Motif Event Picks for June 22 – 28

Motif is trying something new, where our team selects a handful of events we find particularly interesting or cool for the upcoming week. Check out our favorite events in the area between June 22 and 28!

WED 22

Girls Night Out The Show: Revisiting classic fantasies and steamy exotic temptations. Features some of the most physically perfect male dancers that artistically capture a wide range of female desires, delighting audiences with a series of disarmingly sexy, yet tasteful, dance numbers and exciting routines with one goal in mind: the pleasure of women! 8pm, Fête Music Hall, 103 Dike St, PVD. fetemusic.com

FRI 24 & SAT 25

Ocean State BBQ Festival: Help define what good BBQ is in RI with the inaugural Ocean State BBQ Festival highlighting RI-based BBQ joints, restaurants, enthusiasts and backyarders! Two days of culinary competitions and live music. The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave, PVD. thesteelyard.org

FRI 24+

Social Security: The domestic tranquility of a pair of married art dealers is shattered upon the arrival of the wife’s goody-goody nerd of a sister, her uptight CPA husband and her archetypal Jewish mother. They are there to try to save their college student daughter from the horrors of living only for sex. The comic sparks really begin to fly when the mother hits it off with the elderly artist who is the art dealer’s best client! Granite Theater, 1 Granite St, Westerly. granitetheatre.com Runs Jun 24 – Jul 24

SUN 26

RI Food Fights 5th Annual Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown: The biggest ICE CREAM celebration is BACK! All you can sample from the very best ice cream vendors in RI. Count on all-you-can-chug Yacht Club Soda and New Harvest Coffee Roasters Iced coffee, too. 1 – 3pm, Eye Institute, 150 E. Manning St, PVD. rifoodfights.com

MON 27

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness: This is a man who was diagnosed with cancer at 22 years old, on the cusp of releasing his debut album (as Jack’s Mannequin). Also featuring Civil Twilight. 6:30pm, Fête Music Hall, 103 Dike St, PVD. fetemusic.com

Making the Stage: Local open mic picks up

There is a stage in Providence looking for performers. Join the PVD Hoot for a chance to perform or sit in the audience for an opportunity to cheer on local musicians of all types.

The PVD Hoot is an open mic that makes its home at Anchor, a work-exhibition space on Rice Street in Providence.

Started by Josh Aromin and Sarah Mead in October of last year, the Hoot has embarked on a year-long venture to bring a performance space for all to the city. The performance stage has gone walkabout in an effort to become more of a “mobile mic” bringing the stage to the people who want to perform on it, and to audiences in the heart of downtown. The Hoot is using Grant’s Block to get outside, but this past Sunday, the rain moved them inside to the Providence Polaroid Project (the old Craftland location), across the street.

This collaboration between the PVD Hoot and Providence Polaroid is the only the first of many, or so hope Hoot co-founders Aromin and Mead.

“People keeping saying, ‘we need to work together,’” said Aromin. They have been looking to work with more of the projects that are part of Popup Providence initiative.

A rainy Sunday didn’t see the turn out that the Hoot usually gets. Only four people performed, two of whom are involved with the Hoot, including Aromin. When the stage is set at The Anchor, between 30 and 40 people usually show up. When the performance has been hosted at Grant’s Block they’ve drawn crowds of up to 100 people.

“We got rubberneckers,” Mead said with a smile.

The Hoot started when Aromin’s cousin, Armand Aromin, a violin-maker, moved his workspace into the Anchor. The Anchor provides free performance and exhibition space to its residents. Armand asked Josh for ideas of events to host.

“I said, ‘An open mic would be great,’” Aromin recounted. Cafes and restaurants often will host open mics, but inviting people in to perform or to watch people perform does not necessarily turn a profit, and the open mic remains secondary to the goal of establishment, namely selling food and beverages.

Aromin wanted to re-create the vibe that the erstwhile Tazza Cafe had at their open mics.

When they’re at home at The Anchor, they serve free beer and coffee, donated by Narragansett brewery, and New Harvest, respectively.

“We wanted to be an open mic that just happens to have free coffee and beer,” Aromin explained.

When Aromin was set to make the open mic happen, he invited friend and co-worker Mead to help him put it on. Mead has a degree in marketing, and had experience putting on events.

“Sarah had never done an open mic before,” Aromin laughed. But Mead took on the planning and they’ve been successfully drawing a crowd since.

“Once you’ve done the first event, you figure out what to do. Every time we do it it’s tiring, but definitely worth it,” Mead said.

Sunday’s Hoot was also a send off party, because Mead is moving back to her home state, Connecticut. Aromin sang her a song he wrote, I hope when you pass through Providence it still feels like home.

