Leap Year Brings a Bonus to Saint Mary's: One Last Winter Community Luncheon!

Left to right are Cathy Hatch, Jean Sagara, Robin Comins Unger and Chris Keenan.
Live music is a big part of the popularity of Saint Mary's winter community luncheons.

The best part of having an extra day added to this Leap Year calendar might just be the chance it offers all of us to enjoy one last terrific “bonus” meal at Saint Mary of the Harbor Episcopal Church on February 29^th, 2020. That’s tomorrow, Saturday, from noon till about 1 PM or so, with a lovely meal prepared and served by some dozen or more volunteers, mostly from the church’s congregation. There is no charge for this wonderful meal, and all are invited.

This is a community luncheon intended to welcome absolutely everyone for a congenial meal among friends, both new and old, with Saint Mary’s stunning view of Provincetown Harbor as a backdrop, and live music for all to enjoy. It runs every Saturday during the Cape's two most challenging winter months for many of us: January and February. It’s easy to become a bit isolated when the weather might keep us from getting out and being among the humans, and this welcoming, community luncheon creates a great atmosphere for a little socializing, a lot of music, and something good to eat.

John Carroll and John Luftin made the best ratatouille I've ever tasted!

I hadn’t made it to a single lunch all season until this past Saturday, and had been missing a lot of the folks that I’ve always enjoyed spending a little bit of time with over the winter months.

Boy, did I luck out by catching a ride to the church that day...

Walking across the courtyard I could smell the divine aromas of this homemade meal from 50 feet away, and wonderful, live music was wafting on the air.

My nose led me to big baskets of crusty, really good garlic bread and a beautiful salad of mixed field greens, accompanied by the greatest ratatouille I’ve ever tasted! Saint Mary parishioners John Carroll and John Loftin baked several big pans of that delightful French stew simply brimming with fresh vegetables, in a uniquely flavored sauce that I hope to have the good fortune to enjoy again one day.

Dessert, as usual, was a lovely variety of baked goods such as cookies, brownies, lemon bars, carrot cake and the like, cut bite size so you could taste as many as you wanted, with a platter of these little sweets on every table.

This plate of excellent ratatouille, beautiful mixed salad greens and
great garlic bread was a real hit with last week's St. Mary's crowd. 

Besides great food, this weekly winter event always features live music, courtesy of two or three splendid Cape Cod musicians, together with friends they might bring along from various Cape towns and beyond, and sometimes featuring PTown tunesmiths as well.

Musicians from Eastham, Brewster and lands well beyond will venture out to the beauty of Provincetown on a cold winter's day, all for the love of the music. Diners and servers alike will often join in a sing-along, or dance to the music as it moves them.

This past week brought us Cathy Hatch, a dedicated regular traveling from Yarmouth to play guitar for us nearly every Saturday, along with Jean Sagara of Wellfleet, another regular, playing the fiddle. Our best wishes go out to John, another regular, at home, recovering from an injury and unable to play that day.

Cathy and Jean were joined by Robin Comins Unger and Chris Keenan, who both are frequent visitors to the Outer Cape, traveling from western Massachusetts to a little get-away in Truro as often as they can. They had brought their fiddles along. Each of these many fine musicians plays multiple instruments, and you never know which of dozens of strings, drums, percussion, woodwinds or others we’ll be treated to on any given Saturday.

We thank Saint Mary’s and the volunteers for another great season of food, music and comradery. The eclectic mix of friends and neighbors among the crowd, in the band, and in the kitchen, makes this a wonderful gathering for everyone, with the ambience completed by the view of magnificent Provincetown Harbor, seen from every corner of the dining hall at Saint Mary’s. This remarkable, homespun, weekly tradition should not be missed this winter, with your last chance for the season to join in the fun falling on Saturday, tomorrow, on Leap Day. Come join us in a good meal, live music, perhaps a bit of song and dance... all in a beautiful setting where everyone is truly welcome!

