6 Best Performing Arts in Newport County and East Bay, Rhode Island

A great way to experience one of the Newport mansions is at one of the 30 or so classical music concerts presented every July during the Newport Music Festival. Performances by world-class artists are scheduled at the Elms, the Breakers, and other venues. Selected works are chosen from 19th-century chamber music, vocal repertoire, Romantic-era piano literature, opera, and even Broadway and popular music. Every year features a free family concert.

The Newport Folk Festival has been going strong since 1959, when it introduced musicians such as Joan Baez and the Kingston Trio. Held the last full weekend in July, the festival's acts now span folk, blues, country, bluegrass, folk rock, alt-country, indie folk, folk punk, even reggae. Lineups mix veteran performers like Brandi Carlisle, Joni Mitchell, Phil Lesh, and Grace Potter with younger stars like Hozier, Molly Tuttle, and Bonny Light Horseman. The festival is held rain or shine, and seating is general admission on a large, uncovered lawn. Purchase tickets early.

It's all about comedy here—local comics, improv, audience participation, even some geared to children. Management of the 75-seat theater tries to keep all shows PG-13, but there's no guarantee. It's BYOB; you can buy water and soda.

The grandfather of all jazz festivals, founded in 1954, takes place over three days at the end of July and/or beginning of August. The festival showcases both jazz veterans and up-and-coming artists, playing traditional and avant-garde styles. Performers in recent years have included Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Kendrick Scott, Norah Jones, and Diana Krall. The festival is held rain or shine, with open-air lawn seating.

The dinner theater offers a varied schedule of comedies and musical shows, and tickets include a hearty buffet with homemade meatballs, pasta, turkey, ham, and lots of veggies and sides. The adorably intimate theater puts you practically in the play, and after the show you'll see the performers again as they put on a musical/comedy cabaret show at the bar.

Enjoy documentary films curated from film festivals around the world thanks to this nonprofit group, which hosts outdoor screenings and mini festivals in various outdoor spaces around Newport, with programming for both adults and students throughout the year.