"Me and You and Provincetown"

Lobster Pot Tree and Pilgrim Monument

Me and You and Provincetown

Adore the spring in Provincetown

Love winter, summer, fall.

When I am there feel safe again

The seasons, love them all.

 

The only time I'm so at peace

Can actually be "me"

Is when I'm home in Provincetown

I smile, feel good, feel free.

 

I'll talk a lot in Provincetown

I feel so different there

You laugh sometimes at how I change

Fall in Provincetown

My thoughts I freely share.

 

When I brought you to Provincetown

Was sure true love I'd found

Serenity just filled your eyes

You did not make a sound.

 

When we can live in Provinccetown

Our dreams will all come true

It is the place I love so much

The person, that is you...

 

 

Barb, NJ

GLBT Expo in New York City

Provincetown attended the 19th Original GLBT Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City this past weekend. Ptown had, as usual, one of the most visited booths and we were, again, lucky to have wonderful volunteers helping out throughout the show.

From left to right: Erin, Betsy, Michelle, Terry

The Provincetown Tourism Office and the Provincetown Business Guild co-ordinated efforts prior and during the show to represent and promote Ptown during the two-day show.  

Erin in front of the Provincetown booth

Since Provincetown is a well-known wedding destination, the PBG also had volunteers staff the Wedding booth, where same-sex couples could get information on getting married and planning their ceremony.

Cathy and Radu

The purple tote bags were a smashing success among attendees as we managed to give away all 3,000 in stock. Also, boat and plane tickets from Boston to Provincetown were raffled off and the lucky winners will be announced soon.

See you next year!

Notes from Land's End: March 6

Bow-Wow Provincetown

By Laura Shabott
March 6th, 2012 

When the Mayflower set anchor in Provincetown’s harbor on that fateful day in 1610, a Mastiff and a Springer Spaniel, both English, were on board, bringing to shore a canine’s sensibility that is still gloriously celebrated today. As the #1 friendliest Dog Town in America, there are an abundance of amenities: Pilgrim Bark Park with two separate areas for big and small hounds, pet portraiture, welcoming accommodations and even an annual Pet Appreciation Weekend. 

I am, admittedly, a cat person but if I were to convert to a doggie-type, this spit of land would be the place to bring my pooch. It would be delightful to come by ferry on a Bay State Cruise from Boston, arriving at MacMillan Wharf refreshed from a brisk ninety-minute jaunt across the high seas. We would walk to Gabriel's, a well-appointed Bed and Breakfast in the center of town, known for pet pampering and settle in.

Summer Fun, Courtesy of Elaine Mowery

Friends might come to join us by staking a tent at the Dunes' Edge Campground right across Route 6. Adjoining the National Seashore, we would go to the beaches for Frisbee romps and eco-woodland walks to sniff the flora and fauna. Other urban pals and their furry companions could go to the newly-renovated Harbor Hotel that allows pets, making this another affordable place to stay. Located across from Provincetown harbor, daily walks might include a healthy stroll into town.

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AAA Marketplace Trade Show at Gillette Stadium

Provincetown participated in the annual AAA Marketplace Trade Show this weekend. The show took place in the Putnam Club area at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough between March 2-4.  

This was a good opportunity to advertise Provincetown to the New England market and also network with other companies and DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations) in the region.  

The royal blue Provincetown beach bags with a zipper were the most popular items. 

Royal Blue Provincetown Tote Bag

Dan Fowkes, Bay State Cruise Company

Busy afternoon at the AAA

Gillette Stadium, Home of the New England Patriots, fits 71,000 people

Notes from Land's End: February 21

Offseason – The Television Series

By Laura Shabott 

February 21st, 2012 

Nathan Butera and Jake Fink

When I heard that locals were making a television series about Provincetown’s offseason, my first thought was: “I’m living it so why would I want to see a show about it, right?”


That was until I watched the OFFSEASON YouTube sizzler reel. NYU Film School MFA graduate (2005) Nathan Butera has created a winner of a show. He deserves a round of advanced applause for the professionalism and production quality that snarky, year-rounder me didn’t think was possible to create at the end of the world.

