Music, books & the Monument lights up: 16 top things to do on Cape Cod Nov. 11-17

An award-winning play about love and life opens this weekend at Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster, as well as the Agatha Christie mystery “Murder on the Nile” at Chatham Drama Guild. They join Barnstable Comedy Club’s “Rock of Ages” and Cotuit Center for the Arts’ “Cry It Out” on the local theater scene. For reviews to help you decide which show to see, keep an eye on our website at https://www.capecodtimes.com/entertainment/theater-arts/.

Other highlights this week include the lights turning on at the Pilgrim Monument to commemorate the Pilgrims landing and to create a bright beacon for the holiday season; a holiday market in Falmouth that helps others; a concert and a walk in Harwich; talks on whales, gardening and books; a concert of Billie Holiday music; the start of a movie series plus a film about small businesses; and a free community party to celebrate the outgoing director of Wellfleet Preservation Hall. Take a look:

Cape Rep opens ‘Prelude to a Kiss’

Cape Rep Theatre will present Craig Lucas’ “Prelude to a Kiss” with Maura Hanlon director and a cast that includes Art Devine, Seton Brown, Chelsey Jo Brown, Jade Schuyler, Paul Schuyler and Justin Brymer. The plot: “Peter and Rita meet and are instantly soulmates. But when a mysterious old man shows up at their wedding, the explosive power of a simple kiss triggers a journey about love, life and making the most of the time we are given.” The 1988 play won an Obie Award for Best New Play, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a Tony Award nominee for Best Play.

When: 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 10 through Dec. 4, plus Wednesday, Nov. 30

Where: Cape Rep’s Indoor Theater, 3299 Route 6A, Brewster

Tickets: $32, with Pay-What-You-Can-Night on Friday, Nov. 11

Reservations: 508-896-1888, https://caperep.org/

Veterans stories to be told in Osterville

There will be a Veterans Day Walk through Osterville as a way to honor veterans and hear and share their stories of sacrifice. Organizers note that Osterville residents have served in every war since the Civil War, and there are nine veterans monuments in the village to visit. Participants will learn more about who is honored by them.

When: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11

Where: Starting at the Calvin C. Gould Library Green at Osterville Public Library, 43 Wianno Ave.

Admission: Free

Information: 508-428-5757 or https://ostervillevillagelibrary.org/

The lights on the Pilgrim Monument will get turned on Nov. 11 to mark a key anniversary.
The lights on the Pilgrim Monument will get turned on Nov. 11 to mark a key anniversary.

Lights on at Pilgrim Monument

The strings of more than 3,000 "running lights" that drape from the top of Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown will be switched on for the holiday season on Nov. 11, marking the the date, according to the diaries of visiting Pilgrims, that the Mayflower arrived in Provincetown Harbor — at least according to the Julian calendar. Again this year, there will be no public gathering for the lighting, but it will be live-streamed on Facebook Live. Officials of the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum also ask that people around town “get loud for the lights” by cheering, using noisemakers and the like. The lights will remain lit nights into January.

When: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11

Where: Watch virtually at https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimmonument for private lighting at Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, 1 High Pole Hill Road.

Cost: Free

Information: https://www.pilgrim-monument.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimmonument

Roots duo Small Glories to perform at Harwich concert

The Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival will hold its first indoor concert in three years, and this one will feature music by roots powerhouse duo the Small Glories. The performers are Cara Luft and JD Edwards, and the duo was named 2019 Performer of the Year for the International Folk Music Awards. The two play what’s described as “songs of love, loss, and environment, delivered with soaring, interwoven vocals on various combinations of stomping clawhammer banjo, guitar and harmonica.” Local musician Kim Moberg will play an opening set.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11

Where: Harwich Cultural Center, 204 Sisson Road

Tickets: $28

Reservations and information: https://www.harwichcranberryartsandmusicfestival.org/ or 508-432-1885 (remaining tickets will be available at the door starting at 7 p.m.

