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: An 1835 College Hill estate fetches record 5.6 million, a French spot debuts at the Neptune, and outdoor plaza invites lawn games and coffee — catch up here.

State-level stories: Rhode Island sues to restart stalled wind farm, rising rents force seniors to couch surf, and an OBGYN nurse wins Miss Rhode Island USA — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Mortgage rates are trending down, investors catapult gold above 3500 an ounce, and a tropical wave eyes the Antilles — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Explore IE Brown EMBA funding options
• Learn Tai Chi fundamentals for wellness
• Learn NVivo basics in virtual workshop
• Adults create with guided makerspace access
• Volunteer at a community garden workday
• Anxiety about debt? Get a free consultation

🫶 We got your back

Food: Think all bagels taste alike? Providence will prove you wrong. These bagel spots serve up chewy, toasted bliss that satisfies every craving.

Travel: This tiny state might be small but it delivers postcard-ready streets and legendary lobster rolls. These quaint getaways will have you plotting your next New England trip.

Taqueria: From perfectly charred tortillas to fillings that demand a double order, Tallulah’s Taqueria brings the kind of flavor that requires extra napkins and zero regrets.

Bargain shopping: The best finds aren’t always on store shelves. Amazon’s Deals Page is like a never-ending treasure hunt where the good stuff costs less, with new discounts dropping daily.

Save: The average driver pays $175 a month for car insurance, but most of us are paying way more than we should. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool may save you hundreds.

👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?

Own or manage a local business? Thousands of your future fans read our emails and advertising with us is as easy as it gets. Fill out this quick form and we’ll get you in an upcoming edition!

📆 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.

Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →

Today

🎉 PVDFest @ Downtown Providence | Friday (9/5) at 5:00pm – Ready to ditch weekend rut? Downtown Providence goes full-blown art rave, with jaw-dropping global performances, oversized installations, and live tunes that turn street corners into dance floors. Mix in a buzzing makers’ market, a people-watching parade, and enough crave-worthy food trucks to challenge your willpower.

🎸 The Plot in You: American Tour 2025 @ The Strand Ballroom & Theatre | Friday (9/5) at 6:00pm – Brace yourself: The Plot In You is bringing the noise with Northlane, Invent Animate, and Windwaker in tow. Expect a night of crushing riffs, soaring vocals, and enough breakdowns to rattle Washington Street. Snag your spot early—tickets start at just under $30, and this one’s bound to sell fast.

This weekend

🏃‍♂️ Rhode Island Senior Games Track & Field Event @ Conley Stadium | Saturday (9/6) at 8:30am – Dust off those spikes and roll into Conley Stadium this September for a dose of friendly competition at the Rhode Island Senior Games Track and Field meet. Whether you’re chasing medals, besting your morning jog, or simply savoring camaraderie, laughter and new bragging rights await.

🦞 2025 Rhode Island Seafood Festival @ India Point Park | Saturday (9/6) at 11:00am – Whether you’re a chowder connoisseur or a reluctant shellfish newbie, early September at India Point Park means cracking crustaceans by the water. Expect fried clams, lobster rolls, and that unmistakable sea breeze. Bring friends, an appetite, and maybe a bib.

👻 Dark Tales: Haunted Authors Tour @ Prospect Terrace Park | Saturday (9/6) at 6:00pm – Who knew our own cobblestones had more plot twists than a TV drama? Join this haunted author tour, meandering past Lovecraft’s childhood haunts and unsettling creations, all brought to life by dramatic performances, local ghosts, and your own imagination.

🦓 Breakfast with the Zebra & Wildebeest @ Roger Williams Park Zoo | Sunday (9/7) at 8:30am – Nothing perks you up like sharing pancakes with zebras and wildebeest, beats your usual corner café hustle. Tag along with RWPZ zookeepers for an alfresco breakfast in the African Plains exhibit, lend a hand prepping the morning feed, then lord your insider zoo cred over your brunch crew.

🧛 Dark Arts Festival @ Rhode Island School of Design | Sunday (9/7) at 11:00am – Take your Sunday from lazy to spine-tingling. Horror Depot’s Dark Arts Festival at RISD and Canal Walk gathers 100-plus artists, filmmakers, and authors showcasing gothic oddities, world premiere films, paranormal investigations, and drag freak shows, plus free parking to sweeten the deal.

🚚 Food Truck Drag Brunch | Sunday (9/7) at 12:00pm – This drag brunch block party sparks up Snow Street with food trucks serving brunch specials, live music, and two rounds of queen-powered performances. Expect cocktails by the sidewalk, a pop-up flea market of fierce finds, and enough glamour to shame your Sunday pajamas.

Next week

🏠 Adapting Historic Houses for a Sustainable Future @ Esek Hopkins House | Monday (9/8) at 4:00pm – Whether you’re charmed by creaky floorboards or just sick of sky-high heating bills, this tour through an 18th-century home pairs vintage headaches with modern fixes. Expect hands-on demos, dry wit about drafty corners, and a sneak peek at eco-friendly upgrades.

🎲 Board Game Night @ Barrington Public Library | Monday (9/8) at 6:00pm – Clear your calendar and roll the dice—Board Game Night is back! From classics to quirky new finds, it’s all about good strategy, good laughs, and maybe a little friendly rivalry. Snacks are provided, bragging rights are earned, and yes, registration is required.

🎤 Sally Mann Artist Talk @ RISD Museum | Tuesday (9/9) at 6:30pm – Art lovers, Sally Mann’s talk on her new book Art Work unpacks creativity with war stories, pro tips, and photographs that’ll make your vacation shots look like amateur hour. It’s basically a mental spa day, minus the awkward robe and cucumber slices.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 9/5 The Williamsons @ Woodlawn Baptist Church – 7 pm
• 9/5 Grow & Slurp @ Alchemy – 8 pm
• 9/5 Nick Casey @ Moonshine Alley – 9:30 pm
• 9/6 Minya Day and more @ Myrtle – 1 pm
• 9/6 Houndmouth @ The Strand Ballroom – 7 pm
• 9/6 13 the Musical @ James and Gloria Maron Cultural Arts Center – 7:30 pm
• 9/7 Joe Parillo and Friends @ The Music Mansion – 12 pm
• 9/8 The Buttertones @ Alchemy – 7 pm
• 9/8 Holy Locust and more @ Myrtle – 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: Lindsay Pettinelli (Churchill & Banks Co., LLC)

Perched on the second floor of a reimagined icon, this Wayland Square condo blends classic Providence character with a serious upgrade. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the open layout with light, spotlighting details like refinished hardwoods and a sleek gas fireplace. The kitchen pulls out all the stops—Sub-Zero fridge, Wolf oven, and enough quartz countertop to host a feast or just flex on takeout night.

Two spa-worthy bathrooms connect directly to each bedroom, and in-unit laundry keeps things easy. Designated outdoor space, garage parking, and generous storage round out the perks, all just steps from the best of the East Side.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →