July 16: newportFILM Outdoors: Iris presented by Lila Delman Real Estate International
Join newportFILM on the Marble House Lawn for a screening of the fashion documentary, Iris! Plus a tribute to director Albert Maysles and picnic contest. Pre-film live music by Julio Amaro at 7:15pm. Tribute to Albert Maysles at 7:45pm. Film begins at sunset, followed by Q&A with Producer Jennifer Ash Rudick. Free popcorn. BYO picnic, chairs, blankets. Vendors on site with food for purchase. Rain Venue: St. George’s School, Madeira Hall, 372 Purgatory Road, Middletown, RI. Find the full summer schedule here
newportFILM.com
July 16: The Rusty Cheetahs Concert
The Rusty Cheetahs are making their first appearance at Ballard. Band leader Mark Quinn has played the quarry meadow stage several times and brings Billy “Duke” Oatway and BT Thomas with him this time around. The trio will play upbeat, light hearted rock ‘n roll music with Mr. Quinn on keys and singing and Mr. Oatway and Mr. Thomas on guitars and singing.
Seating is on the grass- bring a blanket or lawn chair and arrive 15 minutes prior to the performance to ensure a place to park and time to make your way down to the quarry meadow. Use Hazard Road entrance.
ballardpark.org
July 16: Ocean Mic Night at Jimmy’s Saloon
All musicians, DJs, producers, poets, storytellers & comedians welcome.
jimmysnewport.com
July 16: Live Music at Midtown Oyster Bar
No cover. Starts at 9pm.
midtownoyster.com
July 16: Live Music at Perro Salado
Live music with The HonkyTonk Knights from 9pm to 1am. No cover.
July 17-19: Black Ships Festival
The Festival is a family-oriented event, incorporating events for all ages. The Festival provides an opportunity to see, sample, and experience authentic Japanese arts, cuisine, performances, and traditions. Signature events include Martial Arts, a Tea Ceremony, the Taiko Drum Festival, Sushi & Sake Sail, Black Ships Gala and Japanese workshops and demonstrations. The annual Festival of Drums features Odaiko New England (ONE), one of the premier Taiko groups of New England.
blackshipsfestival.com
July 18: Live Jazz Saturdays at Greenvale Vineyards
Join Greenvale Vineyards for just a glass or taste each of our wine offerings. The whole family is welcome, even leashed pets. No reservations necessary, just come on by! Feel free to pack a picnic! 1pm-4pm. General Admission: $3.
greenvale.com
July 18: Women of Comedy
The whole she-bang: Jessica Casiano, Autumn Spencer & Christine Hurley. Three of the funniest women in comedy. 9pm at Newport Grand.
newportgrand.com
July 18: Ice Cream Social at Newport YMCA
Put on your swim suit, bring a towel, slip and slide on the beast (slide) and enjoy some Ben & Jerry ice cream ($1). 12pm-2pm at Newport YMCA.
July 19: Tribute to the Military
An exhibit of rare historic military memorabilia dedicated to those who valiantly fought for our countries freedom. 2pm to 4:30pm. Also on July 26.
tivertonhistorical.org
July 22: Jenkins Construction’s Music Month
Jenkins Construction’s Music Month closes with a double header on Wednesday, July 22nd with a 10 am concert by the Toe Jam Puppet Band and Meehan Krous taking the stage from 7 to 8:30 pm. A favorite for children and adults, the Toe Jam Puppet Band offers a special brand of hands-on entertainment through original songs, shadow puppetry and storytelling. They incorporate bubbles, hula hoops, squirt guns, costumes and more to get kids movin’ and groovin’. July 22nd marks the trio’s ninth annual performance at Ballard Park.
ballardpark.org
July 25: Cultural Survival Bazaar
A Festival of Indigenous Art, Music and Cultures from Around the World. We feature guest artists, performances, handmade products benefiting the livelihoods of artists, projects in their communities and fair trade. Shop unique art, jewelry, clothing, crafts, decor, tribal rugs and much more. Enjoy music performances by a variety of world artists, presentations, Native American storytelling, educational displays, craft-making demonstrations, Wampanoag cuisine.
bazaar.culturalsurvival.org/tiverton
July 25: Van Morrison Tribute – Moondance
Moondance is the ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Concert. This incredible show captures the Van Morrison concert experience like no other. You’ll hear classic tunes – Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance, Domino, It Stoned Me, Tupelo Honey, Wild Night, Into The Mystic, Caravan – just to name a few. The show is packed with one VM classic after the next. 9pm at Newport Grand.
newportgrand.com
July 26: Climb the Tower of the Third Oldest Lighthouse in North America.
