HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: HIDDEN HISTORY OF CAPE COD
When Tales of Cape Cod launched its oral history project way back in 1949, it became one of the first preservation groups of its kind in the country. Beginning in the early 1970s, the group began presenting its popular summer lecture series. This week historian Theresa Mitchell Barbo will deliver tales from her recent book, “Hidden History of Cape Cod,’’ from the daring Coast Guard rescue that went all but unnoticed for 50 years to the reason Cape Codders call their lunch hour “the noontime dinner.’’
7 p.m. $5-7. Olde Colonial Courthouse, 3046 Main St., Barnstable. http://www.talesofcapecod.org/
“HAIRSPRAY’’
Who among us has not wanted to dance, just once, on “The Corny Collins Show’’? That’s the premise of “Hairspray,’’ the John Waters lark based on his own Baltimore upbringing in the early 1960s. After Tracy Turnblad earns a chance to appear on Corny’s local show, she campaigns to integrate it. On Broadway, this musical-with-a-conscience won eight Tony Awards. Now it’s at the Cape Rep Theatre, through Sept. 3.
7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday (2 p.m. matinees August 14, 21, 28). $35. 3299 Rte. 6A, Brewster. http://www.caperep.org/
THE MOTH
This will be the fifth year the Moth’s flagship storytelling show has touched down on the Vineyard. Founded in 1997 by the poet George Dawes Green, who wanted to re-create the magic of homespun storytelling nights in his native Georgia (where moths were attracted to the porch lights), the Moth has grown into a cottage industry, with open mic competitions, an award-winning podcast, and more.
7:30 p.m. $40. Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center, 100 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd., Oak Bluffs. http://MVConcertSeries.com
THE EMERSON PLAYS TWO RUSSIAN GREATS
Named for the American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Emerson String Quartet was founded in 1976 and inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2010. The players — violinists Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer, violist Lawrence Dutton, and cellist Paul Watkins — take part in the acclaimed Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival with a program including works by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky.
7:30 p.m. $55-125 (students $15, under 18 free). Congregational Church, 200 Main St., Wellfleet. http://www.capecodchambermusic.org/concerts/
LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND
The Texas songwriter Lyle Lovett can perform in an intimate setting with the best of them; he was among the singers who gathered to pay tribute to the late Guy Clark when that great songwriter passed away earlier this year. But Lovett also regularly convenes his Large Band, an ensemble that spans swing, jazz, folk, blues and more. He’s careful to note that it’s not technically a “big’’ band — “we don’t really play big band music’’ — which is why he named his most recent album with the group “It’s Not Big, It’s Large.’’
8 p.m. $36.50-64.50. Cape Cod Melody Tent, 21 West Main St., Hyannis. www.melodytent.org
