Supporting the Arts on First Night Chatham

New for First Night Chatham 2025

Preliminary Schedule subject to change

Brown Dog Band
 
Brown Dog Band
A cast of Cape Cod characters with hundreds of years of experience playing Country, Western, and Blues.
The Brown Dog Band consists of a cast of Cape Cod characters who collectively comprise hundreds of years experience playing Country, Western and Blues styles of music. Gathered together by drummer Dave Brown in 2023, the Band has released two albums of songs that range from old time blues to modern country. This year's performance will feature selections from the two albums with phenomenal vocalist Leslie Gage backed by Jerry Doherty, Don Barry, Sam Gutter, and Michael Paolucci. Special guest will be local Chatham banjo master, Marvin Dolinger.
St. Martin's Lodge at  1:00 PM
 
Cape Cod & Chatham Trivia, with Bill & Tilda Bystrom and Peter Gaines
 
Cape Cod & Chatham Trivia, with Bill & Tilda Bystrom and Peter Gaines
Trivia featuring knowledge about Cape Cod, Chatham, the holiday season, and some 'Name That Tune' extras.
Hosted by Bill and Tilda Bystrom with musical assistance from Peter Gaines, this event will give Cape Codders and Cape & Chatham want-to-be's an opportunity to show off their knowledge of Cape Cod and Chatham, with the focus on the local community and Cape Cod in general.. It will also include trivia about the holiday season, and feature Peter Gaines doing “name that tune “on the piano.

This trivia event will consist of two 1/2 hour trivia sessions,with different questions for each session. People may participate in both sessions or only one depending on upon their preference. Prizes will be given out randomly so everyone has a chance to win. This is a family friendly event, already popular at Chatham Bars Inn, and now coming to First Night Chatham.
Community Center 2nd Floor at  7:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Classic Jazz Visions
 
Classic Jazz Visions
A unique, multi-media event that celebrates the friendship between jazz photographer Jack Bradley and Louis Armstrong.
A unique, multi-media event that celebrates the friendship between jazz photographer Jack Bradley and Louis Armstrong. A non-stop blend of photo exhibition, music, and storytelling. Experience the life, the musical history and legacy, the very essence of THE greatest icon of American Jazz, “Pops,” “Satchmo,” “Louis” Armstrong in a truly multi-dimensional immersive experience that combines over 600 rare images taken by Bradley of Armstrong and many others, with music by the Classic Jazz & Swing Orchestra.
Cape Cod native Jack Bradley, lauded by none other than Louis Armstrong as “The Greatest Photo Taker” – a man Armstrong himself often called, “my son”, amassed thousands of candid images of the man that many credit with being the “father of jazz” as we know it today. Jazz musician and educator, Michael Persico created a team of top musicians, writers, multi-media editors, and friends to create an entertainment experience unlike any other.
 
Fred Clayton Blues Band
 
Fred Clayton Blues Band
Jazz and blues have been singer, composer, producer and bassist Fred Clayton's passion for the last 45 years.
Jazz and blues have been Fred Clayton's passion for the last 45 years. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Fred spent 20 years in Amherst, MA before moving to Paris, France, where he spent 15 years playing throughout Europe. He now lives on Cape Cod performing throughout the Cape and Massachusetts as the Fred Clayton Blues Band. He will be joined By Christian McCarthy on drums , Melissa Kelly on vocals, and Alex Pashoian on guitar. Fred is singer, composer, producer and bassist, and for the past 5 Years has been organizing the Summer Concert Series at Aselton Park.
Town Hall (downstairs) at  7:00 to 10:00 PM
 
Drumma Queens
 
Drumma Queens
An all women's percussion ensemble from Cape Cod, playing West African rhythms, sometimes including song, dance and story.
The Drumma Queens are an all women's percussion ensemble from Cape Cod. They play West African rhythms and sometimes include song, dance and story. The group enjoys interacting with the audience and loves to share the joy of these ancient, healing rhythms with their audiences.
 
Friendly Fowl
 
Friendly Fowl
Friendly Fowl is a local band who plays original material blending many styles from Jazz/Rock Fusion to Acoustic Melodies.
Friendly Fowl is a local band who plays original material blending many styles from Jazz/Rock Fusion to Acoustic Melodies.
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  2:00 PM  (Button-free)
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  3:00 PM  (Button-free)
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  4:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Danny Gallagher Band
 
Danny Gallagher Band
Blues, soul, pop and even traditional music - they play everything from Sinatra to Springsteen.
The Danny Gallagher Band is as diverse and eclectic as it is talented. The band flows seamlessly from their own unique arrangements of rock classics into blues, soul, pop and even traditional music. As one critic put it, they play everything "From Sinatra to Springsteen". Their passion and commitment to the music and their sheer joy of performing with each other on stage is clearly evident in their live performances. Comprised of members of the bands Driving Sideways, Soulbox and The Movers, the band brings together shared musical influences from across a large variety of genres.
Chatham Drama Guild at  7:00 to 10:00 PM
 
“IllusionQuest” featuring illusionist David Garrity
 
“IllusionQuest” featuring illusionist David Garrity
An exciting, main-stage, magic and illusion spectacular featuring First Night Chatham favorite Illusionist David Garrity.
“IllusionQuest” is an exciting, main-stage, magic and illusion spectacular! Illusionist David Garrity and his magic team appear, vanish, pass through solid objects and even float people from the audience! The performance also features audience participation, situational comedy and is set to a custom-edited musical score!
Highlights from the performance may include a comical illusion where David's assistant ends up all twisted up; David also teaches a volunteer from the audience how to cut his assistant in half; and “The World's Fastest Illusion” in which time seems to stand still! David Garrity uses these illusionary elements combined with music, pantomime, situation comedy and audience participation to entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
 
