Internationally recognized batik artists Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam will visit the Jamestown Arts Center on Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. for an illustrated artist talk and trunk show exploring the cultural, philosophical, and creative dimensions of Indonesian batik. Drawing on more than 40 years of artistic practice at their studio, Babaran […]
Arts & Culture
A look at What’s Up in arts and culture in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
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Newport NewWorks announces casts and directors for its second annual musical theater festival, August 2–16
Newport NewWorks has announced the casts and directors for the three original musicals making up its second annual Musical Theater Festival, running August 2–16 at the Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody St. The festival, founded by Academy Award-nominated producer Peilin Chou and theater producer Jeanne Hagerty, gives emerging and established writers a two-week residency to develop […]
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Newport Harbormaster urges paddlers to wear life jackets and stay alert during Folk and Jazz Festival weekends
With Newport Folk and Jazz Festival weekends drawing thousands of visitors to the water, the Newport Harbormaster is reminding paddlers and boaters to take extra precautions on what becomes one of the busiest stretches of Newport Harbor all summer. Kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, launches, ferries, and powerboats all share the harbor during festival weekends, creating challenging […]
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From Houston to Matunuck: Jordan Okeke is having the summer of his life at Theatre by the Sea
Jordan Okeke has been a very lucky actor. He started working professionally while he was still in college. “I worked every summer,” said Okeke recently. “My university allowed you to work while you were still in school.” Okeke, who studied musical theater at Sam Houston State University, has spent his summer at Theatre by the […]
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NIMFest’s Songwriter Showcase returns to King Park this Sunday with Sweet Petunia, Natalie Paige, and Lainey Dionne
The New England Music Organization presents the second annual NIMFest Songwriter Showcase this Sunday, July 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave., featuring three of the region’s most compelling emerging singer-songwriters. Sweet Petunia, the folk duo of Mairead Guy and Maddy Simpson — twice nominated for Boston Music […]
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BTS, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, and Zach Bryan headline Gillette Stadium’s 2026 concert season
Gillette Stadium has announced its 2026 Concert Series presented by Dunkin’, a 10-show run from August through October featuring BTS, Chris Brown and Usher, Bruno Mars, Karol G, Ed Sheeran, and Zach Bryan. The season opens August 5 and 6 with BTS on the BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’, marking the first and largest headlining K-pop […]
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Puddingstone Music closes its summer season with a Bill Evans tribute in Jamestown and a classical guitar evening at Rough Point
Puddingstone Music has announced two intimate salon-style concerts to close out its summer season, following its second annual festival at the Casino Theatre. On August 14, pianist Randy Ingram brings his trio to the Jamestown Arts Center for “Sound Within: A Celebration of Bill Evans,” with doors at 7 p.m. and music at 7:30 p.m. […]
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Two veteran singer-songwriters bound for Newport Folk Festival stop at Jamestown Arts Center on July 23
A pair of veteran singer-songwriters will make a stop at the Jamestown Arts Center on Thursday, July 23, just days before taking the stage at the Newport Folk Festival that Sunday. Logan Vath and Stephen Covell, both musicians supported by Operation Encore — a nonprofit that helps veteran and active-duty musicians advance their careers — […]
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Antique rug scholar Peter Pap brings illustrated lecture and trunk show to Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center in August
The Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center will host an illustrated lecture by internationally recognized rug scholar Peter Pap on Tuesday, August 4, followed by the arts center’s inaugural Antique Rug Trunk Show August 5–7. Pap’s lecture, Understanding Antique Rugs: Exploring the History and Learning the Finer Points of Color and Design in Rugs Woven Before […]
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The Jane Pickens Theater’s legendary Jaws Party returns this weekend with live music, beer tastings, and a 4K screening
The Jane Pickens Theater’s annual Jaws Party is back this weekend, bringing Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic back to the big screen in a new 4K restoration for three nights of shark-fueled summer celebration. Tonight, Friday, July 17, The Teledynes — a surf rock and rockabilly trio of electric guitar, upright slap bass, and drums — […]
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‘Bridging the Gap’ jazz dance and music festival returns to Salve Regina for a third year July 29–August 3
Salve Regina University will host “Bridging the Gap: A Jazz Dance and Music Festival” for the third consecutive year, bringing together jazz dancers, musicians, and educators for a week of performances and free community classes July 29 through August 3. The festival’s centerpiece is a Jazz Lounge at Ochre Court on Wednesday, July 29, at […]
