Whole lotta great stuff this weekend

-- Get your weekend off to a good start after work today with the Craftland opening party.

-- Stock up on locally produced food when Farm Fresh RI's winter market debuts tomorrow at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket.

The Providence Wintertime Farmers’ Market promises an incredible selection of locally grown and produced foods every Saturday 11-2pm inside where it’s warm.

The ‘where’ this year is Hope Artiste Village, on Main St., just over the Pawtucket border. We had an awesome run last year at AS220, but we outgrew the space. Plus, parking downtown is always a little tight. Hope Artiste has plenty of parking and is right off Rt. 95, or just 1.5 miles north on N. Main St. from the big Whole Foods in Providence. It’s also a quick ride on the 99 bus line.

-- Check out an open studio or two:

The Rag & Bone Bindery open studio will begin [Saturday] at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. The studio is located at 1088 Main Street in Pawtucket. For more information on this event please call visit www.ragandbonenindery.com or contact Sabina Gault at 323.933.4646.

The historic Shady Lea Mill, situated on the scenic Matatuxet River [215 Shady Lea Road] North Kingstown, houses over 40 artists, artisans, and craftsmen working in various media. On Sunday December 7th from noon to 5pm, Shady Lea Mill will host Open Studios in order for each artisan to demonstrate their area of expertise and their work. Just in time for holiday shopping, some of Rhode Island’s many talented residents open their doors to the public. Featuring exciting items such as handmade bath products, painting, sculpture, blown and fused glass, furniture and jewelry, Shady Lea mill houses a diverse creative energy.

-- Join with like-minded individuals in the fight for human rights during the 21st Annual Amnesty International Human Rights Write-a-thon. This long-standing traditional event will take place Sunday, December 7, 1-5 pm, at the First Unitarian Church, Providence.

-- Celebrate Roger Williams with RogeFest at his namesake university:

 The celebration will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Upper Commons at the main campus of Roger Williams University.  Components of the festival include:

·         A short student-produced film that takes the form of a “man-on-the-street” documentary and includes interviews from various community members including students, faculty and alumni, in addition to local business owners and Bristol residents.  The interviews will be accompanied by visits to other “Roger Williams” named organizations such as the Roger Williams Zoo, Hospital and Park.

·         A theatrical presentation based on significant events from Roger William’s life told through a series of factual anecdotes.  The show will resemble James Lipton’s “Inside the Actor’s Studio” format and will feature an interview with Roger Williams as portrayed by a professional actor in period clothing.

·         “Walking Rogers”- Two actors portraying Roger Williams at separate stages of his earlier life will mingle with festival guests for photo opportunities.  In addition, a walking time-line with major historical events highlighted will be offered, food and drink common from the era will be served and live period-based music will be performed by local artists specializing in instruments and music from the 1600’s.

·         To conclude the event, a birthday cake will be presented and shared to celebrate what would be Roger William’s 405th birthday this year.