On Aquidneck - Calendar of Events for August - Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth, RI

Event listings are free. They are put here in the hope you will find there are many things to see and do on Aquidneck Island. The information is submitted or compiled from promotional material distributed for the events. Information is deemed reliable but you would be wise to call or check the event website for the latest information.

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If you need directions to get to an event try using Mapquest for a map or go directly to driving directions here.

Fridays through August 29 - Newport: The Elms After Hours
at The Elms, 367 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Allows guests to experience a bit of the elegance of a Gilded Age summer party. The evening begins with a tour of the first floor reception rooms, followed by wine and canapés on the terrace, and then a tour of the grounds and sunken garden. Visit www.NewportMansions.org.

Through August 31 - Portsmouth: "2nd Annual Only Photography Show" at the Portsmouth Art Guild
Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 1-5pm. The opening reception is August 1st from 6-8pm at The Portsmouth Arts Guild Center For The Arts, 2679 East Main Rd, next to St. Paul's Church, Portsmouth, RI. 2nd Annual Only Photography Show, featuring work by local photographers

August 15, 16 & 17 - Newport: Newport Art Museum's Wet Paint
Wet Paint is the Newport Art Museum’s annual celebration of regional art and artists that challenges artists to create original works in just a few days and give them to the Museum for an exhibit and auction essentially while the paint is still wet.
The Newport Art Museum is located at 76 Bellevue Avenue across from Touro Park.
For more information call (401) 848-8200 or visit www.newportartmuseum.com

August 30 - Sept. 1 - Newport: 11th Annual Newport Waterfront Irish Festival
A celebration of Irish music, culture, cuisine, and crafts! This three day celebration features five stages of national and international entertainment, an Irish Marketplace, a dance hall, and a children's activity area! In addition to our Irish hospitality and entertainment, the Festival has raised over $50, 000 for local charities in the past five years. For more information on entertainment, acts and admission fees see the web site (www.newportfestivals.com/Irish_Festival)

Previous year's events (below) that we haven't gotten current information to update yet.

June through Oct. - Middletown & Newport: The Aquidneck Grower's Market
Saturdays 9am to 1pm (June - Oct. ), 909 East Main Rd (Rte 138) in Middletown. 401-848-0099 AND Wednesdays 2pm to 6pm (June - Oct ), Corner Pelham & Bellevue St.(Touro Park) Newport. For more information on RI's Farmer's Markets check the RI Division of Agriculture/DEM website.

Tuesdays - Newport: Schooner Aurora offers free sails
Beginning June 19th and taking plae every Tuesday throughout the summer, Aurora will offer free sails to residents of Newport County. For others the cost is $20. See more at the web site or email

Saturdays, through Sept. - Portsmouth: Newport International Polo Series
Generally a 5pm start Saturdays. Glen Farm is on Rt 138 in Portsmouth. See the web site for more information.

Through Sept. - Newport: Guided Walking Tours
Various tours on various days through Labor Day. see the site Newport History Tours is a collaborative program of The Newport Historical Society and The Newport Restoration Foundation.Gain an authentic understanding of Newport's dynamic history through guided walking tours, illustrated lectures, behind-the-scenes building tours, hands-on activities and more! All tours will begin at the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street.

Through October - Newport: Ghost Tours of Newport
Take a lantern-led evening stroll down historic Newport, Rhode Island 's shadowy lanes and discover the ghosts, ghouls, and legends of our haunted city by the sea. Web Site

Through October - Newport: Cap'n Nick's Newport Pirate Walk
Join in (ye' Scurvy Dog!) on a great, grand walkin' adventure along Newport's streets an' waterfront where pirates preened an' plotted. Our brave buccaneers have th' local scuttlebutt o' swaggerin' seafarers an' dastardly scallywags. Pay attention t' th' stories an' who knows? Ye' jest might bring home a bit o' booty in yer pocket! See the Cap'n Nick Pirate Walk web site piratewalk.com for more information.

Through Oct - Portsmouth: 8th Annual Summer Jazz Series at Greenvale Vineyards
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Tasting Room at Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Road in Portsmouth. The Jazz series was organized by Matthew Quinn who died on May 15, 2007and will be held in his honor. For further information, call (401) 847-3777 or visit online at www.greenvale.com

August 3 - 5- Newport: Dunkin Donuts Newport Folk Festival
Fort Adams St. Park & other venues, see the site for schedules and performers: www.newportfolk.com.

