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Rhody reads that warm your week 🤗
Relax and recharge with a local biz mixing craft with care, an exclusive sit-down with Alok Vaid-Menon, the latest Hey Rhody Weekly, + more!
tDid you know October is the month the five-day workweek was officially sanctioned? Neither did I – shoutout to Google and NationalCalendarDay.com for that little buzzkill of a fun fact. Honestly, it might be time to revisit that rule... but I’ll save that rant for another day. Speaking of rants, Nick’s got a good one in this week’s episode of Hey Rhody Weekly (just a few scrolls down). And if that doesn’t spark your curiosity, today’s newsletter is packed with local love, small businesses doing big things, and plenty of Rhody goodness to cozy up with.
Scent from the Heart
What began as Samantha Couto’s handmade holiday soaps has blossomed into The Crafty Rose – a Rhode Island gem where creativity meets self-care. Blending Dominican and Greek roots with a love for local nostalgia, Couto crafts soaps, candles, and body products that turn everyday routines into works of art. Read more online.
• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Samantha Couto
Coming Home (and Cracking Up) with Alok Vaid-Menon
Beloved writer and performer Alok Vaid-Menon is bringing their signature blend of wit, heart, and honesty to the newly revamped Uptown Theater in Providence. In a chat with Hey Rhody, Alok reflects on laughter as liberation, the joy of community connection, and why visibility for LGBTQ+ artists still matters deeply today. Read more online.
• By Hugh Minor, photo courtesy of Alok Vaid-Menon
Presented by West Broadway Neighborhood Association
Halloween Magic Comes Alive on the West Side
On Providence’s West Side, Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy. It’s a celebration of neighborhood spirit. Each October, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA), with partners Moniker Brewery and Haus of Codec, transforms Dexter Park into a lively hub of music, laughter, and pumpkins galore. The annual Halloween Extravaganza has become a beloved tradition, drawing families, friends, and familiar faces for a day that feels both festive and full of heart.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 25, from 12-6 pm., and promises something for everyone. Creative costumes will fill the park, the smell of local food will drift through the air, and kids will race between games and activities while live music sets the tone.
The WBNA carries that same spirit throughout the year. From park concerts and cleanup days to supporting small businesses, the nonprofit focuses on building connections and creating a neighborhood that feels vibrant and welcoming.
While the Halloween Extravaganza delivers plenty of family-friendly fun, it also doubles as a showcase of neighborhood creativity. Costumes range from clever to whimsical, with kids showing off their looks and adults embracing the spirit with equal enthusiasm. The energy is unmistakable, and behind it all stands a team of dedicated volunteers whose efforts bring the celebration to life. Their work highlights just how powerful a community can be when neighbors come together.
Now in its fourth year with partners Moniker Brewery and Haus of Codec, the annual Halloween Extravaganza has become a beloved tradition, drawing families, friends, and familiar faces for a day that feels both festive and full of heart.
Mark your calendar for October 25 and make your way to Dexter Park from 12-6pm for an afternoon of food, fun, and community spirit. To learn more, volunteer, or get involved, visit WBNA.org.
Turning Porches into Pumpkin Paradises
Kerri Giroux, owner of Seasonal Porch Designs RI, transforms front steps across the state into cozy fall wonderlands with her signature “Pumpkinscapes,” artful displays made from real pumpkins and greenery. Inspired by Southern porch design trends and her love of autumn, Giroux creates one-of-a-kind arrangements that bring Rhode Islanders’ homes to life with color, charm, and pumpkin magic. Read more online.
• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Kerri Giroux
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 10/10 | Vitamin String Quartet Enjoy an evening of classical-meets-pop brilliance at The Historic Park Theatre in Cranston from 8-10:30pm, featuring Vitamin String Quartet performing orchestral renditions of hits by Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and more. Learn more online. ⸻ AARI’s Night Farmers Market Enjoy a free, lively evening celebrating food, art, and community at the Night Farmers Market hosted by AARI at Farm Fresh RI from 5:30-9pm, featuring local produce, hot food, music, and a vibrant mix of New England culture. Learn more online. ⸻ I Get Wild and Thank God For Science at Myrtle Head to Myrtle in East Providence from 8-10:30pm for a free night of live music featuring I Get Wild’s inventive Talking Heads tribute and the experimental grooves of Thank God For Science, led by Jeremy Moses Curtis.. Learn more online. ⸻ Annual Pumpkin Regatta Paddle if you dare at the Annual Pumpkin Regatta at Newport Shipyard, where teams race giant “pumpkins” across the basin for charity, costumes win prizes, and food, drinks, and raffles keep the fun afloat. Learn more online. ⸻ 40th Annual Galbani Columbus Weekend Festival Beginning October 10 and running through October 13, the 40th Annual Columbus Weekend Festival on Federal Hill will feature food, rides, games, live entertainment, and a dazzling parade on Sunday, October 12 at 11am. Learn more online ⸻ All That Matters Yoga’s Restorative Retreat Night Welcome autumn with ease during a 3-hour journey of gentle movement, deep rest, and mindful relaxation designed to calm the body, quiet the mind, and nourish the spirit at All That Matters Yoga in Wakefield. Learn more online ⸻ Autumnfest Celebrate Northern Rhode Island’s largest festival at Woonsocket’s World War II Veterans Memorial State Park, October 10–13, with local vendors, food, live music, and plenty of family fun. Learn more online |
Saturday 10/11 | RISD Craft Sale Stroll down Benefit Street in Providence from 10am-4pm for the free RISD Craft Sale, featuring handmade fine art and design pieces from over 120 talented RISD alumni and student artists. Learn more online ⸻ Festival of Modern Design Tour Providence’s most stunning modern homes from 10am-4pm and explore bold architecture, built-ins, furniture, and local art during the Festival of Modern Design hosted by the Providence Preservation Society. Learn more online ⸻ Autumn Music Celebration & Fundraiser at Pump House Music Works Enjoy an evening of live performances, food, and community spirit at Pump House Music Works in South Kingstown from 5-9:30pm, featuring talented local musicians, an opening reception with David and Laura Furlong, and a lineup of jazz and vocal performances. Learn more online ⸻ Fall Festival at The Yard Charlestown Support Animal Rescue RI with an evening of drinks and snacks from 4-8pm at The Surf Shack, Agave Social, and Boon Street Market, with a $10 suggested donation that includes a complimentary drink and snack at each stop. Learn more online ⸻ The Pup & Kitty Crawl Support Animal Rescue RI with an evening of drinks and snacks from 4-8pm at The Surf Shack, Agave Social, and Boon Street Market, with a $10 suggested donation that includes a complimentary drink and snack at each stop. Learn more online ⸻ First Annual Oktoberfest at the Barn Raise a stein at Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter from 1-5pm and enjoy live music, festive food, axe throwing, and plenty of beer during their first-ever Oktoberfest celebration. Learn more online ⸻ Smoketober Fest Fire up your fall at Smoketober Fest on from 12-5pm at The Last Resort in Smithfield, where $30 gets you all-you-can-eat BBQ, live music, raffles, games, and a finger-lickin’ competition judged by both the pros and the crowd. Learn more online ⸻ Rhode Island Country Music Festival Saddle up for the Annual Rhode Island Country Music Festival at Heroes Field in West Greenwich, beginning October 11 and running through October 12, featuring big-name acts, tributes, local favorites, and a weekend full of food, fun, and country tunes. Learn more online ⸻ 59th Annual Scituate Art Festival Celebrate fall at the 59th Annual Scituate Art Festival on the Village Green, running from October 11 to 13, with fine art, handmade crafts, antiques, live music, and plenty of tasty treats to enjoy along the way! Learn more online ⸻ Sakonnet Vineyard’s 50th Anniversary Harvest Festival Raise a glass to Sakonnet Vineyard’s 50th Anniversary Harvest Festival, happening October 11-12, with two days of family fun, live music, local wine and food, and plenty of autumn cheer among the vines. Learn more online ⸻ Broadway Street Fair Celebrate community at Newport’s Broadway Street Fair from 12-6pm, with local food, live music, art, kids’ activities, cool cars, mini golf, and more along Broadway from Equality Park to Washington Square. Learn more online ⸻ Hope Street Farmers Market at Lippitt Park Shop local and fresh at the Hope Street Farmers Market from 9am-1pm at Lippitt Park, where Hope Street meets Blackstone Boulevard, and stock up on Rhode Island–grown produce, flowers, cheeses, baked goods, meats, and more. Learn more online ⸻ Rhode Island Reading Festival Join the first annual Rhode Island Reading Festivalfrom 10am-5pm at the Providence Public Library for a full day of author panels, book signings, storytimes, literacy activities, and community book swaps – all free and open to the public. Learn more online |
