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If the prospect of Valentine’s Day seems daunting, there’s an alternative: Liz Gotauco, the author of “F*cked Up Fairy Tales,” will present an “Anti-Valentine’s Date Night” at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.on Thursday, Feb. 12.
“It’ll be kind of half storytelling event and half folklore lecture,” Gotauco said, although she did not want to call it a lecture. Her book arose from the popularity of her social media storytelling during the pandemic – TikTok videos she made reading, and sometimes acting out, bizarre folk tales.
A children’s librarian in Providence, R.I., Gotauco said she was drawn to “weird fairy tales” and started recounting them into her phone for adults “as a side-hustle.” Since she has a theater and cosplay background, the videos eventually morphed into sketch comedy – “Donkeyskin,” for example.
After the book was published, Gotauco wanted to do as many live events as possible in libraries and bookstores, since her book came out of live storytelling. Sometimes, Valentine’s Day can hold impossible expectations, so the concept of an alternative event so close to that date aligned with the fairy tales, she said.
Gotauco said there are plenty of sad love stories included in her book. There’s a section dedicated to the bad dates of fairy tales, and another section about marital relationships “but where everyone’s married to an animal.”
“Obviously there’s a lot of fun and schadenfreude in the tragic love stories, but there’s also some nice stuff to be found in unconventional love stories,” Gotauco said. Often the beleaguered heroines are surprisingly self-sufficient, despite the desperate situations they end up in.
Gotauco’s book, with illustrations by her sister Jade Gotauco, will be available for purchase and signing at the library event. There will also be light refreshments and time for a Q&A. Registration is required – and can be done here.
Monday, February 2
The Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., begins accepting submissions today from local published authors for the Third Annual Local Author Fair to be held on Saturday, May 30. The fair will showcase the talents of local authors of material for older readers. At the fair, authors will be able to engage directly with readers, promote their work, and participate in short readings. Applications are available at the reference desk in the library or at the Manomet Branch. You can also download applications online. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 6. For questions about the fair, contact outreach@plymouth.ocln.org, or call the reference desk at 508- 830-4250, ext. 205.
“The Secret Agent,” a Brazilian film nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best International film, will screen at Plimoth Cinema in the Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. The film follows a former professor, played by Wagner Moura, who’s fleeing persecution and trying to resist the military dictatorship in 1977.
“Hamnet,” starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, will continue screening at the cinema. This film is also nominated for Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Director. Film times are 2, 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.
Tuesday, February 3
On the first Tuesday of every month, Inebri-Art presents Life Drawing from 7 to 9 p.m. at Vitamin Sea Brewing, 98 Water St. This event offers a relaxed, supportive atmosphere for those who are experienced at drawing as well as for brand new artists. Enjoy the company of other artists while sipping craft beer. Tickets are $12.51, and they’re available here.
Thursday, February 5
The Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., will present a virtual talk from 7 to 8 p.m. with author Vanessa Riley about her new novel, “Fire Sword and Sea,” based on the folk story of the female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye. Rather than getting married, Delahaye chose an adventurous life as a pirate in the Caribbean in 1675. To join the online discussion, sign in here.
Friday, February 6
The Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., will begin accepting online applications today for the 16th Fine Art of Photography juried competition and exhibition. The deadline to apply is March 8, and the opening reception will be 4 to 6 p.m. on Sat., April 25. Find more details here.
Manomet Conservation Sciences, 125 Manomet Point Road, invites birders to join February’s First Friday Bird Walk, from 9 to 10 a.m. Director of Landbird Conservation Evan Dalton will lead the monthly bird walk. Hikers will see the nature trail, a wildlife viewing blind, and views of Cape Cod Bay, while birding along the way. Bring binoculars and water. Registration is required and can be done here.
Enjoy more birdwatching (or bird listening) at an evening Family Owl Prowl at Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, 60 Beaver Dam Road, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. An experienced birder and naturalist will guide the group to listen for the calls of owls, including Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls. Guides will point out other sights and sounds of nature during the walk, which will be less than 1.5 miles at a slow to moderate pace. Bring water and binoculars. Attendees will meet at the main parking lot. The cost is $14 for adult members, $10 for child members, $18 for adult nonmembers, and $14 for child nonmembers. You can register for the hike here. Contact 508-927-1200 or southeast@massaudubon.org with any questions.
Boston-based comedian Rafi Gonzalez will perform at 8 p.m. at the Spire, along with comics Alex Giampapa and Justin George. Originally from Puerto Rico, Gonzalez started out as lead singer in a nationally touring rock band, but in 2015 he changed focus to comedy. Along with other awards and recognition, Gonzalez was voted “Comedian of the Year” in 2024 at the Boston Comedy Choice Awards. Tickets are $31.15 and $34.15, and are available here.
