ArtsFalmouth will hold Arts Alive 2023 the weekend of June 16, 17, and 18 on the Falmouth Library Lawn. We will be celebrating the performing, visual, and literary arts, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and, new this year, Pride Month. All events are free and open to the public. Please join us!
The Performance Schedule is below, the Art Tent schedule is here, and the list of Artisan vendors, Food vendors, and Nonprofit organizations is here: Arts Alive 2023 Vendors
Quick Menu of Performance Events!
Saturday Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday Arts Alive-Related Events Downtown
Saturday Events on the Lawn
Saturday Events in the Art Tent
Saturday Events in the Performance Tent
Saturday Events in the Music Tent
Saturday Events in Peg Noonan Park
Sunday Events on the Lawn
Sunday Events in the Art Tent
Sunday Events in the Performance Tent
Sunday Events in the Music Tent
Sunday Events in Peg Noonan Park
We need volunteers on Arts Alive weekend to help make this event a huge success! Please check out the Volunteer form to see how you can help! Thank you!!
Check back here for more information, or email info@artsfalmouth.org with any questions on participating.
Arts Alive 2023 Performance Schedule
Friday, June 16
5 PM: Falmouth Academy Music Ensembles
Falmouth Academy’s music program will be well-represented, with chorus, Jazz Band, Rock Band, and Instrumental Ensemble taking turns. The Falmouth Academy music program boasts an enrollment of over 70 students in chorus, string ensemble and wind ensembles. The Jazz Band has played on the top of Mt. Washington, the Balsam’s Hotel in Dixville Notch, NH, the motor vessel Mt. Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee and at the Mt. Washington Hotel itself.
6 PM: Shannon Davis, Singer/Songwriter
Shannon Davis is a singer-songwriter, actress and naturalist from Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. Born and raised on the Cape, she has also spent time traveling the US and other parts of the world. Shannon has lived in California, Oregon, and in Madagascar, where she served from 2016-2018 as a food security volunteer for the US Peace Corps.
Shannon is currently working with Grammy-nominated producer, Jon Evans on recording her 1st full length album, release date likely late Autumn 2023. Follow Shannon on social media @ShannonDavisMusic and ShannonDavisMusic.com for updates on her album release and upcoming shows.
7 to 9 PM: Town Dance with the Moonlighters Big Band
Town Dance is a highlight of Arts Alive! Join members of the community of all ages and dancing styles for a lively evening of dancing to terrific music by the Moonlighters Big Band.
The Cape Cod Moonlighters Big Band was formed in 1989 by a few close musician friends. They held the common vision of using their talents to bring the classic “big band” orchestra sound of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s to the region. Over the years the Band has traveled across the Cape and occasionally off-Cape for performances. Audiences delight in hearing the hits of Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Glen Miller and many others, as well as newer hits from from pop, rock, latin, jazz and other more current musical traditions. The band offers tunes that reach across generations for an unforgettable family experience.
Saturday, June 17: Arts Alive-Related Events Downtown
At Falmouth Museums on the Green, 10 AM to 2 PM:
The Falmouth Museums on the Green (Falmouth Historical Society) will offer free tours on Saturday June 17th from 10am to 2pm, with tours leaving every half hour (last tour at 1:30pm). The tours will feature the historic c. 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House. The tour travels through time from 1790-1960 to hear about different periods of the house’s history. Self guided galleries will be open at the Conant House along with the Cultural Center which features a new exhibition, Sales by the Sea: Historic Falmouth Businesses. This event is in collaboration with the Arts Alive 2023 Weekend Celebration. Tours are limited to 10 per group. Families are invited to participate in our free Town Green Scavenger Hunt which can be picked up from the gift shop in the visitors center.
At St. Barnabas Church, 10 AM to 2 PM: Strawberry Festival
The Strawberry Festival offers strawberry shortcake, hot dogs, barbequed chicken, lobster rolls, and a bake sale, as well as a book sale, Attic Treasures, a craft sale, jewelry sale, children’s games, and strawberry Jam. St. Barnabas is at 91 Main Street, across from the Village Green.
