7.23.10
The Stuff Legends are Made of

Here at the Newport Yachting Center we get pumped for each of our events, concerts and festivals. But there’s a special buzz in the air about what’s happening under the tent tomorrow night, and who’s to blame us for feeling just a tad bit giddier about it? In fact, the show is looking to be legendary, and it’s got us a bit speechless. So we’ll let the pros do the talking - you know, B.B. King, The Providence Journal, and Jimmy Carter (the former President of the United States? Really? You’ll have to read on to find out)!

Saturday night, July 24th, Rhode Island hometown hero Duke Robillard is the opening act (yes that’s right, opening act) for our Sunset Music Series show. The multi-Grammy nominated and four-time Best Blues Guitarist Winner at the Blues Music Awards takes to our stage on the waterfront. Robillard, named by B.B. King himself as “one of the greats,” brings his blues back home to beckon the crowds under our tent to jam the night away.

Why would a man of this stature be the opening act at our Sunset show? As Rick Massimo, Pop Music writer for the Providence Journal puts it, “It takes a serious headliner to push Rhode Island blues legend Duke Robillard down the bill to opening act, but The Blind Boys of Alabama are serious business.” How to best describe the storied singing group ready to take Newport by storm? “They’re the real deal of Southern red-clay gospel, and they may be holy, but their harmony is hard-edged. They can make even the Lord sound nasty. In the best way, of course.” Well put Massimo, we couldn’t have said it any better ourselves!

Jimmy Carter, the last active surviving member of the group, recently spoke with Newport Now about how he is excited to bring their show back to Newport. So no, it wasn’t the former President, but we’re pretty sure if he were staying in town this weekend, he’d be lining up to see the show, too! As Jimmy Carter the musician notes, they’ve played at the White House three times already and “are pros at it,” so they are certainly a presidential favorite.

Best part about the show? Tickets start at just $25. (It’s ok, we spit out our drink when we heard the ticket price, too!) Immediately we ran to our closets and found enough money folded up in pockets of previously worn pants to cover the cost. So now can you see why we’re all a-twitter about what’s happening on the harbor tomorrow night? We thought so. See you there when the gates open at 5:30!

6.18.10
Waiting for the music to start

It’s only a week and a day until the 2010 Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series is underway, permeating the waterfront chorus the rest of the summer with a mix of rock, blues, gospel, acoustic, and reggae - something for everyone! And the series certainly starts off on a high note. John Hiatt returns to our tent a crowd favorite looking to impart some of his rootsy, bluesy soul with his enchanted audience. His songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Iggy Pop, the Neville Brothers, and Willie Nelson, but you have the chance to encounter the original master at work on Saturday, June 26th!



Another reason to see the show? When will you have another opportunity to catch an up-and-coming band, about to make it “big,” open for one of their influences? The Adam Ezra Group has got music lovers and critics alike buzzing about their sound, charisma, and talent. What does the band’s front man think of the upcoming show? “These are bands I’ve been listening to for a long time and now I’m performing in shows with them,” he said. “I love John’s (Hiatt) music and I’m looking forward to the show.” Plus, they are just so darn nice. In addition to teaching Boston area students how to write their own pop songs, these guys donate proceeds from their tour to local charities and organized their own “Rumble,” a special concert that they bussed their fans to, to raise awareness about medical relief in Haiti. “I think music is an effective way to empower the community and to make a difference on a local level,” is Adam’s philosophy.



Well sheesh. A master and an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with, playing the same stage in one night? How can you miss it? For tickets and more information, visit newportwaterfrontevents.com. And for some easy tunes to kick off your weekend, we recommend the tracks by our Sunset stars above.

6.4.10
Soups On!

This morning, the harbor was abuzz with paparazzi looking to catch a glimpse of our big star…Chowder! The Rhode Show came down to the Newport Yachting Center to figure out exactly what the Great Chowder Cook-Off is all about. After talking with two of last year’s winners, our Alaskan competitor, and a new local restaurant getting in the mix, we’d say host Ben Hague is convinced that the chowder’s as good as we say it is, and he will be back tomorrow for the main event!

We’ll let the chowdah’ enthusiasts speak for themselves…See you tomorrow!

1.22.10
Behind the Scenes

Ever wonder what it takes to film a :30 TV spot?  A lot of hard work, that’s for sure!

Tom Guilmette is a Cinematographer, Director of Photography, Editor, and Nature Lover that Cox invited down to our rink a few weeks back to film some of our friends enjoying ice time.  He did a great job bringing out the essence of what the rink is about - friends, family, hot chocolate, and enjoying the winter season in beautiful downtown Newport.

Check out his creative process here and stick around to see what he sees as a sports cameraman for Boston - Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, you name it!  Enjoy!

And thanks to Tom for making the rink look as special on TV as it is to experience!

