Time to light the tree, try nature printing or enjoy songs from the '40s

Cape Cod Times
·7 min read

The few weeks leading up to the holidays are filled with shopping, baking, and cleaning. It’s no wonder weary Cape Codders need a break from all the mundane tasks, so we’ve made a list and checked it twice to make sure you have a wonderful choice of activities to make your spirits bright. From tree lightings to concerts, sacred circles to magical fairy houses, there are so many fun things to do as we countdown to Christmas.

Annual tree lighting at Mashpee Commons

Holiday shoppers and browsers are framed by a jumble of Christmas lights strung along a walkway at Mashpee Commons where crowds have been turning out for the official start of the Christmas shopping season for more than 20 years.
Holiday shoppers and browsers are framed by a jumble of Christmas lights strung along a walkway at Mashpee Commons where crowds have been turning out for the official start of the Christmas shopping season for more than 20 years.

Celebrate the Christmas season by stopping by the Commons for some outdoor festivities. Come for the lighting and enjoy mini donuts and hot chocolate from Duke’s Donut Worx. There will be face painting with the Mashpee Middle High School’s National Arts Honor Society, holiday caroling from Mashpee Middle High School (4 p.m.) and an appearance by Santa (4 to 5 p.m.). The tree lighting countdown starts at 4:30 p.m. Santa will also appear at Santa’s Village at 41 Market St. (across from Rory’s Market) between 1 and 4 p.m.

When: 3:30 to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25

Where: Mashpee Commons (the plaza outside Sienna Restaurant)

Admission: Free

Information: www.capecodchamber.org

Artist Leslie Kramer presents nature printing

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host a nature printing art project with artist Leslie Kramer. For a fun, colorful afternoon, join her to use dried leaves, flowers, and ferns with water-based paints to create a design on a gelli plate. By placing paper on leaves, etc. and rubbing, you can make your own print. Participants can also cut stencils out of paper or thin foam to print them or overlay two designs. All materials are provided.

When: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25

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

Admission: Included with museum admission, age appropriate for 6 and up. This is a drop-in program.

Information: 508-896-3867 ext. 133

Home for the holidays at Highfield Hall

The annual holiday exhibits at Highfield Hall open on Friday, Nov. 25. There are spectacular exhibits, seasonal activities and magical displays. Santa even plans to pay a visit. Pre-registration is recommended since each day will be split into three blocks of two hours.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Friday, Nov. 25 and continuing through Dec. 11

Where: Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth

Tickets: $10

Information: 508-495-1878 or visit https://highfieldhallandgardens.org to order tickets

Think small while celebrating big

"Small Works: Great Joy!" kicks off Nov. 26 and is on display until Dec. 24 at The Gallery at Tree's Place in Orleans. Start your holiday shopping by buying some of the 70-plus little masterpieces on hand now with more coming. Free shipping is available on all purchases. An opening reception will be Saturday, Nov. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. to toast the holiday season.

Where: Tree's Gallery, 60 Route 6A, Orleans

When: Opening reception, 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday; display and sale until Dec. 24

Cost: Free

More information: 508-255-1330; 508-255-1330; email, trees@treesplace.com

Pastor shares some of his spiritual journey

Rev. WIll Vaus will sign his book after services at church on Sunday.
Rev. WIll Vaus will sign his book after services at church on Sunday.

Pastor Will Vaus will offer a presentation and signing of his newest book, "My Journey with C.S. Lewis and Other Companions," on Sunday, Nov. 27. "Drawing from many years of journal-writing, Vaus recalls influential people, books, conversations, and travels from his childhood years to the present. Never a dry discourse of lessons learned, but a vivid engagement where readers will feel they are invisible participants," according to a written release about the free signing and book sale that is open to the public. Vaus’ pastoral and writing ministry has taken him to many parts of the United States and the world.

