5 Weekend Musts: Taste of Block Island & More

Friday, June 03, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

We dodged a tornado, the sun is out, so let's be thankful for a glorious Rhode Island weekend by taking advantage of these five hand-picked no-miss events.

Kick off summer the right way - on Block Island

Friday-Sunday: It's like opening day at Fenway, plus better food, and much better beaches. Block Island throws open the shutters and welcomes everyone this weekend with everything from gallery openings and tours to shopping discounts, hotel packages, restaurant specials and wine tastings. You can even get your picture taken behind the Captain's wheel of the Block Island Ferry. Sponsored by Block Island Chamber of Commerce, 800-383-BIRI. Taste of Block Island Buttons available for purchase at the Chamber or aboard the ferry. $5. For schedule and discounts, go online, here.

Get your mob on at Arlene Violet's Mafia musical

Friday-Sunday: Is there any more Rhode Island event in the history of RI? The Family, former AG and budding playwright Arlene Violet's musical take on real-life Rhode Island mob guys and events, opens this weekend at Trinity Rep. Dinner before on the Hill? No doubt. Tickets $60, special $45 senior and military seating available. Call 351-4242, or visit the Trinity Rep Web site for show times and ticket information. Lederer Theater at Trinity Rep, 201 Washington Street.

Walk away with museum quality glass at Pean Doubulyu

Saturday-Sunday: The smartest collectors (not to mention shoppers) never miss the spring studio sale at Pean Doubulyu Glass to scoop creations of husband-wife duo (and RISD grads) Jim Watkins and Liz Pannell. Take home the famous swirled tumblers that have been imitated but never rivaled, plus other delights. 10-4pm, 22 Oregon St, Providence.

Nose around some of Providence's most beautiful homes at the Festival of Historic Houses

Saturday: Thousands of visitors fill Providence for the Providence Preservation Society's annual tour of homes and gardens of note. For locals, there's the sweet bonus of potentially knowing the owners. This year's collection of homes is on and around Blackstone Boulevard. Get behind the grandeur. Tickets $35, $40 on Saturday. For more information on the tours plus cocktail party fundraiser on Friday night, go to www.ppsri.org.

Tour historic houses and farms for free in Lincoln, Johnston, Jamestown and Saunderstown

Saturday-Sunday: Take a ride in the sunshine to any of RI's most pristine historic homes and farms on Historic New England's annual Open House. Check out Arnold House in Lincoln or the Clemence-Irons House in Johnston to see rare examples of “stone-enders.” There’s also Casey Farm in Saunderstown that raises organically grown food and flowers, or Watson Farm in Jamestown that uses innovative sustainable practices for raising livestock. 1-5pm, tours at all properties are on the hour. Last tour starts at 4pm. FREE. Arnold House - 487 Great Road, Lincoln; Clemence-Irons House - 38 George Waterman Road, Johnston; Casey Farm - 2325 Boston Neck Road, Saunderstown; Watson Farm - 455 North Road, Jamestown.