The Week on the Lower Cape

Three town elections this week. Chatham is today. Brewster and Orleans both go Tuesday.

Also today: a free organ recital at St. Christopher's in Chatham at 4:30 PM — Andrew Sheranian plays a short set that leads directly into Choral Evensong for the Ascension at 5:00. Both free. Both worth the hour if you're in Chatham this afternoon.

Saturday earns the most planning. The first Harwich Garden Expo opens at The 204 from 10 to 1, with pollinators, soil health, local food vendors, and the kind of community conversation that makes a neighborhood useful. The Garden Club of Brewster holds its annual plant and bake sale on Main Street starting at 9. The Orleans Farmers Market reopens for the season at 9. Brewster Bike Fest takes over the Bay Property from 1 to 4. Mass Audubon leads a five-mile coastal hike from Nauset Beach toward Pochet Island — spring shorebirds, soft sand, and back by 1:00. The Bitter and Broken Men's Chorus plays Parish Park at 1:00 for free, then plays a house concert at Brick Hill that evening.

Sunday is quieter but delivers. Cape Symphony's Joe Marchio plays the Casavant Frères pipe organ at First Congregational Church of Chatham at 3:00 PM. A portion of ticket sales supports Cape Symphony, Chatham Chorale, and the church itself. Last Sunday was Ken Cowan at the Church of the Transfiguration. This Sunday is a different instrument and a different organist in a different church. Both are worth the hour.

Then Tuesday: two town elections, and the Chatham Farmers Market opens its 2026 season in South Chatham at 3:00 PM.

9-Ball continues at Cape Rep through Wednesday. Earnest runs at Harwich Junior Theatre through Sunday. The Boston Naturals return to Hog Island Friday. This is an issue worth coming back to before Tuesday. The week doesn't front-load.

✦ Don't Sleep On This

Three events this week that are easy to miss and hard to forget.

✦ Joe Marchio on the Casavant Frères Pipe Organ — Organ Concert · May 17, 2026 · 3:00 PM–5:00 PM · First Congregational Church of Chatham · $35

Cape Symphony's principal organist plays the Casavant Frères pipe organ at First Congregational Church of Chatham this Sunday afternoon. The program spans Bach, Vierne, and Duruflé — music that knows what a pipe organ is actually for. A portion of the ticket price goes back to Cape Symphony, Chatham Chorale, and the church. Last week Ken Cowan played the St. Cecilia organ in Orleans. This week Joe Marchio plays a different instrument in a different Chatham church. If you want to understand what distinguishes a great organist from a great instrument, this is a good week to pay attention. One Sunday afternoon. $35.

✦ Nauset Beach & Pochet Island Hike — Guided Coastal Hike · May 16, 2026 · 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · Nauset Beach, Orleans · $35

Mass Audubon leads a five-mile walk from Nauset Beach toward Pochet Island — one of the Lower Cape's most dynamic shorelines at the moment of year it changes fastest. Spring shorebirds, soft sand, coastal history, and back by early afternoon. The hike takes four hours. Wear shoes you don't mind getting sandy. Space is limited; registration through Mass Audubon. This is Cape Cod doing what it does that nowhere else does — if you haven't walked the outer beach in May, this Saturday is the Saturday to do it.

✦ Harwich Garden Expo at The 204 — Community Expo · May 16, 2026 · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM · The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich · Free

The first Harwich Garden Expo opens Saturday morning at The 204 — gardening techniques, pollinator-friendly plants, soil health, local food vendors, and community conversation. This is The 204 doing what it does best: pulling a room of locals together around something practical and specific. It's free. It's a Saturday morning. It doesn't have a track record yet, but first editions of things like this are the ones worth showing up for.

Arts & Culture — A room worth being in

🎭 9-Ball at Cape Rep Theatre — Art Devine's 25th-anniversary production; swapped identities, prison, war, and one game of pool that decides everything May 14 · 7:30 PM / May 15 · 7:30 PM / May 16 · 2:00 PM + 7:30 PM / May 17 · 2:00 PM / May 20 · 7:30 PM · Cape Rep Indoor Theatre, Brewster · From $30

🖼️ LIGHT/LINE/MEMORY — photography and paintings that make ordinary scenes into studies of memory and light · Running through May · Brewster Ladies' Library, Brewster · Free

📸 By the Water: A Cape Cod Portfolio — John Kudukey's black-and-white photography of Cape Cod's waterside landscapes; quiet and unhurried · May 14–20 · Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster · Free w/ Admission

