Is Mr. Bates a killer? Which suitor will Mary choose? Who will be the victim of Thomas's next scheme? Will Edith be able to keep her secret?
You can try to get the answers to these burning questions in a party atmosphere Sunday with a “Downton Abbey” season finale party for the popular PBS TV show. Cotuit Center for the Arts will be the scene for the pre-finale reception that will benefit Yoga Neighborhood.
The British period drama has become something of a national obsession, and attendees are encouraged to stay after the reception to watch the final episode together to see what's in store for the folks at Downton.
The party will include Downton “staff” serving a champagne reception in the “parlour.” The reception will feature sparkling cider and sparkling wine, along with tea and elegant savories and sweets.
A cash bar will also be available for signature cocktails, claret and ale.
The refreshments will be, according to Yoga Neighborhood's website, “a fabulous spread that would make Lady Grantham proud.”
Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite character or simply don an apron or hat and join in the fun with some Downton Abbey-themed parlour games and door prizes to set the mood before the much-anticipated show begins.
Yoga Neighborhood was founded by Virginia Ryan Hoeck, who has been practicing yoga for nearly two decades. Her passion, says her website, is to bring yoga to people who otherwise cannot access it and to work with people who have experienced trauma.
The organization also provides free and donation-based yoga classes around the Cape for all ages, fitness levels and economic circumstances to, according to a press release, foster health and wellness across the community.
· Highfield Hall & Gardens will be transformed into a Parisian salon on Saturday morning with the presentation of “Chopin: A Robert Wyatt Lecture” at 10 a.m. at the hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. The event will include live performance, clips of world-class pianists, and analysis and historical discussion of the world in which Chopin lived. Wyatt will explore the etudes, preludes, polonaise, mazurkas, nocturnes, waltzes, impromptus and other music that Chopin penned during his brief life. Tickets: $25, $20 for members. Information: www.highfieldhall.org or 508-495-1878.
· The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will present another of its “Desserts and Destinations” events from 2 to 3 p.m. at the sanctuary, 291 State Highway, Route 6, South Wellfleet. Biologist John Kricher will share images and experiences from Brazil and the world's largest freshwater wetlands, the Pantanal. This is one of the world's most productive habitats where endangered and threatened animals make their homes, including the giant anteater, the jaguar and the giant otter. A Brazilian dessert called Brigadeiro, a chocolate bonbon, will be served. Admission: $12, $10 for members. Information: www.massaudubon/wellfleetbay.org or 508-349-2615.
· The Snow Library will present The Dan Sullivan Trio, featuring saxophonist Dan Sullivan, at 4 p.m. at 4 p.m. at the library, 67 Main St., Orleans. The event is part of The Rowena Myers Winter Concert Series. Admission is free. Information: 508-240-3760.
· The Woods Hole Film Festival Winter Film Series will present “Dinner & a Movie” with a screening of the Academy-Award-nominated documentary “Twenty Feet From Stardom” at 5:30 p.m. in the Waterfront Dining Room at the Captain Kidd Restaurant, 77 Water St., Woods Hole. The screening will begin at 7:30 p.m. The film, by Morgan Neville, shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Along with rare archival footage and soundtracks, the movie includes interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Sting and more. The price includes entree and movie, but does not include beverage, dessert, tax or tip. Reservations are required. Tickets: $25. Information: www.woodsholefilmfestival.org or (508) 548-8563.
· Comics Kelly MacFarland and Tim McIntire will be the headliners at 7:30 p.m. at Ira Proctor's Cape Cod Comedy Lounge, inside the Doubletree Hotel, 287 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis. A full bar and menu are available in the show room. Tickets: $25 online, $30 at the door. Information: 774-487-2323.
· The Harvest Wine Bar will celebrate the contributions of “Black Men in the Blues” for Black History Month with the Fred Clayton Trio at 7:30 p.m. at the wine bar, 776 Main St., Dennis. The group will play classics from Elmore James, B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf along with originals in the classic blues tradition. Information: www.harvestgallerywinebar.com or 508-385-2444.
· The Cultural Center of Cape Cod will present a musical cafe, including a dance floor, with The Ticks from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the center, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. Featured in the group will be Emma Dubner on bass, Julia Randall on drums and Sue LaVallee on guitar. All three sing original songs written by at least one of the three. Always with a mind to fashion and theatricality, they play pop-punk and rock with clever lyrics and wry, wicked humor. Their debut album, “So Young, So Bad,” was named a Top Ten Album of the Year in 2003 by the Boston Globe, according to a press release. Attendees may bring their own refreshments (coolers welcome). This is an adults only event. Tickets: $15. Information: www.cultural-center.org or 508-394-7100.
· Bijou will present a concert of Gypsy jazz – also known as Gypsy swing or hot club jazz – at 2:30 p.m. for the “Music & More” series at Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis. Bijou performs in the musical style originated in the 1930s – combining a dark Gypsy flavor with the period's swing – by guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt in Paris. Bijou consists of Lary Chaplan on violin, and Doug Large and Gary Gross on guitar. Admission is $12 for museum members, $15 for nonmembers. Reservations (recommended): 508-385-4477, ext. 15.
· The Mews Restaurant will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' first appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” beginning at 6 p.m. at the restaurant, 429 Commercial St., Provincetown. A special menu will include an Octopus's Garden appetizer and Strawberry Fields dessert. The vegetarian offering will be Tofu Vindaloo in honor of India's influence on the quartet. Also featured will be themed entertainment and giveaways, including Sgt. Pepper Mills and salon gift certificates good toward Beatles hairdos (or don'ts). Diners will receive a Beatles button. The event also coincides with George Harrison's birthday and the yearlong celebration of the restaurant's 50th anniversary. Admission is free. Information: www.mews.com or 508-487-1500.
· The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will kick off its new monthly film series, “Nature Screen,” with the PBS “Hit and Run History” documentary, “Falklands HO!” The film follows the Columbia Expedition headed toward the Antarctic Circle. The “Hit and Run History” series has followed the story of Capt. John Kendrick and his crew as they began the first voyage around the world, ranging all over New England and the East Coast, to the islands of Cape Verde. This film focuses on their most remote location yet, the ever-disputed Falkland Islands. The program will include an introduction by producer Andrew Giles Buckley, a screening of the film, and a Q&A. Admission is free. Information: www.ccmnh.org or 508-896-3867.
· The Nantucket Historical Association's “Food for Thought” series will continue with “Nantucket Wildfire Awareness,” from noon to 1 p.m. at the Nantucket Whaling Museum, 13 Broad St., Nantucket. The event is a combined effort of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Nantucket Fire Department. The multimedia presentation will focus on the Foundation's Wildfire Risk Reduction Program. Admission is free. Information: www.nha.org or 508-228-1894.
· Provincetown artist Salvatore Del Deo will give a gallery talk about his portraits and figurative work at 2 p.m. at the Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis. The talk is scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition “Salvatore Del Deo: Faces and Figures 1967-2012,” which is running through March 9 at the museum. More than 20 works by the artist are on view. The talk is free with museum admission of $9, $8 for seniors, $5 for students 13 to 18 and free for children under 12. Information: www.ccmoa.org or 508-385-4477.
COMPILED BY COLLEEN PRESTON