Provincetown: A Haven at the Nexus of Light, Water, and the Surreal

Days Cottages at sunset, courtesy of i.c.e images

From painters to photographers, artists have long cherished Cape Cod’s exceptional light, which reaches its apex at the Cape’s tip inProvincetown, Massachusetts.

The Boston Globe in 1916 called Provincetown the ‘Biggest Art Colony in the World,’ and its magnificent light, beautiful landscapes and dynamic, creative atmosphere has captivated the likes of Franz Kline, Mark Rothko and Norman Rockwell.

The unique personality and beguiling backdrops that have long called to painters and playwrights are now capturing more and more photographers. There is never a bad angle or wasted shot in Ptown. The scenery is exceptional all year long and as fall turns to winter, lodging rates drop, sales bloom and the scenery stays put.

Here where Cape Cod Bay meets the Atlantic, something magical happens. Maybe it's the feel good vibe of one of the most open societies in America or the diversity of sights found along dune-laden coastlines or among quaint shingled homes. Most, however, will tell you, “It is the light, silly.” 

It’s about time the camera made a stronger claim in a town with only one main street right out of central casting. Walking and biking are the preferred mode of transits here, as cars are, well, for big city folks or day-trippers. So, if you are getting this picture, you’ll find what most have learned, hang in Ptown for a few days and you’ll feel a degree of calm and relaxation that makes it hard to leave.

From snapshots of pets to peaceful sails against billowing clouds, Ptown never lacks for the picturesque. Focus on the outrageous cross-dressers or the centuries old Portuguese fishing fleet, where history is retold from the Pilgrim Monument, attesting to Ptown’s credential as “America’s First Destination,” having first welcomed voyagers to the promised land.

Photographic adventurers can set their own itinerary, from a dune tour, to a whale watch trip, to a bike ride through a national seashore that ends with a bonfire on the beach in the light of a stunning sunset. This is the place for vibrant multicolor skies and ocean reflections. No matter the conditions—fog, sunshine or snow—you will always get the shot.

Professional and amateur photographers alike say that the town inspires shooting because there are so many choices. The most stressful moment of the week will be deciding whether to spend time micro-focused on the flower box, wild field, vintage or architectural details, or the macro shots of land and seascapes.

And, if you can take a pause from night exposures, the many fine dining or casual eateries and some of the oldest continuous pouring taverns in the new world are sure to leave you with after-shoot enjoyment. And when making your plans, don't miss the live acts, which keep you singing or laughing until you greet the sunrise of a glorious new day at the tip of the Cape.

(To view some Ptown images captured by visitors and professionals, view on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ptowntourism/photos, on the Provincetown tourism website http://provincetowntourismoffice.org/index.aspx?nid=171, or Pinterest http://pinterest.com/search/?q=provincetown.)

Press Release
Provincetown Tourism Office
September 25, 2012

Rights free photo supplied by i.c.e. images

For more information, contact:

Gene Rose
gr@mcopr.com1-888-923-9945 x2

Ptown’s Bobby Wetherbee Celebrates 50 Years at the Ivories

Bobby Wetherbee 

Fifty years and tens of thousands of songs later, Bobby Wetherbee sits down at his piano to create melodies that have been a staple of Provincetown, Massachusetts since he began performing in 1962. Wetherbee epitomizes Ptown’s diverse and sometimes raucous brand of live entertainment, which ranges from classical or jazz music and hard rock to sidesplitting drag reviews and killer cover bands. The foggy night air at the tip of Cape Cod has been filled with exotic sounds for as long as locals can remember.

An artists’ enclave known for its eclectic and accepting lifestyle, Ptown was the pilgrim’s first landing spot in America and has since retained a pioneering spirit that continues to attract adventurers. Like the sirens of mythology, the something-for-everyone atmosphere lures visitors and locals alike into some of America’s oldest bars and taverns.

America’s first constitution, The Mayflower Compact, was scripted in Ptown, which is also the birthplace of modern American theatre. Provincetown revels in its creativity, diversity and history. So where else would you find Wetherbee belting out tunes for five decades other than in “America’s First Destination,” where they love his favorite  “Sister” from The Color Purpleor the nightly crowd favorite, “Mame.”

“My show never changed, but the crowds changed. The height for sing-along piano was in the 60’s to early 70’s, where showroom sizes ranged from basements holding 30 singers to bigger showrooms seating about 120,” says Wetherbee. “What’s nice about it is that it is physical social networking. It is fascinating that the crowd is so diverse, with 70 year-olds intermingling with 20 year-old kids. They have heard some of these songs, like the sound of music, so they know the words. They also all know “As time goes by – You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss…,” Bobby croons. 

