What's Happening 2008

JUNE

7 Learn how to change your home and your life for the good of the planet. Sessions on everything from using green household cleaning products to passing on the lawn concept and opting for more easily sustained native plant species. Two days of workshops, activities and vendors, plus live music by noted performing artists. Check out the Rhode Island Sustainable Living Festival and Renewable Energy Expo (Apeiron Environmental Education Center, 451 Hammet Rd., Coventry, 397-3430; livingfest.org). Through June 8.

18 Enjoy the intense sweeping colors of flowers at the height of their majesty at Blithewold Mansion’s Rock Garden Soirée (Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org). Sip Spanish wine and listen to local artist Marjorie Jeffries on flute as you enjoy the spectacular scenery of the bay. A feast for the senses. 5 p.m.-dusk. $25 per person/$35 per couple.

20 Looking to add some pizzazz to your garden this year? Some of the best gardeners in Rhode Island open up their private spaces to give ideas that might work for you. Visit the Newport Secret Garden Tour (847-0514, secretgardentours.org), a self-guided walking tour of private gardens in the historic Point section of Newport. Through June 22.

21 A rose by any other name would still require expert gardening skills to thrive. Learn all about rose breeding—which species fare best in New England, for example, or which are most resistant to disease—and just get an eye- and noseful of their natural beauty at “A Symphony of Roses,” the Rhode Island Rose Society’s tenth annual rose show, 1:30-3:30. At 1:30 p.m., Mike Chute, master rosarian, will present “Rose Growing Basics.” Free admission and free parking. Cold Spring Community Center, 30 Beach St., Wickford.

21 Enjoy a beautiful weekend and the work of ninety artists who exhibit and sell their work in oils and acrylics, watercolors, drawing and graphics, sculpture, photography and three-dimensional or other media at the twenty-sixth annual Narragansett Art Festival (Veteran’s Memorial Park, Narragansett, 789-7713, wakefieldrotary.com). Although this art show is unjuried, the diversity and quality of the work presented is outstanding. Through June 22.

27 The Preservation Society of Newport County invites you to explore “Botanical Passions” at the Newport Flower Show on the stunning grounds of Rosecliff Mansion in Newport. World-class plant hunter Daniel J. Hinkley will be among the speakers who will share their adventures. Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes of Parties to Die For will amuse and amaze with their spectacular flower-arranging skills. There will be free lectures and demonstrations throughout the weekend, featuring garden experts, floral designers and horticulturists. New to the show this year is the Gardeners’ Marketplace, with rare specialty plants, flower stalls and essential garden accessories, and the opening-night party has been transformed into a cocktail buffet with live music, food, entertainment and surprises. Friday, noon–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the gate, youths $6, children under 12 free (newportflowershow.org). Through June 29.

JULY

8 Is that an antique? Why, yes it is! Wherever did you discover it? At the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts (brimfieldshow.com), of  course! Come find your own fantasy treasures or just have fun digging through acres of collectibles. Through July 13.

12 For the past forty-five years, homeowners and art lovers have attended the Wickford Art Festival in historic Wickford Village (294-6840, wickfordart.org) in search of original paintings, prints, photographs and sculpture. Hundreds of fine artists from across the country sell their work. Free admission. Through July 13.

16 The flowers of Blithewold Mansion’s north garden have been described as elegant, sophisticated and bold. Come see for yourself (and steal some ideas for your own garden) at Blithewold Mansion’s North Garden Soirée I (Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org). Sip Portuguese wine and listen to local artist Jeffery Thomas sing and play keyboards as you enjoy the view. 5 p.m.-dusk. $25 per person/$35 per couple.

26 The best pieces in every home are the ones that are collected over time. Explore some of the country’s best holdings at the annual Antiques at Elm Bank Estate Show in Wellesley, Massachusetts (neantiqueshows.com). More than 150 dealers representing fourteen states will show their stuff under tents on the lawn of the beautiful Elm Bank Estate, home to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Special early breakfast preview Saturday 8 a.m., $25 to benefit the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. All tickets include admission to the Manor House, a historic home that was recently opened to the public after a twenty-year closure. Through July 27.

