Music, yoga, beer garden, go-kart racing: Our picks for things to do this weekend on Cape
Editor's note: The last item about 'Books in Bloom' was changed because the fundraiser's organizers changed how to get tickets.
Pumpkin spice is back at Dunkin. Halloween decorations line the aisles of home stores. School is back in session. We feel the changing of the seasons, even though, according to the calendar, fall doesn't officially start until Sept. 23.
Either way, things here on Cape Cod are still going strong.
The 27th annual Celebration of Life returns to Provincetown, after a three-year break caused by the pandemic, with more than a score of performers. It is held on the eve of the annual Provincetown Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla, which launches the next morning.
The Eastham Windmill Weekend and Seaside Le Mans at Mashpee Commons kick off a busy week. Here are some fun events to get you excited for fall.
Join the 27th free Celebration of Life concert in Provincetown
On the Friday after Labor Day since 1994, the historic and elegant sanctuary of Provincetown’s Unitarian Universalist Meeting House has filled with music, joy and memories in the annual Celebration of Life. After a three-year pause (2020-2022) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s 27th event begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.
This year’s performers include Megan Amorese, Arian Carlos, Chanthoeun Varon Collins, Donnelly & Richardson, Harrison Fish, Deyan Gerginov, Sue Goldberg, Billy Hough, Zack Johnson, Zoë Lewis, Ken Lonergan, Madison Mayer, DeAngelo Nieves, John Thomas, Peter Toto, Darlene Van Alstyne, Janet Villas, Rev. Kate Wilkinson and other surprises.
As 8 p.m. approaches, drumming will fill the space. At 8 p.m. precisely, hundreds of colorful prayer ribbons rise up until they arch from the top of the trompe l’oeil ceiling to begin another Celebration of Life. The event is produced and hosted by John Thomas and co-sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown and Great Music on Sundays @5. The Celebration of Life is presented in association with the annual Provincetown Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla, which launches the next morning.
Yoga, laser tag and a fish fry at Eastham Windmill Weekend
Head down to Eastham this weekend for Eastham Windmill Weekend. The event runs from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10 featuring a slew of events to keep attendees entertained on Windmill Green.
On Friday, Sept. 8, come and enjoy a fish fry and talent show and give a round of applause to this year’s “Windmill Weekend Honoree” Debbie Abbott. Abbott worked for the town of Eastham for almost 20 years and now serves as the president of the Friends of the Eastham Library.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, the day is packed with events starting at 9:15 a.m. Whether you want to try your hand at some morning yoga, visit the Schoolhouse Museum, catch a musical performance or the 27th Windmill Weekend vehicle show, Saturday has an event sure to please. Family games, such as tug of war and laser tag, will also take place in the afternoon alongside a wine and beer garden hosted by Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod and Devil’s Purse Brewing Co.
On Sunday, Sept. 10, the road race is the first event of the day, kicking off at 8 a.m. From there, the festival begins to wind down with a few performances and raffles throughout the day, but be sure to catch the “Great Tricycle Race” at 2 p.m.
The Windmill Weekend is hosted by the nonprofit Windmill Weekend Inc. on the Windmill Green in Eastham. Events begin on Friday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. and end on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m.
Support local nonprofits at Seaside Le Mans in Mashpee
It’s race day on Sept. 9 at Mashpee Commons for Seaside Le Mans. The race was created by Davenport Companies after a team bonding trip to a go-kart track. Now, the race is celebrating its 22nd year of raising money for Cape nonprofits. This year’s beneficiaries are the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, Cape Cod Healthcare’s Cancer Patient Navigator Program, Penikese Island School, Cape Cod Tech Foundation and Sharing Kindness.
The race is free to attend and the opening ceremony starts at noon. The race lasts for around four hours, but entertainment for children and families will be provided throughout the day.
Meet local fauna at the Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative’s festival in Barnstable
Who doesn’t love a bit of wildlife at the weekend? The Cape Cod Wildlife Collaborative will be hosting its 13th annual Wildlife Festival at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary on Sept. 9. Stop by for some live animal education shows, walk through a 45-foot inflatable North Atlantic Right Whale and try to win some cool prizes, including a whale adoption or a guided nature walk.
Food and drinks will be flowing at the festival as well, thanks to the Filling Station food truck, Herbivore Patisserie and Lewis Brothers Solar Ice Cream Truck. Make sure to bring a deck chair and enjoy a live performance from local band Just Another Guru.
The festival is free to attend but donations are appreciated. The event begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, 345 Bone Hill Road, Barnstable.
Grab a Millbilly Breakfast in Marstons Mills
There is no better start to a Sunday than some eggs, bacon and pancakes so why not have your breakfast be for a good cause? This Sunday, Sept. 10, celebrate Grandparents Day with the Marstons Mills Village Association for their Millbilly Breakfast.
