An Independent-minded calendar of arts and events for Outer Cape Cod

Advertise in the Indie.

Reach more readers from Eastham to Provincetown.

Unchained news for Outer Cape Cod

The Provincetown Independent

Let us bring you the paper.

Your subscription supports real community journalism.

Audubon Sanctuary

    our picks for the week of March 26 through April 1

    Indie’s Choice

    By

    Outer Cape Bulletin

    The Metropolitan Opera
    The Metropolitan Opera will stream a full video of Wagner’s Siegfried performed live for free Thursday evening through Friday. (Photo Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

    The Metropolitan Live in HD series that was showing at the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater has been canceled for the remainder of the season (along with all live performances at the Met), but in its stead, the company is streaming full operas from the past for free on its website. The selection offered changes daily; this week, it’s all-Wagner: You can watch Siegfried from Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. to Friday, March 27, 6:30 p.m.; Götterdämmerung from Friday to Saturday; Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg from Saturday to Sunday; and Tannhäuser from Sunday to Monday. Google “Nightly Met Opera Streams,” scroll down all the way to a schedule, find your date, and click on that.

    Tin Pan Alley in Provincetown, like many Outer Cape restaurants, is serving takeout ordered ahead to be picked up at the door. Its “Quarts to Go” menu is posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page. On top of that, in a recent post, owner Jack Kelly offered customers who can’t afford a cash or credit card payment to set up a house charge account, with proof of I.D., to get a running tab that’s pay-as-you-can.

    On Monday, the Provincetown International Film Festival officially postponed its 22nd annual extravaganza, scheduled for June 17-21. This comes as no surprise, considering the number of festivals that have already been canceled. Provincetown Film Society’s new CEO, Rachael C. Brister, said over the weekend that one of the toughest decisions she has ever made was to let go the Waters Edge Cinema staff after the theater was closed. A GoFundMe page has been set up for their benefit but can be linked online only by going to the Provincetown Film Society & Festival Facebook page, scrolling down to a March 20 post entitled “Waters Edge Cinema Furloughed Employees Fund,” and clicking on it.

    More cancellations: The Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has closed its trails and the sanctuary to all visitors until further notice. … The Provincetown Community Compact’s V.F.W. art installation project, sparked by Jay Critchley, has been canceled. Critchley urged artists to “Create!” and reminded eager participants that “there will be other opportunities, so stay tuned.” … David Drake, the Provincetown Theater’s artistic director, told the Independent that the Mosquito Story Slam for April 11 has been canceled, and the theater’s first production, The Drag, by Mae West, scheduled to begin May 14, will be postponed. Drake is hoping to put on some virtual stage readings while we’re all sheltering in place. No details at press time.

    "The Perfect Houseguest"
    “The Perfect Houseguest” is a short recommended for kids of all ages from the New York International Children’s Film Festival. (Photo NYICFF)

    A couple of high-quality shorts have been posted free by the New York International Children’s Film Festival. A brief one, called “The Perfect Houseguest,” is especially apt for these socially isolated days. It can be accessed on Vimeo at bit.ly/3b8u9WO, with the last letter a capital “O,” not a zero.

    And finally, two up notes from the local art scene: Bakker Auctions is still accepting consignments for its scheduled May 30 auction, which will be online. Go to bakkerprojects.com. And Schoolhouse Gallery in Provincetown has the best virtual tour we could find. It’s of the show “Pentimento: Bring Back to Mind” at galleryschoolhouse.com.

     

    our picks for the week of March 12 through March 18

    Indie’s Choice

    By

    Outer Cape Calendar

    Thursday, March 12, 6 p.m.

    Fiction fellow Nora Corrigan and poetry fellow Francisco Márquez will read from their work at Fine Arts Work Center, 24 Pearl St. in Provincetown. Free.

    Thursday, March 12, 6-7 p.m.

    “Experience Ireland” with historian and musician Sean Murphy at the Eastham Public Library on Thursday evening. (Photo Theo Crazzolara/Flickr)

    “Experience Ireland” is a presentation by Irish historian, musician, and dancer Sean Murphy at Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Road. Free.

    Thursday, March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

    W.H.I.M Craft Night debuts at Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St. Come for a night of crafting. Registration $12 at wellfleetpreservationhall.org or 508-349-1800; materials fee $8.

    Friday, March 13, 9-11 a.m.

    Participants in the Foods to Encourage program will receive an extra bag of fruits and vegetables, free recipes, samples, and ideas for healthy eating, every two weeks at Provincetown Council on Aging, 2 Mayflower St. Free.

    Friday, March 13, 2 p.m.

    Get Tech Help With Mia, hands-on assistance with computers, library resources, apps, phones, and more. Wellfleet Public Library, 55 W. Main St. Free.

    Friday, March 13, 7-8:30 p.m.

    Follow the dazzling Flight of the Woodcock at Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 261 Route 6. Pre-registration required: $12 at massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay or 508-349-2615.

    Sunday, March 15, 4-7 p.m.

    Enjoy a Green Tea Dance with the sounds of DJ Lizzy Pitch at Pilgrim House, 336 Commercial St., Provincetown. No cover.