1.13.10
The Ice is FREE-zing!

New Year’s resolution to get in shape?  Spend more time with the family?  Save money?  No matter your decision, we’ve got the perfect activity to help you stick to it!  Never before has it been easier to pick a night to glove up and glide with a friend at the Sovereign Bank Family Skating Center. On Monday nights, enjoy free entry to figure eight all you like courtesy of Sovereign Bank. On Tuesday nights, show your Stop & Shop card and skate on through the lines with 2-for-1 admissions. You’re also welcome on Wednesday nights, when a skating session is free courtesy of Cox. Thursday bring the kids and enjoy Amica Family Fun Night, including $2 discounted admission, free hot chocolate, and goodies for the family. Friday and Saturday nights are perfect for date night, as adults only are allowed on the ice between 9:30–11 PM for some late night skating and snuggling on the snow-covered waterfront. And finally, Sunday night is Rhody night, when locals can show their Rhode Island ID for discounted admission.

…With so many reasons to visit the rink, maybe you’ll get as good as the pro-speed skater in the video below.  Watch how he skates circles around everyone!

10.1.09
Deutsch Drink and Dance

Better start practicing your best yodel and perfect your beer-line etiquette, because the International Oktoberfest! commences its celebration of all things Bavarian one week from tomorrow.  This is the one time of the year that sporting a feather in your cap is fashion forward and the man playing feet-tapping tunes on the accordion is the coolest guy in the room.  Just take a listen to DIE LUSTIGEN ALMDUDLER, one of our featured artists at this year’s festivities - gets you a bit giddy for the celebration, no?

Discounted advanced tickets are only on sale until tomorrow, so don’t forget to get yours early!  How could you - it’s so exciting!  So exciting even the official name of the festival has its very own exclamation point! Now that’s impressive!

9.30.09
He’s your lobster!

…And apparently, his name is Fred.  Just in time for Taste of Rhode Island this weekend, Chef Mike shows us how to make a true Rhody “lobstah” boil, with chourico and all!  Read on after the video for the full list of ingredients and step-by-step yumminess.

Read on…

9.18.09
Fancy a cocktail?

What’s better than a Bloody Mary on a boat first thing in the morning?  In honor of the Newport International Boat Show this morning, some heavy hitters, Newport Harbor Corporation’s Supreme Beverage Director Lenny Panaggio and Newport Yachting Center’s Top-Notch General Manager Michele Maker Palmieri, braved the friendly September sun to create custom cocktails harbor-side on the Rhode Show - a tough job, indeed!    Lenny reveals the secret recipes to the perfect Dark & Stormy and Bloody Mary below.  And if you need convincing that these drinks are delicious, take it from Michele, who exclaimed “yowzas!” and “yum!” at first taste!  See her reactions and more in the video below.

Read on…

9.4.09
Guinness Beer Battered Fish & Chips

In the spirit of the Irish festival this weekend, Executive Chef Michael Conetta from Waterman Grille shared the recipe for his Guinness Beer Battered Fish & Chips this morning on the Rhode Show!

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

Guinness 1can
Egg White, lightly whipped 1each
Milk, whole 2/3 cup
Canola Oil 1tsp
Baking Powder 1tsp
Cayenne Pepper, ground ¼ tsp
Salt, kosher ¼ tsp
All Purpose Flour 1-1/2 cup
All Purpose Flour for Dipping ½ cup
Canola oil for Frying 4 cup
Russet Potatoes cut into wedges
2lbs Fish (Cod, Pollock, Halibut, ect…)

Directions:
1. Pat potato wedges with paper towels to remove extra moisture and reduce splattering when frying. Add wedges to deep fryer when the canola oil has reached the appropriate frying temperature of 375 degrees F.
2. Remove potato wedges from the canola oil with slotted spoon when they reach a golden brown color, drain them on paper towels, and season to taste.
3. To prepare batter, mix together beer, egg, milk, and canola oil. Add baking powder, cayenne pepper, salt and flour all at once, mixing only enough to dampen the dry ingredients.
4. Coat fish pieces in flour before dipping fish in batter and place in 375 degrees F canola oil to deep fry. Cook until golden, about 6 minutes. Remove from canola oil with slotted spoon, drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

8.12.09
Spotlight Shines on Collective Soul

Collective Soul is in town tomorrow, which means another unbelievable night of rockin’ the harbor!  With seven number one hits spanning their career, these guys truly know how to preform.  Everyone has his or her own favorite song by this band (even if you might not know they sing it!).  Check out their greatest hits with some lyrics to help you identify them - it always helps this bird!

“Shine” - Give me a word, Give me a sign, Show me where to look, Tell me what will I find, What will I find?…Oh, heaven let your light shine down…

“December” - Don’t scream about, Don’t think aloud, Turn your head now baby just spit me out…

“The World I Know” - So I walk up on high and I step to the edge to see my world below. And I laugh at myself while the tears roll down, ‘Cause it’s the world I know, it’s the world I know…

“Where the River Flows” - Find yourself another soul to hold, You think, you thought, I know, Off upon my journey I must go, To where the river flows…

In fact, in a recent radio interview with WHJY, they were pronounced “the most underrated band in the history of rock & roll” - click here to listen! Get your tickets today and tomorrow for as little as $30.