📷 EYEWITNESS Photography Exhibit — photojournalists Henry D. Moore, Chris Szwedo, and Heather MacKenzie; opened last week, running through May 30 · The 204, Harwich · Free

🎭 The Importance of Being Earnest — Oscar Wilde's comedy of mistaken identities continues at Cape Cod Theatre Company May 15 · 7:00 PM / May 16 · 4:00 PM / May 17 · 4:00 PM · Cape Cod Theatre Company – Harwich Junior Theatre, Harwich · From $21

🖼️ Galley West Spring 2026 Show — juried original work from Lower and Outer Cape artists at a quiet East Orleans gallery · May 14–20 (Thu–Sat 10–2, Sun 11–2) · Galley West Art Gallery, Orleans · Free

🎤 Laughs That Deliver Comedy Night — comedian Amy Barnes in two benefit performances supporting Cape Cod Hospital's Family Birthplace · May 14 · 5:00 PM + 7:00 PM · Chatham Orpheum Theater, Chatham · $65

Classes & Workshops — An hour that teaches you something you'll actually use

🌿 Harwich Garden Expo ✦ See above — Don't Sleep On This · May 16 · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM · The 204, Harwich · Free

🌊 Red River Beach Intertidal Field Class — Gil Newton on shellfish, crabs, seaweeds, horseshoe crabs, and what the tide leaves behind along Nantucket Sound · May 16 · 8:00 AM–9:30 AM · Red River Beach, Harwich · $15

🏺 Beginner Pottery with Amy Bourbon — centering, shaping, handles, and hands-on wheel time · May 14 · 12:15 PM–3:15 PM · Creative Arts Center, Chatham · Check listing

🚲 Brewster Bike Fest — bike safety checks, helmet fittings, a kids' rodeo, vendors, and snacks; helmets required · May 16 · 1:00 PM–4:00 PM · Brewster Bay Property, Brewster · Free

🌿 Eco-Restoration Tour — Tom Evans on restored wetlands, accessible trails, and Harwich's land-and-water recovery; Saturday's shorter version · May 16 · 9:00 AM–10:00 AM · Hinckleys Pond–Herring River Headwaters Preserve, Harwich · Free

💻 Choke Saver CPR Training — practical emergency preparedness for community members · May 15 · 10:30 AM–1:00 PM · Skaket Meeting Room, Orleans · Check listing

✍️ Write Place, Write Time: A Letter-Writing Retreat — a Yankee Magazine weekend retreat with writing sessions, meals, yoga, and a floating sound bath at Ocean Edge · May 15–17 · Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster · From $724

Community & Social — The rooms where the Cape overlaps

🗳️ Chatham Town Election ✦ Today — May 14 · 7:30 AM–8:00 PM · Town of Chatham · Free

🎶 MRHS Spring Concert — Monomoy Regional High School's spring performance in the MRHS Auditorium · May 14 · 7:00 PM · Monomoy Regional High School, Harwich · Free

🏥 Brewster Health & Wellness Fair — more than 40 organizations with screenings, resources, comfort dogs, and healthy-living information; fifth annual · May 15 · 2:00 PM–4:00 PM · Brewster Sea Camps Dining Hall, Brewster · Free

🌱 Garden Club of Brewster Annual Plant & Bake Sale — locally grown plants, baked goods, and spring garden browsing on Main Street · May 16 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM · Cape Cod Bible Alliance Church, Brewster · Free

🏛️ Meet President John Adams — a living-history afternoon with Adams presented in character at the OHS Meetinghouse; a fitting Lower Cape stop during the 250th anniversary season · May 17 · 2:00 PM–4:00 PM · Orleans Historical Society Meetinghouse, Orleans · Check listing

🗳️ Brewster Annual Town Election ✦ Tuesday — May 19 · 7:00 AM–8:00 PM · 1848 Main St., Brewster · Free

🗳️ Orleans Annual Town Election ✦ Tuesday — May 19 · All Day · Orleans Senior Center, Orleans · Free

🌾 Chatham Farmers Market Season Opening — the 2026 season begins at the church lot in South Chatham; farmers, fishermen, bakers, and local food vendors · May 19 · 3:00 PM–6:00 PM · Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Chatham · Free

🤝 May After Hours @ Town Cove Tap House — CCYP and the Orleans Chamber host a midweek networking night with light bites and a cash bar · May 20 · 5:00 PM–7:00 PM · Town Cove Tap House, Orleans · From $0

