Brave the Snow for Obama or St. Patrick

While February totally bored me, March looks like it's kicking off with a bang. Tomorrow afternoon, there are a couple of fun, different events you can check out.

First, political phenomenon Barack Obama will be speaking at a rally at Rhode Island College tomorrow. The doors will open at noon, and considering the Obama fever spreading everywhere, you're probably best off getting there around then if you want a decent seat. Go to the college's rec center at 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue in Providence.

If politics are not your thing, or if you're a Republican who needs a distraction from the Democratic fervor that will be sweeping the state, you can celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Pawtucket tomorrow. What's that, you say? Saint Patrick's Day isn't for over two weeks? Ahh, but you've forgotten that the normal rules of society are suspended in Pawtucket. The parade begins at noon, behind McCoy Stadium, and ends up downtown by city hall. Afterwards, there will be food and music at the Pawtucket Armory for $2. If you can bear the weather, check it out.

A Cultured Weekend

This weekend, there are two interesting cultural events that might be well worth checking out. The first is an 18th century Irish music concert, featuring pipes, cello, and harpsichord. (Seems like a high class way to start prepping for St. Patrick's Day.) It's being put on by the Newport Baroque Orchestra at St. John the Evangelist Church on Poplar Street in Newport. It starts at 8:00 on Friday.

According to the press information, Jerry O'Sullivan, one of the musicians, is in fact, "America's premier uilleann piper." (It's basically an Irish bagpipe.) How often can you say you saw that, and for only $25 a ticket.

On Saturday evening, also at 8:00, the RI Philharmonic will be hosting a night of music by American composers, featuring pianist Terrence Wilson playing some of Gershwin's most beloved works, including Rhapsody in Blue. Tickets for the philharmonic tend to be pricey, but they're well worth it both for the quality of the performances and the intimacy of the venue.

If the classical stuff doesn't fit the bill, I'd direct you to lotsofnoise, where you will find information on cool shows at Firehouse 13, AS220, and a film screening at Pawtucket recording studio Machines with Magnets.

Happy weekending.

Two Quick Things

I'm back from a vacation to Paris (which is why I haven't been blogging for a while) and wanted to highlight two events that are going on right now which might be worth checking out.

First, if you're looking for something to do tonight, Tazza (250 Westminster St. in Providence) is hosting house music tonight, as it apparently does the first Saturday of every month. Tonight's lineup includes DJ Nick De Paris, Mousky, Aaron Minjares, and VJ Pomp & Clout, along with special guest Nate D. Percussion. Should be a cool evening.

The second think is a longer running event: an exhibition called the Tape Art Artaquarium at 5 Traverse Gallery (5 Traverse Street in Providence) The exhibit, which runs through February 15th, shows you how to use a special low-adhesive tape to create large murals. By the looks of the site, there are some pretty cool displays, and seems like a fun thing to watch.

There will be more regular posting in the next weeks, so please check back.

Your Weekend Agenda

Time to give up the revelry of the holidays and settle in to a long, cruel winter. Right? Of course we have more cold and misery on the way, but the weather this week, anyway, has been gorgeous, so let's enjoy a bit of revelry while we can.

Thursday: Get yourself in rhythm at Club Energy in downtown Providence, where Certified Bananas and Javelin will dish out beats at their regular Pop event. However, this is a little bit special, because this quality club night is going the way of the two martini lunch at the end of the month. So shell out the three bucks, get there at 10:00 or so, and dance the pain away.

Friday: I've spent my fair share of words pitching the Rhode Island Philharmonic in this space, despite a sneaking feeling that not many blog readers are also classical music fans. But if you are at all, you have the chance to catch some Brahms this weekend, which is always worth doing. You could go Saturday to the concert, but it might be more interesting to check out the open rehearsal from 5:30 to 8:00 on Friday. Tickets are $27 (and only $12 for students) and you'll both hear some great music and gain an understanding of what goes into putting together a classical concert.

Saturday: If you miss the fresh tastes of warmer weather, you could do worse than to check out AS220's winter farmer's market. It's from 12 to 3.

Can I admit that I'm a bad person and I've never been to the Stone Soup Coffee House, despite my recent man-crush on all things Pawtucket? I plan to remedy that this Saturday, and check out a folk concert they'll be having there. Tickets are $15, it starts at 8:00, and if you're a first timer like me, it's at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Park Place.

