Cranberries, pumpkins, music & scandal: 16 top things to do on Cape Cod Oct. 14-20
The harvest-y and spooky sides of October collide in some of the top events to enjoy this week, with Cranberry Day in Sandwich, pumpkin-painting in Dennis and a talk about graveyards in Falmouth.
There are also a lot of types of music to enjoy. Cape Symphony features Broadway performers in its celebration of musical theater; the Cultural Center of Cape Cod showcases Puerto Rican music as it opens an exhibit on Hispanic art; jazz musicians take over downtown Falmouth and play a soup-kitchen fundraiser in Provincetown; the Lighthouse Chamber Players are back in Harwich; the Falmouth Chorale celebrates psalms; and there's an open mic featuring local performers in Yarmouth Port.
Other highlights include a nature tour in Mashpee, a day of mindfulness in Sandwich, both a talk about the Palestinian situation and a scallop-festival fundraiser in Harwich, a movie/book talk in Osterville, and talks about graveyards and scandal in Falmouth. Want something to do? Take a look:
The Cultural Center of Cape Cod will open an art exhibit and hold two musical programs this weekend related to Hispanic heritage and culture. There will be a reception to open “Hispanic Heritage — The Tapestry of America,” a four-gallery exhibit on view through Nov. 10 that focuses on the Hispanic influences reflected in this country and embodied in its traditions, tastes, music and art. The exhibition is juried by Colombian American New Media Artist and Educator Santiago Echeverry.
On Saturday, musician/composer Fabiola Méndez will give an afternoon workshop about Puerto Rican folk music and traditions, then at night, she and her trio will present "Afrorriqueña," a concert showing her skill on the Puerto Rican cuatro, a stringed instrument, that has earned her acclaim, including being selected as the winner of the 2011 “National Cuatro Player Competition” in 2011 in Puerto Rico.
When: opening reception for art exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14; workshop from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday; concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth
Admission: free for opening reception; $25 for the concert; $30 for workshop
Information and reservations: https://www.cultural-center.org/ or 508-394-7100
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Take a guided tour of Mashpee’s conservation lands
A hike at the Natural Succession at John’s Pond will be offered Saturday in the second in a series of free naturalist-guided tours in Mashpee conservation areas. All ages are invited and children are encouraged to come. Guide maps for many conservation areas are available at the Conservation office at the Mashpee Town Hall. Tours may be canceled in the event of stormy weather.
When and where: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at Natural Succession at John’s Pond; Oct. 22 at Fitch Property, Mashpee River Woodlands Park; and Oct. 29 at Conaumet Neck Excursion.
Admission: Free
Information: Mashpee Conservation Department at 539-1400, ext. 8540
It’s cranberry season at Green Briar
The Thornton Burgess Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen will hold its annual Cape Cod Cranberry Day on Saturday, offering cooking demonstrations using traditional cranberry recipes. There will also be food available that includes a homemade cranberry crumble dessert and cranberry bake sale; and jam products, books and nature-related gifts for sale. Exhibits and grounds will be open.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: Thornton Burgess Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen. 6 Discovery Hill Road, East Sandwich
Admission: Free; food for sale
Information: 508-888-6870 or https://thorntonburgess.org/
Sandwich library holds day of mindfulness
Sandwich Public Library will host Mindfulness Saturday programs with The Awareness Project, with activities over five hours. The “day of reflection, art-making and personal discovery” will consist of more than a dozen mini-workshops for individuals of all ages, as well as families to enjoy together. There will also be a short play, a puppet show and opportunities to energize body and mind and learn techniques to use in daily life.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: Sandwich Public Library, 142 Main St.
Admission: Free
Information: https://theawareness.org/events/
Eat scallops, help the community
The Rotary Club of Harwich-Dennis will hold its annual “ScallopFest” fundraiser Saturday as a way to support its philanthropic work throughout the year. Lunch and dinner will be served at the Weatherdeck Restaurant with a menu of clam chowder, scallops, french fries, coleslaw and apple crisp for dessert. (Chicken tenders are available to substitute for scallops.) Since 1948, the club’s Good Works Foundation has helped the community through school programs for youth, scholarships, holiday assistance for families and more.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: The Weatherdeck Restaurant, 168 Route 28, West Harwich
Cost: $30 for adults and $15 for children
Information: https://harwichdennisrotary.org/
Two dads featured in both movie and book
A 2009 movie made on Cape Cod based on true events about a teen learning about her widowed father and his gay lover, and a book written about a dog and his two dads, will both be featured at a screening at Osterville Village Library. James Egan, producer of the movie “Wild About Harry,” will be on hand, as will author Dan Perdios, the film’s prop master whose book “A Golden Retriever & His Two Dads: An Adventure on Cape Cod” about a matchmaking dog, is partly set during the filming. The movie, directed by Gwenn Wynne, stars Danielle Savre, Josh Peck, Adam Pascal, and Tate Donovan.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: Osterville Village Library, 43 Wianno Ave.
