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How do you know “the season” has
officially begun? Because it’s Memorial Day Weekend? No. Because the shops and
restaurants are opening up? No. You know the season has officially begun because
the parking meters go on May 1. If you see a
But let’s move on to more pleasant topics. Cape May is coming alive (Those 90 degree temperatures last weekend helped to move things along at a much faster pace.) and we have a plethora of things for you to do, in addition to sunbathing, biking, and walking on the beach. If you are a golfer, the 17th Annual Frank Bogle, Sr. Classic Golf Tournament is Monday May 4 at Avalon Golf and Country Club. There’s still a little time to sign up. For further information or questions please call Joe Bogle at 884-8814.
If you are a birder, boy are you
in for at double treat. The 26th Annual World Series of Birding takes
place Saturday, May 9. The WSB (as we insiders call it) is North America’s
premiere conservation event. This event has changed the birding
The following week (May 15-May 17) is Cape May Spring Weekend, sponsored by the Cape May Bird Observatory. Congregate where the Birds Migrate and join the New Jersey Audubon in celebrating spring at the “migration mainline.” With three days of field trips, boat trips, workshops, and programs for the beginner to the seasoned naturalist – there is something for everyone.
One of Cape
May’s highlights each year is the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts’ (MAC)
20th
Annual Cape May Music Festival runs from May 17 to June 11,
The season
opens May 17 with Gregory Grene's Acoustic Mix of traditional Irish Music at the
Paul W. Schmidtchen Theatre at the Lower Cape May Regional High School.
Remember? Convention Hall is STILL closed. Gregory Grene grew up between Cavan,
Ireland and Chicago, and is the leader and founding member of the Prodigals. His
acoustic music has traditional Irish
Tuesday, May
19 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent at Washington and Franklin streets, the
New York Chamber Ensemble will offer up The Jazz Element: “Jazzing up the
Classics” with Ted Rosenthal on piano. The very popular Atlantic Brass Band
returns Sunday, May 24 to the Paul W. Schmidtchen Theatre, Lower Cape May
Regional High School. Long a favorite with Cape May
On Tuesday, May 26, concert goers return to the Episcopal Church of the Advent where the New York Chamber Ensemble will play a selection from Hayden. The theme of the concert is Sun and Clouds and will feature Hayden’s “Sun” Quartet in F Minor to Brahms’ autumnal masterpiece, the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B Minor, which we bring back to Cape May after a long absence. On Thursday,
May 28 the concert series shifts over to First Presbyterian Church of Cape May
on Decatur Street. The Bay-Atlantic Symphony's concert theme is
The month wraps up Sunday, May 31 at the Paul W. Schmidtchen Theatre at Lower Cape May Regional High School with the immensely popular Klezmer band, Fabulous Shpielkehs. Elaine Hoffman Watts is the Jewish grandmother you’ve always wished you had. Winner of the 2007 National Endowment of the Arts award for Klezmer drumming, this 3rd-generation batteur, along with her daughter Susan Watts, 4th-generation Klezmer trumpeter and vocalist, heads up this exciting crew of Klezmer greats. Fun and evocative - a fabulous slice of real-life Klezmer! For information or to reserve tickets visit the website at www.capemaymac.org or call (609)-884-5404 or (800)-275-4278. Mother’s Day is May 10. In addition to taking Mom out to brunch or dinner at your favorite Cape May restaurant (check CapeMay.com’s Restaurant Hours & Openings), you might consider doing something different. Morey’s Piers in Wildwood is hosting Mother’s Day: Mariner’s and Surfside Piers. Visit www.moreyspiers.com for more information. And if it’s
shopping you love and shopping with a bargain theme, have we got the event for
you. The semi-annual
Washington Street Mall Sidewalk Sale Thursday May 14
through
Looking for antiques? MAC is sponsoring an Antiques and Craft Show at the Emlen Physick Estate on 1048 Washington Street, Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find one-of-a-kind gifts, vintage items and unique collectibles at the Spring Festival Antiques and Collectibles Show. The grounds of Cape May's only Victorian house museum are transformed into an open-air marketplace featuring some of the region's best antiques dealers. Some of the vendors at the show include De Ja Vous selling Roseville, carnival glass, bisque dolls, old toys and silver items, Sharon Houston selling glassware, 50-60's kitchen items, small furniture, vintage jewelry, lamps and primitives, Delectable Collectibles selling vintage, estate, and antique jewelry, artwork, and vintage furniture, and Barefoot Angel Candles selling all natural, hand-poured soy candles and gifts and birdhouses made from gourds. Free admission to the Estate grounds. Food will be available for purchase. A really, really nice weekend in Cape May
would not be complete with trying a Cape May Wine
Weekend. This month’s Sunday Wine School Class takes places on
May 3 – Riesling - the
Other White Wine. Triple your enjoyment by packaging together a
Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour &
Tasting and Wine School Class for a weekend May 1-3) of total indulgence.
