On Aquidneck - Calendar of Events for May - 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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Saturdays May 1 through Nov. 27- Portsmouth: Annual Summer Jazz Series at Greenvale Vineyards
       The concerts are held in the Tasting Room at Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Road in Portsmouth from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday from May 1st through the last Saturday in November, November 27. In July and August the Jazz will be held both on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wine tastings will be offered as well as wine by the glass and bottle all day and welcome guests to come with picnics. The Jazz Series was organized by Matthew Quinn and is held in his honor.
       May 1 – Marlene VerPlanck, Mike Renzi, Dick Lupino
       May 8 – Joe Conti, Mike Renzi, Dick Lupino
       May 15 – Annette Sanders, Mike Renzi, Dick Lupino
       May 22 – Daryl Sherman, Mike Renzi, Dick Lupino
       May 29 – Mary Andrews, Jodan Nunes, Dick Lupino

May 1 - Portsmouth: Portsmouth Free Public Library’s Annual Touch-A-Truck
10 AM to 2 PM at Glen Park. Touch-a-Truck will give the community’s youngsters a chance to get up close and personal with all kinds of big and fascinating vehicles. Giant trucks and equipment volunteered by municipal and commercial organizations will be on display. Admission charge is $3 per person for the day. In addition to the truck display, there will be various activities for the children and food will be available for purchase from the Portsmouth Lions Club. Proceeds from the event will go toward Library purchases.

May 1 - Portsmouth: Common Fence Music Series
See Cheryl Wheeler, 8pm (doors open at 7pm) at the Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Rd. For more information and reservations click here

May 1 & 2 - Newport: New England Brigade: Camp of Instruction at Fort Adams
Saturday May 1 from 10 am-3pm; Sunday May 2 from 10am-2pm. Join us as members of the New England Brigade recreate a Civil War Encampment on our Historic Parade Field. This is an opportunity for the general public to see how reenactors learn to reenact! Activities include presentations and lectures on military life, garrison duties, tactics and much more. While the Camp does not include a battle, there will be infantry and artillery drills, live fire exercises, cooking and medical demonstrations as well as dress parades. Cost:Adults $8, Children (6-17) $4, Children 5 and under FREE, Family Rate $20 (Two adults and up to four children )For more information visit www.fortadams.org or call 841-0707

May 2 (raindate: May 9) - Portsmouth: Car Show at Portsmouth High School
10am - 2pm at Portsmouth High School, 120 Education Lane. Come see "the King", "Marshall" and "Headhunter" dragsters. Live music, food and beverages.

May 2 - Newport: Aquidneck Island National Police Parade
Check their web site for the latest info Police Parade web site

May 2 through May 29 - Portsmouth: The Works of Ecological Designer Alan Kettler Art Exhibit at Portsmouth Library
1:00 p.m. at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd. Alan Kettler is a renaissance artist who brings the power of design to environmental causes. Most of his work expresses his love of nature and his commitment to helping create a more ecologically sustainable world. As an artist, he practices graphic design, photography, and illustration, and he also designs ecological landscapes and buildings.
Much of his artwork has been published in the form of books, posters, maps, brochures, and websites about the environment. During his professional career he has received commissions from major organizations such as the National Geographic Society, the World Bank, Coca Cola, Smithsonian, Discovery, NBC Television, the Bronx Zoo, and many more. This show at the Portsmouth Public Library showcases some of Mr. Kettler’s paintings for these companies as well as some of his own published and unpublished pieces. The exhibition will open on Sunday May 2 at 1 PM and there will be a “Meet the Artist” opening from 2 to 4 pm that day. The show ends on Saturday May 29.

May 2 - Newport: Swanhurst Chorus - May Concert at Belcourt
4pm -- Newport’s Swanhurst Chorus will be performing at beautiful Belcourt on Bellevue with “American Royalty: Works of Aaron Copland at Belcourt”. The afternoon will feature wonderful selections from “The Tender Land”, “Four Motets” and Copland’s evocative settings of Americana from his “Old American Songs”. Tickets are $20 & $12 for full-time students. For tickets, call 401-682-1630 or visit www.Belcourtcastle.com .

May 2 & 3 - Jamestown: Jamestown Community Chorus Spring Concerts
Saturday at 7:30pm and on Sunday at 3 PM at Central Baptist Church, 99 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown. The Jamestown Community Chorus presents its annual spring concert, "For the Birds". Every song on the program features some kind of bird, with at least 17 species represented! Birdwatchers and music lovers alike are encouraged to attend. The winner of this year's Jamestown Community Chorus Music Award will be announced at the Sunday concert. Tickets will be $10 general admission, $7 seniors and children. For more information, call 401-423-1574 or visit the Chorus' website at www.jamestownri.com/chorus.

