Five Can't-Miss Events of the Week: April 30–May 6

Eat Drink RI Festival, Dining Out for Life, a RISD sale and more.

It’s time to celebrate Rhode Island’s amazing cuisine and beverages. The 2015 Eat Drink RI Festival kicks off on Thursday with Dinner by Dames, with proceeds benefiting AIDS Project RI. Then on Friday, you won’t want to miss the biggest food truck gathering in Rhode Island. Sample from the best local food trucks, beer and wine at the Alex and Ani City Center, with proceeds supporting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. To wrap up the week of delicious delicacies, head to a grand tasting on Saturday and a grand brunch on Sunday, both at the Providence Biltmore. These events include samplings from the best of the best when it comes to food and drink in Rhode Island. Click here for five fast facts about the festival.

The Details: April 30–May 3. Various venues in Providence, eatdrinkri.com.

 

The day has finally come, and all you have to do is go out to eat. On Thursday, April 30, visit one of a number of great restaurants participating in Dining Out for Life and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to AIDS Project Rhode Island. Yup, that’s it. Head to Three Sisters on Providence’s East Side, which boasts a new dinner menu of burgers and sandwiches, and 50 percent of your tab will benefit individuals and families coping with HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island. More than a dozen other great eateries across the state, including New Rivers, CAV and Broadway Bistro, will donate 25 percent of every meal. Browse the full list of restaurants on the Dining Out for Life website. New Rivers' roast chicken photo by David Dadekian.

The Details: April 30. Various restaurants in Rhode Island, diningoutforlife.com.

 

If you’re anywhere near Benefit Street on May 2, you won’t be able to miss it: more than 130 artists along the street presenting a variety of media — fine art, glass, ceramics, apparel, jewelry and so much more. All vendors are RISD alumni or students, so you know this sale will be chockfull of talent. There will also be a hands-on art activity on Frazier Terrace, sure to be fun for all ages. The event will happen rain or shine and is open to the public.

The Details: May 2. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Benefit Street (between Waterman and Hopkins sts.), Providence, 401-277-4931, risdalumnisales.com.

 

Surely, you’ve heard of TED — or at least TEDTalks, where innovators come together to spread ideas, brainstorm and spark discussion. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that create a TED-like experience, and Providence hosts one of its own this weekend. The themes of the 2015 all-day conference include the environment, finance and entertainment. Hear from author Ann Hood; TEDxProvidence Finance Emcee Andy Posner, founder of the Capital Good Fund; Rhode Island DEM Director Janet Coit; finance author Norb Vonnegut; local storyteller Len Cabral; performer Kristen Minsky and other powerful speakers.

The Details: May 2. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Students $25, general admission $50. Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence, 401-621-9660, tedxprovidence.com.

 

The Newport String Project returns to the Norman Bird Sanctuary for one high-flying night of art. Using birds and flight as their inspiration, the String Project will perform traditional fiddle music and poetry that captures the essence of these majestic winged creatures. Fiddler EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and guitarist Mike Sokolovsky will be accompanied by poet David Dragone and reader Adrienne Taylor as they take your imagination on a soaring journey through the night. The event includes complimentary refreshments from Newport Vineyards and desserts by the French Confection in Middletown.

The Details: April 30. 7 p.m. Members $20, non-members $25. Mabel’s Studio at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown, 401-846-2577, normanbirdsanctuary.org.