As I wrote in an earlier post, Venice feels magical on a summer night. On certain Saturday nights, Providence, R.I., channels Venice but put its own spin on the theme with WaterFire. At the core of WaterFire is, well, fire on the Providence River (pictured above) although there is also fire on bridges and all over Waterplace Park. The design is an installation by artist Barnaby Evans. You can take in the show by walking along the riverbank or right in the river in a rowboat or a gondola à la Venice.

Downtown Providence turns into a street festival, with food booths and outdoor bars. Adding to the atmosphere is recorded music, a continuous yet varied soundtrack of New Age-y, Avant Garde music. “It sounds cheesy, but somehow it all works,” says Amanda Lobell, who went last month. You can check out WaterFire next Saturday, August 22nd; see the entire schedule here.