May 4 through 8 - Middletown: Critter Glitter Jewelry Sale to benefit the Potter League for Animals
Tuesday, May 4 to Saturday, May 8 10:00am-4:00pm; Wednesday, May 5 till 7:00pm at The Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane. Shop fashion jewelry for Mother's Day! Beautiful bracelets, necklaces, pins and earrings from Sequin on sale for 50% to 75%. Buy a gift for your mother or complement your spring wardrobe. Sequin Jewelry sells at the finest New York City department stores and always offers the latest styles in fashion jewelry. Thanks to the generosity of Sequin, 100% of the proceeds from this sale will benefit the animals by supporting the campaign for the Potter League's new building.

May 7 - Portsmouth: Hidden Kitchens of Portsmouth Tour
The Fourth Annual "Hidden Kitchens of Portsmouth Tour", a fund raising tour of seven wonderful Portsmouth kitchens from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and includes a "tasting" at each location, compliments of area chefs and local vendors. For further information or to purchase tickets, please visit the kitchen tour website at www.portsmouthkitchentour.org or call 1-800-929-1738.Proceeds benefit the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation, a 5013C non-profit organization. Since 2001, the mission of the foundation has been to improve, promote, sponsor and enhance the educational experiences for Portsmouth public school students. For more information on the foundation visit the foundations website at www.portsmoutheducationfoundation.org.

May 10 - Middletown: Middletown Historical Society - 31st. Annual Pot Luck Dinner and Meeting
5:30 PM at the Middletown Senior Center, Green End Avenue. Social hour, followed by a short meeting. Dinner, raffles, please bring a dish of your choice along with a utensil. Bring a new member, friend or neighbor! middletownhistory.org

May 15 - Portsmouth: Common Fence Music Series
See John Gorka, 8pm (doors open at 7pm) at the Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Rd. For more information and reservations click here

May 16 - Middletown: Birds & Breakfast, Norman Bird Sanctuary
(rain or shine). A favorite annual event at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown. Celebrate spring with a delicious breakfast prepared with locally grown foods while looking out over the beautiful fields and down to the ocean at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Guided bird walks & farm animals combine for a wonderful way for families to spend a Sunday morning in spring . Children will step into the wildly imaginative world of Jackson Gillman as he takes a bird’s–eye view of the world through song and stories. Adults: $20 in advance, $25 at door. Children: $5 (ages 4—12). Children ages 3 and under—free. Bird walks—on the half hour 7:30—11:00 am. Breakfast seatings—8:00 am, 9:00 am, & 10:00 am. For Reservations please call (401) 846-2577.All proceeds to benefit the Sanctuary's mission of environmental education and land conservation

May 16 - Middletown: Spring Craft Fair
10-3pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 7 Valley Rd. 35 Crafters & Vendors Event. Fundraiser for "The Autism Project", free admission & parking.

May 16 - Portsmouth: Pennfield School Mayfair
10am to 4pm (rain or shine) at Pennfield School 110 Sandy Point Avenue, Portsmouth. MayFair fun for the whole family. Silent auction, inflatables, carnival games, face painting, crafts, plant & white elephant sales, food & more! Free admission. See auction items - www.pennfieldschool.cmarket.com

May 17 - Portsmouth: Rhode Island is Ready to speak about the State School Funding Formula in Portsmouth
6:30pm at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd. Karina Wood, co-founder of "Rhode Island is Ready," a grassroots education advocacy group, will be speaking about a state school funding formula. This is a one-hour event and is free and open to the public. For more information, see "Rhode Island is Ready" on Facebook.

May 17 - Portsmouth: The Portsmouth Historical Society presents "Reading Rhode Island Girls' Lives in 1799: Diaries as Historical Records"
7pm at Portsmouth Historical Society 870 East Main Rd. Corner of East Main Rd. (Route 138) and Union St. Award-winning teacher, researcher, and writer Jane Lancaster will discuss how teenagers lived in Rhode Island more than 200 years ago. Peeking at the private writings of adolescent girls reveals how young people passed their time before taking on adult responsibilities. This event is free and open to the public. This program is funded in part by the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Refreshments will be provided following the lecture.

