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History will come to life from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at Hedge House, 126 Water St., with the dramatic reading, “Letters by Candlelight: Voices of the Hedge Family at Home.”
According to Plymouth Antiquarian Society Executive Director Patrick Browne, the letter readers will be in costume, and they will be reading and responding to the letters in character.
“There’s a little bit of a theatrical aspect,” he said, although it’s not a play. The house will be decorated with “candlelight” – electric candles – establishing a dramatic and “atmospheric” feeling.
Some of the letters were written during the Civil War, and Browne said, “Many of the letters we have are from that decade.”
In the 1860s, the parents, Lydia and Thomas Hedge, were older and their children were grown. Browne said there are some letters from their son, William Hedge, who was a soldier during the war and writing to his mother and sisters.
Several volunteers and members of the Antiquarian Society will be the costumed readers, and Browne said he may play a small part.
The event was inspired by a previous letter reading at Hedge House, but Browne said this event is a little different – it’s more theatrical and focuses solely on the Hedge family. Browne and the Society’s Head Docent Joyce Poremski worked on putting the event together.
The readings should give people a fuller appreciation of who the family was, and the audience will get an up-close view of the house the Hedge family lived in.
“You’re hearing letters by people who lived in the house, or who were related to people in the house,” Browne said. The dramatic reading will be divided into timed admissions, in 20-minute increments, a structure that has worked well previously.
When buying tickets, attendees should choose their 20-minute time slot. Tickets are $13 for society members, $18 for nonmembers, and are available to purchase here. For check payment, make it out to Plymouth Antiquarian Society (or PAS) and mail to Plymouth Antiquarian Society, P.O. Box 3773, Plymouth, MA 02361, by Friday, April 24, to ensure delivery. Email info@plymouthantiquarian.org to reserve your space if you are paying via check.
Monday, April 20
“The Christophers,” starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, is screening at the Plimoth Cinema in Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, and written by Ed Solomon, the film is about an artist’s estranged children who hire a forger to finish their father’s paintings so they can sell them. “Project Hail Mary,” the sci-fi film starring Ryan Gosling as a biology teacher who finds himself on a space craft with amnesia, also continues screening at the cinema. Film times are 4:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Families looking for things to do during school vacation are invited to check out the Downtown Water District’s Scavenger Hunt for kids. The hunt officially started on Friday, April 18, but continues through Sunday, April 26. Download the poster, and visit each business listed to get a stamp. When each of the “dogs” have a stamp, bring the completed sheet to Bamp’s Toy Vault, 36 Main St., to get a prize bag.
Wednesday, April 22
Families can celebrate April vacation by watching the film “The Lorax” and doing some Earth-friendly planting from 2 to 4 p.m. at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. The Lorax’s message is about taking care of the Earth. After the movie, young gardeners will get some hands-on experience by planting their own bean plant to take home. Tickets are $9.39 for those age 17 and younger, and $11.49 for adults 18 and older, and can be purchased here.
Attend a Basic Mending Workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. with OHpleese at Sprezzatura Boutique, 1 Main St. Learn how to sew new life into clothes, making basic repairs. Bring a piece of clothing that could use some mending, a pair of scissors, and a scrap of cloth that might serve as a patch. No prior sewing experience is necessary. While there, shop with a 10 percent discount for vintage clothing. Tickets are $40, and they are available here.
America’s Hometown Laureates present “More Than Words,” an open mic event for tiny poetry and spoken word at the Mayflower Society House, 4 Winslow St., from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Poets are encouraged to share original works, especially the French forms of “tiny poetry” such as Rondeau, Cinquain, and Triolet. There are 15 slots available for poets 13 and older. Along with the poetry, there will be baroque musical selections performed by the North River Brass Quintet. Registration is required to read poetry, but not to attend, and the event is free. Register by emailing hometownlaureates@gmail.com.
Friday, April 24
The Wailin’ Jenneys, a trio of female voices consisting of Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody, and Heather Masse, will perform their folk-roots music at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall. The group started by a happy accident when the solo singer/songwriters got together to sing at a small guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the group grew over the years into an international folk act. Tickets are $47 and $102, or $45 and $100 for Spectacle Live members, and can be purchased here.
The British biographical drama, “I Swear,” starring Robert Aramayo is screening at Plimoth Cinema in Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. The film is based on the true life story of John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette’s syndrome. Davidson was the subject of several BBC documentaries, including one from 1989 titled, “John’s Not Mad.” Film times are 4:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Saturday, April 25
The Herring Run Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Brewster Garden sand along Jenney Pond Park, offering a day of family-friendly and educational activities, including herring counts, alewife art, games, live music, and more. Chat with local scientists, help contribute to ongoing herring research, and take a photo with “Happy Fish,” a symbol created by World Fish Migration Day. There are multiple options for food, drink, and information from community organizations that are working to help the environment. The event is free to the public, and supported in part by the Town of Plymouth Promotions Fund. See the list of contributing organizations, food options, and find out more about the festivals here.
Check out “All Things Spring,” a home, garden, and lifestyle expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Stonebridge Club, 55 Stonebridge Road in the Pinehills. Local vendors will be on hand to offer ideas and options for the home, enhancing your garden, and inspiration for a healthy lifestyle. There will also be prizes and gifts, a scavenger hunt, and a chance to win a $1,000 Village Green shopping spree. Cape Cod Healthcare, the presenting sponsor, will have a bloodmobile on site.
The opening reception for the 16th Annual Fine Art of Photography Exhibit takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St. The show features photographers from New England and beyond. Tickets are $20, and available here.
The “Linda Ronstadt Experience,” a tribute concert starring American Idol winner Tristan McIntosh, will take place at 8 p.m. at the Spire. McIntosh takes the audience on a journey through the hits by the magnetic singer, including, “You’re No Good,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “When Will I Be Loved.” Tickets are $44.65 and $49 and are available here.
