Things to do on Cape: Provincetown wine festival, Halloween events, haunted house, Ukefest

Sounds of the British Invasion are coming to Sandwich during the Sandwich Art Alliance's annual Ukefest on Oct. 29 at their new home, the historic Sandwich Town Hall, and the Glass Town Stage.

It's a bit of an oddball, but for Steve Gregory, owner of SCORE Music Studio, one of the ukelele's many strengths is its ability to play music from any genre, not just the Hawaiian luau tunes you may be used to.

"I think a lot of folks wouldn't expect the ukulele to be able to do some of the things that it can actually do," Gregory said. "It's kind of exciting and inspiring, I think, for people to see the ukulele in the context of a pop song."

Gregory began hosting Ukefests at the Cotuit Center for the Arts about 10 years ago when he became a ukelele teacher. Since then, he has brought his Ukefest to Sandwich in partnership with the Sandwich Arts Alliance and it has become a yearly staple since the Alliance began.

"That's why the Sandwich Arts Alliance is so cool because there's opportunity for people to do this type of thing," he said. "They say, 'Hey, do you have any ideas for a cool concert?' You say, 'Matter of fact to do about this?' And we just put something together and then here we are."

However, for Gregory, ukulele playing entered his life thanks to his daughter, Vanessa, around 15 years ago. She stumbled across some YouTube videos by Jake Shimabukuro and thought it would be a fun instrument to get into. Gregory bought her a $50 ukelele for her birthday and soon enough, he was teaching a ukelele class.

"...There was always one lying around the house," he said. "I didn't really play it that much, but if you can play the guitar, you can play the ukulele. So, I'd be playing it from time to time. But when the Cotuit Center for the Arts asked me to teach a class there, I said, 'This ukulele thing is really hot. We should do that.' And, they said 'Great, you start next week.'"

Now, Gregory hosts two Ukefests a year in Cotuit and Sandwich while teaching and running his studio as well. At this year's Sandwich Ukefest, audiences can expect to be "surprised and delighted" by the sounds of the four-stringed tiny guitar.

"My biggest hope when people come to see us play is that I hope people see people playing the ukulele, which is a very simple instrument to play, and they say, 'Hey, I could do that. I like to sing. I want to do that' and that they might join the community," Gregory said.

One of Gregory's classes — The Concert Ready Ukelele Band — and one of his bands — One Fret Away Steve G's Utopian Ukelele Band — will accompany the Shining Sea Strummers at this year's Ukefest playing tunes from some of Britain's greats like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Ukefest will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Glass Town Stage at the Sandwich Arts Alliance and is presented by the Sandwich Arts Alliance, SCORE Music Studio and the Glass Town Cultural District. Tickets for Ukefest are $10 and can be purchased online at www.sandwichartsalliance.org/ukefest-2023.html/.

Other events happening on Cape Cod this weekend:

Celebrate Halloween at Coonamessett Farm in Falmouth

If you’re looking for a spooktacular Saturday filled with haunted hayrides, pumpkin picking and face painting, Coonamessett Farm’s Halloween Celebration is the place for you.

On Oct. 28, Coonamessett Farm will transform into a farm of frights in the spirit of Halloween. Along with the hayrides, pumpkin and face painting, the farm will also host a witchy scavenger hunt, dragon bouncy castle, corn pit, blueberry maze and straw maze. Cape Cod Photobus will also be on site snapping some spooky pictures throughout the day.

Admission is $9 per person, but members of the farm and kids 3 and under get in for free. Coonamessett Farm is located at 277 Hatchville Road in East Falmouth. Costumes are encouraged.

Buy some ceramics at the Cape Cod Potters second sale in Yarmouth

Cape Cod Potters is hosting its pottery seconds sale on Oct. 28 at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. The seconds sale allows ceramicists from across the Cape to sell their slightly imperfect but still stunning pieces for less than traditional prices, in support of Cape Cod Potters.

This is a BYOB — “bring your own bag, basket, briefcase, biscuit tin” — so make sure to come with a vessel to cart your ceramics around in.

Proceeds from the sale will go toward the work of Cape Cod Potters, a Barnstable County-based pottery organization that has been promoting the works of Barnstable potters for more than 50 years.

The Cape Cod Potters Second Sale is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, located at 307 Old Main St. in South Yarmouth.

Catch a performance of "Something Old Something New" at the Marstons Mills Historical Society

The Marstons Mills Historical Society will perform an original play "Something Old Something New" by Marstons Mills resident Sandra Bolton.

The play, directed and written by Bolton, will star David Martin, Bolton, Sue Crocker and Rick Presby.

The event is free to attend. Showtime is at 3 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Liberty Hall, 54 Pilots Way in West Barnstable.

Celebrate Howl-o-ween at Cape Cod Beer and the Brewster Dog Park

Two "howl-o-weens" are happening on the Cape this weekend at the Brewster Dog Park and Cape Cod Beer.

At the Brewster Dog Park, Howl-o-ween takes place at 11 a.m. Oct. 28. Dress your dogs up in their best Halloween costume for the chance to win a ribbon and bragging rights ― or tail-wagging rights. Judging will commence from 11 to 11:15 a.m. at both the big and small parks and winners will be selected from each.

