Bog stomping, Pilgrim Monument lighting and more: What's happening this week on Cape Cod

Frankie Rowley, Cape Cod Times
Updated ·7 min read

Editor's note: Because of a reporting error, this story was changed Nov. 10 to correct the time of Sunday's "Magic of Mozart" concert. The Cape Symphony performs at 3 p.m.

Those boots better be made for stomping as the Barnstable Land Trust is hosting a bog stomp at Cotuit’s Crocker Neck on Nov. 11.

Led by Gil Newton, a naturalist and Cotuit local, the 1.5-mile trail covers a beach ecosystem, a salt marsh and an estuary tucked away in the 97-acre conservation area that is Crocker Neck.

“I was born in Cotuit where I live now and as a child, I used to walk that area and explore it,” Newton said in an interview with the Times. “Those early childhood days of exploration (are) undoubtedly why I decided to go into the field of environmental science and marine ecology.”

Newton has led the bog stomping walk for decades, even overseeing the purchases of Crocker Neck for $3 million in 1985 as chair of the Barnstable Conservation Commission. The Commission purchased the land to prevent a subdivision along the waterfront.

Hikers walk around Crocker Neck during a bog stomping walk with the Barnstable Land Trust.
Hikers walk around Crocker Neck during a bog stomping walk with the Barnstable Land Trust.

“It's really a wonderful feeling to know that this area is been set aside and is preserved so that many different generations can enjoy it,” Newton said. “It's just a beautiful place. It's a little bit out of the way, so .... a lot of people aren't aware of it, and I love to introduce people to this area for the first time.”

On the hike, participants will get the chance to learn more about the environment and ecosystems around them wandering through woodlands, wetlands and if they’re up for it, into the bog.

“(Newton) brings people who want to — weather permitting, of course — down on a bog and has people literally sort of jump up and down to feel how spongy the area is on a bog,” Sue Dahling Sullivan, director of communications and programming for the Barnstable Land Trust, said.

The bog stomping hike will take place at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 at The Crocker Neck Conservation Area in Cotuit. Admission is $10 per person and parking information will be sent to registered attendees. To register, visit www.blt.org/events/.

The Barnstable Land Trust is hosting a bog stomping walk around Crocker Neck Conservation Area in Cotuit on Nov. 11.
The Barnstable Land Trust is hosting a bog stomping walk around Crocker Neck Conservation Area in Cotuit on Nov. 11.

What else can you do on Cape this week?

See the Pilgrim Monument lit in Provincetown

The annual lighting of the Pilgrim Monument returns for another year, this time with an in-person celebration on Nov. 11.

The lighting serves as a commemoration ceremony for the fateful day in 1620 when the Pilgrims reached North America and dropped their anchor in what is now called Provincetown Harbor. Lights go on at 6 p.m., so plan on getting to High Pole Hill around 5:30 p.m. if you're walking or earlier if you’re taking the inclined elevator on Bradford Street, as long lines are expected. The elevator will not run after the lighting so keep that in mind as well. There is an access road compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act from the monument’s parking lot.

The Pilgrim Monument twinkles in the twilight looking out toward Cape Cod Bay after its annual lighting for the holiday season in 2022.
The Pilgrim Monument twinkles in the twilight looking out toward Cape Cod Bay after its annual lighting for the holiday season in 2022.

Beyond returning to in-person festivities, this year a new ticketed pre-lighting event will take place at 4:30 p.m. Ticket-holders will be able to enjoy food and refreshments and snag a good spot on the lawn to watch the lights go on. Tickets are $75 and doors open at 4:15 p.m.

For more information or to purchase pre-lighting event tickets, visit www.pilgrim-monument.org/annual-lighting/.

Experience the 'Magic of Mozart' with the Cape Symphony

For two performances, enjoy the wonders of some of Mozart's greatest works during the Cape Symphony's "The Magic of Mozart" concerts on Nov. 11 and 12.

Cape Symphony Concertmaster Jae Cosmos Lee will lead the orchestra and renowned musician Sylvia Berry will play the Viennese fortepiano. The program consists of Mozart's Overture to "The Magic Flute," selections from 12 German Dances, Piano Concerto No. 13 and Symphony No. 38 "Prague."

The Cape Symphony's next performance is "The Magic of Mozart" on Nov. 11 and 12.
The Cape Symphony's next performance is "The Magic of Mozart" on Nov. 11 and 12.