The four-course Wine Tasting Dinners will be held on Friday evenings at the
Washington Inn and will be themed to the wines presented at the Sunday Wine
School Class. Seating is at your convenience and guests will be treated to
individual attention by the wine steward.
In the world
of art SOMA NewArt Gallery’s current exhibition, Cape May – Two Views,
featuring the oil paintings of David Clemans, River Run to the Sea, and
the art of Marc Shenfield (pictured above), Cape May in Detail, ends May 3. Coming
in will be Collage Exhibition - May 9th to June 14th
featuring the unique work of Harriett Sosson (pictured right), Random Odyssey, and
watercolor artist Jim Seibert, Confessions, Obsessions and Indiscretions.
The gallery
The work of photographer Tina Giaimo as well as Janet Payne and Friend will be on display at the Mad Batter Restaurant on Jackson Street until May 27. The opening reception is Sunday, May 3 from 3-4:30 p.m. For a really fun thing to do which the whole family will enjoy, take an Around Cape Island Boat Tour being offered Saturday and Sunday May 2-3, leaving at 10 a.m. Board the Cape May Whale Watcher for a two-hour tour. That’s right - a two hour tour- Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip, That started from this tropic port, Aboard this tiny Ship. Ah did but we digress.
Well, if that isn’t enough to keep you busy, we suggest you put on your walkin’ shoes, biking shorts, or bathing suit and get on down to the beach. Until next month, Happy Sightseeing. |
funny looking thing at the end or
middle of the block on the streets near the Washington Street Mall, know this –
the free ride is over and you must pay. Look for the appropriate number in front
of your parking space and slide that credit card through.
If you love
fishing and boating, the 8th Annual South Jersey Marina Spring
Striper Tournament is being held Friday, May 8 through Saturday May 9. A new
offering this year is the Strictly Jersey Boat Show which runs through Friday,
May 1 through Sunday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Strictly Jersey is
definitely a new and different kind of boat show” according to marketing
director Bob Glover. “This is a completely new approach designed to cater to
those boaters who are already involved and invested in their passion. It will
give those customers a special place to view new products in a more personable,
relaxed and less crowded venue. General admission is $15.
landscape and
raised over $8 million for bird conservation. Every species found, every dollar
raised preserves and protects critical bird habitat. The 24-hour challenge
begins at midnight May 9 and ends at 11:59 p.m. and received a lot of national
publicity lately including coverage in
If, however,
your taste runs to the more athletic, the 30th Annual Great
Footrace (10k and 5k) takes place Sunday, June 14. Registration is at 8 a.m.
near Convention Hall (which, yes, is STILL condemned – GROAN) on Beach Avenue.
The race begins at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Cape May Chamber of
Commerce. For more information
and offers another
season of sweet sounds by the sea. From the classical to the classic, the 20th
anniversary Cape May Music Festival offers a feast for every musical taste —
orchestra, chamber, world traditions, beloved classics and even a few intriguing
new sounds. The Bay-Atlantic Symphony returns as the orchestra-in-residence,
under the baton of principal conductor Jed Gaylin. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
And, what better place for an elegant and intimate musical experience than the
Carriage House Tearoom and Café? Try a Bach's Lunch to round out your Music
Festival experience! 
melodic roots and influences ranging from
jazz to Cajun. “... his original songs stay true to the style and tone of old,
yet speak to modern life, in some of the most well-crafted and poetic verses I
have seen.” - Punchline20th Annual Gregory Grene grew up between
Cavan, Ireland and Chicago, and is the leader and founding member of the
Prodigals. His acoustic music has traditional Irish melodic roots and influences
ranging from jazz to Cajun. “... his original songs stay true to the style and
tone of old, yet speak to modern life, in some of the most well-crafted and
poetic verses I have seen.” – Punchline.
audiences, the 35-piece
Atlantic Brass Band returns for a rousing concert of American music, a perfect
celebration for Memorial Day Weekend!
"Maritime
Mistral," featuring Dvorak: Serenade, op. 44. in D minor and Mozart:
Serenade No. 10 K. 361 in Bb (Gran Partita) under the direction of Jed Gaylin,
principal conductor.
Sunday May 17 is a “don’t miss.” You can get those off-season bargains
and sneak peak of what’s new for the summer season. 
Enjoy a guided tour and tasting at the
award-winning Cape May Winery on Saturday and a Wine School Class on Sunday
afternoon to complete your experience. Call 609-884-5404 or
800-275-4278 for more information or visit
is located on Perry Street in Carpenters Square Mall. Hours are 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. with an Opening Night Artist Reception Saturday evening, May 9th,
6:00-9:00 p.m. 
The two-hour,
narrated, sightseeing cruise around the island of Cape May explores the Cape May
Canal, the Delaware Bay, Cape May Harbor, and the Victorian oceanfront of Cape
May. Tickets are $25 adults and $18 children (ages 3-12). Purchase tickets in
advance at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth or the Hill House office
at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. For information call or
reservations call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.