👋 We know — this one’s landing a little late.
A few tech gremlins kept us from your Friday inbox, but we’re back (and making it up to you) with a lineup that’s pure Cape fall — colorful, cozy, and full of things worth sharing. 🍂
Here’s what’s buzzing Mid-Cape this week:
🌊 Waves of Change Festival — Three days of art, film, and music that move the Cape.
💛 Cape Abilities Farm — The Route 6A story growing possibility and pride all year long.
🍽 Portside Tavern, Hyannis — Local flavor, warm lights, and that “you belong here” feeling.
🎶 The Cape Turns It Up — Folk, rock, and pub nights that keep the season humming.
🍂 Fall in Full Color — Oysters, crafts, pups, and trails that make October unforgettable.
🌤 Weather Watch — Summer’s still flirting, but fall’s in charge.
We’ll be back on our regular Friday rhythm this week — promise.
If you love what’s inside, share it with your friends, family, or that neighbor who always asks, “What’s happening around here?” No one should miss a fall this good.
—Arthur & the Celebrate Mid-Cape crew
Before Hollywood came calling, Dennis was already in the spotlight. In 1927, a humble barn became the Cape Playhouse, launching summer theater on the Cape. But which future movie legend once worked there — as a janitor?
🌬 The Cape Is Slowing Down — But Getting Smarter
Sponsored by Radtke & Associates
Why Mid-Cape Neighbors Are Rethinking Real Estate This Fall
There’s something steady in the air across the Mid-Cape this October.
The traffic’s lighter, the light’s sharper, and conversations about real estate sound different.
The question isn’t “How fast did it sell?” anymore — it’s “Does it make sense?”
Because while the Cape’s pace has slowed, its confidence hasn’t.
🪟 Barnstable’s Quiet Confidence
Where Calm Buyers and Smart Sellers Meet in the Middle
Barnstable has settled into a rare equilibrium — growth without frenzy.
Pending sales climbed 25%, and the median single-family price rose 8% to $746,500.
Homes now spend an average of 48 days on market — a week longer than last year — but sellers are still earning 95% of list price.
That’s not cooling; that’s curation.
“We’re seeing fewer impulse offers and more thoughtful ones,” said a Centerville agent. “That’s maturity, not hesitation.”
Condo demand reflected the same tone: prices up 16% to $395K, driven by locals trading rent for year-round footing.
The conversation here isn’t about escaping to the Cape — it’s about staying.
🏡 Barnstable Homes That Define the New Season
Real places. Real rhythm. The stories behind the numbers.
627 South Main Street, Centerville — The Village Reinvention
A rare 1870 Centerville property ready for a new life as a residence. Central air, gas heat, and a walkable village location near Four Seas and Craigville Beach make it pure Cape storybook.
159 Cinderella Terrace, Marstons Mills — A Grown-Up Kind of Comfort
This 3-bed Saltbox blends charm and practicality: first-floor primary suite, screened porch, solar panels, and generator. Renovated and move-in ready — proof that “Cape cozy” now means efficient, not tiny.
165 Concord Lane, Osterville — Refined, Real, and Ready
Light-filled and balanced, this Osterville Cape offers a new custom kitchen, vaulted ceilings, and a hot-tub patio framed by gardens and granite. It’s where craftsmanship meets calm.
🌳 Dennis Has Entered Its Power Era
A Market That’s Moving Slowly — But Selling Surely
In Dennis, patience is the new power move.
The town posted one of the Cape’s strongest climbs: single-family prices up 11% ($735K), pending sales up 15%, and days on market down 34%.
The right homes — updated, insulated, walk-to-the-beach — are still gone within weeks.
Meanwhile, the condo scene flipped its own script: prices surged 61% ($320K), and inventory doubled.
After years of scarcity, options finally returned — and buyers answered.
“It’s less about urgency now,” a North Dennis broker said. “It’s about precision. Buyers want the right house, not just any Cape address.”
🌿 Dennis Homes That Are Turning Heads
Calm, confident, and built for Cape life year-round.
62 Teal Circle, West Dennis — The Reimagined Beach Cottage
Fully renovated 1962 ranch with central air, new roof, and sleek simplicity near Swan River and West Dennis Beach. Coastal living that feels effortless.
23 Doric Avenue, West Dennis — The Cheerful Escape
Four bedrooms, new kitchen, and modern mini-splits bring new comfort to a classic 1920s cottage. A short stroll to the beach, full of easy charm and light.
🌊 Yarmouth’s Pause That Speaks Volumes
When “Wait and See” Becomes the Smartest Move on the Cape
Yarmouth’s numbers tell the most human story of all: sales down 30%, new listings down 40%, yet prices rose 7% to $650K.
That’s not a slump — it’s a negotiation.
Inventory dropped to 49 homes, so every well-priced property still finds a match.
The rest sit quietly, waiting for reality to meet aspiration.
Condo activity, however, burst to life: sales up 67%, prices easing 18% to $415K.
A new generation of year-round owners is stepping in — buying for function over fantasy.
“It’s the first time in years the Cape feels livable again,” said a South Yarmouth resident. “Not just ownable.”
🌅 Yarmouth Homes That Feel Like Real Life
Accessible, warm, and built for the off-season.