Located on the southernmost tip of Jamestown, the Beavertail Lighthouse museum features a collection of information, artifacts, and conversation about the history and site of the third-oldest lighthouse in North America. lace up your sneakers and climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of Narragansett Bay. 1-4pm. Also on August 8 and August 23.
beavertaillight.org
July 29: Windmill Wednesday
Enjoy a family-friendly evening with johnnycake tasting, hands-on activities for kids and the opportunity to see inside the 1812 Prescott Farm windmill. Guests can learn about the importance of grist milling on Aquidneck Island and explore how the windmill works. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy while listening to live music from Rory and Ric. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Also on August 26. newportrestoration.org
July 30: Bristol Warren Art Night
Art Night hosts its third season with new featured artist studio tours and galleries in both towns on the last Thursday of every month from 5:30pm-8:30pm in the towns on Bristol and Warren. Explore the talents of Rhode Island art makers, craftspeople and performers, and ride along the Art Night trolley with a guided tour of every stop featured on the event, complete with great entertainment and good company. Also on August 27.
artnightbristolwarren.org
July 30: Hellenic Fest
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, celebnrating its 100th Anniversary this year, presents its annual Hellenic Fest. Enjoy authentic Greek Cuisine and pastries, live music and dancing, Ouzo, Greek beer and wines and shop at the marketplace. Through August 2.
hellenicfest.org
August 5: Movies on the Rocks: Jurassic Park
Newport’s first “Green Drive-In” debuted in Ballard Park’s Quarry Meadow in 2006. Each Summer Friends of Ballard Park hosts outdoor movie screening reminiscent of the days of the drive-in. Movie goers are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and picnic dinner to Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow and enjoy a night at the movies. 8:15pm.
ballardpark.org
August 7: Summer Film Series – a Meryl Streep-a-thon
Newport Public Library presents a Meryl Streep-a-thon with a showing of She-Devil (1989), an American dark comedy film which tells the story of Ruth Patchett, a disheveled, overweight housewife who exacts devilish revenge on her philandering husband after he leaves her and their children for a glamorous, best-selling romance novelist.
newportlibraryri.org
August 12: Movies on the Rocks: Mrs. Doubtfire
Newport’s first “Green Drive-In” debuted in Ballard Park’s Quarry Meadow in 2006. Each Summer Friends of Ballard Park hosts outdoor movie screening reminiscent of the days of the drive-in. Movie goers are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and picnic dinner to Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow and enjoy a night at the movies. 8:15pm.
ballardpark.org
August 12: Lecture Series: Preserving Native Plant Knowledge
Join Arthur Haines at the SVF Foundation’s ongoing lecture series for a presentation on the importance of human interaction with native plants and their habitats. Learn about the many uses of New England native plants for food, medicine, and the creation of materials and household goods. Reservations Required. 7pm-8pm.svffoundation.org
August 13: Newport Gallery Night
On the second Thursday of every month, art aficionados of all kinds stroll the streets of our bustling wharves and eclectic neighborhoods to experience the work of 25+ galleries. Your Newport Gallery Night experience includes diverse galleries, museums and cultural institutions displaying art of varying kinds from varying eras, as well as special lectures at participating venues.
newportgallories.org
August 13: Gallery Night at Whitehorne House
Enjoy Newport’s only Federal period mansion open to the public. Whitehorne House displays the most significant collection of Newport furniture in Rhode Island. Explore the design and craftsmanship of the colonial era inside the house before visiting the garden for refreshments. 5-8pm.
newportrestoration.org
August 19: Movies on the Rocks: Star Trek Generations
Newport’s first “Green Drive-In” debuted in Ballard Park’s Quarry Meadow in 2006. Each Summer Friends of Ballard Park hosts outdoor movie screening reminiscent of the days of the drive-in. Movie goers are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and picnic dinner to Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow and enjoy a night at the movies. Begins at dusk.
ballardpark.org
August 20-23: Weekend of Coaching
Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses return to Newport in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching. The public will enjoy free viewing of the colorful and historic coaches every day, as they drive through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport Mansions, celebrating and preserving a century-old sporting tradition.
newportmansions.org
August 21: Summer Film Series – a Meryl Streep-a-thon
Newport Public Library presents a Meryl Streep-a-thon with a showing of Its Complicated (2009), an American romantic comedy film starring Meryl Streep as a successful bakery owner and single mother of three who starts a secret affair with her ex-husband ten years after their divorce – only to find herself drawn to another man: her architect Adam.
