LIVE MUSIC VENUE Moonshine Alley
No need to book a flight to Nashville to feel like you ’ ve landed on Lower Broadway . Moonshine Alley brings the Music City experience right to Downcity , with a Southern-comfort-food-by-day menu that gives way to a hopping concert venue at night . Catch acts like Danielle Bradbery and the No Shoes Nation Band without the jet lag at this Tennessee-inspired party spot . Cowboy boots recommended . 52 Pine St ., Providence , 861-0001 , moonshinealley . com
STAYCATION DESTINATION Samuel Slater Canal Boat
Tucked away on the banks of the Blackstone River , you ’ ll find a little slice of English heaven in the Samuel Slater canal boat . Revel in the Union Jack decor as you brew a pot of tea , enjoy the outdoor deck and snooze in style as the river gently lulls you to slumber . The boat sleeps four and is equipped with a kitchen , bath and shower , and living and eating area . You can even take an optional tour of the river during your stay — and steer the boat if you ’ d like . Central Falls Landing , 15 Madeira Ave ., 724-2200 , rivertour blackstone . com
ECLECTIC EVENTS Askew
On any given night , you could wander into Askew and hear a funky rendition — with plenty of bass and saxophone — of the Beatles ’ “ Come Together ,” an open mic comedy night , a drag king revue , a jazz quartet or an eighties dance party . Eclectic is the name of the game at Askew , and that ’ s all part of the fun — and of the appeal at this gem in Providence ’ s Jewelry District . 150 Chestnut St ., Providence , 774-526-9736 , askewprov . com
PINBALL MUSEUM Electromagnetic Pinball Museum
Those of us who grew up in the seventies and eighties remember fondly the ding-ding-dings , flashing lights and frenetic flipping of pinball machines . The Electromagnetic Pinball Museum is like a shrine to that wondrous era , with 100 arcade games and pinball machines , including wooden ones from the fifties up through modern-day titles . You don ’ t even need a roll of quarters ; $ 10 gets you unlimited play . 881 Main St ., Pawtucket , 743-8067 , electromagneticpinball museum . com
STATEWIDE THEMED TOURS Experience Rhode Island
We all know how wonderful our little state is . Every Saturday , guides at Experience Rhode Island give tourists — and non-tourists — a glimpse into all Little Rhody has to offer with its seven-and-ahalf-hour Rhode Island in a Day excursion . The air-conditioned tour bus travels from Providence to Newport , visiting sites large and small , with all manner of hidden gems tucked in between . Visitor Information Center , R . I . Convention Center , 1 Sabin St ., Providence , 886-0733 , experience ri . com
LOCAL ESCAPE Stone House Inn
Travel to the end of Sakonnet Point and feel like you ’ re a world away from the daily grind . This is the ideal spot to take a time out , while soaking up water views from the 1854 stone farmhouse . The luxury inn recently completed $ 12 million in renovations , making each room ecofriendly with contemporary furnishings . Whether it ’ s a romantic couples ’ stay or a girlfriends ’ getaway , guests feel relaxed and refreshed at the end of the stay . What could be better than that ? 122 Sakonnet Point Rd ., Little Compton , 635-2222 , newport experience . com / venues / stone-house
ART INCUBATOR Public
Providence artists Casandra Inez and Spocka Summa host an impressive array of events — everything from self-care popups and author readings to artist shows and secret comedy nights — in Public , their studio and space devoted to art and the community . A recent show , “ Come in , We ’ re Open !,” featured photos and paintings by eight local artists . Look for special events to come in September and October . 27 Sims Ave ., Providence , publicshopand gallery . com
LAUGH
OUT LOUD
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE COMEDY PARK .
It ’ s a good time to be in the funny business in Rhode Island , with a handful of fresh venues and takes for comedy-chasers of all stripes . Leave it to local yucksters Charlie Hall and Doreen Collins to make light of all the aches , pains and travails that go along with growing old in their hit show , “ Aging Disgracefully ” ( oceanstatefollies . net ). From Viagra and bifocals to bingo and Metamucil , the duo pokes fun at life in the boomer lane , with plenty of laughs , songs and skits thrown into the mix . Speaking of local legends , last year saw the opening of the Comedy Park ( theparkri . com / the-comedy-park ) at the newly revived Park Theatre , home to the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame as well as a new stand-up venue where you can catch all your favorite Rhody acts . For those who prefer their comedy on the go , the Comedy Bus ( comedybus . net ) offers the state ’ s only mobile comedy tour , featuring two comedians and a converted school bus on a whirlwind , ninetyminute tour around Providence ( complete with mid-tour brewery stop ). With so many options , you ’ ll never have to agonize over Friday night plans again . — LAUREN CLEM AND DANA LAVERTY
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l AUGUST 2023 79