18 Turner Lane, South Yarmouth — River Rhythm Living
Two houses from Bass River, this 2-bed ranch is equal parts retreat and everyday ease. Fireplace, updated kitchen, and new septic make it quietly irresistible.
9 Victory Lane, South Yarmouth — Sunlight and Stillness
Everything’s new — roof, HVAC, siding, and a glassy four-season sunroom. Steps from Long Pond, it’s built for slow mornings and golden-hour calm.
📈 What the Numbers Really Mean
The Cape’s Real Estate Story Has Finally Grown Up
Across Barnstable, Dennis, and Yarmouth, prices keep climbing — but the behavior behind them has changed.
The pandemic’s adrenaline is gone. What’s left is clarity:
Sellers who price with accuracy still win.
Buyers are finally negotiating from information, not fear.
The Cape’s housing economy isn’t cooling — it’s maturing.
This isn’t a market slowing down. It’s one growing comfortable in its own skin.
🪶 The Smart Season Ahead
Why Fall and Winter Might Be the Cape’s Best Buying Window
Fall and early winter will reward strategy over speed.
Energy-efficient homes, storm-ready systems, and realistic pricing are the new crowd-pullers.
The flash has faded; substance sells.
📲 Text “TOUR” to (774) 209-6032 for this month’s strongest listings.
✉️ Email [email protected] — subject “Fall Market Map.”
🔎 Send your town + budget for a live Mid-Cape search built for how the Cape actually lives in winter.
🌐 Browse quietly → Mid Cape Homes
🌊 Waves of Change: Cape Cod’s Arts Festival With a Conscience
October 8–10, 2025 • Cape Cod Community College & Cape Cod Art Barn, Hyannis
If you’ve ever felt that Cape Cod has more to say than the summer postcards let on — this is the weekend that proves it.
From Wednesday, October 8th through Friday the 10th, the Waves of Change Arts Festival is turning Cape Cod Community College into a full-on creative playground — where art, music, film, and local voices all come together to tackle the big stuff: our coastline, our community, and what “home” really means when the tides start to shift.
🎨 Wednesday — The Cape Gets Creative
The festival kicks off at 3 PM in the Higgins Art Gallery, where Laura Ludwig — a familiar name for anyone who’s followed local ocean cleanup efforts — opens with a talk and exhibition made entirely from marine debris. It’s Cape Cod storytelling at its rawest: pulled from the sand, shaped by the sea, and reborn as art.
By 6 PM, everyone drifts to the Tilden Main Theater for a one-of-a-kind Variety Show, hosted by Hyannis’ own Tamora Israel, with music from Ben Cosgrove. It’s part comedy, part soul, and all community — the kind of night where you’ll recognize faces from the farmers’ market in the front row.
🎬 Thursday — Stories Worth Sitting For
Thursday afternoon is for slowing down and tuning in. The Sound Bath and Mark Making Workshop in the Zen Den is as peaceful as it sounds — soft waves of music, color, and calm.
Over in the Tilden Theater, the Film Festival runs all day, featuring student shorts, Massachusetts-made documentaries, and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing under the evening lights. The real magic? The conversations afterward, when folks linger outside swapping thoughts over cider and laughter.
🌍 Friday — From Inspiration to Action
Friday brings the focus back to what ties us all together — the ocean. The Marine Debris Panel at 1 PM gathers scientists, students, and locals who spend more time in waders than on Zoom. It’s honest, hopeful talk about the work being done right here on the Cape.
And to close it all out, Kotoko Brass takes the stage with Keb Hutchings and Mike Flanagan at 7 PM — a high-energy, dance-in-your-seat kind of concert that’ll send you home with salt in your hair and a beat still in your chest. Tickets are $5–$15 — cheaper than brunch, and ten times as memorable.
💬 Why You’ll Want to Go
This isn’t just another arts event. It’s a Cape moment. The kind that reminds you how strong, smart, and creative this community really is when it comes together.
The Waves of Change Festival is proof that we’re more than beach days and clam shacks — we’re a place that listens, creates, and acts.
So grab a friend, bring a notebook, or just show up curious. Because on the Cape, change doesn’t start in headlines — it starts in galleries, classrooms, and conversations that feel like home.
📍 Where to Go:
Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable
Cape Cod Art Barn, 250 South St, Hyannis
🎟 Free (except Friday’s concert)
Full schedule & registration: capecod.edu/waves-of-change-arts-festival
🌿 Cape Abilities: How a Little Farm on Route 6A Grew Into a Cape-Wide Force for Inclusion
On the surface, it looks like any roadside farm stand — rows of greens, the hum of Route 6A, a salt breeze drifting through Dennis.
But behind that cheerful Cape Abilities Farm sign lies one of the Cape’s most powerful community stories — a movement built on work, independence, and belonging.
💛 From a Small Workshop to a Cape-Wide Mission
How a 1968 Orleans idea became a lifeline across the Cape
Cape Abilities began in 1968 as The Nauset Workshop in Orleans.
Its founders had one clear goal: help local residents with disabilities find meaningful work right here at home.
At a time when “inclusion” wasn’t common vocabulary, they quietly put it into practice.