AUGUST

3 Visit some of the wonderful homes on Block Island during the annual Block Island House and Garden Tour. Includes expert docents to provide details about the houses’ history and architecture. Older homes and unique newer designs. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. For further information and pricing, call 466-2481.

9 When was your home built? Let this be the year that you furnish it with some pieces from the same era. Find what you’re looking for at the annual Newport Historical Society Antique Show (82 Touro St., Newport, 846-0813, newporthistorical.org). More than forty of the finest dealers from across the U.S. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society and the Boys and Girls Club of Newport County. Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through August 10. Gala preview party Friday, August 8, 6-9 p.m.

10 More handcrafted accoutrements for the home. Come see the second of three Block Island Arts and Crafts Sales on the lawn of the Block Island Historical Society. Jewelry, photography, painting, woodworking and more. Ten percent of the proceeds fund the Block Island schools art department. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For further information, call 578-1125.

20 Planning the perfect garden means thinking about color, texture and scent. The expert gardeners at Blithewold Mansion have it all together, as you’ll see at Blithewold Mansion’s North Garden Soirée II (Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org). Sip Australian wine and enjoy Celtic and bluegrass music by Barnacle. 5 p.m.-dusk. $25 per person/$35 per couple.

23 Take a handcrafted piece of Block Island home with you. Come shop at the last of three Block Island Arts and Crafts Sales on the lawn of the Block Island Historical Society. Jewelry, photography, painting, woodworking and more. Ten percent of the proceeds fund the Block Island school art department. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For further information, call 578-1125.

SEPTEMBER

2 If you haven’t been to the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts (brimfieldshow.com), this is your last chance in 2008. Whatever you are looking for can be found here. Just be prepared for lots of walking under the hot September sun. Through September 7.

5 Did you miss Newport’s June secret garden tour? Here’s a second chance to treat your senses to the sights and smells of fabulous plants and flowers. Take a self-guided walking tour through more than a dozen estate gardens along Bellevue and Ocean avenues in the twenty-fifth annual Newport Secret Garden Tour (Newport, 847-0514, secretgardentour.com). Through September 7.

10 Relax and enjoy the last Blithewold Garden Soiree of the summer (Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org). This one takes place in the Display Garden, which is contagious with energy and new ideas, an explosion of color, texture and scent. Sip wine from Oregon and enjoy classical music by the Mark and Beverly Davis Guitar Duo. 5 p.m.-dusk. $25 per person/ $35 per couple.

16 Award-winning sculptor D.J. Garrity will lead a fascinating exploration of three-dimensional form through the process of stone sculpture at Blithewold Mansion’s Garden Sculpture Workshop (Blithewold Mansion, 101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org). Students will create their own unique garden sculptures. $325. Through September 19.

20 Ready to investigate integrated pest management, pollution prevention and sustainable landscaping? How about taking a course on composting and recycling? You’ll find all this and more at the annual GreenShare Field Day at the University of Rhode Island Botanical Gardens in Kingston (Kingston, 874-2900, uri.edu/ce/ceec/greenshare.html).

27 Need to fine-tune your pruning skills? How about taking a crash course on native plants and ecological landscaping? You’ll find a plethora of workshops and short lectures covering everything you need to know about residential gardening at Blithewold Mansion’s Fall Gardeners’ Day (101 Ferry Rd., Bristol, 253-2707, blithewold.org). Indoor and outdoor displays, nominal fee, 10:30  a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

OCTOBER

24 Homeowners and interior designers are invited to attend the thirteenth annual Fine Furnishings and Fine Crafts Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center (1 Sabin St., Providence). Talented artisans from all across North America display and sell their wares, everything from handcrafted furniture (such as the Thomas Moser bench shown left) to decorative accessories and original art and jewelry. Friday 10 a.m.–6 pm, Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults: one day $10, any two days $15. Children under twelve free (841-9201; finefurnishingsshows.com). Through October 26.                                               

Please Note: Dates and details are subject to change. It’s best to call ahead.