One goal of the Hoot is to expand the project to other cities, so Mead’s move signals a future for the Hoot outside Providence. Until then, the Hoot will be continuing at The Anchor until this October.

Aromin recited the Hoot’s unofficial motto, “Our stage is your stage. I don’t care what your talent level is.”

For more information visit their website at http://pvdhoot.com

You can head out (and perform) 2PM performances at Grant’s block, 5PM at The Anchor: Aug. 10 – Grant’s Block Aug. 20 – The Anchor Aug. 24 – Grant’s Block Sep. 7 – Grant’s Block Sep. 17 – The Anchor Sep. 28 – Grant’s Block

Summer in the City

What to do when the Rhode Island heat gets you down For the average Rhode Islander, summer generally consists of longingly staring out the window at work, braving beach traffic (has this term been recognized by the dictionary yet?), or hiding from the heat wherever air conditioning exists. I understand — the heat mirage that radiates off of the Providence skyline is a bit disconcerting. Breathe, we’re here to help.

For the Summer Vacation Warriors

If you’re a parent, nanny or a poor soul who gets stuck with some one else’s child for no monetary compensation, chances are that by July you’re running out of cheap things to do with the kids on summer vacation, likely getting a little weepy at the thought of hauling children, two coolers and 10 pounds of sand toys to the beach (I’m starting to sound like Kim Kinzie). Don’t let the Xbox tempt you. Bring the gang over to the India Point Park playground.

Nestled under shady trees alongside the breezy bay, this maritime-themed playground has the classic swings and slides accompanied by one small, one rather large and one massive set of geometric climbing ropes and nets. These interactive pieces of architecture are home to a series of obstacles, bridges and hammocks suitable for small children or energetic 12-year-olds.

India St., Providence

Cool Off … Locally

There comes a point in the summer when you start saying to yourself, “To hell with fun in the sun, I’m damn hot.” I know what you’re thinking. But please … say no to the mall. And please, for the love of all that is sane, don’t spend any more money on another Transformers movie. Get your air-conditioned cinematic kicks at The Avon on Thayer or The Cable Car on South Main Street. Both of these Providence staples screen award-winning indie flicks seven days a week. Keep an eye on The Cable Car’s schedule for special events and screenings of local films.

The Avon, 270 Thayer St., Providence, avoncinema.com

The Cable Car, 204 South Main St., Providence, cablecarcinema.com Go Culture Yourself

It’s not any sort of best kept secret in town — Providence is home to the RISD Museum. You’ve seen billboards, you know it’s got the giant Buddha statue, and it likely never comes up as an option on the Saturday morning, “I don’t know, what do you want to do today,” conversation, but when was the last time you actually went? The summer’s feature exhibit focuses on the freakish glamour of the 19th and early 20th century circuses. Bask in yet more air conditioning and get lost (possibly literally, but there are maps) in visual stimulation.

If you 1) have a short attention span, 2) want to peep some locally grown art, or 3) prefer your art with a side of wine and cheese, Providence Gallery Night is for you. Hop on the free gallery shuttle and cruise to a set of participating studios and galleries around the city. Choose between six different guided tours or visit any of the 26 participating galleries by foot on your own.

RISD Museum, 224 Benefit St., Providence, risdmuseum.org

Gallery Night shuttle stop, 1 Regency Plaza, Providence, gallerynight.org

Boozing, Cruising

My go-to summertime weekend, “I’m bored, it’s 3pm, there’s no way I’m actually going to the gym today,” activity is heading to a bar with a deck on the water and grabbing a cocktail in the sun. And if said bar has a boat docked outside, and if you can take said cocktail onto this boat and take a scenic tour of the Providence River. does it get much better? This exists. The Providence Riverboat Company is the only one of its kind on the river and leaves from The Hot Club daily. The riverboat tour is a slow cruise from the storm barriers to the basin of the Providence river and back again for a perspective most locals have never seen before. And the mini history lesson is interesting regardless of whether you’ve finished your drink. Hang on the Hot Club’s newly renovated deck with a drink, and bring it onto the boat when it’s time to set sail. Bon Voyage.

Tours leave from The Hot Club, 575 South Water St., Providence, providenceriverboat.com

Go For a Posh Dip

Lounge on a plush chair beside the pool and cabana bar surrounded by greenery, escaping the harsh city concrete. This isn’t a scene out of “Sex and the City.” Actually, I’m fairly certain this exact scene did occur in “Sex and the City.” This could be you. This really exists downtown. AQUA Marriott is the city’s only poolside lounge. Stop by for a drink or get real elegant with it for the afternoon in a private cabana, perusing the cigar and cognac menu. PS: Salsa dance party every Thursday night. Andale!

