Five Can't-Miss Events of the Week: May 14–20

Volvo Ocean Race, a can-do brewery, rare plants and more.

The sun is setting on Newport's Race Village, and the Volvo Ocean Race will coast off to Lisbon on Sunday. Now’s the last chance to meet the sailors, play games on land or on sea and participate in family-friendly activities. From your perch at Fort Adams, watch a lobster boat race on Friday and on-water professional races every day, listen to live music and see who comes in first at the prize ceremony. Be sure to wear your best boat shoes — even if you’re staying on land.

The Details: May 14–17. 10 a.m. Entrance is free. Fort Adams State Park, Newport, 401-846-1983, volvooceanracenewport.com. Photo by Ian Roman.

 

Jam out to tunes by Consuelo’s Revenge and be the first to try Bucket in a can. The brewery’s can release party, which coincides with its monthly musical series, Sound Check, features food from Paco’s Tacos, a cornhole tournament, raffles, a fill-your-own can station and tastes of the very limited Sabin’s Stout, a dark beer that's aged in a Sons of Liberty whiskey barrel. Providence-based gypsy folk band, Consuelo’s Revenge, will provide the music and Bucket will dish out the beer. Admission includes four beer sample tickets, but if you bring a non-perishable food item for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, you’ll get one extra.

The Details: May 15. Doors at 6 p.m. $15. Bucket Brewery, 100 Carver St., Pawtucket, bucketbrewery.com.

 

Spend your Friday night feasting on Peruvian food and sipping cocktails in Providence’s most vibrant indoor space, all while supporting a great local cause. Cuisine by Los Andes, awards, a happy hour and more await at the Roger Williams Park's Botanical Center. Guests can bid in silent auctions for prizes including Red Sox tickets, a private gondola ride for four and dinner at Cafe Nuovo, plus artwork, gift certificates and other great items. Proceeds benefit the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, which works to reduce crime and gang-related violence on the streets of Providence.

The Details:  May 15. 6 p.m. Tickets are $50. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, 401-225-9222, nonviolenceinstitute.org.

 

Whether you have a green thumb or you’re new to gardening, get your seasonal start at the twenty-third annual City Farm plant sale. Hundreds of varieties of annuals, perennials, fruits and vegetables are available to help you beautify your landscape and grow fresh food for your table. The event features live music plus gardening experts to answer any questions, and proceeds support the Southside Community Land Trust and its mission to help inner-city residents grow and harvest their own food.

The Details: May 16–17. 10 a.m. Free admission; plant prices vary. City Farm, Dudley and West Clifford sts., Providence, 401-273-9419, southsideclt.org.

 

It’s time to come out of hibernation! Celebrate spring with a breakfast buffet and beautiful birds. Eats from chef Rich Silvia of the White Horse Tavern and guided bird walks through the Norman Bird Sanctuary trails make this a perfect spring morning. Kids can enjoy nature activities, and Pitcher’s Garage Band will play for your musical enjoyment.

The Details: May 17. 8 a.m. $25 in advance, children are $10. Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown, 401-846-2577, normanbirdsanctuary.org.