Over fifty years later, Cape Abilities now serves more than 400 individuals each year, supported by a team of over 360 staff members based in Hyannis.
Their programs span residential homes, job training, transportation, and day supports across Cape Cod — all focused on helping people live, work, and thrive independently.
🌾 The Farm That Rooted a Community
When Cape Abilities opened its farm in Dennis in 2006, it wasn’t just planting vegetables — it was planting opportunity.
The farm trains and employs individuals with disabilities in horticulture, retail, and customer service.
Every plant, herb, and tomato sold there directly supports fair employment and inclusive economic growth on Cape Cod.
Locals stop by for lettuce or hanging baskets; they leave realizing they’ve just supported a team that’s redefining what work looks like for their neighbors.
🏡 Homes That Feel Like Home
Independence, safety, and community under one Cape roof
Across the region, Cape Abilities operates residential homes and supported living programs that help adults with disabilities live on their own terms.
Some homes provide 24-hour staffing; others offer shared or in-home support.
From Dennis to Yarmouth, these houses blend seamlessly into local neighborhoods — because they are part of them.
Inside, residents plan meals, decorate rooms, and build daily routines that make life not just livable, but personal.
🚐 Keeping the Cape Connected
How a simple ride opens the door to independence
Transportation can be the difference between isolation and participation.
Cape Abilities runs its own transportation network, ensuring participants reach jobs, programs, and appointments from Bourne to Provincetown.
It’s one of the less-visible services that makes everything else possible — the quiet infrastructure behind hundreds of success stories.
🤝 When the Cape Shows Up, Everyone Wins
Local businesses, volunteers, and neighbors power the mission
From restaurants buying farm produce to employers hiring program graduates, Cape Cod businesses play an active role in keeping Cape Abilities strong.
Volunteers donate time at events, schools partner on job-readiness programs, and locals swing by the farm just to say hello.
These small acts of connection turn an organization into a community movement.
🌱 A Steady Hand in a Seasonal Place
Why Cape Abilities matters in a region built on change
Cape Cod is known for its tides — of people, of seasons, of opportunity.
Through all that flux, Cape Abilities remains one of the region’s constants: creating purpose, paychecks, and pride for year-round residents.
It’s not flashy work, but it’s enduring.
And in a world full of quick fixes, steady impact is its own quiet miracle.
🌻 Stop In. Say Hi. See What Possibility Looks Like.
Next time you’re driving through Dennis, don’t just pass the Cape Abilities Farm.
Pull over. Buy a plant. Talk to the team.
You’ll walk away with fresh produce — and a clearer sense of how community really works on Cape Cod.
⚓ Portside Tavern: Where Hyannis Gathers Over Food That Feels Like Home
There’s something about Portside Tavern that makes it feel stitched right into the fabric of Hyannis. Maybe it’s the way the lights spill softly from the windows of that old sea captain’s house on North Street, or how the hum of laughter inside competes gently with the sound of cars heading down Main. Whatever it is, this isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a heartbeat.
The Murphy family, who own it, seem to have found that sweet Cape Cod balance: a place polished enough for date night but cozy enough for sandy feet. You can tell they care — in the small, local ways that matter most. The kind of care that comes through in every plate that leaves the kitchen.
🐚 Where the Shore Meets the Stove
The food feels like the Cape translated through comfort. There’s the Wellfleet oysters — cool, briny, kissed with lemon sorbet and a hint of tabasco that wakes you right up
The pan-seared scallops, glazed and golden, arrive on a bed of sweet corn risotto that feels like August in a bowl. And when a half rack of baby back ribs comes through, the smoky scent pulls you in before the plate even lands — with sides of jalapeño cornbread and drunken beans that taste like they were made for slow Sundays.
Even the bar pizzas tell their own stories: the fennel sausage pie layered with poblano peppers and caramelized onions feels more farmhouse than tavern; the Heirloom Tomato pizza, drizzled with balsamic glaze, could make a Hyannis evening feel like Naples.
And then there’s the lobstah roll — local, overstuffed, buttery, and served on brioche so soft it could be mistaken for a pillow.
🍺 A Cape Bar with Character
At the bar, the tap list reads like a roll call of Cape Cod’s best breweries — Devil’s Purse, Hog Island, Barnstable Brewery, Cape Cod Beer
. Each pour feels like a little geography lesson: from Orleans’ crisp IPAs to Hyannis’ smooth blondes. The bartenders might offer you a raspberry lemon drop martini or an espresso martini that could double as dessert — but they’ll just as likely remember your usual.
It’s not the kind of bar where people rush out. It’s where they stay — long after their glasses are empty.
🍪 The Sweet Finish
Every Cape night deserves a quiet ending, and Portside knows this well. The skillet cookie, pulled from the oven still bubbling, comes crowned with melting vanilla ice cream
. There’s a raspberry lemon drop cake bright enough to chase away winter, and a brownie delight that feels like something your neighbor might bring to a summer cookout.
🌅 The Cape in a Bite
There are restaurants that feed you, and then there are places that ground you. Portside Tavern is the latter — a spot where the smell of chowder and the warmth of wood tables make Hyannis feel smaller, friendlier, and entirely yours.
You don’t just eat here. You belong here.
