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New Finds & Good Times 😎

New Finds & Good Times 😎

Prep for the perfect weekend with local to-dos, staycation vibes, this week’s Hey Rhody headlines, + more!

August 07, 2025

August in Rhody means chasing sunsets, melting ice cream, and squeezing every last drop out of summer – and lucky you, today’s newsletter is here to help you do just that. From weekend must-do’s to a scroll-worthy dive into what’s hot on our latest episode of Hey Rhody Weekly, we’ve got your plans covered. Consider this your weekend wingman, sunshine edition.

Weekend Must-Do’s: Soak Up Summer with Art, Laughs & a Little Mystery

From moonlit yoga to Broadway belting and ghost hunting at Fort Adams, this weekend in Rhody is packed with unforgettable moments. Whether you're dancing to ska by the sea or strolling artist studios in Jamestown, your weekend plans just got a serious upgrade. Read more online.

^{• By Caitlyn Bailey and Ken Abrams, photo courtesy of LOOFF Arts Festival}

Live the Resort Life Without Leaving Rhode Island

Why book a resort when all of Rhode Island is basically one? From swinging clubs at Triggs to kayaking under a full moon and beachside yoga in Charlestown, Little Rhody serves up luxe staycation vibes without the hefty price tag. Whether you're pedaling past lighthouses or sipping tiki drinks at a beachfront bar, your five-star summer is already here. Read more online.

^{• By Bob Curley, photo by Jenna Kaplan}

Check Out Our Latest on Youtube: PVDFest, Candy Slushies, and Matt Rife’s New Doll

Chris joins Nick and Jenna to dish on the latest Rhody buzz, from the return of PVDFest to a small-town stand shaking things up with candy slushes. Plus, Matt Rife’s creepy new digs (and even creepier doll) have everyone talking– and maybe sleeping with the lights on.

Newport Jazz Brings the Heat (and the Bass)

The 2025 Newport Jazz Festival packed Fort Adams with boundary-pushing sets from jazz legends and genre-defying newcomers. From Ron Carter's masterclass to Flying Lotus’s bass-thumping DJ set, the sold-out weekend proved jazz’s future is as expansive as its past. Read more online.

^{• Writing and photography by Ken Abrams}

⭐ Want to see your local heroes scoop ice cream for a cause? On Sunday, August 10 from 2-5pm, Warwick Firefighters will serve cones at Apponaug Village Creamery, with tips and 10% of sales benefiting Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter. Bring the kids, bring your pup, and enjoy a sweet afternoon that gives back.

⭐ Looking for a picture-perfect way to spend a summer weekend? Butterfly Farm’s Sunflower Fest is back August 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24 from 9am-3pm, inviting guests to pick their own blooms, craft custom bouquets, shop local vendors, and snack on bites from rotating food trucks. With farm-fresh goods, floral fun, and even leashed pups allowed, this sunny celebration is peak Rhode Island charm.

⭐ Is it really summer’s end without fireworks by the bay? On Sunday, August 31, Sunset Cove hosts Island Park’s 8th Annual Picnic & Fireworks Celebration with food trucks, cocktails starting at 11am, and live music from Uncle John’s Band. Come early, grab a drink, and stick around for the big finale – fireworks over Bluebill Cove at sunset.

Grief Gets the Spotlight at RIIFF World Premiere

Local audiences were the first to experience I’ve Seen All I Need to See, a quietly powerful meditation on loss by LA-based director Zeshaan Younus. With haunting visuals, intimate performances, and a deep reverence for stillness, the film left Providence moviegoers in silent awe. Read more online.

^{• Writing and photography by Jonah Major}