Admission: Free
Registration (suggested): 508-428-5757
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Relay for Life holds pumpkin painting party
Relay For Life of Cape Cod will host a free “Pumpkin Painting Party” that will serve as a wrap-up of this year’s efforts to raise funds for the American Cancer Society (which netted just over $100,000) as well as a kick-off rally for 2023 efforts. There will be pumpkins to paint, yard games and refreshments.
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: Johnny Kelley Park, 180 Old Bass River Road, Dennis
Admission: Free
Information: www.relayforlife.org/capecodma or contact Allison Mannette at Allison.mannette@cancer.org
Falmouth Chorale celebrates the psalms
Falmouth Chorale will celebrate musical traditions and innovations for its 59th season with “Make a Joyful Noise: A Celebration of Psalms from New England,” concerts led by artistic director Andrew Jonathan Welch. The program will feature psalm settings by New England composers, including Massachusetts native son Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” For that piece, the chorale will be joined by 13-year-old boy soprano Linus Schafer-Goulthorpe, plus an organist, harpist and percussionist. Also on the program will be a composition by New Hampshire native Amy Beach, the first American woman to achieve widespread recognition (in the late 19th century) as a composer of large-scale works; the work of living women composers En-Hua Holtz and Kathy Wonson Eddy, sung by the Chorale’s Chamber Singers; and Charles Ives “Psalm 90.” Welch will also lead the world premiere of his own “Haec Dies” (ʺThis is the Dayʺ), set to Psalm 118 and Walt Whitman.
When: 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16
Where: John Wesley United Methodist Church, 270 Gifford St., Falmouth
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $5 for students
Reservations and information (including local businesses selling tickets): https://falmouthchorale.org/.
Note: All audience members must wear masks.
Jazz takes over downtown Falmouth
ArtsFalmouth will hold its traditional Jazz Stroll Saturday night — live for the first time since 2019 — with musicians performing in locations around the downtown area. All performances are an hour long, and refreshments will be provided. The event begins at 6 p.m. with the Rich Hill Quartet playing Latin Jazz Fusion at Rinaldo and Cross’s The Gallery on Main, 317 Main St. Jazz ’til Dawn will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Jim Fox’s Main Street Gallery, 189 Main St. The Bill Taylor Quartet will perform mellow jazz improvisations, with Taylor on saxophone, at 7 p.m. at Museums on the Green, 55 Palmer Ave. The Andrew Sexton Trio, led by singer/guitarist Andrew Sexton, will perform American standards and original music at 7:30 p.m. at the Fisherman’s Pantry, 95 Palmer Ave.
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: Various venues along Main Street and Palmer Avenue, downtown Falmouth
Admission: Free
Information: https://artsfalmouth.org/jazz-stroll-2022-2/; email info@artsfalmouth.org
Cape Symphony goes Broadway for ‘musical theater extravaganza’
Three Broadway stars will join Cape Symphony musicians for two performances of “Bravo Broadway!” to take audience members through decades of musical theater. Songs from shows that include “The Music Man,” “Cabaret,” “Funny Girl,” “Wicked,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Les Miserables” and “Hairspray” will be part of the program that will feature guest stars Scarlett Strallen (Olivier nomination for “Singin’ in the Rain,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder”); Dee Roscioli (seven years as Elphaba in “Wicked,” “The Cher Show”); and Hugh Panaro (the title character in “The Phantom of the Opera” more than 2,000 times, “Sunday in the Park With George”).
