5 Weekend Musts: La Cage Aux Folles At Ocean State Theatre

5 Weekend Musts: La Cage Aux Folles At Ocean State Theatre

Our official summer weekends are winding down, Rhode Island, so here is a hand-picked set of 5 musts for the weekend that get you from the classic summer theatre enclave in Matunuck, to historic Wickford, to a pop up party on the Newport waterfront, to a hot concert in Lincoln and the coolest thing of all: WaterFire in Providence. Enjoy it all.

La Cage Aux Folles at Theatre By The Sea

Thurs-Sun  Before there was the popular movie The Birdcage, there was the Tony Award- winning, smash hit Broadway musical, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. After twenty years of bliss, Georges and Albin, two men partnered for better-or-worse, get a bit of both when Georges' son announces his impending marriage to the daughter of an ultra-conservative politician. Further complicating the situation, Albin and Georges run a drag nightclub in St. Tropez, where Albin is the star performer ‘Zaza.' Theatre by the Sea, 362 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck, 401-782-8587. www.theatrebythesea.biz

PIRATES! at Smith's Castle, Wickford

Saturday PIRATES! Against All Flags focuses on the pirates of the Red Sea trade who were common in New England from about 1690 to 1720. Neal Kirk, aka Captain William Kidd, founder/commander of Free Men Of the Sea, a pirate living-history reenactment group, will display his exhibit of original and reproduction artifacts to depict the reality and myths about the Golden Age of Piracy. Come get a glimpse into the fact and folklore of the pirates of long ago. View a variety of period weapons, an array of pirate flags, period coins, examples of what treasure pirates really sought, pirate books and movie costumes, types of punishments, and other piratical paraphernalia. If you love things piratical, you’ll enjoy this exhibit. Noon-4pm. $8 Adults, $3 Children 6-12, Free for children under 6. Smith's Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive, Wickford. 401-294-3521.

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Tony Braxton at Twin River, Lincoln

Friday  Her distinctive sultry vocal blend of R&B, POP, Jazz and Gospel became an instantaneous international sensation when she came forth with her first solo recording in 1992. Today, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide and six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is recognized as one of the most outstanding voices of this generation. Her music includes classics "Another Sad Love Song", "Breathe Again", "You're Makin' Me High", and "Unbreak My Heart”. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets start at $55. Twin River Casino, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, 877.82.RIVER. www.twinriver.com

Samuel Adams Brew + View Pop-Up Party, Newport

Friday  Grab some lawn chairs and blankets, and come out for a great night outdoors with Sam Adams, movies and more. What better way to watch the summer cult classic film, Jaws, than right on the waterfront? We know, scary combination for some. But for us, watching this movie under a summer night sky with a cold Samuel Adams in hand seems picture perfect. Admission is free, food trucks will be selling some delicious food, and a variety of Samuel Adams beers will be available for purchase throughout the venue. 6-11pm, general admission. Note: 21+ only. Newport Yachting Center, Newport. 401-846-1600. For more information go here. 

WaterFire, Providence

Saturday  WaterFire centers on a series of 100 bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. The string of fires illuminates nearly two-thirds of a mile of urban public spaces and parks, and residents and visitors gather to stroll along the river, listening to the music and watching the performances. Black-clad performers in boats passing quietly before the flames tend the fires from sunset to midnight. Full lighting at 7:30pm. www.waterfire.org