It officially starts on Columbus Day, doesn’t it? Women’s Week may have aged a bit over its 35 years, and there seem to be fewer lesbian inns and hangouts these days, but the week itself in Provincetown has been ever-expanding in time and with things to do, both free and fund-raiser-expensive.
Indeed, there is so much listed on the Women’s Week schedule, from Friday, Oct. 11, to Sunday, Oct. 20, we thought it best not to duplicate it: www.womensweekprovincetown.com/womens-week-schedule-2019/.
Instead, at the Provincetown Independent, we chose to highlight a few stellar offerings, and do half of them this issue (Oct. 10) and the rest next week (Oct. 17).
Even in this introduction, we’ve picked a few standout events, day by day.
On Monday, Oct. 14, for those whose yen for the green doesn’t really involve environmentalism, there’s the Annual Columbus Day Golf Outing at the Chequessett Yacht and Country Club in Wellfleet, starting at 9 a.m. It costs $125, which includes green fees, golf cart and lunch. Start your day with coffee, then on to 18 holes of golf, lunch, festivities, a cash bar and prizes. Reserve your space on the Women’s Week online schedule (at the Golf Outing blurb, link to Eventbrite).
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Provincetown Commons at 46 Bradford St. is hosting The Lesbian Drop-in Center: Living Herstory Art Installation of Lesbian Culture. Several free events are scheduled there today (and Wednesday): at 2 p.m., Herstorical Lesbian Theatre with Sharon Raphael and Jenny Wrenn; at 3 p.m., Erotica Stories with Jenny Wrenn; at 4 p.m., Movement and Dance with Constance Clare-Newman; at 5 p.m., live music by Out Late; and at 6 p.m., a Real Lesbian Rap Group. Also at the Commons, at 3 p.m., there’s an opening of an art exhibit of paintings by Jo Hay, all of them monumental portraits of women in pursuit of justice, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Nancy Pelosi, Greta Thunberg to Christine Blasey-Ford. Cap off the day with the Annual Community Dinner and Performers Showcase, presented by The Women Innkeepers of Provincetown at the Provincetown Inn at 1 Commercial St. This one tends to sell out early, so it’s recommended you buy tickets in advance (link to Eventbrite on the Women’s Week schedule). General seating is $59, preferred seating $85.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, the Writer’s Voice Café is presenting a special Women’s Week edition of its free monthly gathering at the Provincetown Public Library at 356 Commercial St. Womencrafts owner Michele Axelson will give a talk, “Feminism Changed My Life!” And, as always at the Writer’s Voice Café, there will be an open mic for audience members to share, as well as coffee, tea and snacks. Wednesday is also the day that Bold Strokes Books starts rolling out its authors for readings and book-signings and talks. Since most of those events extend to Thursday and Friday, we’ll hold our coverage till next issue, when Women’s Week highlights will continue.
End of the Earth Comedy Festival
This three-day irreverent comedy festival is not part of the official Women’s Week lineup, but it takes place over Columbus Day weekend at Pilgrim House at 336 Commercial St., so it seemed appropriate to include it.
The Festival Opener ($25 at pilgrimhouseptown.com) is on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m., hosted by Kristen Becker, headlined by Sydnee Washington, and features Meghan Deponceau, Dwayne Duke, Allie Genereux and more. The Power Hour ($20) at 8:30 p.m. is hosted by Reece Cotton, headlined by Caitlin Cook, and features Zenobia Del Mar, Kat Famzinski and Ray Porter.
Day 2, Friday, Oct. 11, starts off with Amuse Booze ($20) at 4 p.m., a bartending competition in a comedy show, hosted by Meghan Deponceau. At 6 p.m. the Power Hour ($20) is headlined by Rob Bebenek, hosted by Chris Plumer, and features Allie Genereux, Liz Reaves and more. At 8 p.m. Sean Patton ($30) Is featured, with Kwasi Mensa, Srilathi Ramanjari and host Meghan Deponceau.
Day 3, Saturday, Oct. 12, begins at 3 p.m. with Too Soon: The Comedy of 9/11 ($15), a documentary screening and panel discussion hosted by Julie Seabaugh. At 4:30 p.m. is Frick Yeah! ($15), a program of improv comedy with Katie Pentedemos and Justin O’Connor, and at 6 p.m., there’s a Power Hour ($20) hosted by Luke Touma and featuring Wanjiko Eke, Anthony Crawford and more. The Festival Closer takes place at Fishermen Hall at 12 Winslow St. at 8 p.m. ($40 at endoftheearthcomedy.com). Debra DiGiovanni is the headliner, and Jay Chanoine, Kristen Becker and Anthony Crawford are featured.
The Post Office Cabaret Delivers Daily
The cabaret stage is upstairs at 303 Commercial St. Tickets are available at post-office-cafe-post-office-cafe.seatengine.com.
Poppy Champlin, comedian: Saturday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 20, at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 19, at 4:30 p.m.; $25.
Zoë Lewis, musical performer: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m.; $25.
Jennie McNulty & Mimi Gonzalez, “Healing Power of Laugher & Sisterhood”: Saturday, Oct. 12, through Saturday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m.; $25.
Jennie McNulty & Mimi Gonzalez, “Drag In”: Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 p.m.; $25.
Sandra Valls, comedian: Saturday-Tuesday, Oct. 12-15; Thursday-Friday, Oct. 17-18; at 4 p.m.; $25.
Suzanne Westenhoefer, comedian: Saturday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.; $25.
Cris Williamson, folk singer: Saturday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2:30 p.m.; $25.
The Club, and All That Jazz
Lea DeLaria’s sophisticated jazz cabaret on the bay has a full program for Women’s Week.