"The Magic of Mozart" will commence at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 and 3 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Barnstable Performing Arts Center, 744 West Main St. in Hyannis. Tickets range from $32 to $72 and can be purchased online at www.capesymphony.org/, by emailing tickets@capesymphony.org, by calling the box office at 508-362-1111 or by visiting the box office at 2235 Iyannough Road in West Barnstable.

Catch a performance during Open Mic Coffeehouse at the Mews in Provincetown

The Mews in Provincetown is bringing their open mic in the coffeehouse back. Stop by every Thursday at 7 p.m. — besides Thanksgiving — from now until Dec. 21 to enjoy some top-notch jokes and complimentary self-serve coffee from the Wired Puppy.

A $5 donation is requested at the door to attend and benefits WOMR, the Provincetown Theater and Coffeehouse at the Mews.

See the work of Wellfleet-based artist Mark Brennan at the Salt Pond Visitors Center

As part of the Cape Cod National Seashore’s “Perspectives: Seeing Cape Cod National Seashore Through Art” monthly exhibits, Mark Brennan, a Brooklyn and Wellfleet-based artist, will have works on display at the Salt Pond Visitor Center throughout November.

A painting by Mark Brennan, who is the November featured artist at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham.
A painting by Mark Brennan, who is the November featured artist at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham.

Brennan’s work consists of watercolor paintings encased in small boxes, paying homage to East Asian artists and some notable American painters like Georgia O’Keefe and Joseph Cornell. A former employee of Andy Warhol’s “Interview” Magazine, Brennan began his art career in New York City in the 1980s, only to leave the Manhattan art world behind just before Warhol’s death. He took to travelling around North America in his station wagon before returning to New York as a teacher in the Bronx. While teaching, he picked up painting and the rest is history.

Brennan’s work will be displayed at the Salt Pond Visitor Center, 50 Nauset Rd. in Eastham, throughout the month. His work is free to view.

Artist Mark Brennan's work will be on display at the Salt Pond Visitor Center as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore’s “Perspectives: Seeing Cape Cod National Seashore Through Art."
Artist Mark Brennan's work will be on display at the Salt Pond Visitor Center as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore’s “Perspectives: Seeing Cape Cod National Seashore Through Art."

The Provincetown Film Society's Film Art Series returns at Waters Edge Cinema

Returning for its 2023/2024 season, the Provincetown Film Society's Film Art Series is back at the Waters Edge Cinema.

Collaborating with the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, curator Howard Karren brings 15 arthouse movies to the silver screen for audiences to enjoy. This year, the festival's features fall into two themes: "Dreams, Reality and the Artist" and "Songs of Innocence Lost," according to a press release.

Screenings begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 with Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" followed by "The Draughtmen’s Contract" by Peter Greenway at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16. Tickets for individual screenings are $15 but festival passes are available for $150.

An opening celebration will be held at noon on Nov. 2. Tickets for the celebration are $25.

For more information about titles and tickets, visit www.PtownFilm.org/ or www.PAAM.org/ or the box office at Waters Edge Cinema, located in Whaler's Wharf in Provincetown.

Learn how to create stunning holiday centerpieces with the West Dennis Garden Club

The West Dennis Garden Club will host floral designer Frank "Sonny" Gada during their next meeting on Nov. 14 to show attendees how to create the perfect holiday centerpiece. Gada, a floral designer for almost 50 years and a frequent featured designer in the Boston Museum of Fine Art's "In Bloom" event will create three centerpieces each to be raffled off at the end of the meeting.

A luncheon and small business meeting will precede Gada's presentation.

The West Dennis Garden Club's November meeting will take place at noon on Nov. 14 at the Dennis Center for Active Adults, 1045 Route 134 in South Dennis. A $10 donation is required for non-members wanting to attend the event.

Learn about saving money on your energy bills in Orleans

The Care for Creation Interfaith Climate Justice Committee of Am HaYam & the Federated Church of Orleans is partnering with Cape Cod Faith Communities Environmental Network to host the Energy Cafe, a one-night-only event discussing how to reduce your energy use.

The cafe will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Federated Church in Orleans (162 Main St.). At the event, attendees will learn about the new incentives, rebates and technologies available to help curb energy use regardless of whether they rent or own their home and how to sign up for a home energy assessment over snacks and refreshments.

To register to attend, contact Cheri at 302-463-0886. Childcare is available at registration and the event is free to attend.

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at frowley@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Things to do on Cape Cod this week, from Provincetown to Barnstable