Our favorite weekly events – from sound baths to bluegrass | Weekend 401: What’s happening in Rhode Island

We’re switching it up this week and highlighting the events that fly under the radar because they’re always happening. Consider these our weekly Rhode Island favorites

The Leland Baker Trio plays every Sunday at the Courtland Club in Providence.
The Leland Baker Trio plays every Sunday at the Courtland Club in Providence.
Ayannah Brown / Connecticut Public
Share
The Leland Baker Trio plays every Sunday at the Courtland Club in Providence.
The Leland Baker Trio plays every Sunday at the Courtland Club in Providence.
Ayannah Brown / Connecticut Public
Our favorite weekly events – from sound baths to bluegrass | Weekend 401: What’s happening in Rhode Island
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 afternoon host Mareva Lindo and Executive Producer of Audio Innovation James Baumgartner.

MONDAYS: Mindful Mondays Sound Bath Meditation at Zen Zone in Westerly, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Kick off the week calmly, and be guided into a state of deep relaxation through the soothing tones of sound bowls, gongs, and other relaxing instruments. zenzoneri.com

TUESDAYS: The Parlour Open Mic with Corinne Southern, in Providence, 7 p.m.

The Parlour is bringing back open mic night on Tuesday nights, hosted by Corinne Southern. Doors 6 p.m., sign-ups 6:30 p.m. and music 7 p.m.-12 a.m.! No cover. More info:
theparlourri.com/events/

WEDNESDAYS: Bluegrass Throedown at Nick-a-Nee’s in Providence, 8:30-11:30 p.m.

This long-running bluegrass night brings in a lineup of excellent performers from around the region, and it has a loyal following. During the warmer months, they take the show outside, and the parking lot is packed. And you can find out who’s playing each week on Nick-a-Nee’s Instagram or Facebook page.

THURSDAYS: Adult Skate Night at the United Skates of America in Rumford, 8-10 p.m.

Re-create the magic of your middle school nights at the skating rink. The rink here is huge, with the skating area going around the outside of an island with a snack bar and games. Plus, there’s rock climbing and laser tag. unitedskates.com/rumford/event/adult-skate-night-3/all/

FRIDAYS: Stargazing Nights at the Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park, 7-9 p.m.

It can be hard to find a good place to look at the stars in New England because of all the light pollution. But Ninigret Park is a dark corner of Rhode Island, and that’s where you’ll find Frosty Drew Observatory with its 24-inch telescope. Visitors get to use the telescope on Fridays to see the rings of Saturn, the craters on the surface of the moon, the polar ice caps of Mars, vast nebulae, distant galaxies, and the best views of the Milky Way in Rhode Island. frostydrew.org

SATURDAYS: Noir Saturdays at Noir Lounge in Providence, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.*

Dance to DJs playing a mix of Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B and more. It’s an upscale club, so you’ll want to dress to impress – leave the sweats and track pants at home. noirloungeri.com

*Editor’s note: They are temporarily closed for the season.

SUNDAYS: Sunday Jazz at the Courtland Club in Providence, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

Cozy up with a cocktail at the acclaimed Courtland Club, get some Greek food from Paula’s, and listen to jazz by the Leland Baker Trio. The group has played the Newport Jazz Festival and recorded a studio session with us in 2024. They often have a guest sitting in, and it’s always top-notch musicianship. Reservations recommended. courtlandclub.com/best-live-jazz-providence

This sweet potato casserole is classic comfort made wonderfully simple. With pantry staples and just a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a creamy, cinnamon-spiced dish that bakes up beautifully and fills the kitchen with the smell of maple and vanilla. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Meet the quesadilla you didn’t know you needed: turkey, cheese, and bright cranberries folded into a warm tortilla and cooked until perfectly crisp. It’s a cozy, kid-friendly recipe that feels both comforting and unexpected.
Meet your new brunch hero: a sweet-and-savory plantain breakfast hash topped with fresh chimichurri. It’s easy to make, packed with bold flavor, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping a few breakfasts ahead of time.
If you’re craving something cozy, flavorful, and easy to make, these sweet potato empanadas check every box. A cheesy yam dough wrapped around a spiced black-bean filling? Yes, please. They fry up beautifully in just a few minutes and disappear even faster.
Looking for a quick treat that feels gourmet but requires almost no effort? Enter: maple-candied pecans. They’re crunchy, cinnamon-kissed, and dangerously munchable — perfect for topping salads, gifting to friends, or eating by the handful while you “wait for them to cool.”
The US only recycles about a third of the glass it produces. How do we get those numbers up?