Wellness, Wheels, and Local Wins šŸ§˜ā€ā™‚ļø

Discover a local creator bringing heart to social storytelling, a new executive chef stepping into a PVD staple, a Bristol Rhody gem worth the trip, + more!

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The Patriots showed up, showed out, and gave New England plenty to cheer about this past weekend — and we’re still smiling. So naturally, we’re keeping that good energy going with today’s newsletter. From Rhode Island gems worth knowing to local creators doing big things, plus plenty of Rhody goodness in between, this one’s designed to keep the smiles coming.

Meet the Rhode Island Creator Turning Reels Into Real Storytelling

From the viral success of Pour Decisions to the heartfelt humor of Aftah Life, Rhode Island creator Stephanie Santos Prata is building bold, collaborative series that put storytelling ahead of the sales pitch. Grounded in local talent and big ideas, her work proves that social media can feel less like marketing and more like must-watch TV. Read more online.

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Newport Car Museum Hits the Gas for 2026

After a banner year that brought record crowds, major gallery upgrades, and national recognition, the Newport Car Museum is entering 2026 with serious momentum. From immersive exhibits and expanded tours to crowd-pleasing events and standout new additions, the Portsmouth museum is proving that automotive history can be fast, fun, and anything but static. Read more online.

A New Chapter at Mill’s Tavern

Mill’s Tavern is turning the page with the arrival of executive chef Cara Marie Mourning, whose bold, globally inspired cooking brings fresh energy to the Providence staple. With deep industry experience and a thoughtful approach to both classic steakhouse fare and plant-forward creativity, Mourning’s leadership signals an exciting evolution for one of the city’s most enduring dining rooms. 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 1/14

Jam Session Celebrating Kenny Dorham

Settle in for a lively jazz jam celebrating the music of Kenny Dorham from 8-11pm at the Blue Room in Cranston. Learn more online

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Empowered Finance Open House

Kick off the evening with an empowering open house focused on building smart financial habits from 5:30–7:30pm with the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association in Providence. Learn more online

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Little Explorers Play Group at Providence Children’s Museum

Little ones ages 0–36 months and their grown-ups are invited to play, learn, and connect during this weekly Little Explorers play group from 10:30–11:15am at Providence Children’s Museum. Learn more online

Thursday 1/15

Parent Wellness Night

Parents can relax and recharge during Parent Wellness Night from 6–8pm in East Providence, where a private stretch-and-massage session pairs perfectly with supervised playtime for the kids. Learn more online

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Sips & Sparks Speed Dating Event

Ditch the apps and meet local singles ages 25-39 during a fun, low-pressure speed dating night from 7-9pm at The Surf Shack in Narragansett. Learn more online

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Boozy Book Club Movie Night

Lights, camera, cocktails take center stage during Boozy Book Club Movie Night from 5:30–9pm at The Event Factory in Warwick, where film, drinks, tarot, tattoos, and local shopping come together for a not-so-average night out. Learn more online

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Watercolor for Beginners With Lana Quinn

Build confidence with watercolor during this beginner-friendly workshop from 10 am–1 pm at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, where artist Lana Quinn of The Wandering Brush guides students through animal painting techniques and pigment mastery. Learn more online

Friday 1/16

DIY Warm Wishes Snow Globe Shelf Sitter Class

Get cozy and crafty at this wintery DIY workshop from 6:30pm at The Rustic Rhode in Warwick, where guests can paint, decorate, and light up a laser-cut snow globe shelf sitter with warm fairy lights to take home. Learn more online

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Build a Bat Box at Blithewold

Get hands-on with horticulture pros during this eco-friendly workshop from 9am–12pm at Blithewold Manor in Bristol, where participants learn about bats and build a take-home bat box for natural pest control. Learn more online

Saturday 1/17

Geology Rocks Weekend at the Museum of Natural History

Dig into hands-on science during Geology Rocks Weekend from 10am-4pm at the Museum of Natural History in Roger Williams Park, where family-friendly activities, rock-themed crafts, and planetarium shows bring Earth’s stories to life in Providence. Learn more online

