Top Picks for Your Summer Weekend

It's another glorious late summer weekend, with tons of fun in every part of the state. Whether you're working the Film Festival circuit in Newport or making your own crazy boat in Jamestown, you'll have no shortage of creative RI summer weekend fun.

FILM Top Pick

Andre the Giant Has a Posse Film Screening and Panel Discussion

Following a screening of Helen Stickler's short documentary about Andre the Giant, join the artist behind “Obey,” Shepard Fairey, as well as political activist and author Lawrence Lessig, computer scientist and engineer Brandon Edens, and AS220 Artistic Director Umberto Crenca in a discussion on "Free Culture," moderated by Action Speaks host Marc Levitt. AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence, 5:15-7pm, call 831-9327 x116, or visit the AS220 Web site for more information.

FAMILY Top Pick

Breakfast in the Barnyard

Rise, shine, and come join one of the museum's costumed interpreters to help with the morning chores while learning about farm animals in 18th century Rhode Island. Then, sit down to a breakfast of delicious 1790’s Johnnycakes. Be prompt and prepared to get dirty. It’s worth waking up early – we promise. Coggeshall Farm Museum, Poppasquash Rd, Bristol, 8-9:30am, adults, $8, members, seniors, and children, $5, senior members, $3, call 245-0750, or visit the Coggeshall Farm Museum Web site for more information.

 

MUSIC Top Pick

Newport Waterfront Reggae Festival

More great music where? In Newport, for the third straight week! The 2010 Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series culminates with a full day of reggae music on the beautiful Newport Waterfront. Expose your ears to a wide array of tunes: reggae, roots, rocksteady, dub, ska, dancehall, and everything in between. Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport, 12-10pm, call 846-1600, or visit the Newport Waterfront Events Web site for more information.

 

FILM Top Pick

Behind the Hedgerow: Eileen Slocum and the Meaning of Newport Society 

To celebrate its role as Executive Producer of this new documentary, Flickers will return to its home base of Newport to present a special afternoon premiere of David Bettencourt’s film about high society in Newport. The Festival will also present new and exciting programming throughout the day. Bazarsky Auditorium, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, begins 2pm, call 861-4445 or visit the Rhode Island International Film Festival Web site for more information.

 

FOOD Top Pick

12th Annual Newport Storm Luau

Presented by Coastal Extreme Brewing Company, this fun annual event benefits the Fort Adams Trust. With live music, Polynesian dancers, Hawaiian themed food (including a pig roast), and ice-cold Newport Storm beer and Thomas Tew rum, this event is not to be missed. The rain date is August 15th. This is a 21+ event. Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Ave, Newport, 4:30-10pm, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, call 849-5232 or visit the Newport Storm Web site for more information.

 

LOCAL CULTURE Top Pick

Fool's Rules Regatta

This weekend in Jamestown, the word regatta doesn’t have to do with sailing boat! In the Fool’s Rules Regatta, contestants have two hours to construct sailing vessels out of non-standard marine items on the beach. Then you race what you make! The rain date is August 24th. Town Beach at East Ferry, Conanicus Ave, Jamestown, 9am-12pm, call 423-1492, or visit the Jamestown Yacht Club Web site for more information.

FOOD Top Pick

Public Clambake

We know Little Compton is a little bit far from some of you, but a traditional Rhode Island clambake by McGrath Clambakes makes it well worth the trip! The clambake includes 1 and 1/4 pound lobsters, cooked over hot rocks covered with seaweed. Sakonnet Vineyards, 162 West Main Road, Little Compton 2-5pm, $70 per person, $30 for children's buffet, cash bar, advanced registration required, call 635-8486 x116, or visit the McGrath Clambakes Web site for more information.

 

CHARITY Top Pick

9th Annual Walk for the Children

Join Jena Ribeiro, Miss Teen Rhode Island International 2010, at the Walk for the Children, which benefits children with special needs and cancer. With your attendance, receive a free $5 gift certificate to a New England favorite coffee house, Brewed Awakenings! Salve Regina University (Rodgers Recreation), 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, begins at 2:30pm, free, call 952-2423 or visit the Web site for more information.

 

Avery Stone will be a freshman at Amherst College this year. Check out her media blog here.