Hot Ticket: Favorite Poem Project Benefits PTown's Fine Arts Work Center Fri Aug 10

On Friday night we'll be treated to a remarkable evening of "favorite poems" read by luminaries from the worlds of music, theater, politics, journalism, art, and, of course, poetry. The program is a benefit for the Fine Arts Work Center, at 24 Pearl Street in Provincetown. Each year FAWC helps to raise up a new crop of emerging writers and visual artists through various fellowships and programs of the center.
The diversity of the night's readers is evidenced above. From acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner to genius singer/songwriter Patty Larkin, from State Senator Julian Cyr to renowned poet Eileen Myles, this manifold group of readers will no doubt bring us a presentation that is both thought provoking and entertaining. Writer/director/actor Ryan Landry has a bit of a bad boy image, but I'm willing to bet that he'll surprise us one way or another with his selection, because that's what he does.
Whether you prefer open seating or priority, which includes reserved seats and an After Party with the readers, you'll want to get tickets right away. Click here for tickets or go online later at fawc.org/tickets/. Don't miss this week's Hot Ticket!

Provincetown's Summer Entertainment is in Full Swing at the Post Office Cabaret

Drag legend Jackie Beat at P.O. Café only till Wed, June 27th

The summer entertainment season really takes off tonight in the heart of Provincetown, at the Post Office Cabaret, found at 303 Commercial Street. Hold onto your hat when legendary drag superstar Jackie Beat takes the stage at 7 PM (and at 8:30 this Tuesday and Wednesday.) This is a very limited engagement, so don’t miss it. She’ll belt out live vocals in twisted parodies of hits by Britney Spears, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Mariah Carey and many more. Guaranteed to make you blush, this raucous, hilarious show is not for the timid! 

See Raja: Masque at the P.O.

Raja, winner of the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, returns to Provincetown for the summer, bringing her stunning show of high fashion and dazzling drag to the stage at 8:30 tonight in her fabulous performance entitled Masque. Times will vary throughout the summer, so check the schedule and be sure to see RAJA: Masque.

See Male Call at the P.O. Thru Sept 9th

Whether you call it a strip-tease, burlesque or a classy all-male dance review, you’re right… Male Call: Student Bodies is all of the above, with something for everybody. Whether you prefer your men toned and muscled, or you’re more into boyish good looks, when Male Call performs, there’s always eye candy on stage for everyone who enjoys the movement of the male form.

Running all summer, till September 9th.

See Candis Cayne thru July 1 at the P.O.

 Candis Cayne is widely known for her TV appearances on Dirty Sexy Money and I Am Cait. She now brings her acclaimed one-woman-show Hi Gorgeous to Provincetown for the first time ever, for a limited engagement running nightly at 7 PM from Tuesday, June 26^th thru Sun, July 1st. Word has it that “Old School meets High Glamour in this hair-flipping and high-kicking showcase of fabulousness.” I’ve never seen her perform, so I can’t wait to see Candis Cayne: Hi Gorgeous.

Khris Francis is at P.O. Café

Khris Francis is at the piano all summer, Thursday through Sunday nights beginning at 9:30 PM in the Café. Don’t let his angelic singing voice fool you. This musical show is billed as “Adult Humor That Will Offend Everyone,” and that is certainly true, but it doesn’t tell you just how funny this man is. There’s no cover charge, and a special late night menu is available. Definitely not recommended for young children, but highly recommended for adults who are grown-up enough to handle provocative language and fierce, outrageous, unapologetic comedy.

Several more great performers are lined up to appear this summer at the P.O., and I’ll tell you about them as the season moves along. For now, be sure to see these five unique shows. Get tickets online or visit the Post Office Cabaret box office, right next to the Post Office Café, at 303 Commercial Street, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily into the autumn season. Have dinner in the Café before the show and get priority seating for the performance. Call the box office at 508•487•0006. No shows on Mondays.

Provincetown's Portuguese Festival Offers Great Food, with Plenty of Free Events and Entertainment for the Whole Family!

The Portuguese flag welcomes visitors from around the world to Provincetown,

Provincetown's 2018 Portuguese Festival is underway with some 30 events on the schedule, as you'll see below, many of them free and open to the public.
Highlights will include entertainment for kids and adults, a parade on Commercial Street, the 71st Blessing of the Fleet, and, of course, the food!