📚 Thursday Story Time! — songs, scarves, and stories for babies through preschoolers · May 14 · 10:30 AM–11:00 AM · Brooks Free Library, Harwich · Free

🧺 Buried in Treasures Workshop — practical tools for working through clutter, with company; workbooks provided free, sponsored by Harwich Health Dept. and COA · May 18 · 2:00 PM–4:00 PM · Brooks Free Library, Harwich · Free

📚 Banned & Challenged Book Discussion: Fahrenheit 451 — facilitated by retired librarian Tammy Depasquale; respectful and open to all · May 18 · 12:00 PM–2:00 PM · Brooks Free Library, Harwich · Free

Food & Drink — Tables worth sitting at

🌾 Orleans Farmers Market — outdoors at Old Colony Way, locally grown produce and farm products · May 16 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM · 19 Old Colony Way, Orleans · Free

🌾 Chatham Farmers Market Season Opening ✦ First market of 2026 — farmers, fishermen, bakers, and local food vendors in South Chatham · May 19 · 3:00 PM–6:00 PM · Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Chatham · Free

🃏 Cape Cod Trivia at The Barley Neck — Nic Chad hosting, with dinner, drinks, and gift cards for first and second place · May 18 · 7:00 PM–8:00 PM · The Barley Neck, Orleans · Free

🍷 Live at 5:05 — Harwich Chamber Business After Hours — member networking at Wychmere at The Dune Venue, hosted by Harwich Paint & Decorating · May 20 · 5:00 PM–6:45 PM · Wychmere, Harwich · Free admission

Games, Hobbies & Clubs — Familiar rituals. Low pressure. No explaining.

🎤 Karaoke at The Squire — Thursday night at The Squire, reliable as ever · May 14 · 8:00 PM · The Chatham Squire, Chatham · Free

🎤 Trivia Night at Jake Rooney's — a low-key dinner-and-game-night stop in Harwich Port · May 14 · 6:30 PM · Jake Rooney's, Harwich · Free

🏒 Public Skating at Charles Moore Arena — drop-in skating with rentals available · May 15 · 11:30 AM–1:30 PM / May 17 · 1:30 PM–3:30 PM / May 19 · 11:30 AM–1:30 PM · Charles Moore Arena, Orleans · $10

🎱 Pool Tournament at The Squire — Monday night cue sticks and friendly competition · May 18 · 7:00 PM · The Chatham Squire, Chatham · Free

🃏 Magic: The Gathering Club — experienced players and curious beginners both welcome · May 19 · 3:30 PM–4:30 PM · Brooks Free Library, Harwich · Free

🧠 Trivia at The Squire — Tuesday night teams testing what they know · May 19 · 7:30 PM · The Chatham Squire, Chatham · Free

🎵 Musical Bingo at The Squire — a midweek mix of songs and casual competition · May 20 · 7:00 PM · The Chatham Squire, Chatham · Free

Health & Wellness — Small resets that keep you functional

☯️ Connecting in Nature Through QiGong — outdoor movement and breath with Andrea Belford on Harwich conservation land · May 15 · 10:00 AM–11:00 AM · Harwich · $20

🌿 Forest Bathing — Carol Marcy leads a Shinrin-yoku-inspired walk through the museum landscape; ages 15+ · May 15 · 12:30 PM–2:30 PM · Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster · $12 + admission

🧘 Restorative Yoga with Sound Healing — floor postures, deep relaxation, and a calmer end to a Thursday · May 14 · 7:00 PM–8:00 PM · Chatham Community Center, Chatham · $12

💫 Sound Healing & Salt Therapy Experience — crystal singing bowls in a Himalayan salt cave; 60 minutes for relaxation and a genuine reset · May 14 · 5:30 PM–6:30 PM · Oceanair Himalayan Salt Cave, Orleans · $45

🌙 New Moons, New Beginnings Workshop — yoga, breathwork, intention setting, Reiki support, and a tea ceremony; a three-hour Sunday evening at Power Yoga · May 17 · 5:00 PM–8:00 PM · Power Yoga of Cape Cod, Harwich · Check listing

🌊 9D Breathwork: Journey Beyond the Veil — guided breath and sound work with Nicole Gotthold · May 17 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM · Center for the Spiritual Journey, Chatham · $55

🌿 A Forest Meditation Walk — Carol Marcy leads a guided walk through Sylvan Gardens; slow down and connect with the spring woods · May 15 · 3:30 PM–5:00 PM · Sylvan Gardens, Chatham · $20