📍 Portside Tavern, 72 North Street, Hyannis
📞 (508) 534-9600 🌐 theportsidetavern.com
🕓 Open daily, 11:30 AM – close | Free parking, WiFi, and a little extra heart
🍂 The Cape in Full Color: October 3–9
This week, the Cape hits its stride — crisp mornings, creative afternoons, and music that rolls long past sunset. From oysters on the flats to forest yoga and disco lights in Hyannis, every day hums with its own kind of magic.
So step out, look around, and let the rhythm of fall pull you in — the Cape’s alive and wide open.
Friday, October 3 — Oysters, Golden Hours & Planet-Powered Dance Floors
🌿 Get Your Hands Dirty for the Cape: Fuller Farm Friday
8:00 AM – 10:30 AM • Fuller Farm, Marstons Mills
Grab your gloves and join the BLT crew restoring trails, clearing invasives, and keeping the Cape’s open spaces thriving.☕ Morning Conversations That Matter: Women’s Coffee on the Green
9:30 AM • Osterville Village Library – Calvin C. Gould Library Green, Osterville
Warm coffee, fresh air, and new friends — this monthly women’s circle is the community reset you didn’t know you needed.🎨 Color in Motion: The Art of Painting with Alcohol Ink
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable
Watch color come alive in Mary Wojciechowski’s sold-out workshop — a mesmerizing dive into texture, movement, and creative flow.💻 Click, Type, Smile: Senior Planet’s Friendly Tech Class
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM • Osterville Village Library, Osterville
Learn to email, browse, and connect confidently in this zero-pressure intro to computers for beginners.🦪 Oysters & Ocean Secrets: Barnstable Sea Farms Tour
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM • Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable
Walk the tidal flats with oyster farmer Les Hemmila — discover how shellfish shape the Cape’s ecosystem (and try a fresh shuck).🎶 Hike, Sip & Unwind: Cape Cod’s Nature Meets Beer Night
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM • Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable
Golden-hour hike, guided by a naturalist — then a laid-back toast at Cape Cod Beer. Perfect Friday combo.💃 Dance for a Cause: Perreo Para El Planeta
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM • 438 Main St, Hyannis
A climate justice talk meets a Latin dance party — DJ, energy, and purpose all in one unforgettable night.🎭 Art Meets Activism: The Arts & Justice Festival 2025
6:00 PM • Hyannis
A weekend of creative resistance — performances, panels, and purpose colliding in the heart of Hyannis.🎭 Unreconciled: A Story of Survival and Healing
7:00 PM (select dates) • Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit
A raw, grant-backed solo show about loss, forgiveness, and finding peace — with post-show talkbacks.🎵 Evita: Cotuit’s Dazzling Take on a Legend
7:30 PM (select dates) • Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit
Sold out for a reason — Webber and Rice’s timeless musical about ambition and love lights up Cotuit.🖼️ Kintsugi Paintings: Stories Mended in Gold
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (through Oct 9) • Miller White Fine Arts, Dennis
Wayne Miller’s layered works celebrate beauty in imperfection — narrative art glowing with humanity.🎉 Aquarius Reunion Weekend: Disco, DJs & Dancefloor Legends
October 3–5 • Cape Cod Irish Village – Emerald Resort, Hyannis
Booty Vortex, The Trammps, and Deney Terrio headline this nostalgic, nonstop dance marathon.
Saturday, October 4 — Fall Colors, Fresh Finds & Cape-Strong Beats
🧘 Unplug & Reconnect: Forest Bathing + Yoga in the Woods
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM • Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable
Find your calm under the canopy — a restorative blend of yoga and forest bathing led by Erica Jansson.🎨 Fall Finds & Handmades: Village Crafters on the Green
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Calvin C. Gould Library Green, Osterville
Shop cozy autumn creations, chat with local makers, and soak in the small-town vibe.🐾 Paws, Smiles & Second Chances: Dog Adoption Morning
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Barnstable Farm & Pet, West Barnstable
Meet lovable rescues, swap stories, and maybe head home with a new best friend.🪵 Watch the Chips Fly: Cape Cod Woodturners Live Demo
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Fuller Farm, Marstons Mills
Tools whir, sawdust spins, and craftsmanship shines — plus door-prize keepsakes to take home.🎨 Create & Celebrate: Cahoon Museum Fall Open House
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit
Try your hand at printmaking, then mingle with artists over refreshments — a full day of inspiration.🎎 Lanterns & Legends: Mid-Autumn Moon Story Time
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM • Osterville Village Library – Children’s Room, Osterville
Kids discover Chinese moon-festival tales with Miss Hannah — stories, crafts, and wonder.🎉 Main Street Magic: Osterville Fall Festival
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Osterville Village & Main Street, Osterville
Jazz, crafts, cider, raffles, and a dog parade — the village’s biggest fall party is back.🐕 Best in Show: Fall Fest Dog Parade
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM • Calvin C. Gould Library Green, Osterville
Costumed pups strut for prizes in the cutest competition of the season.🎁 Fill the Truck, Share the Joy: Toys for Tots Drive
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM • West Yarmouth Center Plaza, West Yarmouth
Donate toys or goods, enjoy music and raffles — family fun for a great cause.🍺 Raise Your Stein: Family Oktoberfest for Dream Day
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Skull Island at Bass River Sports World, Yarmouth
Live bands, craft brews, and keg-throwing contests — Bavarian fun that supports local kids.🦪 Shuck Yeah! A Day of Oysters & Beer
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM • Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis
Cape Cod’s oyster fest returns — cold beer, live music, food trucks, and salty air.🎨 Roll Through Time: The History of Roller Skating
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM • Osterville Village Library – Main Meeting Room, Osterville
From 1860s parlor wheels to roller disco — Emma Levy spins through skating’s fascinating past.🎭 Unerased & Unapologetic: Asian Voices of Cape Cod
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM • Tilden Arts Center, West Barnstable
Film, dance, and conversation spotlight Cape Cod’s Asian community in this moving festival event.🎭 The Lost Masterpiece: Vonnegut’s “Something Borrowed” Live
7:30 PM • Dennis Union Church – Gertrude Lawrence Stage, Dennis
Vonnegut’s rediscovered play gets new life — witty, weird, and wonderfully human.