Provincetown.com

Nathan was kind enough to answer some of my burning questions about OFFSEASON:

Q: What inspired you to write and produce this television series?

A: I was in the middle of a divorce from the relationship that had initially brought me to Provincetown. When the marriage failed, I had already lived here for two winters. During that time, I was drawn to the theater and cast in OUR TOWN and THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. I directed short plays and attended the Playwrights Lab.


However, I’m a filmmaker at heart and considered leaving Provincetown for Los Angeles. When I really took the time to look around me and noticed all the untapped talent, stunning landscapes, classic architecture and all the writers, it was one of those ah-hah moments. This town has its own television station, radio station, airport, marina, art museum and cinema. I said to myself, “Duh, if I can't make films HERE, then I have no business going to LA anyway.”

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Notes from Land's End: February 14

Stanley Kunitz, provincetown.com 

Provincetown's Poets WAX about Love

By Laura Shabott
February 14th, 2012 

Provincetown is rich with works of ardor written by authors and playwrights who call our beloved town their muse. Let’s begin this Valentines Day online poetry slam with a brilliant jewel by former Poet Laureate and Fine Arts Work Center co-founder Stanley Kunitz:

Tennessee Williams, courtesy of Nola.com

YOUNG LOVE

At his incipient sun

The ice of twenty winters broke,
Crackling, in her eyes.

Her mirroring, still mind,
That held the world (made double) calm,
Went fluid, and it ran.

There was a stir of music,
Mixed with flowers, in her blood;
A swift impulsive balm

From obscure roots;
Gold bees of clinging light
Swarmed in her brow.

She is a tree in spring
Trembling with the hope of leaves,
Of which the leaves are tongues.

Her throat is full of songs,
She hums, she is sensible of wings
Growing on her heart.

Tennessee Williams changed the world with A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE and THE GLASS MENAGERIE. His deep understanding of love and heartbreak is just as profound in this delicate piece: 

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Notes from Land's End: February 7

Mark Your Calendar! Provincetown's Most Anticipated Summer Events
By Laura Shabott 
February 7th, 2012

Carnival - courtesy of Sue Harrington

When I worked at the front desk of the Boatslip Resort, callers were surprised to find out that we were already sold out for their favorite Provincetown week. 

Don’t let this happen to you! Here are the 2012 dates for some of the town’s most spirited high-season holidays.

1. May 28 Memorial Day Weekend -provincetownforwomen.com

Portuguese Festival - provincetown.com 

For the young and young at heart, this word-of-mouth annual convergence of partying lasses kicks off the summer. Bring your cooler and a pack of close friends. Whooo-Hoooo! 

2. June 13-17 Annual Provincetown International Film Festival – ptownfilmfest.org

Touted as the ‘New Sundance’ by independent film aficionados, this festival is a powerhouse event for the LGBT filmmaker. If you love ground-breaking cinema, don’t miss it.

3. June 21-24 Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet – provincetownportuguesefestival.com

Honoring Lands End’s legacy as a Portuguese fishing community, this weekend is a celebration of a fun-loving and passionate culture. There’s a parade, luscious foods, dancing and the Blessing of the Fleet.

4. June 29 – July 8 Circuit Week- onlyatthecrown.com, davidflower.com

The town is packed with abs-solutely fabulous men from all over the country. Come dance on the piers, frolic along the beaches, rent a bike and be where the “Boyz” are.

5. July 4 Parade and Fireworks- provincetown-ma.gov
Provincetown loves to celebrate our country’s independence. The parade starts at 11am, beginning in East End at the Harbor Hotel (formerly Cape Inn) and finishing at Commercial and Franklin. Fireworks, beginning at dusk from any bayside beach, are always exciting!
6. July 7-15 Bear Week – ptownbears.org

Bear Week - provincetown.com

Big is beautiful in this massive meeting of the “Bears”, an international men’s group one million strong. Thousands of fun-loving, restaurant-grazing, sun-worshiping crowds and their friends, the Cubs and Otters, take over the town for an amazing week.

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