AQUA at the Providence Marriott, 1 Orms St., Providence, marriottprovidence.com/aqua Growing Awareness: The Story of Seeds

How a RI Whole Foods Market and an independent director are shedding light on the seed crisis

by Despina Durand

The upcoming July screenings of Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds are the end result of a serendipitous ambition sparked by the film itself. Bonnie Combs, Marketing team leader at the University Heights Whole Foods Market, saw the film when it screened at the Cable Car Cinema & Cafe this past April after a friend of hers in the bakery at Whole Foods told her about how she had contributed to the Kickstarter that funded the film.

Open Sesame is a documentary that looks at the struggle between seed farmers and big agri businesses, such as Monsanto, over who has the rights to seeds. Seeds, the film argues, are the source of all life, and the basis of civilization. Without them, none of the things that we have today would exist. The move to patent seeds has gravely endangered biodiversity and farming.

Open Sesame director Sean Kaminsky, based out of Brooklyn, did not intend to make a full length film about seeds. The project started as an idea for a short film when he realized that the things he had been reading about seed patenting had a lot in common with the conversations happening around proprietary formats in digital media. (Proprietary formats are processes of encoding files that mean that they can be only opened with a specific program. For example, .doc, .ppt, and other Microsoft file formats.)

“I felt like they were turning seeds more into information than food,” Kaminsky explained. But he discovered as he set off to his interviews that it was a very emotional topic. Sophia Maravell of the Brickyard Education Farm, one of his subjects, told him that 95% of the vegetable biodiversity has disappeared in the last 100 years. Each interviewee prompted him to speak with another on the subject, snowballing the project to a new level.

“It crept up on me.”

Combs originally approached the RISD Metcalf auditorium to screen the film, but while she awaited a response, she learned that the Cranston Public Library had started a seed library of their own, and they quickly agreed to host a screening of Open Sesame. Combs still wanted a screening in Providence, and ultimately Metcalf got back to her with an affirmative.

Kaminsky will be at the screening at the William Hall Library in Cranston, on July 30, to talk with the audience about the film. The following day representatives from the Seed Savers Exchange will lead a workshop on saving and sharing seeds.

“What I felt was that I wanted to leave people feeling inspired and hopeful, rather than in a place of anger and sadness,” Kaminsky explained of Open Sesame’s contrast with the trend of food documentaries to leave viewers drained or frustrated by the actions and indifference of big business. Kaminsky’s hope is that the film will inspire people to engage in learning more about seeds, advocating for them, and even saving them.

And from the way Combs has reacted, it seems he has already succeeded. Combs described how the film left her wanting to bring people together to educate them about seeds. And she has already thrown herself head first into the issue; she is going on a retreat to Decorah, Iowa for a summer conference hosted by the Seed Savers Exchange.

“It takes so much to make a film– you want to believe it will make a difference, and to know that it impacted someone so much. It’s been really inspiring,” Kaminsky said of Combs.

But Kaminsky does not want to tell people how they should engage with what they learn, and realizes that not everyone will in the same way.

“If there is only one thing you can do, plant a seed,” he said. The experience of planting a seed is powerful, he explained. Putting it into the earth and watching it grow connects us to our ancestors who created civilization through the millions of seeds they planted and cultivated.

Combs’ journey has mirrored Kaminsky’s. From that first screening, she has tapped into the local seed saving culture. She learned that the person who requested that first screening of the film at the Cable Car was Bill Braun who runs the Ivory Silo Seed Project in Westport. He will be one of the speakers at the Providence screening of Open Sesame. The issue has swept her up. She wants to make it a priority for people to know about the importance of seeds. And she has high hopes.

“Bringing people together with an interest in a topic is the greatest thing. It’s so rewarding,” Combs said.

Open Sesame: the Story of Seeds will be screening July 24 at 7pm at Metcalf Auditorium. And July 30 at 6pm at William Hall Library. The seed saving workshop will be July 31 at 6:30pm. For more on the film visit www.opensesamemovie.com. Make Misquamicut Your Beach

A family friendly summer destination

“It’s funny, on a busy day, you can go out on Atlantic Ave. and count the license plates,” says local business owner (Seafood Haven) and Executive Director of the Misquamicut Business Association, Caswell Cooke Jr. “You’ll see them from all over. You’ll see a lot from New York and tons from Connecticut and Mass., but you won’t see a lot from Rhode Island.” Some of Rhode Island’s greatest treasures aren’t widely recognized here at home. At Motif, we see it with artists, musicians and other specialists all the time. Right now, Misquamicut may be the RI beach mecca that goes unnoticed within our own borders.

