Music, art, blueberries & Henry Gates Jr.: 19 top things to do on Cape Cod Aug. 12-18

Some issues of the day are seen through art this week, with movie screenings related to abortion and the words of Frederick Douglass about Black history; a dance production that reflects the Black experience; and an art exhibit that focuses on how different socioeconomic classes and cultures experience summer.

Other varied event highlights include walks and swims to raise money for breast cancer research; a church bazaar and auction; a celebration of blueberries; an art talk about a new exhibit and an art reception related to Edward Hopper's inspiration; a craft festival and car show; a historic lecture on Craigville; and a poetry festival in honor of a local icon.

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Music choices include a free brass concert at Cape Cod National Seashore; piano and string performances; a Sondheim concert in Provincetown; and a local singer sharing some favorites. Take a look at what's happening:

Exhibit on views of summer opens

Opening receptions will be held over three nights at Gary Marotta Fine Art in Provincetown for an exhibit of the photography of Ruben Natal – San Miguel. "The Rights of Summer" focuses on the theme that different people of different socioeconomic classes, cultures, lifestyles, and locations experience and celebrate summer differently. It's a look back at a 2015 exhibit with consideration of various world events from the past seven years, including the ongoing pandemic. The exhibition will run through Sept. 21.

When: Receptions 7- 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 11-13; exhibition through Sept. 21

Where: Gary Marotta Fine Art, 162 Commercial St., Provincetown

Admission: Free

Information: https://garymarottafineart.com/

Library screens abortion-related film “The Janes”

Truro Public Library will screen the film "The Janes," which tells the story of seven women who in 1972 were arrested in Chicago after using code names, fronts and safe houses to protect their work of building an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, but then illegal abortions. Before the screening, author, historian and professor Linda Gordon will introduce the film and provide historical context. The movie is directed by Oscar nominee Tia Lessin (HBO’s "Trouble the Water") and Emmy Awardnominee Emma Pildes (HBO’s "Jane Fonda in Five Acts"). "The Janes" offers first-hand accounts from the women at the center of the group, many speaking on the record for the first time.

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12

Where: Truro Public Library, 7 Standish Way, North Truro

Admission: Free

Information: https://trurolibrary.org/event/viewing-of-the-janes-with-guest-speaker-professor-linda-gordon/

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The Yard holds Brownbody “Tracing Sacred Steps” performance

As part of a residency at The Yard in Chilmark, the group Brownbody will perform “Tracing Sacred Steps” a blend of modern dance, figure skating, and the African American performance tradition of Ring Shout. Grounded in African diasporic perspectives, Brownbody’s mission is "to build artistic experiences that disrupt biased narratives and prompt audiences to engage as active participants in the journey." The four-person, all-Black cast uses elements of Ring Shout in this show, a description says, to illustrate how it continues to serve as a pathway to healing within so many Black spaces. The Yard is also currently the focus of an anniversary exhibition called “Let’s Dance! 50 Years of The Yard,” on display through Oct. 21 at Martha's Vineyard Museum in Vineyard Haven.

When: performance 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12; exhibition on display during open hours of 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesdays- Sundays

Where: Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena, 91 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. (Brownbody performance); Martha's Vineyard Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven. (exhibition).

Admission: $40; $35 for senior 65+/Military; $10 for youth under 18 (Brownbody performance); museum admission $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $5 for children 7 to 17 and free for children 6 and under.

Information: https://www.dancetheyard.org/; https://mvmuseum.org/

Andrulot to perform “Songs in My Head”

Eastham jazz artist Mozelle Andrulot will perform a mix of jazz, blues and R&B in a show titled "Songs in My Head" at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. She has performed in New York City and London, and various Cape venues. Opening for Mozelle will Provincetown multi-style cellist and singer Parker Ousley.

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12

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

Admission: $25

Information: https://www.cultural-center.org/

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Historical society to host poetry fest

Aug. 12 marks the 163rd birthday of Falmouth’s famous poet, Katharine Lee Bates, author of the patriotic poem “America the Beautiful" and to mark the occasion, the Falmouth Historical Society will hold its 23rd annual Katharine Lee Bates Poetry Fest. Local poets will read samples of their work, and the winners in each division will be announced. The event is designed to encourage new poets to follow in Bates’ footsteps.

