Snowy creatures at the zoo, a string quartet honoring MLK, and Rhode Island’s Wild Coast | Weekend 401

This weekend, visit the animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in a snowy habitat, check out the P-Bruins’ retro jerseys, learn about Rhode Island’s wild coast, or catch a documentary about John Prine. Plus: The Marian Anderson String Quartet plays a concert at RISD to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo lets you see the animals in a winter environment for half-price.
Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo lets you see the animals in a winter environment for half-price.
Courtesy Roger Williams Park Zoo
Share
Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo lets you see the animals in a winter environment for half-price.
Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo lets you see the animals in a winter environment for half-price.
Courtesy Roger Williams Park Zoo
Snowy creatures at the zoo, a string quartet honoring MLK, and Rhode Island’s Wild Coast | 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.

Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo

The colder winter months are a perfect time to see animals outside enjoying the cooler temperatures. Bundle up and enjoy exploring the zoo during January and February for half price!

Learn more

Some of the animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo prefer the colder weather.
Some of the animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo prefer the colder weather.
Courtesy Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence Bruins Retro Weekend

The P-Bruins are turning back the clock with music from the ‘90s and ‘00s (the ‘00s are retro?!?). Plus, they’ll be wearing their popular retro jerseys featuring the “Pooh-bear” logo. Friday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m., The AMP

Learn more

Ocean State: Rhode Island’s Wild Coast

Ocean State Media is airing a new documentary series celebrating the natural wonders, wildlife, and conservation efforts shaping Rhode Island and New England’s coastal ecosystems. Episode 1, “Secrets of the Seagrass” explores the hidden world of seagrass meadows—one of the region’s most important, yet least understood marine habitats. Often called the “nurseries of the sea,” eelgrass beds support a remarkable diversity of life while playing a critical role in coastal resilience, water quality, and climate mitigation. Tune in to Channel 36, Friday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m., or stream it on PBS Passport.

Tomas Koeck

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert: Legacy in Harmony

It’s an evening honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through music, reflection, and community. The Marian Anderson String Quartet, based in Bryan, Texas, performs for an evening honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through music, reflection, and community. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m., RISD Auditorium in Providence

Learn more

Plus: ‘You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine

Two years after the legendary John Prine died in 2020 of complications from COVID, dozens of artists gathered at Nashville’s storied Ryman Auditorium to remember the beloved songwriter and his music – from Brandi Carlile, to Tyler Childers, to Prine’s longtime friend and collaborator Bonnie Raitt. A new documentary, “You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine,” features many of those performances, alongside interviews and archival footage of Prine. It’s now coming to select theaters around Rhode Island and across New England.

Ocean State Media afternoon host Mareva Lindo spoke with John’s son, Jack Prine, one of the producers of the documentary.

Upcoming local screenings of ‘You Got Gold’

  • Jan 9 & 10 at the Avon Cinema in Providence
  • Jan 11 & 14 at All South County Luxury Cinemas in South Kingstown
  • Jan 11 & 14 at Mystic Luxury Cinemas in Mystic
  • Feb 5-7 at The JPT Film & Event Center in Newport
Beloved songwriter John Prine died in April 2020 of complications from COVID. The new documentary "You Got Gold" celebrates Prine's life and music with interviews, archival footage, and performances from friends and collaborators like Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle, and Tyler Childers.
Beloved songwriter John Prine died in April 2020 of complications from COVID. The new documentary “You Got Gold” celebrates Prine’s life and music with interviews, archival footage, and performances from friends and collaborators like Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle, and Tyler Childers.
Abramorama/Oh Boy Pictures

Superintendent Dawn Bartz is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a legal review that the Smithfield school district hired to investigate the incident of senior football players hazing a Jewish freshman
An independent monitor says the district and RIDE have met the terms of a 2023 settlement that required faster evaluations and placement for 3- to 5-year-olds with disabilities, effectively closing the federal class action case
Food insecurity is getting worse in Rhode Island, and the recent disruption of SNAP benefits is only partly to blame
Public health leader Amy Nunn talks about the ripple effects of federal policy shifts, the threat of SNAP cuts and rising insurance costs, and what Rhode Island can do to protect community health in the months ahead
Attorney General Peter Neronha is negotiating with Prospect Medical to keep the financially troubled hospitals open through the end of the year while a potential buyer works to finalize financing — or another steps in
Ørsted executives say they are ‘committed’ to finishing project despite financial headwinds