Cape May’s April Calendar of Events Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC)

Through April 15

Center for Community Arts (CCA) Exhibit in the Carroll Gallery “Franklin Street School: From Segregation to Unification”: On the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Free admission. Now through Sunday, April 15. Hours vary. Presented by the Center for Community Arts (CCA) in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For information on the exhibit, call (609) 884-7525 or see www.CenterforCommunityArts.org. For gallery hours, call (609) 884-5404 or see www.capemaymac.org.

April 4

Friends of the Cape May Music Festival present pianist Stanley DeLage in Concert: The Friends of the Cape May Music Festival invite the public to hear renowned New Jersey concert pianist Stanley DeLage perform works by Brahms and Rameau as well as the rarely heard original piano composition of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Cape Island Baptist Church, 115 Gurney St. Wednesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. The Friends are an affinity group of the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) in support of the annual Cape May Music Festival. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online, by phone or at the door.

April 13

Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour: A trolley tour through parts of West Cape May to the Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park, with tales of ghostly activity along the way. Participants will be met at the lighthouse by a costumed Lighthouse Keeper who will relate a ghostly tale inside with time available to climb. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Friday, April 13 at 7:45 p.m. $22 for adults and $14 for children (ages 3-12).

April 14

Friends of the World War II Tower present “50 Years Later: 1968 and the Vietnam War – ‘House of Pegasus’ Folk Music and the War”: The year 1968 was pivotal in both Vietnamese and United States history. Learn about these changes in this lecture series by Alex Breve, marking this anniversary. Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m. Cape May Lutheran Church, 509 Pittsburgh Ave. Admission is $5 at the door. Free for all World War II veterans, MAC members and students. Presented by the Friends of the World War II Tower in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

April 20

Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour: A trolley tour through parts of West Cape May to the Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park, with tales of ghostly activity along the way. Participants will be met at the lighthouse by a costumed Lighthouse Keeper who will relate a ghostly tale inside with time available to climb. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Friday, April 20 at 7:45 p.m. $22 for adults and $14 for children (ages 3-12).

April 21

Grand Lighthouse Cruise: Come aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher to view and photograph seven historic lighthouses of the late 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. Most of these lighthouses stand on pedestals out of sight of land and are still operational. Each five-hour cruise includes narration on the history of each lighthouse and more. Includes continental breakfast buffet and Captain’s Lunch buffet. A cash bar is available. Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $95 for adults and $75 for children (ages 7-12). Sponsored by the Cape May Whale Watcher and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

April 24

Lunch and Learn at ACCC “Music and Memories of Frank Sinatra”: Bring a bag lunch to the Cape May campus of the Atlantic Cape Community College and hear talks on popular topics of history, culture, science and the arts. The topic for April 24 at noon is “Music and Memories of Frank Sinatra,” presented by Rich Chiemingo. Atlantic Cape Community College, 341 Court House South Dennis Rd, Cape May Court House. Admission is free for MAC members and $5 for non-members.

April 27

Carriage House Café & Tearoom: Gracious yet casual dining awaits with a café menu that includes signature sandwiches, salads and tea sandwiches, as well as homemade soups and quiche, plus the popular Classic Tea Luncheon and Afternoon Tea featuring loose tea service and specialty teas from the House of Tea in Philadelphia. In the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Opens for the season Friday, April 27.

Exhibit Opening: Carroll Gallery Exhibit: “Capturing Cape May’s Architecture” At the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House, Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Admission is free. Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m.

Mad Batter Wine Dinner “It’s Coming Up Rosés”: Celebrate spring during this five-course meal inspired by spring’s bounty, paired with rosé wines presented at The Mad Batter Restaurant. Limited to 60 people. $75 per person (tax and gratuity included). Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour: A trolley tour through parts of West Cape May to the Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park, with tales of ghostly activity along the way. Participants will be met at the lighthouse by a costumed Lighthouse Keeper who will relate a ghostly tale inside with time available to climb. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Friday, April 27 at 7:45 p.m. $22 for adults and $14 for children (ages 3-12).

April 27-May 20

Cape May’s Spring Celebration: Expanded in 2018! Celebrate the season of spring in America’s first seaside resort with four weeks of events including the new Sip Into Spring Festival and crafts show, a Chocolate Tasting Tour, Underground Railroad Trolley Tours, Ghost Tours, food and wine events, living history programs, Armed Forces Day, Murder Mystery Dinners and much more! Friday, April 27-Sunday, May 20.

