Top Weekend Picks: Santa Comes to RI & More

Thursday, November 25, 2010

GoLocalProv Features Team

It's a long holiday weekend, and the kickoff to the Christmas season. The state is full of wonderful events to match. Happy holidays!

Best Family Pick

Thanksgiving programs, Children's Museum, Providence
Saturday
Popular storyteller Thawn Sherente Harris shares his Narragansett culture through songs, dance, and tales and invites visitors to join in a traditional Native American social dance. 1 and 2pm, ages 3-11.
Sunday
Pilgrim Games
Kids try toys and games that Pilgrim children enjoyed hundreds of years ago. Pick up jackstraws, spin pull-string tops and more. 1-4pm, ages 5-11.
Children's Museum, 100 South St, 273-5437.

Best Music Pick

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute band: The Ornament Band, Woonsocket
Friday
Ornament is Southern New England’s Premiere Rock Orchestra that specializes as a Tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Expect an extravagant musical production complete with bursting sound and a dazzling light show which includes strobes, lasers, fog and snow! Stadium Theater, 28 Monument Square, 8pm. Ticket $26 and $21, call 762-4545 for more.

Best Holiday Pick

Santa's Arrival and Holiday Parade, Providence
Saturday
See Santa arrive by helicopter in grand style, then take part in a festive holiday parade, see the animals receive some "gifts" of their own and enjoy a number of other activities that'll get the whole family glowing with holiday cheer. Free with regular zoo admission. Toy donations and coat donations for those in need will be accepted. Call 785-3510, or visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo Web site for more information. 11am–3pm.
Visit with Santa
Sunday
Meet the Jolly Old Elf himself while enjoying a hearty breakfast buffet or afternoon cookies and milk with a variety of activities for the whole family. A photo with Santa for each child and admission to the Zoo for the day are included. Tickets must be purchased in advance either at the ticket window or by calling 941-4998, or 785-23510 x343. Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave.

Best Theater Pick

“When Mahalia Sings," Pawtucket
Friday-Sunday
Join Mahalia as she travels by train to Chicago, recounting life as a youth in New Orleans, her rise to fame and her devotion to the Civil Rights Movement. Through over a dozen rousing gospel numbers, audiences are taken on a journey that includes glimpses at Jackson's warm relationship with Louis Armstrong, her groundbreaking performance with Duke Ellington at the Newport Jazz Festival, her appearance at John Kennedy's inaugural ball in 1960 and her close friendship with Martin Luther King. Mixed Magic Theatre, 171 Main St. Thurs-Sat, 7:30pm, Sun, 3 pm. $10 - $15. Call 305-7333 or visit http://www.mixedmagicri.com.

Best Historic Pick

Holiday Lantern Tours, Newport
Friday
Discover the authentic history of Newport's holiday traditions during a lantern-lit stroll, led by professionally trained

guides from the Newport Historical Society, through the exquisitely preserved streets of central Newport. On a visit inside the 1697 Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, learn about changing approaches to holiday decorations and home festivities. NHS members, $10; non-members, $12; children 12 and under, $5; space is limited, reservations suggested. Call 841-8770, or visit the Newport Historical Society website for more information. Begins at 5pm. The Museum and Shop at Brick Market, 127 Thames St.

Best Cultural Pick

Holiday Evening at the Breakers, Newport
Saturday
Take a leisurely self-guided evening tour through the historic Vanderbilt mansion, decorated for the holidays. Enjoy live holiday music and sample holiday sweets, eggnog and cider. Adults, $28 in advance, $35 at the door; youth (6-17), $10. Call 847-1000, or visit the Newport Mansions Web site for more information. 6-8pm. Breakers, 44 Ochre Point Ave.

Best Holiday Family Pick

Santa's Arrival, Westerly
Friday
Santa Claus, "Winter Lady," and other holiday characters will be bringing in the holiday season via fire truck. Free coloring books and lollipops will be handed out to all children in attendance. Holiday music by WBLQ. In case of inclement weather, event will be held at The Westerly Armory. Call 596-7761 for more information. Begins at 6pm. Westerly Post Office, High St.

Best Pre-Concert Pick

A Nutcracker Tea, Newport
Sunday
To kick off the holiday season, Vanderbilt Hall will host a Nutcracker Tea from 4pm-6pm on November 28th, in conjunction with Island Moving Company’s Nutcracker performance. The Tea will be held in between their 2pm show and their 6pm show. Guests will enjoy holiday music while they relax by a roaring fire and indulge in festive menu items. Cost is $25 per adult, including a glass of champagne, $15 per child. Prepayment required. Cash bar. Vanderbilt Hall, 41 Mary St, 619-3529. http://www.VanderbiltResidences.com.