Sunday: If the warm weather holds, what better way to celebrate it than by taking in some raggae. After a couple of drinks, you may convince yourself you took that island vacation after all. So go to the Rhino Bar and Grille at 337 Thames St. in Newport and check out Hot Like Fire, from 10 pm-1 am. (I think it's a free show.)

Do What Feels Good

A few weeks ago, I promised a posting with recommendations for what to do on New Year's Eve. And I've thought about it a great deal. And I realized that I always have a good night on New Year's Eve, and rarely is it planned. So, if you're into planning your night, I'd recommend going to Bright Night or the First Night celebrations in Newport or Westerly. Or, if you've got $55 to spare on a ticket, you could check out Tracy Morgan at the Comedy Connection. These are the events you've heard all about, and I'm sure they'll be good.

But I think you're best off going to a place that means something to you, preferably in the company of someone that means something to you. Last year, for example, my wife and I went to Oak on Hope Street, had a nice dinner, then went to watch the fireworks at midnight at Prospect Terrace Park on Congdon Street.

Another year we went to our favorite bar at the time, Maverick's in Wayland Square, and had a late dinner and played with noisemakers as the ball dropped.

A few years ago, we volunteered to mind the door at a modern dance event (part of Bright Night), before wandering around downtown.

Once, we got drunk on Margaritas at Tortilla Flats...and those of you who know us know the rest of that particular story.

Anyway, don't use New Year's as a night to try to do something impressive or over-the-top. Find a place and a person you care about, and enjoy the many possibilities the year has in store. And, while you're thinking of what that will be, let me be the first to wish you the very best in 2008.

Early Week Suggestions

While most of you are probably like me in that you do most of your merry-making between Thursday and Sunday, you might find yourself itching to get out early in the week now and again. If so, I have two suggestions on recurring activities that might make it worth your while to leave your couch before the weekend hits.

On Mondays, think about heading down to Trinity Brewhouse in downtown Providence for cheap wings, football (at least for the next few weeks) and some of the best beer in the state. And if wings aren't enough for you, I'll add that I had these guys cater my wedding, so either the food is pretty awesome or I'm a sad individual (or both, I suppose.) I'd highly recommend sitting at the bar; it's a good crowd.

On Tuesdays, you can't go wrong by heading to the Blackstone for live jazz. Mike Tanaka and friends put on a free show every Tuesday starting at 8:00, there's a limited food selection, and you still get all the many joys that come with the Blackstone. (If you don't feel like clicking over to my write-up of the place, it is at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket.)

I have to be honest, I don't have a good regular Wednesday event. (If there continue to be Wednesday DJ sessions at Local 121 downtown, that may be it.) So, readers, if you have any thoughts, please email me or post them in the comments.

Your Weekend Agenda

As the holidays approach, many of you will find your itineraries starting to fill. My advice: ask people to keep their parties on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Try to keep your weekends free for more enjoyable pursuits. Why let December be ruined by a bunch of awkward social (or even worse, family) gatherings? If, however, you find a party absolutely unavoidable, remember that the booze at those things is free, and you can probably sneak out early enough that it can serve as college-style pregaming.

Friday: Fresh off their domination of the local competition in winning the Mayor's Cup, the PC Friars hockey team will take on likely patsy Union on Friday night at 7:00. You could watch it on Cox 3, but watching hockey on TV is like listening to a friend talk about a vacation: about 1,000 times worse than being there yourself. So get to Schneider Arena on Huxley Street, pony up your $5, and enjoy some of the best college hockey action in the country.

Saturday: I don't know about you, but to me nothing puts me in a festive mood like observing marine mammals. The summer might be for whale watching, but the winter is all about seals, which you can see thanks to Save the Bay by taking an observational cruise out of Newport. The boat leaves Bowen's Ferry Landing at 11:00 on Saturday (and noon on Sunday, if you prefer) and the cost is $20.

If you would rather stay off the water, go to Benefit Street at 3:00 to stroll the street, hear local high school carolers, and see the historic houses all decked out. At 4:30, the festivities will head downtown, where there will be free carriage rides and the City Hall Christmas Tree lighting.

If all that hasn't worn you out, head over to Firehouse 13 for a live music three way, starting at 9:00. The Cold War, Six Star General, and Hope Anchor will all play, for a miniscule $5 cover. Firehouse 13 is on Central Street in Providence.