Treats courtesy of Agway of Cape Cod will be available and Friends of the Brewster Dog Park merchandise will be for sale.

The Brewster Dog Park is located at 631 Harwich Road in Brewster. The contest is free to attend and to participate in.

At Cape Cod Beer, Howl-o-ween is from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 29. As always, the brews will be flowing but the furry friends are the main stars of the "pawty." Of course, there will be a costume contest for the best-dressed dog along with some prizes and treats up for grabs. Live music and pet portraits from Zoeby’s Custom Creations will also take place.

Cape Cod Beer’s Howl-o-ween pawty is free to attend. Be sure to dress warm as the fun takes place in the beer garden. All furry friends must be on leashes for the event as well.

Cape Cod Beer is located at 1336 Phinney’s Lane in Hyannis.

Walk the haunted house at Harwich Center

Enter if you dare, the Harwich Junior Theater’s annual haunted house returns Oct. 27 to the Harwich Center for three nights of frights.

Directed by Jim Bryne, ghouls, fiends, mad doctors and creepy clowns lurk in the shadows and darkened corners of the house ready to produce a bone-chilling scream from those who dare to step into their house of horrors.

The haunted house will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27-30 at 265 Sisson Road in Harwich. Admission is $10 and all proceeds go toward the theater’s upcoming 73rd season.

Woods Hole Film Festival's dinner and a movie

The Woods Hole Film Festival’s dinner and a movie series returns with a one-night only screening of “Joan Baez: I Am a Noise” at the Redfield Auditorium on Oct. 28.

“Joan Baez: I Am a Noise,” directed by Miri Navasky, Karen O’Connor and Maeve O’Boyle, is a feature-length documentary about Joan Baez’s turbulent career as a musician and activist. With Baez in the driver’s seat, she guides the audience through her life as a folk singer, including her relationship with Bob Dylan.

Tickets for “Joan Baez: I Am a Noise” are $16, $10 for students and military and $12 for Woods Hole Film Festival members. They can be bought in advance at www.woodsholefilmfestival.org/ or at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Redfield Auditorium is located at 45 Water St. in Woods Hole.

Bianca Del Rio takes the stage at Provincetown Town Hall

Bianca Del Rio, season 6 champion of "Ru Paul's Drag Race," will grace the stage of Provincetown Town Hall during Spooky Bear Weekend on Oct. 28.

Tickets for the show are available online at www.provincetownarthouse.com/, ranging from $75 to $200. Showtime is 8:30 p.m.

Provincetown Food and Wine Festival begins Nov. 2

The Provincetown Food and Wine Festival kicks off Nov. 2, promising four days of delectable bites from the land and sea and savory sips from across the globe.

This year's theme is "Local Foods and Global Wines," with events happening up and down town. Enjoy a series of tastings and dinners plus a book signing with Chef Vincent Tropepe at East End Books and a gallery sip and stroll.

Festivities begin on Thursday, Nov. 2 with a Lucky Lips Oyster Farm Pop-Up at 3 p.m. and end on Sunday, Nov. 5 with the final Last Tea event at 4 p.m. at The Boatslip.

Most events are free to attend however tickets are required for the opening reception at The Gifford House, the Wine Dinner at Tin Pan Alley and Liz's Harvest Cafe, the grand tasting at Town Hall and The Crown & Anchor's immersive dining experience and "Big Gay Boozy Brunch." Tickets for these events range from $50 to $185 and can be purchased online at www.ptownfoodandwinefestival.com/.

Registration is required to attend the gallery sip and stroll. To register, visit www.ptownfoodandwinefestival.com/friday-nov-3rd/.

Celebrate Day of the Dead with the Cordial Eye Ball in Hyannis

The Cordial Eye is hosting its first Día de Muertos celebration during its Cordial Eye Ball on Nov. 2.

The ball will highlight artists from the organization, asking them to create a calavera, or skull, in their own unique style for a competition. Attendees will donate to their favorite calavera — one dollar per vote — and all proceeds will be split between the artist and The Cordial Eye.

Alongside the competition, The Cordial Eye will have a community ofrenda (a ritual gift for the Mexican observance of Dia de los Muertos) where guests can donate $35 in exchange for a piece of art honoring a loved one who has passed and will be featured in the community ofrenda throughout November. Mary George, co-executive director of The Cordial Eye, will be playing live mariachi music.

Blue Moon Mexican Restaurant and Buenos Aires Bakery will supply food for the event.

Tickets for The Cordial Eye Ball are $35 and can be purchased at www.thecordialeye.org/. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 2 at 255 Main St. in Hyannis.

Support local charities at the Brewster Baptist Church Holiday Fair

On Nov. 4, celebrate the season of giving with the Brewster Baptist Church at their annual Holiday Fair.

Grab a few gifts, sweet treats and more in support of four local charities — The Family Table Collaborative, Sharing Kindness, the Homeless Prevention Council and the Cape Cod Foster Closet.

The 19th annual Brewster Baptist Church Holiday Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main St. in Brewster.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Things to do on Cape Cod this week: Provincetown food, wine festival