Music & Live Entertainment — Early sets, late nights, and places that stay open

🎹 Andrew Sheranian Organ Recital — a 30-minute recital at St. Christopher's leading directly into Ascension Day evensong; both free · May 14 · 4:30 PM–5:00 PM · St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Chatham · Free

🎸 Grab Brothers at Laurino's Tavern — power-trio sound and an easy Thursday start to the weekend in Brewster · May 14 · 7:00 PM · Laurino's Tavern, Brewster · Free

🎵 BYU A Cappella: Vocal Point & Noteworthy — two of BYU's touring groups bring pop, country, R&B, and jazz arrangements to the Arts Empowering Life stage; one night, family-friendly · May 15 · 7:30 PM–9:00 PM · Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Brewster · $35

🎸 The Boston Naturals at Hog Island — high-energy covers spanning classic rock, modern pop, and summer staples; they sold out Hog Island last time · May 15 · 7:00 PM–10:00 PM · Orleans Hog Island Brewery, Orleans · Free

🎸 Derek Dibbern at The Barley Neck — singer-songwriter shaped by 1970s writers and modern folk-rock · May 15 · 8:30 PM–10:30 PM · The Barley Neck, Orleans · Free

🎵 Music on the Town Green — free outdoor music in the heart of Orleans village · May 16 · 11:00 AM · Orleans Town Green, Orleans · Free

🎵 Pop-Up Practices: The Bitter and Broken Men's Chorus — community-minded Americana and punk-rock humor at Parish Park · May 16 · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM · Parish Park, Orleans · Free

🎵 Bitter and Broken Men's Chorus House Concert — same band, different room: an evening house concert at Brick Hill; reservations by phone or email · May 16 · 7:30 PM–9:30 PM · Brick Hill House Concerts, Orleans · $25 suggested

🎸 Grab Brothers at Hog Island — Saturday evening live music at the Orleans brewery · May 16 · 6:00 PM · Orleans Hog Island Brewery, Orleans · Free

🎸 The Jones' at The Barley Neck — one guitar, two voices · May 16 · 8:30 PM–10:30 PM · The Barley Neck, Orleans · Free

🎵 Bob Peck at The Yardarm — live Saturday evening music at The Yardarm in Orleans · May 16 · 6:30 PM–8:30 PM · The Yardarm, Orleans · Free

🎸 Digney Fignus at Jake Rooney's — Saturday night local music in Harwich Port · May 16 · 7:00 PM · Jake Rooney's, Harwich · Free

🎹 Joe Marchio on the Casavant Frères Organ ✦ See above — Don't Sleep On This · May 17 · 3:00 PM–5:00 PM · First Congregational Church of Chatham · $35

🎵 Dan Labich Band at The Squire — a Sunday afternoon live set in Chatham · May 17 · 3:00 PM · The Chatham Squire, Chatham · Free

🎵 Natalia Bonfini at The Yardarm — a relaxed Wednesday night of live music in Orleans · May 20 · 6:30 PM–8:30 PM · The Yardarm, Orleans · Free

Nature & History — Old ground. Shifting edges

🌊 Nauset Beach & Pochet Island Hike ✦ See above — Don't Sleep On This · May 16 · 9:00 AM–1:00 PM · Nauset Beach, Orleans · $35

🦅 Birding Around Brewster at Bell's Neck — spring migration birding at Bell's Neck; identify birds by sight and sound during peak migration · May 14 · 8:00 AM–10:00 AM · Bell's Neck Conservation Area, Harwich · From $35

🌿 Kids' Nature Explorer Program at Pilgrim Lake — hands-on nature exploration for families with OCT educators around Pilgrim Lake · May 14 · 10:00 AM · Pilgrim Lake, Orleans · Free

🌿 Volunteer Stewardship Day — help care for OCT conservation lands and trails; tools provided, all welcome · May 15 · 9:00 AM · Orleans Conservation Trust · Free

🦈 Gills Club at the Shark Center — free STEM-based shark and ocean science for youth; connects kids with female scientists and hands-on learning · May 16 · 9:00 AM–10:30 AM · Shark Center, Chatham · Free

🌊 Beach Walk to Namskaket — OCT leads a guided walk from Skaket Beach through a 200-plus-acre saltmarsh habitat · May 15 · 1:30 PM–3:00 PM · Skaket Beach, Orleans · Free