Sunday, October 5 — Wagging Tails, Wild Art & Sunset Encores
🎨 Unlock the Secret Shine: Glazing Masterclass with Rebecca Matarazzi
9:30 AM • Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth
Learn the painter’s “finishing magic” that brings ceramic color to life in this hands-on workshop.🐾 Barktober Yappy Hour: Cocktails, Coast Air & Canine Chaos
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Blue Water Resort, South Yarmouth
Mingle with pups and people over fall drinks, seaside breezes, and tail-wagging antics.🖼️ Last Look: Carmen Cicero’s Wild World of Watercolor
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis
Final chance to walk through seven decades of color, wit, and surreal Cape imagination.🛼 Pride on Wheels: The Marsha P. Johnson Roller Disco
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Hyannis Youth & Community Center, Hyannis
Lace up for a joyful spin celebrating Black joy, queer history, and community freedom.🚗 Engines & Elegance: Kalmus Beach Car Meet
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Kalmus Beach, Hyannis
Chrome gleams, engines purr — Cape classics roll from Main Street to the shoreline.🌷 Spring in a Pot: Bulb Planting with C.L. Fornari
2:00 PM • Hyannis Country Garden, Hyannis
Design a pot bursting with next season’s blooms — bulbs, soil, and secrets included.🪨 Beach Treasure Art: Pebble & Sea Glass Workshop
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Osterville Village Library, Osterville
Craft frame-worthy art from shells and driftwood — the Cape’s shoreline in miniature.🎨 Inside the Artist’s Mind: Dinardo & Vogel in Conversation
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM • Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit
Two artists trade stories and folk-art secrets from the Taverns to Trades exhibit.⚽ Goal Line Joy: Inclusive Soccer Sunday
1:00 PM • Cape Cod Challenger Club, Barnstable
A field where everyone plays — friendship, fitness, and plenty of high-fives.🍗 Game Day Feast: Football at LandShark
1:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod – LandShark Bar & Grill, Hyannis
Wall-to-wall screens, $1 wings, and buckets of beer — Sunday’s unofficial stadium.🎭 Vonnegut Reloaded: Something Borrowed Encore Show
4:30 PM • Dennis Union Church – Gertrude Lawrence Stage, Dennis
Dark humor meets human hope in this revived Kurt Vonnegut play with a local cast.🎉 The Bash 2025: A Sunset Benefit by the Sea
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM • The Pelham House, Dennis Port
Live music, ocean views, and an auction supporting Nauset Youth Alliance programs.🎬 The Librarians: Film About the Fight to Keep Books Free
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM • Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit
A gripping doc on librarians standing up to censorship — part of WHFF’s justice series.
Monday, October 6 — Handmade Mornings, Story Nights & a Few Smart Surprises
🎨 Shell Secrets: Crafting Cape Treasures by Hand
10:00 AM • South Yarmouth Library, South Yarmouth
Discover the art of decoupage as you turn humble shells into keepsakes bursting with seaside charm.🛍️ The Hunt Begins: Barnstable’s Hidden Treasures Sale
Library Hours (Oct 6–9) • Sturgis Library, Barnstable
Antiques, art glass, and oddities galore — the kind of Cape sale where one find tells a story.🏃 Run. Sip. Repeat: Cape Cod Beer Run Club
5:45 PM • Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis
A community jog that ends exactly where it should — with a cold pint and good company.🏡 Your Cape Cod Key: Lawrence Hill Lottery Info Night
6:00 PM • Virtual – Hosted by CDP & POAH, Wellfleet
Dreaming of a home on the Cape? Learn how to secure one of 46 new affordable rentals in Wellfleet.📚 Lisa Genova Live: The Science of Story & “More or Less Maddy”
7:00 PM • The Olde Colonial Courthouse, Barnstable
The Still Alice author returns to the Cape to explore love, mental health, and the brain behind her new novel.🎬 Reel Gems: Best of the Woods Hole Film Fest Shorts
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit
Award-winning short films handpicked from the festival’s best — one hour of Cape cinema brilliance.
