Author: chasnaz

Hye Fusion on Meetinghouse Green on August 15th!

~ chasnaz

On August 15, Hye Fusion will return to perform on the stage overlooking Meetinghouse Green in front of the UU Church.  Hye Fusion is a trio of classically trained musicians blending Western jazz favorites with the irresistible rhythms and melodies of their Middle Eastern backgrounds for a thrilling evening of East-meets-West fusion. Get ready for an unforgettable evening as these three virtuoso musicians take you on a unique musical journey that will get you up and line-dancing in a flash!

This evenings non-profit will be the Grace Center. The Grace Center offers essential services to those in need of a safe environment providing meals, case management, and referrals to partner agencies for behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, medical care, job training, and housing. Founded on principles of acceptance, hospitality, and opportunity, it serves as a day resource center that connects individuals to the support they need to thrive in the community.  Crepes Du Jour will be our food vendor for the evening offering delicious sweet and savory crepes! Don’t forget to bring your folding chair to enjoy the music from the green! 

Music on Meetinghouse Green presents, Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander on Friday August 8th

~ chasnaz

Please join us on Friday, August 8th in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church 50 Middle Street for Gloucester’s Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander as he shares his legendary talent as a singer, songwriter and keyboardist. With his roots in Boston’s punk rock scene of the 70’s and 80’s, Willie’s musical career has flourished for more than 50 years. Whether as a band member with the Lost, Bagatelle, Grass Menagerie and the post-Lou Reed Velvet Underground, or as front man for his own series of bands, Willie’s enduring popularity is a reflection of his unique musical voice and artistic vision. A true artist, Willie has expanded his work to other mediums including soundtracks for local filmmaker Henry Ferrini, collage and painting.

The non-profit for this event is The Open Door, who works directly in the Cape Ann community and who alleviates the impact of hunger in our community by connecting people to good food, advocating on behalf of those in need, and engaging others in the work of building food security.    Our food vendor for the night will be the Lobster Roller, serving up delicious lobster rolls and seafood for all to enjoy.

A Perfect Summer Evening with The Goddesses!

~ chasnaz

Friday, August 1st at 6:00pm marks the return of our fantastic local band, Goddesses in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church 50 Middle Street!  Tony and Samantha Goddess, with their great band, always rock the Meetinghouse outdoor stage with popular favorites. Goddesses repertoire spans the roots of rock to its pinnacle and beyond to deliver a non-stop performance that will have you on your feet, singing along, and wanting more. Headlined by powerhouse couple Tony and Samantha Goddess on vocals and electric guitar, the Goddesses features Dave Sag on bass, Steve Chaggaris on drums, and John Cameron on keys.

This will be a perfect evening for you to enjoy Goddesses delivering a non-stop performance that will have you on your feet, singing along, and wanting more.

Tonight your free-will donations will go to support The Gloucester Education Foundation. GEF drives innovation, encourages creativity, expands student opportunities and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Gloucester Public School District.                                           

Meat & Sweet returns with delicious treats for your picnicking delight so bring a folding chair, blanket and some extra cash for when the buckets go around to raise money for GEF.

A PERFECT SUMMER EVENING WITH RHIANNON HURST & FRIENDS

~ chasnaz

Rhiannon Hurst & Friends Music on Meetinghouse Green, July 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Cape Ann couldn’t be more proud of these rising stars who will share their exceptional talent as a quartet in an evening of unforgettable Jazz in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church 50 Middle Street.

Rhiannon Hurst earned some serious respect in the Jazz world even before she graduated high school. She was one of four graduating seniors to receive the Excellence in Music Award from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. She was also the recipient of a prestigious 2021 National Young Arts Foundation award in Jazz voice for her caliber of artistic achievement. Her professional engagements have ranged from Boston’s Symphony Hall and the State Room to the North Shore’s favorite restaurants. Join us for this incredible performance by Rhiannon Hurst and friends!

