Art shows, RuPaul’s Drag Race, free movies: Top 9 things to do on Cape Cod this week

Art shows are a hot commodity for this week's Best Bets. Artists will be showcasing their talent live at the Castle Hill Gallery show. You can even participate from home at the "Brush Off Art" silent auction.

If the beauty of natural scenarios is your thing, you may want to put on your to-do list the free art exhibit at the Wellfleet Adult Community Center. Celebrate community, culture, and action at the Arts & Justice festival throughout downtown Hyannis.

Or head down to Provincetown for Bear Week ― Eureka O’Hara will be making their first debut. Take the whole family along to an outdoor movie at Mashpee Commons. Spin into the past with a renowned weaver at the Josiah Dennis Manse or, at a music festival in Orleans, take in decades of America's past with the “American Landscape” concert.

Shop for local art with Cahoon museum auction in Cotuit

The Cahoon Museum of American Art’s "Brush Off Art" auction will feature the work of local artists whose work is up for auction. Proceeds will benefit the artists and the museum's educational programs. Bidding is now open for the silent auction until 10 a.m. on July 9.  Art in the silent auction is sold from $50 - $1,200 and is estimated to be valued higher than the price asked. Click here for silent auction.

The spotlight at Castle Hill will shine on three former teachers

Castle Hill Gallery Show will shine the light on three artists who have all taught at Castle Hill in the past.

Daphne Confar's painting style was described in a press release, saying “she builds her paintings up from a tonal underpainting, and she then puts layers of color on top of that underpainting, sanding down between layers. She usually likes to work on panels, and enjoy things that look older, like they have a story.”

Another painter, Ying Li, with a much different style, was described this way: “She works in the zone where abstraction and representation meet, using high volumes of oil paint, bold colors, earthy textures and calligraphic lines to depict landscape. Her training in Chinese painting and calligraphy has helped her to form brushwork that is both free and disciplined. Working from a deep engagement with the material and visual possibilities of painting, her goal is to convey a visceral connection with place.”

Susan Bernstein is a sculptor and clay artist whose work is described this way: “Her passion is hand building and clay’s unlimited capacity to mold into material forms that also hold meaning for us in our lives.”

The opening reception will take place 4-6 p.m. on July 6. This will be the only day the artists will be there.

The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. through July 14. It will not be open during the weekends. This event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

Dive into the 'American Landscape' of music in Orleans

Come along for the tour of American music culminating in this Broadway-themed premiere. Director Donald Enos is known for his ability to draw inspiration from diverse cultures and historical time periods. Long time collaborator and renowned cellist Amit Peled have turned it up a notch. The night will shimmy off with the influence of jazz on American classical music. Florence B. Price, the first Black woman in America to be recognized as a symphonic composer, will perform her piece. This night will feature many artists and emphasize the migration of music. Starting at 7:30 p.m. on July 10 at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans. Tickets are $25 at the door. People 18 and younger are free.

Roar down to Provincetown for Bear Week

Bear Week celebrations are roaring off with more than 25 events including pool parties, live entertainment, BBQ, dance nights and more from July 8-15. The spotlight is RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Eureka O’Hara, who will make their first trip to Provincetown for a special one-night-only performance from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 13 at Provincetown Town Hall, 260 Commercial St. Tickets range from $45-$155. The Bear Week Wiener Roast & Pool Party at the Brass Key Guest House will start at noon and end at 4 p.m. at 67 Bradford St. Tickets range from $55-$99, with a processing fee. The best wiener will receive a prize of $200 or a smokeless mini grill. Click here for event information.

Free family outdoor movie nights at Mashpee Commons

Mashpee Commons has released the 2023 summer outdoor movie schedule. This free event will take place every Thursday, and the last film will be shown on Aug. 24. Bring your own beach chairs and blankets. Pets are not allowed. The Garden Party, a new outdoor beer garden and entertainment space, will be open during movie times. Naukabout Brewing Company's alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold. Food items will also be sold from local restaurants and mobile vendors.

The schedule:

July 6: “League of Super Pets,” 8:45 p.m.

July 13: “Coco,” 8:45 p.m.

