Exit 11 Series Brings Eclectic Music To Chatham Orpheum As Part Of ‘Cape Symphony Presents’ Program

During its early years, the Chatham Orpheum Theater not only screened films, but it was also a venue for plays, music and town gatherings. In the late 1980s it also hosted a series of summer concerts featuring national acts including Ray Charles and Blood, Sweat and Tears.

 In a return to those roots and a way to expand arts offerings in the community, the theater is partnering with the Cape Symphony for a series of concerts over the winter. 

 “Exit 11: Live at the Orpheum” features a variety of genres including soul, Americana, bluegrass and chamber music. Held monthly beginning Dec. 12, the series is both a nod to the theater’s roots and to the former Mid-Cape Highway exit numbering. It also kicks off its 110th anniversary celebration.

 “Everybody seems very excited to bring back live music for the winter,” said theater Executive Director Kevin McLain. “To bring this in for local residents is really special, especially in the middle of winter.”

 The program is part of Cape Symphony Presents, a series of live performances held at various venues throughout the Cape. The Cape Symphony has been looking for ways to expand its presence outside of its base in Hyannis, said Director of Marketing Ignazio Martell. Cape Symphony Presents will feature programs from Falmouth to Provincetown and will be “very, very eclectic,” he said.

 “That is the point of it, to attract people through different genres,” said Martell. “In essence we’re bringing world music to the Cape.”

 “This is the first time we’ve actually partnered with someone like the Symphony to bring a series of music events to the theater,” said McLain. 

In recent years the Orpheum has hosted music during First Night and on a few other occasions, but hasn’t really been set up for large acts. It has purchased a new larger stage to accommodate bigger bands that will be available not only for the Exit 11 series but other events as well.

“We’d love to have the Chatham Band come and perform,” McLain commented.

Most of the Exit 11 shows will happen on Thursday nights, but the initial concert coincides with the town’s Christmas by the Sea weekend with “A Soulful Christmas Party” on Dec. 12 with vocalist and pianist Robbie Pate. 

The shows continue Jan. 15 with a candlelight concert by the Glass Artists Quartet. Folk, indie and Americana songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Taylor Ashton appears on Feb. 19. On March 19, singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Erelli will bring his new album “Spring Green” to the Orpheum in conjunction with MVYRadio. Finally, on April 16, the award-winning bluegrass group the Mama Said String Band hits the Chatham stage.

Martell said the program was put together to appeal to a wide variety of audiences, including young people. “We’re nurturing new patrons,” he said. So far, the reaction has been positive. “The market has reacted very well to it,” he said.

“Cape Symphony Presents and the Chatham Orpheum are fully aligned in our mission to expand and celebrate the arts across Cape Cod,” said Richard Chwastiak of Cape Symphony Presents. “We’re thrilled to bring the Exit 11 concert series to Chatham this winter — continuing our journey from Falmouth to Provincetown and uniting our communities through music.”

 Tickets are priced at $45 for all shows and are available at the Orpheum website, chathamorpheum.org. Shows start at 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Orpheum website or capesymphony.org/cape-symphony-presents/exit-11.