Expect More in Cape May All Through the Year

April 29-May 8: Cape May’s 16th annual Spring Festival: Celebrate the arrival of Springtime in America’s first seaside resort with Private Homes Tours, Ghost Tours, a Chefs’ Dine-Around, Murder Mystery Dinners, and much more.
April 29-Nov. 6: “Remembering South Cape May” Exhibit: Robert Kenselaar, co-author of “Remembering South Cape May: The Jersey Shore Town That Vanished Into the Sea,” is the guest curator of this new exhibit that examines the rise and fall of the community that once stood west of Cape May’s beachfront on land that today is the Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge.
April 29-May 1: Cape May Wine Weekend: Triple your delight by combining a Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting Class for a weekend of total indulgence.
April 30 and May 1: Vintage Dance Instructors Al and Jan Seabra will teach you the traditional dances of the 19th century at a Vintage Dance Workshop, Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then, put your newfound expertise to good use at a costumed Vintage Ball with live music of the period by Spare Parts at 8 p.m. on Saturday night.
A Tea Dance, also with live music by Spare Parts, is on Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m. Victorian dress encouraged but not required. All events take place at the historic Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St.
Cape May Stage presents “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf—A Choreopoem by Ntozake Shange:”
This staged reading of Shange’s choreo-poem is produced by Chase Arts and directed by Rodney Gilbert with actors from the Cape May County Community along with featured actors from New York, Philadelphia, Newark and Atlantic City. The play appeared Off-Broadway at the Public Theatre before commencing its original Broadway production in 1976 and was nominated for a Tony for Best Play in 1977.
Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, located at the corner of Bank & Lafayette streets.
Spring Festival Crafts & Antiques Show: The Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., becomes an outdoor marketplace as vendors from throughout the Northeast display their wares. Free admission. Saturday, April 30. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chocolate Championship Tour and Tasting: Taste, Tour and Vote! Inns, B&Bs and restaurants are vying for Cape May’s Chocolate Champion title and you’re the judge. Saturday, April 30 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May will host the 32nd annual Spring Flower Festival at Rotary Park, Lafayette St. and Lyle Lane, between Jackson and Decatur sts. This free outdoor event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature artisans and crafters with accents and accessories for home and your garden.
Spring Festival Chefs’ Dine-Around: Enjoy a five-course gourmet feast, with wine to accompany each course and each course served in one of Cape May’s premier restaurants. A trolley shuttle between restaurants is provided. 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5.
Mad Batter Wine Dinner: Out of the Ordinary. Enjoy a five course spring menu paired with some fresh and interesting alternatives to the standard varietals at the famous Mad Batter restaurant, 19 Jackson St. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6.
Check The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) for the various dates and times of the following events, scheduled throughout the year.
Murder at the Physick Estate presents “Finding Faith:” When Faith talks about life in the 1890s, it’s as if she actually experienced it herself. But no one knows much about her. She just sort of appeared one day a few years back.
Who is this mysterious woman? Where did she come from? You’ll meet her when you walk through the doors of the Physick Estate and watch as the questions about Faith multiply in this mystery comedy.
Historic Haunts Combo Tour: Get into the spirit of things on a trolley tour of some of Cape May’s regal Victorian residences, reputed to host more than the living. Then it’s a guided tour of the historic (some say haunted) Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., with a discussion of Victorian spiritualism.
Cape May by Moonlight Trolley Ride: Romantic trolley ride through the moonlit streets of Cape May as a guide tells tales of Victorian romance. Tours begin and tickets are available at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.
Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour: Follow an “Actor Offstage” and board a MAC trolley tour for a 45-minute evening ride through the haunted streets of Cape May. The paranormal findings of ghost writer Craig McManus come alive as your guide translates McManus’ spooky stories.
Mansions by the Sea Trolley Tour features a century of beachfront development, from Victorian cottages of the 1870s through the most up-to-date of today’s housing.
Welcome to Cape May Trolley Tour: Discover points of interest, activities and special events sponsored by both MAC and other non-profit organizations throughout Cape May.
Cape May Whale & Dolphin Watch: Board the 110-foot Cape May Whale Watcher for a three-hour cruise and the chance to see humpback whales, dozens of bottlenose dolphins, unusual sea birds or rare sea turtles.
Private Homes Tour: Step inside Cape May’s private residences, which are not normally open to the public. Homes featured on the tour range from the Victorian era to the 21st century. Saturday, April 30 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Dr. Is In: Meet Dr. Emlen Physick on his Estate’s grounds, 1048 Washington St. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a guided tour of his house with its new theme for 2011: “Victorian Health and Fitness.”
Cape May Garden Tours: Explore the spring gardens of Cape May.
Fisherman’s Wharf Tour: Guided tour of Fisherman’s Wharf at the Lobster House Restaurant. Learn how your seafood gets from the sea to your table and discover how Cape May has become the third largest commercial fishing port on the East Coast.
Historic District Walking Tour: Designed for those who like history up-close and in detail. Knowledgeable guides lead a stroll down the streets of Cape May’s Historic District.
Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour: Once the sun has set, join an Actor Offstage aboard a MAC trolley and dare to take an evening tour down the ghostly path that leads to the Cape May Lighthouse.
Harbor Safari: A marine biologist leads tourgoers through Cape May’s beach and marsh habitats.
Cherry House Tour: Tour this beautiful private home, built in 1849 in the Federal style, situated on one of Cape May’s oldest residential streets. Owners Frank and Beth Acker welcome visitors to their historic home filled with cherished family mementos, antiques, and country décor.
Mansions by the Sea Trolley Tour: This tour features a century of beachfront development, from Victorian cottages of the 1870s through the most up-to-date of today’s housing. It includes some of the most magnificent structures ever erected in Cape May.
Cape May Family Treasure Hunt: Discover the fun of exploring Cape May and uncovering its architectural elements from a kid’s perspective.
Cape May Lighthouse, Oil House and Museum Shop: 1859 structure with 199 steps to watch gallery for a panoramic view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean. Museum Shop carries souvenirs, books, videos and other maritime items.
Carriage House Tearoom and Café: An English tradition brought to Victorian Cape May, featuring a Tea Luncheon of sandwiches, salads, soups, breads, pastries and beverages, and Elegant Afternoon Tea of finger sandwiches, pastries, scones and beverages.
Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tours: New house tour theme for 2011! Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Cape May’s Historic District, followed by a guided tour of Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., with its new house tour theme for 2011, “Victorian Health and Fitness.”
Self-Guided Audio Tour of Cape May: Discover the Historic District of Victorian Cape May at your own pace with Acoustiguide Inform hand-held units. Tour comes complete with a map and index for 96 historic buildings on 69 sites.
Self-guided Wine Trail: Spend the afternoon touring the wineries of Cape May County at your own pace.
World War II Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23) Museum and Memorial: Fire Control Tower No. 23 on Sunset Boulevard is New Jersey’s last freestanding World War II tower, part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles.
After the award-winning restoration, visitors can climb to the 6th floor spotting gallery while reliving the homeland defense efforts during World War II. The ground floor of the tower is fully accessible.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors.
MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.
For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.