"But Why Bump Off Barnaby?" Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

A full house awaits the final performance of "But Why Bump Off Barnaby?" in Priscilla Beach Theatre's Black Box Theatre performance area. The show is a clever who-dunnit murder mystery.

Director Theresa Chiasson introduces the action for this, the first of five children's workshops held over the summer.  Each workshop involves a couple weeks of rehearsals and then a few public performances.

The ten-person ensemble cast ranged from 8 -18 years old. 

A well deserved curtain call for the cast.

Following the curtain call, Artistic Director Emeritus Geronimo Sands introduced each cast member to the audience. Personally, I was impressed that these young folks could do so well  in getting the cadence of rapid-fire conversation among ten adult roles to sound mostly normal - no small feat. For more info about future children or adult performances, visit the Priscilla Beach Theatre website at this link. Support your local community based theatre - wherever you live.

Random Scenes, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Head to tail, sitting in the sun. I like to see chickens that roam free in a yard but spend the night safe in their coop. They seem almost like cats or dogs that stay close to home.

Now that summer is here, our local sailors get to enjoy  beautiful days on the bay. Here's one motoring out now. (Note the little Jack Russell head peeking out over the stern).

Yep, a beautiful day for a sail.

Meanwhile back on land, a new concrete foundation has been poured for a house that has been raised up.

And elsewhere, slowly a new roof is being built, board by board, nail by nail.

Fireworks and Bonfires, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

White Horse Beach enjoyed its regular annual fireworks and bonfire celebration on July 3rd. We lucked out with the approach of Hurricane Arthur since it didn't arrive here until the morning of the 4th. In the above image, as the skies darkened, the first random bursts of fireworks began and the bonfires were set ablaze.

There is no organized program that is followed - folks randomly set off whatever and whenever they want along the two mile long stretch of White Horse and Priscilla Beaches.

This year's tide was outgoing so the bonfires were able to rage before the incoming tide would douse them. Some years, the tide is high and packs everyone and their fireworks and bonfires onto the narrow  strip of sand above the water line.

Although the fireworks aren't controlled by the authorities, the bonfires are regulated by permit from the town. 

It was a very windy evening, but no rain fell - until the next day, when Hurricane Arthur passed by off shore..........

.....and the rain came down in buckets along with 30-40 knot winds.  This weather radar image above shows the deluge over southeastern New England. Torrential rains and strong winds were the hallmarks of this year's Independence Day.

There was so much rain that the town of Plymouth wisely postponed the annual parade and fireworks until the 12th. My backyard rain gauge recorded 6 inches of rain in about 24 hours! I mostly stayed inside and kept dry, wimp that I am.

Waterfront, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Summer has arrived in Plymouth - people sit on benches by the harbor eating ice cream and crowd on to the Town Pier to board boats for cruises, fishing, or whale watching.

Sailboats are back on their moorings in the harbor after spending the winter on land.

One of the two rowboats with the Mayflower II. This is how the Pilgrims shuttled back and forth between land and sea.

I find it difficult to get a really good picture of the Mayflower II because of the way it is docked so I contented myself with just trying to get something different. Maybe this qualifies.

Here's a more traditional view.

Priscilla Beach Theatre Restoration, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Back in May, this is what the Priscilla Beach Theatre looked like before the renovation work began in earnest.

The old ticket office, outside stairs, and main entrance were still in place.

The seats were still inside the theatre.

 By the end of June, it looked like this......much of the shingling and original siding has been removed.

The old ticket window and entrance have been removed from the main structure.

Many thousands of patrons passed under that Playhouse sign over the years.

Former window openings are visible after the siding was removed.

And inside, daylight leaks in through the cracks created by removing the outside shingles and siding.

This artwork/prop is left unscathed and still hanging on the wall.

Work continues otherwise on the entire campus.  The former actresses' dormitory is at right, the black box theatre at left, and the freshly landscaped and seeded yard in the foreground.

A new sign has been installed to commemorate the Black Box Theatre, named in honor of Geronimo Sands, Director Emeritus, and longtime creative force at Priscilla Beach Theatre.

New siding has been added to the ticket office and concession stand, and new decking, railings, and grass for the black box theatre.

The summer tent theatre in foreground with the partially de-shingled barn theatre in the background. Note the young actress under the tent at rehearsal.

A young girl crosses the grass heading back to the ongoing rehearsal under the tent. For more information about Priscilla Beach Theatre, try this link. Lots of great historical data and information about tickets and shows. Priscilla Beach Theatre isn't just for kids - adult casts and shows are held here, too - for example, "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom, is currently in rehearsal and will open July 11, with additional performances on July 12,13, 18, 19, and 20. We are so fortunate to enjoy live theatre in our community!

Barn Show, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The Barn Show Music Series continued its summer series on this beautiful evening in Manomet at the Holmes Farm on the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences property just off Manomet Point Road. The series is co-presented by Hayley Sabella and Brewster Productions and tonight featured performers Jake Hill, the Dead Ringers, and headline act the Mallett Brothers Band.

What a great activity to bring to Manomet - live music outdoors under the setting sun and into the early evening!  The stage doubles during the week as the farm stand. The Holmes Farm supports Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and offers memberships. "The Edible Yard and Holmes Farm operate the farm business on land owned by, and work collaboratively with, Manomet Center For Conservation Sciences. Manomet’s mission is to conserve natural resources for the benefit of wildlife and human populations. Through research and collaboration, Manomet builds science-based, cooperative solutions to environmental problems." (source: Holmes Farm website).

The events are held from 6pm to 9pm.  Music started just after 630pm.

Nothing quite like the joy of beautiful voices raised in song.

The concert series (promoter and performer Hayley Sabella pictured above) features original music from folk to country to rock. Bring a chair or blanket and settle in for some live music. They had a great sound system - high quality, no hisses, pops, or feedback - unlike what I remember in similar outdoor concerts 40 years ago in my youth. The series hosts a half dozen shows over the summer season. More at this link.

As shadows lengthen, the headliner act, the Mallett Brothers, prepare to take the stage.

The snack bar included such delights as the Canadian classic poutines, and, for the more healthy eaters, arugula chips, or snap peas with edamame hummus.

The music ended about 9pm, perhaps in deference to the surrounding neighbors. It was just a perfect evening and event.  A really nice vibe among all - promoters, performers, audience - just a perfect evening to be outdoors in New England, listening to live music as the sun sets on another beautiful day to be alive.

Summer Sunrise, Bartlett Pond, White Horse Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

A beautiful beginning to a New England summer and a nice way to start any day.