The dog days of summer are here!

July 18, 2023

The dog days of summer are here!

An aerial view of a marina filled with lots of boats.

It is hard to believe, but we are already in the dog days of summer! Don’t panic just yet, there is still plenty to do and see, especially on Aquidneck Island and just over the Mount Hope Bridge in Bristol. We put together a list of some things we think might interest you, so that you get the most out of the next couple of months.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

Whether you are looking to spiff up your cooking skills or your dance moves, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center has a ton of scheduled activities. They have a cooking class called Sabores Latinos where you will learn how to make some great dishes and there is a Zumba class on Thursday afternoons at 5pm that will get you moving!

Green Animal Topiary Garden

Being outside during summer is what it is all about and one of the best places to be outside is Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth. Here you will find 80 topiary animals and figure that have been around for more than a century. The flowers here are incredible and bloom until October. The 7-acre property overlooks Narragansett Bay and has lovely, large trees to rest under. It is a perfect spot to picnic as well. Currently there is an art exhibition call “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects” which features nature scenes and is made up entirely of LEGO® pieces.

Rail Explorers Rhode Island Division

Another great thing to do in Portsmouth is explore the old railway that used to bring passengers from Providence to Aquidneck Island. Instead of train cars, you ride on “explorers” which are basically four-wheeled bikes. There are several different tours that you can do, including an “early bird special” and a “lantern ride” that starts in the evening. Rail Explorers Rhode Island Division is worth checking out if you want to be active! You can also bring your own picnic and there are a few places where you can make a pit stop, depending on which tour you choose.

The Island Moving Company

The Island Moving Company (IMC) is a well-known name and non-profit on the island. Every summer, this contemporary trained ballet company hosts events and productions which are not to be missed. The Newport Dance Festival (NDF) brings choreographers, performers, and educators to Newport for a two-week residency that culminates in six unique, consecutive evenings of leading-edge dance performances for the community to enjoy.

IMC will also hold its annual summer gala at the end of July, where there will be a performance and auction to benefit the company. Tickets for IMC’s annual summer Gala and Newport Dance Festival are now on sale at the Island Moving Company’s website.

Blithewold Gardens

For anyone looking to unwind and slow down, outdoor yoga classes held by Bristol Yoga Studio are held at Blithewold Gardens in Bristol. More information can be found here.

For those interested in classical music, the iconic Newport Classical Music Festival returns from July 4 – 23 with twenty-seven summer concerts in the renowned Newport Mansions, including The Breakers , The Elms , and Chinese Tea House among others. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Black Ships Festival

In August there is the Black Ships Festival in Bristol, which celebrates the relationship between Newport and its sister city, Shimoda, Japan. The event offers a variety of events that highlight Japanese art and culture including a formal gala, Japanese artwork such as origami and ikebana. There will also be a Japanese tea ceremony.

We hope that you have a great rest of your summer and remember to stay cool and drink lots of water! It has been a hot one so far and looks like it will stay that way.

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The dog days of summer are here!