2011 Ptown Carnival Parade

The 2011 Provincetown Carnival Parade theme this year was "Can't Stop the Music". Commercial Street started to become a wall of spectators as individuals dressed up for this year's celebration. The parade was great this year, but if you were not able to attend here is a quick 3-minute video to show you what you missed.

Wednesday of Carnival week in Provincetown

The weather in Provincetown took a dramatic turn for the better Wednesday and was absolutely spectacular. It was one of those hot sunny days that never got oppressive because of a steady ocean breeze. Both the beach and the Boatslip (an alternative to the beach) was jammed packed. As a matter of fact by 12 noon, the Boatslip had run out of chairs; not that there was any space to place additional chairs if they had them.

For those who prefer a quieter, less crowded vacation, Provincetown is not the place to come. This tiny little village at the very tip of the Cape becomes so overcrowded that I sometimes wonder how it doesn't end up sinking into the ocean. I've bumped into Mo Rocca again. Remember him? I posted our picture from the 4th of July after he came out last month in my post, Mo Rocca: a little more 'mo now. Also super blogger and former MenOfTwitter, Andy Towle from the Towleroad blog is also here.

Provincetown will only get more crowded as today progresses. The annual Carnival Parade will begin in the afternoon but more will be arriving with the morning ferries and by car to get here in time for all the fun.

Provincetown Carnival Week Update

After the clouds and rain came and went, people were more than ready to get out and socialize on Tuesday. Tea Dance at the Boatslip competed with the annual "The Tide Is High" boat cruise (one of Carnival Week's official events). However, this made it so much easier to get drinks and socialize.

After the rains from the previous day, the thought of going out on a boat cruise sipping drinks with 4-5' wave swells had zero appeal. Boats & BosGuy simply don't mix. Its like two great things that don't go great together... sort of like Britney Spears and performing live.

Another great thing about Tea dance on Tuesday, was I had the chance to meet a young man from upstate NY, whom I've chatted with for quite awhile on Twitter. His handle on twitter is, biscuittmfs. "Biscuitt" is his nickname and its just eccentric enough that even I can remember it. This morning Biscuitt and his posse are at Provincetown's gay beach which is clothing optional. I can only imagine how many times guys will be walking back and forth all to sneak a peek at Biscuitt's buns.

BosGuy and Biscuitt at Boatslip Tea DanceFollowing Tea Dance, Sergio and dashed down to the Crown & Anchor to see Ryan Landry's musical Peter Pansy, which was hilarious. Oddly the nightclub had very poor audio so much of the witty rebuttals and double-entendres were missed. Despite the audio issues, the show was very funny. My only bit of advice for future shows is to do your best to get as close to the stage as possible otherwise you are likely to be left wondering what was said.

Sergio and I took this year's theme "Can't stop the music" seriously and went out to the A-House to get our dance on, but by midnight I was so full from drinking since 5 that I felt like I could hear the drinks swishing in my stomach as I moved so I called it a night and came home to unwind.

Restaurant Review: Ten Tables

Ten Tables has three locations; the newest opening earlier this year in Provincetown. Located near the center of town off Bradford Street, the Provincetown restaurant has more seating than its name would lead you to believe. There is a beautiful patio, a gregarious bar and two floors of dining in this cutely converted home.

For those unfamiliar with the Ten Tables philosophy, the restaurants maintain a smaller menu that is based upon handmade foods from home grown and local ingredients. You can read more about their philosophy on there website here.

Ten Tables offers vacationers another excellent dinner option and lives up to the reputation of its sister-restaurants back in Boston and Cambridge. Dinner for two, each having an appetizer, main course and sharing a dessert (not including drinks or tip) will cost $80-$90. First plates range in price from $9-$16; main dishes range in price from $21-$33; with desserts ranging from $9-$12. Diners can order from a full bar that includes some interesting selection of wines and locally brewed beers. I believe there is a separate bar menu on the second floor, but I did not have a chance to view this.

Our meal started with fresh lobster meat served on a bed of fennel and grapefruit flavored with pistachios and coriander as well as a cucumber gazpacho with thinly sliced apples and minced almonds. Both appetizers were extremely flavorful, but the lobster combined with the fresh citrus was so good I'm still obsessing over it.

First plates: Lobster $16 / Gazpacho $9
Our main plates soon arrived after our first course was cleared. We had ordered the striped bass plate which came with pancetta, frisee, potatoes and sauce, as well as handmade cavatelli with wild greens and sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly and the pancetta and sauce added so much flavor my partner who doesn't eat fish couldn't get enough. While the pasta was tasty and a good pick, it could not compare to the striped bass.

Main courses: Cavatelli $21 / Sea Bass $27

Although I was more than satisfied, for the sake of this review I soldiered on and we both ordered desserts including a chocolate terrine with vanilla ice cream and half of a peach slowly baked with crumble and vanilla ice cream. Both were beyond decadent and capped one of my more memorable dinners.

