I leave on the 2PM high speed Provincetown ferry but will be blogging and tweeting from this tiny town at the tip of the Cape through the weekend. If you happen to celebrate July 4th, have a wonderful and safe Independence Day.
The Fourth of July celebrations have already started in Provincetown, but things really start to heat up over the next few days.
Will I see you at the Andrew Christian fashion show or dancing at night at Paramount? Let me know if you are in Provincetown this week and where you will be going and certainly say hello if you see me out and about. Sergio and I arrive on Wednesday afternoon, July 3rd.
FYI – You can still purchase Crown & Anchor party passes here.
This week’s Flashback Friday post is courtesy of The Boston Globe archives and shows Commercial Street in Provincetown in 1979.
Want to see more? The Boston Globe recently posted a collection of vintage images of Cape Cod here.
One week from today, I will head down to Provincetown for the first time this year. Aside from Boston, there is no place I feel more at home and more myself than Ptown. Never visited Provincetown over the 4th of July holiday? A couple years ago I posted this video of what you can expect.
Well Strung will perform at the Art House in Provincetown June 30 – Sept 7th
One of the things I love about Provincetown is this little seaside village offers more nightly live performances than some major cities in the United States. Should you plan a trip to Ptown do yourself a favor and check out one of the many live performances that takes place every night.
What makes this all the more special is that these are not traveling productions of Broadway Shows you can see when they come through your hometown. These are shows that are geared to the overwhelmingly gay audience that comes to support the local arts scene ranging from drag queens like Varla Jean Merman to cabaret at the Post Office.
Some shows are performed only one night a week, like The Gold Dust Orphans, Pornocchio, performed every Tuesday at 8PM at The Provincetown Theatre. Others have shows multiple nights a week like Miss Richfield 1981 who performs at The Crown & Anchor. Then there are those special performances that take place just a couple nights in the summer like Tony Award Winner, Sutton Foster, who will perform at the Art House, for three shows only during 4th of July Week.
If you have any questions about performers or shows in Provincetown, feel free to shoot me an email. I’ll do my best to provide you with suggestions.
UPDATE: BHC’s GroupOn is now sold out – Hope you got your tix
This morning Boston Harbor Cruises released their annual GroupOn deal that provides real savings for anyone looking to purchase a round trip high speed ferry ticket. The deal doesn’t last long and each account may only purchase three round trip tickets so get’em while they last.
www.GroupOn.com (search by Boston Harbor Cruises in Boston)
With the month of June just weeks away, I cannot help but think about summer and that got me to thinking about –where else?– but Provincetown.
Last summer a number of readers emailed me with questions about Ptown so I thought I’d write a post to include some of the information I was most often asked. Email at BosGuymail@gmail.com if you have any other questions.
I think Provincetown is a great destination nearly year round, but most travelers visit during the most popular theme weeks in the summer months. For a more complete listing of events and theme weeks this summer link here.
International Film Festival presents an array of narrative features, documentaries and short films. This year’s festival runs from June 19-23rd. Independence Week possibly the busiest week of the year in Provincetown so make your reservations ASAP – July 1-7th. Bear Week one of the most popular weeks to visit, this year the week has been pushed back and runs from July 13-21st. Carnival is a week long celebration from August 18-24th with the parade scheduled for Thursday, August 22nd. This year’s theme is “Viva Las Vegas”.Driving is a popular but stressful way to get to Provincetown. Without traffic, travel time from Boston is approximately 2+ hours, but traffic remains a constant in the summer and can sometimes take 3+ hours.
One may also fly from Boston’s Logan Airport to Provincetown on Cape Air in less than 30 minutes. However, my preferred mode of travel between Boston and Provincetown is the ferry service provided by BHC and Bay State. Note that both companies have different arrival / departure times.
Boston Harbor Cruises (BHC) $85 Round Trip – more information here. Bay State Cruise Company $85 Round Trip – more information here.Provincetown has an incredibly diverse number of lodging options for such a tiny town. Many people will rent houses and apartments which typically run from Saturday to Saturday. However, there is a long list of Bed & Breakfasts, small inns and camp grounds that cater to all price ranges. Ptown’s Chamber of Commerce has a listing of many (but not all) options here.
