5 Weekend Musts: Scottish Highland Festival & More
Friday, June 10, 2011
It's a real summer weekend, Rhode Island, with festivals and parades and a big dash of home-grown patriotism. Here are the five best things you can do with it all.
Celebrate the big burn at Gaspee Days
Friday-Sunday
Rhode Island's history brims with solid acts of resistance before it was Colonially fashionable, and the burning of the Gaspee may be the most famous of them all. Celebrate in suitable style with this weekend's panoply of activities, from fireworks and a parade to Colonial encampments. Events in Warwick and Cranston. For a complete guide, go to www.gaspee.com.
Go commando at the Scottish Highland Festival
Saturday
You'll never have more fun in a dress. It's all things Celtic in South County, and it's one of the best festivals of the summer. There are competitions in Highland Dance, Piping, Drum Majoring, and those excellent Heavy Athletics (throwing big stones, bales of hay, etc.). Plus amazing music and food. Bring the wee bairns - there's plenty for them too. Washington County Fairgrounds, Route 112, Richmond. 9am-5pm rain or shine. Tickets $12, $5 ages 6-12. For more go here.
Be a Yankee Doodle Dandy
Sunday
You can't call yourself a patriot, or a Rhode Islander, if you don't know that the famous songwriter of "You're a Grand Old Flag" grew up in Providence. Help celebrate his legacy (and fund a statue in his honor on Wickenden Street) at a Salute to George M. Cohan, a Flag Day party that includes entertainment, a multi-media presentation, light lunch, and silent auction. Conley's Wharf, Fabre Line Club, 200 Allens Ave, Providence. Tickets $75. To reserve tickets, call the RIIFF offices at 861-4445. or go to www.RIFilmFest.org.
Check out fresh moves at the Hip Hop Blow Out at the Carriage House
Friday
The Carriage House continues to be a center of urban arts, particularly, hip hop, and this weekend is the annual Blowout recital. Titled "A Daydream in the Ghetto," it will feature Case Closed, the Carriage House crew, spoken artist Rudy Cabrera, and singer-songwriter Tia Okai. Doors open at 8 and the show starts at 8:30. $5 at the door. The Carriage House Stage & School, 9 Duncan Ave, Providence. For more go to www.everettarts.org.
Support dancing kids and get your salsa on
Saturday
Watch some, do some. A perfect formula. Dance with the Dancers features Jump Dance Company's Youth Dancers in performance, and then the chance to partake in salsa dancing and lessons with Sydonee Harris. It's the best of both worlds, and raises money for the innovative dance company. 7pm, Providence Children's Musuem, 100 South St, Providence. Tickets $30 adults, $10 children (although every full adult ticket comes with one free children's ticket). For more, call 529-4390.
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