Weekend Best Bets

Got the weekend blues? We've got the cure. Take a look.

Friday

This and every Friday night you can catch the Country Rock Saloon at Ladder 133 where Cat Country radio will be on site with free giveaways going on all night. Come ride the mechanical bull, take advantage of the whiskey and tequila specials while you listen to the best music in high energy country, rock and top 40.

Both Friday and Saturday evening you can catch a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream by the RI Shakespeare Company on the grounds of Newport Vineyards. Bring your lawn chair and blanket, grab a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy the show – and the sunset. Show starts at 7pm, grounds open at 6pm; $18 at the door.

Don't miss Ben Hague at Twin River Casino at 8pm. Ben Hague was 2006's funniest person in RI, and has had a bustling comedy career. Stick around after his show for the strange comedy of Frank Santos Jr., Comedy Hypnotist. Check the schedule for the rest of the weekend at Catch a Rising Star.

The Newport Folk Festival may have sold out quickly, but the kick-off concert featuring Wilco, Blitzen Trapper and Megafaun is happening on Friday night and you have the chance to catch it. Advance tickets are available online as well as at the door. Ticket info here.

The Wilbury Group continues its run of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, a new musical that reinvents the life of our nation's original rock star from his humble beginnings to his days as our seventh Commander-in-Chief.

Enjoy a free outdoor movie at Knight Memorial Library. Gimme Shelter, a documentary about the Rolling Stones' 1969 U.S. tour features footage at Madison Square Garden and their infamous Altamont Concert. The movie also features Ike and Tina Turner, as well as Jefferson Airplane.

Singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson will be at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel showcasing her original rock/pop sound.

Both Friday and Saturday evenings you can catch the Rick Costa Trio playing cool jazz sounds, supper club style, at The Roi.

Saturday

Improve your improv this weekend by attending a workshop at the Providence Improv Guild. This workshop focuses on doing what comes natural to us, such as listening, communicating, remembering and other skills that will help bring out the comedian in you. Andrew Mendillo, who has studied with over a dozen improv professionals, will be leading the workshop.

Rock out at Firehouse 13 this weekend with Kanerko, Echoes of Petra and Stealing Gadsby.

Support the Pawtucket Pawsox at their home game as they take on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Find details and ticket info here.

The 36th Annual Save The Bay Swim is happening this weekend in Newport. The 1.7-mile swim begins at the Naval Station in Newport and ends in Jamestown. Pledge dollars raised by swimmers help support Save the Bay advocacy, education, and habitat restoration.

Sunday

Celebrate the city's 2nd annual Puerto Rican Day. Starts at 11:30am at the Bank of America Skating Center. Call 401-241-9572 for more details.

Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes featuring the legendary Lloyd Parks will be playing a concert at Pearl Lounge. The Grammy Award winning song "If You Don't Know Me By Now" is only one of the numerous hits that this Philadelphia based group can boast. Pair that with Rhode Island's own Bernard Fullen and you're in for a great night of music.

Stop in to Monet Lounge for a fashion show brought to you by JLS Hair design featuring the latest men's and women's clothing and hairstyle trends. Show starts at 6:30pm and the proceeds go to the Dacia Pray memorial foundation. Music will be provided and it's an all ages event. Tickets are $20.