Farmers market, Song Fest, Splash Party: What's happening this weekend in Newport County
With April in the rearview mirror and May finally upon us it's starting to feel like the summer season isn't far behind and local organizations are getting into the mood.
More events are starting to move outdoors and there's a pep in our steps as the warm weather welcomes back. To help us all get in the mood there are a number of events taking place across Newport County this weekend that will have you singing, learning about Rhode Island's Independence, offering the bounty of the season and so much more.
And while it's not on this list don't forget about the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade on Sunday. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in front of the Hampton Inn, 317 West Main Road, Middletown and the parade kicks off at 11:50 a.m. traveling towards Newport, South on Broadway, and ends in Washington Square.
Take a look at what's happening and start making your plans.
Saturday Summer Farmers Market
Aquidneck Community Table Saturday Summer Farmers Market returns on Saturday, featuring local agricultural and artisanal goods.
The market is held weekly on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through Oct. 26 at 25 Enterprise Drive in Middletown.
New this season, the market welcomes local favorites: the Yagi Foods food truck, along with Grafik Coffee. Among the market’s other offerings are fresh vegetables and flowers, local meats and fish, farm-fresh eggs, artisanal wares, prepared foods, family activities, and much more. In addition, several local companies, including Indie Cycle, B Free Animal Sanctuary, Newport Wine Cellar & Gourmet and B’ladies Knife Sharpening will offer products and programming throughout the season. For a complete list of vendors and dates, visit www.aquidneckcommunitytable.org.
Newport Sings presents Song Fest
Newport Sings will present its annual Song Fest on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church in Middletown. The concert will feature the Newport County Youth Chorus Prep Chorus, the Aquidneck Singers and Quorus. There are no advanced tickets; a suggested donation of $20/person or $40/family will be accepted at the door (credit card, cash, check accepted) and is tax-deductible. All proceeds support new and expanding Newport Sings programs.
Newport County Youth Chorus Prep Chorus (grades 1-6) will perform songs about the elements (earth, wind, water and fire). Aquidneck Singers, a multigenerational women’s chorus, is excited to perform two sets entitled “From the Lonely Sea and the Sky” and “Over the Moon,” which include familiar tunes such as Harold Arlen’s “It’s Only a Paper Moon'' and “Let the River Run” by Carly Simon featured in the 1988 movie “Working Girl.” Quorus, Newport’s first and only LGBTQIA+ chorus, will present “I wanna be with you everywhere” which will include familiar songs the audience will be sure to love!
Rhode Island Independence Day
What happened on May 4, 1908? Why is the figure on top of the Rhode Island State House called “The Independent Man?” What was the "lively experiment" of 1663? Come find out the answers to these and other questions you might have about the smallest state in the United States of America on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Tiverton Public Library. Susan Anderson from the Tiverton Historical Society will give a presentation on "Rhode Island Independence Day" in the Community Room.
Sail Newport Splash Party
EDITOR'S NOTE: This event has been canceled.
Sail Newport will launch the sailing season with a "Splash Party," on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. The event at the Sailing Center in Fort Adams State Park will feature live music by Mel, food by McGrath's, beverages and lawn games. All ages are welcome. Parking is free at Fort Adams, 72 Fort Adams Drive. More information and tickets available online: https://sailnewport.org
Gallery Sitka welcomes French artist
Gallery Sitka announces the exhibition “Symptoms” by French visual artist Veronique Sapin, with an opening reception on Saturday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sapin, whose studio is in Cugnaux, France, will be in attendance at the Newport gallery on the corner of Spring and Franklin Streets.The artist reception is free and open to the public. The show will be displayed through May 14.
The full scope of Véronique Sapin’s artwork is of the visual arts nature, including videos, installations, photos, ink, and art books. Her artwork has been a part of more than 240 showings in forty countries. She is also curator, co-founder and coordinator of the international women artists collective FemLink-Art which involves 140+ artists from 60+ countries. She has initiated important partnerships with institutions such as Unesco for the video training of African women artists.
For this exhibition at Gallery Sitka, Sapin focuses on an ink painting art method she gleaned while living in Singapore where she took classes from artist Lim Choon Jin.
Additional information can be found at Gallery Sitka - Sapin.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Things to do in Newport May 4: Farmers Market, Song Fest, Splash Party