Feel free to shoot me an email at BosGuymail@gmail.com if you are planning a trip to Provincetown and have questions. I’ll be happy to do my best to answer any questions as you plan your trip to one of my favorite destinations.
The Provincetown Business Guild has released this promo to remind everyone the theme for Carnival Week in Ptown (August 18 – 24) will be Viva Las Vegas.
Do you plan on attending Carnival in Provincetown this year?
I’ve included a video my friend Olivier made from the 2012 Carnival Parade to help get you in the mood. I predict a lot of Cher impersonators and some rather interesting show girls will be parading down Commercial Street.
Since the season officially closed last year there have been a number of changes regarding restaurants and dining options in Provincetown. I’ll continue to update what I hear is happening as I learn more.
Probably the biggest surprise for me was to learn that Frappo’s at the Art House is no more. Replacing the popular eatery will be Blondies Burger. Blondies previous location on Commercial Street will remain but undergo changes that include upgrading the menu.
Look for big changes at Tip for Tops’n on Bradford Street. The restaurant is now being operated by Chef Melissa Ettlinger from the East End restaurant, Devon’s.
Tip for Tops’n had previously been a relatively cheap eats, but one would surmise that under Ettlinger’s direction the new menu will more likely mimic the modern American cuisine that is her signature – time will tell.
Lastly, Lorraine’s, which started in the East End but has resided on Commercial Street in the West End for years is now looking for new space. It appears that a wine bar will go into the space and be operated by the owner of The Squealing Pig and the former owner of the now defunct Joon Bar (above Vixen). They are currently seeking permits from the city so nothing is confirmed.
Last week Bay Windows ran an article featuring Provincetown’s calendar of events for 2013. I thought it worth sharing as many of you may still be making summer plans to visit Provincetown. Theme weeks this summer that may be of interest include:
For a complete listing read the Bay Windows‘ article. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about Provincetown. If you are traveling from afar and will need overnight accommodations here in Boston either before or after your stay in Ptown, I’m happy to play the role of concierge and make suggestions regarding lodging, dining, night life and transportation.
It may be chilly in Boston right now, but The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown is hoping to warm you up with news about this summer’s Independence Week celebration in Ptown. You can access their site here.
If travel plans this summer will bring you up to Boston / Provincetown, feel free to reach out and let me know. I’m more than happy to make suggestions on specific properties, bars and restaurants.
If you’ve never been to Ptown during the 4th of July celebration, feel free to peruse my photos from last year Photos from Ptown: 4th of July and 4th of July Party Photos.
FYI – Bear Week in Ptown has moved and will be July 13-21st this year.
4th of July: Tea Dance at The Boatslip
It might be cold and blustery here in New England, but yesterday I spoke to my friend in Provincetown and confirmed reservations that will bring me back for 4th of July and Carnival Week in 2013.
Will you be planning any visits to Provincetown in 2013? I’m happy to offer tips or suggestions for first timers and happy to meet for a drink at Tea Dance or elsewhere should we be in Ptown at the same time.
I’m not exactly sure what the heck I was saying / doing when Richard photographed my reflection in the sun glasses tightly tucked in the shirt of someone standing across from me. Apparently what happens in Provincetown doesn’t always stay in Provincetown.
In my defense, this was at Tea Dance a few weeks ago and I may have had one or two of the Boatslip’s Planter’s Punch cocktails.
This past Saturday I was an invited guest of MassEquality to come and enjoy food and drink from 30 Cape Cod restaurants. The fact the event ran so smoothly and was so enjoyable is credit to the Host Committee.
The crowd delighted in the cooking competition, which pitched two chefs in a head-to-head showdown. Your’s truly was one of three judges who sampled the lobster plate that was created. The entire evening was great fun. I’d strongly suggest putting on your calendar for 2013.
Here is a photograph of me with Taylor on Saturday night in Provincetown. This is what we would look like if either of us could grow a mustache. After donning the faux-stache I had an overwhelming desire to speak with a Spanish accent and order a bottle of rioja.
BosGuy 