What The Locals Do in Newport

by Vera Thornton


While the rest of the world visits the mansions and checks out the Jazz Festival, Newport locals have a couple of delightful, lesser known venues for summer entertainment, which Dana from the Marshall Slocum Inn was kind enough to turn me on to. Thank you Dana!

The Newport Art Museum's 2008 PM Musical Picnic Series
When: Wednesday nights from June 25- August 13 6:30 p.m.
Where: 76 Bellevue Avenue, on the lawn.

Insiders know that the Newport Art Museum's summer music series is one of the best al fresco entertainment deals around. On Wednesday evenings kids, parents, grandparents, couples and friends relax on blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the music and a light meal brought from home. All concerts begin at 6:30 pm on the grounds of the Museum's historic Griswold House, weather permitting. Next Wednesday, July 23, will feature Mike Walsh and the Blitz, a New Age/Jazz/Rock sound. For the line-up of the remaining performances, which range from Big Band to Irish and Blue Grass, please visit the museum's calendar page.

Admission: Museum members - free
Non-members - $5; non-member families - $10; children under the five -free.
Please call (401) 848-8200 for general information. (No advance reservations.)

The Newport Art Museum's 2008 PM Musical Picnic series is sponsored by NewportFed.


Sweet Berry Farm Concert Series
When: Tuesday nights from July 22 through September 2
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: 915 Mitchells’ Lane, Middletown

At Sweet Berry you can pick your own produce according to the seasonal schedule. Blueberries are just about over, and now the picking includes raspberries and peaches, with blackberries soon to come. This 100 acre local farm and market also offers a cute café, homemade ice cream, and fresh-cut flowers.

The summer concert series on Tuesday nights is a popular event with a real feeling of community. Visitors are welcome, but due to the farm’s Middletown location off the Newport main-track, there are usually more locals than tourists attending. The farm provides the food, moderately priced at under $15, and you bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, and alcohol. Each week features a different theme; this Tuesday, July 22 is Creole night, with a Creole sampler, gumbo, and blackened fish or chicken. The band is Back Eddy, a contemporary and traditional blue grass band. This sounds like a wonderful summer treat for couples and families, and thanks to Haley for the information.


Photo credit:
Photo #1 & #2 - Courtesy of the Newport Art Museum
Photo #3 & #4 - Courtesy of Sweet Berry Farm

Newport Festivals

by Vera Thornton

Snapple Sunset Music Series
When: June and July
Where: The Newport Yachting Center, 20 Commercial Wharf, Newport

A series of national musical acts are featured every summer at the historic and beautiful Newport harbor. Enjoy pop, rock, punk, and blues under the stars in this intimate venue on the waterfront. The concerts seat 2000, with reserved seating only. The show goes on rain or shine, and food and drinks, including alcohol, are available for sale. Here’s the lineup:

June 14 – Grammy award winner - Boz Scaggs, $60 - $68
July 6 – Academy Award winner for Best Song - Melissa Etheridge, $95 - $105
July 7 – Plain White T’s, $35 - $40
July 11 – Jimmie Vaughan, $25 - $30
July 12 – Indigo Girls, $35 - $40
August 21 – John Hiatt & The Ageless Beauties, $30 - $35

For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, call: (401) 846-1600.


To purchase tickets online visit: http://www.newportfestivals.com/Sunset-Music-Festival/tickets.htm
http://www.newportfestivals.com
Sponsored by: Snapple, Captain Morgan, Miller Lite

Photo credit: photo and logo courtesy of the Snapple Sunset Music Series



154th Annual Regatta
When: June 13 – June 15
Where: Harbor Court, 5 Halidon Avenue

Hot new sailing vessels are converging on Newport for the New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta, and these boats are hot-rods! There are currently 114 boats entered, and the on-water action is expected to be ultra-competitive this summer, as they sail in close quarters for the 16-mile around-the-island race. "It's the first time in years that a new group of race boats like this has formed, and it will be our first real go at each other," says Dan Myers of Boston.
I can feel the salt spray on my face just thinking about it, can't you?

For more information call: (401) 845-9633
http://www.nyyc.org/
Sponsored by Rolex

Photo credit: photo courtesy of the New York Yacht Club



Secret Garden Tours
When: June 20 – 22
Where: Historic Point, Newport

A self-guided walking tour of private gardens at some of the most prestigious properties in the Historic Point Section of Newport. See as many as 10 extravagant gardens and receive discounts on indoor mansion tours as well. Your ticket is good for all three days of the tour, so no need to power walk around the gardens – stroll, have lunch at great Newport restaurants, find out what’s behind some of those imposing gated walls, and take some ideas home to your own garden! Tour takes place rain or shine.

Tickets: $25. /adults, children - free

To order in advance, visit: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, call: (401) 847-0514
Tickets will be sold the day of the event at the Newport Visitors Center, 23 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport
http://www.secretgardentours.org/

Sponsored by Newport Mansions and Ben & Jerry's to support art education in the Rhode Island public schools.

Photo credit: photo courtesy of the Secret Garden Tour.


Newport Flower Show
When: Friday, June 27 from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, June 28 & 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rosecliff Mansion, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport

Opening Night Cocktail Party Buffet & Entertainment: Friday, June 27 from
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.


What a setting for a horticultural extravaganza! Pair a lavish display of dazzling blooms with a magnificent historical mansion and you have the famous Newport Flower Show. This is a much-anticipated annual event that offers free lectures and demonstrations throughout the weekend, and the opportunity to view the prize winning floral arrangements. The famous opening night cocktail party brings out the Newport social set in their fabulous floral hats. That and the sumptuous food and drink account for the hefty price.

Tickets: General Admission: $20/adults, $6/youth, and children under 12 – free
Opening Night Party: $150 in advance, $175 at the door.
For more information, call: (401) 847-1000
http://www.newportmansions.org/page4702.cfm

Sponsored by the Preservation Society of Newport County
All proceeds from the Newport Flower Show are dedicated to the ongoing restoration and maintenance of The Preservation Society of Newport County’s 88 acres of gardens and landscapes.


Photo credit: photo courtesy of the Preservation society of Newport County