Due to popular request, Unplugged Play Time Fridays have extended into November! The Gould Court parking lot door at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church will be open from 4:00 to 6:00 on November 11 and November 18 to welcome parents
to drop in with their children for some old-fashioned fun: blocks, puzzles, board games, battery-free toys and more! There is no cost to attend. Parents/Caregivers remain and provide supervision for your children. After the 18th, Unplugged Play will take a break until the new year.

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church will host “The Enchanted Kingdom”, an alternative to scary haunted houses, on Sunday, October 30 from 4-6pm.  If you are looking for Halloween fun without the fright, come visit and play in the Fairy Garden, Elf Forest and Magic Castle. Created with three to ten year-olds in mind, the kingdom will delight all ages.

Enter The Enchanted Kingdom at 10 Church Street, Gloucester, MA. Admission is free to all. Donations will be gratefully accepted to support the outreach activities of the church.

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is hosting a series of Friday afternoon unplugged play sessions on October 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the West End Neighbors and Friends. Families are encouraged to attend together. Children older than seven years may drop-in. Children younger than seven please come with an adult.  The play sessions are free to all.

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and Folk Life Studio are co-sponsoring two music classes.Sing through the Seasons is focused on seasonal folk and traditional songs, games, chants and rhymes. 

Families Together, a mixed age class for children from birth to five years, provides an opportunity to explore rhythm and rhyme, melody and chants, songs and games in a friendly social atmosphere with other adults and young children.  The class will meet on Friday mornings from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM for six weeks, October 14 through November 18.

Youth Folk Chorus participants will learn songs and singing games while building age appropriate skills in music, movement, and ensemble work.  The final class will be a sharing performance for family and friends.  The chorus will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 for six weeks, October 11 through November 15.  Folk Chorus participants may opt to perform in “A Harvest of Stories and Songs” a concert scheduled for Saturday, November 19 as part of the Middle Street Harvest Festival. 

All classes are taught by veteran folk performer, educator and organizer       Rose Sheehan. Classes meet at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester, MA.

Tuition for each session is $60. Scholarships and sibling discounts are available. Sheehan can be contacted at folklifestudio@gmail.com or at          978-879-6826 for registration and tuition information.

Cape Ann Big Band in Free Concert, Friday, September 9, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Corner of Middle and Church Streets, Gloucester, MA

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 bring you back in time.… Known for operating like a family, Cape Ann Big Band prides itself with having a repertoire that has no boundaries. Their program includes such classics as “Mack the Knife,” “I’ve Got You Under my Skin,” and “Take the A Train.”

This is the final concert in a series of nine free outdoor concerts presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.   The family-friendly concert begins at 6 pm. Bring a picnic, folding chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the event will take place inside the Meetinghouse (no food or drink permitted inside.) Donations will be accepted to benefit the Gloucester Meetinghouse Fire Deterrence Project.

About the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation
http://gloucestermeetinghouse.org/
The long term goal of the Meetinghouse Restoration Project is to complete a historically informed but fully functional building restoration, both to preserve this important landmark and to be a cultural gathering place for all of Gloucester and Cape Ann. The church has a long history of community service, with a congregation eager to share the space. Until it can be protected by a comprehensive fire-sprinkler and detection system with fire-stops in the walls it will remain at grave risk of loss.

Deb Hardy and Alternate Roots Band in Free Concert, Friday, August 26, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Corner of Middle and Church Streets, Gloucester, MA

Deb Hardy is a contemporary folk singer/songwriter from Gloucester whose songs reflect the drama, beauty and serenity of this ocean harbor community. Her style of singing and guitar playing is rhythmic, expressive and powerful. You may hear such influences as Kate Bush, Yes, and Led Zeppelin. Deb performs her songs in a warm, relaxed, and energetic spirit. 
Alternate Roots is a roots rock party band made up of Tom Alley, Jamie Melville and Carl Di Franza. Together with Deb Hardy, they cover tunes from the Etta James, Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Blind Melon, Alabama Shakes and more.

This is concert eight in a series of nine free outdoor concerts presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.   The family-friendly concert begins at 6 pm. Bring a picnic, folding chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the event will take place inside the Meetinghouse (no food or drink permitted inside.) Donations will be accepted to benefit the Grace Center.

About the Grace Center
In the winter of 2009, the Cape Ann Clergy Association recognized an increasing number of requests for help from low-income and homeless adults. A Needs Assessment Study identified a number of pressing needs including the absence of a safe day space for the homeless in Gloucester. On December 22, 2011, the Grace Center, Inc. opened as a day resource center with professional staff and volunteers. To date we have served over 700 individuals.  http://gracecenterinc.org/

Vermont’s Milkhouse Heaters in Free Concert, Friday, August 12, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Corner of Middle and Church Streets, Gloucester, MA

The Milkhouse Heaters are a husband and wife duo. Mike Sheehy plays guitar and harmonica and Jan Sheehy plays bass. Both sing. They have a vocal harmony style that has been compared to Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons.
In the early days, Mike played bass while Jan sang lead and played guitar. They could often be found kicking around the Boston music scene. They received airplay on several of the city’s radio stations and were nominated for a Boston Music Award in 2001. They have shared the stage with The Black Crowes, Corey Glover, Fuel, Feeder, and Hum as well as playing the Boston leg of The Vans Warped Tour. Their songs are on numerous compilations alongside the likes of G. Love and Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, Burning Spear, and The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones.