When: 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church of Yarmouth

Where: 329 Main St. (Route 6A), Yarmouth Port

Gavel comes down Sunday on Center for Coastal Studies holiday auction

Whether you are shopping for the holidays or treating yourself, you will find more than 70 items up for bid at the Center for Coastal Studies annual holiday auction. But bidding ends at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. Items listed include handcrafted housewares,  framed photography, paintings and sculptures. If you are looking for experiences, there are getawa6s, sailing excursions (including one on the yacht Bloodhound for up to 34 people), culinary adventures, sports tickets and more. Proceeds benefit the center's research and education programs.

To shop and bid: https://coastalstudies.org/event/ccs-online-holiday-auction/

Help fairies get ready for winter and create your own magic place

Create your own whimsical garden setting to welcome the fairies at a Museum of Natural History workshop.
Create your own whimsical garden setting to welcome the fairies at a Museum of Natural History workshop.

Join Alexa Nickandros for “It’s Fairy Garden Time.” She will be on hand to help visitors create a miniature garden and build tiny houses for a hand-picked winter space such as a garden or under a tree. They are so small they'll fit in any space. A package of starter supplies is supplied; in addition, participants are welcome to bring their own tiny treasures. These small plots are constructed for indoor or outdoor use, using natural materials and objects such as plants, miniscule statues, doll furniture, shells, etc. Take home some magic!

When: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26

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

Admission: $25, materials included age appropriate 8 and up

To register: Call 508-896-3867. Museum admission not included

Join a sacred ceremony at Unity on Cape Cod

This special event, Healing Ancestral Trauma through Ceremonial Apology, will be facilitated by Juan Carlos Arean. He will lead participants in circle discussion and meditation on how apology and forgiveness can help heal personal and historical trauma. Arean is a recognized activist, public speaker, and ordained interfaith minister. He works as a program director for Futures without Violence in Boston.

When: 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26

Where: Unity on Cape Cod, 147 Walton Ave., Hyannis

Admission: Free. Donations will be given to the Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project.

Information: Laura Duran @ The Bridge, lauraduran@comcast.net. Phone: 781-244-4292

A trio of singer-songwriters

Join three stellar singer-songwriters for an afternoon of music. Rod Abernathy plays acoustic guitar while Alaska native Kim Moberg, and award-winning songwriter Susan Cattaneo lend their vocal talents to move easily from rock to folk. Abernathy is the 2021 Overall Grand Prize Winner of International Acoustic Music Awards and the 2019 Winner of American Songwriter’s Bob Dylan Song Contest.

When: 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27

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

Tickets: $25

To register: cultural-center.org or call 508-394-7100.

A special film event

There will be a film screening of “I Am Not Your Negro” at the Cape Cinema. Chosen by artists Frank Anigbo and Richard Neal, the film is being shown in conjunction with the current exhibit about racism titled Fragile at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. During the film screening, the artists will be on hand to introduce the film. The 2016 film was directed by Raoul Peck and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson about James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript exploring the history of racism in the United States.

When: 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30

Where: Cape Cinema, Route 6A, Dennis

Tickets: $10 in advanceTo purchase tickets: https://www.capecinema.com/films/i-am-not-your-negro

My ship: songs from 1941

Vocalist Dawn Derow will perform songs from the World War II era at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. (Photo: courtesy of Dawn Derow)
Vocalist Dawn Derow will perform songs from the World War II era at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. (Photo: courtesy of Dawn Derow)

The Cotuit Center for the Arts presents Dawn Derow performing songs from World War II in her acclaimed cabaret show. Her repertoire includes such favorites as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Skylark” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” Backing her up will be music director Ian Herman, pianist, Tom Hubbard, bass; and Bart Weisman on drums. Derow performed this show in 2018 and it is back by popular demand. Come out and enjoy her special brand of music.

When: 7:30 p.m., Wed., Nov. 30

Where: Cotuit Center for the Arts main stage, 4404 Falmouth Road (Route 28)

Tickets: $35

Information: 508-428-0669 or visit https://artsonthecape.org.

― Compiled by Robin Smith-Johnson

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Vocalist Dawn Derow, holiday auction at the Center for Coastal Studies