AGP Executive Report

Celebrity Visit: “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice brings her new book, The Queen of New Jersey, to the Greenwich Odeum on Dec. 6 for a conversation, signing and photo opportunities. Local Arts: Design Week RI’s Open Studios Weekend spotlights 21 places to explore, while the Mezzanine Gallery presents Catharine Fichtner’s “Interference.” Newport Screen Scene: Jane Pickens Theater will show Warren Miller and Teton Gravity Research films this month, and Salve’s Ochre Court is back in the spotlight as a setting for “The Gilded Age.” Local Music: Charlestown bluegrass and country band Rock Hearts brought its sound to a live studio session during the IBMA World of Bluegrass.

Arts & Design: Design Week RI’s Open Studios Weekend invites visitors into more than 21 studios and creative businesses statewide, from neon and glasswork to ceramics. Rhode Island Hoops: URI opens its season at home against Holy Cross, while Providence begins the Bryan Hodgson era with a talent-packed roster drawing high expectations from national basketball observers. Newport Screenings: Jane Pickens Theater brings Warren Miller’s “Days Off” on Nov. 5–6 and Teton Gravity Research’s “Actually, It Is Rocket Science” on Nov. 11. Live Music: String Cheese Incident recently made its PPAC debut, bringing the Providence Drum Troupe onstage for a percussion-led sequence and revisiting classic covers. Literary Legacy: Providence-born H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” is getting a manga adaptation, due March 30, 2027. Cultural Heritage: Rhode Island voters will decide on a $45 million bond for a new State History Center in Providence, intended to make historic collections more accessible.

Lovecraft Legacy: Dark Horse will publish the first volume of Gou Tanabe’s manga adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward in March 2027, bringing a new take on a story by Providence’s famed horror writer. Newport Screenings: Jane Pickens Theater will show Warren Miller’s Days Off on Nov. 5 and 6, followed by Teton Gravity Research’s Actually, It Is Rocket Science on Nov. 11; all screenings start at 7:30 p.m. Newport on HBO: Salve Regina’s Ochre Court opens Season 4 of The Gilded Age, again standing in for a grand English estate. Salve students and an alumna also appear as extras. Live Music: String Cheese Incident played Providence Performing Arts Center for the first time, joined by the Providence Drum Troupe; the band also announced its Campout in the Pines will return in August 2027. Arts and History: Voters will decide on a $45 million bond to build a Rhode Island State History Center in Providence, with supporters saying it would bring state archives and historic artifacts to a wider public.

College Basketball: Bryant opens at home against Siena, while Rhode Island hosts Holy Cross and Providence welcomes Stonehill in season-opening games. The Rams also face a road matchup with No. 24 West Virginia. ‘The Conjuring’ Dispute: Rhode Island’s Perron family is again challenging the Warrens’ version of events at their former farmhouse. Andrea Perron has called the film largely fictional and disputed its dramatic framing. Local Spotlight: Rhode Island’s Yemi Sekoni has reached the top 10 of a national competition, with public voting open. On Campus: URI’s Big Band and In The Pocket choir celebrate a century of jazz legends, while a review of “Opium Den” praises its dark, distorted atmosphere.

Rhode Island Spotlight: Yemi Sekoni has reached the top 10 in a national competition, and supporters can vote for the Rhode Island contestant. ‘The Conjuring’ Debate: Families featured in the horror franchise continue to dispute Lorraine Warren’s accounts; Andrea Perron has called the film about her family’s Rhode Island farmhouse mostly fiction. Local Nostalgia: One Rhode Island mother is campaigning to bring the iconic Rocky Point roller coaster back home.

Rhode Island Spotlight: Fashion producer and Rhode Island Fashion Week founder Yemi Sekoni has reached the Top 10 in a national hosting competition, vying for an iHeartRadio podcast, a guest spot on On Air with Ryan Seacrest and a $25,000 prize. Campus Arts: URI’s Big Band and In The Pocket choir celebrated a century of jazz legends, while a review of Opium Den praised the production’s darkness and distortion. Local Sports: Rhode Island FC’s playoff run ended in a 5-4 penalty shootout loss to Charleston after a 1-1 draw. Bryant is set to open its basketball season at home against Siena on Monday. Arts & Attractions: Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular is returning to Providence, and one Rhode Island mom is pushing to bring the iconic Rocky Point roller coaster back home.

Newport Landmark: A Newport native recalls growing up at the historic hotel, now refreshed with redesigned rooms and new dining spots; Deer Tick played its centennial celebration. Rhode Island Music: Local critics shared October favorites, while URI’s Big Band and In The Pocket choir celebrated a century of jazz legends. Arts & Culture: Providence’s Weekend 401 revisited Edgar Allan Poe’s love story with the city, and the Mezzanine Gallery presented Catharine Fichtner’s exhibition Interference. Theater: Trinity Rep’s holiday production of A Christmas Carol is marking its 50th anniversary.

Rhode Island FC: The club’s playoff run ended in a 5-4 penalty-shootout loss to Charleston after a 1-1 draw, with Miguel Berry’s late equalizer forcing extra time. Halloween in Rhode Island: With towns generally setting no official trick-or-treat hours, the usual advice is to head out around dusk and wrap up by 8 or 9 p.m. Rocky Point Memories: A Rhode Island mom is rallying support to bring the park’s iconic Corkscrew coaster back home; the ride is for sale as its current Washington park prepares to close. Local Arts & Music: October’s local music picks, a Halloween punk-rock party at Studio 39A, and a URI Big Band and choir celebration of jazz legends offer plenty to explore. Providence Weekend: A new Weekend 401 feature traces Edgar Allan Poe’s love story with the city.

