Five Can't Miss Events of the Week: June 23–29

BBQ, quahog/mermaid meetup, Womanimation and more.

Since it’s officially summer, our taste buds have switched to barbecue mode. If you’re in the mood for smoky brisket or gooey barbecue sauce slathered on fall-off-the-bone ribs, you’ll want to head over to the Ocean State BBQ Festival this weekend. Normally barbecues last for an afternoon; this one (thank the BBQ gods) lasts for two days. Stop by one or both days and experience the smoke-off competition, where local barbecue joints compete with signature dishes smoked overnight at the Steel Yard. With all this food, you’re bound to get thirsty; a cold beer from Revival Brewing Company or a mojito lime tea from Granny Squibb’s will do the trick. (Read more about the organic transition at Granny Squibb's here.) Each ticket includes one complimentary drink, plus live performances by the Silks, the Quahogs, Biscuit City and more great bands.

The Details: June 24–25. Fri. 5–10 p.m. Sat. noon–10 p.m. Adult single-day tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Two-day tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Children younger than twelve free. The Steel Yard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence, eventbrite.com.

 

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming Ariel from The Little Mermaid, now’s your chance. Transform into a beautiful mermaid or another sea creature of your choice and join 2016’s King and Queen of the Sea as they welcome the summer season with a parade through Wickford Village. If you can’t make the parade, head over to its end point at the North Kingstown Town Beach and take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the New England Quahog Festival. Stroll the beach and check out a variety of food trucks, local vendors and performances by local musicians. If you’re twenty-one or older, you can also hang out at the beer garden and have a cold brew or a glass of wine. Throughout the day, kids can touch real life sea creatures at the Biomes touch tank, get their faces painted and try lawn games, too.

The Details: June 25. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free event, $5 beer garden admission. North Kingstown Town Beach, North Kingstown, newenglandquahogfestival.com.

      

 

Providence is known for its creative culture, and Womanimation, a festival of animated films created by women from around the world, will not disappoint. Celebrate graphic art and the women who make it as you watch a variety of short films with diverse themes. Putain, for example, follows the daily lives of six prostitutes; Zwanger is a satirical film that features a pregnant man; Mirrors illustrates an endless father-daughter car ride; and Seniors’ Choice is surreal tale of a totalitarian nursing home. From traditional two-dimensional hand drawing to high-tech digital animation, you won’t want to look away from the screen.

The Details: June 25. Show times at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. $8 advance, $10 at the door. AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence, mergingartsproductions.com.

 

Can’t think of a place where you can buy trinkets, listen to music and practice your favorite yoga poses? We can. Field of Artisans is a Rhode Island-based art market that has everything you never knew you needed. Buy a handmade wave ring from Special J Creations (pictured) as you look out towards the marina in this stunning landscape we call home. Then browse other makers — including photographers, illustrators, textile artists and more — before getting your groove on to live music or hitting the mat for al fresco yoga in the field.

The Details: June 25–26. Markets continue every weekend through Aug. 28, with rotating locations each week. 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. Free admission. Marina Park, 210 Salt Pond Rd., Wakefield, fieldofartisans.com.

 

Top your head with your best hat and put your senses to good use. Enter the Newport Flower Show and you’ll see a vast arrangement of flora, from peonies to roses, shrubs and more. You’ll smell sweet scents and touch soft petals as you wander through Rosecliff’s seaside displays, dotted with stunning garden vignettes by area design firms. The weekend boasts a lecture series, where you can learn new gardening skills from landscape and design experts Bunny Williams and Bruno Duarte. Let’s not forget about taste — enjoy an afternoon tea or, if you’re looking for something stronger, sip Champagne while you listen to tunes at the Champagne and Jazz Brunch.

The Details: June 24–26. Adults $20–$25, youth $6, children younger than five are free. Additional costs for lectures, afternoon tea and brunch. Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Ave., Newport, newportmansions.org.