Eternal Rhythms in New Bedford | Weekend 401: What’s happening in Rhode Island and Beyond

A manifesto for Tiny Gardens, a ‘visual spectacle’ concerto for percussion, St. Patrick’s Day parades and more

Cynthia Yeh is the principal percussionist for the Chicago Symphony. She's playing Avner Dorman's "Eternal Rhythm, Percussion Concerto No. 2" with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra this weekend.
Cynthia Yeh is the principal percussionist for the Chicago Symphony. She’s playing Avner Dorman’s “Eternal Rhythm, Percussion Concerto No. 2" with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra this weekend.
Provided
Share
Cynthia Yeh is the principal percussionist for the Chicago Symphony. She's playing Avner Dorman's "Eternal Rhythm, Percussion Concerto No. 2" with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra this weekend.
Cynthia Yeh is the principal percussionist for the Chicago Symphony. She’s playing Avner Dorman’s “Eternal Rhythm, Percussion Concerto No. 2" with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra this weekend.
Provided
Eternal Rhythms in New Bedford | Weekend 401: What’s happening in Rhode Island and Beyond
Copy

Looking for some tips on what to do this weekend and beyond? We’ve got you covered. Here are a few recommendations from Ocean State Media’s James Baumgartner and Mareva Lindo.

Symposium Books

Author Event - Kate Brown “Tiny Gardens Everywhere”

Brown is an environmental scientist at MIT. Her latest book is about the history of people growing food in cities. Starting in the mid-1800s, urban populations were exploding and rural folk brought their agricultural know-how with them to the cities and used food waste, horse manure and more to create the most productive agriculture in history, and she says we could do it again.

Where: Symposium Books, 240 Westminster Street, Providence
When: Thursday, Mar. 12, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Details: https://symposiumbooks.com/event/2026-03-12/author-event-kate-browns-tiny-gardens-everywhere

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will play in the newly renovated Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford, Mass.
The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will play in the newly renovated Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford, Mass.

Boldness Unbound - “Eternal Rhythm: Percussion Concerto No. 2”

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra performs with soloist Cynthia Yeh on a bevy of percussion instruments, including tympani, vibraphone, marimba, timbale, glockenspiel, tom toms, tam tam, and more. You can expect it to be a visual spectacle, a treat for the ears, with inspiration from blues, jazz, and Indonesian gamelan music. Also on the program: Charles Ives’ Symphony No. 2, which features traditional American music as the basis for its melodies.

Where: Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA
When: Saturday, Mar. 14, 7:30 p.m. With a free “open rehearsal” Friday, Mar. 13, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Details: https://nbsymphony.org/2025-2026-season/boldness-unbound/

Traditional Irish Band Failte is playing at the Carriage House Ballroom, Friday, Mar. 13, 7:00 p.m.
Traditional Irish Band Failte is playing at the Carriage House Ballroom, Friday, Mar. 13, 7:00 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades and other events

  • The West Warwick parade kicks-off on Sunday, Mar. 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the intersection of West Warwick Avenue & Washington Street.
  • The Newport parade is on Saturday, Mar. 14 at 11:00 a.m., starting at city hall and heading down Thames Street.
  • Newport hosts a variety of events celebrating Irish-American heritage throughout March.
  • Irish Music concert with traditional band, Failte. Friday, Mar. 13, 7:00 p.m. at Carriage House Ballroom in Bristol, R.I.
  • McBride’s Pub hosting traditional Irish music on St. Patrick’s Day proper, Mar. 17, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The National Weather Service warns of dangerous wind chills and up to 15 inches of snow across southern New England
Starting Feb. 1, TSA will require travelers without compliant forms of identification to verify their identity through a biometric or biographic system
About 6.5% of postcard recipients file claims, court records show
Program chair Amy VanderWeele explains why this year’s pick—Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez—resonates with Rhode Islanders, from land rights to who gets to tell history
The Rhode Island governor warns against racial profiling and says the state will respond if federal immigration enforcement escalates
Through photographs, heirlooms, and memory, “The Heart of Wattayai” honors Lao history, resilience, and belonging in Rhode Island