Cape Cod Circles

Subject: Cape Cod Circles
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 12:51 PM

We occasionally drive up to Cape Cod, Massachusetts (USA) to visit relatives, especially my husband's mother who is in a nursing home, and we always bring instruments to do a little music for the Alzheimer's unit where she lives. It would be nice to hook up with some pickers to get together for a few songs, or to join an existing song circle or bluegrass jam.

We discovered an Irish pub in Falmouth that has occasional live music, but haven't hit it right yet. There are also supposedly some regular monthly jams, but I have no contact information.

Any leads?

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: dwditty
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 02:51 PM

Hi Barbara - Check your messages. dw

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 15 Aug 00 - 08:34 PM

Hi Barbara. there's an Inn (maybe called the Old Inn at W. Dennis?) on Rt. 28 in West Dennis just to the east of the center of town. I believe they havee a session going on o Sunday afternoons, butnot sure.
Hi dw, if you have any other info could you post it along I get down that way a bt to visit my folks too. Thanks Barry

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: Night Owl
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:08 AM

Barbara.."Captain Kidd" in Woods Hole was also doing Irish sessions on Tues. nights. (Located just over the drawbridge in the center of town). I'll try to double check the Dennis and Woods Hole sessions for schedules this weekend..they may have changed for the summer.

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: GUEST,Weezie
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 06:41 AM

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: GUEST,Weezie
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 06:46 AM

Barbara,

Some of the best spots are the coffee houses here on Cape Cod. You might give a call to The Prodigal Son on Ocean Street in Hyannis. I know they have "open mic" nights and could probably steer you in other jammin' and pickin' directions, too. Their # is 508 771-1337. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: dwditty
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 09:57 AM

There is a Thursday night jam in Chatham from 9-12(or so). It rotates from house to house each week and has been going on every week since 1986 with only 2 misses (weather). Last week there were 6 guitars, 2 banjos, 1 mandolin, 2 fiddles, 1 electric bass, 1 conga drum, 1 chickenshake, 1 dobro. Lots of bluegrass with some country/folk thrown in. This info is from a friend who plays in this group. PM me if interested in making contact.

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: dwditty
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 10:18 AM

Also, the Sou'wester in Chatham has great music. Call ahead.

dw

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 16 Aug 00 - 01:10 PM

Thanks, everyone. That Thursday night jam sounds like it's right up our alley, and I'd like to find out more about that for future longer visits. In fact, we have a slew of relatives in Chatham and have spent the occasional week there. (What a gorgeous little town, and the town band and the ice cream parlor are pretty good, too!)

Right now, we're thinking about a day trip on a Sunday, so the inn in West Dennis could be just right, if we can find it.

We'd have to only listen at an Irish session, because neither of us knows enough Irish tunes to join in, but it would still be enjoyable.

Wish I'd thought of starting this thread a couple of years ago. Good leads. Keep 'em coming.

Subject: RE: Cape Cod Circles
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 07:41 AM

Well, we spent the day on the Cape yesterday (Sunday) and had a great time.

The Olde Inn in West Dennis (348 Main Street) is a nice looking pub and restaurant, and it was indeed set up for a traditional Irish session. Lots of dark, polished wooden tables, great posters and a nice, airy atmosphere. And then there was a circle of chairs and instrument stands around a large footlocker, all of this right in the middle of the dining room (which also has a big piano).

Unfortunately, the session was at 8:30 p.m. and it was only 4 in the afternoon when we stopped by. (Gave the guy in the kitchen a scare when he found 2 strangers wandering through what he thought was a locked restaurant!) The session runs every Sunday night, Barry. If we're ever there again on a Sunday night, we'll go back for sure. Thanks for the tip!

All the other music events that looked interesting (concert followed by open mic at the Prodigal Son, Cape Cod Fiddlers, etc) were too late in the day for us. Have to stay overnight next time.

Found a great link for music events on the Cape:

Cape Cod Music Events