Fashion show, mindfulness, open mic: This week's Best Bets, the mostly free edition
This week's Best Bets has your pockets in mind with five free events to choose from.
An upcoming fashion show will spotlight local Cape Cod artists and boutiques that make wearable art. And it offers the bonus of an open-call model search for aspiring models. An art exhibit, growing out of the days of the pandemic when seeing people’s facial expressions was a privilege, focuses on faces ― pure and simple.
There is also an open mic this week for those ready to showcase their talent, a Mindfulness Festival and a chance to learn about birdwatching with Peter Crosson.
Elsewhere in CapeWeek, you can read about Michael Hansen, whose talent led him to make a feature film that will be shown Aug. 1 in the Woods Hole Film Festival, peruse our recommendations for places to eat late at night on Cape Cod, and check out our favorite beaches for sunset-watching.
Calling all fashionistas and aspiring models to Mashpee Commons
The artistic abilities of Cape residents are not limited to marvelous paintings, photography and writing. This show will shine a light on local artists and boutiques that make wearable art.
If you have ever thought about modeling, look no further - in between shows, Signed Management will be having an open-call model search for males and females from the ages of six to 26. It is free and no experience is required. The models will be strutting down the runway with music from the local band “Nikki and the Barn Boys."
This show is free of charge, seating is limited. Bring your beach chair and blanket. The show starts at 11 a.m. on Aug. 6 at the Mashpee Commons, 22 Steeple St. For more information, go to https://www.signedmgmt.com/fashion-week-of-cape-cod.
Find your zen at the Mindfulness Arts Festival in Hyannis
Mindfulness is said to have great health benefits, like lowering your blood pressure, reducing stress and improving sleep quality. This free event on Aug. 5 is an opportunity to sample some mindfulness techniques at the third annual Mindfulness Arts Festival, which features local artists and practitioners.
With five sessions to choose from, the festivities kick off with a live music yoga flow. Next up, is capoeira dance, which is an Afro-Brazilian form of art that is a combination of martial arts, dancing, rhythm and movement. A short play will center on how being mindful of our bodies can better equip us for life's disruptions.
Find out how you can use mindfulness as a form of deep reflection with the use of props like journaling and drawing or sketching. The day will conclude with the teachings of two types of meditation pranayama (breath) and peace meditation. The first workshop will be at 10 a.m. and the last will end at 3 p.m. on Aug. 5 at Guyar Arts Barn, 250 South St., Hyannis. Register for the workshops and find more information at https://theawareness.org/coming-events/.
‘Cotuit focuses on faces’: Masking may be over, but how can we forget that period?
Who can forget the lone streets during COVID-19's peak? Communities almost felt like a ghost towns. Going from seeing people’s facial expressions to only seeing someone’s eyes and forehead was quite strange. This art exhibit will feature a collection of diverse faces.
"After countless months of working remotely and masking in public spaces, who among us didn’t miss the simple pleasure of seeing another’s entire face? Artists have always strived to portray our expressions and unique facial features in their paintings and sculptures. This exhibit features face-centric portraiture by 69 remarkable artists capturing a fascinating variety of subjects,” said Maggie Van Sciver, curator, in a press release.
This free event will feature 118 of the works of well-known New England artists. This opening reception will be at 2 p.m. on July 29 at the Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Route 28, Cotuit. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m. During the evening performance at the center, viewing will also be available. This exhibit's last showing will be on Sept. 3.
For more information, go to https://artsonthecape.org/explore/face-time.
Learn 'Why Birding isn’t for the Birds' with Peter Crosson in West Barnstable
The surplus of beautiful birds on Cape Cod is one of the many perks of the place we call home. Cardinals, blue jays, hummingbirds, and the American goldfinch are just a few of the breathtaking birds that frequently flock among us.
Watching them can be a heart-healthy habit. In celebration of the Barnstable Land Trust's 40th anniversary, the group is partnering with Cape Cod Healthcare for a summer evening series “Hike Barnstable Challenge.”
Dr. Peter Crosson of Osterville Primary Care will speak of the numerous health benefits of bird-watching. As a primary care physician with Cape Cod Healthcare for almost 20 years and an avid bird watcher, Crosson will share tips, stories, and photos for all ages and abilities to get started with this healthy habit
His talk will be followed by a short trail walk in the Pogorelc Sanctuary (behind the trust office). This free event will fly off at 7 p.m. at Barnstable Land Trust Conservation Center, 1540 Main St., West Barnstable. Pre-register at https://blt.org/why-bird-watching-isnt-for-the-birds.
Take a chance to showcase your talent; step up to the open mic in Sandwich
Do you have a talent that you want to share and have a good time in the process? These hidden talents can be brought to the spotlight during open mic.
Perhaps you have a voice that has only been showcased in the shower. Maybe you have a way with instruments or a passion for storytelling. Come read a poem or monologue, or make the audience laugh with some stand-up comedy. Every participant will get five minutes to shine during open mic night. This event has a requested $10 donation at the door, but no one will be turned away.
It will start at 7 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Café Chew, 4 Merchants Road, Sandwich. This is a monthly showcase, occurring on the first Wednesday of every month in front of "a kind and appreciative audience." For more information, go to https://www.sandwichartsalliance.org/sandwich-showcase-open-mic.html.
'Jimmy Tingle Tonight'; four nights only in Wellfleet
Jimmy Tingle is back in town due to popular demand.
Tingle is a three-time Best of Boston winner. Juggling many roles as comedian, commentator, actor and founder of Humor for Humanity ― even running as a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 2018. Tingle is offering an evening of social, political and autobiographical humor. A former humorist and commentator for "60 Minutes II" and MSNBC, he has also appeared on a vast amount of shows, including "The Tonight Show" and "Conan O'Brien."
Tingle's nights will kick off at 7:30 p.m. from July 31 until Aug. 3 at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, 2357 State Highway (Route 6), Wellfleet. Proceeds will support the Larry Arrick and April Shawhan Fund for Emerging Artists at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater.
For tickets and more information, go to http://www.what.org/an-evening-with-jimmy-tingle/.
'A Night of Cape Cod Jazz'; Much more than a performance in Falmouth
This Aug. 3 event is not only a jazz performance, but a historical view of jazz on Cape Cod. Come learn or relearn about the music that has been played here.
John Basile, a local host of "All Things Considered" on WCAI public radio, will read from his book "Cape Cod Jazz From Colombo to the Columns" which is centered on the history of jazz on the Cape and puts the spotlight on the people who helped jazz thrive. Some of the songs mentioned in the book will be played by Bart Weisman's Cape Cod Jazz Quartet. The one-night only event is at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Falmouth Jewish Congregation, 7 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth. Tickets are $26 for general admission and can be purchased in person with cash only and space permitting.
For more information and tickets, go to https://www.falmouthjewish.org/.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Free things to do on Cape Cod in July: Mindfulness festival, fashion
