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Like too many longtime Plymouth residents, there is much about the town’s history that I haven’t taken the time to research. Sure, I might eke out a passing grade in a freshmen 101 class on those 1620 goings-on, but just barely. In my defense, I did write a 2011 column in praise of the symbolic importance of Plymouth Rock for the Boston Globe Sunday magazine, and six years ago I dashed off a Thanksgiving piece for the Globe’s Metro section on some of the town’s other historical highlights. They included connections to Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. You can read it here if I’ve stirred your curiosity.
But truthfully, all those long-ago visits to the Mayflower II and Plimoth Plantation (pre-name change) were mostly to keep my kids entertained. Back then, Plymouth residents could visit either for free. We could never get the interpreters to break character. (“Look, it’s a plane!”)
Obviously, Plymouth’s story is rich – and not without controversy. I’m grateful to the local historians, activists, museums, and other organizations that keep the past alive in ways that illuminate, engage, and make connections. Those include displays, readings, art, and events – like the one scheduled for this coming weekend (Oct. 12-13).
That leads me to the New Plimmoth Gard (yes, that’s the correct spelling), a group of historical reenactors who interpret the culture and militia of Plymouth Colony circa 1621-1646. The group is staging a reenactment at the Hedge House that promises fanfare and enlightenment.
“Our aim is to promote knowledge and understanding of early colonial society and the importance of military preparedness,” the group explains on its website. “We do this through historically accurate demonstrations of military and domestic arts of the early Plymouth Colony, for the education of the members and general public.”
For the upcoming reenactment, Gard members will represent individual colonists who arrived in 1621 and 1623 on ships that came after Mayflower.
“Many of the later arrivals were family members of the first comers or fellow Separatists who shared the Pilgrims religious beliefs,” the Gard says. “Others came just for economic opportunity. Each has their own story to tell, and you can hear those stories at our reenactment. Along with musket and pike drills, members will reenact some of the more dramatic moments early Plymouth – including ejecting a malcontent by running him through a gauntlet.”
I wonder, was there a casting call for malcontents? There would have been a line around the block.
The two-day event will also feature a sutler (a traveling merchant who sold goods to soldiers, I’m told), and live demonstrations by a blacksmith.
Reenactment hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, at 126 Water St. The event is free on both days.
And please, leave your musket at home.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
The Plymouth Library’s Tween Graphic Novel Club will hold an in-person meeting from 4:30 to 5:30 in the craft room. This month’s pick is “The Time Museum” by Matthew Loux. You can pick up the book at the main circulation desk. Please register in advance. The club is for readers ages 9 to 12. For more information, call 508-830-4250 x210.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
The Plymouth Garden Club presents guest speaker Mike Badia at 1p.m. at the Chiltonville Congregational Church 6 River St. Badia’s presentation is called “Orchids 101.” He’ll offer tips on the basics of orchid culture (especially phalaenopsis), including watering, fertilizing, light requirements, potting mixes, repotting and pests. Following the program, a traditional English Tea will be served. There’s a $5 guest fee, and “membership inquiries [are] always welcome,” the club says.
Thursday, Oct. 10
The Matt Nakoa Band will perform at the Spire, at 7:30 p.m. In a press release, Nakoa is described as “an internationally touring singer/songwriter, recently appearing at The White House, throughout India, and regularly with folk icon Tom Rush. Fun fact: He accepted studied as a vocalist at Berklee College of Music in Boston alongside two greats: St. Vincent and Esperanza Spalding. Tickets are $22.50 and $25 and you can buy them here.
Saturday, Oct. 12
New World Tavern, 56 Main St., presents Right Turn Clyde. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.
A weekend long reenactment presented by the New Plimmoth Gard take place today (and on Oct. 13) at the Hedge House, 126 Water St. See the lead item in this column for more details.
Sunday, Oct. 13
The New Plimmoth Gard continues at the Hedge House. See the lead item in this column for more details.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Plymouth Pride holds its monthly “Hump Day Beers with Queers” from 6 to 8 p.m. at Speedwell Tavern, 47 Main St. It’s a 21-plus LGBTQIA+ happy hour, with mocktail and non-alcoholic options available. (For those imbibing, Speedwell has an impressive rotating roster of draft beers.) The event is held on the third Wednesday of every month.
Thursday, Oct. 17
The latest performance in the Spire’s Lobby Series – set in the downtown venue’s 70-seat lounge area – will feature Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter Sam Luke Chase. He self-produces his albums, performing all the music himself in a spare bedroom at his house on the South Shore. Chase was nominated for Male Performer of The Year at this year’s New England Music Awards. Presented by The Antonia and Vladimir Kulaev Cultural Heritage Fund, the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and you can buy them here.
Friday, Oct. 18
Blues guitarist Ronnie Earl – with his band, The Broadcasters – will be at the Spire. Among other honors, he’s won the Blues Music Award for Guitar Player of the Year four times (most recently in 2018). He has also served as an associate professor of guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2022, he released his 14th album, “Mercy Me.” The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $43.20 and $48, and you can buy them here.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Moondance – Tribute to Van Morrison will interpret the music of the legendary “Belfast Cowboy” at the Spire on Court Street. Expect many of his classics, and maybe a deep cut or two (we suggest something like “Bulbs” from “Veedon Fleece.”) We’re betting that the singer won’t display any of Van’s sometimes-cranky behavior but will highlight many of his wonderfully eccentric vocal phrasings. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 and you can get them here.
Memorial Hall, 83 Court St., will be turned into a Halloween set for Jeff Cohen’s 28th annual Halloween benefit. Organizers promise “an amazing night of costumes, cash prizes, dancing, auctions, light fare, aerialists, and many other surprises throughout the evening.” There’s also a $1,000 cash prize for best costume. The benefit starts at 7 p.m. and ends during the witching hour, at 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $60 for general admission and $90 for the VIP treatment. You can buy them here.