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Stefan Couture Live at Sakonnet Vineyard

Settle in for an afternoon of modern acoustic music with Stefan Couture from 1-4pm at Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton, complete with wine tastings and seasonal cafƩ fare. Learn more online

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Eagles Tribute - Another Tequila Sunrise

Sing along to the classics during this spot-on Eagles tribute from 8–10:30pm at The VETS in Providence, where Another Tequila Sunrise delivers everything from heartfelt ballads to full-throttle rock anthems. Learn more online

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Save One Soul Adoption Event at SOS Retail

Meet adoptable dogs and connect with local rescue volunteers during this feel-good adoption event from 11 am-1pm at SOS Retail in Wakefield. Learn more online

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Baby Beach Brunch at Ocean Mist

Before nap time hits, families can dance it out during Baby Beach Brunch from 10 am-12pm at Ocean Mist in Matunuck, where kid-friendly rave vibes and brunch energy collide. Learn more online

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Through Her Eyes Documentary Premiere

The Providence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. marks its 55th anniversary with the premiere of Through Her Eyes, a powerful documentary screening from 11:30am-3pm at the Providence Public Library in Providence, honoring generations of women who shaped civic life in Rhode Island. Learn more online

Sunday 1/18

Emo Yoga at Long Live Beerworks

Stretch it out to the sounds of emo and pop punk during an all-levels yoga class from 1–2pm at Long Live Beerworks in Providence, complete with a post-flow beer or non-alcoholic drink. Learn more online

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Rhode Island Reptile Expo

Explore snakes, lizards, amphibians, and more during the Rhode Island Reptile Expo from 9am-3:30pm at the West Warwick Civic Center in West Warwick, where vendors, breeders, and exotic animals take over for a day of hands-on discovery. Learn more online

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Rhode Island Hot Sauce Expo

Turn up the heat during the Rhode Island Hot Sauce Expo from 12–5pm at Narragansett Brewery in Providence, where spicy samples, local makers, and bold flavors take center stage. Learn more online

Our Rhody Rec list is refreshed with every newsletter, so be sure to check back for the latest events!

A Community-Led Program Grows Providence’s Urban Forest

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is inviting local residents to help shape a greener Providence through Nuestros Bosques, a paid, bilingual urban forestry program that trains neighbors to care for and expand the city’s tree canopy. With hands-on training, fair pay, and ongoing opportunities to stay involved, the initiative puts environmental impact and community leadership at the center of Providence’s growing green future. Read more online.

⭐ What if Rhode Island’s quiet corners could speak through a camera lens? Collected Archive, on view at the WaterFire Arts Center now through January 25, showcases Salvatore Mancini’s black-and-white photography – deeply personal snapshots of neighborhoods, shorelines, and cityscapes drawn from the Joseph A. Chazan, M.D. collection. Proceeds from the exhibition support WaterFire Providence, blending art, memory, and mission in one powerful, community-focused display.

⭐ Looking for an easy Sunday vibe that comes with a side of rhythm and a free patty? Reggae Sundays at JA Patty bring laid-back island energy every week from 1–4pm, featuring curated reggae beats, Sunday-only menu specials by Chef Conroy, and drink deals like a Patty & a Gansett combo. Set at the Westminster Street tuck shop, it’s a weekly excuse to slow down, eat well, and let the good vibes roll.

⭐ What happens when good intentions, group consensus, and a public health crisis collide? Fresh off Broadway, with razor-sharp satire, following a progressive Berkeley school as a mumps outbreak turns polite Zoom meetings into full-blown chaos. Smart, funny, and uncomfortably familiar, this timely comedy takes aim at how we debate, decide, and sometimes completely unravel in a hyper-connected world.

Rhody Gem: A Wellness Hideaway Tucked into Bristol

Just off the Bristol waterfront, Sanctuary Sauna Studio and Wellness offers a luxe, deeply restorative escape where ancient healing practices meet modern therapies. From sauna and plunge sessions to red light therapy and energy work, it’s a quiet gem designed to help locals slow down, reset, and leave feeling better than when they arrived. Read more online.

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