42 things to do this week

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Good morning, Providence. Settle in, sip whatever gets you going, and let PVD Current serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead ☕️

*Friendly reminder that we’re springin’ forward at 2 am Sunday.

In today’s edition:

• Saltwater fishing 🐟️ 

• Ivy Madness 🏀 

• Beer week is here 🍺 

• 42 things to check out 📆 

Let’s get to it.

Currents & waves

🎣 Hooked on fishing? This is the place to be

If your idea of a good time involves rods, reels, and reeling in the big one, you’ll want to check out The New England Saltwater Fishing Show sometime this weekend (it’s running now through Sunday). With more than 300 exhibitors, it has everything from rods, reels, tackle, fly fishing, boats, kayaks, and more →

🏀 Ivy League action

March Madness is coming to PVD on March 20th and 22nd. Regular tickets are sold out, but there’s something else brewing on the horizon with a few tickets left for those who love action — Ivy Madness. It’s going down March 14th - 16th and being held at Brown for the first time ever. The winner will play in the NCAA tournament the following week.

You can also stop by on the 13th or 14th to watch each team’s open practice.

🍺 Happy beer week, PVD

The fun has officially kicked off at more than 40 breweries around the state. Grab your passport, check out the schedule, and get your drink on (responsibly, of course) for your chance at some really cool prizes →

Other highlights this week:

• Bruins vs Marlies | Today @ 7:05 pm

• Flag football tryouts (6 - 12 years) | Tomorrow @ 1 pm

• SFAC volleyball signups | Tuesday @ 5:30 pm

• Parkinson’s Foundation Seminar | Wednesday @ 11 am

• RISCA grant info session | Wednesday @ 6 pm

Here’s your weekly Providence brief, featuring (at least) 20 things worth checking out around town over the next seven days 👇

Today - March 7th

🎨 Add your touch to an art installation

3:30 pm: Art meets community at the Rochambeau Library with Imagining Growth, an interactive collage project where everyone (including you) can add their creative touch. The finished masterpiece will climb a staircase wall, growing with each participant's imagination → Can’t make it today? You can participate every Friday until May 9th.

🎶 Oysters & The Ramones on repeat

4 pm: Ramones Raw Bar Fridays at Diego’s East Side kicked off last weekend and it’s as rock ‘n’ roll as ever. Expect buck-a-shuck oysters, $4 Narragansett lagers, and $12 oyster shooters, all while a full album spins in the background →

Tomorrow - March 8th

🌿 A nature walk for the plant-curious

10 am: Think you can only ID plants when they’re in full bloom? Join the experts at Roger Williams Park for a leisurely walk where you’ll learn how to spot flora even when they’re playing hard to get →

Later in the day (at 2 pm), you can also join a guided “Nature on the Move” walk at Blackstone Field and meet Rhode Island’s native amphibians, craft with clay, and hunt for decomposers doing their dirty work →

🍀 Parade day eats & drinks at Gilligan’s

10 am: The St. Patrick’s Parade is rolling through Providence, and Gilligan’s Pub is where all the cool kids will be hanging out. The Galley PVD will be serving up food in the parking lot starting at 11 am, and the bar’s open bright and early at 10. Green beer, good eats, and an excuse to day drink? That’s the luck of the Irish →

Keep the eats flowing at Wright’s Dairy Farm where you’ll help decide the future of their zeppole lineup. You’ll get six minis — three classics and three mystery flavors. Try them all, then do your civic duty and cast your vote →

👟 Walk through history

11 am: It’s Women’s History Month — AKA time to lace up your walking shoes and take a half-mile journey through Providence’s East Side. The Rhode Island Historical Society’s HerStory tour highlights the women who shaped PVD history, from educators and artists to unsung heroes → Can’t make it? There’s another tour on March 22nd.

✍️ Build worlds that feel real

1 pm: Writing a novel with a sprawling fantasy realm, a layered historical setting, or a deeply interwoven mystery? This two-week workshop at LitArts RI, led by Melissa Michal Slocum, will help you craft worlds that feel rich, immersive, and—most importantly—authentic →

Got littles who love books? Check out this bookmaking workshop at the library.

Sunday - March 9th

🍾 A can’t-miss brunch spectacle

12 - 4 pm: Circe’s once-a-month Brunch Soirée is serving up a decadent feast with next-level cocktails and live performances that make your average Sunday brunch look like a sad plate of toast. It’s luxe, it’s lively, and tables disappear fast →

🕹️ No quarters required

11 am - 5 pm: Freeplay Bar & Arcade is giving families the ultimate Sunday pass—$12 per person for unlimited skee ball, air hockey, pinball, and arcade games. No quarters, no limits, just good old-fashioned button-mashing fun. A guaranteed win for kids and a healthy dose of nostalgia for adults →

🎨 Art, awards & an afternoon well spent

2 pm: The Winter Members’ Exhibition at the Providence Art Club is showcasing works from over 150 artists across three galleries. Expect everything from paintings to sculpture, plus an awards ceremony at 2:45 pm, judged by artist and curator Scott Lerner →

Monday - March 10th

🏥 Shape the future of the Hospital District

6 pm: Big changes are coming to the Providence Hospital District, and this is your chance to have a say in what happens next. The City of Providence, along with urban design experts, is hosting a multi-day community workshop (March 10th & March 13th) to explore new ideas for underutilized land, better connections to the Southside, and fresh economic opportunities.