April 27-May 24

Cape May’s 2018 Designer Show House “Our Fan-ta-Sea”: The historic 1911 John P. Forsythe House at 1601 Beach Ave. has undergone a magnificent, multi-million-dollar transformation! Come view the creative work of a dozen talented local and regional designers. Each visitor will receive a full-color program book with information about the designers, products and vendors. Guided tours are offered daily 1 to 4 p.m. during select dates.

April 27-Oct. 31

Carroll Gallery Exhibit “Capturing Cape May’s Architecture”: In the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Curator Karen Fox, author of “The Chalfonte,” provides visitors with a unique look at how a small band of preservationists saved not only Cape May buildings, but a culture of the past creating a future. Admission is free. Friday, April 27- Wednesday, Oct. 31. Open daily; times vary.

April 28

Cape May Wine Trail: Spend an afternoon visiting Cape May County’s wineries and sampling the unique flavors of each. Enjoy lunch at the Carriage House Café & Tearoom and travel via trolley to Willow Creek Winery where you’ll enjoy tastings and a brief tour. You’ll also travel to Natali Vineyards for tastings there with cheese and crackers and receive a souvenir glass. Admission is $75. Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m.

Chocolate Lovers Feast at The Blue Rose Inn: Chocolate lovers unite! You’ll savor seven-plated courses of chocolate desserts and hear how each was created from the chef who prepared it at The Blue Rose Inn on Saturday, April 28 at 1 p.m. Admission is $40.

Murder Mystery Dinner: The scene and the table are both set for a new mystery, “An Evening to Die For,” that will stimulate your imagination and satisfy your craving for a good whodunit. Enjoy a four-course dinner at Aleathea’s Restaurant, the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., as you interact with the cast of likely suspects and the mystery unfolds around you. Saturday, April 28 at 7 p.m. $55 for adults and $30 for children (ages 3-12).

Underground Railroad Trolley Tour: During the Underground Railroad Trolley Tour on Saturday, April 28 at 10:15 a.m., you will hear how legendary anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked the streets of Cape May, as did businessman and former slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom. Co-sponsored by the Center for Community Arts and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Includes a guided tour of the Owen Coachman house (a historic free black’s house). Admission is $15.

April 29

Brunch, Bingo & Lace: Laugh along with friends as you play a little bingo, enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton Company and compete for prizes, all during a delicious brunch at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St. Sunday, April 29 at 9:30 a.m. Admission is $25.

Lighthouse Full Moon Climb: Let the light of the full moon guide you up the 199 stairs to the starry top. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see the light of the moon at the top, weather permitting. The Cape May Lighthouse is located in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township. Sunday, April 29, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12).
Moonlight Trolley Ride: Victorians tended to sentimentalize even the most mundane of things, from teacups to toothbrushes. Take this romantic trolley ride along the beachfront and through the heart of the Historic District, under the light of the full moon. Hear tales of Victorian courtship. Sunday, April 29 at 8:45 p.m. Admission is $12. Leaves from Ocean Street Trolley Stop.

ONGOING TOURS AND EVENTS

• Around Cape Island Cruise
• Cape May Bike Tour
• Cape May Family Treasure Hunt
• Cape May Lighthouse, Oil House and Museum Shop
• Cape May Whale & Dolphin Cruise
• Cape Mayhem Trolley Tour
• Carriage House Café & Tearoom – Opens for the season April 27!
• Carriage House Museum Shop
• Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tours
• Designer Show House Luncheon Package – Exclusively in 2018!
• Emlen Physick Estate Tour
• Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour
• Historic District Trolley Tours
• Historic Haunts Combo Tours
• Historic Haunts House Tours
• Lighthouse Museum Shop
• Mansions by the Sea Trolley Tour
• Mansions Trolley/Show House Combination – Exclusively in 2018!
• Physick Estate Scavenger Hunt
• Physick Estate Self-guided Tour
• Welcome to Cape May Trolley Tour
• World War II Lookout Tower Museum and Memorial

Event sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and tickets, call (609) 884-5404 or (800) 275-4278, or visit www.capemaymac.org.