There will be opportunities all around the town to enjoy authentic Portuguese cuisine. I never miss the Portuguese Soup Tasting, which will be today from noon till 3 PM at the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief Park, across Bradford Street from Town Hall.
There will be dancing to live bands, performances by Portuguese dancers in costume, comedy and much more, with 5 events and shows especially for kids. The celebration began last night with food and dancing, and will continue all weekend.
Saturday evening's Fado Concert is not to be missed, and Sunday afternoon will bring an old-fashioned outdoor band concert, in front of Town Hall. Below is a bit of info from the Festival website, including the full schedule of events and performances from now through Sunday evening. Get out and enjoy as many as you can!

2018 Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet

People come from around the world to celebrate Portuguese heritage and culture at the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet.

The annual Festival is four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games and more. With over 30 mostly free activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Festival Weekend is capped off with The Blessing of The Fleet where boats decked out in their finest line up to receive the blessing for a safe & prosperous year. We invite you to join us June 21 through June 24 and share the heritage!

Friday, June 22, 2018

12:00pm - 2:00pm

Capt. Ken Silva Fishing Derby for Kids at MacMillan Pier. A Free event!

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Portuguese Soup Tasting the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. It features soup from fine restaurants in Provincetown, Truro & Wellfleet! Entertainment at the Bas Relief by the Dory Bar Blues Band. Tickets at the door.

12:00pm - 5:00pm

Face Painting in Portuguese Square. A Free event!

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Portuguese Writers & Poets read at the Harbor Lounge. Harbor Lounge is located at 359 Commercial street across from the Public Library. A free event!

2:30pm - 4:00pm

The Great Lobster Crate Race for kids of all ages at MacMillan Pier. A free event!

3:00pm - 6:00pm

Music & Dancing on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

5:00pm - 8:00pm

The Lobster Pot restaurant & Cape Tip Seafood presents the Lobster Bake in Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. Feast on lobsters and more plus a cash bar for oysters, clams and shrimp. Beer & Wine available too. No Reservations required. Tickets At The Door. Brought to you by The Lobster Pot and Cape Tip Seafoods.

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Music for all ages with Cape Verdean music with Danny Carvalho and Band on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

8:00pm - 10:00pm

Music for all ages with the great Capitalistas on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

9:00pm - 1:00am

Homecoming Get Together with the Old Jug Band at Bubala's By The Sea. A Free event!

Saturday, June 23, 2018

10:00am - 12:00pm

Motta Family Kids Games & Cookout at Motta Field. A great place for the whole family to enjoy fun and food. A free event!

10:30am - 2:00pm

Live Entertainment and Portuguese Dancers in Portuguese Square. Free!

11:30am - 7:30pm

Lions Club Portuguese Food Court in Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. A feast of Portuguese food and more plus beer, wine and music. Food & Beverages are priced individually. No cover charge!

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Entertainment for kids of all ages by the Toe Jam Puppet Band. A favorite with the little ones! It’s on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Portuguese Festival Parade on Commercial Street. A highlight of the Festival with a fantastic group of Dancers, Musicians, Floats and more will start at the Harbor Hotel and travel through town to Franklin Street. Come early to get a good spot!

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Entertainment in Portuguese Square continues A Free event!

6:30pm - 7:30pm

Comedy by the Portuguese Kids in the Lions Club Portuguese Food Court under the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. A free event!

7:30pm - 9:30pm

An early evening FADO concert at the Provincetown Town Hall. Courtesy of the Provincetown Banner, enjoy amazing performances of traditional Portuguese folk music by Celia Maria, Sonia Bettencourt, Sandi Batista and  Daniel Guerra. Accompanied in the guitar by Viriato Ferreira and directly from Portugal Louie’s da Silva and our own Viriato Ferreira! Contributions at the door are appreciated! Town Hall is a handicapped accessible building.

9:00pm - 12:30am

Cap off a great day with live SAMBA music under the stars! Join the fun and dance the night away in Portuguese Square. A free event!

Sunday, June 24, 2018

10:30am - 11:30am

Fishermen’s Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown. Celebrated by Bishop Edgar M. daCunha S.D.V

11:30am - 12:30pm

Portuguese Dancers perform authentic routines wearing fabulous costumes in Lopes Square while you wait for the Procession. A free event!