August - Little Compton: The Little Compton Antiques Show
10am-5pm on the beautiful grounds of the Sakonnet Vineyards, 162 West Main Rd (rte 77) in Little Compton RI. Fifty dealers under one huge "wedding" style tent will set up shop, displaying antique furniture, paintings and prints, quilts and oriental rugs, glass and fine china as well as great garden furnishings! Admission: $8 - kids free! A benefit for the Little Compton Village Improvement Society. Show managed by Ferguson & D'Arruda. For Info please call 401-273-5550 or 508-674-9186. or Email t-darruda@comcast.net

August - Newport: Color your summer with KidzArt!
Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham St. Newport. Color your summer with KidzArt! For five days, students will explore the wild and not so wild life around them. As they do so, they will create animal inspired pieces from a variety of media. From bugs to goant fish, students experience a part of the animal world they may not have considered before. For more information see kidzartri.com or . To register call 401-855-0196

August - Newport: JVC Jazz Festival
Various venues see the site for schedules and performers. JVC Jazz Festival - Newport

August with perfomance on Aug. - Jamestown: Annual Talent Show
Open auditions for the 18th Annual Jamestown Community Chorus Talent Show, entitled "350 Years: Then and Now" will be held on Monday and Tuesday, August 13 and 14, at the Jamestown Community Center, 41 Canonicus Ave., Jamestown, RI (on the waterfront), from 7-8:30 PM. Performers from Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, and all East Bay communities are welcome to audition. A piano accompanist will be available. Call 423-1574 for more information, or visit www.jamestownri.com/chorus.
The Chorus' 18th Annual Talent Show, "350 Years: Then and Now" will take place on Thursday, August 16, at 7:30 PM at the Jamestown Community Center, 41 Canonicus Ave., Jamestown, RI (on the waterfront). A raffle and refreshment sale will round out the evening. Proceeds benefit future programs of the Jamestown Community Chorus. Tickets $7 general admission, $5 seniors and children. Call 423-1574 for more information, or visit www.jamestownri.com/chorus.

August -- through Nov. -- - Portsmouth: Get Lost in Escobar's Corn Maze!
Through Labor Day Hours are Mon through Sat. 10am till dusk, Sundays 11 - dusk. After Labor Day, Fridays 3pm till dusk, Saturdays 10am till dusk, and 11am -dusk on Sundays. (After Labor Day open midweek for large groups and school field trips by reservation only.) Open Roshashanna 10:00 AM - 4:00 and Open Columbus Day 10:00 - dusk. The Maze has 2 miles of paths (in 2 phases), and covers 8 acres of the Escobar's Highland Farm at 251 Middle Rd in Portsmouth. You'll be up against devilish twists and turns, bridges and dead ends. Our Maze was designed for Highland Farm by Brett Herbst of The Maize. We love dogs, but for their safety they must be kept on a leash at all times. If your doggie wants to run the maze with you we'll be happy to give you a bag so that you can bring out anything he might wish to leave behind to "trip up" other Maizies.
Admission- 12 and over, $7; 5 - 11 years old, $5; children 4 and under are free. There is also a hay play area for smaller children, a concession stand, and porta potties. See their web site for more info and special events such as Pumpkin Festival - 9/29 (raindate 9/30); Harry Potter Day - 10/13 (raindate 10/14); A-Mazing Halloween Party 10/27 (raindate 10/28). See also this page for a coupon. Other information call 683-1444.

August -- - Newport: Friday Night Irish Kick-Off Concert
gates open at 6:00 p.m.at the Newport Yachting Center. 7:00 -8:15 p.m.hear the Fenians, followed by the Screaming Orphans from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45p.m. Tickets are $8 ($5 for college students with proper ID). Ticket can be purchase M-F from 10- 4 at 250 Thames, 2nd Floor or by calling 846-1600. See the web site (www.newportfestivals.com/Irish_Festival)

August -- - Newport: "Celebrate America" Concert and Fireworks
Naval Station Newport and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation present the “Celebrate America,” Concert and Fireworks, extravaganza at Dewey Field, featuring the Navy Band Northeast. The general public should enter through Gate One at 4 p.m. Disc Jockey music, concessions and games for the children will start at 5 p.m. The rock ensemble, Rhode Island Sound, will start the evening at 6 p.m. and the concert band continues with patriotic marches and other concert pieces at about 7 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 8:45 p.m. The program will include a salute to veterans of all services. No coolers, back packs, glass bottles or pets will be allowed at event due to security concerns. Call 841-3538 for information.

