WaterFire Recommendations for the weekend of September 26- 28th

Get inspired by Providence and the greater-Providence region by touring the many museums, historic walking tours (or how about a ghost tour), local stores, and culinary delights. We’re happy to share with you a few suggestions for events and adventures that you can explore this weekend.

Thursday, September 26

Weekly Salon at Providence Athenaeum

The Providence Athenaeum is a unique library and cultural center located on historic Benefit Street that was founded as “The Athenaeum” in 1836. It is an independent, member-supported library open to the public that welcomes and enriches the educational and cultural pursuits of its members and the community and encourages a diverse public to engage in spirited conversation such as their weekly salons on Friday evenings. This weeks salon. which is free and open to the public, brings together composer Kareem Roustom, Community MusicWorks (CMW) Artistic Director Sebastian Ruth, and FirstWorks Executive Artistic Director Kathleen Pletcher to discuss their upcoming collaborative concert with the Kronos Quartet.

Trinity Repertory Company presents: The Grapes of Wrath

Check out Providence’s regional theater, now in its 50th season, located at the historic Lederer Theater Center in downtown Providence. Running nightly through October 6, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath at Trinity Rep is a great idea for a night out.

Friday, September 27

Benefit Street: Walk a Mile of History

It’s the perfect time of year for an afternoon stroll down Benefit Street to admire the rich history of colonial Providence. The East Side of Providence, particularly Benefit Street, is renowned for its quintessential New England historic architecture. Join the Rhode Island Historical Society for a Fall walk down Benefit Street and discover the past that makes this community so vibrant in the present. Created “for the benefit of all,” this colonial thoroughfare boasts one of the most extensive collections of 18th and 19th century urban architecture in the country.

A Better World by Design 2013 Conference

Now in its 6th year, A Better World by Design is an internationally-acclaimed conference held annually at Brown & RISD campuses in Providence. This conference aims to connect students, professionals, and individuals from a myriad of disciplines and strives to build a global community of socially-conscious innovators.

Saturday, September 28

You have a lot of options and could certainly be out all day. We think the Street Painting Festival, IonaFest, and WaterFire offer you a full day of activity downtown, but click on the calendar for even more options. Be sure to check out our Dining out in Providence page for a list of suggested restaurants to visit throughout the day!

14th Annual Providence Rotary Street Paining Festival

Check out the annual chalk art festival held inside the skating center in the heart of downtown Providence. Free!

IonaFest: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Iona Dobbins

The First Annual “IonaFest,” hosted by the Art League of Rhode Island, will celebrate the life and legacy of Iona Dobbins, arts advocate and former executive director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and her contributions to the arts in Rhode Island. Beginning with a parade procession commencing from Providence Performing Arts Center, InoaFest includes live performances at Grants Block (outside stage near Tazza on Westminster Street), and a fundraiser with performances at Roots Cultural Center. This is sure to a great event celebrating the life and legacy of a prominent arts advocate in our community.

WaterFire Full Lighting

There’s so much to do at WaterFire! Stop by the WaterFire Arts Festival Plaza on Washington Street where you can view and purchase locally made glassware, jewelry, paintings, photography, clothing and more. Inca Son, the internationally acclaimed, award winning music and dance group, will be performing at Union Plaza, performing enchanting melodies on their Andean pan-flutes. Be mesmerized The Gargoyles and the Oracles from Ten31 Productions at the World War Memorial in Memorial Park. Share a dedication with the world in honor or rememberance of a loved one and light a Luminaria Candle Lantern. This WaterFire lighting is made possible by our Sponsor: Roger Williams University & Roger Williams School of Law Celebrating 20 Years

Hop on/Hop Off Shuttle helps you get around Providence easier!

No need to worry about finding a parking spot on a busy night! The folks over at Experience RI have introduced a “hop on, hop off” shuttle that travels throughout Providence from 5pm to 1am every Saturday night. Tickets will entitle you to unlimited hop on/hop off service all night long from 5pm – 1am at locations throughout the city. This is a great way to get around Providence and experience all that our charming city has to offer plus a portion of the proceeds benefit WaterFire.