At Main Street Gallery: Gallery Tour with Jim Fox
Stop in the Main Street Gallery, 189 Main Street, on your way back to Arts Alive from the Museums on the Green and the Strawberry Festival and enjoy a look at some beautiful contemporary artwork.
Saturday, June 17: On the Library Lawn:
Painters on the Lawn from the Falmouth Art Center’s Monday Morning Painters will be on the lawn Saturday morning to paint the fun and excitement of Arts Alive. Watch them paint or join in!
The Falmouth Public Library presents a Story Walk (A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor) throughout the weekend and the Book Bike all day Saturday (10 AM to 5 PM offering free books for children and adults. Both will be on the Lawn.
Art Tent: Take the kids–and yourself–to the Art Tent for fun for both children and adults with a variety of art supplies and projects. Make a Father’s Day card for Dad, a bracelet, or paint a kindness rock. Learn how to draw a cartoon character with Tom Cook, get started with Zentangle drawing with Joanne Briana-Gartner, make origami with Kirsten Karplus, write poetry or prose with Morgaihne Huntress, make a Father’s Day keychain with William Brown, make bracelets with Marilyn Rowland, and much much more. And there will be plenty of chalk for those interested in decorating the sidewalks. TheArt Tent Schedule will be posted soon!
Games: There will be corn hole games, frisbees, and other outdoor games, as well as quiet places in the Library to take a break and relax. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Saturday, June 17, 2023: Performance Tent
10 AM: Juneteenth Celebration
Henry St. Julien, Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging for the Falmouth Public Schools, will host this event, which features students, faculty, community members, and others. State Representative David Vieira, Jeanne Morrison of AmplifyPOC and the League of Women Voters, Falmouth High School students, and others will re-enact the original Juneteen event. David will portray Major General Gordon Granger, the Union Army General who issued General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, informing residents of, and enforcing, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which set all the enslaved people in Confederate States free on January 1, 1863. In 2021, President Biden proclaimed June 19 to be Juneteenth, a federal holiday.
Winners of the school-wide Juneteenth poster contest will be honored, and two student poems celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will be read. Soulfege, the High School’s a cappela group, will sing, and Rev. Saramaria Allenby will offer closing words.
11 AM: Juneteenth Continued: Candida Rose
Candida Rose will sing Juneteenth celebration songs of resilience, inspiration, and love. Based in New Bedford, Candida Rose is a dynamic vocalist and songwriter who combines her Cape Verdean musical roots with American jazz, singing a mixture of jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel that she calls KabuJazz. She will also perform with her KabuJazz ensemble on Sunday morning at 11 AM.
12 Noon: Turning Pointe Dance Studio
Students of all ages from the Turning Pointe Dance Studio, led by Laura Sciortino and celebrating their 20th year, will perform a selection of contemporary and classical dances.
1 PM: L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble
Led by Josh Bell, L’Esperance Mandolins Ensemble is a group of 20 musicians, playing various types of mandolins, percussion, and guitar. Their repertoire includes classical, folk, and jazz music. the group has performed for audiences from New York to Rhode Island to Vermont for over 30 years.
2 PM: Cat’s Melodeon
Cat’s Melodeon plays traditional Irish tunes and songs. Bill Black leads this group of fiddles, guitars, Irish pipes, and accordion players
3 PM: Khadija and Troupe Mirage Egyptian Belly Dancing
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.
4 PM: 82nd Street Band
The 82nd Street Band interprets lesser-known songs by Bruce Springsteen and plays other tunes in his style including songs by Tom Petty, Southside Johnny, The Rolling Stones, and originals. The mix of acoustic and electric guitars with bass, percussion, harmonica, and
violin produces a blend of folk, rock, blues, and soul music.
5 PM: Surf Drive Band
The Surf Drive Band is a local Falmouth dance band playing a wide variety of reggae, rock, blues, and more from the early 1960s through the turn of the century. Their playlist includes classics from the Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Van Morrison as well as music from the 1980s and 1990s, including Eddie Money, The Romantics and Tommy Tutone.
