Events in Westerly today

Celebrating a decade in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Ocean State Rhode Races brings a full weekend of running with a marathon, half marathon, and 5k. The marathon course carries USATF certification and counts as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon and the Abbott World Marathon Majors. The half marathon serves as the finale of the Rhode Race Series, a five event collection of Rhode Island half marathons. Expect a route that showcases what makes the Ocean State special, followed by a finish line festival that captures a true Rhode Island feel at Narragansett Town Beach. Organized by runners, the team keeps communication prompt and adds personalized touches throughout the experience, and the race directors are easy to reach. A mile by mile course preview is available on the event website.

Designed for dancers moving from beginner to improver and for improver students seeking extra support with more difficult footwork, this two hour workshop focuses on the steps needed to feel confident with higher level dances. The aim is to make the transition smoother, speed up progress, and add enjoyment in improver classes and at open dance sessions held here as well as at The Mishnock Barn. Please check the discussion section for what to know before attending, including the list of beginner steps. The fee is $30 per person. A 15 minute break is planned, so bringing a snack and a drink is encouraged. RSVP is requested, and the workshop will run with a minimum of six participants. Online sign up is available.

This Yugioh tournament has a $10 entry fee. The winner is guaranteed a box, and pack prizes increase based on attendance.

Suzanne Vega brings her Flying with Angels tour to the UNITED Black Box Auditorium for an all-ages, fully seated concert that spans her celebrated career. Expect signature songs such as Tom’s Diner, Luka, and Marlene on the Wall alongside selections from her 2025 album, Flying with Angels. She will be joined by longtime collaborator Gerry Leonard on guitar, known for his work with David Bowie, and cellist Stephanie Winters. The new album and recent shows have earned strong notices from publications including Rolling Stone and Stereogum, with 2025 performances highlighted for intimate storytelling and a close connection with the audience. A leading voice of the 1980s folk revival, Vega is known for clear, expressive vocals and finely crafted narratives that draw on everyday city life, honed over decades of acclaimed recordings and sold-out appearances worldwide. Standard tickets are priced from $54 to $65, with VIP options from $110 to $195. The Soundcheck VIP Experience offers seating in the first five rows along with access before the show to soundcheck and a Q&A, plus an autographed tour poster, a commemorative laminate, and a keepsake ticket. The Premium Package includes a seat within the first ten rows, an autographed poster, and a commemorative ticket. All VIP elements take place before the performance and details and timing may change. All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, and the UNITED is not responsible for tickets purchased through third-party sellers.

Turn tummy time into a high-energy play session with a neon-themed baby rave filled with dancing and bouncing. Expect a cheerful atmosphere, lively movement, and upbeat music to stimulate babies’ brains, along with familiar lap bounces and finger plays. This special program takes place on the last Monday of each month.

Free Magic: The Gathering Commander games are hosted at The Citadel Game Cellar. Sessions are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There is no fee to participate or to use a table. Attend with friends or come solo to meet other players. Beverages are available for purchase, and you may bring your own drinks as long as they are non-alcoholic. Decks and bulk cards are also available to buy.

This casual book club gathering at TAQUERIO in Mystic, Connecticut centers on a discussion of this month’s selection, and also offers a playful, spooky vibe for those who simply want to enjoy the atmosphere.

The South County Rhode Island Old-Time Jam is a welcoming circle of musicians who gather to play old-time tunes. Newcomers are warmly received, and the atmosphere is relaxed and collaborative. Sessions take place at the South County Museum in Narragansett, where players sit together, trade melodies, and enjoy making music as a group.

A welcoming postpartum parent group at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT provides a friendly space to connect with others caring for newborns and little ones. It centers on offering support to families through the first two years of a child’s life. Babies and partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Pick up a convenient lunch to go, open to all. Every dollar from sales helps fund programs at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point.

Get into the Halloween spirit with a mix of spooky science and playful make-believe. Kids and families can explore eerie experiments, bubbly potions, and magic wands while educators lead demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the event. All activities are included with Museum admission. Wear a costume to receive $1 off Museum admission.