This is concert seven in a series of nine free outdoor concerts presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.   The family-friendly concert begins at 6 pm. Bring a picnic, folding chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the event will take place inside the Meetinghouse (no food or drink permitted inside.) Donations will be accepted to benefit Art Haven.

Cape Ann Art Haven is a community space where children of all ages and abilities are encouraged to develop creativity and confidence through hands-on learning and collaboration.  http://www.arthaven.org/

Next Friday’s concert features the Deb Hardy & Alternate Root Band to benefit the Grace Center.

The Children’s Religious Exploration Program of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church seeks a Co-Teacher to plan and facilitate engaging experiences for a wide age range with the program’s Lead Teacher/Director.
This is a part-time, three hours per week position. Two hours are required on Sunday mornings; a weekly one hour planning meeting will be arranged with the Director.

Qualifications:
• Have values aligned with those of Unitarian Universalism
• Willingness to serve the mission and work of the GUUC congregation
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse people in diverse situations
• Minimum of one year experience assisting or teaching in a classroom setting
• Knowledge of mixed age curriculum and experience using story, song, art, nature, movement, discussion, and/or play to engage children is highly desired
• Ability to work supportively with teen assistants
• Experience maintaining confidentiality
• Successful completion of a background check (CORI)

Candidates with experience in Emergent, Nature Based, Montessori, and/or Waldorf curriculum, as well as those with experience in children’s religious education are particularly encouraged to apply.

Pre-service training will begin the week of September 5, 2016. The first program Sunday will be September 18 and will continue most Sundays through June 4, 2017.

To apply:

Please send a letter of interest, resume, and two professional references by August 20, 2016 to info@gloucesteruu.org

Paper applications may be mailed to:
Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church
10 Church Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
ATTN: DRE

One-week Music Day Camp for Children Ages 6-12

A one week morning day camp will be offered Monday, August 22 – Friday, August 26, 8:30 – 12:30, for children aged 6 through 12 years old at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle Street, Gloucester, MA.  “Cape Ann Arts Alive” will offer music and more as we explore Cape Ann through the lively arts.

Campers will have opportunities to sing and make music, participate in movement, creative drama and dance, write haiku and more. The camp experience will culminate with a showcase of the week’s highlights at 11:30 AM for family and friends.

Drama and music will combine as we discover the stories of colorful, local characters Howard Blackburn, the Witch of Dogtown and the Gloucester Sea Serpent.

Gloucester poet/composer Steve Scotti’s “On the Dogtown Common Road” which highlights the Babson Boulder carved mottos will be used to inspire Haiku and other poetry.

Program Staff features veteran teachers and performers from the Cape Ann Interfaith Community including Kathleen Adams, Annisquam Village Church; Rose Sheehan, Gloucester UUC; Kristina Martin, First Congregational, Rockport; Pastor Anne Deneen and Eva DiLascio, St. Paul Lutheran, Lanesville; Jay DiPrima, Mary Jodice and Mark Nelson from St. John’s.

3rian King and Nathan Cohen plus Chris Leghorn and Gerry Ryan in Free Concert, Friday, August 12, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Corner of Middle and Church Streets, Gloucester, MA

3rian King (voice, keys, guitar) and Nathan Cohen (violin, trumpet) are the founders of the neo-cabaret band, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?. The pair like to bend and blend genres, allowing the song to be what it needs to be in order to express its emotional core. Together they have packed houses in Boston, NYC, and throughout the country.

Veteran performers Chris Leghorn and Gerry Ryan have formed a new acoustic duo who perform a wide range of compelling songs that cover the traditions from folk, Celtic, sea shanties, original and popular music. They specialize in performing catchy songs with strong melodies and moving harmonies that captivate and entertain an audience.

This is concert six in a series of nine free outdoor concerts presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.   The family-friendly concert begins at 6 pm. Bring a picnic, folding chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the event will take place inside the Meetinghouse (no food or drink permitted inside.) Donations will be accepted to benefit the Gloucester Writers Center.

Since its founding in 2010, the Gloucester Writers Center has hosted hundreds of events including readings, classes, lectures, films, writers-in-residence and community events.
A working writers center in a working town, the GWC is housed in the home of Gloucester’s first poet laureate, Vincent Ferrini. For fifty years Ferrini lived and wrote poetry in his home and framing studio at 126 East Main Street. After his death in 2007 the project of opening the house as a living memorial began with Ferrini’s nephew, Henry Ferrini, long-time friend Annie Thomas, friend and Unitarian Universalist minister Paul Sawyer and New York writer André Spears. The GWC was incorporated before Sawyer’s death in 2010 and soon received 501(c)(3) status.

Next Friday’s concert features the Milkhouse Heaters from Vermont to benefit the Cape Ann Art Haven.