Asked how this historic run came about, the singer says he doesn’t know how he lasted 50 years. “Maybe it’s genetics,” says Wetherbee, whose lifetime memory is of singing. “When I was eleven and doing summer stock, I realized I would do this the rest of my life, and then the fights started with my father,” says Wetherbee. “I have three brothers and they never liked my singing. In fact, I would sing on TV in New Hampshire opposite the Mickey Mouse Club and my brothers wouldn’t let mom watch me.”

Struggle is a part of most singers’ stories, and Bobby has had his years of ups and downs, always battling his demons at the keyboard, finding a life of free expression in gay-friendly Ptown, where the crowds fill his shows nightly and treat him like a cultural icon in his renaissance years. After several stints, Wetherbee now calls the Crown and Anchor lounge home, having survived the elite of the St. Regis inNew York and The Copley in Boston. Now the entertainer carries the Key to the Town around with pride saying it was an honor to be called a 50-year destination. Visitors to Provincetown’s “second summer” in the fall can count on Wetherbee filling the crisp cool nights with a particular sound of music heard nowhere else in America.

Editor’s Note: The following article and photo is available to your media outlet free of charge and without any rights restrictions. For more information, or to arrange an interview with Bobby Wetherbee, contact Gene Rose at 1-888-923-9945 x2, or gr@mcopr.com. The photo is attached to this article.

Pet-Friendly Provincetown Sets Special Appreciation Weekend: Sep 28-30

Once a year—and most every day—visitors and townies alike head out to the main street of Ptown with their dogs in tow to strut their stuff. It should come as no surprise in this place, one of the most pet friendly communities in America. Here you can eat with your pet, sleep with your pet and, well, dress up your pet to match the free-wheeling boa-accented costuming of local performers. 

Provincetown, "America's First Destination," is the nation's oldest continuous art colony and the open society here seems just fine that the welcome mat also include America's pet society. Every fall, thousands are drawn to the very tip of Cape Codwhere Ptown hosts Pet Appreciation Weekend. Sponsored by the Carrie A. Seaman Animal Shelter, Pet Appreciation Weekend is a busy three-day affair, with many benefits, dances and other fun events. The weekend is meant to provide fun ways to show appreciation for our animal friends, while also contributing to a good cause that helps animals without homes.

This year the annual Canine Games, complete with an agility playground, takes place on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a “Fabulous Feline Photo Contest” at the same time and, later in the day, a Pet Tea Dance at the Boatslip Resort, where most afternoons host the dance for humans. For more information, check out provincetown.com.

What's Happening

by Chris Daniels
Provincetown.com

Next year, Bobby Wetherbee will celebrate his
50th season of performing in Provincetown 

With the cool air comes the equally cool vibes of many fantastic performers and pastimes to delight locals and visitors alike and to satisfy varied interests and desires.

Provincetown’s favorite “cabaret man,” Bobby Wetherbee is tickling the ivories in the Central House at the Crown every Friday and Saturday night. I saw him this weekend, and he is a little DYNAMO. In his first hour at the piano, he delivered a rapid-fire stream of song, music history and patter, had the entire audience singing “Over the Rainbow” and “Walkin’ After Midnight” at full volume, and brought laughs with his rendition of “I Want to be Evil,” complete with the famous Eartha Kitt purr. According to audience member Tim Richmond, “He sits down at that piano, and doesn’t stop for a break until his set is over after midnight. I don’t know how he does it.” You HAVE to see this wonderful whirlwind in action.

At the Art House, the all-male singing string quartet Well Strung are still holding court on weekends through September 22nd. This is an act you don’t want to miss! Tickets are $30-35. [...]

For the outdoor lover, Dolphin Fleet whale watches will continue to run 3-4 trips a day through October 28th, starting at 9:45 am. At this time of year, it’s a smart idea to carry a warm sweater and/or a rain slicker for sudden showers and to wear shoes with good traction. They guarantee that if you don’t see any whales, you get a free admission for another trip. Tickets are $44 for adults and $29 for kids under 12; see their website for discounted reservations. 

Art’s Dune Tours will also continue tours of the Cape Cod National Seashore through October. Trips include one-hour daily tours, tours of Race Point lighthouse, and two-hour sunset tours, with or without a New England clambake dinner. Reservations and schedules are available on their website.
Read more...