Your free-will donations tonight will benefit Pathways for Children, who nurtures children and supports families impacted by economic and social inequity through programs that educate, enrich, empower and motivate.  The evening’s food vendor will be Crepes Du Jour, offering sweet and savory crepes for all to enjoy! Please bring folding chairs, blankets and extra cash for when the donation buckets go by!

HEADLANDS AT THE MEETINGHOUSE JULY 18th!

~ chasnaz

Dear Friends of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation,

Please join us on July 18th at 6:00pm for music by Headlands, a favorite local band who brings an eclectic range of instruments for all to enjoy!  Headlands, with their exciting three-part vocals that put their stamp on whichever musical genre they choose, whether an acoustic trio or a full-blown rock band with percussion, fiddle and horns, Headlands treats their audiences to thrilling harmonies, tight arrangements, and humor! Please join us for this spectacular Music on Meetinghouse Green event! Backyard Growers will be our local non-profit joining us for this event, Backyard Growers cultivates healthy, connected, resilient communities and fights for food sovereignty by empowering people to grow their own food.  They increase equitable access to vegetable gardens and the resources people and communities need to grow their own food. Our food vendor for the evening will be the Lobster Roller, serving up delicious seafood for the Cape Ann community!  Please bring folding chairs, blankets and extra cash for when the donation buckets go by! Located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets.

FULL SUMMER SCHEDULE

DATE            MUSIC                                         NON-PROFIT

July 18          Headlands                                   Backyard Growers

July 25          Rhiannon Hurst & Friends          Pathways for Children

August 1       Goddesses                                  Gloucester Education Foundation

August 8      Willie Alexander                          The Open Door

August 15     Hye Fusion                                 Grace Center

August 22    What Time is it, Mr. Fox              Action, Inc.

August 29    Jim n’ Tonic                                 HAWC                             

Sept  5         Cape Ann Big Band                     Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation

Charles & Gregory Tompkins live in Concert Saturday May 17th

~ chasnaz ~ 1 Comment

Dear Friends of the Gloucester Meetinghouse,

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation will present the last concert of our 2024-25 season on Saturday, May 17th at 7:30pm with Charles and Gregory Tompkins, a talented father and son duo that will combine the sounds of the organ, piano and violin. This is a wonderful program you do not want to miss!

PROGRAM:

Concerto in F major after Albinoni…Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748)

Solo in D major, Opus 4 No. 5…John Stanley (1712-1786)  

Passacaglia in G minor, “The Guardian Angel”…from the Mystery (Rosary) Sonatas for Violin Heinrich Biber (1644-1704)

Sonata in B-flat, Opus 65 No. 4…Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Capriccio… Naji Hakim (b. 1955)

Adoration… Finale (from First Sonata for Organ) Florence Price (1877-1953)           

Tickets are available at the door and online, with more information on our website, www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Charles Tompkins and Son live in Concert May 17th at 7:30pm

~ chasnaz

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents Charles Tompkins and son Gregory Tompkins in concert on Saturday evening, May 17th. Charles Tompkins (organ and piano) and Gregory Tompkins (violin) will perform in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. They are a dynamic and talented father and son duo who have performed in venues such as Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, Harvard Memorial Church in Cambridge, MA, and at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC.

Dr. Charles Boyd Tompkins is the Distinguished University Organist and Professor of Music Emeritus at Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, where as a member of the music faculty he taught organ, harpsichord, church music, and music theory from 1986 until his retirement in December 2022. He currently serves as the accompanist for the University’s outstanding choral ensembles (the Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir, and Belle Voci Women’s Chorale), directs Furman’s Hartness Organ Recital Series, and plays for academic convocations and weddings. Charles was central to the commission of a Fisk concert organ, completed in 2003, for the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel.

Gregory Tompkins is a versatile violinist who regularly performs in solo, chamber and orchestral settings throughout the United States. Gregory is a member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, and serves as principal second violin Opera Theater of Connecticut and Orchestra New England. He is a member of the faculty of Gateway Community College and the Hopkins School in New Haven, CT.

