Five Can't-Miss Events of the Week: May 28–June 3

Drive-in vacation, a wild tenth b-day party, the Air Show and more.

Welcome the warm weather with a classic night out at the beach. Every Friday through September, Misquamicut screens some of the greatest summer blockbusters, drive-in style. This week, catch the quintessential comedy, National Lampoon’s Vacation. The film follows the misadventures of the Griswolds, particularly Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), as they journey cross-country to reach their summer vacation destination. Clark tries to bond with his kids, but in true National Lampoon style, everything goes far from planned.

The Details: May 29. 9 p.m. $10 per car. Wuskenau Town Beach Pondside Lot, 316 Atlantic Ave., Westerly, 401-322-1026, misquamicut.org.

 

There are no two ways about it: What Cheer’s tenth anniversary bash will be big, fun and loud. The nineteen-piece (yes, you read that right, nineteen-piece) brass band will join Pitchblak Brass Band and DJ Pandemic Pete at the Columbus Theatre to commemorate a decade of great music and cheer. Be prepared: This’ll surely be the wildest tenth birthday party you’ll ever attend.

The Details: May 29. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 day-of show. The Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence, 401-621-9660, columbustheatre.com.

 

Following five successful years as a student design competition at StyleWeek, SEED is expanding as an independent nonprofit organization that provides mentorship to college designers in Rhode Island. To honor this launch and raise money for the program, SEED is hosting a circus-themed fundraiser at the Arcade. Enjoy music, entertainment, carnival games, food by Vanity and a ninety-minute open bar sponsored by New Harvest Coffee and Spirits. Best yet, each guest will be automatically entered to win $10,000 in cold, hard, fashionable cash.

The Details: May 29. 6:30–10 p.m. $100. The Arcade, 130 Westminster St., Providence, 401-454-4568, seednortheast.com.

 

After a Saturday in South County, head to Narragansett’s only contemporary art gallery for a re-opening celebration and larger-than-life group show. OneWay, which recently expanded its gallery and artist studios, is home to Rhode Island’s most unconventional talents, including Reason, a Providence-based artist who creates intricate, hand-stenciled portraits of venerable subjects (think: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Tom Waits and Philip Seymour Hoffman). At Saturday’s reception, view work by eighteen local and national mixed media artists and enjoy complimentary bites and drinks from farm-to-table restaurant, the Shanty.

The Details: Opening reception May 30. 6–9 p.m. Free. Show runs through July. OneWay Gallery, 140 Boon St., Narragansett, onewaygallery.com.

 

This weekend, Rhode Islanders young and old will crane their necks to catch sky-high aerobatics in Quonset. The twenty-third anniversary show, hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard, offers the craziest aerial displays from the USN Blue Angels, Canadian Snowbirds, Breitling Jet Team, the Air National Guard and other groups. In between the action, check out ground-level activities for all ages and the static display, where guests can scope out a warbird and meet a pilot, too. Bring a lawn chair, some good walking shoes and your sunglasses; there will be lots to do and even more to see.

The Details: May 30–31. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free; $10 suggested donation for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Quonset State Airport, 210 Airport St., North Kingstown, 401-295-5020, riairshow.org.