Celebrity Giving: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated $1 million to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, part of a reported $26 million in charitable gifts nationwide. Reality TV: “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” star Rosie DiMare says she’d welcome Melissa and Joe Gorga for a crossover visit; no appearance is confirmed. Rhode Island Nostalgia: A local mom is rallying support to bring Rocky Point’s iconic Corkscrew coaster back home after learning it’s for sale as its current park prepares to close. Live Music: Providence’s Studio 39A is set for a Halloween punk-rock party, while a new roundup spotlights favorite local music heard in October. On the Field: Rhode Island FC faces Charleston in a playoff rematch, aiming to end its postseason losing streak against the Battery.

Live Music: Westerly’s Studio 39A is set to close as a DIY arts and music space, with a final Halloween punk-rock party featuring local bands covering Fall Out Boy, Hatebreed, Green Day and the Misfits. On Campus: URI’s Big Band and In The Pocket choir celebrate jazz legends, while a review spotlights the University’s dark, distortion-heavy production “Opium Den.” Arts & Heritage: Newport projects are up for 2026 Rhody Awards, and voters will decide whether to authorize $50 million for a Rhode Island history center and preservation grants. Coming Attractions: Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular is returning to Providence.

Live Music: Westerly’s DIY arts venue Studio 39A is going out with a Halloween punk party and tribute sets honoring Fall Out Boy, Hatebreed, Green Day and the Misfits. The space is ending its run as a home for local art and live music. Arts & Heritage: Rhode Island voters will decide next week whether to approve $50 million for a state history center and preservation grants. The proposed center would give the state’s archives and artifacts a permanent home. Local Arts: Three Newport projects are up for 2026 Rhody Awards, with public voting open through Friday. Halloween: URI Greek chapters welcomed local families for a “Not So Spooky Halloween,” with trick-or-treating, games, costume contests and haunted-house fun. Holiday Events: Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular returns, featuring more than 3.5 million lights and seasonal activities.

Halloween in South County: URI Greek chapters welcomed local families for “Not So Spooky Halloween,” with trick-or-treating, haunted houses, games and inventive group costumes. A Rhode Island-grown record-breaker: A 3,156-pound pumpkin grown in Green became the world’s heaviest jack-o’-lantern after its unveiling in Salem, complete with Halloween-themed carvings. Young Creators: Mini Entrepreneurs of Rhode Island is helping 12-year-old musician Julius Morris turn his love of performing into grants, gigs and a YouTube channel. Ocean State Honors: Nine people with Rhode Island ties will be inducted into the Heritage Hall of Fame on Nov. 15, including actor Albert Hedison, known for “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.” Local Haunting, Global Hit: The “Conjuring” franchise, rooted in the Warrens’ investigations of a Rhode Island farmhouse, has taken in more than $2.3 billion worldwide.

Hasbro’s AI Play: The Rhode Island-based toy maker is exploring AI versions of its characters, including a Mr. Potato Head voiced by Don Rickles and a Trivial Pursuit quiz show featuring an AI-generated LeVar Burton. Local Music: Providence-formed Throwing Muses are marking the 40th anniversary of their debut album with a reissue. Visual Arts: A new Jorgensen Gallery exhibition celebrates photographer and educator Bill Parker, who taught at RISD; a reception is set for Thursday. RISD Movement Lab fellows are also featured in a new exhibit. Newport Arts: Three Newport projects have been honored in the 2026 Rhody Awards, with public voting open through Friday.

RI Comic Con: Providence cartoonist Tim Jones will meet fans Nov. 6–8, bringing his “Sour Grapes” comic strip to the convention with the National Cartoonists Society. Newport Arts: Three projects earned 2026 Rhody Awards, and public voting is open through Friday. Music: Rhode Island band Throwing Muses is marking the 40th anniversary of its debut with a reissue. Visual Arts: RISD’s Movement Lab fellows are featured in a new exhibit. Maritime Heritage: The historic tall ship Providence is getting a new lease on life.

Reality TV: Abby Lee Miller brings her signature tough-love style to season two of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, coaching Alicia Carmody’s daughter and weighing in on family drama. Halloween in Providence: The Jack-O’-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo is in its final stretch, with elaborate pumpkin carvings still lighting up the fall nights. A Rhode Island-themed costume guide offers local inspiration, from the Big Blue Bug to Newport socialites. Local Music: Providence-born Throwing Muses is reissuing its self-titled debut for the album’s 40th anniversary. Arts & Culture: Three Newport projects are up for 2026 Rhody Awards, with public voting open through Friday; RISD Movement Lab fellows are also featured in a new exhibit.

Rhode Island Music: Throwing Muses will reissue its self-titled debut for its 40th anniversary, bringing renewed attention to the influential band’s early work. Newport Arts: Three local projects have been honored at the 2026 Rhody Awards, with public voting open through Friday. Fashion & Design: RISD students joined designers from nine other schools in a new fashion competition featuring French lace and couture fabrics. Film & Folklore: The Rhode Island farmhouse at the center of The Conjuring remains a draw for horror fans, as a fresh look at the Warrens’ claims revisits the story behind the movie franchise.