July 20: “Thor ― Love & Thunder,” 8:30 p.m.

July 27: “Karate Kid,” 8:30 p.m.

Aug. 3: “Moana,” 8:15 p.m.

Aug. 10: “Top Gun Maverick,” 8:15 p.m.

Aug. 17: “Jurassic World” 8 p.m.

Aug. 24: “Aquaman," 7:45 p.m.

Taking place at the Village Green across from the Mashpee Library.  Movie nights depend on the weather. If canceled, the movie will be rescheduled for the following Sunday. Check the Mashpee Commons Facebook page for weather updates.

Celebrate community at the Arts & Justice festival in Hyannis

This is a multi-day celebration focused on community care, culture and the action that helps maintain a healthy community on Cape Cod, despite challenges. The first event will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., July 6 at 255 Main St. with "A Spatial Justice Art Exhibit" showcasing work that portrays stories of humanity, intimacy, gentrification and justice. In addition, a film premiere of “The Low Down on Main Street: Perspectives from underrepresented community members” will be held. A Night of Black Excellence is scheduled 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., July 7 at the Hyannis Village Green. Featuring local and regional Black musical and spoken word artists who have contributed to Black culture on Cape Cod. A free workshop on restorative yoga and movement healing will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., July 8 at 255 Main St. Space is limited. Register for this event and bring a yoga mat and water.

Healing Through Art from noon to 1:30 p.m., July 8, 116 Stevens St.  Storyteller Antonio Rocha will address matters of communication, self-esteem, conflict resolution, and respect at 2 p.m. at the Harbor Overlook.  "A Collective Fashion" will feature Cape Cod fashion designers whose designs reflect a wider audience from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. July 8, at The Guyer Barn. Antonio Rocha will tell stories for children at 10:30 a.m., July 9 at the Outdoor Play Oasis (behind the Hyannis Public Library).  Summer Vendor Market & Festival will have live music, a bounce house for kids, food, beer, and wine. Running from 12-4 p.m., July 9 at the Hyannis Village Green. Click here for more information and schedule.

Take a glimpse into history in Dennis with 'Weaving on the loom'

When there were no clothing stores in the mid-1700s mothers and daughters had the responsibility of spinning wool before creating clothes. The wool was needed to make blankets, garments, and other goods. Come see a locally renowned weaver, Susan Kelly, with over half a century of weaving skills at work on an 18th century barn loom. Visitors will have the chance to throw the shuttle and press the treadle on the antique barn loom. The one-day event will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., July 8 at the Josiah Dennis Manse, 61 Whig St., Dennis Village. Admission is free. Costumed docents and local history experts will be available to answer questions about the homestead from 1736 and its relation to early Cape Cod history. The Manse will also be open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Tuesday and 1- 4 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 24. Admission is always free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Hot spot for events this July in Truro

Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill has choices for you this month. The Mosquito Story Slam is an evening of storytelling with the mission to celebrate and honor the differences and similarities of our human experiences. Audience members are invited to participate by telling a short and personal story based on a theme. Sign-up to be a storyteller will start at 3:30 p.m. for this event, from 4-6 p.m., July 14, at Castle Hill’s outdoor venue, 3 Edgewood Road, Truro. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance and $25 at the door. “A Symphony of Crickets” is a combination of music and spoken word, by award-winning African American writer and musician, Charles Coe that was inspired by his poetry. Starting at 6 p.m., July 18 at 3 Edgewood Road, Truro. Tickets are $25 if purchased in advance and $30 at the door.

Inspired by the beautiful scenery of Wellfleet

Artist Frank S. Morgan has been living on the shores of Blackfish Creek in Wellfleet since 2008, finding time to paint during his retirement. Morgan enjoys and is inspired by the changing seasons and tides on the marsh. In college he majored in painting, earning a B.F.A and studying at multiple schools. These paintings are a small sample of the effort he has put in. Morgan’s work will be showcased 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 3 through July 31, at the Wellfleet Adult Community Center, 715 Old King’s Highway. The artist’s reception will be held 4-6 p.m. only on July 9. Most of the work is from a private collection, with only a few available for sale.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do: Festivals in Hyannis and Provincetown