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.

As we head into a new year, the Possibly team decided to think about all of our episodes, and how they might inspire our resolutions for 2026. Here’s what some of us had to say
Thousands of Rhode Islanders insured by HealthSourceRI face steep premium increases expected to take effect in 2026
A few weeks ago, Rhode Island lost beloved musician and teacher Rory MacLeod. As we close out 2025, we’re sharing some excerpts from a studio session earlier this year with Rory and his wife, fiddle player Sandol Astrausky
Rhode Island’s senators say the Trump Justice Department bypassed a bipartisan process in appointing Charles ‘Chas’ Calenda, calling him unqualified for the top federal prosecutor role
‘I don’t have an additional $900 lying around in my family budget to pay for this’
Research from Salve Regina University shows many libraries across southern New England are dealing with employee burnout and high rates of turnover as they try to adapt to modern-day patron needs