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May is national Bike Month, making it an ideal time to encourage bicycling for newbies and seasoned riders as well. The free Bikes & Brews event sponsored by the Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) and Untold Brewing, 2 Loring Blvd., on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. aims to do just that.
Matt Dyer, senior transportation planner at OCPC, floated the idea of a biking event to Chris Douglass – who’s in charge of marketing and events at Untold – and Neil Arnold, an organizer and member of the UB Cycling Club in Plymouth.
Dyer said he was “thrilled to partner” with Untold because the brewery has the same values as the OCPC when it comes to promoting bicycling as a sustainable, healthier option for transportation in the region.
The event isn’t a race, but a chance for cyclers of all levels to enjoy riding as a group. There are three route options: The Firefly Ride, at 3 miles, which starts at 11:30 a.m.; the Just Ripe Ride, at 13.5 miles, starting at 11 a.m.; and the Rule 5 Ride, at 24.7 miles, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Maps of the routes are available here.
“This is an at-will ride,” said Douglass, so there will be no police presence or closed-off streets. Bikers will be reminded of safety precautions, and Arnold and other members of the UB Cycling Club will lead the rides and be available to guide and support cyclers.
Serious Cycles, a Plymouth bike shop, will be on hand to provide support for people who might need tires blown up or brake adjustments. After the long (or not-so-long) trip, riders can enjoy food from Jefe’s Food Truck or enjoy craft brews and sodas from Untold Brewing.
Why ride with a bunch of people? “The camaraderie of following the group and having other people around is nice,” Douglass said. “Anyone can opt out at any time.”
“We need a safe and controlled event,” said Douglass. To that end, organizers need to know how many people to expect, so please register here.
Monday, April 28
“The Trouble with Jessica” screens at Plimoth Cinema at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., at least through Thursday, May 1. It’s a dark comedy about a couple facing serious financial trouble who finally find a buyer for their stylish London home. At their final dinner party, they end up in an outrageous situation with the shocking behavior of an uninvited guest. “The President’s Wife,” starring Catherine Deneuve and Michel Vuillermoz, will continue through Thursday, May 1, as well. 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.
Wednesday, April 30
The third in a five-part series celebrating Plymouth in the Revolution marking the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Fehlow Meeting Room at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. Speaker Patrick Browne, executive director of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, will give a free presentation titled “Ephraim Spooner & the Home Front” as part of this series. Spooner was a selectman, town clerk, and successful merchant, and one of Plymouth’s most influential Patriot leaders. His contributions illuminate the military, political, and economic issues facing those keeping the home fires burning.
Thursday, May 1
Jesse Lynn Madera will be performing at the Spire as part of its Lobby Series at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. A genre-blending songwriter, she was recognized by Music Connection magazine as one of its “Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists.” Tickets are $15, and you can get them here.
Friday, May 2
A free exhibit and silent auction of “Beautiful Things” – artwork by students of Heidi Mayo at her Top of the World Studio – opens at the Harborwalk Apartments Lobby, 30 Loring Blvd., with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Students from first graders to high school seniors donate their artwork to the auction, and proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen, a charity that provides food in war-torn areas like Ukraine and Gaza.
The public will be able to explore the historic Spooner House, 27 North St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free to visit the 18th century home.
First Fridays Plymouth will kick off its fifth season from 5 to 8 p.m., celebrating local arts, culture, and small businesses. This free event is partly funded by Plymouth Promotional Funds and the Mass Cultural Council. It will take place the first Friday of each month through October 3. Enjoy artist demos, music performances, historic home tours, and more. Find out which venues are participating here.
Saturday, May 3
The 16th semi-annual Spring Plymouth Hometown Litter Cleanup will take place all day, townwide. For volunteers, the sign-up form is here. The form also lists litter hotspots to focus on. There are purple trash bags and safety vests available at the Town Hall Planning Office. If you’re part of a larger group, coordinate with the group leader – separate registration is not needed. Group contacts for the Pinehills, Redbrook, and Six Ponds neighborhoods are listed in the sign-up form. Last spring the cleanup netted 3,400 pounds of litter, and in fall 2024 the total was 2,720 pounds.
Dr. Anne Mason, a local historian, will lead another one of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s free Burial Hill Tours, titled the “Music of the American Revolution” from 1 to 2 p.m. Join the tour at the top of Burial Hill at Town Square, and be ready to sing. No registration is required, but make sure you wear appropriate shoes – there may be steep and grassy slopes to travel during the tour. Inclement weather may result in cancellation.