Sunday: You know you've been craving a bit of theater, and you probably want to avoid Trinity Rep a this time of the year. So check out the closing performance of Perishable Theater's Wild Porcelain a funky-sounding comedy put on by the Workhorse troupe. And by funky, I mean the main character craps dishes, the play is performed in three different languages (one of which is Dutch...instant comedy!) and there appears to be an Indian headress prominently involved.The show starts at 2:00, and tickets are $10-$12

Your Weekend Agenda

I'm going to be a better blogger, I swear. I've wanted to write so many posts, but turkey made me sleepy and work made me grumpy...I'm a head cold away from having Multiple Dwarf Personality Disorder.

Anyway, since it is impossible to resist the riptide of Christmas commercialization, I thought you could at least turn that itchy credit card into some good by hitting up some local artists. So this Weekend Agenda features a few of the great craft and arts fairs available in the great state of Rhode Island.

Friday: Craftland may not be the biggest event of its kind in the state, but for lovers of the weird and inexpensive, it is no doubt the best. And from 5 to 9, they're having their opening party. Head to 235 Westminster Street in Providence (across from Tazza) for food, drink, cool crafts, and who knows what else.

Saturday: Go from crafts to arts by starting your Saturday at the Pawtucket Open Studios event. From 11 to 7, you can visit many of the mills throughout Pawtucket to view some very cool artists' studios and purchase some of their offerings, from paintings to ceramics and everything in between. There are over a dozen locations around town, so my advice (if you're coming from Providence) is to stop at some of the studios on and right near Main Street first, then head on to the half-dozen in the downtown area. The web site has a map and other artist information. Look for the yellow banners that mark participating sites.

If you've gotten all your gifts, you've earned some fun, so get your booty over to Firehouse 13, where it will be duly shaken by the lineup they have for Providence is Burning, featuring Nick Catchdubs (who according to his calendar is flying all the way in from a gig in Seattle the night before), along with Certified Bananas and Micah Jackson. Be there at 10:00, and $5 is all it takes to get funky. Well, that and a sense of rhythm and a lack of shame. Firehouse 13 is at 41 Central Street in Providence.

Sunday: Are you done shopping? Probably not, but there are more local shopping events coming up. So why not take advantage of the lack of tourist hordes in Newport, and go down to have a good time? Walk a round a bit, cruise Ocean Drive, and then head over to Fastnet Pub at 1 Broadway for some traditional Irish music. It's from 4-7 PM, so it's a perfect time for a pint and a tune before you deal with the thought of shoveling snow before your commute Monday morning.

Keep checking back; updates will be more frequent in the next few weeks, and we'll have some new holiday restaurant recommendations.

Your Weekend Agenda

So, this week the agenda's going to be a bit abbreviated. Like, there's nothing for Thursday, because it is Thursday, and I just got back from New (bleeping) Jersey. OK, truth be told, I just got back from the Red Fez after I got off the train, which is what you should have done tonight. But I digress.

The other reason for a short entry is that I went drinking at the Red Fez and now I want to, well, not think. So there you go.

Friday: Do something good while seeing something good. At 7:00, at the recording studio Machines with Magnets, there will be a A Benefit Concert for Alex Svoboda, the woman who was horribly injured by the police in North Providence during a protest. I still don't know if there has been a full accounting of what happened that day, but the pictures floating around show the police did a lot more damage that anyone could think was proportionate. But even if solidarity with Alex's fate isn't motivating for you, this promises to be a really good concert, with more than 10 local bands playing. The show is at 400 Main Street in Pawtucket, and the donation is $8, though I'm sure they'll take more.

Saturday: At 6:30, head over to the Cormack Planetarium at the Natural History Museum in Roger Williams Park (Providence) for live music and a cool space show. Area C and Black Forrest / Black Sea will be playing, and the cost is only $3. Head over for a different experience. And (so sweet!) there's also a 3D Mars show.

Sunday: Finish off the weekend with some outdoor time. You can go seal watching with the Kayak Centre at 9 Phillips Street in Wickford. For $44, you can go with a guide to get up close in a double kayak. Call (888) 732-5295 to make a reservation and find out the departure time.

Your Weekend Agenda

I had a lapse, and I apologize. Last week, there was no Agenda, and I'm sure you all sat on your hands and wasted a perfectly good weekend. But you had a World Series to watch, or at least I did, which screwed everything up. But we're back, bringing you the events that you simply must attend, and the places you simply must be, if you are any kind of cool at all. So abandon all critical thinking and do exactly as I say.

