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December 31, 2007

Drummers and fireworks tonight; polar plunges tomorrow

You can have a cold one on New Year's Eve -- just avoid driving -- or you can go for a cold one on New Year's Day -- just avoid hypothermia.

In Providence, Bright Night is today and culminates this evening with fireworks, music performances and more.

There will be clowns, jugglers, storytellers, and magic acts. And there will be two fireworks displays over the State House, at 5:35 p.m. and midnight. More than 200 performers will strut their stuff around the city.

The festival began at noon, goes to midnight and beyond and will include a performance by five drummers put together by Carmine Appice, former drummer for Rod Stewart. They are known as Slamm, and the music will be played on garbage cans, Dixie cups and more.

Slamm will perform three times at the Providence Performing Arts Center, at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. A Bright Night wristband, which is $15 today, guarantees admission to one of the shows.

A kids’ fair at Rhode Island Convention Center began at 1 p.m. and runs to 5 p.m. Appearing will be storytellers Bill Harley and Valerie Tutson, and Keith Munslow, along with entertainer Marvin Novogrodski. Harley and Munslow also sing.

Read more about Bright Night and New Year's events around Rhode Island and in southeastern Massachusetts in Journal arts writer Bill Van Siclen's report.

From Newport to Narragansett, from North Kingstown to Block Island, people will gather tomorrow at sea's edge, summon courage and take the Polar Bear plunge -- despite thermometer readings that suggest a flight to Hawaii if you really want a dip.

Here's the portfolio of places to plunge tomorrow, many of them to benefit a cause:

On Block Island, the Penguin Plunge is at Fred Benson Town Beach, off Corn Neck Road. There will be a beach bonfire to warm participants and spectators. For more information, call (800) 383-2474 or visit www.blockislandchamber.com.

In Galilee, Bucks for Scups is at Salty Brine Beach, off Sand Hill Cove. Afterward, 1 to 4:30 p.m., at the Bon Vue Inn, 1230 Ocean Rd., Narragansett, the Dynamic Trio will give a live concert. There’s a recommended donation of $20, a complimentary buffet and free T-shirts.

In Jamestown, the Penguin Plunge is at Mackerel Cove Beach, off Beavertail Road. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsri.org.

In Little Compton, the Penguin Plunge is at South Shore Beach, off South Shore Road. There’s a spectator fee of $10 per carload, which supports local scholarships.

In Matunuck, the ninth annual "Dip for Multiple Sclerosis" will be hosted by the Joyce Family Pub, off Matunuck Beach Road.

In Narragansett, the Pier Plunge is at Narragansett Town Beach, off Beach Street. The event is conducted by the Narragansett Lions Club as a fundraiser. Registration is at 10 a.m. The fee is $20. The first 400 participants will receive a T-shirt. For more information, visit www.narragansettri.com/lions.

In Newport, the Polar Plunge is at Easton’s Beach, off Memorial Boulevard. For more information, and registration, visit http://users.ids.net/cwwright/.

In North Kingstown, the Polar Bear Plunge is at North Kingstown Town Beach off Beach Street.

In Westerly, the Freezin’ for a Reason is at the Town Beach, off Atlantic Avenue. It benefits the Westerly Area Rest Meals (WARM) Shelter. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Andrea Hotel. There’s a two-mile "waddle" for runners and walkers at 10:30 a.m. -- the entry registration deadline for that has passed. For information, go to www. westerlyconnections.com.

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 3:45 PM | Permalink

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