SAM SEWELL
Sam Sewell is a multifaceted artist who earns their living primarily in live events and storytelling. They have an MFA from The California Institute of Arts, and most recently worked with Wellfleet Harbor Actors theater as Production Manager and Sound Designer; with The Campfire Quorum and The Cape Cod Theatre Company as an actor, and with the Provincetown Artistic Association Museum as a Life Drawing Model. And this is just a taste of the jobs they have in town! Sam is also a DJ, event planner, bartender, pet sitter, and musician.
How long have you been living in Provincetown, and what influenced your decision to move here?
I’ve been coming here since 2011 when I began an internship with the Tennessee Williams Festival. I was so taken with this seductively beautiful spit of sand and, predominantly, with how the community seemed to be so comfortable fully expressing themselves, especially the LGBTQ+ population. It felt to me like a place that I could absolutely be myself, and returning every year for the festival felt like returning to who I truly was inside. I came to live here officially in 2018, post grad school, to enjoy the land, the seasonal work life, and to further my career as a creative. Since then I have enjoyed stretching my artistic wings in a fantastically colorful array of endeavors.
What are your favorite places to go for a cocktail and/or dinner?
During the high season, if the sun is out during happy hour, there’s no place better than The Canteen for their Spicy Margarita from the back bar, in the sand, overlooking the bay—it’s perfection. Other locations with views of the and great drinks are the far west end classic The Red Inn, the pier at the Harbor Lounge, and the porch at Pepe’s Wharf. That said, Strangers and Saints boasts a fun atmosphere and an amazing mezcal inspired cocktail called The Smoke on the Bay that is my absolute favorite. In the off season, their bartenders Mikey LaBruna and Benwa have their own pop up, Hecate, at the Grotta Bar. We’re spoiled for options here! For dinner, if it’s just me, I adore getting the fare from Rosie’s Cantina, especially when they have tamales! We’ve also had a surge of new and really solid options in town such as The Governor Bradford kitchen with their stellar revamp, and the highly prized Freemans (pro tip: they rarely take walk ups so be sure to reserve a table.)
Welcome Sign in Provincetown (Photo by Mystic Stock Photography)
What cultural attractions or events are a must see for visitors?
If you are so lucky to be here when Scream Along with Billy is playing, go! Typically taking place at the Grotta bar, this is the true townie alternative scene that boasts powerhouse musician and spieler Billy Hough on the keys and steady Sue Goldberg on the bass along with a grand parade of townie talent. You’ll probably find me there with the crew. If you dare, take a peek at some true townie haunts, like the A House Little Bar and The Old Colony, locally known as the OC. Be lured in by the low priced cash only drinks and stay for the local atmosphere and rustic interiors hearkening to the town’s seafaring history. Also, I have to admit that though I’m biased towards Memorial Day Weekend and Women’s Week in October for the litany of Women’s events, and obviously the Tennessee Williams Festival in September, there are two new festival not to be missed: The Food and Wine Festival in November, and The Washashore Festival in October. Both have made a big splash and are truly honoring what I think is the best time to be here, which is the fall. Definitely worth checking out.
A friend is coming to Provincetown for the first time. Please describe the perfect weekend.
Arriving Friday afternoon I’d take them to Harbor Lounge post getting settled, for a cocktail and a breather to catch up. Then we’d go out to dinner to either Freemans or Jimmy’s Hideaway for some fancy feasting. Afterward we’d either check out the Governor Bradford for karaoke, or potentially a dance party at the Crown and Anchor or A-House. On Saturday we’ll get up and make ourselves brunch and then, with high tide timed just right, we’d take our floaties, some snacks, and a group of friends to trudge out to Boys Beach and float back together to the Breakwater in a flotilla. Afterward we’d get dolled up for a cocktail at The Red Inn before catching one of the many stellar shows in town during the summer. Sunday morning is brunch at Chach and an afternoon at the Provincetown Brewing Co. taking in their women focused party series, Dyke Dock. It would be a perfect weekend of food, friendship, fun, and community.
What are the best places to truly enjoy the natural beauty of the area?
There is nothing like the sunsets at Herring Cove, one of the very few places where you can see the sun set over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Second to that would be the sunrises over the Bay with a cup of coffee out on either the pier or the wharf. If you’re able to rent a bike I’d also highly recommend seeking out the trails by the Visitor Center and following them to the dune trails. It feels like an entirely different landscape, almost alien, out there.
What is your favorite time of year in Provincetown and why?
The Fall, hands down. Post-season is absolutely when the townies start to come out to play. The weather still provides a few more hot days, and the light and the refractive nature of the surrounding water also make it such a magical time to be here, especially during the twilight hour. Add to this an incredible lineup of weekly entertainment programming, and every day feels deliciously enchanted.
What locally made product would you suggest visitors bring back for their friends or family?
If you’re interested in clothing I’d highly recommend the wares from Mate, Captain’s Daughters, and The Provincetown Brewing Co. For something artsy be sure to check out Womencrafts, or the shops on the pier and in Whalers Wharf where beautiful renderings of the town reign supreme and are a great memento of the magical, artsy nature of the town.
Please finish this sentence: Don’t leave Provincetown without…
So many things! getting coffee from Kohi, having a breakfast sandwich from Far Land Provisions, a biscuit from Pop N Dutch, taking a stroll down Commercial St., checking out art galleries and shopping establishments like Womencrafts and Perry’s Wine Shop, renting a bike, dipping a toe into the famous Tea Dance everyday at the Boatslip from 4 -7 P.M., seeing a sunset overlooking the water either on the bay or Herring Cove, having a queer beer at The Provincetown Brewing Co., eating at Sals!, seeing a fabulous drag show, singing karaoke at Governor Bradford, having brunch at Chach, catching a show at the Provincetown Theater, and just generally enjoying being yourself in this moment on such an incredible bit of land.