Sunday 10/12 | Fall Vintage Sale at The Modern Farmhouse The Modern Farmhouse in Cumberland hosts its Fall Vintage Sale on Sunday and Monday from 11am-4pm, featuring storewide discounts, 20+ local vendors, vintage and home décor finds, complimentary apple cider, and Sunday charcuterie cups from The Cuterie Cart. Learn more online ⸻ Hocus Pocus Drag Brunch Gather your coven for a wickedly fun Sunday at The Black Sheep in Providence, featuring three spellbinding Hocus Pocus–themed drag brunch shows at 10am, 1pm, and 2:30pm. Learn more online ⸻ Tiverton Farmers Market’s Annual Harvest Market Enjoy Tiverton Farmers Market’s Annual Harvest Market from 10am-4pm at Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton, with 75+ vendors, food trucks, live music, local wine, and family fun amid stunning vineyard views. Learn more online ⸻ Warren’s Walkabout Explore the charm of coastal Rhode Island during the annual Warren Walkabout from 12-5pm, a free community event featuring 75+ local businesses, live music, art demos, tastings, and family fun that showcase the creativity and spirit of this coastal gem. Learn more online ⸻ Providence Flea Shop from over 75 local vendors, artists, and makers at the Providence Flea, held Sundays from 11am-3pm at 195 District Park across from 225 Dyer Stree in providence, featuring food trucks, music, and more. Learn more online ⸻ Fall Clothing Swap Refresh your wardrobe sustainably at the Fall Clothing Swap on from 12–3pm at Red Ink in PVD. Bring your gently used items to exchange, find new favorites, and enjoy a cozy afternoon of community and reuse. Learn more online ⸻ Tea Time with Mary Poppins Join Mary Poppins at the Fairy Tea Room in Warren from 2:30-4pm for songs, games, photo ops, and a delightful tea service with sandwiches, scones, cupcakes, and a spoonful of sugar. Learn more online |
Monday 10/13 | PRONK! Festival PRONK! Festival returns to Providence with a full day of music, art, and community celebration, featuring the Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at the Southside Cultural Center from 11 am-5pm followed by the lively PRONK! Classique After Party at AS220 from 5pm-midnight. Learn more online ⸻ Soul Shine Karaoke Night at Pizza J PHead to Pizza J in Providence from 7-10pm for karaoke with DJ Katie, plus pizza, drinks, and pinball for a fun-filled Monday night. Learn more online ⸻ Italian Heritage Parade The Italian Heritage Parade in Newport kicks off at 11:30am, starting at St. Joseph’s Church on Broadway and winding through Washington Square and Thames Street before concluding at the Columbus Statue on Memorial Boulevard West. Learn more online ⸻ Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo Experience thousands of intricately carved pumpkins lighting up the night at Roger Williams Park Zoo, where the annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular combines art, music, and fall magic for an unforgettable walk-through display. Learn more online ⸻ Going UP! Drag Show & Trivia Night at Plant City Head to Plant City in Providence from 6-9pm for a horror movie–themed drag show and trivia night hosted by Silva, featuring food, drinks, laughs, and plenty of fabulous entertainment upstairs. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Haitian.ish is spicing up Providence with a grand opening on October 11, celebrating Chef Anne Rabel’s soulful take on Haitian cuisine that blends bold flavors with local pride. Supported by the Rhode Island Black Business Association, the new spot promises a delicious mix of culture, community, and Caribbean flair. Read more online.
• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of RIBBA
Hey Rhody Weekly: A new eatery in Middletown, shark sighting off Block Island, and the rise of the “trad-sons”
This week on Hey Rhody Weekly, Jenna and Nick are diving into the deep end—literally—with a great white shark sighting off Block Island, a buzzworthy new eatery in Middletown, and the internet’s latest obsession, Trad Sons (spoiler: Nick’s unhinged reaction is worth the watch). Tune in for local bites, viral laughs, and a splash of Rhody chaos you didn’t know you needed.
Providence author Diane Josefowicz returns with Guardians & Saints, a new short story collection that explores love, loss, and the quiet resilience of those left behind. Celebrate its release at Riffraff Bookstore & Bar on October 24, where local lit lovers can sip, chat, and cheer on one of Rhode Island’s sharpest literary voices. Read more online.
• By Jenna Kaplan, photo by Howard Romero
⭐TReady to play like a kid again? Providence Children’s Museum’s Play ON! returns for a 21+ night filled with games, music, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and a Halloween costume contest, all after hours in the museum you loved growing up. Grab your tickets, get ready to let your inner child take over, and help support PCM’s mission to make play accessible for everyone.
⭐ Is it ever really too early to start planning a little holiday magic? Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker returns this December with swirling snowflakes, dancing sweets and a touch of Ocean State sparkle. Grab your tickets now and get ready to make this timeless tradition part of your festive season.
⭐ What if one unforgettable night could help change lives? On November 21, Sojourner House hosts its 15th and final Masquerade Ball: Venetian Twilight at the Graduate Providence, transforming the grand ballroom into a glittering Renaissance palace filled with music, art, and dancing under the stars. Don’t miss your chance to don a mask for a cause! Grab your tickets online now and be part of this magical evening supporting survivors on their journey to safety and healing.