May 18 - Newport: Lunch with the Artist ~ Ansel Adams: A Camera is Really a Paintbrush atThe Newport Art Museum
12 pm at the Newport Art Museum in the Griswold House 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. "Ansel Adams: a Camera is Really a Paintbrush” will be the topic under consideration during “Lunch with the Artist” on Tuesday, May 18 at the Newport Art Museum. This informal noontime discussion is hosted by Richard Tyre and is free for Museum members and $5 for non-members. Sit back and learn or join the discussion. Participants may bring bag lunches. For more information about this event or the Newport Art Museum call (401) 848-8200 or visit www.newportartmuseum.org

May 19 - Portsmouth: Gardening lecture series on “Gardening with Containers” at Portsmouth Library
6:30 p.m. at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Rd. “Gardening with Containers” to be presented by Ann Perkins of South Kingstown. Ann, a URI Master Gardener since 2001 and a member of the Master Gardener Hall of Fame, will demonstrate the steps in planting a container using annuals, perennials, and vegetables. Her containers have been featured in Better Homes & Gardens Garden magazine. This program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so please stop by or call the Library at 683-9457 to sign up.

May 20 - Newport: Common Fence Music Series
See Geoff Muldaur and Jim Kweskin, at Channing Church, 135 Pelham Street. 8pm (doors open at 7:30pm) For more information and reservations click here

May 21 to 23 - Newport: Annual Newport Spring Boat Show
at the Newport Yachting Center.www.newportspringboatshow.com The 36th Annual Newport Spring Boat Show officially marks the casting off of winter and the start of new memories made in the warm winds and waters of Narragansett Bay. This show has everything you need to launch the boating season! Whatever kind of vessel you're looking for - whether it’s an express cruiser, multihull, classic wooden boat, or even a dinghy - you'll find it at the Show. And don’t forget about our popular Bargain Consignment Tent, where you can find great deals on used marine items. Even better, drop off your own boating equipment (must be in working condition) that you’d rather be rid of, and Show staff will sell it on your behalf!

May 22 - Newport: Community Arts Connect Day: Art for All ~ Free admission and a complementary tour of the Newport Art Museum
Activities begin at 1 pm. The Museum is open 10 – 5 pm and admission is free all day. The Newport Art Museum is located at 76 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI. Designed to be enjoyable for people all ages, physical and intellectual abilities, the day includes art-making workshops, a musical performance, an interesting speaker, and docent tours beginning at 1 pm.See their web site at NewportArtMuseum.org

May 22 - October 11 - Newport: Guided Tours of Fort Adams
Tours depart from the Fort Adams Gift Shop daily (90 Fort Adams Drive), weather permitting, every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., through Columbus Day. View the officers’ quarters, explore the underground listening tunnels and climb the rampart walls for breathtaking views of Newport Harbor.For more information, visit www.fortadams.org or call 401.841.0707.

May 22 - Newport: RI Annual All-American Soap Box Derby
9:00 am Sponsored by the Newport Lions Club the annual running of the derby takes place on Memorial Blvd. at Easton's Beach. Free, open to the public, great kids (& adult) event! Lions Club will be selling burgers, dogs and refreshments. For more information please see the Lions Club site

May 25 - Newport: Gtting to Know You Lunch ~ Lisa Goddard: The language of art at The Newport Art Museum
12 pm at the Newport Art Museum in the Griswold House 76 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI. The language of art will be the topic of the next Getting to Know You Lunch when Executive Director Lisa Goddard will host the discussion. Guests are encouraged to bring one piece of their own artwork to share with the group. This informal lunch (bring your own meal) for Museum members has no charge. For information call (401) 848-8200. For more information about this event or the Newport Art Museum call (401) 848-8200 or visit www.newportartmuseum.org

May 29 - Portsmouth: Yard Sale at VFW Post 5390
from 9 am - 3 pm at VFW Post 5390, 822 Anthony Rd., Common Fence Point. Please keep this in mind when you are conducting "spring cleaning" your home, attic, basement and garage! There will be no private tables (all proceeds benefit Post & Unit 18). There will be a "white elephant" table, poppy awareness table, book/music table, bake sale table, craft table, etc. There will also be raffle - the prize is an auto detailing (value $100)! If you have any large items to donate (furniture, yard equipment, etc.), please contact George or Edna at 401.619.3899 to arrange pick up and storage. We will have a storage area available to us BEFORE the yard sale, so please don't wait to donate new, like-new, working/usable items for this yard sale/fundraiser. VFW Post 5390 web site

May 29 - Middletown: “Meet the Author” series with critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author Ann Hood.
3 pm at the Middletown Public Library, 700 West Main Rd. The Middletown Public Library continues their “Meet the Author” series with critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author Ann Hood. Hood will be here to discuss and sign her latest novel, “The Red Thread”. In China there’s a belief that people who are destined to be together are connected by an invisible red thread. Maya opens an adoption agency that specializes in placing baby girls from China with American families. Brilliantly braiding the stories of Chinese birth mothers who give up their daughters and the American families desperate for a child, Hood writes a moving and beautifully told novel of fate. Elle Magazine calls the book a "wisely woven novel" about loss and reconnection. The event is FREE and all are welcome! Light refreshments and drink will be provided.

