6 Fantastic Fall Weekend Picks

Thursday, October 14, 2010

WEEKEND by Tracey Minkin, GoLocalProv Features Editor

It's a brisk, mid-fall weekend, Rhode Island. Here are six of the best ways to spend it.

Friday

Top Music Pick
Blevin Blectum, Victoire, Ric Royer, Lord FM at AS220, Providence
Any night's a good night at AS220, but this line-up's particularly worth checking out. Don't miss Victoire, an indie classical all-female quintet featuring strings, clarinets, keyboards, and low-fi electronics. Victoire's led by Missy Mazzoli, who's been described by the NYTimes as "among the more consistently inventive and surprising composers now working in New York."
Music starts at 9pm, $6 cover, AS220, 115 Empire St, Providence, 831-9327.

Friday-Sunday

Theater Top Pick
Miss Saigon, Stadium Theatre, Woonsocket
Don't miss the Rhode Island premiere of the international musical hit presented here by the Encore Repertory

Company. It's Madame Butterfly brought to modern life against the turmoil of the Vietnam War. It's also epic, daring pop opera, great for all ages. Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm, tickets $16 balcony, $19 orchestra, Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket, 762-4545.

Saturday

Top Festival Pick
Colonial Harvest Festival, Wickford, North Kingstown
Experience the days of the eighteenth century corn husking festivals when the Updike family of Smith's Castle presided over one of the largest of the Narragansett Plantations. Savor homemade seasonal treats and enjoy live entertainment. Noon-4pm, Smith's Castle, 55 Richard Smith Dr., Wickford. Rain date: Oct 17. Call 294-3521, or visit the Smith's Castle Web site for more information.

Top Family Pick
The 8th Annual Ballard Park Pumpkin Tour, Newport
The evening tour features a display of over 1,000 jack-o-lanterns carved by local community groups and the general public. Members of the public are invited to participate by purchasing their own display area. Displays may be taken home at the conclusion of the event. 4:30-9pm, Ballard Park, Wickham and Hazard Rds, Newport. Free; rain or shine. Call 619-3377, visit the Ballard Park Web site for more information.

Saturday-Sunday

Top Food Pick
Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival, Newport
Some of the area's best seafood, and tons of music. What more could you ask for? Nothing. The festival offers a smorgasbord of seafood, plus kid-friendly dishes, baked goods, cider, and hot and cold beverages. Non-stop live music by local bands. Face painting, games, and other fun children's activities. 11am-5pm, Bowen's Wharf, America's Cup Ave. Free admission, rain or shine. Call 849-2120, or visit the Bowen's Wharf Web site for more information.

Sunday

Antiques Top Pick
Antiques Appraisal Day at Blithewold, Bristol
Fulfill your Antiques Road Show fantasy and get Grandma's hand-me-down urn appraised. Skinner Auctioneers and

Appraisers of Boston and Marlborough, MA, set up shop at this gorgeous historic home from 10am-3pm, and for $10 per item ($25 for three), you can find out what it's really worth. A solid win all around. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, 101 Ferry Rd (Rte 114), Bristol. No registration necessary. For more information, go here.