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street) where parking is available on the green. An elevator is available from the side door at 10 Church Street.  Admission for the event is $30 General, $10 Students (all ages), under 12 free.  For advance ticket purchases and more information please visit:  www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

An Evening with Miranda Aisling, April 5th

~ chasnaz

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents Miranda Aisling in concert on April 5th in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church

Local interdisciplinary artist Miranda Aisling (ash-lean) will perform a folk concert at the Gloucester Meetinghouse on Saturday, April 5th at 7:30pm. Aisling will be joined by musicians Matt Lefebvre on bass and Phil Benjamin on guitar, adding rich layers to her evocative folk sound. 

Aisling’s original folk songs blend frank vulnerability with insightful social commentary. A classically trained pianist who shifted from Bach to the Indigo Girls, she brings the lively spirit of a folk festival to her performances, engaging audiences with a mix of sung and spoken storytelling.

Since moving to Gloucester in 2019, Aisling has performed to enthusiastic full houses at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center, the Manship Artists Retreat, and MAGMA (Movement Arts, Gloucester, MA). As a member of the Treehouse Charlatans, she has performed at the Lanesville Music Festival, the Cape Ann Museum, and Art in the Barn.

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). Parking is available on the green. The admission for the event is $20 General, $5 Students (all ages), under 12 free.  An elevator is available from the side door at 10 Church Street. For advance ticket purchases and more information please visit:  www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

ABOUT THE GMF: The mission of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is to preserve the historic 1806 Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community gathering center. The GMF is a 501(c)(3) corporation modeled on a similar nonprofit that preserves Boston’s famous Old North Church.

March 21st Bach Birthday Concert

~ chasnaz

This concert, performed by Heinrich Christensen on the 1893 Hutchings/Fisk pipe organ with the Jubilate Chamber Choir directed by Mary Jodice, is the fifth in a series celebrating the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach. He was born on March 21st, 1685, and is considered the greatest composer of all time. This musical offering for the Cape Ann community is made possible through the generosity of H. Woody Brock.
The concert features selections from Clavier-Übung III, sometimes referred to as the German Organ Mass, a collection of compositions for organ published in 1739, based upon Lutheran chorales (harmonized hymn tunes), which will be sung a cappella by the Choir. The collection of pieces is considered Bach’s most significant and extensive work for the organ, containing some of his most musically complex and technically demanding compositions for the instrument. It opens with the majestic Prelude in E-flat and concludes with a monumental triple Fugue known as the “St. Anne,” depicting the Trinity in a glorious combination on the “organo pleno,” pulling out all the stops! Organist Heinrich Christensen is the Music Director of King’s Chapel, Boston.
The concert will be held on Friday, March 21st at 7:30pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). Parking is available on the green. The admission for the event is $35 General, $5 Students (all ages), under 12 free. An elevator is available from the side door at 10 Church Street. For more advance ticket purchases and more information please visit: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Saturday, February 15th: The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation Presents Kory Curcuru’s film series, “Timeline: Cape Ann.”

~ chasnaz

”Curcuru’s docuseries, “Timeline: Cape Ann”, produced for 1623 Studios, focuses on the history,culture and heritage of Cape Ann.  This event will present eight of Curcuru’s shorter videos,telling the story of Cape Ann’s unique history in jewel-like form, from the “first boss-lady,”Abigail Trask of Manchester-by-the-sea to Rockport’s long celebrated but little understood“Paper House,” actually a much more complicated tale than just a house of newspaper. Curcuru will be guiding the audience with his exciting style of storytelling.  The films will be shown on a big screen, in collaboration with the Cape Ann Community Cinema, in the Meetinghouse.  This will be a highly entertaining celebration of Cape Ann’s quirky, singular history.  

The film showing will be held on Saturday, February 15th at 7:30pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). Parking is available on the green. The admission for the event is $20 General, $5 Students (all ages), under 12 free.  An elevator is available from the side door at 10 Church Street. For more information please visit:  www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org