When: 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12

Where: Falmouth Museums on the Green, 55 Palmer Ave.

Admission: Free

Information: https://museumsonthegreen.org/

Artists celebrate Hopper's legacy

A new “After Hopper” exhibition and a on-a-loop viewing of “In the Light of Hopper”, a documentary by ArtsLight reporter and filmmaker Johnny Bergmann, will be on display Saturday at the Addison Art Gallery in Orleans. The artwork has been inspired by artist Edward Hopper, who lived part-time on the Outer Cape, and the documentary bringsconnects the past of Hopper to the present through interviews with artists, historians, and an author. Hopper was an American realist painter and printmaker, known for his oil paintings.

When: 5- 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13

Where: Addison Art Gallery, 43 South Orleans Road, Orleans

Admission: Free

Information: https://addisonart.com/events/category/after-hopper/

Dennis church's auction and bazaar are in person and virtual

The Dennis Union Church Auction will return to the Dennis Village green on Saturday, part of a longtime tradition involving hundreds of church, family and community members working together to help local organizations. The bazaar will feature books, jewelry, sports equipment, household items, holiday decorations, tools, furniture, and bargain tables. The Boutique in Fellowship Hall will feature fine china, crystal and collectibles and the Country Store will have homemade pies, jams and jellies, craft items and fresh produce for sale.  Food offerings include coffee and donuts as the sale begins and burgers and hot dogs from the Breakaway Grill Truck. The auction portion of the sale will start “under the tent” when antiques, paintings and other choice items are sold with a live auctioneer. There has also been an online auction since Aug. 5 featuring items and services donated by Church members and local businesses that will conclude at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

When: On Saturday, Aug. 13: 9 a.m., (sale starts), 10 a.m., (auction starts), 2 p.m. silent online auction ends

Where: 713 Main St., Dennis.

Admission: Free

Information: www.duchurch.org

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'Against the Tide' event returns to help raise money for breast cancer research

The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition will host its annual statewide Against the Tide athletic fundraiser as both an in-person and virtual vent this month. The in-person event will feature 1-mile recreational and competitive swims, a ½-mile recreational swim, 5K and 10K runs, a 3-mile fitness walk, and a 1-mile USMS sanctioned swim. All ages and abilities are welcome to participate. The virtual event includes 1-mile recreational and competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, 5K and 10K runs, and a 3-mile fitness walk. All participants will receive an event T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded for the top swim and run finishers of the in-person event.

When: On Saturday, Aug. 13: 7 a.m., (registration opens); 8 a.m., (1-mile Swim); 8:05 a.m., (competitive 1-mile Swim for non-USMS members); 8:10 a.m., (recreational 1/2-mile and 1-mile Swims for non-USMS members); 9 a.m., (5K and 10K Runs); 9:05 a.m., (3-mile Fitness Walk)

Where: Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St, Brewster

Admission: $40 for individual participation; $100 for family registration (up to five members).

Information on in-person and virtual event: www.mbcc.org/swim

Green Briar holds annual Blueberry Day

Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen’s annual Blueberry Day will offer participants a demonstration of old-fashioned blueberry jam-making and sample tastings. Green Briar’s own jams and a wide variety of nature-related items will be for sale, and exhibits in the Thornton Burgess Gallery covering the life and works of the popular children’s author and conservationist will be open. Also open will be the live animal menagerie and Green Meadow Forest featuring Peter Rabbit and friends from the Burgess stories.

When: 11 a.m. – 2p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13

Where: Green Briar Nature Center and Jam Kitchen, 6 Discovery Hill Road, East Sandwich.

Admission: $8

Information: www.thorntonburgess.org; 508-888-6870.

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Car show, crafts fair and lecture part of Old Home Week

During the annual Centerville Old Home Week, the Centerville Museum will host a vintage car show featuring up to 50 antique and vintage classic cars, and a concurrent arts, crafts and collectibles fair with regional vendors. Later in the week, author and historian William McKinney, president of the Christian Camp Meeting Association in Craigville, will be giving a talk on the history of Craigville, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding.

When: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13 for car show and crafts fair; Craigville lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16

Where: Centerville Historical Museum, 513 Main St.

