Knights Do Battle at Memorial Park

As part of the Medieval Faire held in Johnston over the weekend of May 18 and 19, members of the Society for Creative Anachronism staged one-on-one combat.

On a beautiful spring day in the fair town of Johnston, brave knights took to the lists and raised their swords in single combat on the field at Memorial Park. Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, East Kingdom, took up arms and did battle for the pleasure of the assembled lords, ladies, lads, and lasses, at the tournament hosted by Marian J. Mohr Library. Watch the video above for action from the weekend's battles.

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What's Happening This Weekend in Johnston?

The annual Medieval Faire, a car show, an Eco-Depot collection, and ghost tours in Providence are on this weekend's list of events in and around Johnston.

Getting your weekend plans together? The weekend forecast is for mostly sunny skies and highs in the 70s. If that weren't enough, places around Johnston are hosting healthy slates of activities featuring medieval battles, classic cruisers, and baby chicks. Click each blue link for more information — and be sure to call ahead to confirm. Friday, May 17: Saturday, May 18: Sunday, May 19: Don't see your event? Here's how to get your event listed for next Friday's "What's Happening" article:

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Scorsese Joins Local ‘Paz’ Movie Project

The acclaimed director and producer “loves the story, loves the script,” says EG producter Chad Verdi.

Chad Verdi's film project on the life of Rhode Island boxing great Vinnie Pazienza received a high-octane Hollywood boost a few days ago, when Oscar-winning director and producer Martin Scorsese signed on as an executive producer. "Having Marty join the deal is huge," said Verdi. Verdi was put in touch with Scorsese after a conversation with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who is friends with both men. Whitehouse knew Verdi was making "Paz" and that Verdi's previous movies had brought jobs to the state. "Sheldon knew we were creating jobs in Rhode Island," Verdi said. The company is – perhaps improbably – based on Main Street in East Greenwich, in the former United Methodist Church building. That’s because Verdi is from EG. (He’s behind Searle’s …

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You Ask...Patch Answers!

What's Happening This Weekend in Johnston?

Art, bingo, skating, walking, and Celtic music are on the schedule of events in and around Johnston this weekend.

  Getting your weekend plans together? The weekend forecast is for partly sunny skies with a chance of rain and highs in the 70s. If that weren't enough, places around Johnston are hosting healthy slates of activities featuring local artists, shopping destinations, and the waterfront, so get out and enjoy! Click each blue link for more information — and be sure to call ahead to confirm. Friday, May 10: Saturday, May 11: Sunday, May 12:   Don't see your event? Here's how to get your event listed for next Friday's "What's Happening" article:

Listen to These Mothers!

A local woman is performing in Listen to Your Mother — a set of stories that will make you laugh, cry, think and appreciate women, moms, motherhood and family this weekend in Providence.

On Mother's Day, we give our mothers flowers, kisses, rub their feet, tell them we love them. But do we really know what's going on in their heads? On Saturday, you can get a not just a glimpse — but a full on walkthrough — into the minds (and hearts) of 14 women who are mothers, writers and willing to open up to an audience about their lives in the context of Mother's Day. One of those women, Brianne DeRosa, is a Cranston resident and blogger. In an interview, she said the show will have you feeling everything from hysterical laughter to "really following some tough experiences people have had." But ultimatley, woven through all the 14 stories, will be a common thread that binds us all together.  "We're hoping to walk away feeling like …

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NKOTB's Jordan Knight Hangs Tough at Fit World

You might know him as the raven-haired member of New Kids on the Block. But did you know he owns Fit World next door in Cranston?

When the New Kids on the Block became a worldwide sensation in the late 1980s, Jordan Knight could count on his youth to carry him through two-hour singing and dancing performances in front of huge crowds. But today, at 43, he's a father of two growing boys, a husband and a businessman as well as a heartthrob. And he's not 18 anymore, which means his upcoming "The Package" tour with his NKOTB band mates along with 98 Degrees and Boys II Men this summer requires some serious training to get into shape. That's why Knight was at his gym, Fit World in Cranston, yesterday, following the orders of trainer Brandon Burton, who had him twist ropes, run through obstacles and do other things normally reserved for star athletes. It's a fitness …

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Johnston Man Stars in Shakespeare Classic

The URI Theatre Department presentation of Much Ado About Nothing opens up on April 18, with Johnston native Americo Lanni playing Constable Dogberry.

The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department will present Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, starting on Thursday, April 18, with a Johnston native playing a big role. This production will feature several graduating seniors who have dazzled audiences for most of their years in Kingston. The show is scheduled for April 18-20 and April 25-27 at 7:30 p.m., and April 21 and 28 at 3 p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre in the URI Fine Arts Center on the Kingston Campus. General admission for the performance is $20; $15 for seniors and URI staff; and $12 for students. Call 401-874-5843 or or visit www.uri.edu/theatre for tickets. Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy in which the intelligent, witty Beatrice matches …

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Facebook Cover Photo Contest: Share Your Spring Photos

Have a great photo, painting or drawing that you think will be a perfect cover photo for our Facebook page? Upload it now!

Last year when Facebook changed to the new timeline layout, Johnston Patch asked Facebook fans what image should appear as the cover photo.  We want to continue to highlight Johnston's artistic talent as the seasons change on our Facebook page. A panoramic overlooking the town during a snowstorm has been on the site for a while, but it's officially Spring, so we need something a bit...warmer. From now through next Friday, we'll be accepting spring-themed submissions for a cover photo. Whether it's a photo of a flowers blooming, a serene pond scene or people simply enjoying the warmer weather, we want to see your take on springtime in Johnston. Be creative and try to capture the essence of the town to represent Johnston on Facebook. There'…

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Academy Players, Late Of EG, Thrives Near Johnston

The theater group has made a niche for itself by linking different non-profit groups to each performance.

After years of wandering, the Academy Players of Rhode Island have landed, with both a headquarters and a performance space that offer the theater company stability from which to grow. And grow they have. The group has its own space in Providence, on the town line with Johnston just off Hartford Avenue. They have a “black box” theater there for small performances, as well as administrative offices. Their larger performances are at North Providence High School, which has proved to be a very hospitable venue for them. “Almost, Maine,” will play for six performances starting Friday, March 22, in the Black Box theater, funny and sweet story about relationships. “Our black box is intimate, holds up to 70 people, snacks and refreshments and …

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Johnston Native Becomes Opera Semi-Finalist

Christopher Lowrey, 28, formerly of Johnston, is one of 20 semifinalist in a opera competition.

Christopher Lowrey, 28 the son of Johnston parents Donna and Michael Lowrey, is one of 20 semifinalists in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, reports The Providence Journal.  Christopher Lowrey will compete in New York City this weekend in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, which is considered America’s most prestigious contest for opera singers.  According to The Journal, nearly 1,500 from the United States and Canada competed to be one of this year's five winners. The winner will be announced on March 10 and have a chance to perform with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.  Lowrey was the Johnston High School valedictorian in 2002. He later attended Brown University for music history and theory and …

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