Thursday: I told you in my last posting that you need to see some PC Friars Hockey. Now you get a rare Thursday home game to see just what the hype is about. So get over to Schneider Arena on Huxley Ave. in Providence, pony up your $5 for a ticket, and see the Friars wipe the ice with the BU Terriers. To fully embrace the experience, I recommend wearing a bulky ski jacket and stuffing it with as many cans of Coors Light as it can hold. Not that I condone breaking campus rules on alcohol (ab)use, but I think that's a fight long since abandoned by the powers that be.

Friday: Support the Blackstone! If you haven't been yet, you're hurting America. Or at least Pawtucket, and the Rhody art scene in general. But Friday is a good day to go. You'll be able to check out opening night for the Celtics on the many televisions, while you check out SexCoffee and a few other bands. It's located on Main Street in Pawtucket, and the cover's likely $5.

Saturday: If you're going to bargain shop, you want to be at a bazaar. Just the name says, "I may have to fight someone to the death, but I will get a good deal on a secondhand rug." There are two you may want to check out in Providence on Saturday: first, go to the Armenian Bazaar and Food Festival at Saints Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church on 70 Jefferston St. It starts at 11:00. If you're anti-Armenian (in which case you might want to leave the state, change your name, and take a vow of silence...) there's an apparently non-ethnic bazaar at the St. Bartholomew Church Hall on 297 Laurel Hill Avenue. It's from 9:00 all the way until 7:00, so you'll have plenty of time to get your baked goods and advent wreaths.

Perhaps you've had a stressful week. You might be thinking, "as long as I don't hear some experimental music, and can just relax, I'll be OK." Well, tough, because you're going to Firehouse 13 to see Black Forest/Black Sea and a host of other funky bands. BFBS is releasing a new album (literally...it's on vinyl only), and if the clips I heard on their site are any indication, it's some very evocative, odd, non-rhythmic music made with a cello and a guitar. (Think WaterFire music without the ambiance or smoke inhalation.) There are a bunch of other bands playing, based from as far away as Scotland and San Fran. (I'm intrigued by Charalambides.) So go, do something different.

Sunday: Listen, I don't get out to the periphery as much as I'd like anymore. (By that, I mean anything beyond Provtucket.) I used to go to places like Warren all the time, even if it was just to drive for the heck of it. But now I'm old, busy, and in possession of a house that requires me to rake and clean gutters. But I'm tempted to suck up the 25 minute drive to go to the 2nd Story Theater to see Gross Indecency. It's the story of Oscar Wilde's incredible life, and it's the final performance of the show. Tickets are $25 for all seats.

A Quick Saturday Recommendation

I had one of those 'perfect storm' weeks where too much happens to get on and blog. But I'm back, baby, and I'd like to make it up to you.

First, this Saturday is free-for-all at the RISD Museum, so it's a good time to go check out some great art in a great space. It's a great day for kids, too: the Puppet People will put on their rendition of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It's free, 11-4, and the museum is 224 Benefit Street in Providence. (But of course, you knew that.)

I was going to recommend the Olneyville Fall Festival, too, but the weather makes it a little less appealing. If you're willing to brave the rain, it's at Donigan Park on Valley Street, Providence. There will be children’s activities, canoe rides, rock climbing, pumpkin painting, and more goodness. No word on whether they'll cancel due to inclement weather, though the rock climbing might be perilous.

Finally, there's a Waterfire tonight; last of the year. And while I'll be watching the Red Sox, I will say that Waterfire on a drizzly night in the fall is a much different, and maybe even better, experience than it is on a packed summer night.

I'll try to get back later today with another review of a good place to watch the Sox in the Series, and some other stuff.

Your Weekend Agenda

I have a theory that as soon as you start a blog, you're going to get swamped with every other thing you can imagine. So of course I find myself slammed at work, dealing with freelance problems, and handling a wife who won't be quiet after she drinks a martini. So I've got stress, and that means less blogging time. So I hope you appreciate the dedication that has me bringing you these recommendations.

Thursday: I can't believe Smashing Pumpkins is at PPAC. Didn't you think they were going to be a fuzzy memory by now? But they're back in a big way, and getting pretty good reviews, too. If you can afford a $50 ticket, and you're a child of the '90s, you can't go wrong.

