Let’s head out on a Backyard Road Trip to find the best cultural events happening in Plymouth this late autumn and early winter. We’ll begin at the Plymouth Arts Center, discovering what programs and events are on tap this season. Next, we’ll drop by to hear the venerable Pilgrim Festival Chorus as they prepare for their holiday concert. Finally, we will check in with the Plymouth Philharmonic to find out what performances are on the horizon. Attending all of these events sure does work up an appetite, so we’ll round out our Backyard Road Trip dining at one of our favorite restaurants in town, Cork and Table. For this Backyard Road Trip, we’re traveling with our friends at See Plymouth.
Plymouth Center for the Arts
The Plymouth Center for the Arts keeps getting better and better! The arts center is a cultural hub in town, and one that many people do not know about, even though the guild that began the center started as a tent show in Brewster Gardens 55 years ago! It moved to its current location in 2008, at the former Russell Library on North Street. Eventually, it expanded into the Linden House next door. Now the complex is a two-story collection of galleries downstairs with additional exhibit space and private studios on the second floor. There is even an outdoor sculpture garden for the public to enjoy.
They hold three member shows a year, as well as the annual juried art show and the student art show. The arts center has so much more going on, though, from author events to musical performances to Art in Bloom, in which floral arrangements are displayed with inspiration from certain art pieces. There is no charge to visit the arts center, and it is open from Wednesday through Saturday from 10 to 4 and on Sundays from 1 to 4.
Upcoming Events
In the coming months, the center has many superb events planned. These include:
Saturday, November 1st, 10 AM – 4 PM – Artisan Fair for the Holidays – inside the Russell Gallery. It’s a great way to jumpstart your holiday shopping and support local businesses at the same time! The event will feature artists and artisans of all kinds, showcasing their wares from pottery to jewelry to soap, all available for purchase.
Sunday, November 9th, 1:30 PM– Poetry: the Art of Words – Poets Martha McCollough and Richard Hoffman are this month’s guest speakers for this biannual event of poetry reading.
Friday, December 19th and Saturday, December 20th, 5:30-7 PM – All Aboard the Polar Express!- Join the conductor from the beloved children’s classic The Polar Express as he reads aloud this tale of holiday magic. Before the reading, write a letter to Santa, make a holiday ornament, and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Admission is $15, and festive PJs are encouraged!
Upcoming Gallery Exhibits:
Young @ Art (artists ages 6 – 18) – through 11/16
Perspectives in Art- Member Show- through 12/24.
Pilgrim Festival Chorus
Pilgrim Festival Chorus is the South Shore’s premier community chorus and is the only large chorus in town. The group is returning to the Church of the Pilgrimage in Town Square this year after calling St. Bonaventure Parish in Manomet home for nine years. The Chorus was founded 26 years ago in 1999. Its members are culled from 20 South Shore towns. For the first decade of the group’s existence, it had a close partnership with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, singing in their Holiday Pops concerts until 2011. The best-known event of their calendar year is their series of holiday concerts. This year it occurs on the weekend of December 6th and 7th.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, December 6th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 7th at 3:00 and 6:00 PM. Rejoice! Festive Music For the Festive Season. This seasonal celebration of song will feature well-known and lesser-known carols to ring in the holiday season.
Friday, December 19th at 7:30 PM – Celebrate! Messiah and Carol Sing. This collaborative event will take place at the First Congregational Church in Middleborough.
Plymouth Philharmonic
The Plymouth Philharmonic has been an institution in America’s Hometown since 1913. The orchestra was the vision of Kingston violin teacher G. Herbert Clarke. Colloquially known as “The Phil,” the Philharmonic is known for its season of orchestral favorites and pops performances, which has been under the tutelage of conductor Steven Karidoyanes for the last 32 years. A highlight for many is The Phil’s annual holiday concert that takes place in mid-December. They call Memorial Hall in Plymouth their home, with a few shows held at the Plymouth South High School Performing Arts Center.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, November 8th at 7:30 PM “Come to the Party”- this concert features Ann Howarth on horn with pieces from Bartok, Beethoven, and Mozart, making this fiesta one for the ages. This event is located at Plymouth South High School.
Friday, November 21st at 7 PM- “Hooray for Hollywood”– what better way to kick off Plymouth’s Thanksgiving weekend celebration than with a performance from the Phil. This show features renowned vocalist Jacyn Tremblay with a musical trip through Tinseltown, featuring pieces from such films as Back to the Future, The Sound of Music, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Saturday, December 13th at 3 and 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 14th at 1 and 5 PM- “Hometown Holiday.” There’s no seasonal event in Plymouth quite like the Phil’s annual Hometown Holiday featuring all of your favorite seasonal favorites. This year, the orchestra pays tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas as the beloved holiday TV special is turning 60! Kristen Watson joins the orchestra as guest soprano.
Other Events
Friday, December 7th- Plymouth Tree Lighting, Light the Night, and Holiday Stroll
In addition to the annual Christmas tree lighting in front of town hall, a few other events coincide with the celebration this year. Along with the tree lighting, you’ll hear caroling and enjoy a visit from Santa, as Court Street becomes pedestrian-only. On the same night, the Light the Night event is happening at Brewster Gardens. For the past few years, the gardens have been transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, with the park being lit on the same evening as the tree lighting. In addition, the town’s stores will be open for business, holding a holiday stroll through the downtown area.
Dining
Cork and Table
Attending all of these cultural activities sure can work up an appetite. Good thing that Plymouth is home to an excellent and diverse selection of restaurants. One of my favorites is Cork and Table. Cork and Table serves upscale American cuisine with a southern influence. During the autumn and early winter, look for seasonal cocktails such as homemade Bailey’s and cookies, and the Great Pumpkin cocktail. Always on the menu is the truly delicious she crab soup. The restaurant is also known for its extensive wine selection from both this country and abroad.
Other Dining Options
Make a night of it, whether you’re dining at Cork and Table or any of the other fine restaurants in town such as Speedwell Tavern, Black Raspberry Pub or Uva Wine Bar. Check the Facebook page of Plymouth Festival Chorus for updates regarding restaurant dining discounts in conjunction with attending a show.
There is so much happening in America’s Hometown this holiday season that you will not want to miss. From gallery openings to concerts, cookies and cocoa to specialty cocktails, Plymouth is the place to be during the late autumn and early winter. For an extensive list of all that Plymouth and the surrounding region have to offer, make sure to check the listings at See Plymouth. And make sure to look out for more Backyard Road Trips!
