The 2019 festival took place Friday, June 21, 5 to 9 PM; Saturday, June 22, 10 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday, June 23, 11 AM to 5 PM.
Arts Alive 2019 featured more than 50 music, theater, dance, and spoken word performances, art demonstrations, children’s activities, fitness classes, and more, plus over 60 artisans and craftspeople offering handmade, original creations.
Highlights included the Town Dance on Friday night, June 21, with Sly Resolve, and Rockin’ Saturday Night on June 22.
It’s all free and everyone is welcome. The event takes place rain or shine. Arts Alive is a wonderful way to celebrate the creativity of the Cape and welcome summer!
Friday, June 21, Performance Tent
5 to 6 PM, Dawna Hammers: Singer, songwriter, performer and recording artist Dawna Hammers brings truth, hope, and inspiration through her songs, a blend of folk, soft rock, blues, jazz, and world beat. She has performed Joni Mitchell tribute concerts and has released six CDs of original and cover songs.
6 to 7 PM, The Analogues: The Analogues is a gritty blues trio grinding out tunes by Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin, CCR, and others. Neil Ganju sings and plays guitar, Chris Harris plays bass, and Doug Shine is on drums.
7 to 9 PM, Town Dance: Sly Resolve: Sly Resolve (formerly Good Advances) is a five-piece funk/soul band from Cape Cod and the greater Boston area consisting of Michael Scena on vocals, Neil O’Connor on lead guitar, Dorian Tolis on rhythm guitar, Mike Burke on bass, and David O’Connor on drums. Sly Resolve is returning to the Arts Alive Festival for the second year in a row, this time with a full dance set. Be sure to bring your dance partner and some stretchy pants because Sly is going to be getting down.
Saturday, June 22, Peg Noonan Park
4 to 6 PM, Superhero Face Painting
Saturday, June 22, Performance Tent
10 AM to 2 PM, Artists on the Lawn, featuring artists from the Falmouth Art Center‘s Friday Figure Group and Monday Morning Painters
10 to 11 AM, Dance Around the World with Donna: Families of all ages are invited to come together to dance in many languages at the Dance Around the World, presented by the Coalition for Children and led by Donna Skinner, a licensed Zumba instructor and certified BollyX instructor.
11 AM to Noon Turning Pointe Dance Studio: Students from the Turning Pointe Dance Studio will perform a variety of classical and contemporary dances under the artistic direction of Laura Sciortino.
Noon to 1 PM, Falmouth Theatre Guild: Members of the Falmouth Theatre Guild will perform a medley of show tunes from past and upcoming shows. Nell Byrne will accompany on piano.
1 to 2 PM, Sonnay Fiddlers: The Sonnay Fiddlers play traditional Celtic and international fiddle tunes. The group is made up of beginning to very accomplished students of Nikki Engstrom, an award-winning fiddler and a member of the Celtic duo Stanley and Grimm. The fiddlers range in age from young children to adults.
2 to 4 PM, Moonlighters Big Band: The 19-member Moonlighters Big Band plays dance music from the 20th and 21st centuries, including waltzes, tangos, cha-chas, rhumbas, bossa novas, swing music, foxtrots, and more. Performing on the Cape for 35 years, the band, led by Bob Katcher, includes five saxes, four trumpets, four trombones, guitar, keyboard, electric bass, string bass, drums, and a vocalist.
4 to 5 PM, Tradewinds: Tradewinds is an a cappella quartet that sings selections from the Great American Songbook, plus traditional, jazz, and pop tunes. Tradewinds began its career as the School Committee quartet in the Falmouth Theater Guild’s production of “The Music Man” on the Cape in the late 1990s.
Rockin’ Saturday Night
5 to 6:15 PM, Rhythm and Blues Conspiracy: The Rhythm and Blues Conspiracy draws its inspiration from postwar rhythm and blues, 1960s rock, and 1950s to ’70s soul. Their set list features both well-known and underrated cuts from Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Wilson Pickett, the Rolling Stones, The Who, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Bo Diddley, and their favorite, the J. Geils Band. Members include brothers Sam Puopolo on bass and lead vocals, Henry Puopolo on guitar and back-up vocals, and their father, Scott Puopolo on drums.
