Citywide cash hunt, Kiki’s Delivery Service matinee, sip & sculpt pottery workshop, and more.
Happy Friday, Providence. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let PVD Current serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Citywide cash hunt inspiring thousands, a first US survey of Liz Collins’s textile installations at RISD Museum, and Johnston’s funded street resurfacing this fall — catch up here.
State-level stories: RI schools rank in top ten for healthy lunches, Castle Hill Inn lands in boutique top ten, and a bird sanctuary nears public opening — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Explore ancient Peruvian ceramics at library
- Earn equipment badges during Monday workshops
- Join virtual Mac-based NVivo drop-in session
- Join Tuesday’s open makerspace for all ages
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Play: Sunshine, rain, or the classic “I’m bored” anthem, these spots turn fidgets into full-throttle fun. Keep little legs moving and big smiles on repeat with these active play picks.
Business: The smallest state on the map may be tiny in size, but it’s packed with four Fortune 500 giants whose combined revenue tops some countries’ GDPs. Check out these state powerhouses.
Finance: Teaching your teen about credit cards can feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. Turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how with these easy credit lessons.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, Marcelino’s Boutique Bar mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🐕 Exhibition: “Museum of Who Let Who Let the Dogs Out Out” @ Providence Public Library | Friday (8/15) at 8:30am – Ready to settle longstanding debates about who exactly let those dogs out? Mosey upstairs to the library’s third-floor gallery for a delightfully nerdy deep dive, complete with shirts, toys, records, and other relics that prove art really is a pack effort, not a solo act.
🧹 Friday Movie Matinee: Kiki’s Delivery Service @ Barrington Public Library | Friday (8/15) at 10:00am – Get your Studio Ghibli fix with this charming tale of teen witch independence and feline sass. “Kiki’s Delivery Service” is the perfect cozy watch for all ages — think magic, self-discovery, and an extremely judgmental black cat. Free to attend, no RSVP required.
This weekend
💃 Bachata/Merengue Dance @ Gateway Center at Roger Williams Park | Saturday (8/16) at 11:00am – Dust off your dancing shoes and trade your usual weekend reruns for a bachata and merengue basics class where two left feet are welcomed, not judged. You’ll master signature hip movements, tackle lively steps, and leave with just enough rhythm to make your neighbors jealous.
🎉 NGE Jouvert @ Outside of Kulture | Saturday (8/16) at 12:00pm – Boston’s Carnivale kicks off with the biggest Jouvert yet, featuring international celebrity acts and more confetti than last year. Expect a sunrise paint party that rivals your most questionable college decisions, so dust off that white shirt, and you’ll thank me later.
🔍 The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show @ Hilton Providence | Saturday (8/16) at 6:00pm – Think your weekly meet-up needs a little pizzazz? It’s North America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner right here in town, where undercover actors mingle with the crowd as you savor a three-course plated meal. Don’t trust anyone in a button-down shirt.
🧘 Emo Yoga @ Long Live Beerworks | Sunday (8/17) at 1:00pm – Grab your mat and head to Long Live Beerworks’ patio for Emo Yoga, set to all those angst-filled pop-punk classics you secretly love. Expect downward dogs and heart-on-sleeve headbanging, no therapy required, just stretchy pants and a craft beer for moral support.
🍷 Sip & Sculpt Pottery Workshop @ Moniker Brewery | Sunday (8/17) at 1:00pm – Think of it as your excuse to sip something tasty while pretending you know what you’re doing at the pottery wheel. No artistic talent required, the patience to mold clay, laugh at your lopsided vase, and wander home with a unique décor piece or gift.
🎻 Violin River @ Alchemy | Sunday (8/17) at 1:00pm – Nothing says Sunday like a free Grateful Dead serenade under the Alchemy roof, courtesy of Violin River. Expect violins, mandolins, and enough mellow vibes to make you think the Dead never left town. All ages, and did I mention free?
Next week
💡 Basin Lighting | Monday (8/18) at 7:00pm – Basin Lighting is lighting up the reservoir with floating lanterns, while onshore vendors and programming kick in once the sun ducks out. It’s an excuse to grab a local brew, snag a cozy spot, and pretend you’re more sophisticated than you are.
🚤 Partial WaterFire Boat Rides | Monday (8/18) at 7:30pm – If you need a reason to ditch brunch and get on the water, this cruise gives you a slice of partial WaterFire magic without committing to the full glow-up. It’s cozy, lit right, and perfect for anyone who thinks Providence looks better from the river.
🥊 MVTHACRWD; Final Round @ Alchemy | Tuesday (8/19) at 7:00pm – Rhode Island’s hip-hop crew, call your hype person, because the Final Round throws an open-mic emcee showdown under the watchful ears of ITSAVIBE, Chachi Carvalho, and DJ Franchise. Expect sharp verses, playful smack talk, and bragging rights that actually matter.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 Sunset Reggae @ Nick-a-Nees – 4 pm
- 8/16 Nge Jouvert @ Outside of Kulture – 12 pm
- 8/16 Jefferson Hamer and more @ Alchemy – 5 pm
- 8/16 Rootz @ Fish Co. – 5 pm
- 8/16 Apathy and more @ Fete Music Hall – 8 pm
- 8/17 Violin River @ Alchemy – 1 pm
- 8/17 Lives Lost and more @ Alchemy – 7 pm
- 8/19 The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra @ Alchemy – 8 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Providence edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Derek Simpson (Residential Properties Ltd.)
The Wesley C. Martin House pulls off a rare trick: century-old bones with a serious glow-up from Hill & Harbor Design + Build. Think grand foyer drama, a front-to-back living room with sunlight for days, and a kitchen that could host a cooking show—ten-foot island, marble everywhere, and a butler’s pantry straight out of a storybook. French doors open to layered gardens, while the formal dining room channels peak English manor vibes.
Upstairs, the primary suite is basically a boutique hotel with its luxe bath, dressing room, and private deck. The third floor feels like a secret hideaway, complete with high ceilings and leafy views. All-new systems, a two-car garage, and a perch on Blackstone Boulevard seal the deal for East Side bragging rights.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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