Honoring George Floyd and other lives lost, celebrating flowers, 'Democracy Rocks' concert
From a call to social justice to the flowers of spring, from a 'Democracy Rocks' concert to a whole different side of Kafka, Cape Cod offers a wide range of activities this week.
Flower lovers, especially rhodie fans, will find more than 100 varieties in bloom at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich. Not only do they make a terrific backdrop for photos, but you can also learn about the various varieties and how they came to be in this Cape Cod haven. Switching flowers, interested in a hydrangea for a confined space? Learn how to grow a pot hydrangea in this workshop at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. Workshop leader is Mal Condon, "The Hydrangea Guy," whom you may watch on CBS on Sunday mornings.
'A-Way With Words' on the Hyannis Green
The third annual A-Way with Words poetry and spoken word event “honoring the lives of George Floyd and others lost to police brutality” will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 27, on the Hyannis Village Green.
“We're really excited about this event and hope that we can make a real social change in our little corner of the world,” wrote Tamora Israel, host for the event.
In addition to speakers/poets, there will be music by The Groovalottos, a vendor market by Amplify POC Cape Cod, and stories by members of Cape Cod Voices. The Karibbean Lounge will provide a food truck.
Rhododendron Festival at Heritage Gardens
Thousands of world-famous rhododendrons in more than 100 varieties offer spectacular blooms throughout Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich. The festival continues through May 29 and the grounds are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
“Photograph yourself surrounded by walls of flowers, immerse yourself in the story of Heritage’s fascinating rhododendron legacy on a self-guided walking tour, learn proper plant care and pruning techniques at our hands-on Garden Discovery Cart, and take home one (or more!) of these signature plants from the special plant sale,” organizers wrote in an announcement of the festival.
Flower-focused events are free with museum admission, which is $22, $12 for ages 3 to 17; and free for members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.heritagemuseums.org. Heritage Museums & Gardens is located at 67 Grove St., Sandwich.
Growing success with 'The Hydrangea Guy'
Mal Condon, "The Hydrangea Guy," presents a workshop on growing containers of hydrangea, specifically the cold-hardy H. macrophylla. The session is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod.
“Of all the hydrangea species, H. macrophylla is best suited to growing in a container, especially a decorative one in which color and style blend with charming blossoms and decorative companion plants,” according to a workshop announcement.
Register, at $40 each, at www.cultural-center.org or call 508-394-7100. The Cultural Center is located at 307 Old Main St. in South Yarmouth.
Cape Cod Concert Band presents ‘Democracy Rocks’
“Democracy Rocks,” a blend of classic rock, toe-tapping marches and music by American composers, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 28, at Knight Auditorium Barnstable High School, 744 West Main St., Hyannis.
Admission is free, but donations are welcome to benefit the Ukrainian charity Voices of Children.
The concert opens with “Affirmation,” an optimistic fanfare by composer William Owens. Selections include “Paint It Black” from The Rolling Stones, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” by Simon and Garfunkel, along with music from Neil Diamond, Bruno Mars, E.E. Bagley, and John Philip Sousa.
Mindy Todd, host and producer of WCAI’s “The Point,” joins the 45-member all-volunteer band to narrate composer Elliot Del Borgo’s “The New Colossus,” inspired by Emma Lazarus’s famous poem that raised money to build a pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. Visit www.capecodconcertband.org to learn more.
Open mic night at Eastham Public Library
Musicians, poets, writers, stand-up comedians, dancers and people pursuing other creative talents are invited to share their work with an audience at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30. There will be 15 (5-minute) slots open to performers. Sign-ups will be open at the beginning of the program.
“And don’t forget,” organizers wrote, “we need a great audience for these acts, so feel free to stop by and just watch and hang out."
Eastham Public Library is at 190 Samoset Road. Learn more at https://easthamlibrary.org/
Paint large! Beginners welcome.
Presented by the Cultural Center of Cape Cod from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30. Experience the fun, freedom, and spontaneity of using large inexpensive brushes with water-mixable oil or acrylic paints to create paintings. Full-time artist Joe Gallant will demonstrate the steps of creating your own seascape or landscape painting. You will complete your own oil or acrylic painting during this fun one-day, socially-distanced workshop. Students must provide their own supplies, see list below. Wear clothing to paint in and bring a newspaper, old sheet or tarp to protect your car upholstery from wet paint on the ride home. $75/$66 for members. Register at www.cultural-center.org or call 508-394-7100.
Ross Benjamin and David Means talk all about Kafka
Ross Benjamin, expert translator and author of “The Diaries of Franz Kafka” will be in conversation with writer David Means, discussing the Prague-born Kafka’s sometimes raunchy notebooks that produced a 700-page translation of the inner thoughts of the author of “The Trial” and “The Metamorphosis.” The event is at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 27 at the Eastham Public Library. A book sale and signing will follow, presented by Sea Howl Books.
Art and music opens season at Addison Art
Everyone is invited to join artists, friends and neighbors from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Addison Art Gallery, 43 South Orleans Road, Orleans. The session includes artists’ demonstrations, a new exhibition, live music by Fred Fried and a casual reception.
Watch Paul Batch demonstrating oil painting and Amy Sanders continue work on one of her intricate pastels. Other painters planning to attend include Maryalice Eizenberg, Andrea Petitto, Paul Schulenburg, Fay Shutzer and Cleber Stecei.
Additional artists with new works in the show include Karri Allrich, Sara Jane Doberstein, Marc Hanson, Dottie Leatherwood, Sharon McGauley, and Cynthia Reid.
For more information, please contact Helen Addison at helen@addisonart.com or 508-255-6200.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Painting, hydrangea workshop, live music: 8 things to do on Cape Cod