12:00pm - 1:00pm

After Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church a Procession leaves as a group for the short walk to MacMillan Pier for the 71st annual Blessing of the Fleet. They are bearing banners that honor the fishing fleet past & present.

12:00pm - 4:00pm

TASCA Portuguese Cafe on MacMillan Pier. Sample the taste of Portugal with a host of delicacies including a Beer & Wine cash bar!

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Follow up the Blessing with Portuguese Music and Dancers! They are performing out on MacMillan Pier. A free event!

1:00pm

71st Blessing Of The Fleet. Honoring a tradition in Provincetown, boats decked out in their finest parade before Bishop Edgar Da Cunha S.D.V. to receive their blessing. The fleet will be judged for their decorations too. A free event!

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Enjoy a Traditional Band Concert in front of Town Hall featuring St. Anthony’s Band from Cambridge, its a free event!

4:00pm - 7:00pm

Get Together and celebrate the last day of the Festival at the Governor Bradford. Ed Sheridan and friends will be performing live. A free event!

Planning for 2019? We'll see you for the 2019 Festival June 20 - 23!

See World Class Entertainment Over Four-Day PTown Memorial Day Bash

Kick off the new season with great entertainment over the four-day weekend celebrating Memorial Day in Provincetown. It starts with rollicking comedy at the Post Office Cabaret. Two of PTown's favorite stand-up comics will each make appearances every day of this fun, extended weekend. Click for tickets or visit the box office at 303 Commercial Street.

 This summer it will be very exciting to see the Pilgrim House reclaim its identity as a premier entertainment venue in Provincetown, and it all starts with the fabulous Miss Richfield 1981 moving her unique, hilarious mix of comedy, song and audience interaction to this stage with her all new show "Born Again." Click below to get tickets early for Saturday, May 26th or Sunday, May 27th at 8:30 PM. Both are likely to sell out. Find the Pilgrim House at the end of the footpath at 336 Commercial Street.

Saturday, May 26th and Sunday, May 27th, 8:30 PM at Pilgrim House

Mark Cortale Productions and the Art House present blockbuster music and comedy this weekend with Melissa Ferrick and multiple award-winning comic and PTown favorite Judy Gold, each appearing at the Art House on Saturday night. The Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls will perform Sunday night at Town Hall at 6 PM. Their opening act will be our own Zoe Lewis, a "band in a body."

All three of these Memorial Day Weekend shows are one night only, with Judy Gold returning to perform late June through August, along with some 30 more artists playing at the Art House throughout the summer, so bookmark the schedule and check it often, In the meantime, see these shows while you can.

Click above for performer profiles and links to tickets for each show

The Crown & Anchor complex, at 247 Commercial Street, has so many events going on for the four-day holiday weekend that it's hard to even list them all here. 16 parties, events and performances will take place between now and Monday evening, starting with singer/comic Julie Wheeler performing tonight thru Monday at 7 PM in the Cabaret Room, followed by Rise Up, the kickoff party for Memorial Day Weekend, starting at 9 PM tonight in the Paramount Room. 

There are more dance parties scheduled in the evenings, as well as a pool party Sunday afternoon. The legendary Illusions Drag Revue and the fabulous Thirsty Burlington will each perform Saturday and Sunday nights. Bobby Wetherbee brings his award-winning piano bar and sing-along to the Dive Bat tonight thru Sunday with no cover charge, and Doug Repetti will be on the piano Monday and Tuesday nights. Check the schedule, and follow the links there to get tickets, or stop by the box office at the edge of the Crown's new pet friendly patio and outdoor grill.

Click for parties, events and performance schedules

Get your summer started right. Look over the schedules, make a spreadsheet if you have to, and get to as many of these venues as you can for shows, parties and more taking place all over Provincetown, all weekend. For events requiring tickets, get 'em now! (Julie Wheeler, for example, is sold out for tonight, but she'll do three more shows.) There are dozens of events here for you to enjoy.

Have fun, be careful, be kind to each other, and have a great holiday.

Outer Cape Chorale Spring Concert Soars

The annual spring concert of the Outer Cape Chorale and Chamber Singers is, as usual, fabulous! You still have a chance to catch their Saturday evening performance in PTown or their Sunday afternoon performance in Orleans. Make sure you get out and enjoy  this unique Cape Cod event.
Here's how their website describes this concert:

A program of choral music inspired by the beauty of Cape Cod - Featuring Ronald Perera’s Why I Wake Early, based on the poetry of Mary Oliver, and a program of songs, composers, and more – all from or about our beloved Cape Cod!