Maggie Cassella, “All American Canadian”: Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m.; Saturday-Monday, Oct. 12-14, at 2 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 17-20, at 2 p.m.; $30.
The Club House Band: Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12; Monday, Oct. 14; Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 17-19; at 9:30 p.m.; no cover.
Qya Cristál, “At Last”: Sunday, Oct. 13 & Oct. 20 at 10 pm.; no cover.
Lea DeLaria, “DeLaria, Dammit! The Best of the P’town Years”: Saturday-Monday, Oct. 12-14; Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 17-20; at 8 p.m.; $50.
Lea DeLaria and Maggie Cassella’s Women’s Week Wild Wednesday Welcome Party: Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m.; no cover.
Emily Tarver & Vicci Martinez, stars of “Orange Is the New Black”: Saturday-Monday, Oct. 12-14; Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 17-20; at 6 p.m.; $30.
WayDownTown Takes It to the Street
The restaurant WayDownTown, at 265 Commercial St., has a lineup of bands and singers to perform during Women’s Week. As always, no cover.
Walrus and the Carpenter will be there on Friday, Oct. 11, at 9:30 p.m.
The Sarah Burrill Band with Kami Lyle plays on Saturday, Oct. 12, and Thursday, Oct. 17, at 9:30 p.m.
Fuckery! (with Darlene Van Alstyne and Monica Falcone) is back on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 9:30 p.m.
The Women’s Week Opening Party lets loose on Monday, Oct. 14, at 9:30 p.m.
DJ Leah V. spins a Dance Party on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Julie Wheeler & Co. performs on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 9:30 p.m.
Courtney Lynn & Quinn play from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, followed by Jess Leary at 8 p.m.
Catch Suzy Plays Guitar on Friday, Oct. 18, from 4-7 p.m. and Flight of Fire at 9:30 p.m.
Christine Havrilla performs on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 4-7 p.m., with Sister Funk at 9:30 p.m.
Plastic Angels play on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 4-7 p.m.
Forever Zoë Lewis!
Provincetown’s own Zoë Lewis, proficient in almost every genre and era of music, is releasing a brand-new CD for Women’s Week, “Always a Sixpence.” She’ll be performing four different ways in three different places.
On Sunday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m., Zoë will be joined by singer-songwriter Crys Matthews at Pilgrim House, 336 Commercial St. Tickets are $30 at pilgrimhouseptown.com.
Then, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m., Zoë will perform her world-beat grooves solo at the Post Office Cabaret, at 303 Commercial St. Tickets are $25 at post-office-cafe-post-office-cafe.seatengine.com.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m., Zoë and her jazz band, the Bootleggers, bring back the Women’s Week Speakeasy, with flappers, crooners and a cigarette girl. Tickets are $25 at pilgrimhouseptown.com.
Finally, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Zoë will be joining a special Art’s Dune Tour, singing songs and telling stories in the Cape Cod National Seashore. Tickets are $65 at artsdunetours.com. Or call (800) 894-1951 ext. 4.
A Movie Program Like No Other
At the Waters Edge Cinema, 237 Commercial St. (Whaler’s Wharf, 2nd floor), tickets at provincetownfilm.org:
The Archivettes, a documentary on the Lesbian Herstory Archives: Monday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, Oct. 17-18, at 4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 19-20, at 1:30 p.m.
Before You Know It, a comedy about a soap opera actress (Judith Light) who meets her two grown daughters after many years apart: Monday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 2 & 7 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 16-17, at 4:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, Oct. 18-19, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m.
Clambake, a documentary about the history of Women’s Week: Tuesday-Wednesday, Oct. 15-16, at 4 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 17-19, at 7:30 p.m.
Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins, a documentary about the irreverent Texas writer: Monday, Oct. 14 at 1:30 & 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 1:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, Oct. 17-18, at 1 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 19-20, at 4 p.m.
Vita & Virginia, a drama about Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West: Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 14-15, at 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 16-17, at 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, Oct. 18-19, at 2 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.
Women’s Week Short Films: Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 19, at 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m.
A panel discussion, “Her Story: Shifting the Cultural Narrative,” with women directors, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m.; free.
At Pilgrim House, 336 Commercial St., tickets at pilgrimhouseptown.com:
The Foxy Merkins, a lesbian hooker buddy comedy: Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m.
Laughing Matters, a 2004 documentary about lesbian comics: Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.
Lesbians in Shorts: Friday, Oct. 18, at 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m.
Afternoons at the Pilgrim Monument
The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, at 1 High Pole Hill Road, is featuring Crone’s Brown Bag Series for Women’s Week — panels, discussions and workshops you can pack a lunch for. A donation of $5 is suggested for all non-ticketed events.
Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is Wampanoag Cultural Day at the PMPM, with food and crafts, demonstrations and performances. “Old Dykes and Allies with Herstory” is the talk scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Poppy Champlin leads a workshop, “How to Do Standup Comedy,” from noon to 1:30 on Monday, Oct. 14, and her students will perform on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, and Thursday, Oct. 17, from 9-11 a.m., the monument is offering a Historic Women’s Walking Tour. Tickets are $20 at pilgrim-monument.org. Pamela Means will present “Activism through Song” on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. Then, on Thursday, Oct. 17, Means will perform in concert at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 at pilgrim-monument.org.
A talk on “Women and Politics: What’s Going On?” will be given from noon to 1:30 on Wednesday, Oct. 16. On Friday, Oct. 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m., Jeanette de Beauvoir and Jamie Anderson will discuss “Women Authors and Research.”
Chamber Music for the Outer Cape will perform music by American Women Composers on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 at pilgrim-monument.org. Then, on Sunday, Oct. 20, join a “Kitchen Table Talk” at noon.
