In recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess, Cotuit Center for the Arts will present Porgy & Bess: Music & Stories, four staged concerts featuring selected arias and ensemble pieces from the famous folk opera. This will be the premier performance of this show on Cape Cod with unique arranging and staging. There will also be a two piano arrangement with Robert Wyatt and Jared McMurray which will punctuate the individual performances. Throughout the evening, Dr. Wyatt will also present information focusing on the historical and cultural significance of the opera. Some of the featured arias include: I Got Plenty, Summertime, It Ain’t Necessarily So, and Bess You Is My Woman. Porgy & Bess, an “American folk opera,” opened in New York City’s Alvin Theatre on October 10, 1935. George Gershwin, his brother Ira and co-librettists and lyricists DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, crafted an intense musical drama that ultimately spawned a furious debate about authenticity, musical style and form, racial prejudice and national identity. The music and lyrics have survived more that 70 years and the work’s stature is unsurpassed in the American operatic repertoire. Each performance of Porgy & Bess: Music & Stories will be preceded by a lecture given by Professor Morgan James “Mwalim” Peters, who is cast as Sportin’ Life in the show, entitled ‘It Ain't Necessarily So:’ the legacy of white fantasies, the Black experience, and the importance of Black Theater. The lecture is offered one hour prior to showtime. Audiences are invited to participate in a question and answer session with the entire cast following each performance. Performances are on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 pm, Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm.

More Information: Group Discounts available for 10 or more

Rehearsals begin for the Spring 2010 season! The Spring 2010 season begins Thursday March 11 and continues through the Memorial Day ceremonies in Falmouth and our June concerts. Theme: music by American composers sung in traditional four-part (TTBB) harmonies. New and returning members welcomed! Place: Morse Pond School, 323 Jones Road, Falmouth

The Pegheads, "Rhode Island's Bluegrass Supergroup," plays a benefit for the Union for Reform Judaism's Haiti Relief Fund, which distributes funds to numerous and various organizations helping in Haiti.The Pegheads draw on a wide repertoire of bluegrass standards, obscure and familiar mountain tunes, laments, and traditional songs, presenting them all with the stunning instrumental skill and tight vocal harmonies that make bluegrass what it is.

Ms. Pettibone has been teaching art at the Cape Cod Conservatory in West Barnstable to the delight of all our families for many years. We are excited to annouce that this spring, Ms. Pettibone is offering fun & creative art classes for children at our Falmouth campus as well. Ms. Pettibone designs her art classes for young people to have enough structure to assure accomplishment and enough freedom to allow for individual expression. She believes early art education builds life-long learning skills, such as critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Please visit our website for full details. Dates, times, and rates vary.

Cape favorites John Murelle, baritone and Chris Morris, piano, present "Please Don't Monkey with Broadway! John Murelle Sings from the Great American Song Book." The concert highlights great American composers Jerome Kern, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, The Gershwin Brothers and Irving Berlin. This is a concert for anyone who loves this music. Please join us for a reception with the artists following the performance.

Cape Codders of all ages and faith backgrounds are invited to join the Falmouth Jewish Congregation in this Jewish Passover seder. More than a meal, the seder is a retelling of Jewish history through song, story, music and food, drawing from both tradition and innovation. RSVP by March 23. The seder will take place at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth.

More Information: Please note: The seder will take place at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth and will last from 6:00 - 9:30 P.M. Forms and information are available on the FJC website.