Exhibit to open: Cadeaux du Monde’s Galerie Escalier, 26 Mary St., will open an exhibit titled “The Spice of Life,” by Niña Hope Pfanstiehl, tonight, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. during Newport Gallery Night. Featured will be mixed media, sculpture and jewelry, as well as informal demonstrations by the artist on jewelry wire wrapping and weaving throughout the evening. The exhibit will remain on display through Aug. 7 and gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 848-0550 or visit www.cadeauxdumonde.com.

Children’s Night event: The City’s Parks & Recreation Department will begin its Children’s Night series at Easton’s Beach tonight with Les Julian, a popular children’s performer.

This weekly outdoor series is geared toward older preschool and elementary schoolage children. The 45-minute show begins at 6 p.m. and parking will be free after 5. The carousel will be open and snack bar refreshments available during the show.

The shows are held outdoors on the boardwalk, and will be cancelled if weather conditions are poor. The recording at Easton’s Beach, 845-5899, will have any cancellations after 4 p.m. the day of the concert

The schedule continues with Tommy James, magician, July 19; Scott Kempes, singer-storyteller, July 26; Bucky and Gigi, vaudeville, and the Newport police “National Night Out,” 4 to 7 p.m., Aug. 2; Judy Pancoast, singer, Aug. 9; T-Bone, singer, and the Kiwanis Club annual Children’s Block Hunt at 5:15 p.m. for ages 3 to 12, Aug. 16; and “Farewell to Summer” Labor Day beach party, Sept. 2, a day-long event featuring the Toe Jam Puppet Band at 11 a.m.

Theater performances: Theater at St. Michael’s will present William Shakespeare’s comedy Taming of the Shrew tomorrow and Saturday at 7 p.m. The performance, under the direction of Christina Johnston, is open to the public and tickets are $5 at the door. For information, contact Johnston, 849-5970, ext. 411, or e-mail her at cjohnston@smcds.org.

Additional performances this summer will include an original musical to be performed July 27 and 28 as well as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing Aug. 10 and 11. For information about theater at St. Michael’s camps and shows, visit www.stmichaelscountryday.org/summerprograms/home.html.

Summer reading program highlights: As part of this year’s mystery-themed summer reading program, “Get a Clue at Your Library” the Newport Public Library Children’s Department has lined up a variety of special events.

A detective from the Newport Police Department will provide a workshop for children ages 6 to 12 Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the John Clarke Children’s Program Room. Children will learn basic detective skills and find out how the police follow evidence to solve crimes. Registration is required.

On Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Marc Kohler will present the “Captain Marcus Pirate Show” in the lower level library program room for children ages 4 and up. This pirate’s stories will give clues that lead listeners on a treasure hunt. Children are invited to solve the riddles and clues.

Other events scheduled include clue finding with a Mad Scientist, July 24, 10:30 a.m.; drummer Annie Geissinger, July 31, 10:30 a.m.; Ronald McDonald, Aug. 1, 11 a.m.; “Clued in with Nate the Great” trivia games, Aug. 4, 10:30 a.m.; storyteller Keith Munslow, Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m.; and the program’s final event, an outdoor fair, Aug. 15, at 10:30 a.m. in Aquidneck Park.

All library programs are free. The library is at 300 Spring St. To sign up for the summer reading program, to register for an event, or for more information, please contact the Children’s Department at 847-8720, ext. 204. Details on events are also available online at www.newportlibraryri.org.

Music festival: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 12 Marlborough St., will continue its annual “Festival of Song and Spirit,” Sunday, with the Daystar Music Ministry, organized by Steven Mortrude of Portsmouth. Remaining festival participants include Sukada String Trio, July 22 and the Lois Vaughan Jazz Quartet, July 29. Music begins at 9:45 a.m. for all festival dates. For more information, call 846-0966.

Volunteers needed for Concours d’Elegance: America’s top car collectors and more than a dozen auto racing celebrities are coming to Newport July 27 to 29 for the William K. Vanderbilt Jr. Concours d’Elegance at the Newport Mansions. The three-day celebration of all things automotive will include legendary drivers, competition cars, and grand classics. Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of functions throughout the Concours weekend. Volunteers must commit to working at least one half-day shift during the weekend, and in return will receive free admission Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Beverly Ware at Events@NewportMansions.org for further details.