What do Father’s Day, PrideFest, Juneteenth, and Rhode Island’s 250th anniversary have in common? They’re all giving us reasons to get out and explore this weekend. From celebrations and community gatherings to local stories worth reading, today’s newsletter is packed with ways to make the most of the days ahead. We rounded up can’t-miss events, fresh places to check out, and a few stories that might send you down a rabbit hole of local history. Consider this your shortcut to a very full calendar.
6 Life Lessons Learned After 300 Yoga Classes in Rhode Island
From building routines and friendships to learning patience and resilience, the benefits of yoga often show up long after class ends. In celebration of International Day of Yoga, discover six lessons the practice can teach both on and off the mat, along with Rhode Island studios where you can get started. Read more online.
Meet 3 Rhode Island Rescue Pets Ready for Adoption
Thinking about adding a furry family member this summer? Meet Bella, Maple Chex, and Gomez, three lovable Rhode Island rescue pets searching for forever homes, each with plenty of personality, charm, and cuddles to give. Read more online.
Presented by Newport Historical Society
Discover the New Center for Black History in Newport
Black history and culture are integral to life in Newport, from the city's founding to today, and the Newport Historical Society is ready to center those essential stories in a shared space for reflection, learning, and connection.
The Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History opens just in time for Juneteenth. Housed in the 329-year-old Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, the community-centered space invites visitors to explore the people, families, and experiences that helped shape Newport into the city it is today.
Guests can engage with rotating exhibitions, educational programs, genealogy projects, and special events that connect personal stories to Newport's larger history. It's a chance to discover the city through a different lens, one that highlights connections stretching across Rhode Island, the nation, and beyond.
Developed in partnership with members of Newport's Black community, the Center was created as a living, evolving space where local voices help inform future exhibitions and programs.
The Center's opening weekend offers several opportunities to join the celebration. On Friday, June 19, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the Center at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, brings a family-friendly event during the day and a Center Opening Celebration in the evening. The weekend concludes on Sunday, June 21, with an Interfaith Celebration at the Center at 1 p.m.
For anyone looking to experience a different side of Newport's story, opening weekend offers the perfect opportunity to step inside and be part of the conversation. Learn more about the celebrations, upcoming events, and the Center's mission at NewportBlackHistory.org, and follow along on Instagram at @newporthistory or on Facebook for updates.
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 6/19 | Newport to Bermuda Race Festival Watch 155 sailboats begin their 636-mile journey to Bermuda from 11 AM-4 PM at Fort Adams State Park, where live music, food trucks, family activities, and waterfront views turn race day into one of Newport’s biggest summer celebrations. Learn more online ⸻ Planet KPOP Experience a high-energy fusion of concert spectacle and dance performance at Veterans Memorial Auditorium at 6 PM, where synchronized choreography, interactive moments, and K-pop fandom take center stage for one unforgettable night. Learn more online ⸻ Open House at the Ship History Center Drop anchor at Ship History Center in Warwick from 10 AM-2 PM for free tours, deck games, scavenger hunts, a used book sale, and plenty of hands-on maritime fun for all ages. Learn more online |
Saturday 6/20 | Phoenix Magick Market & Psychic Faire 2026 Step into a weekend of crystals, tarot, psychic readings, and mystical discoveries from 11 AM-5 PM at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick, where vendors, workshops, and live performances bring a little magic to Warwick. Learn more online ⸻ Anchor Away! A Mosaic Workshop Get crafty by the coast at The Attwater from 2-4 PM, where you'll create a colorful anchor-themed mosaic while learning the art of tilework from a local Rhode Island artist. Learn more online ⸻ Hannah Brown Meet & Greet with Signed Book Meet bestselling author and former Bachelorette star Hannah Brown at Audrey's Coffee House & Lounge from 6-9 PM, where fans can snap a photo, pick up a signed copy of her new novel, and be among the first to celebrate its release. Learn more online |
Sunday 6/21 | Father's Day Feast on the Farm Annual Breakfast Treat Dad to a hearty farm breakfast at Mapleville Farm starting at 10 AM, where waffles, local meats, strawberry shortcake, and plenty of small-town charm make for a Father's Day tradition worth arriving hungry for. Learn more online ⸻ RI250 Concert on the Lawn Bring a blanket and settle in at Varnum House Museum from 5-7 PM for a free outdoor concert by Rhode Island’s historic Lafayette Band, followed by garden and museum tours celebrating 250 years of local history. Learn more online ⸻ Tours of The Towers Step inside The Towers from 10 AM to 1 PM for a free guided look at one of Rhode Island’s most iconic landmarks, complete with sweeping bay views and fascinating stories from Narragansett’s past. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
A Wilco Festival Dream Comes True for This Sibling Duo
A brother-and-sister duo who once road-tripped to Wilco landmarks and attended Newport Folk Festival as devoted fans are now headed to the stage at Solid Sound Festival in the Berkshires. Sam and Louise Sullivan share the unlikely story behind their invitation to one of indie music's most beloved festivals, along with the family roots, folk influences, and Rhode Island connections that helped shape their sound. Read more online.
Bad news is good business. Not everyone buys it.
Markets move. Headlines catastrophize. But somewhere inside the noise is the story that matters — the opportunity, not the fear.
The Daily Upside was built by Wall Street insiders to find it — global business and finance, reported without the alarm.
A Cape Cod Retreat for Letter Writers and Analog Dreamers
What happens when you swap notifications for notecards and ocean views? At Ocean Edge Resort on Cape Cod, a weekend retreat centered around letter writing, wellness, and slow living offered the kind of reset that's increasingly hard to find. Between beachfront writing sessions, a floating sound bath, and plenty of time to unplug, guests rediscovered the simple luxury of putting pen to paper. Read more online.
⭐Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Juneteenth with the whole family? Head to Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church in Hope on June 19 for a free community gathering featuring live music by Kim Trusty, hands-on activities, games, crafts, and a picnic lunch. From 11 AM-3 PM, the event offers an afternoon of reflection, connection, and celebration in honor of freedom, culture, and community.
⭐How did Rhode Island help shape the future of soccer in America? Discover the answer at the Museum of Work & Culture's new exhibition, How Immigrants Became Icons, which traces 141 years of local soccer history from Blackstone Valley mill towns to today's professional game. Through historic photographs, artifacts, and stories of pioneering players and immigrant communities, the exhibit reveals how Rhode Island became one of the most influential places in American soccer history.
⭐Ever wondered what the world looks like from a bug’s point of view? A Bug’s World at Roger Williams Park Zoo transforms everyday backyard creatures into larger-than-life adventures, where towering blades of grass, giant honeycombs, and supersized insects make visitors feel tiny. Open through August 9, this immersive experience invites families to crawl, explore, and discover the important role bugs play in the world around us.
WaterFire's July 4 Celebration Marks America's 250th Anniversary in Providence
Providence's most iconic summer tradition takes on historic significance this Independence Day as WaterFire hosts a full lighting, a Rhode Island Philharmonic concert, and daylong festivities honoring America's 250th anniversary. From Revolutionary-era exhibits and cultural performances to a community sing-along along the river, the free celebration brings together history, music, and Rhode Island pride in one unforgettable Fourth of July. Read more online.