Sit back and solve a murder

Chatham Drama Guild will follow up the success of “Murder on the Orient Express” with another Agatha Christie mystery with detective Hercule Poirot: “Murder on the Nile.” The stage play is based on Christie’s 1937 novel “Death on the Nile” and puts a boatload of suspects on a river cruise together after a murder is committed.

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m., Sundays Nov. 11 - Dec. 4

Where: Chatham Drama Guild, 134 Crowell Road

Tickets: $22, $25 for cabaret seating

Reservations: 508-945-0510, http://www.chatdramaguild.org/

More than 100 quilts in South Yarmouth show

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod will be filled for two days with “New Beginnings: A Cape Cod Quilters Member Show,” which will showcase more than 100 quilts of different patterns, designs and colors created by the members of the Cape Cod Quilters. The event will include a boutique, raffle baskets, and three raffle quilts.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

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

Admission: $10 in advance or at the door

Reservations and information: www.cultural-center.org or 508-394-7100

Buy gifts that help others

The 13th annual Upper Cape Alternative Gift Market provides one-stop shopping to buy non-traditional holiday gifts that include fair-trade items at a global bazaar and donations to 20 local, national, and international charities with missions to improve people’s lives and the health of the planet (and can be bought to honor family and friends.) The event is organized by seven Upper Cape congregations with support from seven others.When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13

Where: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 91 Main St., Falmouth

Admission:  Free

Sponsors:         Seven Upper Cape congregations with support from seven others.

Information: https://alternativegiftmarketcapecod.org/

Michael Moore from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will give a talk about his book on endangered right whales.
Michael Moore from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will give a talk about his book on endangered right whales.

Scientist to talk about whales’ future, and what we can do

Michael J. Moore, a veterinary scientist at at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will give a talk at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History about the future of the North American right whale based on his book “We Are All Whalers: The Plight of Whales and Our Responsibility.” He will discuss how catching the seafood we eat can lead to whales’ entanglement and slow death in rope and nets, or by collision along shipping routes, and what people can do about the problem. Moore will also discuss why he is optimistic about the whales’ survival. He will sign copies of his book after the talk.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12

Where: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 869 Main St. (Route 6A), Brewster

 Cost: Free with museum admission

Registration: 508-896-3867, ext.133

Information: https://ccmnh.org/

Farewell party for Janet Lesniak

To say goodbye and thank you to outgoing executive director Janet Lesniak, Wellfleet Preservation Hall will hold a Community Celebration of her decade-plus there and the establishment of a community fund named for her. There will be dancing to music from The Rip It Ups.

When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12

Where: A heated tent behind Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St.

Admission: Free

Pre-registration and information: https://www.wellfleetpreservationhall.org/.

Film art series beings in Provincetown

For the 16th year, Provincetown Film Society and the Provincetown Art Association and Museum will present the Film Art Series at Waters Edge Cinema. Curator Howard Karren has put together a roster of 15 movies to run in weeks through May 2023. Programming is in three sections: “Artists and Models,” “Dreams and Outcasts” and “The Female Gaze.” The series will kick off Sunday, Nov. 13 with a celebratory reception and a rare screening of Jacques Rivette’s “La Belle Noiseuse,” then the first Wednesday-evening film will be "La Chienne" on Nov. 16.

When: reception 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, movie at noon; all other screenings in the series are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays

Where: Waters Edge Cinema, 237 Commercial St. (on the third floor of Whaler’s Wharf)

Admission: Passes for the entire series are $135 for film society and museum members; $185 for the general public. Individual tickets are also available.

Reservations and information: https://www.provincetownfilm.org/

Concert of Billie Holiday music paired with art show

Eastham singer Mozelle Andrulot will present “A Tribute to Billie Holiday” concert in connection with the Cape Cod Museum of Art’s “Fragile” exhibit of art by Frank Anigbo and Richard Neal related to racism.