Residents of East Lyme, Niantic, and Waterford are encountering coyotes more often in their neighborhoods, which raises understandable questions about safety and how to respond. This seminar offers straightforward guidance on what to do when a coyote is seen and when concern is warranted. Dr. Mark Karaska, a former Connecticut State Park Ranger as well as a wildlife enthusiast and naturalist, leads an informal, informative look at the coyotes living alongside people. The discussion covers how to protect pets and minimize conflicts, practical steps to make yards less appealing to coyotes, how to react if one approaches, and the reasons behind their howls, barks, and cries, including what different sounds can signal. The program also highlights the intelligence, curiosity, and adaptability of these wild dogs, encouraging a clearer understanding that can make coexistence safer for families and local wildlife. Open to all.

Settle in for some reading time with Dune at Bill Library. This therapy dog frequently visits libraries and schools in the area with handler Lauren Rugh, a veterinary technician. The experience is open to the first ten families, and each family will have six minutes with Dune. Dune and Lauren are Ledyard residents, and they visit the library on a monthly basis.

One Piece Constructed Tuesdays is a constructed-format event with a $10 entry fee. Prizing is based on attendance.

This recurring event features a $10 entry fee. Prize support depends on turnout and is awarded as Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets.

Step into a Halloween trivia night at Jealous Monk if you dare, where playful chills meet festive fun. The quiz celebrates the season with questions on haunted homes, iconic creatures, trick-or-treat customs, spooky and family-friendly films, costumes, candy, and supernatural lore. Expect a wide range of topics that span traditions, folklore, pop culture, history, haunted attractions, and the moments that have made Halloween beloved. Familiarity with jack-o'-lanterns and pumpkins, ghosts and witches, vampires and werewolves, as well as figures like Dracula and the Headless Horseman, could come in handy... and so might knowing the difference between candy corn and caramel apples or a black cat and a full moon.

Take part in a monthly senior book discussion at Ledyard Senior Center, where each gathering centers on a different title. Expect lively conversation and a chance to explore new reads together. Check back regularly to see what the next book selection will be.

An energetic storytime tailored for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers, featuring stories, fingerplay rhymes, and music, along with additional activities to keep little ones engaged. No registration is required.

Free Magic: The Gathering Commander games take place at The Citadel Game Cellar. Play is completely free and there are no table charges. Participants can arrive with friends or on their own to connect with other players in the community. Beverages are offered for sale, and bringing your own nonalcoholic drinks is allowed. Both decks and bulk cards can be purchased on site.

Enjoy a recurring games night held on the first Wednesday of each month. This event is intended for ages 14 and up. To register, email ashawayfreelibrary@gmail.com or call (401) 377-2770. For additional details, please check the website.

An author talk at Ledyard Public Library spotlights Karen Warfield, a Connecticut native, U.S. Army veteran, and graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She will discuss her novel, The Emancipation of Hannah Faythe Winslow, which unfolds in 17th century southeastern Connecticut. The story follows Hannah, orphaned during the Mohegan and Pequot war, who is compelled to live with her amoral neighbor.

Enjoy a relaxed night of Casual Commander with a $5 entry. Each Wednesday in October features a raffle for an MtG Play Booster Box, with prizes rotating through Reality Fracture, Marvel: Super Heroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Bloomburrow. Additional prizes may be raffled depending on attendance. Participants must play to be eligible for any giveaways, and there are no awards based on placement.

Preschool Storytime features a playful blend of read-alouds, music, and rhyming activities created for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. Participants meet in the children's room at Gales Ferry Library before the session begins. Registration is not required.

Timed for the Halloween season, this program explores the world of bats with expert Julia Chase-Brand. Known to many from Nickelodeon as the Bat Lady and recognized as a pioneering distance runner, she also made history as the oldest person to earn a medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University. Growing up in Groton, Connecticut, she spent more than a quarter century studying bats in the mountains of Trinidad and the rainforests of Australia. The discussion delves into myths and realities, explaining why blind as a bat is a misconception. Bats in the Americas use echolocation, and research shows they also depend on vision for navigation, avoiding obstacles, escaping danger, and even recognizing patterns when it suits their needs. A vivid range of species takes the spotlight, including red, white, and striped bats, bats that fish, bats that build tents, bats that eat frogs, and even frogs that prey on bats. Field stories introduce other unforgettable animals too, from an amorous gorilla to a tarantula measuring seven inches and a friendly capybara that liked to curl up with people. The program engages both children and adults and highlights a lifetime of exploration, discovery, and learning. Parking is available at Barlow Nature Preserve. WLT members and youth may attend at no cost, and not-yet members pay $10 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and space is limited.

