Sunday afternoons have come alive at the Spire Center for Performing Arts. With its new Sunday Serenades series, the Spire is expanding beyond its busy weekday and weekend evening schedules to offer 3 p.m. performances ranging from classical chamber music and jazz to Broadway, pop, big band, classical crossover and more. This week, the featured artists are The Calyx Piano Trio. The Boston-based chamber ensemble features violinist Catherine French, cellist Jennifer Lucht and pianist Nina Ferrigno. The trio is part of the Sunday series’ Classical Serenades, known for their imaginative programming that connects traditional works by composers such as Beethoven and Brahms with contemporary music.
The idea for the Sunday Serenades series began with Spire President and Founder Bob Hollis, who saw an opportunity, according to Dona Maher, Sunday Serenades executive producer and a Spire board member.
“While many venues were trimming back on their live music programming, our visionary President and Founder Bob Hollis decided to lean in,” Maher said. “Bob envisioned Sunday afternoons as a way to broaden the Spire’s programming while giving audiences a different kind of experience — one that was more relaxed and accessible than a traditional night out.”
“We’re creating an afternoon experience that brings a touch of elegance,” Maher said. “Audience members can enjoy world-class classical chamber music, jazz, pop, Broadway, big band, classical crossover, indie, comedy, oldies and everything in between.” The 3 p.m. start time, Maher said, is intentional. “The time allows audiences to enjoy a performance without committing to an evening event and still have time afterward for dinner, drinks or a stop at one of downtown Plymouth’s restaurants or cafés.”
The series aims for “refined, refreshing and relaxed” — Maher describes it as an unhurried Sunday afternoon centered on live performance.
Classical music has become an important component of that vision, Maher said. “The Classical Serenades portion of the series features four performances from September through March, bringing chamber musicians and other classical performers to the intimate venue,” she said.
“Expanding into classical music is part of the larger mission founder Bob Hollis pursued since creating the Spire: making the performing arts available to the community while continually expanding the range of artists and genres presented on its stage,” Maher said. “We feature artists of exceptional national and international stature,” she continued, noting the performers are preeminent chamber musicians. “These are performances that you would expect to see in New York, Paris, Boston, Europe, and in some of the most prestigious halls in the country and around the world.”
The Sunday series allows the Spire to maximize the venue during a formerly quiet time, and to reach people who may prefer an afternoon event to a late night downtown.
“This was designed with a broader audience in mind,” Maher added. “We want to attract everyone whether they are seasoned classical music aficionados or first-time listeners to feel engaged and welcomed.”
A similar thought process applied to the genre. Rather than limiting Sunday Serenades to one musical genre, Hollis and Maher have designed it as an umbrella for performances that might not otherwise fit neatly into the Spire’s weeknight, Friday or Saturday night schedule.
The result is a Sunday matinee with a distinctive atmosphere.
“It’s about creating a graceful and unhurried experience,” Maher said, “where music lovers can come for an afternoon show and still head out on the town for dinner or to cafés — all before nightfall.”
Sunday Serenades performances begin at 3 p.m. at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25½ Court St. For information or tickets go here.
Monday, Sept. 21
Matt York’s Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan Songs & Stories is presented from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fehlow Meeting Room at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. Longtime musician and author Matt York performs songs and shares stories about the two musical icons and the important role their friendship played in the development of folk and country music, helping create the musical style now known as Americana. York has twice been nominated for a Boston Music Award for Best Country Artist and recently released his second book, The Words and Wisdom of Willie Nelson. For more information, visit plymouthpubliclibrary.org.
The much-anticipated Practical Magic 2 will be showing at Plimoth Cinema. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as the Owens sisters in this soon-to-be-classic, which finds the family once again confronting a dark curse amid ancestral magic, mayhem and moonlit mischief. The PG-13 film runs 2 hours, 10 minutes and screens daily at 4:30 and 7 p.m. in the Linn Theater at Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave. For information go to plimoth.org/cinema.
Plimoth Cinema screens the French comedy-drama The Marching Band, in which a world-famous orchestra conductor who discovers he has a brother he never knew — a school cafeteria worker who plays trombone in a local marching band. When he recognizes his brother’s remarkable musical talent, he sets out to give him an opportunity fate did not. Starring Benjamin Lavernhe and Pierre Lottin. In French with English subtitles. Screenings at 4:30 p.m. Unrated; 1 hour, 42 minutes. Plimoth Cinema at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. For information go to plimoth.org/cinema.
This week, Saoirse Ronan stars in the dark satirical comedy-thriller Bad Apples as Maria, a primary school teacher struggling with a disruptive student. After a shocking turn of events that leaves the boy confined in her basement, Maria faces an increasingly troubling dilemma when her classroom begins to flourish without him. Directed by Jonatan Etzler, the film blends pitch-black comedy with social commentary about schools, teachers and difficult children. The film is rated R and runs 1 hour, 40 minutes. Showing at 7 p.m. only at Plimoth Cinema, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth. For information go to plimoth.org/cinema.
Tuesday, Sept. 22
Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., welcomes the Grammy nominated GroovaLottos for The Best Night of the Week, an evening of live music, picnics, lawn games, pizza and drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. The New England-based soul-funk-Afrobeats jam band brings together veteran touring and studio musicians known for their genre-blending “Thump & Soul” sound. Their 2017 album, Ask Yo’ Mama, earned six Grammy nominations across pop and R&B categories, while their debut single, “Do You Mind…?” reached No. 3 on the Americana/Indie Blues chart. Bring chairs or a blanket and pack a picnic, or purchase pizza and beverages from Plentiful Café. For information go here.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
The Friends of Myles Standish State Forest is seeking entries for its annual photo contest. Photographers may submit up to three photos taken in Myles Standish State Forest by Wednesday, Sept. 23. Winning photographs will be enlarged, mounted and displayed at the annual Friends Family Fishing Derby on Oct. 3, and winners may take their photos home afterward. Entries should be emailed in JPG format and include the date and location where each photo was taken, a title and the photographer’s contact information. Email entries to friendsmssf@gmail.com. For more information go to: Friends of Myles Standish State Forest.
Anglicans, Puritans, Separatists, and the Shaping of New England is presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m. online by Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The virtual program explores the differences among Anglicans, Puritans and Separatists and the religious conflicts that emerged within the Church of England during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, helping set the stage for the settlement of New England. Tickets must be purchased in advance at plimoth.org.
Thursday, Sept. 24
Author Tara Lynn Masih will discuss her new novel, The Silent Women, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Book Love, 7 Village Green South. Inspired by the real women who worked in Oak Ridge, Tennessee — the Manhattan Project’s secret city — the historical novel follows Song Holloway, a young woman recruited to work at the classified facility and ultimately ordered to spy on the women around her. The novel explores chosen family, moral courage, secrecy and the consequences of living with the truth. Registration is required. For tickets go to Book Love.
For the jazz lover, The Greg Abate Quartet performs at the Spire Center for Performing Arts from 7:30 to 9 p.m. as part of the Spire Lobby Series. The intimate 70-seat series showcases local and regional musicians in a relaxed lounge setting. Abate, an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer and educator, is known for his hard-bop style and swinging alto sound. He has recorded 24 albums as a leader, toured internationally and collaborated with musicians including Phil Woods and Kenny Barron. For more information, visit spirecenter.org.
Friday, Sept. 25
Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. presents: An Afternoon with Pianist Dan Kennedy, at the Dr. Richard M. Shiff Forum for a free performance at 3 p.m. Welcome autumn with Kennedy’s stylings…and offbeat sense of humor. Dan Kennedy – who brought you “So Nice to Be Warm Inside” in 2025 and “Love is in the Air” earlier this year – returns for a one-hour concert with an artist meet-and-greet after the show. Free admission. For information go here.
The roots-rock band Donna the Buffalo performs at 8 p.m. at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25½ Court St. The band, which has been performing since 1989, has played thousands of shows and appeared at festivals including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride, Austin City Limits Festival, Merle Fest and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. The group has also toured with artists including The Dead, Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, Los Lobos, Little Feat and Railroad Earth. For more information, visit spirecenter.org.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Plymouth’s first Seafood Festival will entertain the palate and delight the family from11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with fresh local oysters, lobster and clam chowder, along with a clam chowder competition, live music, games, crafts, educational exhibits and local beer and wine for purchase. Lobster, oyster and harbormaster boats will be on display. Festivities will be spread across three downtown locations — the Hedge House lawn, 126 Water St.; the waterfront next to the Harbormaster’s Building between East Bay Grille and Lobster Hut; and Town Hall Green, 26 Court St. A free trolley will run between the locations. Children five and younger are free. Rain or shine. For tickets and information, go here.
King Richard’s Faire continues from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Edaville Entertainment, 5 Pine St., Carver. New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance festival transforms the grounds into a lively 16th-century village filled with knights, royalty, artisans and performers. The day includes jousting tournaments, live comedy and music, acrobatics, an artisan marketplace, themed food and drinks, and interactive entertainment for all ages. The Faire continues Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25, with an additional three-day holiday weekend Oct. 10–12. For more information, visit kingrichardsfaire.net.
Ballet Magnificat! brings Anchored: The Pilgrim Story to Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court St. at 6:30 p.m. Engaging entertainment for the whole family. The full-length ballet tells the story of the Pilgrims’ journey aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of Plymouth Colony through dance, music and theatrical storytelling. The production returns to Plymouth during the nation’s 250th anniversary year, offering a distinctly different way to revisit a story closely tied to the town’s history. For tickets go to Plymouth Memorial Hall.
Sunday, Sept. 27
The Calyx Piano Trio is presented at 3 p.m. as part of the Spire Center for Performing Arts’s Sunday Serenades series. The Boston-based chamber ensemble features violinist Catherine French, cellist Jennifer Lucht and pianist Nina Ferrigno. The trio is known for imaginative programming that connects traditional works by composers such as Beethoven and Brahms with contemporary music, including works commissioned specifically for the ensemble. The Spire’s Sunday Serenades series presents classical, jazz, Broadway and other musical performances in an afternoon setting. For more information, visit spirecenter.org.
Five-time Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray brings the Robert Cray Band to Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court St. at 7 p.m. Cray has spent more than four decades blending blues, soul and R&B and is known for songs including “Smoking Gun,” “Right Next Door (Because of Me)” and “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.” A member of the Blues Hall of Fame, Cray has performed and recorded with artists including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy. For tickets go to Plymouth Memorial Hall.
The Plymouth Independent presents a special screening of the Academy Award-winning film “Spotlight” at 2 p.m. at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave. The film, which chronicles The Boston Globe Spotlight team’s investigation into clergy sexual abuse and its cover-up, will be followed by a rare conversation with two of the journalists portrayed in the film: former Boston Globe editor Martin Baron, played by Liev Schreiber in the film, and former Spotlight team editor Walter Robinson, played by Michael Keaton. A moderated question-and-answer session will follow the screening. Admission is $25 per person, and advance purchase is recommended as seating is limited. Purchase tickets online.