May 29 through Labor Day Sept. 6 - Newport: The Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium Open
open daily 10-4 through Labor Day. The Save The Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium located at Easton's Beach in Newport is an interactive marine science learning center offering educational programs and activities for school groups, families and children interested in learning more about Narragansett Bay. General admission is $5 / FREE for Save The Bay members and children ages 3 and under.

Previous year's events (below) that we haven't gotten current information to update yet.
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May -- - Portsmouth: Annual Flagging of graves with the American Legion
8:00 a.m.(rain or shine) meet at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Main Road, Portmsouth -Volunteers needed to help flag/reflag graves at Portsmouth area cemeteries. We will start at St. Mary’s Cemetery then caravan across the street to Trinity Cemetery, then caravan to Portsmouth Cemetery on Turnpike Avenue until done. Refreshments will be provided. American Legion Post 18 web site

May -- - Portsmouth: Greenvale Vineyards will host its 11th Annual Restoration Celebration
From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Road in Portsmouth. Celebrate bud break and our historic Stable, lovingly restored ten years ago. During the festivities, we will have vineyard tours, wine tastings, tractor rides and music by our friends Fishken & Groves .. www.greenvale.com

May - - Memorial Day Observances
       NEWPORT:
        Starting at 11am - a ceremony at Storer Park by the Goat Island Causeway. Sponsored by the United Veterans Council of Newport County. Ceremonies continue at Noon on the lawn of Newport City Hall. Containers will be available for deposit of worn, faded and unservicable U.S. flags.
        The WWI Monument Tower at Miantonomi Park will also be open from 1:30pm to 3:30pm weather permitting. Appropriate shoes for climbing are required and binoculars are recommended.
       PORTSMOUTH:
       10am - Memorial Day exercises will be held Monday at the VFW Vieira Post 5390, 822 Anthony Road.

May - - Newport: Newport Concours d'Elegance
The 2009 Newport Concours d'Elegance will include an exclusive Private Auto Salon and Formal Dinner, followed by a Boutique Concours d'Elegance, all to be held during the Weekend of May 30th & 31st. Displays combine cutting-edge fashion influenced by coachwork and the design of historic and significant automobiles. Oceanfront Newport Rhode Island venues pay homage to inspiring European Concours. For more information see www.thenewportelegance.org.

May - - Newport: Newport Lions Club Carnival
Weds & Thurs opens at 6pm, Fri. at 3pm, Sat. at noon and Sunday at noon. Located at the parking lot at Easton's Beach on Memorial Drive. Free admission.

May - - Middletown: Middletown Youth Football & Cheerleading registration.
Noon to 3:00p.m. at at Gaudet Field, Turner Road, Middletown. Middletown Pop Warner football and cheerleading registration for ages 5 thru 15. Can also register online at the web site

May -- - Portsmouth: Annual Plant Sale at Green Animals Topiary Gardens
8am to 5pm at Green Animals Topiary Gardens, 380 Cory's Lane in Portsmouth. Swing into spring at the annual plant sale! Find Mother's Day gifts, topiary, bedding plants, hanging baskets, scented geraniums, unusual cacti and succulents. Web site

May -- - Portsmouth: 7th Annual Lance Cpl. Barton J. Carroll Memorial 5K Road Race/Walk
Registration & check in - 8:00 to 8:45am, 2 mile walk begins at 9:05am, 5K race (GPS measured fast course) begins at 9:00am - Rain or Shine. Event held at Portsmouth High School, Education Lane. The race is geared both for the serious runners and those who enjoy running. The walk is open to community members, young and old, wanting to share some outdoor activity with friends and family while supporting PPEF's mission for enhanced educational opportunities. Also included with this event, is the Children’s Race which takes place just prior to the actual race. The Children’s Race is free and no preregistration is required. Kids, just show up! This great event is sponsored by NewportFed and is the largest fundraising event for PPEF. Proceeds earned during this event are used to supply grants for the public school teachers for projects and activities not funded by the school budget or town taxes. A portion of the proceeds also goes to the Lance Cpl. Barton J. Carroll Memorial Fund to honor the memory of Barton J. Carroll, a Marine who died on July 4, 2002 while visiting his hometown.
Fee is $18.00 prior to May 7 and $20.00 thereafter. Children’s race starts at 8:30 (be there at 8:15am), FREE and no pre-registration is required! Food and drinks available to participants along with prizes for our top finishers and t-shirts for the first 175 registered walkers/runners. More information and registration form is available on www.portsmoutheducationfoundation.org. Online registration is also available on www.jbrace.com.

Calendar of Events for May 2010