Friday: You know you don't have enough banjo in your life. You just don't. It's not your fault, don't beat yourself up. But what you could do is head to the Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House on Douglas Avenue in Providence and see Kill Henry Sugar. You will get some banjo back in your life, and a quirky, interesting show. Feel free to try before you buy/visit: here's a clip of a song named after a loveable Italian dictator. The show, which includes other bands, starts at 8:00 and appears to be free. After, you can visit several bars on the Dive Bar tour, which are within easy driving range. Just scroll down for a look.

Saturday: Who am I to resist the awesome power of the cornfield maze? Head down to Escobar's Highland Farm in Portsmouth to navigate your way through ths stalks for some fall-time fun. They're open from 10 until dusk, and it costs just $7.

I can't think of anything more different then a corn maze (which, by the way, are promoted as 'maizes', which is just painful) than a night at the ballet. But if you feel like doing something cultural, or if your girlfriend read my "Date Night" post and said, "why don't you take me anywhere nice?" (Sorry) then you could check out the Festival Ballet's world premier of Viktor Plotnikov's Cinderella at the VMA in Providence. Tickets start at $17, and the 7:30 start time means you'll still have time to head out downtown afterwards.

Sunday: Spend Sunday appreciating art at the RISD Museum on Benefit Street in Providence. In addition to their great exhibits and the wonderful, relaxing building, there are kids activities from 3:00 to 4:30 every Sunday. This week, you can tour the museum to see some of the fearsome creatures seen in the artwork, and get inspired to make your own monster (maybe a mask for Halloween) using their supplies. Tickets are $8 for admission and the activity.

Ready, Set, Soapbox!

No matter how good the local 'scene' is, there are only so many live music shows, funky bars and street fairs someone can take before they start craving something different. If that's how you're feeling, then this Saturday offers a treat: the Red Bull Soapbox Race. You may have already seen their commercials, in which case you're either gung-ho, confused, or have already decided its stupid. (If you fall into the last camp, there's not likely to be much of interest to you in this article or on this blog in general.)

For everyone else, let me just assure you that this is no stupid stunt. Ok, well it is a stupid stunt, but a gloriously stupid stunt, with wacky little cars hurtling down College Hill competing on speed or the insanity of their vehicles. For those of you who remember the street luge held when the Gravity Games were held here (oh happy days), imagine that but with miniature parade floats.

The first race is at 1pm, but you can go as early as 11:00 to check out the pits, say hi to the teams, and probably get some free Red Bull. The last race is at 3:00, and then there's an awards ceremony.

There are a bunch of local teams involved: I'm rooting for the Rhode Island Reds out of historical appreciation. (I'll change my allegiance to Team Spikes if they'll hook me up with free hot dogs. I can be bought.

The starting line is at Fones Alley and Prospect Street. Most of the race then runs down Waterman, to the finish line at the bottom of the hill. I assure you, if you're anyhwere near Brown on Saturday afternoon, you won't be able to miss it. And you won't want to.


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Your Weekend Agenda

As always, we present your agenda for a weekend of fun and enlightenment. The RhodyRocks team (by which I mean my wife and I) are feeling a little light in the wallet lately, so our goal for the weekend was to get you through with as little damage as possible. So, everything on the agenda this week is cheap or free. Then, as a little bonus, we threw in a Sunday night budget-buster if you're feeling frisky. Enjoy.

Thursday: Tonight feels like a night for The Blackstone Tonight they have Corinne Wahlberg on the stage at 9:00, and I'm sure the televisions will be tuned to the Yankees getting whooped up on by the Cleveland Indians. The Blackstone is located on Main Street in Pawtucket (see the review on this blog for more details.) There may be a $5 cover: you've been warned.

Friday: Cafe Zog isn't exactly known as a live music place, which is a shame, because it hosts occassional shows that are intimate, a little weird, and a good chance to actually meet some local artists and musicians. This Friday, they're hosting a free show featuring a bunch of bands and performers, including Nick Anderson, Ben Pilgrim and Smiling Carcinogens. It's on Wickenden Street in Providence, and it starts at 8:00

Saturday: Spend your afternoon among the spokes and handlebars at AS220's Broke and Busted Bike Swap and Sale. This free event will feature cheap bikes, cool bikes, bike parts, a lot of bike people, and of course easy access to the wonderful tacos at Taqueria Pacifica, inside AS220's cool art space. And unlike most biker events, you won't have to deal with revving Harley engines and exhaust fumes. It's from 12-5 on Empire Street in Providence.