For a while, Misquamicut didn’t have the greatest reputation. In the ‘80s, it was known for its busloads of drunken shenanigan perpetrators, occasional brawls and no shortage of Paddy wagons. But while the ghost of that reputation may linger in the long memory RI prides itself on (“Take a left where the drunken rascals used to be”), Misquamicut has left the ‘80s in the past. Who hasn’t, really? It now presents many family-friendly options and non-baccanalic ways to drink, eat, sun and have a good time.

The beach, of course, did get a lot of coverage two years ago, when Hurricane Sandy, apparently trying to get home to the Sandy Shore Motel or Sandy’s Lighthouse [Bar], whalloped the shoreline full force. It took a year to rebuild and recover, but now the beach is pristine again, devoid of errant chunks of buildings past, and ready for sunbathers. Spots like Paddy’s, The Andrea and The Windjammer allow on- the-sand drinking and eating that brings all the creature comforts together (bring a beach read: see page xxx).

There’s also an active side to this stretch of summer with jet ski rentals, waterslides and a standing amusement park that includes a Ferris wheel, mini-golf, batting cages and bumper cars, kids and adults can lift their adrenaline before hitting the nightlife. That nightlife includes classic movies (from, well, mostly the ‘80s) at a classic beach drive-in theater, and clubs galore with drinks from basic ‘Gansetts to exotic frozen creamsicle cocktails, to those giant margaritas with the upside down Corona inside them. The strip is long enough to let you move around, but not so long that it gets overwhelming. And of course, no conversation about Misquamicut would be complete without mention of some of the events they have during the summer: Tons of live music, family-friendly “Magic by Sea” every Thursday in July and August (7pm at the Windjammer), Hermit Crab Races — yes, they don’t know they’re racing, but still they do it — every Wednesday (7:30pm at Purple Ape), and their famous Classic Car Cruise Nights, every Thursday in the Windjammer’s East Parking Lot.

Top Things to do in Newport this Summer

Take a Break From The Beach

If you’re heading to Newport this summer, you’re probably thinking the beach or maybe the cliff walk, but the city has more to offer than just sun and sand. A leisurely stroll down Thames street is always fun, but here are some things to try if you’re in the mood for something new!

Dinner Train The Newport Dinner Train takes diners back to the golden age of railroads with delicious food and ocean views. The 22-mile train ride includes events like “Romancing the Rails,” “Afternoon of Elegance” and family night. The train departs from the depot at 19 America’s Cup Ave. and business casual attire is required.

Newport Harbor Shuttle The Newport Harbor Shuttle is a convenient, cost-effective way to experience the sights in the harbor. The boat departs from Perrotti Park and stops at , Bowen’s Wharf and Goat Island. The biggest advantage of the shuttle is you can hop on and off to your heart’s content for just the initial ticket price! The harbor shuttle is located at 39 America’s Cup Ave.

Naval War College Museum Learn about the naval history of New England and at the ’s Museum. The building was formerly the Newport Asylum for the Poor and is now a National Historic Landmark, and the exhibits focus on the development of the permanent naval fixtures in the city. The museum is located at 686 Cushing Rd.

Old Colony and Newport Railway The Old Colony and Newport Scenic Railway takes you on a relaxing locomotive ride along the west shore of through Newport and Middletown. The line was originally built to provide steamships from Fall River with a railway connection. The train leaves from the depot on America’s Cup Ave., and the train runs most Sundays at 11:45am and 2pm.

Newport Tower (Old Stone Mill) The round stone tower located at Touro Park may not be as flashy as the , but many visitors find its history fascinating. The interesting part: the 28-foot structure was probably built sometime in the 17th century and is commonly thought to be a windmill, but there is no hard evidence that points to exactly what it is. Other theories speculate that it’s a Viking tower, an observatory or a Chinese lighthouse. Come see Newport’s answer to Stonehenge for yourself and formulate your own hypothesis. Touro Park is located between Mill St. and Pelham St.

Ghost Tour at Fort Adams Come to Fort Adams for a nighttime ghost hunt and explore the paranormal side of this famous Newport attraction. Fort Adams has a handful of other educational options, including tours highlighting the military aspects and daily life in the fort, but this is perfect for those interested in the supernatural. Join the Rhode Island Paranormal Society as they take you on a guided tour beneath the walls and explore dark tunnels of this centuries-old structure. Ghost tours will be hosted on July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19 and go from 10pm to midnight.