Saturday May 19th at 7:00 PM, Provincetown Town Hall
Sunday May 20th at 3:00 PM, Nauset Regional Middle School, Orleans

This is a free concert with donations gratefully accepted. It is always one of the year's most highly anticipated events, so be sure not to miss it!

See (or Be) the UU Meeting House Annual Talent/No-Talent Show on Sat., May 12th

Come and see the show at the UU Meeting House, at 336 Commercial Street, or sign up to be part of the show yourself. Whether you are quite talented, or, not so much, you can perform before a supportive audience of folks who are likely to applaud anything. Groups as well as solo acts are welcome.
Are you secretly a comic? Do you sing a little, dance like a dream, read poetry, or have no discernible talent whatsoever but want to play your banjo solo anyway? Sign up by calling Char at 508•487•4193, or e-mail her at chartone@aol.com.
You'll want to be there by 6:00 PM with dessert or finger food to share in the "bistro" that will be set up for the evening, but don't be late because the show starts at 6:30. Come even earlier if you want to help set up the bistro and theater.
The evening will also feature an auction for services that will be sold to the highest bidder. You can offer a service yourself by e-mailing Will at Will.Hildreth@gmail.com, or call him at 310•486•2900. Or perhaps you'll win the bid for someone to come and clean out your rain gutters, or do your grocery shopping, crochet an afghan or bake you some cookies. There's no telling what sort of services might be auctioned off.
So get to the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House on Saturday and have some fun. Those folks are among the most vital champions of just about every Provincetown group or cause you can name, and they certainly deserve our support.

PTown's Most Unusual "Dinner and a Movie" Can be Found This Weekend at Ross' Grill and Waters Edge Cinema

A splendid fennel bisque, a Soup du Jour at Ross' that I hope to taste again one day.

Ross' Grill is open again after their annual brief closing during January. You'll find them on the second floor of the Whalers Wharf, looking out over Provincetown's lovely harbor.
Ross' Grill is currently open Friday through Sunday for lunch from noon to 2:30 PM, with tapas from 3 to 5 PM, and serving dinner, 5:30 to 9 PM.
There's a special event going on this weekend, and a unique menu you'll want to sample.
February 23rd through 25th we'll get a chance to taste Puerto Rican and Bulgarian dishes by Chefs César and Emil as they present their "Trust the Chef" menu, with main courses priced at just $20. Entrées from the regular dinner menu will not be served this weekend. Instead, treat yourself to something a bit more exotic from a special offering, available this weekend only.

Now for the movie...
We thank Whalers Wharf for once again bringing three great programs of Academy Award nominated short films to Provincetown. It was through theaters such as this one, repeatedly asking for the Oscar nominated shorts, that the film industry has finally made a real effort to make these films available so people could see them before award night. You won't likely find these shorts playing anywhere else within a hundred miles of PTown.

There's a program of animation, one of live action, and one of documentaries. Each program will feature several short films in its category. Audiences have given these programs a rare score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes website, so see as many as you can, while you can.
Click on this link to Waters Edge Cinema Schedule to plan a matinee (perhaps saving a dollar or two?) or an evening performance, whichever will let you fit it in with dinner at Ross' Grill, on the other end of the building. Call Ross' to make a reservation at 508•487•8878.
The Post, the First Amendment thriller starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, is a best picture nominee, also currently playing at Waters Edge. Next week they'll feature nominee Lady Bird, and likely other nominees will be coming along as well, leading up to the award show. 
Visit Ross' facebook page using your cell phone, click on the photo that has the logo on it, and save the offer you'll find there, to get half-off entrées through March.
There! Now you've got at least the next couple of weekends planned, to save a little money on some great food and entertainment, as you get out of the house for dinner and a movie.

Saint Mary's Begins 28th Season of Winter Community Luncheons in Provincetown

Now through February, St Mary's will serve lovely Saturday lunches at no charge.

