Celebrate the
Season
At Newport’s Winter Festival,
the cold is anything but bitter
The City by the Sea might not be your first
thought when it comes to choosing places to
spend time during the coldest months of the
year, but there’s as much to do in Newport
during the winter as there is during beach
weather. Head to the coast Feb. 12–21 for the
Newport Winter Festival. The whole city
participates in this winter extravaganza—a
festival button gets you discounted admission to Newport’s mansions, helicopter
tours, museums and concerts, and entitles
you to discounts at some of the city’s best
restaurants, including wine and beer tastings. Spend some time outside taking in the
sand sculptures, the ice sculpture contest or
ave
Date
DOWNTOWN
Funny Ha-Ha
the
Weekly
Got the winter
blues? Find the cure
at Improv Jones. This
improv comedy troupe
hosts performances
every Thursday and Sat-
urday evening. Check
it out for tons of laughs
and the ability to shout
out suggestions from
the safety of the audi-
ence. improvjones.com
DOWNTOWN
Hit the Ice
Weekly
The Providence Bruins,
minor-league affiliate of
the Boston Bruins, made
headlines with their
play last season. See
them face off against the
Adirondack Phantoms
on Jan. 8, the Portland
Pirates on Feb. 5, or any
of their weekly games
at the Dunkin’ Donuts
Center. 401-273-5000;
providencebruins.com
Providence
the storefronts specially decorated for the
Winter Festival. Afterward, warm up at the
annual chili cook-off, which brings together
some of the state’s best chefs. There also
are competitions for the best hot drink, best
martini and, in a display of wishful thinking,
a tropical drink contest. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, head out for a winter
sail—just don’t miss out on this unique event.
newportwinterfestival.com.
Fresh Shows
at Perishable
Some theaters
are content to
let you sit in the
audience—
undisturbed—while the
action takes place
in front of you.
Not Perishable.
Although Provi-
dence’s research
and development
theater does
produce traditional
shows, it also hosts
evenings where
you can get on
stage—no rehears-
als required. On
Feb. 5, Perishable
hosts “Live Bait:
True Stories From
Real People.” This
evening of story-
telling allows you
to share your
unique experience while hearing funny, sad
and enlightening stories from
others. Feb. 7,
show off your
musical talent
at Real-Whirled.
Part concert
and part interactive experience,
audience participation (and
bringing your
own instrument)
is encouraged.
Check the online
calendar for
more events—
there’s always
something interesting happening at Perishable.
401-331-2695;
perishable.org.
EAST PROVIDENCE
The Classical
Rush
Jan. 23
Love great music but
don’t want the stuffiness
of a traditional classical
performance? Visit
the Rhode Island
Philharmonic for
Rush Hour. This hour-
long concert features
music by Dvorák
and Berlioz—no tux
required. 401-248-7000;
ri-philharmonic.org
DOWNTOWN
PVD
Confidential
Jan. 23
Anthony Bourdain trav-
els the world in search
of great food. On Jan.
23, the author of Kitchen
Confidential and star of
the Travel Channel’s No
Reservations, tells Provi-
dence’s denizens about
his culinary adventures.
Providence Performing
Arts Center. 401-421-
2787; ppacri.org
WEST SIDE
A Feast for the
Eyes
Feb. 25
Part art installation,
part food event, no con-
noisseur should miss
the Encore Awards.
Local chefs prepare
gourmet food in artful
environments specially
created by local artists,
while live music ensures
you won’t go into a food
coma. 401-621-6127;
experienceencore.com
