- Hey Rhody Newsletter
- Posts
- Jay Leno Talks Rhody ⚓
Jay Leno Talks Rhody ⚓
Go behind the scenes with Jay Leno, get your zeppole fix for Saint Joseph’s Day, discover Rhody-made goods for your next adventure, + more!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, Rhody fam! After a weekend full of parades, pints, and plenty of green around the Ocean State, today feels like the victory lap. If you’re easing back into the week with a little leftover Irish cheer, we’ve got a few good reads lined up. In today’s newsletter, we’re covering everything from a sit-down with Jay Leno to where to find Saint Joseph’s Day pastries around Rhode Island. Plus, a few more local stories and Rhody finds worth adding to your radar.
Jay Leno’s Newport Era Is Still Running on All Cylinders
From performing more than 100 stand-up shows a year to hosting Jay Leno’s Garage and popping up at local events, the legendary comedian has become one of Newport’s most recognizable part-time residents. Now, as he gears up to co-headline a Foxwoods show with Arsenio Hall, Leno proves that his love of comedy, classic cars, and New England charm is still very much in the driver’s seat. Read more online.
16 Rhode Island Bakeries Serving Zeppole’s for Saint Joseph’s Day
Saint Joseph’s Day means bakery cases across Rhode Island are piled high with zeppole, the beloved Italian pastries filled with silky cream and dusted with powdered sugar. From Federal Hill classics to neighborhood favorites across the state, these local small businesses are serving up some of the sweetest ways to celebrate the season. Read more online.
Presented by Harkins Wealth Management
Financial Planning That Aligns With Your Values
On Providence’s East Side, a quiet shift is happening in how people think about wealth. At Harkins Wealth Management on Gano Street, the conversation goes beyond numbers and market trends. It starts with a simple question: What if financial success could also reflect personal values?
The family-owned firm, led by partners Rick Harkins, Michelle Cortés-Harkins, and Chancellor Harkins, works with individuals, couples, and organizations to build financial plans that balance security with purpose. As fee-only fiduciary advisors, the team prioritizes transparency and trust, guiding clients through life’s biggest transitions with both technical expertise and a clear understanding of the emotional side of money.
That people-first approach carries through to its Certified B Corp status. The designation reflects a commitment to environmental, social, and governance standards that shape how the firm operates and how it invests on behalf of clients. The team believes financial growth should not come at the expense of the community or the planet. Instead, they view responsible investing as a way to protect long-term outcomes while aligning portfolios with what matters most.
Through Socially Responsible and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing strategies, Harkins helps clients support positive change while managing potential risks tied to climate issues, governance challenges, or labor practices. Research continues to show that sustainable funds can perform competitively with traditional investments while often reducing downside exposure.
Beyond the office, the firm stays connected to the community through initiatives like Women and Wealth, local events, and financial literacy programs designed to create welcoming spaces for honest conversations about money.
For those looking to align life and finances with intention, Harkins Wealth Management offers a place to start. Learn more online at HarkinsWealthManagement.com.
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 |
|---|---|
Wednesday 3/18 | The Cardigan Connection: 10th Birthday Bash Celebrate a decade of literary community at The Cardigan Connection’s 10th Birthday Bash at Alchemy in Providence, where doors open at 6:30PM and the program begins at 7pm with featured authors Victoria Christopher Murray, Grant Ginder, and Reena Shah, plus festive sweets and drinks from the bar. Learn more online ⸻ MLK Concert: Legacy in Harmony Experience an evening of reflection and powerful music at MLK Concert: Legacy in Harmony at the RISD Auditorium in Providence from 6-8pm, where the Marian Anderson String Quartet performs in a moving tribute honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learn more online |
Thursday 3/19 | Brickley’s Ice Cream Season Opening Scoop season is officially back as Brickley’s Ice Cream reopens for the year in Wakefield, welcoming eager fans to celebrate the return of cones, cups, and classic flavors at the beloved local shop. Learn more online ⸻ 4th Annual Game Dinner Come hungry for adventure at the 4th Annual Game Dinner at The Breachway Grill in Charlestown, where an indulgent multi-course feast unfolds throughout the evening with bold bites like rattlesnake venison sausage, turtle soup, espresso-glazed wild boar, and bison short rib. Learn more online ⸻ The Feast of St. Joseph Celebrate a sweet Italian tradition at The Feast of St. Joseph on Federal Hill in Providence, where visitors can stroll Atwells Avenue and savor classic zeppole pastries baked by neighborhood bakeries in honor of the beloved holiday. Learn more online ⸻ Caymus Vineyard Wine Dinner Raise a glass at the Caymus Vineyard Wine Dinner at Fogo de Chão in Providence from 7-9pm, where guests can savor a multi-course menu thoughtfully paired with renowned Caymus wines during an evening designed for lovers of bold flavors and refined dining. Learn more online |