6:15 to 7:30 PM, 12-Step Boogie: 12-Step Boogie brings a varied mix of music to the table, with a strong influences in R&B, blues, and rock. They play tunes by Tom Petty, Mud Crutch, Steve Earle, Warren Zevon, Joe Walsh, J.J. Cale, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and many many more. The band was formed in 2015 by Gregory Fones, Kevin St. Pierre, and Wayne Morea. Each bring years of experience, not just musically, but also as seasoned veterans of drugs and alcohol use during their early years as musicians. Addiction eventually took control and robbed them of their dreams and almost their lives. Now through sobriety and unity they’ve joined together to revive their dreams and their music. From 12 bars to 12 steps—12-Step Boogie!
7:30 to 9 PM, Puffy Elvis: Puffy Elvis is a big, old-time rock n’ roll band made up of teachers, retired teachers and some people who know teachers! Young in spirit and high in energy, the band plays favorite classic rock hits.
Saturday, June 22, Library Tent
10 to 11:30, Doug Rugh, Painting Demonstration: Painter Doug Rugh will demonstrate how brushstrokes of oil color can combine to create a realistic effect. He maintains a studio, the Osborn & Rugh Gallery, at Queen’s Buyway with his artist wife Hillary Osborn. He is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and a Copley Master and also studied the methods and materials of the old masters at the Schuler atelier in Baltimore.
11:30 to 12 noon, Storytime: Art Books: Sara Hines from Eight Cousins will read art-focused children’s books.
Noon to 1 PM, Treasure Time Storybook Theater: This year’s theme is thunderstorms. Mrs. Treasure (Lee Drescher) of Treasure Time Storybook Theater will read a children’s book and sing songs on the guitar. After a short play put on by a cast of kids, everyone in the audience will be encouraged to sing and dance along with the cast.
1 to 2 PM, The Familiars of Cape Cod: Manny and Linda Dias are The Familiars of Cape Cod. They sing and play folk, fiddle, country, Irish, and popular music from the 1950s through the 1980s. Manny sings and plays guitar, and Linda plays fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and Irish whistles.
2 to 3 PM, Yoga for All: Diane Tetreault will lead a yoga session for adults and children. Bring a mat or a beach towel. All levels, all bodies, all of us. In this class we will mindfully spend our time together getting centered, practice breathing, gentle stretches, exploring sun salutations and strength building poses. We’ll also play with balance and Vinyasa flow. You will learn to customize asana to meet your needs. Beginners as well as seasoned yogis are welcome. Diane teaches at Innerglow Yoga in Mashpee Commons.
3 to 4 PM, Loud Story Time: Laura Ford, Youth Services Librarian at the Falmouth Public Library, will entertain children of all ages with stories and a craft. She will bring the library’s new Book Bike.
4 to 5 PM, L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble: Josh Bell leads the 20-member L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble, which has been performing to audiences around New England since 1994. The ensemble, which includes members of all ages and backgrounds, plays a wide range of musical styles, including Brazilian chouro, American bluegrass; baroque trio concertos, klezmer doinas; avant garde contemporary compositions, Top 40 popular classics, and more. L’Esperance meets Tuesdays at the Cataumet Train Station. For more information, call 401-345-6930.
5 to 6 PM, BollyX with Donna Skinner: BollyX is a Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program that combines dynamic choreography with the hottest music from around the world. At the very core of a BollyX workout is the inspiration it draws from the music and dance of Bollywood, the film industry of India. This demo class will be family-friendly, and open to all fitness levels.
6 to 7 PM, Country Flavored: Country Flavored plays traditional country music and modern folk with a country twist, including the pedal steel guitar.
7 to 8 PM, Audio Fossil: Audio Fossil plays high-energy rock, both classic and current. The band includes Marty Joyce on guitar and vocals, Robert Trejo on bass and vocals, and Joe West on drums and vocals, with special guest Katherine Joyce on vocals. Lifelong friends Marty, who lives on the Cape, and Joe, who, like Bob, lives in Mansfield, have always kept in touch and managed to play together over the years. The band has been together for about five years, and Katherine adds her very special, powerful for this event.
Saturday, June 22, Music Tent
10 to 11 AM, Seaside String Ensemble: Seaside String Ensemble is a group of string players of all ages directed by Lary Chaplan of the Cape Conservatory of Music and Arts. The group performs a diverse repertoire, including classical music, country music, and show tunes. Chaplan has performed with a wide range of orchestras, rock and jazz bands and currently plays violin with the Cape Symphony Orchestra.
