401 Fun: The best things to do in Rhode Island Aug. 9-16 – The Boston Globe

No, I don’t mean the season finale of “House of the Dragon.” (Don’t tell me what happens, I haven’t seen it yet.) I mean your last chance to explore “Dragons & Mythical Creatures” at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Billed as an “immersive experience featuring over 60 life-size animatronic wonders.” Through Aug. 11. Not included with regular zoo admission. $9 ages 2 and up. Under 2 free. 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. Details here.

RHODE ISLAND FILM FEST

The 2024 Rhode Island Film Fest runs through Aug. 11 with plenty of options to catch indie features and shorts in some 10 venues throughout Rhode Island. Look for “Lost Nation,” directed by Jay Craven, “Golden Garden Takeout,” directed by Maggie Wong, “Anna Comes Home,” directed by Amber Paulette Suzor, and “WaterFire, Art & Soul of a City…The Story Continues,” from Rhode Island PBS and RocJo Productions, in cooperation with WaterFire, among others films. See a full schedule here.

JAZZ FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Jazz musician NALEDI, who moved from South Africa “to chase music in Boston” with a scholarship to New England Conservatory, performs Aug. 9 as part of Newport Live x Norman Bird Sanctuary Outdoor Summer Series.

NALEDI recently released her EP “BATHO” (meaning “people” in Sesotho), which she calls “a journey of finding belonging in a world that’s always changing, and a celebration of our shared humanity in the fight for social justice. 7 p.m. $35. 583 3rd Beach Road Middletown. Learn more about the artist here. Details here.

DOG FEST

Ummm, I love it. Hop in the car, Fido, because we’re headed to Dog Fest. RI Night Market — an open-air evening and nighttime marketplace presented by Dunkin’ — pops up at Mulligan’s Island Golf & Entertainment Aug. 10, 4-8 p.m, with “Dog Fest RI” (free). Expect a “Blessing of The Dogs,” dog vendors, activities, food trucks, “Kids Zone,” raffles, giveaways, Makers Market, Bounce Houses, Beer Garden, and more. There’s also a ticketed “Wicked Best Martini 2024″ tent, admission from $25, to benefit the Potter League. 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. Tickets and details here. Fest details here and here.

DRINK ALL THE BEER IN RHODE ISLAND

For real. Hop on it, hop-heads: Tickets are limited for the 8th Ocean State Brewers Fest, billed as “the only beer event in Rhode Island that features Rhode Island breweries exclusively.” Taste what your neighbors are brewing, from Apponaug Brewing Company to Origin Beer Project, Phantom Farms Brewing to Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery and dozens more at the Aug. 10 fest from Rhode Island Brewers Guild sponsored by BrewBox. Cheers, Rhody. $65. 21+ 3-6:30 p.m. at Farm Fresh RI, 10 Sims Ave, Providence. Details here.

GOOOOAL!

If the Olympics has you amped, it’s time to see a soccer match up close: Rhode Island’s pro men’s soccer team, Rhode Island FC, takes on Hartford Athletic Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. At Beirne Stadium at Bryant University. 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. Details here.

DOMINICAN PARADE & FESTIVAL

The annual Dominican Parade & Festival, presented by Quisqueya En Accion, steps off Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. in Providence at the intersection of Thurbers Avenue and Broad Street, followed by a music fest kicking off at noon at Roger Williams Park Temple to Music. This year’s theme is “Tributo a Nuestra Cultura” (“A Tribute to Our Culture.”) Details here and here.

ALPACA YOGA

The Lazy K Ranch in Foster hosts alpaca yoga Aug. 11, 10-11 a.m. Sorry goats, but alpacas are way cuter. If you see an alpaca smile, you have to smile back. Fact. BYO water, towel and mat. 10 East Killingly Road, Foster. $26. Details here.

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR

With a pig obstacle course, a rabbit show, lawnmower racing, a pony pull and more, this week is the annual Washington County Fair, Aug. 14-18. Goals include “to promote our rural heritage… to be a venue for the FFA and 4H [and] to give families an affordable form of wholesome entertainment.” The fair, established in 1967, offers an overwhelming schedule of events jam-packed into four days in Richmond.

