Weekend Best Bets

There’s a lot of drama (the good kind) happening around our little state this weekend, not to mention all of the concerts, festivals and parties taking place.

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.

South County is full of art and talent this weekend as the run of Titanic: The Musical comes to a close this Sunday at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston. Writers Peter Stone and Maury Yeston take the audience on board the Titanic during its maiden and final voyage.

This week marks the start of the famous Shakespeare Festival in Westerly. The Colonial Theater is proud to present their performances of Macbeth, and epic tale of how a Scottish duke gained a throne and lost his mind.

There's exciting news for the Contemporary Theater Company as the opening night of Is He Dead? approaches. This will be their first show ever performed in their new permanent home on Main Street.

Sail over to Block Island for the Art Guild Fair on Saturday, located on the Historical Society lawn. Spend a nice day outside while perusing unique arts and crafts on display and for sale. 

All 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. The actions 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 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.