As sun sets, get your English on by heading to the 10th annual Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night at the Andrea Hotel in Misquamicut. In addition to the traditional reenactment of the execution of Guy Fawkes (who famously tried to blow up Parliament in the name of the 'Papist religion'), there will be entertainment from the Misquamicut Players, The Kentish Guards Fife and Drum and an assortment of other properly British attractions. It's free and starts at 7:00 at 89 Atlantic Avenue. You've got to love a reason to get to the shore one last time before winter.

Sunday: Go from English to Italian festivities up on Federal Hill in Providence, as Atwells Ave. celebrates Columbus Day in style. There will be a parade, great food, and the shebang will include Maryann Esposito of theCiao Italia cooking show on PBS. Additionally, soul band Tribeca will be playing from 2 to 6. The parade starts at noon, and of course everything is free except the massive amounts of food you're sure to find irresistable.

Finish up the weekend with a laugh. Score tickets to see the very funny Brian Regan at the PPAC. If you've taken advantage of all the free and cheap events this weekend, you should be able to swing the $32.50 ticket charge. The show starts at 7:30.

Your Weekend Agenda

With the weather suddenly feeling summerish again, we urge you to embrace this weekend as one of the last real chances to get outside and enjoy the natural blessings of Rhode Island. This week's update will help.

Thursday: Since the weather might not be all you would like for an outdoor event on Thursday, head down to Westminster Street for some time in downtown Providence. While you're there, be sure to check out the free show by Afrosonic at the Black Rep. It's a free show that starts at 9:00, so you can check out other places and events while you're there.

Friday: Now head over to the West Side of Providence. Think about dinner at Julian's, then go to Firehouse 13 for a fashion show. Channel Zero will be the live band for both shows, which start at 9 and 11. It's $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Saturday: First, head downtown and soak up the sights of the The Providence Street Painting Festival. More than 300 artists will gather at the skating rink to share their talents and create some incredible, if temporary, works fo art. So head downtown for this free event.

Stay downtown for the evening and attend one of the last Waterfires of the year. Fires will be lit at 6:30.

Sunday: If you're sick of the outdoors, head to Brown's Bell Gallery for an intense, unusual architectural environment by Yumi Kori.

If it's too nice for art, head to the Roger Williams Park Zoo for some fun with animals. New additions to the zoo include African wild dogs, a giant anteater, and a second baby giraffe, which was born this summer.

Your Weekend Agenda

Another week is sliding towards the weekend, and we are, as always, concerned about the quality of your entertainment options. Remember, you are liable to make bad decisions about how you spend these precious school- or work-less days, so just do what we tell you to do. Just like your mom keeping you from touching the hot stove, you'll thank me later.

Thursday: This weekend (like most of them) is shaping up to be expensive, so we found some free stuff to keep your Thursday reasonable. First, head to Wayland Wine Shop in Providence from 5 to 8 for a free wine and cheese tasting. Sure they'll want you to buy something, but you can make them earn it.

Once you've knocked back a few tiny glasses of wine, head out to Gallery Night for some more free sophistication. Start at the Bellini Ruggeri gallery in Wayland Square, and take the trolley to check out the other spots.

Friday: Listen, I'm not vouching for the quality of the competition when I recommend you check out the Providence Roller Derby, but this is their championship. The Mob Squad will take on the Old Money Honeys at 8:00. The match, which takes place at the Bank of America skating center in downtown Providence, costs $9 in advance and $12 at the gate. Soak up some fast-moving, girl-on-girl violence before heading out downtown for evening drinks. Across the street, McCormick and Schmick's has good bar specials late in the evening.

Saturday: After you've recovered from your Friday, embrace one of the great drinking traditions, Oktoberfest. The German Club on 78 Carter Ave. in Pawtucket will be holding its Blackstone River Oktoberfest festival Friday and Saturday night. On Friday, you can see Duke Robillard's band for $15, but we'd highly recommend checking out the three bands (The Stumbleweeds, Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble), which start Saturday at 4:30. It's $25, which is a hell of a lot cheaper than a trip to Germany this fall.

If you stumble out of Octoberfest and have a craving for more, head over to Club Therapy for some after-hours partying. The party doesn't start until 2:00 in the morning, located at 7 Dike Street in Providence.

Sunday: Time to get out of the city. From 1 to 6 today, head to Wickford Village for the Harbour Festival and the Wickford Cup Race. There's booze, music, and seafood. Get directions to Brown Street in North Kingstown if you're not sure how to get there. And even if the festival isn't mind blowing, Wickford Village is a really nice place to hang out on a nice Sunday.