Desserts: Baked Peach Crumble / Chocolate Terrine

Ten Tables Locations:
133 Bradford Street, Provincetown (508) 487-0106
5 Craigie Circle, Cambridge (617) 576-5444 - Original location
597 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain (617) 524-8810

Reservations are strongly recommended for all locations.

Cheers from Provincetown

I arrived in Provincetown on Saturday enjoying what turned out to be the last bit of sun we will see for a few days. Today was mostly overcast albeit very comfortable. Everyone seemed to use the break from the good weather we've been enjoying to shop. Commercial Street was packed from one end to the next with people carrying shopping bags overflowing with items (so much for there being a recession).

This afternoon I purchased tickets to see Ryan Landry's play Peter Pansy for Tuesday evening. I first wrote about Ryan's latest musical back in April when it opened in Boston. If interested, you can read more about the storyline here.

If one is to believe the local forecast the weather will unfortunately remain fairly ugly, but will clear by Wednesday with the brightest and warmest day of the week on Thursday when the big parade and most of the celebrations for Carnival Week occur.

The photo above is of Sergio and one of the many helpful young men distributing rum test tube shots at the Boatslip Tea Dance this afternoon.

Carnival Week in Provincetown 13-Aug to 20-Aug

I am in a Ptown state of mind...

In just a few hours I'll be heading down to Provincetown for Carnival Week. I think many guys from Boston think of this week in Ptown as Boston's unofficial Pride. Sadly, as much as I love Boston, our city's Pride celebration is unbelievably boring.

Carnival brings a big city feel to this tiny little village at the tip of the Cape. Its not as risque as many of the marquee circuit events or major pride celebrations, but it's PG-13 rating doesn't detract from all the fun one bit.

So my next few postings will be coming from Provincetown. Should you happen to be there as well, leave a comment and we can try to meet for a drink. Here are some pictures from 2010 Provincetown Carnival Parade.

Provincetown cheap eats

Provincetown has some truly excellent dining options, but more often than not I eat outside on the remodeled deck shared by the Aqua Bar at 207 Commercial Street. You can access this deck through the Aquarium Marketplace (a mini arcade that includes a half dozen eateries serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Adding to the appeal of these food vendors is the very comfortable patio and deck overlooking the harbor complete with a bar that serves excellent drinks and a raw bar to satiate all those hankering for fresh seafood.

I'm most partial to Big Daddy's Burritos and often order the Fish Burrito. Each year there are new eateries and this year a bakery and seafood vendor have opened for business. The half dozen eateries in this arcade all serve up good cheap eats and the view from the deck only enhances the dining experience. So should you find yourself in Provincetown looking for a quick and easy dining option that won't place a dent in your wallet, consider checking out the Aquarium Marketplace at 247 Commercial Street, easily identifiable by the HRC store that faces the street.

Lightly battered Fish-N-Chips was excellent and filling; $10.95Big Daddy's fish burrito in a bowl is filling and delicious; $8.50

Heading back to Provincetown

I leave for Provincetown Thursday, July 21st and will remain on the Cape through the weekend. With the weather forecast calling for plenty of sun and temperatures in the low 90s, I can't think of a better place to be. The image above shows just how crowded the deck at the Boatslip can get. If you prefer the feel of the sand under your towel and crave a bit more free space, Provincetown's beaches will tempt anyone.

Although I love the sun; sadly the sun does not love my pale skin so I tend to seek the shade available from The Boatslip and similar places that have decks along the Provincetown harbor. If you happen to be visiting Provincetown - let me know by leaving me a comment. If you will not be able to get away from your home this weekend, let me tempt you with a few pictures of Ptown.

Provincetown is pretty as a postcard

After the bars close everyone goes to Spiritus Pizza

Provincetown welcomes everyone, but its still a Gay Ol' Town

Provincetown sights

Provincetown is blessed with beautiful dunes and gorgeous beaches. It is also amazingly quaint in its own way with beautiful homes, tiny streets and paths that lead to beautiful gardens with ocean views. However, this isn't that kind of post. The sights listed are a sampling of some of the people who caught my attention this past weekend.

Some of these people I had the opportunity to chat with and enjoyed meeting. Others I just admired from a distance. I have included more images of "the sights" from Provincetown in a video I created which is in the following post.

I hope you enjoy the sights.

A very sexy Daddy taking in the rays
Reality TV guy, Reichen (didn't seem v. interested in his new BF)
Late Tea Dance - Really just an excuse to keep dancing
Shirtless men... need I say more?
Me and Mo Rocca posing pretty

Provincetown: Independence Week

Provincetown is located at the very tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. This out of the way place where land greets the North Atlantic has long been a home for the gay community. Although in recent years, more heterosexual couples and families have started visiting, the town remains proudly gay in the summer months especially when the queer community comes to vacation en masse.

