Satire at The Gamm, Funda Fest and a little medieval flair: Weekend 401

From a sharp school-board satire at The Gamm to Black storytelling, chamber music and medieval fencing, here’s what’s happening this weekend and beyond in Rhode Island

The cast of Eureka Day which has performances at the Gamm through February 1.
The cast of Eureka Day which has performances at the Gamm through February 1. Foreground: Gabriel Graetz (Don);
Background, L to R: Jihan Haddad (Meiko), Daraja Hinds (Carina), Deb Martin (Suzanne)
Cat Laine
Share
The cast of Eureka Day which has performances at the Gamm through February 1.
The cast of Eureka Day which has performances at the Gamm through February 1. Foreground: Gabriel Graetz (Don);
Background, L to R: Jihan Haddad (Meiko), Daraja Hinds (Carina), Deb Martin (Suzanne)
Cat Laine
Satire at The Gamm, Funda Fest and a little medieval flair: Weekend 401
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 producer James Baumgartner

Eureka Day at The Gamm Theatre

What happens when there’s a mumps outbreak at a progressive private school that doesn’t require its students to be vaccinated? Can you make compelling comedy from a series of board meetings filled with social justice speak? Eureka Day certainly does with great writing and fantastic performances from the five-person cast.

Gamm Theatre, Warwick, RI. Multiple performances through February 1.
Website: https://www.gammtheatre.org/eureka

Written before COVID but hitting close to home, the comedy by Jonathan Spector skewers groupthink, social justice jargon and the limits of consensus
Eureka Day cast from L to R: Daraja Hinds (Carina), Gabriel Graetz (Don), Jihan Haddad (Meiko)
Cat Laine

Funda Fest - a celebration of Black storytelling

This annual festival has all sorts of events celebrating the storytelling traditions of the African diaspora. Saturday, Jan. 17 is the free Family Fun Day with workshops for all ages, youth performances and the family storytelling contest. CCRI’s Liston Campus in Providence with events starting from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Website: https://fundafest.org/

Chilly Charity Challenge - Black Cat Historical Fencing

What’s “historical fencing?” Think European medieval swordfighting, but with safety equipment. There will be competitions in two different longsword categories and the event is a benefit for three different charities. Sunday, Jan. 18, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Website: https://www.blackcathistoricalfencing.com/chilly-charity-challenge

This event was suggested by a listener. To suggest an event for us, please let us know with this form.

MusicWorks Collective with Brian Mertes - Community MusicWorks

This is the first concert in CMW’s Lab Works series. MusicWorks Collective teams up with award-winning director Brian Mertes to reimagine the chamber music experience. Every art form has its own rules, and in this performance, performers and audience alike embark on a journey of discovery, blending the sensibilities of theater and music.

Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. The CMW Center, Providence.

The Content of His Character, a Concert to honor and celebrate Dr. King

RPM Voices and the Newman Choir come together for a concert of music both inspired by the Movement and an inspiration for the people of today. Sunday, January 18. Concert at 3:00 p.m., birthday bash from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Newman Congregational Church, Riverside. Learn more.

We round up the best events across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts every week. Want them delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Daily Catch: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/SpuOl16

Funda Fest and Community Music Works are business supporters of Ocean State Media. Editorial decisions are made independently of business support.

This weekend’s lineup includes stories of Providence’s Latino community, Gullah-inspired jazz, local artists and some very ambitious kites
The state’s congressional delegation says President Trump denied Rhode Island’s blizzard aid request the same day he promoted disaster assistance for Republican-leaning states
Summer reading, zine-making, a speculative horror book club and a chance to meet the Providence mayoral candidates – here’s what’s going on in July throughout the nine Community Libraries of Providence
After a powerful heatwave swept across the northeast last week, Possibly turned to its archive, looking for lessons about how to better prepare for extreme heat. We travel to Ahmedabad, India to learn more
Ocean State Media is partnering with 11 Rhode Island libraries on The Books That Grew Us, a new program that helps readers explore how books, media and storytelling shape their lives
At Ashawaug Farm in Hopkinton, Narragansett growers are preserving heritage crops while navigating cuts to federal programs that helped small and tribal producers