Road Trips

Providence Improv Fest Three venues, one block, and a thousand laughs. The Providence Improv Fest launches its fifth year tonight with the "Local Improv Blowout," where the audience crowns a local act as the best up-and-comer. Sidesplitting good times will continue through the weekend as acts from across the country strut their improvised stuff! See Web schedule for show times. Tickets range from $10 per 90-minute show to $80 for the FestPass. Trinity Rep, Perishable Theatre, and AS220, Downtown Providence, R.I.; 56 miles from Boston. providence improvfest.com

Hunky Carpenter Contest Are you the kind of carpenter who gets hooted at more than you hoot? Do the women who hire you giggle as they watch you lay brick? Do you blush when they compliment you on the strength of your tools? If you answered yes to one or more of the preceding questions, you might have a shot at the third annual Hunky Carpenter Contest at Outerland in Martha's Vineyard on Friday. DJ Shizz rocks the house with a dance party until closing. 7:30 p.m. $5. Outerland, 17 Airport Road, Edgartown; 90 miles from Boston. 508-693-1137. outerlandmv.com

The Kennedys are the definition of musical versatility (if you don't want to take my word for it, check YouTube for the acoustic version of "A Day in the Life" they performed at the 2007 John Lennon tribute). On Saturday they perform two concerts at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine: an afternoon show as the Snacks, their children's group, and an evening gig as the Kennedys, the folk-anthem-playing, fun-loving group that never fails to charm. The Snacks at 1 p.m. $8. The Kennedys at 8 p.m. $15. One Longfellow Square, Portland, Maine; 107 miles from Boston. 207-761-1757. onelongfellowsquare.com, kennedysmusic.com

"Disney's Beauty and the Beast" We all know the story: First the beautiful (but jerky) boy gets turned into a beast. Then the girl lives with the beast in exchange for her father's freedom. Finally, the girl's love turns the beast back into the beautiful boy. Prescott Park Arts Festival presents "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" as its outdoor theater Main Stage production. Opening weekend is this Friday through Sunday, but performances run most Thursdays through Sunday through Aug. 24. Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 7 p.m. Admission free. Table rental $15. Prescott Park, downtown Portsmouth, N.H.; 57 miles from Boston. 603-436-2848. prescottpark.org

Green Mountain Chew Chew festival All aboard the 23d annual Green Mountain Chew Chew Food and Music Festival. Music acts from across the country serves as a soundtrack to a culinary trip down "tracks" of restaurant fare. Each restaurant offers samples of three menu items. From pulled pork sliders to maple cotton candy, there are nibbles available to tempt every palate. Fri and Sat 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $2, $1 ages 12 and under. Tokens are $5 for nine (each food item is 3-4 tokens). Waterfront Park, Burlington, Vt.; 217 miles from Boston. 802-864-6674. green mountainchewchew.com

E-mail your suggestions for Road Trips to celcik@com cast.net.