Sunday, April 26
The fourth and final in a series of intimate candlelight concerts in historic sites, “Revolution & the Enlightenment” featurings The Chordage Ensemble, takes place at 5 p.m. at Pilgrim Hall Museum, 75 Court St. The ensemble will play Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Flute Quartet for Flute and Strings,” and Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s “Quartet for Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello.” The performers are Ashley Addington, flute; Marguerite Levin, clarinet; Lisa Brooke, violin; Cassie Sulbarán, viola; and Rebecca Thornblade, cello. Both composers lived during the time of America’s rise to independence, and Mozart was a defender of the average citizen. Hummel, Mozart’s student, also embraced the ideals of clarity, structure, elegant melodies and individual expression. Tickets are $55, and available here.
Comedian Jeff Allen will bring his standup to the Spire at 7 p.m. for his latest tour, “My First Final Last Tour.” As he approaches his 70th year on the planet, Allen knows he should be slowing down, but it’s just his “first” final last tour because there may still be another one. (Just think of Cher.) Allen will bring classic bits from his “Happy Wife Happy Life” routine, along with some fresh comic offerings. Tickets are $49 and $54 and can be purchased here.
Tuesday, April 28
Look for returning migrating birds on a Spring Walk with Mass Audubon and Manomet Conservation Sciences at Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, 60 Beaver Dam Road, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. This will be a chance to wander the sanctuary and search for the returning feathered friends. Wear appropriate clothing for this activity, which will take place outdoors. Tickets are $14 for adult Audubon members, and $18 for adult nonmembers, and registration can be completed here.
Grab-n-Go dinners are available between 4:30 and 6 p.m. for anyone from the parking lot of the Plymouth Salvation Army. These free dinners are offered the last Tuesday of each month. Stay in the car, as the meal will be delivered to people in their parked cars. There is no eating on the property. For more information, contact Envoy Anne Rich at anne.rich@use.salvationarmy.org or visit the website.
Friday, May 1
A new season of First Fridays Plymouth kicks off from5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Plymouth. The purpose of these monthly events is to support the small businesses, arts, and culture in the downtown area. This week, Colette O’Connor will play her brand of “gypsy-witch, mesmerizing” songs in front of See Plymouth on 4 North St. Check out the Art Shoppe, 84 Court St., upstairs, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., where you can browse the gallery and make a pollinator craft to take home. Wood artist Jay Goldbach, will demonstrate sugi-ban, the ancient Asian burnt wood technique, while Slainte Plymouth plays live Irish music before the fireplace at Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St. All Good Art, 65 Main St., will host a reception showing its latest works from local artists. The Spooner House, 27 North St., will offer free tours (although donations are appreciated). Laughing Moon, 1 Court St., will feature sidewalk sales of art from artists who display in the shop, including works from wood carver Jason Olivia. Find out more about First Fridays and the participating businesses here.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2,” a sequel to the original film from 2006, will be showing at the Plimoth Cinema in Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. The sequel recasts some of the original cast members from the successful first film, including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Fans of the first film will be curious to see whether this one “stands up” to expectations. Film times are 4:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Saturday, May 2
The monthly Burial Hill Tour from 1 to 2 p.m. will be led by Stephen O’Neill, director of the Hanover Historical Society, and the topic is “Town Decides: Plymouth Declares for Independence.” Join the group at the top of Burial Hill, and wear comfortable walking shoes. In case of inclement weather, the walking tour may be canceled. Check Facebook for updates. The series is presented by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum, with tours held on the first Saturday of each month except for January. No registration is necessary.
The public is invited to “Arts in Bloom,” an arts and crafts fair presented by the Great Island Artisans’ Guild at Great Island Overlook Clubhouse, 149 Great Island Road in the Pinehills, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 35 artists from the Pinehills community and beyond will be presenting their creations. This juried fair will feature original baskets; hand-painted items; a variety of jewelry; wooden creations; sewn, knitted, and crocheted items; soaps and lotions; photography; chocolates; jams and granola; fine art; resin items; fleece; stained glass; soy candles; pottery; and more. Every half hour there will be a free raffle giving away a $10 gift certificate to use with any vendor.
The Plymouth Hometown Cleanup will take place all day, rain or shine. Volunteers are needed, and people can join an existing group, create their own, or go solo to help clean up a neighborhood, park, or road that needs attention. Visit Town Hall, or sign up here. Pick up the purple bags provided at the Planning Department, and sign the waiver. Leave the filled bags at the indicated drop location. The Department of Public Works will pick up the bags from the drop locations. Last spring the cleanup gathered 3,420 pounds of trash and litter. For questions, contact Patrick Farah at pfarah@plymouth-MA.gov, or 508-322-3374.
“Letters by Candlelight: Voices of the Hedge Family at Home”- dramatic readings of letters written by the Hedge family – takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hedge House, 126 Water St. See the lead item in this column for more information.
The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra will perform its concert “Blockbuster Broadway,” with Steven Karidoyanes conducting, at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The program will feature guest artists from Spot-On Entertainment, including vocalists Campbell Walker Fields, Carole J. Bufford, and Farah Alvin, with Ryan Shirar as pianist. There will also be a repeat concert set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, in Memorial Hall. The performance will showcase iconic songs from Broadway plays such as “Waitress,” “Hamilton,” “Jersey Boys,” “Funny Girl,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats,” “Cabaret,” “Les Misérables.” and “The Lion King.” Tickets are $35, $60, $70, and $150, and you can order them for either the Saturday or Sunday performance here. There’s also an option for a Saturday evening pre-concert cocktail party at 6 p.m. in the Blue Room at Memorial Hall, for an additional $25.