Top Weekend Picks

Top Weekend Picks

While Friday is looking like a hot, Indian-summer day, there's no mistaking it's fall when you look at the amazing line-up of arts, culture, and outdoor fun this weekend. We've picked the very best for you.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Music Top Pick
RI Philharmonic Open Rehearsal & Opening Concert, Providence
This is a wonderful double-header for classical music lovers. If you've never been to an open rehearsal, they're a treat. Friday at 5:30pm features rehearsals of Berlioz' Beatrice et Benedict Overture, Brahms' Symphony No. 1, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring guest artist Ilya Yakushev, pianist. The next night, enjoy the fruits of the orchestra's labors at the full concert at 8pm. Both events at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Arts, Providence. Open rehearsal 5:30pm, $27; Concert 8pm, $39-70. For more information and tickets, go to the RI Philharmonic Website, here.

Historic Top Pick
Hale House Pre-Opening Gala & Grand Opening, South Kingstown
Rhode Island gains a glorious historic home of an illustrious artistic family, and there are two ways to celebrate this weekend. Friday features an exclusive sunset soiree and a sneak peek at

the renovated Hale House, under restoration for four years. Saturday, the house opens to the public. Hale House, Rte 1, Matunuck. Friday 6:30-8:30pm, tickets $50 and are limited. Saturday, 12-4pm in cooperation with Smithsonian Museum Day, admission is free. Get FREE entry ticket online, here.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Food & Wine Top Pick
Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Newport
For food and wine lovers, this major festival featuring celebrity chefs, fantastic wines, and incredible food, is reason to move to Newport for the weekend. From a Friday night gala at Rosecliff to tasting events on Saturday and Sunday, plus wine seminars, it's a dream come true. For schedules, and all kinds of imaginative ticket packages, go here.

Film Top Pick
Doris Duke Days, Newport
She was a legend in her own time, and ours. The equally legendary Jane Pickens Theater hosts a three-day celebration of the socialite, featuring her many facets: heiress, Newport preservationist, jazz pianist, animal lover, and

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surfer. (Yes, surfer.) Enjoy old and new films programmed around Duke and these themes, and support the fund that benefits the Pickens Theater & Event Center. Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro St, Newport. Tickets $10 per film, $60 pass to all films. For schedule and online ordering, go to the theater Web site, here.

SATURDAY

Eco Top Pick
Annual Beach Clean-Up, Statewide
Take a day at your favorite beach and do good at the same time. Join the Audubon Society of Rhode Island at this annual clean-up as part of an international coastal clean-up green initiative with Ocean Conservancy. Not only will you spruce up RI's shoreline gems, you'll help put an end to the sources of problems which destroy wildlife beach habitats and injure animals. Beach clean-ups are scheduled for all over RI: Middletown's Second and Third Beach 8am until noon, Narragansett beaches 1:30-4pm, Newport's First Beach 9-11am. There are also beach clean-ups for Rose Island, Fort Adams and King's Beach in Newport. Download the complete list of RI beaches and times for clean-up at your RI area beach.

Sporting Top Pick
Polo Regionals and Fundraiser, Portsmouth
It's the last polo of the season in Newport... reason enough to spectate the Sport of Kings this weekend. Bonus: proceeds from today benefit Dress for Success Rhode Island, a fantastic organization that promotes economic

independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, support networks, and career development tools. Newport Polo, 715 East Main Rd, Portsmouth, 4pm. Tickets are $20, include catering by Glorious Affairs, and must be purchased in advance. Call 864-4657 or email [email protected].

Arts Top Pick
Pilobolus, FirstWorks Festival, Providence
The humorous, accessible, thrilling choreography of this world-renowned ensemble returns to Providence to open the FirstWorks Festival. This is a not-to-be-missed event, and will make a dance fan out of anyone... guaranteed. Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St, Providence, tickets $28-$48, available through ArtTix, right on GoLocalProv.com.

SUNDAY

Literary Top Pick
Marathon Reading of The Postman Always Rings Twice, Providence
Celebrate Banned Book Week with Not About The Buildings at the third in a series of marathon readings of very short works. The Postman Always Rings Twice is barely 100 pages, but its mix of casual sex and even more casual violence - both pretty tame by today's standards - caused quite a stir upon its release in 1934 (and a slew of films). Drop in and sign up to read, or just drink and listen (did we mention it's at a bar?). Bring your own copy of TPART if you have one.
Abe's, 302 Wickenden Street, 7pm. Free.

Family Top Pick
Cluny Country Fair, Newport
Talk about a tradition... this old-school family event has been going strong for more than 40 years, with its wonderful assortment of carnival games, hay rides, cake walk, country kitchen, raffles, book sale, and more. Cluny School, 75 Brenton Rd, Newport, 10am-4pm. For more information go to the Facebook page, here.