6 PM: Paradise Rock
Born on the streets of Woods Hole in 1982, The Paradise Rock Band went from The Wall on Water St to the Fishmonger to the Ziploc Lounge to the stage of the MBL Club to the music venues of the Cape. Founding member and lead singer Craigo Carlson has kept the band rocking for over 40 years with their Cape style classic covers from the Woodstock era and beyond. Seasoned pro drummer Alex Lane holds down the beat with Malcom Child on bass. Two keyboardists, Dickie Nolan and Eric Hayden, round out the band’s signature sound, while Noah Germolus wails his saxophone.
The band’s upbeat music and infectious (in a good way) energy will get everyone smiling, tapping their toes, and dancing!
7:30 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 and a few new tunes.
Saturday, June 17: Music Tent
10 AM: Back in Time Band
Back In Time is an oldies cover band celebrating the music of the 60s, 70s and 80s. The band members are: Curt Bakal, Steve Cortis, Andy Hamilton, Dave Margaretos, and Greg Mills.
11 AM: Allsorts: Purpose with Morgaihne Huntress
Morgaihne Huntress, a classically trained performer, returns with her one woman show, Allsorts: Purpose. Using a combination of spoken word, ASL and song, the show explores life from the perspective of someone living with chronic illness. This year’s production tackles the age old question: Why are we here?
12 Noon: Andrew Sexton Duo feature Alex Zeuli
Andrew Sexton plays and sings Great American music from several eras, including originals and standards, while Alex Zeuli plays the saxophone.
1 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. He has been active in the Upper Cape folk music scene for several decades. Linda is a classically trained violinist with a passion for fiddle style music. She also plays mandolin, harmonica, Irish whistles and Celtic harp in a variety of musical styles. They will be joined by Frank Carotenuto of the 82nd Street Band.
2 PM: Rose and the Thorns
Rose and the Thorns will perform as a duo with Rose Martin on acoustic guitar and vocals and Marvin Dollinger on banjo, harmonica and vocals.
3 PM: Dawna Hammers
Singer/songwriter Dawna Hammers performs cool and uplifting original soft rock, county, blues, and jazz. She is widely known for her Joni Mitchell tribute concerts.
4 PM: Blue Lotus Band
The Blue Lotus Band features Neil Ganju and Steve Gregory on guitar, Chris Harris on bass, and Shawn Malcomson on percussion. They will play an acoustic set of rock, blues, and funk.
5 PM: North River Brass Quintet
The North River Brass Quintet is a chamber group of brass musicians from the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra and feature orchestral and contemporary styles of music from all genres. They have been featured in many venues and are delighted to share their music with the community for all to enjoy.
Saturday, June 17: Peg Noonan Park
2 PM: Rich Latimer, Folk Singer
Rich Latimer plays guitar and sings traditional folk, country, gospel, and folk blues.
3 PM: Jake Bautista
Jake Bautista has been entertaining crowds on the Cape for the past seven or so years with a soulful voice and intricate guitar playing. He plays a mix of originals, classics, and deep cuts from across the decades.
Sunday, June 18: On the Library Lawn: TK
Sunday, June 18: Performance Tent
11 AM: KabuJazz featuring Candida Rose
Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, “Candida Rose” Baptista is a second-generation American-born Cape Verdean. She is a vocalist, song-writer, entertainer, music and cultural educator, as well as a mother and grandmother.
Her 10-song debut CD entitled “KabuMerikana: The Sum of Me”, combines her Cape Verdean musical roots with her American (primarily jazz) influences, a mixture she calls “KabuJazz.” She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in music, specializing in African-American/World music performance, with a minor in African-American Studies.
12 Noon: Falmouth Fiddlers
The Falmouth Fiddlers, led by Ursula Boyce, includes about a dozen players on fiddles, guitars, banjo, mandolins, bass, cello, and more. They play and singe fiddle tunes: old-time, country, Celtic and more.