Rhody Culture

Just spent five minutes how to render 'culture' in the fabulous local accent. Colchah? Culshah? I gave up. Anyway, the accent is a bit overplayed, don't you think? You have to venture well into the Warwick/Cranston miasma to really get it full on. But when you do, it is every bit as glorious as it is said to be. (If you want to hear the mating call of the Rhode Island teenager, fully accented, spend a Friday evening at Garden City.)

Anyway, to deflect the charge that this blog is too wrapped up in the bar scene, here are some tips for high-brow entertainment happening now.

Two plays are getting a lot of buzz: The Elephant Man at the Gamm and All the King's Men at Trinity Rep. Of the two, I'd choose the Elephant Man if I have to. I bet All the King's Men is quite good (I'm going to check it out in the next week or so), but am betting they're using the occassion to draw "bold" comparisons to the Bush administration. At this point, we all get it, his Presidency is a wreck. So the parallels are likely to annoy rather than gratify. Still, the script is so powerful, it can't really be that bad.

Meanwhile, PPAC continues its run of, well, interesting shows with Pilobolus. This is one of those things you'll either like or hate. I'd hate it, but I bring it to your attention. In early October, they'll have the East Village Opera Company, which might be more my speed. But until I find some clips online, I'm withholding judgement. The lesson, as always, is that the PPAC is not the first place you turn for the most bang for your entertainment dollar.

In a bit less than a month, my droogies, you'll have a chance to hear the wonderful Ludwig Van. The Rhode Island Philharmonic will be doing Beethoven's 5th, as well as some Prokofiev and Strauss. It's opening night for their season on October 13th. The Philharmonic here is great. The tickets are pricey, but well-worth it. And with the new bar in the Masonic Temple hotel now open, I can incorporate a bit of my baser pursuits into the evening, as well.

Your Weekend Agenda

Welcome to Thursday, and to Rhody Rocks. Because we care about you, we try our damnedest to give you a shot at a good weekend. And we don't want to confuse you, so we weed through the dreck and tell you the best one or two things going on each day. If you don't listen, and your weekend sucks, go crying to the Projo or the Phoenix.

Thursday: Start the weekend off with a laugh, and go see Tony V at the Comedy Connection. He's a classic 'that guy' you've seen in a bunch of TV shows, and features in The Brotherhood on Showtime, a drama filmed right here in Rhode Island. The show starts at 8:00, and costs just $10.

Friday: Several of my Irish friends would treat me like Martin Sheen in The Departed if I didn't push for you to see the Dropkick Murphy's at Lupos. Tickets are $25 at the door, and the show starts at 8:30 with two opening acts, Horrorpops and Everybody Out. These guys have made some of the most adrenaline-pumping songs I've heard in the past few years: hell, one of their tracks plays as the Red Sox's Jonathan Papelbon makes his way from the bullpen to close out another win.

For a cheaper music fix, check out The 'mericans at Nick-a-Nee's in the Jewelry District. I haven't seen these guys live, but they seem like a decent band, though a few of their folky songs might create an irresistable desire to drink. But the show, which starts at 9:00, is free, so you can afford a few extra beers if needed.

Saturday: Fortunately for those who like their entertainment cheap, the Pawtucket Arts Festival rocks on this weekend. On Saturday, the Stone Soup Folk Fest takes over Slater Park from 1:00 to 4:30. The Dave Rowe Trio, the Magnolia Cajun Band, and Santa Mamba will all play, and it's free.

In the evening, its back to AS220, this time for a hip-hop/noise/unclassifiable show headlined by local ass-kickers Mahi Mahi. (Why ass-kickers? Go and find out.) The show costs $6, and starts at 9:00.

If unclassifiable music isn't your scene, let me recommend heading up to Pat's Pub on Smith Hill. They usually have decent free live music on Saturdays, have a cozy bar and a pool table, and are extremely convenient to the original New York Weiner System, which is quite simply the best drunk food in Rhode Island, and possibly the world.

Sunday: Time to culture you clowns up, and we have two options. First, you could go see, But for the Grace at the Pell Chafee theatre at 2:00. It is a one-man play exploring poverty and hunger issues, and tickets are $10.

Later, Trinity Rep is just getting its run of All the King's Men going, but the story is so good I'm willing to bet the play is a big hit. So it might be worth the $20 and up ticket prices to check it out. The Sunday show is at 7:00.