When: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

Where: Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis

Tickets: $20, $17 for members

Reservations and information: https://www.ccmoa.org/events/tribute-to-billie-holiday-with-mozelle

Award-winning book tells Wampanoag side of Thanksgiving story

Titcomb’s Bookshop and Sandwich Public Library will present local author Danielle Greendeer for a read-aloud and talk about her new children's book “Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story," which recently won the 2022 New England Book Award for Best Children's Book. An author book-signing will take place after the talk, and books will be on sale at the event. (People unable to attend the event are welcome to order signed books to be picked up at Titcomb’s or mailed.) Greendeer, who lives in Mashpee, is a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation and works in the areas of tribal governance, cultural perpetuation and food sovereignty. Her picture book tells the story in a Native tradition about two children from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learning the story of Weeâchumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving – from the Wampanoag point of view.

When: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15

Where: Sandwich Public Library, 142 Main St.

Admission: Free

Registration (encouraged), information or to order books: titcombsbookshop.com or 508-888-2331

Authors discuss a different type of work life

As part of an “Inside the Pages” author series, Wellfleet Preservation Hall will host “A Conversation About Reimagining and Repairing How We Work” with the co-authors of the new book “Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work.” The book offers what’s described as “an imagination-expanding vision of what work could be” based on research with organizations and companies breaking out of business as usual. One author is Jess Rimington, a Cape Cod native who has led two global organizations and is a next-economy strategist who focuses on supporting small business and organization leaders in making changes. The other is Joanna Levitt Cea, whose work history includes eight years leading the International Accountability Project human rights organization and is dedicated “to reimagining investment and funding practices to lift up the wellbeing of all.” Local writer, teacher, performer and speaker Christine Ernst will facilitate the talk. The authors will sign copies of their books.

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15

Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St.

Admission: $15 (with the first 40 attendees getting a free copy of the book)

Reservations and information: https://www.wellfleetpreservationhall.org/

Tour explores Cold Brook Preserve

Connor O’Brien, Harwich Conservation Trust’s director of land stewardship, will lead a guided walk through the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve. He will talk about the expected change from the ecological restoration to improve the health of habitats, water quality and wildlife and enhance visitor experience. The trust acquired the property of retired bogs and surrounding update in Harwich Port Center in 2001. Cold Brook flows through the 66 acres to Saquatucket Harbor.

When: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 (rain cancels)

Where: Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, directions sent with confirmation.

Cost: Free

Information: https://harwichconservationtrust.org/

Gardens are more than plants

Amy Ziffer will be a guest speaker at a Wellfleet Gardeners meeting, focusing on the topic of “Garden Structure and Ornamentation.” She will discuss functional and ornamental design details, including boundaries, embellishments and focal points.

When: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16

Where: Wellfleet Public Library,  55 West Main St.

Admission: Free

Information: https://www.wellfleetlibrary.org/, 508-349-0310

Movie connected to talk about supporting small businesses

Love Live Local and Cape Cinema will partner for an event to showcase the importance of small businesses with a screening of the documentary film “Hello, Bookstore,” followed by a panel discussion with local business owners. The movie shows the effect of the pandemic on an independent The Bookstore in Lenox and how the small town rallied to protect it. The panel discussion will be hosted by Love Live Local CEO Amanda Converse and include Vicky Titcomb from Titcomb's Bookshop in Sandwich, Jana Faiky from Fitness Directions in Falmouth, and Tom Deegan from Mom + Pops in Chatham. They will discuss what challenges small businesses faced during the pandemic and continue to face today, what small businesses mean to the Cape Cod community, and what people can do to support them.

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16

Where: Cape Cinema, 35 Hope Lane, Dennis

Admission: $18

Reservations and information: https://www.capecinema.com/

To have your event considered for inclusion in our Best Bets column, please send details and photos at least two weeks in advance to bestbets@capecodonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do: Concerts, books, talks, Pilgrim Monument lit