🌿 Preschool Explorers with Andrea Higgins — spring outdoor adventure for ages 2–5 on Harwich conservation land; multiple sessions · May 19 · 9:30 AM + 2:00 PM / May 20 · 9:30 AM + 3:00 PM · Harwich Conservation Trust · Free

Talks, Books & Big Ideas — Conversations that earn their hour

🌍 Gopal Patel: Hope, Responsibility & Action — environmental activist and UN consultant on climate action, justice, and community leadership; offered with the Nauset Interfaith Association · May 19 · 5:30 PM–6:30 PM · Brewster Ladies' Library, Brewster · Free

🏛️ Meet President John Adams — living history at the OHS Meetinghouse during the 250th anniversary season · May 17 · 2:00 PM–4:00 PM · Orleans Historical Society Meetinghouse, Orleans · Check listing

📖 Annual Peter Saunders Memorial Poetry Reading — readings and refreshments at Eldredge; a Chatham literary tradition · May 16 · 1:30 PM–4:00 PM · Eldredge Public Library, Chatham · Free

🧠 Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief (Virtual) — the bestselling author on hidden assumptions, belief change, and personal limits · May 19 · 2:00 PM–3:00 PM · Zoom / Eldredge Public Library, Chatham · Free

🎵 The Evolution of Country Blues — Stephen Shields on the roots and arc of country blues · May 15 · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM · Center for Active Living, Chatham · Check listing

Theater & Classical — Give the night somewhere to land

🎹 Joe Marchio on the Casavant Frères Organ ✦ See above — Don't Sleep On This · May 17 · 3:00 PM–5:00 PM · First Congregational Church of Chatham · $35

🎭 9-Ball at Cape Rep — Art Devine's 1960s drama in its second week; Wednesday is another chance to catch it before it closes May 14 · 7:30 PM / May 15 · 7:30 PM / May 16 · 2:00 + 7:30 PM / May 17 · 2:00 PM / May 20 · 7:30 PM · Cape Rep Theatre, Brewster · From $30

🎵 BYU A Cappella: Vocal Point & Noteworthy — two touring groups, one stage, a full evening of arranged music; family-friendly · May 15 · 7:30 PM · Arts Empowering Life Performing Arts Center, Brewster · $35

🎭 The Importance of Being Earnest — Oscar Wilde at Harwich Junior Theatre · May 15 · 7:00 PM / May 16 · 4:00 PM / May 17 · 4:00 PM · Cape Cod Theatre Company, Harwich · From $21

Community Openings & Civic Moments — The Cape's ongoing business

🗳️ Chatham Town Election ✦ Today — May 14 · 7:30 AM–8:00 PM · Town of Chatham · Free

🗳️ Brewster Annual Town Election ✦ Tuesday — May 19 · 7:00 AM–8:00 PM · 1848 Main St., Brewster · Free

🗳️ Orleans Annual Town Election ✦ Tuesday — May 19 · All Day · Orleans Senior Center, Orleans · Free

🌾 Chatham Farmers Market Season Opening — 2026 season begins in South Chatham · May 19 · 3:00 PM–6:00 PM · Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Chatham · Free

🎓 MRHS National Honor Society Induction — Monomoy Regional High School's NHS ceremony · May 20 · 7:00 PM · MRHS Auditorium, Harwich · Free

⚡ Rep. Hadley Luddy Office Hours — stop by with local questions or concerns · May 18 · 4:00 PM–5:00 PM · Skaket Meeting Room, Orleans · Free

Last week on the Lower Cape

Ken Cowan filled the Church of the Transfiguration on Sunday afternoon. The Cherry Blossom Market brought a strong Mother's Day weekend crowd to the Village Green. EYEWITNESS opened at The 204 to a full room Friday evening. Orleans and Chatham both held their annual town meetings Monday night.

Your event belongs here

This list exists because people in Brewster, Chatham, Harwich, and Orleans are doing things worth knowing about. If you're running one of them — a class, a concert, a walk, a workshop, a dinner, an opening, a town meeting, a kids' program, a community gathering — send it to us.

We read every submission. We don't charge for listings. We don't favor big venues over small ones. If it's happening on the Lower Cape and it's worth a neighbor's time, it has a real shot at being in the next issue.

What to send: event name, date, time, location, price (or free), and a link or a few sentences about what it actually is. That's it.

Deadline: Monday at noon for that Thursday's issue.

Send to: [email protected]

The people who read this newsletter are locals. They show up. Getting in front of them costs you nothing but two minutes and an email.