Did you make it to the library today, or at least think about it between errands and iced coffee runs? It’s National Library Week, and today doubles as National Library Worker Day, which feels like the perfect moment to give a quiet round of applause to the people who keep our community’s stories, resources, and last-minute printer emergencies running smoothly. If you need a reason to stop in this week, consider this your nudge. Today’s newsletter is stacked with reads worth your time, from self-care strategies that actually stick, courtesy of a Providence-based coach, to Derby Day happenings and a handful of local finds that make getting out of the house feel like a good idea again.
Discover Self-Care Strategies That Stick, from a Providence-Based Coach
Providence-based coach Katie McDonald is rethinking burnout with Self-care Strategies: Nourish to Flourish, a new Audible Original designed to turn good intentions into real habits. Through practical prompts, guided experiments, and a focus on consistency over quick fixes, the course offers a more grounded way to show up for yourself without stepping away from ambition. Read more online.
Derby Day, the Rhode Island Way
Across Rhode Island, Kentucky Derby watch parties are turning May 2 into a full-day affair of statement hats, mint juleps, and lively crowds from Providence to the coast. Whether it’s a polished ballroom, a garden party, or a downtown gathering, these events make it easy to lean into the spectacle and stay for the scene. Read more online.
A Fresh Slice and a Seat for Everyone at Track 15
At Track 15, spring brings a Roman-style pizza debut from Grumpy Pies alongside “Tina’s Table,” an inclusive outdoor installation designed to welcome more guests to gather. It’s a thoughtful mix of bold new flavors and community-first design, reinforcing the food hall’s role as one of downtown Providence’s most dynamic places to meet, share, and stay awhile. Read more online.
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 4/22 | Dirty Hands, Happy Plants Get a little messy in the best way at this hands-on Earth Day workshop at Back Forty from 6-8pm, where guests can build their own plant creation with Sassy Succulents RI while sipping, snacking, and embracing the “martinis optional, plants mandatory” energy. Learn more online ⸻ Starry, Starry Night Look up at Chase Farm in Lincoln from 7:30–9:30pm, where local astronomers guide guests through the night sky with a talk, telescope viewing, and a stargazing experience that turns a quiet evening into something a little more cosmic. Learn more online ⸻ Climate Future Film Festival: Chapter 2 Catch a global lineup of 12 short films at the Jamestown Arts Center from 6:30–9pm, where documentary, animation, and experimental storytelling come together to explore the human side of climate change through stories of resilience, loss, and what comes next. Learn more online |
Thursday 4/23 | Feeding Frenzy at Save The Bay Aquarium Dive into feeding time at the Hamilton Family Aquarium in Newport from 5:30–6:30pm, where this family-friendly experience invites guests to get up close with local bay animals and take part in the action. Learn more online ⸻ City Nature Challenge Presentation: Bringing the World Together for Biodiversity Head to the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Providence from 12:30–1:30pm for a hands-on intro to the City Nature Challenge, where guests can learn how to use the iNaturalist app to document local wildlife and contribute to real scientific research, with free museum admission included. Learn more online ⸻ Age of Audio Documentary Screening at AS220 Press play on podcast culture at AS220 in Providence from 7–11pm, where a screening of Age of Audio brings voices like Marc Maron and Ira Glass to the big screen, followed by a live panel with local indie podcasters and industry insiders diving into the stories behind the mic. Learn more online |
Friday 4/24 | Arbor Day at Kinney Azalea Gardens Celebrate the outdoors at Kinney Azalea Gardens from 10am–3pm, where tree tours, botany walks, a ladybug release, and even a tree-climbing demo turn Arbor Day into a hands-on, all-ages way to reconnect with nature. Learn more online ⸻ Just for Kids Fairy Jar Paint Party Let little artists get a little magical in Warwick from 3–4:30pm, where this fairy jar paint party invites kids to create their own glowing masterpiece with all supplies included and plenty of sparkle along the way. Learn more online ⸻ Author's Night Out Swap your solo writing time for something a little more social at Book Around in Pawtucket from 6:30–9pm, where this bookish cocktail party brings writers together for literary-inspired drinks, bites, and a night of talking stories, with a take-home book to top it off. Learn more online |