Newport Art Museum – Events When you’re all tired out from the beach, head indoors and take in some culture at the art museum. Their current summer exhibition is “Very Simple Charm: The Early Life and Work of Richard Morris Hunt in Newport, 1858-1878.” Hunt was a preeminent American architect known for designing many famous structures in Newport (including ) and around the US. In addition, the museum hosts a number of special events, including an “Appraisal Day,” where you can get a professional appraisal for your art or jewelry (June 21), a lecture on Picasso’s obsession with Degas (July 8) and a metal crafting workshop/drum circle (July 28). The museum is located at 76 Bellevue Ave.

Newport Murder Mystery Come see the Newport Murder Mystery troupe for a night of mysterious, family-friendly fun. The company describes themselves as “murder professionals” who are committed to C.R.I.M.E. (Creative Role-Playing Interactive Mystery Experiences). Currently, two alternating performances make up their “Summer of Sin” roster: “Mobsters and Molls” pits swingers and flappers against each other for a whodunnit set in the jazz age, and “Ballgowns, Bling, and Betrayal” is a classy affair set in 18th century high society. The shows are held at the John N.A. Griswold House at the Newport Art Museum and the performances take place on Saturdays throughout the summer.

Irish History Museum on Thames Newport is probably most famous as a summer playground for the country’s most ostentatious millionaires, but the city also has some interesting working-class history. Located in the heart of Newport’s famously Irish Fifth Ward neighborhood, The Irish History museum is a non-profit organization that takes visitors through the experience of the Irish immigrants in Newport. Irish immigrants were instrumental in creating some of the iconic Newport elements; they were recruited to construct Fort Adams and, later, worked in many of the mansions. The museum is located on 648 Lower Thames St. in Newport and is open Thursday – Sunday from noon – 5pm. Admission is by donation.

The 40-odd minute ride to Newport from Providence can seem like a huge undertaking for a Rhode Islander, but activities like these make it worth the drive. No matter what you’re interested in, Newport offers New England residents plenty of options to get out and try to forget that the long, grueling winter ever happened.

Outdoor Dining Destination Spots

Casual and Formal Outdoor Eateries in Rhode Island

If you choose to dine outside, you choose to dine with insects alighting on your lips and in your wine, and you choose to be too hot or too cold but rarely anywhere in between. You choose to permit the wind to toss your hair into your mouth while you’re trying to take a bite of chowder, of all things, and, if it’s feeling particularly gusty, to knock over your glass. But dine outside you must, because summer in Rhode Island is explosively gorgeous and devastatingly brief, and every hour that you waste in a carpeted, air-conditioned tomb — work, school, the DMV — is an hour funneled down the poop drain of your stinking mortality. You long for the sun to bless you with blistering kisses and for the wind to avidly caress your pasty skin, while the elements in turn yearn to beat your troglodyte butt for living a puling half-life in the manmade shade. Fortunately, when it comes to outdoor dining in Rhode Island, opportunity does a thing it hardly ever does: it abounds.

Salty Brine State Beach in Galilee is my favorite Rhode Island beach. There, I said it. Free parking is ample, it’s kept clean, there are accessible public restrooms, it tends to have noticeably less red tide than other nearby beaches, and the breakers are refreshingly nonviolent. Great Island Road is peppered with dining options, all with outdoor seating, and most with decks. Champlin’s and George’s are well- known standbys offering all the classics from fish and chips to lobster dinners. Buster Krab’s Burger Shack and Beach Bar offers a patio with a tropical vibe, replete with two bright plastic palm trees whose fronds sway convincingly in the wind. Clam Jammers (yep) has a great seafood menu and a deck overlooking the commercial fishing dock, where one can contemplate socioeconomics while viewing seagulls fighting over scraps of detritus. But the real gem of this thoroughfare is also the most unlikely. Salty’s Landing is a barely noticeable concession stand tucked into the side of the small building that houses the public restroom facilities. Their menu hits all the important points — fish and chips, chowder, fried clams and scallops, burgers and hot dogs, lemonade, and a handful of other offerings for a few bucks less than their neighbors. Their clam cakes are perfectly fluffy, light, and moist with thin, crispy skins and a generous smattering of diced clams. They have a small seating area on the dock, or you can carry your food to your spot on the beach next to that wonderful patch of welcoming ocean. Eat your fish at the edge of the sea and then carry it in your belly back to the waters where its life began. It’s deliciously epic. Salty’s Landing, Salty Brine’s State Beach at Point Judith Landing; Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day until 5pm; saltyslanding.com

If you prefer something a little less profound and slightly more formal, be sure to head to Crazy Burger. This is one of those places that offers something for everyone: beef burgers, salmon burgers, bean burgers, nut burgers, nut-free burgers, vegan burgers, gluten-free burgers, salads, breakfast and entrees, all with the sauce on the side. The food is legitimately tasty and their back patio area is a secret garden bursting with flora and cloistered with walls of hanging vines, and in the evening it is softly and magically lit with Christmas lights. It’s close enough to Narragansett Town Beach to smell the salt in the air and hear the surf in the distance.