Starting this past weekend Provincetown opened its arms wide to welcome 40,000+ men and women. Although the 4th of July holiday is now over, thousands remain thru Saturday celebrating and enjoying the beaches, shopping, restaurants, shows (yes there's quite a few) and nightlife. In all my travels, I've never found its equivalent and so if you've never had the opportunity, I'd encourage you to consider a visit. Following Independence Week, Saturday July, 9th, more will come for Bear Week. This combined with Carnival Week (August 13-20) are the three busiest for Provincetown. Below I've included a quick (and SFW) video of some of the fun and people I met this past weekend in Provincetown. More pictures will follow.

Ptown state of mind

For those who may have to work and for those of you who do not celebrate US Independence, I promise to relax, drink and dance enough for all of you.

2011 Provincetown summer dates

And just like that I now have a cottage in the center of Provincetown for the week of Carnival. Incidentally, the photo above is not the "cottage" that I refer to. This summer Sergio and I will make three visits to the tip of Cape Cod.

Our first visit is on Thursday, June 30th. We will spend the 4th of July holiday with the throngs of others and then a few weeks later we will be in Provincetown from July 21st - 24th so we can spend time with friends who have a weekly rental. Our final (planned visit) is the week of Carnival August 14th - 20th.

Should you find yourself passing through Boston en route to Ptown or if you will be there the same dates I have planned, please let me know. If you do not have travel plans to Boston/Ptown, more is the loss for me. Hopefully next summer will bring you here so we can meet in person. For those local guys who will be there, let's plan on grabbing a planter's punch at the Boatslip tea dance.

Here are some pictures from last year's Carnival parade. For all its hype its really more PG-13 than anything else. This is no Folsom Street Fair nor is it IML, but it is extremely flirtatious and very fun.

Dreaming of summer

The Boatslip is a popular alternative to the beach in Ptown
Despite the recent rash of cold weather in Boston, I firmly maintain it is spring and warmer weather is (eventually) coming. Temperatures in New England regularly climb into the 80s and 90s so I stay firmly planted the months of June, July and August; only going as far as Provincetown, MA and Ogunquit, ME if I can help it.

I've not booked anything for the summer season, but I do hope to get down to Provincetown for 4th of July and Carnival Weeks. I also hope to impose upon friends who have a beautiful home in Ogunquit, ME. All told, I have high hopes for a summer as fun and beautiful as last year.

Tea Dance Carnival WeekI still have to get through spring, which may be the most frustrating of all four seasons. Spring in New England is filled with tempting days of sun and warmth inevitably followed by cold and rain. I suppose I'll have to settle for "summer dreaming" to get me through the next few weeks.

Should travel plans bring you to the Boston area this summer, let me know and if possible we can meet for a cocktail or coffee - whatever your poison.

Provincetown: West End photos

The weather has turned decidedly cold in Boston over the past week and the mild Autumn temperatures Boston was enjoying are gone. Summer which ended just weeks ago, is sorely missed so I thought I'd post a few photos from one of my last visits to Provincetown this summer.

You can click on any individual photograph to enlarge.

Summer 2010

Labor Day marks the end of the summer season in the U.S. Hopefully warm weather will remain for a bit longer but for all intents and purposes, the summer of 2010 (which was truly spectacular) is now a thing of the past. I've included a few pictures from each month as a sort of homage to the season.

June - Boston Pride
Motley's window display for pride was both creative and funny. FYI, that is the 80s Cosmo Centerfold of MA Senator, Scott Brown.

The block party as usual was the best part of Boston Pride.

Proud window dressing on Tremont Street.

More images from Boston Pride can be viewed here.

July - Week of the 4th in Provincetown
My photo with David and Sean after they legally wed in Provincetown.

Two guys showing off their patriotism on Commercial Street.

Temperatures in the 90s kept people hovering by the pool at the Boatslip.

For more photos from 4th of July week, link here.

August - Carnival in Provincetown
Tea Dance was packed all week long at the Boatslip.

Another float filled with sexy men flirting with the crowd.

Revelers enjoying the parade and shouting their approval to those sexy men.

More photos from Carnaval in Provincetown can be viewed here.

Provincetown 2010 Carnival Photos

More pictures from the Provincetown Carnival celebration this past Thursday. The theme this year was Jungle Fantasy and most of the fun happened leading up to the parade with half the town getting dressed up, walking around and posing. I only have a few photos of the actual parade because the streets were so full I opted to duck into the Boatslip to get a tastey beverage, but you'll get a definite flavor for the celebration.

Carnival in Provincetown

Yesterday, Thursday, was the carnival parade. I will include many more photographs next week after I return home but here are a couple of images to share. For those unfamiliar with Carnival in Provincetown, I would describe it as the town's version of Pride. As with all things that happen in Ptown - it is over the top and incredibly fun.

Grand marshalls, Margaret Cho and Bruce Villanch

Local celebs, the Hat Sisters

The crowd along Commercial Street



More images to follow next week...