Weekly community luncheons will begin for the winter season this Saturday, January 6th, 2018, at Saint Mary of the Harbor Episcopal Church, with everyone invited.
Join your neighbors for a home cooked meal at St Mary's every Saturday from noon to 1 PM during January and February.
Volunteers prepare and serve specialty dishes of various church members featuring a different favorite recipe whipped up every Saturday. Each meal begins with a crisp garden salad.
The delicious hot lunch pictured here is Priscilla Jackett's famous tandoori chicken, baked in the oven with multicolored bell peppers, tomato, onion, mushrooms, celery, and just a bit of spice. It was served with brown rice, mixed winter vegetables and crusty bread. It's among the favorite dishes of regular guests.

Musicians bring over a dozen folk instruments to Saturday lunches.

There is a wonderful feeling of community here, with an amazing cross section of Provincetowners sharing communal tables, visiting with old friends, and meeting new ones, while enjoying a nice meal along with a bit of rather spirited entertainment.
Live music often gets the crowd singing along, or gets them on their feet to dance, with musicians from Cape Cod towns singing and playing a wide variety of tunes and instruments.
Of course, the view of Provincetown Harbor is superb, since the picture windows of Saint Mary's dining hall look right out over the beach, just a few feet away. Combine this scenic beauty with good food, music and friends, and you'll see why this weekly event has been so popular for all these years, now embarking on its 28th season. And the volunteers show that they are genuinely glad to have you there.

The volunteers also bring a variety of homemade treats for dessert.

Dessert is buffet trays of bite-sized sweets like brownies, bars, cookies, and cakes, so you can taste a few without going too far overboard.
Coffee and tea are served as well, and folks are encouraged to relax and chat, or to get up and dance to the music, or whatever suits them.
Everyone is invited to this wonderful, weekly community event. Saint Mary's is in Provincetown's Far East End, just beyond Howland Street. It's right on the edge of the harbor, at 517 Commercial Street.
Come and join us in he first luncheon of the New Year, and every Saturday through February.

Despite This Cold Weather, Thousands Enjoy First Light Provincetown, Our 6-Day Celebration of the New Year!

Ring in the New Year in Provincetown, with more than 70 events in our annual First Light celebration.

It's New Year's Eve, and we're right in the middle of our famed annual First Light festivities in Provincetown, where thousands have been celebrating the New Year since Thursday, with 36 more events and fireworks over the harbor still to come!

Special New Year's Eve dinners, entertainment, film, live music, galleries, parties, shopping, concerts, dancing, family fun, New Year's brunches, champagne toasts and the Polar Bear Plunge are just a few of the events (several of them free!) taking place throughout the town through Tuesday, January 2nd.

Food ranges from street festival favorites like sausages, soups, waffles and pot pies to upscale dishes like roasted quail and free range veal in a great restaurant. There will be filet mignon, truffle mac & cheese, extraordinary seafood, as well as a simple bowl of great clam chowder. Vegetarians will find plenty of choices as well.

Go online to get the complete First Light Provincetown schedule, with links to information on events, accommodations, menus, a map of the town, and dozens of ways you can join us in this spirited, joyous holiday celebration.

As usual in Provincetown, there truly is something for everyone in this 6-day festival. There are special New Year's Eve menus and complete dinners from a three-course meal for $55 to a six-course Chef's Tasting Menu and champagne toast followed by live music and dancing into the New Year for $125. There are several free or no-cover events and parties of all kinds in venues all over town, variously offering party favors, hats, noisemakers, and at some, even a bit of free champagne for those of legal age.

Suede will give her annual New Year's concert Monday at 8 PM at the Crown $ Anchor.

There are New Year's Eve parties tonight, and more special dinners and fireworks parties tomorrow night. The fireworks will be on MacMillan Pier, scheduled for 5:30 PM on New Year's Day. You can watch this great display on your own from anywhere on the beach along the Harbor, or join the festivities at a number of waterfront restaurants and clubs, like Tin Pan Alley or The Crown & Anchor.

You can support the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum with a $50 donation that will give you a fantastic view of the fireworks from high above the town on the PMPM grounds, while enjoying wine, oysters, champagne and hors d'oeuvre. Several great fundraisers for PTown organizations are held during First Light.

