The Providence Drum Troupe
ARTS & CULTURE
Leisure time is well spent at these fun activities and attractions.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PROVIDENCE DRUM TROUPE.
STAYCATION GETAWAY
The Loom Hotel The newly renovated Loom Hotel leans into its history as a textile manufacturing plant and former Fruit of the Loom mill by paying homage to textiles through design and decor. The rooms— many with views of the Pawtuxet River— are beautifully appointed, and the on-site restaurant, The Brook Kitchen and Bar, serves up a substantial dinner and next-day brunch menus for the full package overnight adventure. 400 Knight St., Warwick, 734- 4460, theloomhotel. com
OVER-30 UPSCALE LOUNGE
Medici Lounge One of the many questions we get from elder millennials is where to go dancing in Providence. For those of us who are of a certain age and frequented Club Ultra, Prov and The Strand back in the day, that question went unanswered until now. Thirtysomethings now have a place to go where the beats are early-2000s nostalgic with a little trance and techno mixed in— this time, with a fancy martini in hand instead of a watered-down well drink in a plastic cup. 172 Pine St., Providence, 829-9575, mediciprov. com
RHYTHM PROVIDERS
The Providence Drum Troupe
Chances are you’ ve seen the Providence Drum Troupe at one point or another: The group of drummers, fire spinners, butterfly wing wearers, stilt walkers and more eccentric characters are often found“ activating” events around Rhode Island by encouraging audience members to dance, laugh and even bang some drums with the group. The PVD Drum Troupe keeps the heart beating in our small state. providencedrumtroupe. com
SANTA EXPERIENCE
Bristol Santa House Any parent will tell you: The days are long, but the years are short. And the tiny window for a child’ s fascination with Santa often speeds up childhood even faster. So make the plans in Bristol. Schedule a Santa visit. See the holiday lights and sights. Wait in the lines. Eat the treats. And bear with the tantrums. The mesmerized expressions that emerge once you reach the North Pole are worth the trip it took to get there. bristolsantahouse. org
EPIC GIRLS’ DAY
The Bimbo Factory Part of the fun at this dance studio meets safe space is taking back a word that was once used to degrade women. Adopted as a term of endearment among these femme friends, guests of the factory learn burlesque history and dance in private or public workshops or simply show up for a hot-pink-fueled, slumber-party-like atmosphere where movie showings and cute pj’ s are de rigueur. Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., # 2130, Pawtucket, bimbo factory. com
CLASSICAL-MEETS-CASUAL
MUSIC EVENT
Puddingstone Music Series Puddingstone Music has created salonstyle, immersive gatherings across Aquidneck Island and drawn sell-out crowds in the process. Think: chamber ensembles in a 137-year-old Victorian chapel hidden within a historic cemetery, Grammy Award – winning cellists performing alongside contemporary ballet dancers, a music festival
92 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I AUGUST 2025