Crazy Burger,144 Boon St., Narragansett, Sunday – Thursday 8am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 8am – 9:30pm, 401-783-1810, crazyburger.com

The Beehive Café in downtown Bristol is set like a small diamond brooch on Franklin Street. Walking in, one is embraced by the warm sensation of just having arrived at a casual and intimate party being thrown in one’s honor. The menu emphasizes local, seasonal ingredients from area farms prepared simply and well. Their main patio sits just outside the main entrance, recessed from the sidewalk and colorfully decorated with eclectic sculpture, but the real treat is the upstairs balcony. Seating just three small tables, those who are lucky enough to score this perch will be treated to an aerial view of Bristol Harbor, which lies just one block Northwest. Wherever you sit, get a lemon square. I’m serious.

The Beehive Cafe, 10 Franklin St., Bristol, Sunday – Wednesday 7am – 4pm, Thursday – Saturday 7am – 9pm, 401-396-9994, thebeehivecafe.com

Head west on route 44 for a scenic drive, against intuition, away from the coast. This is an excellent Sunday path, a path that takes you to the marvelous Stillwater Antiques in Greenville, past the lovely trails at George Washington Campgrounds, and ultimately leads you on to Putnam, CT. Powder Mill Creamery at 777 Putnam Pike in Greenville is an absolutely wonderful year-round roadside establishment that sells breakfast, sandwiches, ice cream, coffee and apple cider donuts. The ice cream and donuts are made fresh on premises, and the burgers are char-grilled to smoky, juicy perfection and served on soft, toasted buns. The building sits neatly in front of a spectacular view of Waterman Lake, and guests are invited to dine at a cluster of pleasantly shaded wood picnic tables that border a picturesque pond. Keep this place in your pocket for autumn; their seasonal gingersnap molasses ice cream is ridiculous, especially paired with a scoop of chocolate.

Powder Mill Creamery, 777 Putnam Pike, 5am – 10pm; Call to confirm hours during winter months; Cash only; 401-949-3040, powdermillcreamery.webs.com

Up In The Air: The Closest Thing to Heaven Without Dying

As a native of Roswell, New Mexico, I’m accustomed to looking to the sky for activity. We consider it a tourist attraction. In Rhode Island, however, The Ocean State, it makes sense that most people look to the water for summer fun. And while I cannot argue with anyone wanting to anchor down at Potter’s Cove for AquaPalooza, I want word on the street to reflect Rhode Island’s plentiful reasons to keep your eyes to the sky as well. Newport’s Annual Kite Festival

“It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s — a gigantic dragon?” is what you could be saying if you head to this year’s Kite Festival on July 13 and 14 in Newport. The festival takes place at Brenton Point State Park, a premier spot for kite flying that keeps the sky colorful all summer long. For those with young’uns, there is no better way to spend a Saturday. There will be contests like the Bol races (running upwind while pulling a parachute) and the Candy Drop — something akin to a large piñata that releases candy, which is, unfortunately, restricted only to children. New kites will be given to contest and raffle winners, and if the festival sparks an interest in a new hobby, even better! Ron Kitt, owner of Kitt Kites and host of the Newport Kite Festival, has a mobile site at Brenton Park and offers free lessons every weekend during the summer. The events are free of charge, and beginning at noon on Saturday and Sunday, there will be demonstrations of Sport Kites and Power Kites, Rok (and roll) battles among traditional Japanese Rokkaku-style kites, and The Largest Kite contest. Randy the Kite Man, known for his large show kites, will be back this year from Florida and bringing a gigantic dragon with him. Grab a Del’s and enjoy the show.

Another “super-fly” event worth attending is the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival at URI on July 18 through 20. What was once a small gathering of hot air balloonists has now become one of the greatest summer attractions in Rhode Island. Now in its 36th year, this festival has a calendar so full of activities that people will enjoy arriving at an ungodly hour of 5:30am to catch the sunrise balloon launch and staying until 9pm to watch the dusk balloon lighting and firework display. There will be wildlife shows, carnival games, craft booths, a car show, tightrope walkers, steel drummers and a rockin’ R&B band. All are free with admission. There will also be a BBQ contest in which teams compete for $1,000 and a chance to represent Rhode Island at the National BBQ Championship this year. (Great news for foodies like me: It’s not too late to be a BBQ judge! You can find applications online.)