The breakfast is free to attend, but the association has a suggested donation of $10 per adult and $8 per kid with all donations helping the Marstons Mills Village Association’s scholarship fund.
Breakfast, at Liberty Hall, 2150 Main St. in Marstons Mills, is from 8 to 10 a.m. Sept. 10.
Register your wheels in one of the Cape's upcoming bike rides
While the races aren't until Sept. 17, be sure to register to ride for the Habitat for Humanity's Ride for Homes and the Cape Cod Chamber's first Second Summer Cycle.
Ride for Homes will set off at Aptucxet Trading Post Museum in Bourne at 7 a.m. on Sept. 17. Riders will be biking to raise money to build homes for local families in need. Riders can choose three routes on the Upper Cape to follow — 40 miles, 20 miles or 12 miles — and there's no minimum age to ride. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is $25, and can be done online at Ride for Homes 2023. A barbecue will be held at the Aptucxet Trading Post Museum following the race.
Second Summer Cycle will also take place on Sept. 17, with each ride setting off in a different location. The Century — 93 miles — will set off at 7 a.m. in Mashpee, the Metric Century — 68 miles — will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in Sandwich and the 30 Mile Plus — 33 miles — will kick off at 11 a.m. in Orleans, all ending in Provincetown. The inaugural event will support 18 charitable organizations on the Cape. The registration deadline for Second Summer Cycle is Sept. 14. Registration ranges from $70 to $130 depending on the course. A post-ride party will be held at Motta Field in Provincetown.
Attend a multi-media dance concert about the body and existence in West Harwich
"M-Body" is a multi-media contemporary dance concert by the Movimento Project alongside live music from Frank Poranski and Lary Chaplan with video art by Filipe Borges. The concert uses choreography to explore the role we play in existence through thoughts, identities, behaviors, feelings and interactions with others.
The cast consists of 10 dancers ranging in age from 9 to over 60 and Poranski and Chaplan as musicians.
Tickets for the show are $20 and show times will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 9 and at 3 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Cape Cod Theatre Company located at 105 Division St. in West Harwich.
Catch a Crowes Pasture show at the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis
Contemporary Folk band Crowes Pasture will perform at the Cape Cod Museum of Art on Sept. 10 as a part of its Music & More summer concert series.
A husband-wife duo, Crowes Pasture's music features Monique Byrne on the clawhammer banjo and Andy Rogovin on the guitar, both contributing instrumentally and vocally to their music. With the release of their latest album "Don't Blink" on Sept. 1, their CCMOA show is sure to be full of some new tracks, maybe even their cover of Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall." You'll just have to go and see for yourself.
Tickets are $24 for non-members, $18 for members and the concert begins at 4:30 p.m.
Celebrate 50 years of the Wallace Nutting Collectors Club Convention in Hyannis
The Wallace Nutting Collectors Club will hold its 2023 convention at the Emerald Resort in Hyannis from Sept. 14 to Sept. 15 with a trip to Nantucket on Sept. 16.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, there will be a "catch up and cocktails" event in the Cape Cod Room at the Emerald Resort from 5 to 6 p.m. followed by a dinner and 50th anniversary celebration of the Wallace Nutting Collectors Club Convention.
Nutting (1861-1941) was an American minister, photographer and artist, best known for his landscapes.
On Friday, Sept. 15, early birds will catch the worm as the "Wallace Nutting & Nutting-Like Buy/Sell Marketplace" begins at 7:30 and ends at 9:30 a.m. From there, convention attendees will go to the annual meeting with accompanying presentations until 11:30 a.m. Presentations will be followed by a lunch and tour at 1 p.m. and cocktails and dinner at Tugboats Restaurant starting at 6 p.m.
Finally, on Saturday, Sept. 16, convention participants will be taking a trip to Nantucket for a scenic tour of the island and of the architectural styles that inspired Nutting and were captured in his photographs. The boat departs at 8:15 a.m. from Hyannis and heads back from Nantucket at 3:30 p.m.
The Emerald Resort is located at 35 Scudder Ave. in Hyannis.
Support the Mashpee Library at the 'Books in Bloom' fundraiser in Mashpee
If you live in or around Mashpee, or just love an excuse to help a good cause, get your tickets for the Friends of the Mashpee Library's Books in Bloom fundraiser at New Seabury Country Club on Sept. 14.
At the event, attendees will enjoy a luncheon, auction and even a lesson in creating a potted garden from Deborah Trickett of the Captured Garden. Floral arrangements made by some of the Cape's wonderful arrangers will be up for raffle as well, each designed based on their favorite books.
The fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 95 Shore Drive West, Mashpee, MA. Tickets are $80 and can be bought online through Friendsmashpeelibrary@gmail.com or by dropping off a check at the Mashpee Public Library, 64 Steeple St.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod things to do: Seaside Le Mans, Windmill Weekend, charity fun