The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of conductor and music director Steven Karidoyanes, will present “Celtic Spirit: Eileen Ivers & Orchestra” at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers, her band unIVERSal Roots, and the full orchestra in a celebration of Celtic music. Ivers is a Grammy winning, Emmy-nominated, nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, and a former “Riverdance” star. Guests can take part in a pre-concert cocktail partyin Memorial Hall’s Blue Room starting at 6 p.m. Tickets for the cocktail party are $25. Tickets for the concert are $30, $55, $65, and $100, and you can get them here.
Psychic-Medium Patricia Griffin will do readings at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Griffin aims to bring a message of peace and closure for audience members from their loved ones who have passed away. Tickets are $31.50 and $35, and you can get them here.
Sunday, May 4
The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Steven Karidoyanes, and “Celtic Spirit: Eileen Ivers & Orchestra” will perform the concert at 3 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The show features Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers, her band unIVERSal Roots, and the full Plymouth Philharmonic in a celebration of Celtic music. Tickets for the concert are $30, $55, $65, and $100, and you can buy them here.
Plymouth resident Michael Burrey and Marie Brown, executive director of Handshouse Studio, will be the featured speakers at Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., sharing about “The Restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Burrey will talk about his experiences working alongside traditional French carpenters on restoring the famous cathedral that was severely damaged by fire. Brown will share how Handshouse’s work led to the development of the Notre-Dame Project. Tickets for the event are $30, and you can get them here.
Tuesday, May 6
State Representative Michelle Badger will hold community office hours from5:30 to 6:30 p.m.in the Community Room at the Cedarville Fire Station, 2209 State Road. Badger invites constituents to attend to discuss local concerns, state issues, or simply to connect. No appointments are necessary.
Join a Book Talk with New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer on her latest book, “Summer Light on Nantucket,” from 6 to 7 p.m. at Book Love, 7 Village Green South in the Pinehills. Thayer will share about her writing process, the inspiration for her new novel, and her affection for the island of Nantucket. Tickets are $6.76 and available here.
Wednesday, May 7
Narcan Training for Teens will be held at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., at 11:45 a.m. This is an educational event geared toward teens, in partnership with the Plymouth Schools, Plymouth COPE Center, and Hardcore Connections. For more information, contact Maureen Coleman at 508-830-4250, ext. 230, or mcoleman@plymouth.ocln.org.
Thursday, May 8
The All Worn Out Jug Band will perform in the Fehlow Meeting Room at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. from 4 to 5:15 p.m. The band celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and will present a retrospective on their interpretation of jug band classics, in the style of Jim Kweskin. The set list will include classics from artists like Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams. All ages are welcome. Registration is required, and you can do that here.
Friday, May 9
The Center for Active Living and Braver Angels will sponsor a debate on affordable housing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Fehlow Meeting Room at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. Plymouth resident Rick Frazier will chair the debate, which is a grassroots forum where members of the community can speak their minds and listen to others do the same. Come to learn, listen, ask questions, or share your thoughts on affordable housing in Plymouth. Registration is appreciated but not required. To register or for more information, contact Frazier at rfrazier@braverangels.org.
Darrell Scott, a Grammy-nominated master storyteller and bluegrass legend, will appear at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Scott is a songwriter who has written hit songs across genres for multiple artists. He was honored with the 2007 Song of the Year Award from the Americana Music Association for his song “Hank Williams’s Ghost.” He recently toured with Robert Plant and Zac Brown Band, and produced albums for Malcolm Holcombe and Guy Clark. Tickets are $40.50 and $45, and you can buy them here.
Saturday, May 10
Bikes & Brews, a free event hosted by Old Colony Planning Council in partnership with Untold Brewing, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting off at Untold Brewing, 2 Loring Blvd. See the lead item in this column for more information.
Band of Brothers, an Allman Brothers tribute band, will perform at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. The ensemble aims to deliver the Allman Brothers tradition for a unique experience every night. The band is the brainchild of Boston guitarists Ryan Taylor and Johnny Trama, and features Jesse Williams on bass, Tom Arey on drums, Brendan Tommaney on percussion, and Paul Wolstencroft on keyboards. Tickets are $31.50 and $35, and you can buy them here.