But the main attraction is, of course, the hot air balloons. One of the pilots, Jeff Haliczer, will be coming to the South County Festival for the first time with his dog, Ben, and his “Off the Wall,” Humpty Dumpty-shaped balloon. Jeff got his start flying hot air balloons in Gallup, NM (New Mexican high five!), and he’s looking forward to flying in Rhode Island, one of the four contiguous states he has not yet visited. He won’t be hard to miss with his funky balloon at the dusk glow Friday and Saturday night, or flying high each morning as the sun comes up.

I’ve often wondered if flying in a hot air balloon was a peaceful experience, since I imagine floating through the sky would be, so I asked the expert.

“My passengers fill out a guestbook after they’ve ridden with me,” Jeff replied, “and one of them once described it as ‘the closest thing to heaven without dying.’ I think that sums it up pretty well.”

For those who are interested in experiencing heaven at this year’s festival, pilots can be contacted directly. Tethered rides are also available throughout the day. Details for balloon rides and other events can be found at southcountyballoonfest.com

Even without a festival to attend, Newport is a popular summer destination. Daredevils and adrenaline junkies (you know who you are) can skydive Newport or Lincoln, RI, with Skydiving Rhode Island (1-800-591-7984). Take pictures! More subtle adventurers should look into Island Style Parasail. Parasailing is an activity that perfectly combines the air and water — soaring through the sky with a parachute while being tethered to a boat. My hot-air-balloon-serenity theory came from parasailing: amazing views, open environment, stress-free. Wade, the owner, has 17 years of experience parasailing in Hawaii and began this operation last summer. Even people afraid of heights will find nothing to fear. Tandem rides are perfect for friends, families and couples. Wade brings the Island Style to RI by igniting laughter, throwing shakas (thumb and pinky finger out), and showing folks a lot of Aloha. Call 401-601-0330 for reservations.

This summer, remember to keep your eyes up or take to the sky yourself. There’s plenty to do up in the air.

Block (Island) Party — Come Get a Taste Food, Drinks, and Events for Everyone!

Everyone — from the outdoor enthusiast to the Baggo playing beer lover — will find something to enjoy at this year’s Taste of Block Island from paddleboarding lessons to wine tastings, book signings to lighthouse tours, discounted items to the absolutely free (and who can say no to free?). During the May 30 – June 1 weekend, you’ll be able to choose from 67 events and activities around the island, and that’s in addition to the 24 participating restaurants, 40 retailers giving discounts and 13 hotels offering weekend deals. I can barely create an itinerary worthy of all that I want to do (including weaving my own potholder and building my own ice cream sundae), but here is just a taste of the Taste of Block Island.

Five Reasons To Jump On Board (the Ferry)

1. Beer and wine, hooray!

For the past six years, the biggest draw has been — not surprisingly — the beer and wine tastings. As such, these events require pre-registration (see below for details) and spots fill up quickly. For an aphrodisiacal good time, check out The Beachhead Restaurant where the wine tasting comes with sensual $1 oysters. If beer sounds more your style, check out The Mohegan Café and Brewery. Ten lucky people will get a behind-the-scenes tour with the Brew Master himself, Dave Sniffen, and enjoy a flight of beer, light snacks and a 16 oz. freshly poured draft to end the session (only $12!).

2. Bacon-Fest

Ah, what a glorious hyphenated sentiment. In addition to being surrounded by heavenly aromas, you can help decide which chef will be crowned Winner of Bacon Fest 2014! Hosted by the Poor People’s Pub and Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR), this will be the first-ever BI Bacon Fest. Eight local chefs will put their best bacon dish forward (including Block’s of Fudge’s chocolate-covered bacon) and YOU can sample all of the delectable dishes and cast a vote. There will be giveaways, and the champion will earn a pig trophy. And if that doesn’t convince you, come for the free PBR (each person gets two) and the knowledge that proceeds from the entrance fee are benefiting a great cause, the Sloviken Project. This event does not require pre-registration, but you must purchase a $16 Bacon-fest Bracelet.

The Sloviken Project is a restoration project started by the BI Conservancy. They purchased the old, dilapidated ocean-front property and hope to create a public park where people can picnic, watch surfers and drink PBR.

3. Fire Pits and a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar

The National Hotel is hard to miss when exiting the ferry — a big white monument of a building — and it’s a great place to begin or end your day. For early(ish) risers who come for breakfast, you’ll get to experience a free round of the Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar with the purchase of an entrée (a previous night’s hangover is not required). Late risers can stop by for lunch or dinner and get a free cup o’ chowdah with their meal, an award-winning recipe that took first place in last year’s chowder contest. Meanwhile, for those who only cross the threshold when the sun goes down, check out the National’s fire pit out back. This year they’ll be chewing the (bacon?) fat while roasting s’mores, and you’ll get a complimentary s’more when you order any cocktail. Accommodation discounts are also available for those who wouldn’t mind waking up to a Bloody Mary Bar every day.