Saturday 4/25 | 26th Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race Make your way to downtown Westerly from 11:30am–2pm for this beloved community tradition, where more than 20,000 rubber ducks take to the Pawcatuck River in a high-stakes race for prizes, alongside a full afternoon of music, food, and family-friendly fun that gives back to local schools and nonprofits. Learn more online ⸻ Daffodil Ride 2026 Roll out from Equality Park in Newport from 9:15–11am for this cheerful 4-mile ride through more than a million blooming daffodils, complete with a stop at a private garden, a finish at Ballard Park, and prizes for the most delightfully decorated bikes and outfits. Learn more online ⸻ Outdoor Craft Fair at Kingston Village Spend the day wandering Kingston Village from 10am–4pm, where the Outdoor Craft Fair at Fayerweather House brings together local makers, a gift shop packed with finds, and a lineup of village-wide events that turn browsing into a full afternoon outing. Learn more online |
Sunday 4/26 | Field of Artisans X Newport Vineyards Sip and Shop Spend the afternoon at Newport Vineyards from 11am–4pm browsing a curated lineup of makers at this Earth Month–inspired pop-up market, where sustainable goods meet estate-grown wines, ciders, and brews for an easygoing sip-and-shop experience. Learn more online ⸻ Illusionist Lyn Dillies Live Catch award-winning illusionist Lyn Dillies in Narragansett for an afternoon of mind-bending magic, where clever tricks, big surprises, and just enough “wait… how?” moments make for a show that keeps everyone guessing. Learn more online ⸻ Rhode Island Kids & Baby Expo Head to West Warwick from 12–3pm for this all-in-one expo packed with activities, demos, and local vendors for kids, babies, and parents alike, from dance and karate showcases to sweet treats, summer camp ideas, and everything in between. Learn more online |
Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!
Rock History, Twice Over at Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun Arena marks 25 years with two back-to-back nights of Metallica, bringing their No Repeat Weekend to Connecticut for the first time. Expect two entirely different shows, a packed arena, and the kind of energy that turns a regular night out into something you’ll still be talking about come next November. Read more online.
Rhody Gem: A Cheese Shop Worth the Detour in Barrington
Tucked along Bosworth Street, Rind Cheese Shop is quietly redefining what a neighborhood stop can be with curated boards, pantry finds, and house-made favorites that feel equal parts elevated and approachable. It’s the kind of place where picking up cheese turns into discovering something new, with expert guidance that makes every visit feel like a well-planned gathering in the making. Read more online.
⭐ What happens when a story loses its voice but finds its power in movement? Ballet Rhode Island’s world premiere of Machinal: A Dance of Defiance transforms a groundbreaking 1928 play into a raw, physical experience, running across Providence and Kingston this May. With striking choreography, immersive staging, and a fully local creative team, this bold new work invites audiences to step into a story of pressure, rebellion, and release that still feels deeply relevant today.
⭐ What if your next round could do a little good, too? At Mews Tavern, Pints for Paws turns every sip into support for Animal Rescue Rhode Island, with $1 from select drinks going straight to animals in need. Bring along a pet donation for a discount and settle in for a feel-good outing that gives back with every glass.
⭐ Looking for an excuse to shop local and soak up some serious Rhode Island energy? Our first-ever Hey Rhody Market brings together dozens of local vendors, food, drinks, live music, and a style showcase inside the iconic Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, celebrating 110 years of community and creativity. Free, family-friendly, and packed with local love, it’s your chance to meet the makers, discover something new, and be part of a brand-new Rhody tradition.
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Just a little reminder to slow down and look around. 😌
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