Tuesday, October 7 — Sunrise Songs, Seaside Stories & Taco Night Tales
🐦 Birdsong Before Breakfast: Early Walk at Long Pasture
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM • Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Yarmouth Port
Start your morning with migrating warblers, salt marsh views, and expert birding tips.🌿 Wild About Native Plants: Gardeners’ Coffee Circle
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM • South Dennis Library
A drop-in chat where locals swap stories on Cape-friendly native gardening.📖 Tiny Tales: Adventures in Storytime
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM • South Yarmouth Library
Babies and toddlers dive into songs, rhymes, and stories designed for early learning.🌮 $3 Tacos & $8 Flights: LandShark Taco Tuesday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod – Hyannis
All-day tacos and margaritas with harbor views — locals know this is the Tuesday spot.📚 Edward Gorey, Up Close: Carol Verburg Reveals All
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Centerville Public Library
Stories and secrets from Gorey’s longtime collaborator and biographer.💃 Step, Swing, Repeat: Irish Set Dance Class
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM • Olde Inn, Dennis Port
Get moving in this high-spirited community dance night.📓 Scraps to Stories: Junk Journaling for Joy
5:30 PM • Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth
Turn paper scraps into keepsakes with Cindy LaFlash’s creative workshop.🧘 Mind Over Pain: Week 4 of the Better Brain Series
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Virtual
Practical meditation tools for stress relief and sharper focus.❓ Patrick’s Pub Quiz Showdown
7:30 PM • Sea Dog Brew Pub, South Yarmouth
Fast-paced trivia, craft beer, and bragging rights for the night’s champs.
Tuesday, October 7 — Sunrise Songs, Seaside Stories & Taco Night Tales
☕ Brewed for Connection: Sunrise Networking at Three Fins
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM • Three Fins Coffee Roasters, West Dennis
Start your day where caffeine meets conversation — fresh brews, local faces, and a few sweet surprises from the Dennis Chamber.🌿 Eat the Wild: Nibbling on Native Cape Plants
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Koppel Center – Association to Preserve Cape Cod, Dennis
Forager Russ Cohen unveils the edible Cape around you — learn, taste, and rediscover the landscape bite by bite.🚒 Firetrucks & Fairytales: Storytime with Barnstable’s Bravest
10:30 AM • Sturgis Library, Barnstable
Kids light up when real firefighters roll in for stories, safety tips, and a truck tour full of “whoa!” moments.🌲 Roots of Zen: The Living Art of Bonsai
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM • Cotuit Library, Cotuit
Miniature forests, timeless patience — explore the philosophy, pruning, and quiet poetry behind bonsai with local experts.📚 The Book Nook: Stories, Snacks & Shared Escapes
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM • Osterville Village Library, Osterville
The coziest corner on the Cape — lively chats, new reads, and literary friendships brewing by the fire.🎨 A Sankofa Journey: Art That Remembers and Reclaims
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM • Centerville Public Library, Centerville
Artist Robin Joyce Miller opens her soul and canvas to trace African American heritage through vibrant storytelling and color.🌊 Waves of Change: Art Reception with Ocean Visionary Laura Ludwig
3:00 PM • Higgins Art Gallery – Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable
The tide meets canvas — explore art inspired by sea, sustainability, and the shifting climate of creativity.🎨 Creative Cross-Training: Art Gym for the Bold
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM • Abbott Studio – Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Bass River (South Yarmouth)
Push past perfection with guided exercises that reignite your creative muscle — no judgment, just joy.💡 Medicare Unpacked: What They Don’t Tell You
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Cotuit Library, Cotuit
Skip the jargon — a clear, candid talk from Blue Cross reps who make Medicare make sense (finally).🎨 Brush with Nature: Paint the Cape by Night
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable
Marine biologist Grace Walls blends art and ecology in a family paint night under a sea of color — supplies (and inspiration) provided.
Thursday, October 9 — Daylight Crafts, Moonlight Movies & the Rhythm of Reinvention
🩸 Give Life, Get Cookies: Red Cross Blood Drive
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Osterville Village Library – Main Meeting Room, Osterville
Roll up a sleeve and do good—each pint fuels local hospitals. Appointments available through the Red Cross.🎨 Story & Craft Hour: Feeling Boo!
