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.

Bear Week in Provincetown, July 7-15

Provincetown Bears - www.PtownBears.org

Provincetown Bears prepares a special welcome for Bears to one of North America's most famous gay resort towns. We work with local club managers to program different music and an atmosphere for a week of parties. They also allow time to relax and have a true vacation. Bear events leave plenty of free time to enjoy the town, restaurants, cabaret shows, National Seashore park, beaches, and the daily gatherings at hotel pool decks.

All Provincetown bars and clubs are 21+ (strictly enforced), including the two hotel pools used for Bear Week. Public meeting places such as the active street scene, Town Hall benches, Spiritus Pizza and beaches are available for younger cubs to enjoy. Bars, clubs and restaurants are all smoke-free areas in Massachusetts; provisions are often available for smoking outdoors.

Traditional highlights of Provincetown in summer include the daily T-Dance and nightly 1 am pizza and cruising at Spiritus. The hotels, pools and clubs are mostly within a short walk, and Commercial Street becomes one of the primary venues as a place to see and meet friends.

Evening venues: 

Atlantic House (A-House, Macho Bar, Little Bar) 4 Masonic Place. Free admittance with with Bear Week package dog tag 

Boatslip Resort 161 Commercial Street 

Crown & Anchor (Paramount, Wave Bar, Vault) 247 Comercial Street 

Mixers / Bayside Betsy's 177 Commercial Street

Monkey Bar 149 Commercial Street

Spiritus Pizza 190 Commercial. Everyone from all the clubs join together for pizza, ice cream and cruising at 1 am on Commercial Street every night- an especially hot scene during Bear Week. 
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Miss Richfield 1981: "We’ll All Be Dead By Christmas"

By Rebecca M. Alvin

Provincetown Magazine


People’s nerves were jangling as I entered the Paramount Nightclub at the Crown & Anchor to see Miss Richfield 1981’s latest show, We’ll All be Dead By Christmas. The ticket-takers warned, “it doesn’t matter where you sit, she pulls people from all over.” There were groans from nervous first-timers, but it was clear that the groaning was more of a cover-up for the glee they felt inside at the prospect of being part of the show.


Miss Richfield 1981 (played by Russ King) has created a show on the theme of the apocalypse predicted by the Mayan calendar (which says life on earth will cease this December 21st), or as she explains it, “the world is going to end and the Mexicans are involved.”


She begins the show dressed as a cactus, delighting the audience with her attempts to move gracefully while potted around the ankles. True to form, her show integrates whatever unpredictable elements exist in the night’s particular audience. Interestingly, just after she spent ten minutes discussing “the Mexicans” in politically incorrect terms, she found several real Mexicans in our audience on the night I attended. But that didn’t stop her from her hysterically funny Don Rickles-esque assault on various ethnic and other groups. No – We’ll All be Dead By Christmas is not for the socio-politically squeamish.
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Notes from Land's End: January 31

How Do I Love Thee? With a romantic getaway!

By Laura Shabott
January 31st, 2012 

Valentine's Day - ptown.org

Provincetown is the perfect place for Valentines Day Weekend. It’s not too late to reserve a room and join us at the tip of Cape Cod to celebrate this holiday for lovers. Here’s a sampler of the surprising number of accommodations, restaurants, galleries and shops open for your pleasure.

The Crown and Anchor is offering a complimentary third night with a two night reservation. Chocolates and a bottle of sparkling rose await you in this cozy, well-appointed downtown hotel. Cuddle next to a fireplace overlooking the harbor and who knows what might happen! Their Central House Restaurant has a four course aphrodisiac menu, with a 20 percent discount (alcohol excluded) for hotel guests.

Courtesy of Brad Fowler
Song of Myself Photography
songofmyself.com

Right down the street from the Crown, Coastline Tattoo is ideal for those lovers that want to commemorate the holiday with a permanent valentine. Located at 290A Commercial Street, select one of their stunning designs or create your own. Take advantage of their 10 percent discount for this weekend.


Gallery hoppers will be delighted with “Feel the Love”, an art happening at Four Eleven Studio and Gallery. This gender-bending knitting installation marks the resurgence of “knit-one, pearl-two” among the men of our community and beyond. Hot soup and wonderful artists are an awesome way to start your Saturday night on the town.
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