Drop in, share your thoughts, and be part of the vision for a healthier, more connected neighborhood →

Tuesday - March 11th

🌱 Trash talk to save the planet

9 am - 3 pm: – The RI Compost Conference & Trade Show at Rhode Island College is a goldmine for anyone interested in composting, food waste solutions, or just figuring out what actually works (and what definitely doesn’t) →

🍀 A free lunchtime show

Noon: A crew of talented Irish musicians and dancers are bringing the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day to PPAC. Expect a lively, foot-stomping show featuring Kevin Doyle’s Roscommon Soles, the musical direction of Sheila Falls, and the legendary Peter Krasinski on the organ. Also, it’s free →

🖍️ Four hours of family-friendly crafting

2:30 - 6:30 pm: Drop by the library any time with the fam (or by yourself) for free use and assistance of all the library’s equipment, including sewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, Cricuts, button makers, heat presses, laser cutters, and more →

📖 A room full of book lovers

6:30 pm: Love a good book but hate awkward small talk? The Cardigan Connection at Alchemy is the perfect mix of author readings, food, and friendly conversation. Hear from bestselling writers Sonali Dev, John Kenney, Betty Shamieh, and Nicole Graev Lipson as they share excerpts from their books and tell the stories behind their stories →

Wednesday - March 12th

🏫 See the library’s brand new renovations

11 am: Empire Street just got a facelift and you’re invited to check it out with a guided tour that will also cover the historic 1900 building too →

🎲 Roll the dice on love

7 pm: Dating is awkward, but board games? Always a good time. Enter Board Game Speed Dating at Providence Brewing, where you’ll rotate through fun, easy-to-learn games with fellow singles (ages 25-39) Worst case scenario? The beer is great. Best case? Love at first roll →

Thursday - March 13th

🍻 Ditch the small talk

7 pm: If you’re tired of surface-level chitchat, Skip the Small Talk at Long Live Beerworks is your chance to dive into meaningful conversations with strangers who actually want to connect. With guided prompts, you’ll skip the awkward intros and get right to the good stuff →

📚 Black Panther history

6 pm: Scholar Mary Frances Phillips is sitting down with Alyssa Lopez to discuss Black Panther Women: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins, a groundbreaking biography exploring the activism, resilience, and legacy of one of the most influential women in the Black Panther Party →

Live music & entertainment

This weekend:

• 3/7 A Revery @ Nick-A-Nees - 8 pm

• 3/7 The Lotts & Atlantic Thrills @ The Parlour - 8 pm

• 3/7 All Time Favorite @ Moonshine Alley - 9:30 pm

• 3/8 Various rap battles @ Alchemy - 2 pm

• 3/8 Alex Cohen @ Moonshine Alley - 5 pm

• 3/8 Fat Tire @ Union Station Brewery - 8 pm

• 3/8 Willie J Laws Trio @ The District - 8 pm

• 3/8 We Love the 90s @ Mezzo Ultra Lounge - 9:30 pm

• 3/9 Diva Empowerment Concert @ Providence Library - 2 pm

• 3/9 The Pourmen @ Narragansett - 3 pm

• 3/9 Sebastian Maniscalco (comedy) @ Amica Mutual Pavilion - 7 pm

• 3/9 Sweet Rosé @ Alchemy - 8 pm

Throughout the week:

• 3/10 The Surfrajettes & Black Widows @ Alchemy - 7 pm

• 3/10 Recess comedy show @ Gilligan’s - 8 pm

• 3/13 Effi, Dusty & the Brakes, and Gumby’s Girlfriend @ AS220 - 8 pm

Price Is Right - Providence edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a condo for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one more room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: The John Risica Team

This brand new condo in the heart of historic Providence has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,250 square feet of modern living. With high-end quartz counters, stainless appliances, and custom cabinets, it’s a beautiful home in a very walkable and bike-able area. It’s the last unit left and it comes with extra storage space in the basement and two off-street parking spots.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →

Providence fun & games

This week’s wordle features a 5-letter word hidden inside this edition. Let us know how many guesses it takes you!

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Trivia question of the week

❓Question: What instrument are you playing if you’re creating piobaireachd music?

🤔 Hint: You’ll need a good set of lungs and deaf neighbors to learn it.

Reply and shoot us your best guess (no cheating!) - Same time, same place next week → we’ll share the answer and a fresh question to ponder.

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Last week’s answer: 117 years.

See ya next time.

P.S. Know of an event or business we should share, interested in certain types of events & stories, or want to ask a question? Feel free to reply (or email us) any time.