Make your plans: GillisPalooza, International Boat Show highlight packed weekend of events
If you don't have anything planned for this weekend consider yourself lucky.
There are events happening across Newport County that will fill up time in your schedule no matter what you're into.
From The Newport International Boat Show to concerts to family events there's something for everyone with a range of tastes.
Be sure to keep the forecast in mind before heading out this weekend with the track of Hurricane Lee still uncertain as of publication.
Check out all that's happening this weekend and start making your plans.
GillisPalooza
Editor's note: Due to weather impacts from Hurricane Lee, GillisPalooza has been postponed to June 2024.
Head over to King Park on Saturday from 2-6 p.m. for "GillisPalooza," a memorial concert for former Newport Daily News columnist and reporter Jim Gillis.
Bob Cowsill is returning to his old neighborhood Saturday afternoon to join more than a dozen area singers and musicians to celebrate the life of Gillis, who died unexpectedly in April.
Cowsill will appear on the King Park bandstand during the musical tribute to Gillis, who wrote about The Cowsills and most – if not all – the other artists to be featured. They include Cee Cee & the Riders, Jimmy Winters, the Lois Vaughan Trio with Art Manchester and the AOH Men’s Singers.
The Newport String Project, Mark Quinn, Chuck Ciany and Dragonfly Marie featuring Mary Ann Rossoni and Valerie Larkin will perform. The Community Gospel Choir, Just Johny, Bill Bartholomew, Fastnet Irish Session and the AOH Pipes & Drums round out the bill.
Gillis' wife, Julie Bisbano, said she hopes “GillisPalooza” will benefit New England Donor Services. A representative from Donate Life will be at the event to provide information about organ donor registration. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their “Spare Change” to support the organization.
A team of videographers will roam the crowd to film the performers and the audience members who wish to share a story about or a memory of Gillis. The video will be available later on YouTube.
The Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County has provided funding for “GillisPalooza,” and a GoFundMe page has been created to defray costs.
A rain date is planned for Sunday if necessary.
For more information or to contribute visit gofund.me/73cb7618
Newport International Boat Show
The Newport International Boat Show returns Thursday through Sunday at the Newport Yachting Center in downtown Newport.
Celebrating its 52nd year, the Boat Show is one of the largest in-water events in the country and the premier show in New England, encompassing over 15 acres on both land and water along Newport’s famed waterfront and hosts hundreds of exhibitors, dealers and manufacturers, with new powerboats and sailboats ranging from 15- to 90-feet, plus an extensive selection of marine equipment, services and accessories for boaters.
Visitors can check out the brand-new expanded area of the Show, the Perry Mill Wharf. Situated just beyond Hammetts hotel courtyard, outside Tent G, this new area will host additional in-water powerboats, a variety of trailer-able boats on land, personal watercraft displays, food and beverage options, restrooms, extra seating and more. Plus, a wine experience by La Crema and a Sikorsky helicopter on display with Flexjet for showgoers to view the aircraft and inquire about private aircraft ownership.
The show must go on: How the Newport International Boat Show is preparing for Hurricane Lee
The Rolex New York Invitational Cup returns this year for the eighth edition of its historic international yacht club challenge. On Saturday, the final day of racing, the fleet will parade through Newport Harbor at approximately 10 a.m. Show attendees can also join in celebrating the 11th Hour Racing Team’s victory in the 2023 Ocean Race. After racing around the world and overcoming numerous challenges, Skipper Charlie Enright will be at the Show on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. under the Bohlin Tent for a meet and greet that is open to all.
For more information, visit www.newportboatshow.com.
The story of Quebec Culture
The Alliance Française de Newport will tell the story of Quebec Culture in the 1970s and 1980s on Sunday, through anecdotes, songs and folktales at a special presentation of “Je Me Souviens: La Belle Provence.”
The presentation will be held at The Portsmouth Free Library, 2658 East Main Road, at 2 p.m.
Joan Bailey, renowned professional storyteller, raised in Lancashire, England and currently living in Bristol, will be joined by her daughters, Sarah Bailey and Claire Bailey Hartmann, as they share memories of the years they lived in the province of Quebec, Canada.
Bailey has performed internationally for many years and has been recognized as Artist in Residence by the Rhode Island Council on the Arts. She has presented workshops to teachers as part of the Council’s Cultural Voices Program. She has also presented workshops to storytellers, librarians, universities and business organizations.The presentation is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Reservations are required. Email to reserve your space: afnewportri@gmail.com
Jamestown piano recital
The Jamestown Community Piano Association begins its 2023-2024 concert season with a recital by pianist Evren Ozel on Sunday at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 87 Narragansett Avenue.
The concert begins at 2 p.m.
Ozel began learning piano from the Suzuki method in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since his debut at age 11 with the Minnesota Orchestra, he has performed extensively in the United States and abroad, garnering praise as a musician of “refined restraint,” who combines fluent virtuosity with probing, thoughtful interpretations.
The concerts are free but donations for piano maintenance and performance support are appreciated. For details, call 423-0515.
Portsmouth Library Touch-a-Truck
Editors note: The Touch-a-Truck has been canceled. There is no makeup date.
Portsmouth Free Public Library’s annual Touch-a-Truck returns on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Glen Park.
Touch-a-Truck will give the community’s children (and adults) a chance to get up close and personal with all kinds of big and fascinating vehicles. From a school bus to a police car, from a race car to a fire truck, everyone will have the opportunity to see, touch, blow horns, and learn about dozens of cool vehicles. Giant trucks and equipment volunteered by municipal and commercial organizations will be displayed. For those who don’t like noise, there will be a quiet hour from noon to 1 p.m. when no horns or sirens will sound.
Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family for the day. Cash only, please. In addition to the vehicle display, there will be various games and crafts for the children including a karate demonstration. Proceeds from the event will go toward Library purchases.
Friends of Tiverton Libraries mini book sale
The Friends of Tiverton Libraries will hold a mini book and bake sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Room of the Tiverton Public Library, 34 Roosevelt Ave.
The sale will feature hard and softcover books, both fiction and non-fiction, and will also include books for children. Delicious home-baked goodies will be available for purchase also. Donations of baked goods will be acceptedon Friday afternoon, Sept. 15 between 2 and 4 p.m., and Saturday at 10 a.m.
All funds raised will support library programming, and the purchase of museum and activity passes. For more information, call the library at 401-625-6796.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: GillisPalooza, Newport International Boat Show top weekend events
