Folk music, valentines, birds & whiskey: 9 top things to do on Cape Cod Feb. 4-10

As February begins, there are new things to see, new things to try and new things to learn.

Sandwich Glass Museum has opened two new exhibits that will be on display for much of the rest of the year. Thinking about Valentine's Day starts a little early for people who want to make cards or learn about traditions. This is also the time to celebrate Scottish poet Robert Burns' birthday and that's happening again with a big party at Highfield Hall in Falmouth.

Other choices this week include a folk concert, bird watching, an art exhibit and a gardening lesson. Take a look:

Sandwich Glass Museum opens new exhibits

Two new exhibits are on display at the Sandwich Glass Museum. In "Pure Effects," on display through June 30, artist Wayne Strattman's sculptures transform electricity into light through the mediums of blown glass, rare gases and custom-built electronics. Internally illuminated with plasma, his sculptures synthesize art, science and invention. Through Oct. 30, the museum is presenting a special exhibition featuring the artistry of the McDermott Glass Studio to mark its 20th anniversary.

When: museum open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays

Where: Sandwich Glass Museum, 129 Main St.

Admission: $12 adults, $2 children age 6-14, $11 seniors

Information: https://sandwichglassmuseum.org/

Artist leads cardmaking workshop for Valentine’s Day

Local artist Abraham Storer will lead a cardmaking workshop in Wellfleet just in time for Valentine's Day. Beginning with the simple and universal image of a heart, Storer will explore monoprint techniques. Participants can expect to get messy and experimental while playing with the material properties of ink and discussing gesture, texture and line.

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday

Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St.

Admission: $30-$31

Information: https://wellfleetpreservationhall.org

Library guests take a look at Valentine's Day and national parks

The Osterville Village Library will host two lectures on Saturday, both in person and streaming on Zoom, with reservations required. First, Boston historian Anthony Sammarco for a lecture exploring Valentine's Day traditions — from ancient Rome to the present worldwide celebration of the holiday. Part of the focus will be on how local traditions associated with the holiday developed and are maintained. In the afternoon, the library's nine-part series ”America the Beautiful: America’s National Parks” continues as Massachusetts native Steve Farrar detail his travels to the western national parks. Farrar has visited all 63 U.S. national parks during his travels, starting in 1969. The talk will feature photographs from Death Valley, Yosemite, King’s Canyon, the Sonoran Desert and more.

When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday for Valentine's Day; 1 p.m. for national parks

Where: Osterville Village Library, 43 Wianno Ave.

Information and reservations: http://ostervillevillagelibrary.org; 508-428-5757

Poet inspires an evening of whiskey, poetry, haggis and merriment

The Bard of Scotland, Robert Burns, is once again being celebrated at Highfield Hall & Gardens with the sixth annual Robert Burns Supper. The evening will include sampling of traditional Scottish haggis, toasts of whiskey, storytelling, recitation of poetry, trivia and prizes, bagpipes and singing. Musical acts Sonnay Fiddlers and Stanley and Grimm will perform. A cocktail hour will showcase whiskey from around the world.

When: 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Highfield Hall & Gardens, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth

Admission: $150

Information: https://highfieldhallandgardens.org

Windborne in concert

Folk group Windborne will present a show in South Yarmouth that draws on the singers’ roots in traditions of vocal harmony. The ensemble's performances shift between drastically different styles of music in a journey that spans continents and centuries. The singers aim to educate as they entertain, sharing stories about their songs and explaining the context and characteristics of the styles in which they sing.

When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth

Admission: $25

Information: https://cultural-center.org

Trull to guide bird watching at Bell's Neck

Birders and bird lovers of all experience levels are invited to a series of birding walks at the Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands Tuesdays in February. Guide Peter Trull will talk about the unique adaptations, life history and habits of the different bird species that inhabit the river, marshes and woodlands. Directions to the walk will be provided with the emailed receipt.

When: 8-10 a.m. Tuesday and other Tuesdays in February

Where: Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands, Harwich

Admission: $20

Information: https://harwichconservationtrust.org

Artist talk with painter Andrea Pluhar

Wellfleet Preservation Hall will present a retrospective of paintings by Andrea Pluhar, who has exhibited in a wide range of styles on the Cape and in New York. Pieces from five stylistically varied periods will be on display, including figurative allegorical images, freehand drawings and works inspired by the artist's interest in the Middle East and the literature of magic realism. Pluhar will give a virtual artist talk this week with local artist Connie Saems.

When: virtual talk 5 p.m. Tuesday; exhibit on display through March 1

Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St.

Information: https://wellfleetpreservationhall.org

Learn some garden pest control

The Truro Public Library's series "Think Ahead to Spring Gardening: Winter Planning Sessions with Dave DeWitt" continues with "Organic Pest and Disease Control." The series is presented in a hybrid format, with options to participate in person or via Zoom. This week, the class will dig into the most important concept in organic pest and disease control: prevention. DeWitt will discuss common and uncommon problems on the Cape and elsewhere. Learn about pest identification, integrated pest management and organic tools to combat these challenges.

When: 4-5 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Truro Public Library, 7 Standish Way

Information: https://trurolibrary.org

For your event to be considered for Best Bets, contact Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll at kdriscoll@capecodonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do Jan. 28-Feb. 3 Talks, art, music, supper