4. Free Souvenirs

The Glass Float Project is now in its third year, and it’s a summer-long event in which tennis-ball-sized glass orbs, uniquely numbered and stamped with the year and a Block Island logo, are hidden across the island. This year they’ve upped the ante to 500 glass orbs, which will be dispersed sporadically in waves of 100 between May and September. Keep your eyes open because it’s finders keepers (but please take only one; the greedy have a special circle in Dante’s hell).

5. The Library is a Hot Attraction

Book nerds, rejoice! The library is a hotspot this year, particularly for free and awesome events. Check out Block Island’s debut Film Festival, featuring five short films starting at 8pm, and pick up your Scavenger Hunt list during the day. But be prepared to cross paths with me as I dart around the island and dominate the competition. (Ahem. Kidding.) For those whose competitive spirit is amplified (or nullified) by a cocktail, check out the free Baggo Tournament at The Oar Restaurant — grab a bean bag and play or cheer on the contestants.

Some very important information: In order to participate in the events and receive discounts, you’ll need to purchase a Taste of Block Island button ($5), which can be found on the BI Ferry or at the Block Island Chamber of Commerce. For events that are restricted to a small number of people, reserve a spot by calling 1-800-383-2474 or sign up in person at the Chamber. And most importantly, check out all of the events! Family friendly activities, such as Abram’s Animal Farm Tour, are great for young’uns, there’s kayaking and yoga for the exercise gurus, and museum tours and twilight walks for the deep thinkers. Find the complete list and peruse participating restaurants, retail stores and hotels at the Chamber’s website: blockislandchamber.com/taste-block-island.

Don’t miss out! Burbage Brings the Laughs Through Orson’s Shadow

Satirical Comedy Comes to the Artist’s Exchange

There truly is a wonderful gaggle of talented actors in Rhode Island. And they’re not just at the “professional” venues; they are everywhere. Orson’s Shadow, by Austin Pendleton, is currently playing at the Artists’ Exchange on Rolfe Street in Cranston and it provides a vehicle to showcase the character and comedic talents of some of these fine actors. Presented by the Burbage Theater Company, Orson’s Shadow is chock full of silly delights.

Jeff Church and Alex Duckworth, co-founders of the Burbage Theater Company, star in the play as Sir Lawrence Olivier and Orson Welles, respectively. Orson’s Shadow is loosely based on real events, set in 1960 London at the Royal Court Theater, and pits the two giant talents, with even larger egos, against each other. Welles attempts to direct Olivier in Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist play, Rhinoceros. The plan is for this collaboration to be a brilliant come back for both men, instigated by Welles’s dear friend, New York critic Kenneth Tynan. Tynan is played by Nathaniel Lee, who gives a fine, understated performance. However, their situation plays more like a comedy of errors.

In Pendelton’s entertaining script, Kane has already faced the question of what to do after great success, since Citizen Kane was the zenith of his career at the age of 26. He is now 45. The young stage hand Sean (Andrew Iacovelli) is a sore reminder that a younger generation may already have forgotten Welles’s achievements. Olivier realizes his performing days are numbered, underlined by a wretched, nearly slapstick attempt at remembering his lines. To assuage his ego, Olivier has taken up with an ingénue, Joan Plowright, played with sweet charm by Allison Crews. However, Olivier’s wife, the great Vivian Leigh of Gone with the Wind fame, keeps close tabs on him. Valerie Westgate is marvelous as the aging, admittedly mentally unstable, seductress.

Church and Duckworth bring amazing energy and humor to the geniuses they portray, sparing and jabbing at each other and anyone else who moves. Orson’s Shadow is a laugh-a-minute, satiric take on the foibles, insecurities, superstitions and admitted frailties of those in the performing arts. Film and theater folks both will see themselves, or someone they know well, mirrored on stage.

The only distracting item is the fat suit worn by Duckworth as Welles. I did see an early preview, and perhaps more attention will be paid to smoothing out the awkwardness. For those who have never carried extra pounds, it is difficult to appreciate the effort it takes to move. But the comedy comes fast and furious with expert timing and pauses in the just the right places.

Orson’s Shadow continues at the Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Street in the Black Box Theater. Performances are May 29 through 31 at 8pm and June 5 through 7 at 8pm. Call 401-490-9475 for tickets. For more information about the show or the Burbage Theater company, please visit btctheater.webs.com or check them out on Facebook.