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The grills are firing up, the river is glowing, and spring in Rhode Island finally feels like it showed up for real. From basement soppressata rituals in Westerly to pedal-powered adventures on the rail trail, this is the season when we shake off winter and remember why we love living here. Today’s newsletter is your shortcut to the good stuff: WaterFire’s historic 500th lighting, a stacked weekend of family fun and live music, plus fresh stories that capture the flavor (and the cured meats) that make Rhode Island special.
WaterFire Providence 500th Lighting Invites You to Be a Torchbearer
WaterFire is celebrating its 500th lighting by inviting Rhode Islanders to step into the ritual as one of 500 community torchbearers. It is a rare chance to move from the riverbank into the glow and take part in one of Providence’s most iconic traditions. Read more online.
Affordable Youth Golf Program Makes Getting Started Easier
In Westerly, making “soupy” is less about recipes and more about ritual, where basements fill with laughter, sharp elbows, and generations of know-how. This beloved Italian-American tradition turns sausage-making into a full-family affair, with every link carrying a little history, a little pride, and a lot of flavor. Read more online.
A Westerly Tradition Worth the Wait and the Cure
In Westerly, making soppressata isn’t just a winter ritual, it’s a basement-born tradition that brings families together in a rhythm of recipes, stories, and spice. From handwritten cards to sold-out SoupyFest celebrations, this Old World craft continues to connect generations and neighbors, one perfectly cured link at a time. Read more online.
Rhody Recs is your weekly roundup of what’s happening across the state, a built-in excuse to rally the crew early instead of scrambling for plans at the last minute. Because let’s be real, life’s too short to leave the fun for last minute.
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Friday 4/24 | 2026 Arbor Day Celebration Celebrate the power of trees and community at the 2026 Arbor Day Celebration, happening at 11am at Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket, with guest speakers, presentations, and live music filling the park. Learn more online ⸻ Sip & Sensory Play Sip & Sensory Play welcomes families to Little Lattes Play Cafe in Coventry from 5-7pm, offering a thoughtful, sensory-friendly evening where kids can explore and play while caregivers connect over coffee in an inclusive, community-centered space. Learn more online ⸻ Friday Family Fun Night: Pizza Party and Crafts Ease into the weekend at Play Time RI in Smithfield from 5-7pm, where this laid-back family night pairs pizza, simple crafts, and calm indoor play for an easy, no-stress evening everyone can enjoy. Learn more online |
Saturday 4/25 | Bookish Cocktail Party Bookish Cocktail Party pours from 6-9pm at Book Around in Pawtucket, serving up a cozy night of literary-inspired cocktails, light bites, and lively book talk with fellow readers who came to sip and stay awhile. Learn more online ⸻ 2000’s BANGER’S Throw it back at Medici in Providence from 10pm–2am, where this late-night dance party spins all the iconic 2000s hits for a nostalgia-fueled night of singing, dancing, and main character energy. Learn more online ⸻ Beatles – Beatlemania Again Step into the sound of the Sixties at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston from 7:30-10pm, where this high-energy tribute brings The Beatles’ biggest hits to life with costume changes, nostalgia, and plenty of sing-along moments. Learn more online |
Sunday 4/26 | The Back Burners The Back Burners take the stage at Myrtle in East Providence from 7-9pm, serving up a high-energy night of blues, soul, and rock led by a lineup of seasoned players who know how to keep the groove simmering. Learn more online ⸻ Clothing Swap at The Nest Refresh your closet the feel-good way at The Nest in Providence from 4–6pm, where this community-driven swap invites you to trade, browse, and leave with new-to-you pieces while keeping things sustainable, inclusive, and effortlessly cool. Learn more online ⸻ Blood on the Clocktower @ ISCO Blood on the Clocktower @ ISCO unfolds from 2-6pm at ISCO in Providence, where cocktails meet clever gameplay in an immersive afternoon of mystery, strategy, and social deduction. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Newport Jazz Festival 2026 Delivers a Lineup That Spans Generations
Newport Jazz Festival returns to Fort Adams July 31 through August 2, blending legends like Herbie Hancock with genre-bending stars and a new era under Artistic Director Nate Smith. Expect three days of discovery, nostalgia, and harbor views that make staying for “just one more set” feel like the only plan that matters. Read more online.
One of RI’s Wildest Rides
Curious if Rail Explorers in Portsmouth lives up to the hype? The Hey Rhody crew and friends hops on pedal-powered rail bikes for a scenic, laugh-filled ride along the coast, giving you a front-row seat to one of Rhode Island’s most buzzed-about summer adventures.
Finally, Skincare That Boosts NAD+ At the Source
For decades, skincare has focused on aesthetic results. But we started by asking a different question: what if instead of trying to preserve our skin's youth, we prioritized optimizing our skin's function? That's how Aramore’s NAD+ skincare was born.
Developed by Harvard & MIT scientists, Aramore is a skincare system based on skin’s performance, not just its appearance. NAD+ production slows down significantly as we age, and this causes all the telltale science of aging.
Aramore is the only skincare formulated to help skin produce NAD+ like much younger skin would. The result? Skin that’s stronger, firmer, and more resilient, that not only looks better, but stays healthier over time.
Tucked along Route 138 near URI, Fayerweather House is a historic gem where local artisans keep traditional crafts alive through handmade goods, workshops, and live demonstrations. Reopening for its 61st season, this charming white house invites you to shop one-of-a-kind pieces and mark your calendar for its Outdoor Craft Fair on April 25. Read more online.
⭐Looking for one last excuse to browse, snack, and support local all in one stop? The final PVD Flea at Farm Fresh Market Hall wraps up the season on April 26 from 11am–3pm in Providence, bringing together 80+ indie vendors, vintage finds, food trucks, and more under one lively roof. It’s a free, family-friendly sendoff to a market that makes Sundays feel like a small celebration of everything Rhode Island does best.
⭐Ever wondered what stories your city would tell if you slowed down long enough to listen? From May 1 through May 3, Jane’s Walk returns to Providence with 20 free, resident-led walking conversations that invite locals to explore neighborhoods like Fox Point, the Woonasquatucket, and the Valley Arts District through fresh eyes. No tickets, no reservations, just show up rain or shine and join the conversation on the move.
⭐ Ever wish you could step into a summer night filled with the songs you already know by heart? Theatre By The Sea is debuting a world premiere concert event, You’ve Still Got a Friend, celebrating the music and enduring friendship of Carole King and James Taylor with a lineup of timeless hits. This special addition to the 2026 season brings a fresh reason to visit the historic barn theatre, where nearly a century of summer performances meets a brand-new story told through iconic songs.