A few highlights: live music, antique car show, egg toss, tractor and truck pulls, live stock shows, poultry, sheep, swine and more; oxen pull, line-dancing, goat show, lawnmower races, milking contest, corn hole tournament, arm wrestling, “cow chip bingo” (IYKYK), senior pie-eating contest, jugglers, magicians and much more. Oh, and the food! Stuffed waffles, street tacos, gourmet grilled cheese, clam cakes, oysters, ice cream, apple crisp, shaved steak sandwiches, salted potatoes, barbecue ribs, gyros, corn fritters and more. Adults $12, kids 10 and under free. 78 Richmond Townhouse Road, Route 112, Richmond. Details here.

YES, CHEFS

Rhode Island puts its more than 400 miles of coastline in the spotlight during several food festivals, where fishermen and chefs who specialize in seafood get a boost. Even if you’re not a seafood lover, there are plenty of other festivals to attend to sample plates and try out local beer and wine. Globe Rhode Island’s Alexa Gagosz has put together a list of 13 food festivals that run through the rest of this year, from dining inside one of the Newport mansions with chef Jacques Pépin, to the annual oyster festival, to the Farm Fresh Rhode Island Local Food Fest at Newport’s Castle Hill Inn Aug. 13. The Farm Fresh RI fundraiser “celebrates local growers and food producers — featuring dozens of local farms paired with chefs from some of the top restaurants,” according to billing. Advance tickets only. Rain or shine. Under age 12 free. 4-8 p.m. 590 Ocean Drive. From $25. Tickets and info. for Farm Fresh Rhode Island here.

JUDY COLLINS

The legend plays Newport’s Jane Pickens Theatre Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. Stay tuned for my interview. 49 Touro St. Tickets from $69. Details here.

GREEK FESTIVAL

It’s three days of peace, love and loukoumades. We’re approaching next week’s column-territory here, so I’ll just quickly say that Pawtucket’s Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church hosts its 97th annual Greek Festival Aug. 16-18. Expect live music, dance performances, authentic Greek food and pastries — thinks Greek rice pudding, Kourambiedes, baklava, Finikia, Koulourakia, Galaktoboureko, loukoumades — kafenio (coffee area), a Greek marketplace, Greek Pride Dance Troupe, vendors, baking demos and more, according to billing. Aug. 16, 5-10 p.m. 97 Walcott St., Pawtucket. Details here and here.

BLACK SHIPS FEST

The Japan-American Society of Rhode Island hosts the 41st Black Ships Fest in Bristol and Newport Aug. 16-18. You’ll learn about the “connection between Rhode Island and Japan” and explore Japanese culture, according to billing. You might try on kimonos, participate in tea ceremonies, learn calligraphy, step aboard the tall ship Aurora, dance to Taiko drumming, browse some 100 artisans, taste treats, see martial arts demos and ikebana flower arrangements, and more. Opening ceremonies Aug. 16 10 a.m. at Rockwell Park, Bristol. Details here.

DATE CHANGE FOR “TED LASSO” STAR

In last week’s column, I mentioned that “Ted Lasso’s” Brett Goldstein was headed to PVD this week. Well, you have more time to get tickets. He’s now coming Aug. 23 for two shows. On Wednesday, PPAC announced that shows were postponed due to Goldstein falling sick.

Whether you had tickets and need a refund, or you realize you now want tickets (from $46) — all details here. 220 Weybosset St., Providence.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: ONGOING FUN …

THE GREAT ELEPHANT MIGRATION: See a herd of some 100 life-size Indian elephant sculptures in Newport, presented by Art&Newport through Sept. 6. The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraiser to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race to share space, according to its website. The sculptures were made by a community of 200 indigenous Indian artisans according to their website. Viewing is best along the Cliff Walk, where the 52-elephant display is taking place at Salve Regina University’s McAuley Hall, The Breakers, and Rough Point. Learn more here, here and here.

BLACK HISTORY WALKING TOUR: Until now, the personal narratives and experiences of enslaved individuals in late 18th-century Newport have been largely unknown. Their voices highlight a new tour and exhibit that illuminate “the untold history of early Black Americans” and its widespread, ongoing impact in Rhode Island. Tours Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at 10 a.m. through Nov. 30. $20 adults; $10 kids 12 and under. Departs from the Pilot House at 13 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport. Details here.

ITALIAN FOOD FEST: Foodies, rev your engines. Federal Hill, Rhody’s own Little Italy, hosts its 5th Al Fresco on the Hill on Saturdays through Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight. People can stroll the avenue and sample food from local restaurants and shop at retailers set up outside. There will also be live entertainment and artistic performances. Providence. Details here.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM: Beat the heat: We mapped a trail of 130 great spots to get ice cream in Rhode Island here. See some highlights here.

Until next week, Rhody: Keep rockin.’