This year's BIG READ, presented by The Preservation Society of Newport County features Thornton Wilder's Our Town and The Bridge of San Luis Rey. The event series kicks off with a screening of Our Town, the 2003 film starring Paul Newman, at the Newport Public Library on 5/6. Many other themed events are planned around these two books throughout the months of May and June. NewportFILM's May Mini-Festival on 5/11-5/12 includes screenings of Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present, A Cat in Paris (for kids), Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (the trailer looks awesome) and Under African Skies-- visit their website for times and location details. The Newport Art Museum's Annual Members Juried Show is currently on display and will wrap-up on 5/12 with the Artists Ball. 

Common Fence Music hosts Cheryl Wheeler on 5/5, Ariana Gillis on 5/12 and Tom Rush on 5/17. The Narrows Center for the Arts' May line-up includes Commander Cody and Professor Louie and the Cromatix on 5/5, Marshall Crenshaw and the Bottle Rockets on 5/11, Walter Trout and the Radicals on 5/16, Dala on 5/18, Steve Fobert on 5/19, Bettye LaVette on 5/25 and Dar Williams on 5/31. 

Get ready to party at Sail Newport's Annual bash, Shipwrecked on the Small Screen. The unofficial kick-off of the 2012 sailing season will be held on 5/12, get your tickets early, this event always sells out, see you there!  From 5/20- 5/27, the Newport Shipyard will host the Atlantic Cup, which boasts "the largest Class 40 fleet ever to race in the United States." Fifteen boats from France, England, Germany and the US will race an inshore series. Shields and J-24s start their weeknight series on Wednesday 5/16 and Thursday 5/17 respectively.

Pawswatch Spring for Cats, Silent Auction, Raffle and Cocktail Party will be held on 5/19 at the Elks Lodge in Newport. Pawswatch is a group of volunteers that provides veterinary care and shelter to improve the lives of feral and unowned cats. And, it's not too early to start collecting pledges for the Potter League's Annual Heart & Sole Walk for the Animals to be held on 6/3.