One of the things we love about spending summers in the glamorous former fishing village of Provincetown at the very tip of Cape Cod. is the different ‘theme’ weeks. They seem to cover the whole LGBTQ+ spectrum from Girl Splash to Carnival Week and gives us such a wide range of visitors.  However ask any local queer person which one is their favorite, then in nine times out of 10, they will tell you Bear Week.

Bear culture celebrates the larger, hirsute male body, and exhibits and values authentic, “down to earth” masculinity that emphasizes camaraderie over competition between gay men. Bears are an organized and well-established subculture.  When they are in PTown for their ‘week’, they are unquestionably the most welcome additions to our town and their joie de vivre is so very infectious that it’s hard to be in a bad mood

Come Saturday, all the Boston ferries will be jam-packed, and from first thing in the morning, there will an endless stream of big burly men dragging their suitcases down the main street to make sure they will be ready for Tea Dance, the first event of the week.

Not all of the participants of the week are tourists, as the town has a fair share of Bears who live here full time.  Like Mike Flanagan (who would like a bear hug too)  who manages two music venues, but is also a very accomplished musician with an enviable following.  Hence, his Bear Week Show will be held in the Town Hall called BEAR HUG: A Music Extravaganza as it features some of the very best musical talent in our town, and trust us, you will kick yourself if you miss it 

Mike told Queerguru that he will build one massive ensemble by showcasing each incredible artist on the stage and ending as one big Avengers orchestra. The line-up includes  Sheree Marcelle,  Ines Nassara, Perfect Mark Music, Matthew Darren, Keith Lawrence, and closes with Lisa Bello! The band is made up of Keb Hutchings on guitar, Seth Woodruff on bass, and Christian McCarthy on drums.

Meet the Music Makers