5 Weekend Musts: Presidents, Festival Ballet + More

5 Weekend Musts: Presidents, Festival Ballet + More

Feeling, well, Presidential? You should. We've rounded up the five best ways to celebrate like a true Commander in Chief this weekend. We cannot tell a lie.

Presidential Connections in Blackstone River Valley

Saturday-Sunday  Celebrate President’s Day this weekend with a series of special events connecting real American heritage and famous sites of presidential connections located in Southern New England’s Blackstone River Valley. Experience a snapshot in this historic region of past presidential visits from George Washington’s stay at Sayles Tavern in 1776, to Abraham Lincoln’s speech-giving in 1860, and President Obama’s visit in 2010. Most recently, President Barack Obama visited an industrial park in Cumberland, RI in 2010 to promote US manufacturing, which the Blackstone River Valley is famed for, as the actual birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Call (401) 762-0250 for more information on these sites and events.

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Up Close On Hope

Friday-Saturday  Festival Ballet Providence is putting on Up Close on Hope, a mix of classic and contemporary dance styles in a delicate, energetic, fresh performance “so close you can touch it!” Friday 8 pm, Saturday 7:30 pm. Tickets are $50. For tickets call 401-353-1129. Festival Ballet Providence, Black Box Theater, 825 Hope Street, Providence.

Golf Expo

Saturday  The Rhode Island Convention Center brings everything golf to Providence this weekend for the Southern New England Golf Expo. The show features over 80 exhibitors with interactive displays, seminars and golf related

attractions for the amateur golfer to the pro athlete including latest equipment, discount shopping opportunities, tips from RIPGA golf professionals, and a chance to win resort packages and golf magazine subscriptions. Or just come to play a round of 9-hole mini-golf! Proceeds from the event go to the Boys & Girls Club and fund after school programs such as swim lessons, youth employment and school tutoring. Visit www.snegolfexpo.com for more information and tickets. Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm. Admission: Adults $9, Children under 12 FREE! Providence Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street Providence.

Concert of Baroque Music

Sunday  Central Congregational Church Choir, accompanied by a string orchestra of period-style instruments, is performing a special baroque music service from three composers and styles, comparing the compositional techniques of Bach, Michel‑Richard Delalande, and Antonio Vivaldi. A reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public. 4 pm. Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell Street, Providence. For more information visit: www.centralchurch.us.

Newport Winter Festival

Saturday-Sunday  This weekend kicks off the 24th Annual Newport Winter Festival, a week of extravagant events combining food, music and entertainment for all. Saturday take a stroll down memory lane with Beatlemania, a tribute band to the famous foursome, or participate in a Samuel Adams Chili Cook-off, tasting and voting on the best chili samples. Sunday enjoy a children’s fair with Radio Disney, featuring face painting, music, balloon creations, arts & crafts, reptiles, and more! Radio Disney Fair: Sunday & Monday, 11:30 am-4 pm. Newport Marriott. Call 847-7666 for tickets. Beatlemania: Saturday, 9 pm. Hyatt Regency. Call 847-7666 for tickets. Annual Samuel Adams Chili Cook-off: Saturday 11 am-3:30 pm. Newport Harbor Hotel. Call 847-7666 for tickets.

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