Tennessee Williams Theater Festival - 7th Annual: Sep 20-23

Tennessee Williams, twptown.org, Sep 20-23

The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival was founded in 2006 by Dr. Jerry Scally, Alix Ritchie, Patrick Falco, and David Kaplan. The TW Festival mission is:

• To host performances that examine and celebrate Tennessee Williams' work, life and evolving historical importance including the playwright's own connection to Provincetown.
• Honor Williams as a playwright of enduring and international relevance and significance. * Encourage the searching spirit of Williams' writing to inspire new creative work.
• Draw on Provincetown's perspective as the longest-running American artist colony where serious modern American drama was born.

You can click on the links to purchase tickets or passes and view the schedule of events. 

Tennessee Williams, twptown.org, Sep 20-23

Clap your hands and shake a leg at the plays they're presenting in September 2012 at the 7th Annual Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.

This year's theme takes dramatic notice of the pleasures of music in Tennessee Williams' plays, where he put everything from Christmas carols, pop tunes, Country and Western ballads, Mississippi blues, Mexican love songs and more. His poetry has a music all its own.

Plays will be performed in venues all over Provincetown, where you can bend an ear to a timeworn classic, or tap your toes to something brand new... all inspired by Tennessee Williams.

For more info...

Fifth Annual Provincetown Ukelele Bash - Sep 15

Date: September 15, 2012

Where: The Old Schoolhouse

The David Davis Space

494 Commercial Street

Doors open at 7:30 pm - 11 pm

Entry: free

John Bianchi - photo by Breukellen Riesgo 

On September 15, 2012, Frank's Ukulele Bash & Revival V will take place at the Old Schoolhouse in Provincetown. Visiting acts, some making their Cape Cod premier, will dazzle and delight with the power of the humble ukulele. This year's bill includes Dana McCoy; madmen Sonic Uke; Uke Goldberg premiering his solo act;

Jamie Scandale, whom the New Yorker called "the Mae West of the ukulele" ; the dapper Jon Bianchi of the classic strums; and New Zealand's South Pacific Miss, a member of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. The evening's m.c. is Mary J. Martin of womr's Mary's Ukulele Show, whom the New Yorker has called "the Uke Diva."

Bios:

DANA McCOY

Dana McCoy

Dana McCoy's songs have topped charts worldwide, she's toured the US, UK and Europe. Her CD, "Taking Shape" was chosen by Billboard as a Top 10 Album of the Year.

Dana's performed her plays "Prom Queens" and "Cube Rat" Off Broadway in New York and at Edinburgh Fringe. She is a founding member of the cast of "MoM, A Rock Concert Musical", which won Outstanding Musical at NY Fringe, is now in production for 3 city tour in Spring 2013.

Dana's most recent performance was at Lincoln Center as part of Joe Hurley's OurLand Festival raising awareness for The Gathering, Ireland 2013. 

Dana is proud to be part of The Ukulele Cabaret, and to perform at Frank's Ukulele Bash & Revival with Mary Martin

UKE GOLDBERG

Uke Goldberg is a founding member of Sonic Uke and New York's first and original Ukulele Cabaret, which has proven itself a wellspring of ukulele talent for some seven years now. Uke Goldberg has performed under the name Ted Gottfried with Sonic Uke and  solo as The Naked Uke Guy. Photos attached.

SOUTH PACIFIC MISS

Bio: South Pacific Miss is the solo moniker of Gemma Gracewood, who is a member of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, a dozen-strong music-comedy juggernaut from New Zealand.  

Francis "Flyer" Santos- oil on canvas

Stephen Borkowski holding a portrait of
Francis "Flyer" Santos, oil on canvas

Provincetown Art Commission Chairman, Stephen Borkowski is shown holding a recently conserved portrait of Francis "Flyer" Santos, oil on canvas, painted in 1980 by Gladys Maynard which is on display in the Town Hall central corridor display cases during Regatta Week as a special nod to Provincetown’s maritime heritage.  

Mr. Santos, who will be 98 years old this year, was the builder of the model of the Rose Dorothea in what is now the second floor of the Provincetown Public Library.  The display cases which were funded by a Community Preservation Grant approved by the voters, allow a continuous rotating display of art and artifacts from the holdings of the Town to intrigue and delight visitors and residents alike.

“We are delighted to show this portrait of which due to its size is rarely shown.  A larger portrait of Mr. Santos by Salvatore Del Deo is hung in the library near the model that Mr. Santos and his team lovingly created,” said Borkowski. 

The Art Commission is charged with the care of the artwork owned by the Town of Provincetown.