County Road, Barrington. Details here.
I got a sunburn reading Curtis Sittenfeld’s “Romantic Comedy” at the beach last year — could not put it down. If you missed it, read it now, and if you loved it, meet the author of the New York Times bestseller and Reese’s Book Club pick before it hits the big screen. Sittenfeld joins the Rhode Island Center for the Book and Salve Regina University’s Pell Center for a “Seaside Chat” July 30 at 6:30 p.m. BYO beach chair and blankets. Free. 16 Ochre Point Ave., Ochre Court, rear lawn, Cliff Walk side, Newport. Details here.
I recently interviewed Westport, Mass., author Dawn Tripp on her latest, “Jackie,” on former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Tripp discusses “Jackie” July 31 at 7 p.m. at Barrington Books. 184 County Road, Barrington. Details here.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: ONGOING FUN …
THE GREAT ELEPHANT MIGRATION: See a herd of some 100 life-size Indian elephant sculptures in Newport, presented by Art&Newport through Sept. 6. 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 according to their website. 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. Learn more here, here and here.
BLACK HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Educate yourself. Until now, the personal narratives and experiences of enslaved individuals in late 18th-century Newport have been largely unknown. Their voices highlight a new tour and exhibit that illuminate “the untold history of early Black Americans” and its widespread, ongoing impact in Rhode Island. Tours Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at 10 a.m. through Nov. 30. $20 adults; $10 kids 12 and under. Departs from the Pilot House at 13 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport. Details here.
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM: July is National Ice Cream Month, and we mapped a trail of 130 great spots to get ice cream in Rhode Island here. See some highlights 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.
Until next week, Rhody: Keep rockin.’
Lauren Daley can be reached at ldaley33@gmail.com . Follow her on Twitter @laurendaley1.
Lauren Daley can be reached at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @laurendaley1.