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16
Where: Barnstable High School Performing Arts Center, 744 W. Main St., Hyannis
Tickets: $16-$72
Reservations and information: https://capesymphony.org/, 508-362-1111, email tickets@capesymphony.org or at box office at 2235 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable
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Guests talk about Palestinian situation in Hebron
The Tree of Life Educational Fund Program will present a program that organizers say explores the impact of the Israeli occupation on the economic vitality of the city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) — the second-largest Palestinian City in the West Bank after East Jerusalem — and the challenges of daily life for the tens of thousands of Palestinians living there. The speakers for “City of Hebron: The Palestinian Struggle for Human Rights” will include an American woman working for a peacemaking organization; a Palestinian woman from Hebron; a Palestinian man who recently graduated from Hebron University; and a graduate student in the Netherlands who recently spent three months in Hebron to witness the occupation firsthand. A reception with light refreshments will follow the program, and Palestinian olive oil, food products and crafts (provided by the Olive Branch Fair Trade shop on Martha’s Vineyard) will be for sale at a bazaar that will be open before the program and during the reception.
When: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 (Doors open at 1:15 p.m.)
Where: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Route 137, Harwich
Admission: Free, but donations welcome at the program or through https://tolef.org/donate/
Information: https://tolef.org/
Chamber music series returns
The Friends of the South Harwich Meetinghouse will kick off the 2022/2023 “Masterpieces at the Meetinghouse” Chamber Music Series with the Lighthouse Chamber Players. Featured performers will be mezzo-soprano Janna Baty, violinist Elizabeth Chang, cellist Alberto Parrini and pianist Alissa Leiser for a program that will include selected songs by Ives, Haydn’s Piano Trio in C major, Hob XV: 21 and Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat major, Op. 100.
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16
Where: South Harwich Meetinghouse, 270 Chatham Road, Harwich
Tickets: $25 in advance or at the door
Reservations and information: eventbrite.com
More information: https://www.southharwichmeetinghouse.com/ or Facebook
The Club to hold benefit for soup kitchen
The Club in Provincetown will hold a musical benefit for the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP), which will begin serving meals again starting Monday, Nov. 7 through April. Performers will be Qya Cristál and Dennis Flaherty on vocals; saxophone player Ken Field; pianist Matt Hutchinson; Ron Ormsby on bass; and drummer Bart Weisman. Guests will be able to participate in a raffle for gift baskets and cards, for $5 for single tickets, seven for $25, 15 for $50, with tickets on sale at The Club prior to the event (7 to 8 p.m.) or at the SKIP office, 20 Shank Painter Road from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 12 and 14. There will also be a 30th anniversary cake for SKIP.
When: 8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15
Where: The Club, 193A Commercial St., Provincetown
Tickets: $30
Reservations (in advance is recommended) and information: https://www.skipfood.org/musicbenefit
Open mic offers music and poetry
There will be a monthly open mic celebrating music and poetry, hosted by Lary Chaplan and Frank Poranski of Blu Central with invited guests and a sign-up for other performers. Guest artists will be Alex Brewer, Steven Russell, Mark Bornfield and D'Jamin Bartlett, Tom Fettig, Kristen Knowles, Gregory Hischak, Fred McGee and Tanya Roza.
When: Sign-up starting at 6:30 p.m., event 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18
Where: Thacher Hall, 266 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port
Admission: Free (with donations to Thacher Hall accepted at the door)
Information: http://www.yarmouthportcommon.org/
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Gravestone Girls teach about graveyards and their art
Falmouth Public Library will host a “Welcome to the Graveyard: An Illustrated Tour of Falmouth's Cemeteries” presentation by The Gravestone Girls, which will be a 90-minute illustrated “virtual tour” chronicling cemetery art, history and symbolism plus a Q&A. The program covers time from the colonial New England burial grounds of the 1600s and 1700s, through the nationwide rural cemetery movement of the 19th century through today, and looks into the background of cemeteries and gravestones, and how styles and art have evolved over almost 400 years.
When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19
Where: Falmouth Public Library, 300 Main St.
Admission: Free
Information: https://www.falmouthpubliclibrary.org/, https://www.gravestonegirls.com/
Learn about the darker side of Falmouth
Falmouth Museums on the Green will offer two walks called “Scandals, Crimes, and Disasters,” focusing on “the darker side of local history” on the last two Thursdays of October. Stories will include feuds, social spats, robberies and murders involving a minister’s wife, a tax collector, a gangster-style shooting and more.
When: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 20 and 27
Where: Starts at Hallett Barn, 55 Palmer Ave., Falmouth
Admission: $20, free for members
Reservations and information: https://museumsonthegreen.org/
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do: cranberries, pumpkins, scandal, movie, music
