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Seaside Snacks & Stage Acts 🎭

Seaside Snacks & Stage Acts 🎭

Discover this weekend’s can't-miss happenings, a theater reborn, seaside bites to savor, + more!

June 26, 2025

We wished for summer sunshine… and got a full-on heatwave – classic New England, right? Thankfully, the scorcher’s passed just in time for the weekend (cue applause), though of course the rain decided to RSVP too. Whether you’re celebrating the cooldown or mourning the return of puddles, this newsletter’s here to lift your spirits with weekend events, South County eats worth drooling over, and plenty more to brighten your forecast.

Weekend Must-Do’s: Celebrate Summer the Rhody Way This Weekend

From Pride parades in Newport to river yoga in Westerly, Rhode Island is pulling out all the stops June 27–29. Whether you're dancing under the stars, sipping tea in Providence, or hunting down vintage finds in Newport, this weekend is your ticket to a summer well spent. Read the full list online.

^{• By Caitlyn Bailey and Ken Abrams, photo by Ken Abrams}

Maria Maria Coffee Hits the Road with Heart, Heritage, and a Restored Horse Trailer

Amy and Lee transformed a 1970s horse trailer into Maria Maria Mobile Coffee Bar – a traveling café steeped in family love and Latin American roots. Serving signature lattes and cultural favorites across Rhode Island, their story brews up a powerful blend of passion, perseverance, and community. Read more online.

^{• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Maria Maria Mobile Coffee Bar}

Top Health Official Finds Healing on Stage

By day, Dr. Jerome M. Larkin leads Rhode Island’s Department of Health; by night, he transforms into characters like Joe Keller in All My Sons. After rediscovering his passion for acting during a local audition, the Tiverton resident now thrives in the dual worlds of public health and community theater. Read more online.

^{• By Nina Murphey, photo by Jared Robinson, courtesy of Dr. Larkin}

Uptown Theater Reopens with a Star-Studded Comeback

After an eight-month, top-to-bottom renovation, Providence’s historic Uptown Theater is back and better than ever. With a glitzy new look and a stacked lineup featuring acts like Kevin Nealon and Deer Tick, the nearly century-old venue is ready to wow a whole new generation of fans. Read more online.

^{• By Jenna Kaplan, photo courtesy of Cory Brailsford}

⭐ Looking for free Fourth of July weekend fun? On July 5 and 6, Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free admission to local favorites like the Providence Children’s Museum, RISD Museum, International Tennis Hall of Fame, and New Bedford Whaling Museum. Just show your card and photo ID to dive into art, history, and hands-on discovery.

⭐ Hungry for a taste of small-town summer? On Friday, July 11, St. Paul’s Parish House in Wickford serves up lobster rolls, chowder, and homemade pies to kick off Art Festival weekend. Come for the food, stay for the community charm.

⭐ What if saving the planet started in your neighborhood? On Saturday, June 28 at 4pm, author Eleanor Finley visits Symposium Books to share insights from Practicing Social Ecology, exploring how grassroots power can challenge climate crisis. Moderated by Kate Schapira, this free event welcomes all who believe change begins in community.

Food Trends: Lobster Rolls, Local Brews, and a Whole Lotta Summer Vibes

Narragansett’s seafood shacks are serving summer on a roll, literally. From Aunt Carrie’s classic lobster BLTs to Monahan’s epic three-foot roll and Benny’s sherry-kissed shellfish, it’s a season of seaside bites and backyard nostalgia, best chased with a Del’s. Read more online.

^{• By Ken Abrams, photo courtesy of Aunt Carrie’s}