11 AM to Noon, Old Main Road: Old Main Road is Lisa Allen, Susan McBride and Rich Latimer. The trio got together at the North Falmouth Congregational Church, doing an early Sunday service with hymns, gospel songs and spiritual contemporary songs. They also like to play traditional folk songs and folk blues, covers, and some originals, including beautiful spirituals composed by Lisa and political satires composed by Rich.
Noon to 1 PM, Michael Shea: Michael Shea is an acoustic guitarist who performs original songs. His influences are numerous, but among the most prominent are Ray Charles, Billie Holliday, Al Jolson, John Hammond, Mary Ann Florio, Tom Rush, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Laura Nyro, and Jackson Browne.
1 to 2 PM, Vintage Slang: Michael Scena (vocals) and Neil Ganju (guitar) are a duo from North Falmouth, playing new and old soul music, with jazz and hip-hop influences. The duo draws inspiration from artists like D’Angelo, Anderson, Paak, and Stevie Wonder.
2 to 3 PM, L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble: Josh Bell leads the 20-member L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble, which has been performing to audiences around New England since 1994. The ensemble, which includes members of all ages and backgrounds, plays a wide range of musical styles, including Brazilian chouro, American bluegrass; baroque trio concertos, klezmer doinas; avant garde contemporary compositions, Top 40 popular classics, and more. L’Esperance meets Tuesdays at the Cataumet Train Station. For more information, call 401-345-6930.
3 to 4 PM, Cat’s Melodeon: Cat’s Melodeon, led by Bill Black on banjo, performs traditional Irish dance music—jigs and reels and more—on fiddle, flute, recorder, accordion, banjo, guitar, uilleann pipes, and bodhran. The group’s name comes from a local expression in Ireland’s County Mayo and refers (among other things) to an informal get-together for enjoyable purposes.
4 to 5 PM, Healey and Quinn: Healey and Quinn are the stage names for Bill and Pat Black of Bourne. Bill adopted Healey, his mother’s maiden name, originally from the Youghal area of County Cork. Pat is the “Quinn” of the duet, from her mother’s maiden name, a well-known and respected name throughout Ireland but in this case from the area around Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Bill and Pat specialize in songs of Ireland and songs with maritime connections, including Bill’s original tunes. Both sing, occasionally in Quinn’s native tongue. Quinn also plays tin whistle and bodhrán (Irish drum).
5 to 6 PM, Andrew Sexton: Andrew Sexton plays great American music from several eras, including standards and originals.
6:30 to 8 PM, Big Mood: A Sandwich-based original rock band, Big Mood, brings a high energy performance blending classic and modern day rock to create their own unique sound. The band includes 2 guitarists, one bassist, and a drummer.
Sunday, June 23, Performance Tent
11 AM to Noon, Oxford Drive Band: The Oxford Drive Band, led by David Hudnall, is a five-piece indie folk/rock band playing a mix of originals and tastefully refined covers. The band is based in Cotuit.
Noon to 1 PM, Falmouth Fiddlers: The Falmouth Fiddlers play and sing traditional music and fiddle tunes, including Old Time, Bluegrass and Celtic, on stringed and other acoustic instruments.
1 to 2 PM, Khadija and Troupe Mirage: Troupe Mirage is an Egyptian-style dance troupe of women aged 21 to 60, led by Khadija (Katrina Valenzuela), who teaches Egyptian Dance and Culture and Arabic language at Cape Cod Community College and Egyptian Dance at Ballet Works in South Yarmouth.
2 to 3 PM, Yesterday’s Country: Yesterday’s Country plays old-time traditional classic country music from the Golden Era of Country Music throughout Cape Cod, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Members include Ben Carnavale on pedal steel guitar and lead guitar; Jack Meserve on vocals and acoustic guitar; Rich Brown on bass and vocals; Bill Kiesewetter on keyboard; and Paul Fata on vocals and lead guitar.