Aug - Newport: Coaching Weekend at the Newport Mansions
        Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses will return to Newport in the triennial renewal of a Weekend of Coaching, hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County. The historic coaches will make daily runs through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport Mansions, celebrating and preserving a century-old tradition of horsemanship and elegance.
        As many as 16 "whips," as the drivers are known, are expected to bring their coaches and teams to Newport from around the country. They will parade on pre-determined, published routes through Newport and Middletown, offering unique viewing opportunities for the public. There will also be a free-to-the-public driving exhibition on the grounds of The Elms on Saturday morning, August 19. The weekend will culminate in the formal Coaching Dinner Dance at The Breakers on Saturday evening.
        The Coaching Weekend driving schedule will be published prior to the weekend so that the public can view the coaches as they make their way around Newport. Tickets for the dinner-dance at The Breakers are $500 per person, and reservations are required. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.NewportMansions.org, email Events@NewportMansions.org, or call (401) 847-1000 ext 120.

August - Newport: 23th Annual Clambake at Rose Island Lighthouse
11am to 3:30pm rain or shine. "The tastiest, most trashless clambake FEAST in the world!" Attendance is limited to 150 tickets and previous year's sold out! Reservations required. Ticket price includes clambake, games, tours and round trip boat to Rose Island. See the web site for more info www.roseislandlighthouse.org 401-847-4242

Through - Labor Day - Newport: Public Tours of Rose Island Lighthouse
10am to 4pm See the web site for more info

August - Little Compton: Sakonnet Sunset Sessions
6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., at Sakonnet Vineyards Terrace, 162 West Main Road, Little Compton. Start your weekend early and come kick-off Sakonnet Sunset Sessions with live music at the vineyard.Enjoy a bottle of Sakonnet Wine on our terrace. For a light dinner, Farmstead Specialty Foods will have grilled pizzas and paninis for available for purchase. OOP! Stuff, of Providence, will be making free Whoopie World hats with the kids. The show is free and great for all ages! Seating is limited so bring your beach chair or blanket and your dancing shoes!!! Check their web site for more information www.Sakonnetwine.com

August - Newport: Jazz Mass at Trinity Church
10 a.m. at Trinity Church, One Queen Anne Square. The Clockwise Duo, a jazz ensemble featuring Marcus Montiero, saxophone, and Sean Farias, bass, will join the Trinity Church Senior Choir during the 10am Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. As Newport celebrates jazz during the month of August, Trinity Church invites all visitors and members of the community to join in worship on this swingin’ Sunday. Free and open to the public. For more information call 401-846-0660 or visit the web site: www.trinitynewport.org

August - Middletown: Norman Bird Sanctuary's 1st Annual Bird Ball
7:00pm to 11:00pm. The Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, is pleased to announce its first annual Bird Ball gala. Guests at the semi-formal fundraiser will enjoy breathtaking ocean views from the Sanctuary meadow, complimented by the spectacular décor created by Richard Carbotti and his talented staff at Perfect Surroundings, Inc. Blackstone Caterers have created a sumptuous seasonal menu to tempt the palate; and Eight to the Bar, New England's popular Swing band will certainly entertain guests with their great repertoire of music, including favorites from Motown, classic Rhythm & Blues, Swing and all the standards, perfect for a great evening of dancing.
Tickets $125 are and will go on sale in June. Sponsorship opportunities start at $500. For more information please call the Norman Bird Sanctuary office at 846-2577 or go to www.birdball.org. All proceeds to benefit Norman Bird Sanctuary's mission to protect native habitats; to provide environmental education programs to a diverse audience; and to advocate for the preservation of open space.

August - Newport: Newport Arts Festival
Fort Adams St. Park Over 200 artists and master craftsmen from all over the country will travel to Rhode Island for this lively two day event to exhibit and sell their beautiful works of art and skillfully handcrafted goods. A special additional feature of this show are the many vendors who will sell delicious foods, enabling the festival-goer to enjoy a picnic lunch while overlooking spectacular Newport Harbor.

Aug. - Newport, Portsmouth: 16th Annual Vintage Dance Week
A week of dancing amid the splendors of the Gilded Age in Newport and at the lovely Portsmouth Abbey School located on the shores of Narragansett Bay. Dance instruction will include popular ballroom dances of the mid 19th century through the early 20th century. Classes this year will focus on dances of the Regency era and the 1920's. The teaching staff will include Richard Powers, Patri Pugliese, Martha Griffin, Bob & Idy Thomas and Susan de Guardiola. The schedule includes 3 dance classes a day, for both beginner and more advanced dancers, as well as teas, outings, and formal balls in lovely mansions such as the Astor's Beechwood and the Glen Manor House. The theme for this year's Fancy Dress Ball will be "Voyage to the Orient: Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Commodore's Perry's Voyage to Japan". Sponsored by The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers.

Calendar of Events for August 2008