    Sunday, March 15, 4 p.m.

    Test your recall for the less-than-essential at Sunday Trivia at Truro Vineyards, 11 Shore Road. Winning teams earn a gift card. No cover.

    Monday, March 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

    Take a seminar on “The Charm of Alertness: Focusing on the Image and Concrete Detail in Your Writing,” with Fine Arts Work Center fellow Kevin Fitchett, Mondays through March 30 at the Provincetown Council on Aging, 2 Mayflower St. Free.

    Tuesday, March 17, 1:30 p.m.

    Rick Cochran will give a reading from his newest murder mystery, Bound Brook Pond, set in Wellfleet in 1952, at Wellfleet Council on Aging, 715 Old King’s Highway. Free.

    Tuesday, March 17, 6-7 p.m.

    The library book group will discuss O Pioneers! by Willa Cather at Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Road. Free.

    Wednesday, March 18, 10 a.m. (refreshments at 9:30)

    Lorraine Ballato discusses “Shrubs, the New Perennial” at the Wellfleet Public Library on Wednesday morning. (Photo Wayside Gardens)

    Lorraine Ballato will give a talk on “Shrubs, the New Perennial,” as part of the Wellfleet Gardeners Meeting at Wellfleet Public Library, 55 West Main St. Free.

    Wednesday, March 18, 3-4:15 p,m.

    “Unlearn the Self,” a talk by C. Sumner Phillips, on reflecting on our passions and moving forward with less weight, is at Provincetown Council on Aging, 2 Mayflower St. Free.

    Wednesday, March 18, 4 p.m.

    “Are You Ready for Medicare?” is a talk given by Deb Ford of New York Life at Wellfleet Council on Aging, 715 Old King’s Highway. Free.

    Wednesday, March 18, 4-5 p.m.

    The HOW Book Club, presented by Helping Our Women in honor of Women’s History Month, will discuss Fun Home,by Alison Bechdel, at Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial St. Free, with copies available at the circulation desk.

    Wednesday, March 18, 6-8 p.m.

    Winter Wednesdays features the drop-in classes Storytelling Through Media: Lighting Basics; Graphic Design: Basic & Beyond; The Art of Calligraphy: Final Project, Part I; Ayurveda: Eating & Nutrition — Herbs & Home Remedies; Bookbinding & Zine-making: Making an Addition, Round 2; The Art of Dying — Celebration of Life; Talk (Wood)Shop; Future-proofing Cape Cod: Visions of a Sustainable Future; and Improv 101: Game; at the Provincetown Schools, 12 Winslow St. Free, with free parking, cab service, and childcare. Go to winterwednesdays.org.

    Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 p.m.

    Katie Ledoux hosts team trivia night at the Squealing Pig, 335 Commercial St., Provincetown. No cover.

    our picks for the week of March 5 through March 11

    Indie’s Choice

    By

    Outer Cape Calendar

    Thursday, March 5, 5-6:30 p.m.

    An artist’s reception for the exhibit “Richard Perry: Scapes (land, sea, tree, and sky),” will take place at Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Road. Free.

    Friday, March 6, 2 p.m.

    Get Tech Help With Mia, hands-on assistance with computers, library resources, apps, phones, and more at Wellfleet Public Library, 55 W. Main St. Free.

    Friday, March 6, 2-4 p.m.

    Join a Spirituality Retreat for Artists, with Kathleen Henry, at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown at 236 Commercial St. Free.

    Local owls
    Listen and learn about local owl species at one of Mass. Audubon’s Owl Prowls on Friday and Saturday evening. (Photo Rene Laubach/Mass. Audubon)

    Friday, March 6, 5-6:30 p.m. & Saturday, March 7, 5-6:30 p.m.

    You’ll need to pre-register to take part in Mass. Audubon’s Owl Prowls (Friday: adults; Saturday: children and families). Learn about local owl species, then head outside to listen for them, at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 Route 6. Friday: $12; Saturday: $10 at massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay or (508) 349-2615.

    Saturday, March 7, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

    The opening reception of the art exhibit “Carrot Cake: We All Make It Differently,” curated by the students of Art on the Edge, Art Reach 101, and Reaching Forward programs of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, is at 460 Commercial St. Free.

    Saturday, March 7, 2-4 p.m.

    Sarah Naciri gives a lecture and tea-tasting, “Aromatic Kitchen Medicines: Deepening Our Relationship With Common Culinary Herbs,” at the Truro Public Library at 7 Standish Way. Free.

    Hatches Harbor
    The Center for Coastal Studies is leading a winter guided tour of Hatches Harbor on Saturday morning. Sign up online. (Photo Alexey Sergeev)

    Saturday, March 7, 2-5 p.m.

    Join Center for Coastal Studies biologist Lisa Sette and benthic ecologist Agnes Mittermayr for a Guided Walk through the dunes and marsh of Hatches Harbor. The walk is free, but registration is a must at coastalstudies.org: click “Connect and Learn” and “Event Calendar.”

    Saturday, March 7, 2-5 p.m.

    The Provincetown Playwright’s Lab meets on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Bring in your scripts (to be read and given feedback) to the lobby of the Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford St. Free.