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM • The Art Barn, Hyannis
A cozy Halloween-themed storytime with hands-on crafting—perfect for little artists, included with Art Barn admission.🎨 Mixed Media Magic with Victoria Templeton (Sold Out)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM • Sturgis Library, Barnstable
Vintage charm meets creative layering in this in-demand art workshop—wait-list only!🎧 Waves of Change: Sound Bath & Creative Awakening
12:30 PM • Zen Den – Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable
Sink into sound and stillness in a meditative blend of vibration and art-making that recharges the senses.🎬 Waves of Change: Young Filmmakers Unleashed
12:30 PM • Tilden Main Theater – Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable
Next-gen storytellers tackle climate, identity, and courage through short films that punch above their runtime.🎥 Thursdays at the Movies: Super/Man – The Christopher Reeve Story
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM • South Yarmouth Library, South Yarmouth
An inspiring look at the man behind Superman and his fight for hope and humanity.🎭 Waves of Change: Viva Verdi & Dukakis Double Feature
2:00 PM • Tilden Main Theater – Cape Cod Community College
Politics meets opera—two documentaries where art and power share the stage.⛵ Sailing Back in Time: Cape Cod’s Maritime Legends with Bill Abbott
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM • Cotuit Library, Cotuit
Historian Bill Abbott unravels races, shipwrecks, and Cape sailors’ daring stories in this lively talk.🐻 Waves of Change: Keytar Bear & Comparsa Screening
4:00 PM • Tilden Main Theater – Cape Cod Community College
Boston’s cult mascot meets Latin rhythm—a short-film set that’s part joyride, part dance-off.🌊 Waves of Change: Marine Debris Open Studio
4:15 PM • Arts Studio A – Cape Cod Community College
Turn washed-ashore waste into wonder in this hands-on sustainability-through-art lab.💭 Philosophy Night: Unlocking Your Inner Doorman
5:00 PM • Whelden Memorial Library, West Barnstable
Step through Kafka’s “Before the Law” with existential doula Swan—discover what’s really holding your door shut.🧺 Weave a Legacy: Nantucket Lightship Basket Cuff Workshop
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Cultural Center of Cape Cod – Makerspace, South Yarmouth
Craft your own Cape-made heirloom bracelet—hand-woven reed and cane guided by Helaine Buckley.🏝️ 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Luau
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, Hyannis
A Hawaiian-themed celebration of local business excellence—cocktails, dinner, and community applause.🖼️ Unfinished Woman: Art & Reinvention Reception
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Bass River – Great Hall, Dennis
Author Joan Anderson joins artists exploring solitude, renewal, and the courage to begin again.🪶 Create with Cindy: Thursday Craft Lab for CCFFo50
5:30 PM • Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth
A creative lab designed for 50-plus makers—simple projects, big smiles, community flair.🎬 Waves of Change: Filmmakers’ Reception
6:00 PM • Tilden Main Lobby – Cape Cod Community College
Meet the artists shaping the festival’s vision—conversation, connection, and Cape creativity.🦈 White Sharks in Our Waters: Virtual Deep Dive
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Online via Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy unpacks shark behavior, conservation, and coexistence.🎨 Eco Printing: Nature Meets Imagination
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM • Friends Forever, Hyannis
Join Cape Cod CAN & Riverview School to transform found leaves and petals into one-of-a-kind prints.📚 Virtual Author Talk: Leigh Bardugo – 10 Years of Daring Heists
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Online via Osterville Village Library
The Six of Crows author returns to celebrate a decade of outlaws and magic in YA fantasy.📽️ Waves of Change: Do the Right Thing – Spike Lee Classic Screening
7:00 PM • Tilden Main Theater – Cape Cod Community College
Spike Lee’s masterpiece still burns bright—followed by a community discussion on race and art.📖 E Is for Edward: Book Launch Fête
7:00 PM • Thacher Hall, Yarmouth Port
Celebrate Edward Gorey’s legacy with authors, desserts, and delightfully macabre conversation.
🎶 The Cape Turns It Up: October 3–9
This week, the Cape hums in every key — guitars by the bay, fiddles in the pubs, and voices that cut right through the salt air. From Cotuit’s backyard grooves to Hyannis late-night jams, the sound is pure, raw, and alive.
If you feel the beat, follow it — the Cape’s playing your song all week long.
Friday, October 3
🎸 Sunset Grooves & Grazing Boards: Friday in the Back Yard
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit
Live tunes by The Surftones, local eats, and community vibes — Cotuit’s coziest outdoor hangout returns.🎤 Live at the Inn: Doreen LaFranchise Kicks Off the Night
5:30 PM • The Old Yarmouth Inn, Yarmouth Port
Ease into the evening with Doreen’s soulful set at one of Cape Cod’s oldest (and warmest) taverns.🍹 Live from LandShark: Jamie Cain by the Harbor
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod – LandShark Bar & Grill, Hyannis
Grab a drink, catch the harbor breeze, and let Jamie Cain’s acoustic set carry you into the weekend.🎻 Almost Olive: Folk with Heart, Harmony & Heat
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM • Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth
Boston’s rising folk trio brings tight harmonies, fiddle fire, and stories that linger.🎶 Digney Fignus: Rock the Old Yarmouth Inn
8:30 PM • The Old Yarmouth Inn, Yarmouth Port
Roots, rhythm, and local legend energy — Digney Fignus closes your Friday with a Cape classic.
Saturday, October 4
☘️ Strings & Stories: Traditional Irish Seisiun
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM • The Auld Triangle Irish Pub & Restaurant, Hyannis
Grab a pint and tap along as Cape musicians jam in this open Irish session.🎹 From Mozart to Modern: Piano Night with Mark Valenti
7:30 PM • Bass River Arts Campus, Dennis
A brilliant journey across centuries of piano music — refined yet electric.🍹 Beach Bar Vibes: Jared Hanrahan Live at LandShark
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, Hyannis
Margaritas, sea breeze, and smooth tunes — your Saturday soundtrack.🎻 Celtic Energy Unleashed: Ireland The Band
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM • Cape Cod Irish Village, Hyannis
Traditional Irish beats and pub sing-alongs that’ll have you dancing by song two.🎷 The Wildlife Band: Live at The Olde Inn
5:30 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
An early-evening groove session with a local favorite band.🎤 Sarah Burrill Band: Night Moves in Dennis
8:30 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
Big voice, bigger stage energy — Sarah Burrill lights up the night.🎸 Big Fake & The Money Makers: Funk After Dark
8:00 PM • Chapins Bayside, Dennis
Get on your feet — infectious funk and soul all night long.🎶 Walk of Shame: Sundancers Goes Wild
9:00 PM • Sundancers, West Dennis
Cape Cod’s favorite party band brings wall-to-wall energy till close.🎸 Back in the Day Band: Ultimate ’80s Rewind
8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM) • The Music Room, Hyannis
Relive arena-rock glory — Journey, Bon Jovi, and all the hits that still raise lighters.
