Weekend Best Bets

It’s all about families this weekend in the East Bay area. On Friday, meet up at the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth for a party filled with magic, jugglers, pony rides, balloons and much more. Also in Portsmouth, the 84^th annual Saint Anthony’s Feast is taking place Thursday to Sunday, at the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club. Four days of food, comedy shows, dancing and music are a great way to fill your weekend. And don’t forget about the oldest Italian heritage festival in Rhode Island taking place on the Bristol Town Common: the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast. There will be lots of food, as well as live music and fun activities for the kids. 

Bring the family this Saturday and Sunday to experience a multitude of different cultures through art and performances at the Cultural Survival Bazaar at the Four Corners Art Center in Tiverton. It’s free admission to experience the arts, crafts, clothing and jewelry from the indigenous artists around the world.

Express your love of adventure on Adventure Sundays at the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown. Each week focuses on a different activity, like bird watching or a scavenger hunt, and is exciting for all ages.

For the grown-up crowd, the performances of Boston Marriage will satisfy a desire for theatre and comedy. Teens and adults will enjoy this funny tale of two friends at the turn of the century, presented the Roger Williams University Performing Arts Center in Bristol.

Even more satisfying is the Beer Tasting with Adam Malano from Craft Beer Guild on Saturday. If you’re over 21, come down to the Grapes and Grains in Barrington for a tasting from this local brewery. 

In Newport this week, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is hosting the Campell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. Come see some of the best tennis players compete in the only men’s pro tournament in the Northeast. All the action ends on Sunday. 

The Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series is in full swing at the Newport Yachting Center. Enjoy a night full of rock music on Friday as Los Lobos takes the stage at 8pm, with two bands opening at 6pm and 7pm.

Discover why Rhode Island used to be called “Rogue’s Island” back in colonial times during the Rogues and Scoundrels Historical Walking Tours around Newport. Learn where pirates pilfered and scoundrels made their livings, as well as what happened to them when they were caught and punished.

A fantastic sea of colors will be in the sky over the Brenton Point State Park during the Newport Kite Festival. It’s free admission to all of the demonstrations and exhibits in the park on Saturday and Sunday. There is also a number of family and children’s activities throughout the day, including face painting, laser tag and races. 

Close the weekend up with a laugh. Famous comedians Dennis Miller and Bill Burr will be performing at the Newport Yachting Center on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Don’t miss the chance to see either of these comedians live and up close this weekend.

In Providence, the Brown and Trinity Playwrights Rep is opening its first weekend of plays on the 11th with the show Principal Principle, a dark comedy about what goes on in the high school teacher’s lounge. At the Southside Cultural Center on Friday, the Providence Improv Guild’s Improv-extravaganza features groups See You Next Tuesday and Bounce-Prov, along with musical guest Hannah Devine. Opening on Thursday at the Butcher Block Mill is Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; produced by the Wilbury Group, it's a rock-musical comedy about America’s controversial seventh president.

On Friday, the Fete Lounge is featuring the Chifferobe Side Show with mentalist Rory Raven, dancers, jugglers, tarot card readers and the chance to be blown away by the musical styles of LA’s Vaude & The Villains. Speaking of awesome music, Providence Sound Session is back for another summer, starting this Thursday. Focusing on local talent, Sound Session has stages all around the city so the streets will be rockin’ all the way to Sunday. If classical music is more your style, Opera Providence has you covered with its Summer Concert Series. On Sunday, visit the Hopkins Park Square for a concert with The 3 Tenors. 

Finally, don't forget to enjoy $15 lunches and $30 dinners at any of the 40 participating restaurants during Providence Restaurant Weeks. Try some places you’ve never been for a huge discounted price until Saturday July 21.