    Sunday, March 8, 3-5 p.m.

    There will be an opening reception for “Susan Anthony: Collages,” at Wellfleet Council on Aging, 715 Old King’s Highway. Free.

    Sunday, March 8, 4 p.m.

    Test your recall for the less-than-essential at Sunday Trivia at Truro Vineyards, 11 Shore Road. Winning teams earn a gift card. No cover.

    Sunday, March 8, 5-7 p.m.

    Have an activist evening at Do Something Sundays, with Indivisible Outer Cape, at Provincetown Brewing Co., 141 Bradford St. No cover.

    Monday, March 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

    Take a seminar on “The Charm of Alertness: Focusing on the Image and Concrete Detail in Your Writing,” with Fine Arts Work Center writing fellow Kevin Fitchett, Mondays through March 30 at the Provincetown Council on Aging, 2 Mayflower St. Free.

    Tuesday, March 10, 10 a.m.

    “Elder Services 101” is a presentation by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands on the services that it offers, at Provincetown Council on Aging, 2 Mayflower St. Free.

    Wednesday, March 11, 6-8 p.m.

    Winter Wednesdays features the drop-in classes Bookbinding & Zine-making: Making an Addition, Round 1; Improv 101: Vulnerability; Future-proofing Cape Cod: Millennium Camera; The Art of Dying — Natural Burials; Storytelling Through Media: Video; Talk (Wood)Shop; Graphic Design: Basic & Beyond; Ayurveda: Eating & Nutrition — Cooking & Community; and The Art of Calligraphy: Creating a Greeting Card; at the Provincetown Schools, 12 Winslow St. Free, with free parking, cab service, and childcare. Go to winterwednesdays.org.

    PEOPLE

    An Audubon Leader Fascinated by Humans

    Melissa Lowe Cestaro on watching shifts in nature, culture, values

    By

    WELLFLEET — In September Melissa Lowe Cestaro became the director of Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. She succeeds Bob Prescott, who is retiring after nearly 40 years in the post. Melissa is an environmental educator and came to the Audubon from the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown. The Independent asked Cestaro about her history with the natural world, and how she sees the role of the sanctuary moving forward.

    Elspeth Hay: What are your earliest memories of the natural world?

    Melissa Lowe Cestaro: I grew up in a rural community outside Worcester in Central Massachusetts in the 1970s. I spent all of my time outdoors in the woods behind my house. The forest was filled with mountain laurel and rhododendrons and when I was young I spent hours making forts in the labyrinths under their branches.

    As I got older — maybe around 10 — I would hike for hours alone with my dog. This was pre-cell phones, and my parents were working, so they didn’t know where I was. There was a huge network of trails and I would come home, drop my backpack, go out and come back three hours later. Today this would be unusual, but back then it was everyday as a kid, no big deal.

    Melissa Lowe Cestaro
    “I’m a literature major,” says Melissa Cestaro, “so my background is in studying how people perceive the natural world.” (Photo Elspeth Hay)

    EH: What changes in the natural world have you noticed since your childhood?

    MLC: I’m a big raptor fan — hawks and owls especially. I remember in fifth grade someone came into our classroom to talk about DDT and the impact on eagles and other birds of prey. Since then with these birds there’s been a great success story. We’re now seeing ospreys in huge numbers on the Cape, and ravens and even eagles coming back here.

    At the same time we’re now learning that we’re losing songbirds at an alarming rate. We’re starting to realize we’re looking at a much bigger issue than just a few endangered species. It’s daunting.

    EH: Right, a study published this September in Science estimates North America has lost 3 billion migrating birds over the past 50 years, or 29 percent of 1970’s population. In this age of climate crisis and accelerating extinction rates, what role do you see sanctuaries like the Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay playing in our communities?

    MLC: These spaces are true sanctuaries on so many different levels. In my mind our space offers a retreat for people, a place to come to feel more grounded and peaceful.

    It’s also a social space for people to gather and work towards change. It’s a space where you can get perhaps inspiration — we have a platinum certified green building, a solar array, and are almost net zero when it comes to energy use. It’s a good place to get an understanding of how biological and ecological processes work, so that we can understand our individual and collective choices about how we live on this Earth.

    Finally, it’s also a sanctuary for wildlife experiencing impacts somewhere else. In that way it becomes a very important space. I think it serves as an example of what we can all do in our back yards to create places of refuge — it doesn’t have to be solely this space.

    EH: What’s a conversation about our relationship to the natural world you don’t hear much, that you wish more of us were having?

    MLC: I’m an American literature major, so my background is in studying how people perceive the natural world, how that reflects cultural values, and what shifts those values.

    We were in Maine recently and met people who asked where we were from. When we told them the Cape they said, “Oh, we just saw that Chronicle episode about sharks!” It’s such a focus.

    We’re at this really interesting place where we’re actually seeing some rebounds — not just sharks and seals but also raptors and other species. I’m interested in how we adapt to that. It’s a reminder that we share this landscape, and I want us to think critically about that rather than espouse one thing or another. I find the human dimension of wildlife fascinating.

     

    © 2024 The Provincetown Independent, all rights reserved.

    terms of service