Welcome

n the last day of June, we invited Hyannis Sound to our office to perform live for our Arts Cape Cod Facebook page. Despite what you may think, it was a relatively unusual occurrence; we don’t often have artists come showcase their talents for us. AFCC Staff: Kevin Shanley, Wendy O’Keefe, Marianne Williams, Julie Wake DAN CUTRONA O

But we thought it would be fun and different to have the all-male a capella group entertain us as we ushered in the height of the summer season on the Cape. I’m not sure what my staff and I were expecting, but the group, full of enthusiastic baby-faced college students and recent college grads, left us ready to move mountains following their rendition of George Michael’s “Freedom.”

It’s a feeling that I hope you experience tonight as we welcome the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra back to Hyannis for the 32nd Annual Citizens Bank Pops by the Sea. With conductor Keith Lockhart once again leading the Pops, they will pay tribute to seminal film composer, John Williams. I’m confident each one of you will be touched by a glimmer of inspiration.

And, ultimately, isn’t that what we all want out of art - for it to move us in ways that can’t be explained?

Historically, the Pops has always been one of those “you have to be there” concerts to truly understand its magic. But once you’re here, that magic is pervasive, from the pre-show entertainment to the musical guest to the guest conductor.

While we embrace that special magic tonight, your attendance at the Pops allows us to share it with countless others throughout the year. From high school students in the mid-Cape to seniors in Barnstable experiencing memory loss to Cape Codders diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, our recent round of grants enabled us to fund programs that have exposed the beauty, wonder, and magic of the arts to those of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities here on Cape Cod.

Your support of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, not only tonight, but year-round, ensures that more people will experience moments like we did at the end of June. And in doing so, we’re inspiring them to move mountains together.

Julie Wake Executive Director