3 to 4 PM, College Light Opera Company (CLOC): The College Light Opera Company, the Cape’s only resident music-theater company and America’s premier training ground for young artists, will be performing a sneak preview of its opening show of the season. Founded in 1969, CLOC strives to provide high-quality musicals and operettas to summer audiences on Cape Cod, while at the same time giving young talent from around the world a chance to begin a career in musical theater.
Sunday, June 23, Library Tent
11 AM to Noon, Yoga for All: Diane Tetreault will lead a yoga session for adults and children. Bring a mat or a beach towel. All levels, all bodies, all of us. In this class we will mindfully spend our time together getting centered, practice breathing, gentle stretches, exploring sun salutations and strength building poses. We’ll also play with balance and Vinyasa flow. You will learn to customize asana to meet your needs. Beginners as well as seasoned yogis are welcome. Diane teaches at Innerglow Yoga in Mashpee Commons.
Noon to 1 PM, Barbara Sillery, Ghost Stories of Cape Cod: Barbara Sillery’s lively author presentation is a ghostly gallivant around the Cape. Traveling from the Upper to the Lower Cape, the author of The Haunting of Cape Cod and the Islands, will introduce a little girl ghost, a sea captain and his wife, as well as a female ghost on the lookout for fires. Sharing images from these intriguing chapters in her book, Barbara will delve into the history behind the mystery of Cape Cod’s historic sites. Questions at the end of the talk are welcome.
1 to 2 PM, FCTV Youth Producers: Allen Russell and the Falmouth Community Television (FCTV) Youth Producers will demonstrated how to create a stop-motion video. They will show how to create characters out of clay, what type of clay to use, how to animate using backgrounds and a green screen, and how to add voices and music to create a finished product. Fun for children, teens, and adults, who are invited to gather around and watch.
2 to 3 PM, Mimi’s Art: Mimi Schlichter will discuss and demonstrate her artistic technique and the recent evolution of her style of oil painting from tight realism to impressionism and the abstract. Mimi has owned her own art galleries, taught art classes, and self-published a novel and two inspirational books. She serves as Minister of Music at Christ Lutheran Church on Brick Kiln Road in Falmouth, and is an active member of Cape Cod Church in Falmouth. She will share how her faith influences her various artistic endeavors.
3 to 4 PM, Mom-ography with VIEW Photography: Lee Geishecker of VIEW Photography (aka, VagabondView) will share the basics of photography for moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings who want to take better photos of kids in sports, dance, theater, etc. Those who may be frustrated with the limitations of “smart cameras” will learn some pointers about how to truly capture children doing what they do best.
Sunday, June 23, Music Tent
11 AM to Noon, Woods Hole Ukulele Institute: Woods Hole Ukulele Institute is an informal group of local musicians who gather weekly to share their love of ukuleles. Musical selections are an eclectic mix, including such tunes as “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” “Over the Rainbow “– Hawaiian style, and, a recent favorite, an Irish ballad called “Fields of Athenry.” Members contribute a bit of guitar, harmonica, and banduria music to the mix as well. The Arts Alive performance will include an audience singalong. The group originated in Woods Hole several years ago and meets at the West Falmouth United Methodist church on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4 PM. Players of all skill levels are always welcome to join. The WHUI is co-directed by Kathy Johnson and Peggy Callagy.
Noon to 1 PM, Matt Borrello: An award-winning singer/songwriter who writes from personal experience, Matt Borrello draws his inspirations from folk, country, blues, and rock music. He is known for his insightful lyrics and passionate performances.
1 to 2 PM, Dawna Hammers: Singer, songwriter, performer and recording artist Dawna Hammers brings truth, hope, and inspiration through her songs, a blend of folk, soft rock, blues, jazz, and world beat. She has performed Joni Mitchell tribute concerts and has released six CDs of original and cover songs.
2 to 3 PM, Ladies’ Choice: Ladies’ Choice, led by Jen Kano, is a group of women who enjoy singing and playing folk, Celtic, fiddle, popular, and original music on fiddle, guitar, pennywhistle, flute, cello, and bodhran.
3 to 4 PM, Laughing Crow Band: The Laughing Crow Band, led by Philip Austen, plays blues, folk, gospel, and Americana music on guitar, bass, lap steel, and drums. They cover the music of Ben Harper, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Hot Tuna, and many others, as well as covering the original sources of their music, which they describe as a grand continuum beneath a very large and welcoming tent.