Trish LaRose, Come On-a My House
 
Trish LaRose, Come On-a My House
Cape songstress Trish LaRose and Company perform selections from her critically acclaimed one woman show.
Cape songstress Trish LaRose and Company bring selections from her critically acclaimed one woman show, Come On-A My House, to First Night Chatham! Inspired by the brilliance of legendary one woman shows from the likes of Bette Midler and Chita Rivera, Trish weaves story and song into a show filled with heart, sass and laughs! Backed by a stellar six-piece band of some of the Cape's finest musicians, and talented cast members Anthony Teixeira and Jess Andra, Trish invites you on a candid, eclectic journey, leaving no stone unturned with a diverse song list spanning Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston, Rosemary Clooney to Gloria Estefan. Come On-A My House was originally commissioned and produced by Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster, Ma.
 
James Montgomery Band
 
James Montgomery Band
Expect a high energy and wildly entertaining show featuring some of the best musicians on the planet. Add Christine singing Soul Music classics for a memorable night of music and dancing!
The James Montgomery Band will be joined by Christine Ohlman, the Fabulous Beehive Queen from Saturday Night Live! Expect a high energy and wildly entertaining show featuring some of the best musicians on the planet: David Hull (Joe Perry Project, Aerosmith), Marty Richards (J. Geils Band), and George McCann (Steven Tyler Band and Blues Brothers). Add Christine singing Soul Music classics and you've got the perfect recipe for a memorable night of music and dancing! Don't Miss This One!!

Christine Ohlman, a/k/a “The Beehive Queen” for her towering blonde hairdo, is one of the undisputed queens of American rock n' soul. She is the long-time, current vocalist with The Saturday Night Live Band on NBC, and her latest album, “The Deep End,” was honored on numerous end-of-year Top 10 lists nationally. Deeply embedded in the scenes of New Orleans, Muscle Shoals, Nashville, New England, and New York, she has strong ties to the blues community as well, and her shows with The James Montgomery Band are legendary for her fiery vocals and equally captivating stage presence, as she spins stories in song that go straight to an audience's heart.
Elementary School Gym at  7:00 to 10:00 PM
 
Old Exit 11
 
Old Exit 11
Old Exit 11 brings the rich traditions of American music to life, blending folk, blues, and country, featuring the unique sounds of guitar, harmonica, banjo, and bass.
Join us for a great time of lively music, featuring the unique sounds of guitar, harmonica, banjo, and bass. Old Exit 11 brings the rich traditions of American music to life, blending folk, blues, and country for a foot-tapping good time. Whether you're a fan of classic Americana or just looking for a great time of lively music, Old Exit 11 promises to be a musical journey through the heart of American culture. Bring your friends, enjoy great tunes, and support local music! Old exit 11 is a Chatham based trio consisting of Douglas Fields, Larry Palmerton and Marvin Dolinger.
Elementary School Cafeteria at  3:00 PM  (Button-free)
Elementary School Cafeteria at  4:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Riptide
 
Riptide
A high-energy dance band that performs an expansive list of classic and contemporary rock 'n roll hits.
Riptide is a high-energy dance band that performs an expansive list of classic and contemporary rock 'n roll hits throughout Cape Cod and the greater Boston area.
St. Martin's Lodge at  7:00 to 10:00 PM
 
Veronica Robles and her Mariachi Band
 
Veronica Robles and her Mariachi Band
Indulge in the sizzling sounds of mariachi, a traditional musical genre deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Mexico.
Indulge in the sizzling sounds of mariachi, a traditional musical genre deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Mexico by Veronica Robles and members of her mariachi band.
Chatham Drama Guild at  5:00 PM
 
Silver Threads
 
Silver Threads
The Linda Ronstadt tribute concert covers Linda's expansive, decades-long career with her most loved songs.
Silver Threads, the Linda Ronstadt tribute concert, covers Linda's expansive, decades-long career with her most loved songs. The show is full of energy and authenticity, featuring Sonia Schonning, who created the tribute show, joined by Marcia Wyntreal, the much beloved, now-retired, music teacher from Barnstable High School, and local performer Sara Sneed. The all-star band includes; Misao Koyama on keys, Mark Van Bork on guitar, Malcolm Granger on bass and Michael Dunford on drums. The tribute concert first hit local stages in July of 2021 and instantly became a hit with audiences.
 
Sweet Home Chicago
 
Sweet Home Chicago
A Blues Brothers Musical Review
A Blues Brothers Musical Review
 
Visual Art Tableau
 
Visual Art Tableau
A visual arts tableau reflecting the idea of Celebrating Together, in Kate Gould Park.
Our Celebrate Together theme has been re-imagined by a local team of visual artists to create a new First Night Chatham attraction in Kate Gould Park - a tableau reflecting the idea of Celebrating Together. The tableau features life-sized figures of different materials as well as faces on the trees, all of whom are celebrating the occasion around tables and chairs in the park. Large picture frames are available for visitors to become part of the celebration and take selfies or group photos. With help from art students from Monomoy High School and Cape Cod Tech, we have created a unique visual art experience. Stop by Kate Gould Park anytime from noon until dusk to share the celebration. Made possible by a generous grant from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.
Kate Gould Park at  Noon until Dusk  (Button-free)