Take part in a Pokémon League event featuring separate divisions for Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. The entry fee is $5, and prizes scale with attendance and placement.

Entry is $30. Costumes are welcome for those who want to dress up, and regular attire is perfectly fine. Choose whatever makes you comfortable.

Greg Dwyer presents a Halloween-themed magic and mind reading experience that invites audiences to venture into the shadows and explore the secrets of the season. The program blends history with mystery as the origins of Halloween are illuminated through feats of mentalism and stage magic, prompting questions about what is genuine and what is carefully crafted illusion. Look for a clever, eerie, and captivating atmosphere where the past takes center stage and imagination becomes part of the act. Registration is required.

Friday mornings feature a changing workout at the Fort, with fresh challenges each week. The commitment stays the same, offering free sessions open to men and focused on finishing stronger than when the workout began.

A weekly backgammon meet-up at Mystic & Noank Library offers relaxed play and friendly competition. All skill levels are welcome, whether you are brand new or a seasoned player. Registration is required and capacity is limited to 8 participants. This program is designed for adults.

Take time for wellness with a relaxing detox footbath or handbath. Soak your feet or hands in warm water while charged copper coils are used, with the session intended to draw out metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, along with oil based toxins. Sessions are quick and calming and cost $50. You can add ear acupuncture or ear seeds in a comfortable chair for an additional $40. Microscopy appointments offer a high definition look under the microscope paired with individualized health education with Debbie Perry, RD, for $50. To reserve an appointment, call 860-536-3880 or text 860-851-6629.

Nightshift returns to Centrale at the Foxwoods Casino, located in the middle of the Fox Tower Casino. The evening features a set of the band’s fun songs for a lively night. Seating often fills quickly, so arriving early is recommended. This is a return engagement with an aim to pack the venue.

Niantic wraps up Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a ladies night gathering in the greenhouse, following the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Walk that opened the month. Attendees can explore jewelry, skin care items, and holiday ornaments while spending time with friends and socializing. A cash donation of at least $10 supports the Smilow Cancer Center.

This gathering features free Magic: The Gathering Commander play at The Citadel Game Cellar with no entry or table fees. Players may attend with friends or on their own and connect with others in the community. Drinks are sold on site, and outside beverages are welcome except alcohol. Decks and bulk cards are available for purchase.

Casual Commander play spans three rounds, with achievements that award Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets along the way. Entry is $5.

The entry fee is $10. Prizes scale with attendance and final standings. Everyone receives at least two packs along with a current promo pack, and first place also earns an Origins Promo Pack while supplies last.

Explore Westerly’s spectral side on a lantern-lit stroll through downtown, hosted by Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours. Across approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, a guide shares true accounts of deadly shipwrecks, whispers of cursed pirate gold and unexplained lights, stories of alleged witches and unsettling colonial folklore, and eerie moments tied to the town’s industrial era, including a tale of two souls sharing one body. The route highlights long-standing buildings associated with reported hauntings and offers a moody walk along the Pawcatuck River after dark. Tours run in all weather. Cameras are welcome, and pets are not permitted. Admission is $30 to $35 per person. The starting point is in downtown Westerly, with detailed meeting instructions provided upon booking. For questions, the organizers reply via website chat or email, and phone calls are returned only in emergencies.

Ocean Mist hosts The Meditations for an evening of classic roots reggae in a beachside setting. Formed in Jamaica in 1974, this long-running vocal harmony group is known for spiritually focused, conscious lyrics and rich harmonies. With several studio albums and an active international touring history, they bring decades of reggae tradition to the stage.