There are also restaurants offering their regular menus this week, in case you just want a plate of pasta or a burger, and you may even find some off-season specials. And Fanizzi's will serve an extra Sunday Buffet Brunch this week, on Monday, New Year's day, from 10 AM until 2 PM. You'll find everything from their mixed fruit bowl and pastries to mussels steamed in white wine and herbs, along with French toast (real maple syrup, or course,) various egg dishes, sausage, bacon, the pasta of the day, breakfast burritos and more. At $14.95 for all you can eat, and just $8.95 for kids, that's a PTown bargain at any time of the year.

And for those of us who might be up on New Year's Day before most folks will get out of bed, Bayside Betsy's will be serving breakfast by 8 AM.

Hot mulled wine at The Canteen's food court and holiday market will warm you up.

Shop the holiday market at the Canteen, bringing local vendors and artisans together with a food court, hot drinks, bonfires and street food, along with free events like entertainment, a fireworks-watching party, and ice skating on the beach.

Some 30 guesthouses and inns are open during First Light, along with dozens of shops and galleries, and about 40 restaurants, bars and coffee shops. There's even free parking in all town-operated lots, and Operation Safe Ride offers a free, sober ride home on New Year's Eve from 10 PM to 4 AM, provided by designated Provincetown taxi and transportation companies, even if you're living or staying as far away as Orleans.

Again, you can find out about all of these things, and more, by checking the aforementioned First Light Provincetown schedule, then come and join the celebration in our beautiful little historic fishing village by the sea.

Here's wishing us all a happy, safe, healthy, joyous New Year!

30th Annual Swim for Life in Provincetown This Weekend

The first weekend after Labor Day always brings the annual Swim for Life to Provincetown Harbor. It's a challenging 1.4 mile swim, in open water, from the lighthouse on Long Point to the shores of the Boatslip Beach Club, on the edge of the harbor in Provincetown's West End neighborhood. Click to read about Swim for Life history. To date, the event has raised some $4 Million for AIDS, women's health and our community. It is perhaps the most joyous outpouring of love, energy and spirit in Provincetown every year. We invite you to join us!

The Celebration of Life is the year's most anticipated concert.
It is perhaps the most uplifting event in PTown every year.

Whether you are a swimmer, a volunteer, or a "cheerleader" on the beach, hooting, hollering and applauding the swimmers as they reach the shore, you'll want to be a part of this. Many people will participate by attending the lovely Celebration of Life on the night before the swim. This marvelous, free concert, produced by John Thomas, will take place at 8 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, at 236 Commercial Street, tonight, Friday, September 8th, 2017. Dozens of performers, singers, musicians and others will definitely raise the spirits of a packed house, so go early to get a seat. The UU is wheelchair accessible.

Swimmers and paddlers will assemble at Long Point Light
for the 11 AM start of Provincetown's annual Swim for Life.

The Swim will begin at 11 AM on Long Point, with boat rides provided to get swimmers to the starting point. Kayakers, paddle boarders and folks in boats will accompany the swimmers safely across the harbor. Click to find out about registering as a swimmer or a volunteer, which happens Saturday morning at the Boatslip. Whether you're a swimmer or are cheering them on, it's exhilarating.

The first swimmer reaches the Boatslip, greeted by a cheering
crowd. The Mermaid Brunch and awards follow on the deck.

The Mermaid Brunch, a free buffet catered by Far Land Provisions, will be held at the Boatslip from noon until 2 PM, with Zoë Lewis and friends entertaining. Around 1 PM, or whenever the last swimmer safely reaches the shore, Swim founder Jay Critchley will lead the awards ceremony for swimmers who have raised the most money in pledges or have participated in the most swims. This is another inspiring event giving all a feeling of community, even those who have joined us from other parts of the world. Many people return to PTown every year to participate in the Swim for Life.

It all started with 18 swimmers raising $6,000.
This photo shows Jay Critchley and Roger Beatty registering two unknown swimmers  at a makeshift desk on the beach in the first Swim, in 1988. 
This year we'll see over 150 volunteers making it happen, and more than 400 swimmers taking the plunge. Come and join us for some or all of these events and be a part of the 30^th, the 2017 Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla, September 8^th and 9^th in Provincetown!