I’m not saying today's newsletter will break the internet like Taylor announcing her next album on Travis Kelce’s podcast, but it might just be your second-favorite thing to happen this week. From weekend must-do’s to surprise local snaps from Rhody’s own Patty J, plus a few irresistible extras tucked in between, today’s newsletter is your backstage pass to what’s happening now.

Weekend Must-Do’s: Make the Most of Your Weekend with Festivals, Food, and Fun

From dancing through time with Hairspray to lobster BBQs, Greek celebrations, and reggae beats, Rhode Island is bursting with can't-miss events this weekend. Whether you’re in the mood for live music, classic cars, or a hearty helping of littlenecks, there’s something for every kind of local adventurer. Read the full list online.

^{• By Caitlyn Bailey, photo courtesy of Warren Folks Festival}

Eat Your Way Through August With These Unexpected Local Faves

From lobster ice cream to fancy hot dogs and Parisian brasserie fare, Patty J's August picks are anything but boring. Her Rhody round-up highlights eight standout spots, from Ashaway to Newport, serving creative, crave-worthy eats you’ll want to try before summer ends. Read more online.

^{• By Patty J, photo courtesy of Patty J}

^{Presented by Greenwood Marketing Collective}

Tell Your Brand’s Story with Greenwood Marketing Collective

Great branding starts with a great story. Whether you’re launching a new concept or in need of a fresh approach to marketing, finding the secret sauce that makes your audience stop scrolling and engage with what you have to offer the world is a kind of artform. Greenwood Marketing Collective partners with any-sized organization, from tech companies to small, mission-driven organizations, to tell their unique stories with powerful messaging.

“We believe marketing should be strategic, impactful, and – dare we say it – fun,” says founder and owner Courtney Greenwood. If you’re all about bold ideas, conciseness and consistency, making authentic connections, or turning a business dream into reality, Greenwood’s marketing services are the perfect match.

“Through creativity, authenticity, and a deep understanding of what makes your business unique, we build marketing strategies that truly connect,” she explains. Services include impactful launch planning, creating data-driven campaigns, brand storytelling, mapping customer experiences, and optimizing existing marketing strategies. If you’re not quite sure where you are on your marketing journey, hourly sessions can provide clarity to charge ahead with confidence – no contract needed.

Not sure where your brand’s story begins? No problem – Greenwood helps clients dive deep to excavate the backstory behind a great idea. “I make sure you feel seen as a business owner,” she says. “We’ll talk about how you ended up where you are today, and explore the ‘why’ – your reasons for starting the company, why you love it, why you show up every day. Through these conversations, a story emerges that is impactful to the overall brand and messaging, and subsequently, marketing goals!”

She continues, “we do all of this with a spirit of collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared excitement for what’s possible.”

Ready to take the leap with your brand? Visit GreenwoodMarketingCollective.com to get started.

Check Out Our Latest On Youtube: Expensive Hash Browns, Tasty Mead, and Clamming Fun

Elyse, Nick, and Jenna are back on the mics, tackling the internet’s latest obsessions—from shockingly pricey hash browns to Jenna’s grit in the clamming game. Plus, Rhode Island’s about to get buzzed with a brand-new mead specialty spot.

Devon Allman Dishes on His All-Star Blues Summit Ahead of Cranston Show

In a candid phone chat, Devon Allman opened up about the friendships and legends fueling his Blues Summit tour, which hits the Park Theatre on August 21. From touring with “Uncle” Jimmy Hall to assembling a band of blues heavyweights, Allman shared what makes this show a can't-miss celebration of rock, soul, and family ties. Read more online.

^{• By Ken Abrams, photo courtesy of The Park Theatre}

Job boards are dead. Your network is alive

Indy AI by Contra helps you find opportunities through your existing network. It connects to LinkedIn and X, then quietly surfaces warm opportunities. No cold outreach. No job boards. No feed fatigue. Just opportunities that find you.

Let work find you

Rhode Island Folk Fest Returns with a Fresh Tune at Crescent Park

The Rhode Island Folk Festival hits all the right notes on August 24 in East Providence, celebrating local and national talent with a genre-spanning lineup. From three dynamic stages to food trucks, craft vendors, and new interactive features, this free, family-friendly fest offers more than just music. Read more online.

^{• By Jenna Kaplan, photo by Ken Abrams}