As Thanksgiving approaches, we know that the holiday season is nearly here, so it’s time to start marking your calendars with December concerts and gatherings.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is pleased to present the Dashing Rock Trio in a Celtic Christmas Concert with timeless melodies reimagined, on Saturday December 6^th at 7:30pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, at the corner of Middle and Church Streets.

Based on the isle of Nahant in Boston Harbor, Dashing Rock Trio explores the music of the Celtic nations and beyond with varied instrumentation, including fiddle, nyckelharpa, flute, whistle, guitar, accordion, Scottish smallpipes and voice.

Elizabeth Ketudat, Dave Cabral, and Sarah MacConduibh have performed together for decades in multiple ensembles. They bring their deep friendship and experience to create the ensemble’s unique sound, a blend of tradition and fresh interpretation.

Dashing Rock Trio performs at festivals, concerts, and private events. Whether on a grand stage or a cozy local venue, they bring vibrant energy and musicianship to every performance.  We are delighted to present them to the community in the fine acoustics of our historic 1806 Meetinghouse.

Tickets are available at the door and online (recommended) with more information on our website.  General admission is $30, students $10, under age 12 free.

Parking is available on the Green, entered between the granite pillars at 50 Middle Street, and around the Historic District.  The side entrance at 10 Church Street offers elevator access.

This Sunday afternoon Nov. 2, we are proud to present the Charlie Chaplin silent movie masterpiece, The Gold Rush, accompanied by sonic artist extraordinaire Peter Krasinski on the grand 1893 Hutchings/Fisk pipe organ.

The Gold Rush (1925) is tragicomedy about the search for gold, in which the leading character faces hunger, cold, and even the possibility that he may be attacked by a grizzly.  It’s hilarious and sad at the same time, providing delightful entertainment for the whole family!

Peter Krasinski, an international star of improvised silent movie accompaniment, will employ all the tone colors and power of the Meetinghouse pipe organ to add mystery, intrigue and excitement to this classic Charlie Chaplin film.

Tickets are available at the door or in advance (recommended) on our website.

Admission: $20 General, $5 Students, Under 12 free

Parking is available on the Green in front of the Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, at 50 Middle Street and at other locations around the Historic District. The side entrance at 10 Church Street provides elevator access. 

Join us this Sunday afternoon for an incredible entertainment treat!

A century ago, the name Chaplin was as famous as that of Spielberg, Redford, or Streep. In Hollywood’s early days, he was a comedian, producer, writer, director and composer widely regarded as the greatest comic artist of films—and, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, one of the most important figures ever in motion picture history.

On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2, at 3:30pm a Charlie Chaplin masterpiece, The Gold Rush, will be featured marking the 100th anniversary of this silent-film classic, with live organ accompaniment by maestro Peter Krasinski in the historic 1806 Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church.
The Gold Rush is a 1925 American silent film comedy written, produced and directed by Chaplin. It received an Academy Award nomination, and it has since been added to the National Film registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural, historic and aesthetic significance.

Silent films aren’t silent at all. Before ‘talkies’ came along the action was augmented by vigorous pianists or skilled organists whose music swelled or swooned to match the action. The Gold Rush will be accompanied by Peter Krasinski, a master of improvised silent movie accompaniment, whose exciting performances delight kids and adults alike. Krasinski will exploit all the tone colors and power of the 1893 Hutchings/Fisk organ, creating music that adds mystery, intrigue and excitement to this notable film.
Tickets are available at the door and with more information at http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org.
Cost: $20 General, $5 Students, Under 12 free

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 50 Middle Street in Gloucester. Parking is available on the Green in front of the Meetinghouse and at other locations in the Historic District. The side entrance at 10 Church Street offers elevator access.

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church started its history as the first Universalist church in America in 1779, a rebellious congregation that played an important role in the quest for religious freedom as enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The architecturally significant building predates lighthouses on Cape Ann and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is an independent, secular nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the historic building’s preservation and its use for and by the Cape Ann community.

Please join us for the sixth annual Cape Ann Classic Cars on the Green on Saturday September 20th, from 10am to 2pm in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, GPS 50 Middle Street, Gloucester.  The rain date for the event is on Sunday, September 21st from 1-5pm.

This is a delightful free event for the whole family with beautiful classic vintage and special interest cars on display. The audience votes in nine categories for the trophy winners, including the coveted “Best in Show.”  A 50/50 raffle will be included to add to the excitement of the event as well as tours of the historic Meetinghouse! If you are interested in showing your classic car, register ($20) at the entrance or in advance (recommended as space is limited) by emailing: c.nazarian@gloucestermeetinghouse.org.

Admission to the public is free but donations to the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation for the ongoing building restoration are greatly appreciated! We hope to see you at this fun filled fall event!

Please join us Friday, September 5, from 6 to 8 pm, for the 2025 season’s final  Music on Meetinghouse Green concert at  the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, at the corner of Middle and Church Streets, Gloucester, as we go out with a bang with the Cape Ann Big Band. This diverse 17-piece big band entertains and delights audiences with danceable music infused with jazz, swing, New Orleans street bands, soul, and rock n’ roll that will take you back in time. 

Food service for this event will be Meat & Sweet serving savory meat dishes and baked goods. 

Our free summer concerts support partner local nonprofit organizations. This week, the  Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation itself will benefit from the free-will donations that support these partners, helping support preservation of this architectural and historic landmark. The evening also will include a 50/50 raffle as the Foundation celebrates the 10th anniversary of Music on Meetinghouse Green. Along with the nine-concert summer outdoor music series, The Meetinghouse year-around hosts public symposiums on contemporary concerns and offers a variety of concerts and other public programs. Information is on GMF’s website at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org.

Please note that all events are rain or shine, with concerts being moved into the social hall if there is inclement weather!

Please join us on Friday, August 29th at 6pm on the stage overlooking Meetinghouse Green in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Gloucester, for Jim ‘n’ Tonic, a loud and wildly eclectic five piece band featuring a saxophonist and upright bass player. They are a cool and beloved group on Cape Ann and beyond who love to have a great time interacting with their audience as they crank out some great tunes!

Our non-profit receiving free-will donations for the evening will be HAWC, Healing Abuse/Working for Change, which provides an essential lifeline of safety and support to women and children at risk from domestic abuse, related injustice and economic peril.  Please consider giving generously when the donation box goes around! Meat & Sweet will be the food service for the evening serving up delicious and savory smoked meats and baked goods for all to enjoy!

Music on Meetinghouse Green presents ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’ at 6:00pm on Friday, August 22nd performing on the stage overlooking Meetinghouse Green in front of the UU Church.  Well known in Boston’s underground cabaret scene, ‘What Time Is It Mr. Fox?’ has earned a loyal following with frequent performances in New York City and tours across the United States. Their original songs feature rich lyrical imagery that explore love, spirituality, sexuality, and identity, and their performances are infused with energy, honesty, and emotional authenticity.

Their unique brand of music and performance art has been adopted by popular singers, filmmakers, and repertory theaters. Band members include: Brian King, voice, piano, and acoustic guitar; Nathan Cohen, violin, trumpet, voice; Dennis Monagle, drums; Renee Dupuis, voice, keys, and melodica; and Joe Cardoza, upright bass.

Your free-will donations will benefit Action, Inc. Action, Inc. is a safety net for our community, offering a broad range of supportive services, including: fuel assistance and energy efficiency programs, case management, housing assistance and homelessness prevention, job training and education, and affordable housing. They are always ready to provide support when people need it most.  Please bring extra cash for when the buckets are passed around!  Crepes du Jour will be the food service for the evening serving up delicious sweet and savory crepes for all to enjoy!