Sunday, October 5
🎶 Sing It Forward: Ron Williams Memorial Concert
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM • Thacher Hall, Yarmouth Port
Raise your voice — musicians honor a Cape legend through shared songs and memories.🎉 The Bash 2025: A Sunset Benefit by the Sea
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM • The Pelham House, Dennis Port
Live music, ocean views, and an auction supporting Nauset Youth Alliance programs.🍀 Sunday Seisiún: Sean Murphy & Friends Live
4:30 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
Traditional reels and jigs fill the room — an authentic Irish jam by the fire.🎸 Grab Brothers Band: Cape Rock Unleashed
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM • The Loft Shack, Yarmouth
Local legends turn Sunday night electric with riffs, rhythm, and pure Cape swagger.🎤 Harbor Nights: John Sage Live at LandShark
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod – LandShark Bar & Grill, Hyannis
Acoustic waves and waterfront views — unwind with John Sage’s mellow Sunday set.🎸 After-Hours Blues: Fred Clayton’s Sunday Jam
8:00 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
Guitars growl and the crowd sways — end the weekend deep in the blues.
Monday, October 6
🎤 Voices Unplugged: Open Mic with Rose Martin
7:00 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
From raw poetry to acoustic soul — locals take the stage in this Monday-night creative ritual.🍹 Seaside Sounds: David Garden Live at LandShark
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod – LandShark Bar & Grill, Hyannis
Sip something tropical, kick back, and let David Garden soundtrack your Monday sunset.
Wednesday, October 8
🎭 Waves of Change Live: Stories that Move the Cape
6:00 PM • Tilden Main Theater – Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable
Music, poetry, and performance collide — a festival opener that turns local voices into waves of emotion.
Thursday, October 9
🎸 Live in LandShark with Craig LaGrassa
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • LandShark Bar & Grill – Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod, Hyannis
Island vibes meet Cape nights—Craig LaGrassa brings smooth acoustic soul to your margarita.🎶 Beth Terrio Live at The Olde Inn
5:30 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
Ease into evening with Beth Terrio’s intimate folk-rock performance.🎶 Pitchfork Plays the Olde Inn
8:00 PM • The Olde Inn, Dennis
Classic tunes, cold drinks, and cozy vibes—Dennis’s favorite Thursday tradition.🎷 Dave Falk & Blues Power + Alan Arena & Volume Control
7:00 PM (Opener) / 8:30 PM (Main Act) • The Music Room, Hyannis
A powerhouse blues-rock doubleheader—chart-toppers, electric solos, and a crowd that won’t quit.
🌤 When Summer Pretends to Stay (Oct 5 – 9)
Cape Cod’s caught between seasons again — warm enough for iced coffee, cool enough for flannel. The sun lingers, the breeze teases, and for a few golden days, you could almost believe summer forgot to leave. But by midweek, the tide turns. Rain rolls in, the wind swings north, and fall takes the reins for good.
Sun, Oct 5 – 75° / 60°
A picture-perfect Sunday. Soft southwest winds, gentle sun, and that September-afterglow light. Stay out late — this might be the last day the Cape feels like summer.
Mon, Oct 6 – 73° / 61°
Mellow skies and a lazy breeze. Morning haze, afternoon sparkle. The moon climbs almost full, lighting the marshes like silver glass.
Tue, Oct 7 – 71° / 63°
A restless day — warm, humid, and shifting. Clouds sneak in from the south; the air thickens. By night, the Hunter’s Moon glows low and bright, tugging the tides higher.
Wed, Oct 8 – 69° / 51°
Rain sweeps through in waves, wind flips northwest, and the air sharpens fast. By evening, the Cape smells of salt and pine — freshly rinsed and unmistakably October.
Thu, Oct 9 – 57° / 48°
Crisp, clear, and cinematic. The kind of day that makes you crave chowder, thick socks, and a window seat. Fall has officially unpacked.
🌅 Before You Go...
Fall feels different on the Cape — slower, smarter, and a little more golden every day. If this issue made you smile, pause, or plan your next local adventure — share it with a friend who needs a little Cape in their week. 🍁
See you Friday — right on time, promise.
— Arthur & the Celebrate Mid-Cape Crew
👇 Drumroll… 🥁
✅ PS: Answer — B. Bette Davis
Picture this: It’s 1927, and Bette Davis is 19, spent her summer sweeping the aisles as an usher at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis. She must’ve caught the theater bug, because the very next season she returned not to hand out programs — but to star in the show. She’s the one and only person in Playhouse history who went from usher to headliner.