Gearing up for 2020
By K. David Weidner, Ph.D, Executive Director
I love this time of year. Fresh, new and full of possibilities and potential. 2020 is a particularly exciting one, to say the least. All of us at PMPM are eagerly awaiting the festivities, events and observances that will take place this year in commemoration of the past 400 years of Provincetown’s deep history, and the arrival of some notable visitors from England and the Netherlands.
2020 is going to be a great year for PMPM and Provincetown and will be our springboard into the future. Even though PMPM is closed currently, we are very busy planning and preparing for the new season, starting April 1, and all the excitement that will be Provincetown 400.
Here are a few things that we have planned for you this year:
New exhibit at PMPM
We are very excited for a brand new permanent exhibit debuting when we re-open in April. Named “Our Story,” this exhibit is being curated and built by Paula Peters and her son, Steven, of SmokeSygnals and will tell the story of the Wampanoag’s history on Cape Cod, including the 1620 arrival of the Mayflower from England.
PMPM is committed to telling history correctly and as part of “Our Story” we are completely revamping our exhibit to be more modern, interactive, and paramount to all, accurate. We are very grateful to Paula and Steven, who are members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and have been deeply involved in the planning, layout and construction of “Our Story.”
Be sure to check out what Paula and PMPM Board President, Courtney Hurst had to say to Boston 25 News about this new exhibit.
Chamber Music for the Outer Cape presents American Voices
On Saturday, February 29th, we are pleased to continue our chamber music series, American Voices, presented by Chamber Music for the Outer Cape. PMPM first hosted this event in October 2019 and we’re excited to resume the concerts in 2020.
The program will feature all American music for the voice with collaborators including The New York Opera Society featuring selections from the American Songbook, the Outer Cape Chorale Chamber Singers performing Magnificat by Charles Theodore Pachebel, and baritone John Whittlesey presenting the song cycle A Question of Light. Attendees will also learn how Johann Pachebel’s son figures into the history of American music.
We encourage everyone to come experience this amazing musical performance on February 29th, and again April 18 and November 14. For more information about the chamber music series, and to purchase tickets, please click here.
Provincetown 400
You may have heard that there is a big commemoration this year. Provincetown 400 has been hard at work organizing the events honoring this significant piece of our local history.
On April 24 (the day the Pilgrims set sail for the New World), there will be a statewide kickoff in Massachusetts. PMPM and Provincetown 400 will be ready to get things rolling with an event starting at 7:00 am. We will then travel up the road to Memorial Hall in Plymouth where another ceremony will be held at 11:00 am with state officials.
Historic reenactments and events will take place all year long, culminating in September with the arrival of Mayflower II into Provincetown Harbor, which will kick off a weekend of events, including the Provincetown 400 gala at PMPM on September 12; a re-enactment of the signing of the Mayflower Compact accompanied by a ceremony; and a luncheon on the Monument grounds for the public and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus will be providing commomorative music for the day. Mayflower II will depart for Plymouth on Monday, September 14 after a sunrise champagne toast and send-off.
Information for all the Provincetown 400 events can be found at www.provincetown400.org.
See you in 2020!
These are just a few of the events planned for 2020. Please keep checking back with us for further updates.
Also, if you’d like help support Provincetown 400, you can do so in a number of ways: donate, sponsor, volunteer or just have a drink. You read that correctly – have a drink! Sponsor, Truro Vineyards, will donate $5 in support of Provincetown 400 for every bottle sold of their 2020 Truro Brut-Rose. These limited edition bottles are available at Truro Vineyards and Salty Market.
Cheers! We’re looking forward to a great 2020 and seeing you at PMPM this year!