Saturday, February 7
The public is invited to the free monthly Burial Hill Tour, from 1 to 2 p.m., offered by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum. Dr. Donna Curtin, executive director of Pilgrim Hall Museum, will lead the tour on the theme of Prelude to Independence. Attendees meet at the top of Burial Hill at 1 p.m., and should wear clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather and hilly or slippery terrain. Check the museum’s or the Antiquarian Society’s Facebook pages for updates and cancellations, which are usually posted the day before or morning of the scheduled tour. These free tours of historic Burial Hill take place the first Saturday of every month.
Attend a fundraiser for a good cause at “Stand Up for Hope – A Night of Comedy for Nathan,” from 6 to 10 p.m. at Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water St. Three comedians, John Turco, Jessie Casciano, and Steve Bjork, will perform their standup. All the proceeds from the tickets will go to the family, Nathan, Louise, and Joey Drifmeyer, to help with medical and other bills as two-year-old Nathan goes through treatment for stage 3 Wilms Tumor kidney cancer. Tickets are $75 each, and include the show, a drink ticket, a cash bar, bites served through the night, dessert from Crumbl Cookies, a silent auction, and raffle prizes. Tickets are available here.
Sunday, February 8
The Spire’s “Sunday Serenades: Matinee Performances with Timeless Charm” series presents “An Afternoon of Duke Ellington,” at 3 p.m., with Alain Mallet and Edmar Colon. Both musicians are Grammy winners who have worked together before, but this will be their first collaboration focused on the music of Ellington. The show will start with classic tunes they perform as a duo, and in the second half, the show will feature a full band playing Ellington’s music with a Latin jazz twist. Tickets are $31 and $34, and available for purchase here.
Monday, February 9
Join the Book Love Book Club from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at (of course) Book Love, 7 Village Green South in the Pinehills. This month the club will be discussing “The Measure,” by Nikki Erlick. Register here – tickets are just $5.
Tuesday, February 10
Restoring the Promise, a community-based discussion led by immigration attorney Antonio Massa Viana, will be at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from6 to 7:30 p.m. An immigrant himself, Massa Viana arrived in the United States at age 12 and later became the first known undocumented attorney admitted to the Massachusetts Bar. His personal journey through the immigration system fuels his dedication to advocacy grounded in empathy, justice, and a vision for a fairer future. This non-partisan program will give participants opportunities for reflection, insight, and problem-solving. Registration is required and can be done here.
Wednesday, February 11
The Plymouth Garden Club’s monthly meeting will be at 1 p.m. at the Chiltonville Church, 6 River St. This month the meeting will feature Gail Conner presenting a program titled, “Insects Near and Far.” The talk will focus on the variety of insects in Costa Rica and their relatives in Southeastern Massachusetts. Conner is an active member of the garden club, and a beekeeper. A traditional English Tea will be served, and guests are welcome to attend for a $5 fee.
“The Stranger,” the classic 1946 film directed by Orson Welles, will be showing at the Spire at 7 p.m. as part of the new Spire Classic Film Series. Starring Welles, Edward G. Robinson, and Loretta Young, the film is a cat-and-mouse game set in post-World War II Connecticut. Watch the suspenseful movie on the big screen instead of at home, and get tickets for $9 here.
Billy F. Gibbons and the BFG Band will perform at Memorial Hall at 7:30 p.m., bringing the unique sounds of Gibbons’s electric guitar (along with his massive beard) to the stage. Gibbons, who’s seen as the “centerpiece for ZZ Top,” is also considered one of the best guitarists in the blues-rock world. Tickets are $56 and $143 for Spectacle Live members; $58 and $145 for others. There are also VIP packages available. Get tickets and more details here.
Thursday, February 12
Attend an Anti-Valentine’s Date Night featuring a talk by Liz Gotauco, author of “F*cked Up Fairy Tales” at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. See the lead item in this column for more details.
Friday, February 13
On the eve of Valentine’s Day, Dr. Anne Mason, curator of the Pilgrim Hall Museum, will give a virtual talk at 12 noon, revisiting Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous poem, “The Courtship of Miles Standish.” Along with discussing the historic romance between John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, Mason will uncover other facets of love and marriage in 17th Century Plymouth. Sign up for the virtual event here.
Saturday, February 14
Karine Hannah will take the stage at the Spire at 8 p.m., presenting “Songbird: a Singular Tribute to Barbra Streisand.” Hannah listened to Streisand’s music from an early age and worked on her own vocal skills. That focus over the years prepared her for a career as a performer and recording artist with a voice that “hits hard.” Tickets are $35.65 and $3915, and they are available here.