Admission: Free

Information: http://www.centervillehistoricalmuseum.org/

Gates to speak at film showing about Frederick Douglass

A discussion and catered reception with executive producer Henry Louis Gates, Jr. will follow the Martha's Vineyard screening of the film, “Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches,” directed by Julia Marchesi. Inspired by David Blight's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, “Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom,” the film looks at five speeches written by the noted American orator, writer, social reformer, abolitionist, and statesman. They are performed by actors Jeffrey Wright, Jonathan Majors, Nicole Beharie, Denzel Whitaker and Colman Domingo. Actor André Holland reads from Douglass’s autobiographies. This event is a fundraiser for the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival's filmmaking and media literacy programs in all seven island public schools.

When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13

Where: Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury

Admission: $60

Information: https://tmvff.org/frederickdouglassinfivespeeches

Seashore hosts “Brass in the Park”

“Brass in the Park,” a free outdoor public concert will mark the Cape Cod debut of eGALitarian Brass and kick off the third and final week of the 43rd season of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. Award-winning ensemble eGALitarian Brass is described as a classical quintet by day and a party band by night, featuring Kate Amrine and Melissa Muñoz on trumpet, Blair Hamrick on French horn, Julie Dombroski on trombone, and Heather Ewer on tuba. Later in the week, the festival will host the return of the  Borromeo String Quartet, then close with a "Piano Extravaganza" featuring four pianists on two concert grand pianos.

When and where: "Brass in the Park" at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16 at Salt Pond Visitor Center, 50 Nauset Rd, Eastham; Borromeo at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 at Dennis Union Church, 713 Main St.; 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 at First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, 200 Main St.

Admission: Free for Brass in the Park; $40 for Aug. 17, $55 for Aug. 19

Information and reservations: https://capecodchambermusic.org/

Sondheim music at heart of Provincetown Broadway concert

Legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who died last year, will be celebrated in a concert by the Great Music on Sundays @5 Broadway ensemble in a concert that's part of Carnival Week in Provincetown. With music director/pianist John Thomas, the ensemble will include Brian Calhoon, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Paul Goddu, Kevin McMahon, Alison Mahoney, Phoebe Otis, Carolyn Rogers, Ada Snider, John Strumwasser and Jeff Tagen performing songs from "A Little Night Music," "Anyone Can Whistle," "Company," "Follies," "Into the Woods," "Merrily We Roll Along," "Road Show," "Sweeney Todd" and more. Each concert in the series is also live-streamed on dedicated YouTube channel and will remain available for one week before the next concert is live-streamed.

When: 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 14

Where: Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 236 Commercial St., Provincetown.

Admission: $25; $20 for seniors; $50 limited priority seating, free for ages 12 and under

Information: https://ptownmusic.com/

Sarah Swain documentary shows at Cape Cinema

Cape Cinema will present a screening of “Rise Above,” a documentary about Sarah Swain, a musician and founder of Cape Wellness Collaborative and its Dancing With the Docs fundraiser. The film recounts Swain’s loss of her mother to cancer and how that experience motivated her to make a difference in her community for others. Cape Wellness works with local professionals to provide free integrative wellness therapy to local people facing cancer. A post-screening panel discussion, moderated by radio host Cat Wilson, will feature Swain; Abigail Field, Cape Wellness CEO; surgeon Dr. Jill Oxley; internist Dr. Kumara Sidhartha; and journalist Susannah Fulcher.

When: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15

Where: Cape Cinema, 35 Hope Lane, Dennis

Tickets: $25

Reservations and information: https://www.capecinema.com/

Coughlin artwork theme of museum's exhibit and talk

There will be a gallery talk and opening reception on Aug. 18 for the new Cape Cod Museum of Art retrospective exhibit "Jack Coughlin: Themes and Variations" that looks at over 60 years of Coughlin’s artwork of printmaking, watercolor and sculpture. The work of Coughlin, the 2021 recipient of the museum's Muse Award, features portraiture, animals, the human figure, and states of metamorphosis and the grotesque. The exhibition draws from works in the Coughlin family’s collection and was curated by his daughter, Maura Coughlin. Coughlin's work is in the collections of museums, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum, universities and libraries. The exhibit is on view through Nov. 6.

When: talk 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18; reception 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis

Admission: Free to talk and reception; museum admission at other times

Reservations (requested) and information: https://www.ccmoa.org/

CapeWeek Editor Kathi Scrizzi Driscoll contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do: Music, art, dance, blueberries, Henry Gates Jr.