newportlibraryri.org
August 26: Movie on the Rocks: Breakfast Club
Newport’s first “Green Drive-in” debuted in Ballard’s Park’s Quarry Meadow in 2006. Each summer Friends of Ballard Park hosts an outdoor movie screening reminiscent of the days of drive-in. Movie goers are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and picnic dinner to Ballard’s Park’s three acre quarry meadow and enjoy a night at the movies. Begins at dusk.
balladpark.org
August 29: Stamp Act Protest 250th Anniversary Reenactment
Meet costumed interpreters as they bring the heart of colonial Newport to life. Events include craft demonstrations, an upper class ladies tea and children’s games; reenactments include an effigy demonstration, a ransacking of the Newport Historical Society’s house museum and street theater in front of the Colony House. Presented by the Newport Historical Society.
newporthistory.org
August 29: Foreigner Tribute – Merchants of Cool
Free concert: Foreigner Tribute – Merchants of Cool. 9:00 PM. New England’s favorite Foreigner Tribute Band.
Ongoing:
Farmers Markets
Aquidneck Growers’ Market:
Saturday’s, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., June 7 – Oct 25, 909 E. Main Road, Middletown
Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m., June – Oct 29, Memorial Blvd. near Bellevue Ave, Newport
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov 9- May 10, St. Mary’s Old Parish Hal, 324 E. Main Road, Portsmouth
aquidneckgrowersmarket.org
Jamestown Farmer’s Market: Monday’s, June 23 – Sept 1, 4-7 p.m., Fort Getty Road, Jamestown
Sakonnet Growers’ Market: Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., July-Sept, Pardon Gray Preserve, Main Road, Tiverton
Cliff Walk
Stroll along the 3.5 mile path where the beauty of Newport’s unspoiled coastline meets the architectural history of the magical Gilded Age. Along your journey, stop and scan any of the 16 provided trail markers, which provide information on the Gilded Age mansions and numerous geographic and geological features.
cliffwalk.com
Ocean Drive
10-mile shoreline drive in Newport featuring parks, beaches, historic estates and Fort Adams.
oceandrivenewport.com
Bristol Art Museum
The Bristol Art Museum has served to enrich the cultural life of the community through three major exhibits since its founding in 1963. Admission to the main gallery, located on the grounds of Linden Place in Bristol, is $2. The museum entrance is 10 Wardwell Street.
bristolartmuseum.org
Jamestown Windmill
Open on the weekends through mid-October for guided tours from 1-4 p.m., the Jamestown Windmill was built in 1787 and in operation until 1896. Climb to the top to see the gears that translate the force of the wind into power that ultimately turns the mill stones. Signage and displays funded by a grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities will help guide your trip, explaining the history and the technology of the mill.
jamestownhistoricalsociety.org
Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge
Explore 50 acres of woods and salt marsh with trails and fine views of the Sakonnet River. The refuge has blinds for observing and photographing the 150 species of birds that visit the land annually, as well as designated walking trails.
asri.org
Sakonnet Greenway Trail
Meander the longest nature trail on Aquidneck Island, spanning from Glen Farm in Portsmouth to the northern boundary of Newport National Golf Club in Middletown. Preserved by the Aquidneck Land Trust.
ailt.org
Brenton Point State Park
Parallel to the Ocean Drive – Brenton Point State Park provides an area to picnic, watch the surf, fish or kite fly with panoramic views of rocky coastline. Free parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and a roving concession. Open year round, sunrise to sunset.
riparks.com
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Listed on the National Register for Historic places, the public is welcome to visit and tour the exterior and grounds of Castle Lighthouse.
http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/
Thames Street Glass
Visit Thames Glass and watch a team of skilled glassblowers shape molten glass into hand blown glass vases, ornaments, fish, fruits, vegetables, snowmen, paperweights, perfume bottles, bowls and other original designs.
thamesglass.com
International Yacht Restoration School
Observe master craftsman and students hard at work preserving some of America’s most historic and treasured vessels and building new ones.
iyrs.edu
Fort Adams
The largest coastal fortification in the United States makes history come alive for visitors. Walk around this engineering and architectural masterpiece to see where the soldiers lived. While you’re there, explore the Bay Walk – the two mile walking and biking path set along Narragansett Bay. Free to explore, fee charged for guided tours.
fortadams.org