Friday 3/20 | Haus of Codec Third Friday Market The Haus of Codec Third Friday Market pops up at Farm Fresh Rhode Island in Providence from 5-9pm, bringing together local art vendors, community resources, and a round of Vendor Bingo for prizes at this free, all-ages marketplace. Learn more online ⸻ Billy Ocean Live Get ready to sing along when Billy Ocean takes the stage at Bally’s Event Center in Lincoln, with doors opening at 7pm and the show starting at 8pm, for a night packed with timeless hits from the legendary soul and pop icon behind classics like “Caribbean Queen” and “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car. Learn more online ⸻ Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Step into a world of mystery at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy at the Newport Art Museum in Newport, where guests spend 90 minutes sipping themed cocktails while actors bring the legendary author’s haunting tales to life in an immersive storytelling experience. Learn more online ⸻ Family Friendly Interactive Improv Comedy Show Laugh along and maybe even join the action at the Family Friendly Interactive Improv Comedy Show at the Warwick Center for the Arts in Warwick from 8- 9pm, where quick-witted performers turn audience suggestions into spontaneous scenes during this lively, all-ages comedy night. Learn more online |
Saturday 3/21 | The 3rd Annual GFree Fest The 3rd Annual GFree Fest takes over the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence for a weekend celebration of all things gluten free, where guests can browse specialty vendors, enjoy restaurant pop-ups, and sip gluten-free cocktails and beer while exploring the festival from Saturday through Sunday. Learn more online ⸻ Crafting Event at Imagine Gift Store Tap into your crafty side at the Crafting Event at Imagine Gift Store in Warren from 12-4pm, where guests can turn simple wooden shapes into colorful keepsakes using paints, dried flowers, seashells, and a table full of embellishments. Learn more online ⸻ Saint Patrick's Cake Decorating Class Get into the festive spirit at the Saint Patrick’s Cake Decorating Class at Ben & Jerry’s on Thayer Street in Providence from 10-11am, where guests will learn simple piping techniques while decorating two mini cakes with playful clover and rainbow designs. Learn more online ⸻ Craft Cocktail Class Shake things up at the Craft Cocktail Class at O’Brien & Brough in Bristol from 1-3pm, where guests will mix, sip, and learn bartending techniques alongside lead bartender Jared Dauphinais during this hands-on mixology session. Learn more online |
Sunday 3/22 | Munroe Dairy Hosts Peter Rabbit Hop over to The Sacred Cow Scoop Shop and Market in East Providence for Munroe Dairy Hosts Peter Rabbit from 11am-2pm, where families can snap photos with Peter Rabbit, decorate festive cookies, and enjoy Easter crafts along with sweet seasonal treats. Learn more online ⸻ Paint & Sip at Ravenous Brewing Company with Paul Santos Art Unwind with a brush in one hand and a drink in the other at Paint & Sip at Ravenous Brewing Company in Cumberland from 12:30-3:30pm, where local artist Paul Santos leads a relaxed, step-by-step session to create a tranquil landscape painting. Learn more online ⸻ Joe Parillo & The New Ensemble Settle in for a lively night of jazz at Joe Parillo & The New Ensemble at Pump House Music Works in Wakefield, where doors open at 6pm and the music begins at 7pm with an all-star lineup of musicians and a full bar to keep the good vibes flowing. Learn more online ⸻ Breakfast with the Rainforest Residents Start the morning on a tropical note at Breakfast with the Rainforest Residents at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence from 8-10am, where guests enjoy a hot breakfast followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo’s rainforest habitat, including a training demo and a visit inside the free-flight aviary. Learn more online ⸻ Spring Break Drag Brunch Bring your appetite and your sparkle to the Spring Break Drag Brunch at Stoneacre Brasserie in Newport starting at 10:30am, where dazzling performances from Kennedy Plaza, Ladda Nuru, Mackenzie, and Lucy Diamonds pair perfectly with brunch cocktails and seaside vibes. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Shop: Goods Made for Adventuring
From stylish carry-ons to surf-ready boards, Rhode Island makers are crafting the perfect gear for wherever the season takes you. Whether you’re chasing warmer weather or simply picking up a new hobby close to home, these locally made finds make every outing feel like an adventure. Read more online.
See the Backyard Through Bug Eyes at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Roger Williams Park Zoo invites visitors to shrink down to insect size with A Bug’s World, a new exhibit opening April 11 where ants loom large, spider webs become climbing structures, and butterflies feel larger than life. This immersive experience blends giant-scale exploration with hands-on learning, offering a fun reminder that even the smallest creatures play a big role in keeping nature buzzing. Read more online.
⭐ Who doesn’t love a birthday with cake? Track 15 is celebrating its first anniversary on March 18 with complimentary Funfetti cupcakes for the first 150 guests at lunch and another 150 at dinner, available with any food purchase at the bustling downtown Providence food hall. After a year that has welcomed nearly 750,000 guests, the historic Union Station hotspot invites the community to stop by, grab a bite from its lineup of local vendors, and toast the milestone with something sweet.
⭐ Ready to raise a glass to Rhode Island’s most inspiring women in business? Our Cheers to Leading Ladies celebration returns March 26 at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in South Kingstown for a night of connection, celebration, and a little well-earned applause. Expect complimentary bites, music, special guest appearances, and inspiring remarks from this year’s Leading Ladies, plus plenty of time to mingle with fellow changemakers from across the Ocean State.
⭐What happens when movement becomes the story? Pure Dance, running March 20-29 at the Woodman Center at Moses Brown, brings together three striking works that showcase the beauty, precision, and emotion of the human body in motion. Featuring choreography by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, and Yury Yanowsky, the program moves from sparkling classical brilliance to meditative reflection and bold contemporary energy in one unforgettable evening of dance.
#HeyRhodyPhotos
A horizon worth slowing down for. ✨
Photo by @savagejuliephotography
Use #HeyRhodyPhotos to share your Rhody views, and it might be featured here!