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Rhode Island Philharmonic brings free outdoor concert to Rosecliff lawn on August 9
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a free outdoor concert on the back lawn of Rosecliff on Sunday, August 9, starting at 7 p.m., hosted by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Conducted by Troy Quinn, the program includes the “William Tell” and “1812” overtures alongside music from Phantom of the Opera, West Side […]
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Karla Bonoff, Garrison Keillor, and The Irish Tenors coming to the Jane Pickens Theater this fall
The Jane Pickens Theater has announced three new shows from Spectacle Live this fall and winter, with tickets going on sale Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at janepickens.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff opens the run on Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. Bonoff has written hits recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna […]
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The Newport Show returns for its 19th year July 25-26 at St. George’s School
The Newport Show returns for its 19th year on July 25 and 26 at the St. George’s School Ice Rink in Middletown, with a Gala Preview Party kicking things off the evening of Friday, July 24. This year’s show features more than 30 dealers offering art, antiques, and furniture, including new exhibitors Spiral Haus of […]
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Today In Newport History: July 14, 1966 – Tanya Donelly Born In Newport
Photo Credit Singer, songwriter and guitarist Tanya Donelly was born on July 14, 1966 in Newport. Donelly co-founded Throwing Muses with her stepsister Kristin Hersh while attending Rogers High School in 1981. The band toured and recorded until 1997. Donelly was also a founding member of The Breeders with Kim Deal of the Pixies. She was also a member […]
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Jane Pickens Theater launches ‘Sounds of Folk’ series this month with live tributes, documentaries, and an O Brother screening
The Jane Pickens Theater is marking Newport’s folk music season with a four-event Sounds of Folk Series running through the end of July, pairing live performances with documentaries and classic films celebrating the artists who shaped American roots music. The series opens Tuesday, July 21, with a live tribute concert marking the 50th anniversary of […]
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This Day in RI History: July 12, 1928 – Barbara Cowsill born in Cranston
July 12th, 1928 was the birthday of Barbara Cowsill, who performed along with her children in the family band The Cowsills. Cowsill was born Barbara Claire Russell in Cranston and married William “Bud” Cowsill in 1947. Bud got involved in the music business in the 1960’s and created The Cowsills, a family band, often cited […]
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Sakonnet Vineyard fills July with free live music, yoga, and a murder mystery
Sakonnet Vineyard has a packed July calendar of free live music, fitness classes, and a murder mystery evening at its 169-acre Little Compton property. Local and regional musicians perform Thursday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. The remaining July music lineup is: Saturday, July 12: […]
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Newport Art Museum opens major Angel Otero exhibition this weekend
Newport Art Museum opens its most significant exhibition of the summer this weekend: Angel Otero: The Ocean Forgot Your Garden, a two-site show bringing together early and recent work by the Puerto Rico-born, New York-based painter across the Griswold House and the Cushing Memorial Building. The exhibition opens Friday evening, July 10, as part of […]
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Wayfinder Newport launches Polaroid camera lending program for guests
Wayfinder Newport has partnered with Polaroid to offer guests a film camera to borrow during their stay, inviting them to explore the city through an analog lens rather than a phone screen. The program, called Going Analog, launched today. Guests can check out a Polaroid camera at the hotel and use it throughout their visit; […]
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Providence indie favorites Lazy Trail headline NIMFest 2026 this Sunday at King Park
Lazy Trail, a Providence-based indie rock and bedroom pop project, will headline the opening concert of NIMFest 2026 this Sunday, July 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the King Park Gazebo, 125 Wellington Ave. Providence singer-songwriter Hey Rel opens the afternoon. Admission is free. Lazy Trail is the project of songwriter Emma Willer, whose […]
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Murder mystery event at Sakonnet Vineyard puts guests in the role of detective
Sakonnet Vineyard will host an interactive murder mystery dinner event this Saturday, July 11, giving guests the chance to channel their inner detective while sipping wine at New England’s oldest vineyard. “Whodunit?: Murder on the Petulant Express,” presented by WatermelonAlligator Theatre Co., is set aboard a 1930s luxury train and tasks guests with solving the […]
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If the walls could talk: Revolutionary voices from behind the frame
I spend a lot of time in Newport’s fine art and cultural institutions: attending events, admiring the portraits and fine artwork on the walls, and feeling very fortunate to be a part of this historic, yet ever-evolving City-by-the-Sea. As I have been enjoying history lectures, book talks, Juneteenth events, museum openings, and exhibit previews this […]