1 PM: Shining Sea Strummers
The Shining Sea Strummers sing and play favorite sing-a-long songs with ukuleles, guitars, and a bandurria. Selections range “America the Beautiful to “Deep River Blues”. They have been meeting weekly for over 5 years. In the summer, they play once a month at the Station Grille in Falmouth. Players are from Falmouth, Sandwich, Mashpee, Plymouth, and Bourne.
2 PM: Sonnay Fiddlers
Led by award-winning fiddle player Nikki Engstrom, the Sonnay Fiddlers are “students of Nikki, not all young,” who play a lively set of Celtic tunes.
3 PM: College Light Opera Company (CLOC)
The 24 members of CLOC’s 2023 ensemble will present a selection of songs in celebration of Juneteenth and as a preview of their 55th season opening on June 20th. CLOC is an 11-week intensive residential theatre program performing 56 times at Highfield Theatre over the course of the summer and these young performers are among the nation’s most promising theater artists.
3:45 PM: Teaticket School Chorus
Marjorie Huelsman leads the Teaticket Elementary School Chorus in a selection of songs. These 3rd and 4th graders love to sing together.
4:15 PM: Maravista Extensions
Led by Lisa Esperson, Maravista Extensions is a group of women playing Middle Eastern music traditional Arabic songs and drums.
Sunday, June 18: Music Tent
11 AM: Falmouth Chamber Players Ensembles
The Falmouth Chamber Players will present an hour of lively chamber music selections by several groups of our musicians. The performers will include the Falmouth Flutes, a flute and clarinet duet, and the FCP Woodwind Quintet.
12 Noon: Kathleen Healy
Indy singer/songwriter/guitarist Kathleen Healy sings her own tunes and classic folk covers.Indie Folk, Singer/Songwriter
1 PM: Michael Shea
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Shea will perform a set of country songs: his originals, together with standards as sung by Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, John Denver, and Taylor Swift.
2 PM: Richard Keith
Singer/songwriter Richard Keith plays guitar and harmonica. He has been performing solo and with a band for over 30 years and has released two CDs of original music Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora.
3 PM: Andrew Sue Wing
Andrew Sue Wing is a Boston-based guitarist, singer and songwriter. His music blends rhythms of the blues, classic rock and soul jazz with the arrangements and feel of 1970s and 80s disco, funk and R&B. Drawing on influences ranging from Grant Green and John Scofield to Stevie Wonder and Anderson .Paak, Andrew plays soulful originals and groovy covers. He has a strong baritone voice to belt out soaring choruses as well as deliver soulful ballads, a unique style of guitar, versatility as both solo performer and in a band, and a deep sense of groove which resonates with a wide audience. Andrew is equally at home performing originals and covers that span a wide range of genres.
4 PM: Nice and Easy Trio
Jazzy Blues trio featuring piano/organ, bass, and drums. Chris LoCascio leads the group in playing blues and jazz covers with an even mix of vocals and instrumentals.
Sunday, June 18: Peg Noonan Park
2 PM: Tea Dance with DJ Kris Kay
DJ Kris Kay will be performing a traditional Tea Dancy on the bandstand in Peg Noonan Park. All are invited to dance! Tea Dances originated in New York in the 1950s and ‘60s, when it was illegal for bars in New York to sell alcohol to people known to be gay. Tea Dances on Sunday afternoons became a legally acceptable way of socializing.
ArtsFalmouth, Inc. is grateful for the support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Falmouth Cultural Council, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, the Woods Hole Foundation, the Cape Cod Melody Tent, Cape Cod Cutthroats Rugby, Museums on the Green, the Falmouth Art Center, Falmouth Community Television, the Falmouth Enterprise, and the many businesses and individuals who contribute time and/or donations to make it possible for us to continue to host Arts Alive, the Jazz Stroll, and the Woods Hole Trad Stroll.
Many Thanks to all our vendors and entertainers and to our sponsors who make Arts Alive possible and to And many local businesses, organizations and individuals. We couldn’t do it without you!
