Happy Thursday, Rhode Islanders!

Big week again for The Rhody Weekender, crossing 17,000+ lovely subscribers. This milestone cements us as one of the largest independent state-wide media outlets in Rhode Island. Your love makes us blush!

We are here to connect you to the community: nature, culture, entertainment, and more.

That’s why we are running our second reader poll. Check it out below. With your input, we get better every week. We will now be running polls every week, and be tuned in to YOUR voice.

On that note, the Rhody Weekender community voted overwhelmingly last week that our format of links with fun descriptions (the little stories each one tells) was more valuable that just a bare-bones link list. “Don’t change anything” came in at 90%!

Community Links - Pet Update: Jordan from the RI Pet Network sent a nice note:

Glad it was a success! Scroll down to Community Links and submit a community event.

Check out ‘Wicked Li’l Trivia’, a new weekly feature that debuted last week. This week’s trivia is a little rocky.

New Publish Day: You spoke, we listened. Starting next Wednesday, we will publish on Wednesdays. This gives more time to make plans or buy tickets. Things selling out has come up more times than we thought possible! Just goes to show you, ACT NOW if you see something you like!

So let’s get right to the lists and plan to make this weekend amazing.

In This Issue

Sugary Heritage 🍁…
Frosty Wings ❄️…
Crafty Cheers 🍻…

Outdoor & Nature

🍁 Tap into history's sweetness: Maple Sugaring Days at Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol. Experience traditional maple sugaring from tree tapping to syrup making. A delightful journey into 18th-century farm life.

🥾 Hike your way to serenity: Mount Tom Trail near Rockville, Rhode Island. This 6.4-mile loop offers a moderate challenge with rewarding views. Perfect for backpacking, cross-country skiing, and hiking enthusiasts.

🐦 Flock to the winter shoreline: Wintering Seabirds Exploration at Napatree Conservation Area in Westerly. Join experts like Dr. Peter Paton to discover the seabirds that grace our coasts during the colder months. A birdwatcher's winter delight.

🎥 Lights, camera, nature action: RI Nature Video Festival at William Gaige Hall, Rhode Island College. Dive into 75 minutes of captivating footage highlighting Rhode Island's flora and fauna. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and a casual reception.

🐦 Birds of a feather watch together: Come Birding with Me! at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown. A family-friendly shoreline birdwatching adventure focusing on winter sea ducks. Binoculars provided for an up-close avian experience.

Food & Drink

🥃 Sip behind the scenes: Behind The Scenes Distillery Tour & Tasting at The Industrious Spirit Company in Providence. Dive into the craft of spirit-making with an exclusive tour and guided tasting. Uncover the secrets of scratch-made distilling.

🍙 Rice, roll, repeat: Japanese Cooking Class at Hope & Main. Transform simple rice into flavorful, handcrafted Onigiri while learning essential Japanese kitchen techniques. A deliciously fun experience awaits. Get tickets for next week. Arigatō.

🍻 Raise a glass to flavor fusion: Beer & Spirits Dinner at Brick Alley Pub in Newport. Indulge in a curated evening of exceptional brews, spirits, and gourmet dishes. A culinary journey not to be missed.

💖 Next, raise a glass to friendship: Galentine’s Market at Shepherd’s Run. A dreamy evening of sipping, shopping, and self-care, rescheduled for February 21st. Treat yourself and your besties!

🥐 Bristol’s new brunch gem: Folklore Provisions in Bristol, RI. Portuguese-inspired café serving dreamy avocado toast, gooey cinnamon rolls, and craft spirits. Cozy up with a coffee and stay awhile.

Poll: Community Happy Hour?

Entertainment

🎶 Celtic melodies in Kingston: Fellswater at URI University Artists Series offers a night of lively Celtic music. From Scotland to Galicia, enjoy a diverse repertoire that spans centuries. Get your tickets for this vibrant concert.

🎻 French ensemble in Newport: Trio Karénine performs Schubert and Dvořák. Enjoy masterful interpretations of Schubert and Dvořák's works. An evening of musical excellence in an intimate setting. Get tickets now for next week. Or snooze and lose.

🌟 Experience cutting-edge ballet: Don't miss 'Made on Hope'. Six world premieres unfold in the cozy Black Box Theatre. Be part of the evolution of dance artistry.

🎶 Blue-themed tango night: Winter Blues Random Milonga at The Towers. Embrace the theme with blue attire and delicacies. Dance to soulful tunes in Narragansett's iconic venue.

🎸 Roots music at Stone Church: The Meadows Brothers at Stone Church Coffeehouse. Enjoy their blend of "Homegrown Countrified Folked-Up Soulful American RocknRoll Roots Music." Limited seating—reserve your spot for this dynamic performance.

Arts, Crafts & Culture

🧚 Craft your own fairy haven: Family Fairy House Hike and Build Workshop at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence. Embark on a nature hike to gather materials, then construct a whimsical fairy house in the greenhouse. A magical family adventure awaits.

🛡️ Explore military history treasures: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum in East Greenwich. Discover extensive collections of military artifacts spanning multiple eras. Guided tours available by appointment.

🌍 Art reflecting environmental concerns: Donna Bassin: Portraits of the Precarious Earth at Newport Art Museum. Experience photo-based landscapes responding to environmental crises and their psychological impacts. A thought-provoking exhibit running from January to May.

🎨 Beer and clay, a perfect day: Sip & Sculpt with Pottery with a Purpose at Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter. Participate in a fun pottery-making session while enjoying local brews. Cheers to creativity!

🎨 Celebrate artistic achievements: Elected Artist Members Exhibition: Beacon with Art League Rhode Island. Attend the closing reception and artist talk, showcasing diverse works by esteemed members. Engage with artists and explore their creative processes.

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Rhody Moments

🖥️ Hands-on computer adventure: Rhode Island Computer Museum lets kids and families explore the wonders of technology. Get up close with retro computers and interactive exhibits. Watch this quick video explaining it…I somehow missed that this existed before today.

🗺️ Gulf of Autocrat? Sure! While we're at it... Another playful rename of a part of Rhode Island, highlighting local favorites…like coffee syrup. A fun look at Ocean State culture. The comments are great on this Reddit thread, lol.

💜 Belated Rhody Valentine’s fun – The Rhode Islander reimagines conversation hearts with RI classics. Love is real if you’d “Cross the Washington Bridge 4 U.”

🌇 Super golden hour over Providence: Superman Sunrise by Nathan Limbach captures the iconic Industrial Trust Building bathed in the warm hues of dawn. A stunning tribute to the city's architectural gem. Take a look, leave a like.

Wicked Li’l Trivia

Community Links

• Create, connect, collage: Collage Meetup @ William Hall invites you to bring your own supplies and get creative. Work on personal projects, share materials, and enjoy an optional bookmark-making activity.

• Remembering Rob Yaffe: Garden Grille pays tribute to its founder, a pioneer in Rhode Island’s plant-based dining and a community connector. His legacy lives on through the restaurants he built and the friendships he nurtured.

Have a Community Announcement?
Submit one today!

Other Rhody Things

🐚 Freshwater mussels: nature's warning: ecoRI News explores Wild New England, explaining how mussel populations reflect water quality. Their disappearance tells a story of environmental damage.

Photo of the Week

[Tag your instagram photo with @rhodyweekender for a chance to get your photo in an upcoming issue]