Rockport Middle/High School Performing Arts Performances Open to the Public
Enjoy live music and theater performances put on by passionate and talented students
ROCKPORT, MA – The Rockport Middle/High School Performing Arts Department would like to invite interested community members to attend their upcoming student concerts and theater productions.
Rockport Middle School presents their winter musical: Shrek Jr
Performances will be held in the John Lane Auditorium at Rockport Middle/High School on Thursday, January 25th and Friday, January 26th at 7:00 pm; with a matinee on Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at the door. They are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
All shows are open to the public. The Rockport Public Schools is appreciative of the incredible community support of the fine and performing arts programs and is proud to provide their students with a variety of high quality programs.
All are welcome to join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at Shalin Liu Performance Center on Friday, January 26 from 5 to 9 PM as we welcome incoming 2024 Board President Karen Ristuben and thank 2023 Board President Loran Caputo.
We will also be welcoming new additions to the 2024 Board of Directors:
Michele Cooper (Cross Country Mortgage)
Lindsey Egan (Egan Law Center)
Lauren Georgiades (GL Design)
Erina McWilliam-Lopez (Cape Ann YMCA)
Gayle Movalli (Happy Valley)
Charlie Powers (Burgin Platner Insurance Co.)
Outgoing Board members will also be recognized:
Caitlin Pszenny (Chairperson)
Cathy Lanois
Carol Sharoff
Eli Timmons
With the 2024 theme of Creativity, Culture & Commerce: Stronger Together, our goal this year is to inspire new synergies between greater Cape Ann’s arts, culture, and business communities.
This unique Annual Celebration represents the visual and performing arts – music, painting, drama, poetry, and dance – from all five of our communities.
The Program and Cocktail Reception will be held from 5 to 7 PM (heavy appetizers). The Live Performances begin at 7:30 PM. Ticketing options include:
Program and Cocktail Reception plus Live Performances for $100; or
Live Performances Only at $45 for adults and $20 for youth under 18.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Cape Ann Big Band with featured vocalists: Alexandra Grace, Emily Grace, Rhiannon Hurst, Scott Parisi, John Rockwell, and Nathan Seavey
BrassFed Nation Youth Swing Orchestra with featured vocalists: Scarlett Berge, Jessica Cote, Alexis Geary, and Alessandro Schoc
Spoken Word: Luce Wren Brandt and Kaley Fantasia
Dancer Performance: Sarah Slifer Swift and Carey McKinley, Movement Arts Gloucester MA (MAGMA)
Lanes Coven Theater Co: Lily Narbonne and Justin Genna
Live Art on Stage: Loren Doucette, Seven Suns Gallery. Pastel Artwork*
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS
Wood Carving Demonstration by Harold Burnham*
Live Painting Demonstration by Joli Ayn Wood*
Centerpieces: Chubby Clay Bodies by Miranda Aisling, filled with beautiful floral arrangements by Betsy Morris Quinn (Dirt Floral Works). (Flat-fee purchase price of $40 each – first-come, first-served)
Life-sized Portrait of “Captain Kyle Nelson, Pigeon Cove Lobsterman” by Leslie Heffron, in the Lobby. (Available for purchase from the artist.)
* Finished artwork to be sold via Silent Auction. Silent Auction bidding sheets available in the Lobby. Additional art pieces by Loren Doucette will be on display and available for retail purchase.
On Monday January 15th at 2:00pm, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation will present its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration in the sanctuary of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). There is an elevator available at the 10 Church Street side entrance for persons with disabilities. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available. Parking is allowed on the green.
Each year we strive to create a singular, thought-provoking and inspiring event to honor Dr. King’s legacy and vision. Please join us for an exciting afternoon of presentations, music and audience participation.
Program
Mayor Greg Verga, opening address
Renée Graham, Boston Globe associate editor and columnist, keynote speaker with audience Q&A
Michea McCaffery, Gloucester Racial Justice Team Chair, Gloucester survey presentation, conversation with Renée Graham, and audience Q&A
Gordon Michaels vocalist & ensemble, diverse music based on the Black experience
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his own voice via audio recording
Paul Revere bell-ringing in commemoration as we depart the Meetinghouse
For those who cannot attend in person the event will be simulcast on the Gloucester Meetinghouse YouTube channel and will be available there afterwards. More information is available at: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
Join us at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar on January 25th for our Portuguese Wine Dinner Pairing!
This four-course intimate dining experience will feature our Chef’s creations paired with a different varietal of Portuguese Wine for $120++. Dinner begins at 6:00PM.
1st Course: Pan Seared Monkfish, paired with Castello d’Alba Reserva White 2nd Course: Crispy Octopus, paired with Fonte do Ouro Reserva Red 3rd Course: Grilled Wild Boar, paired with Dona Maria Grande Reserva Red 4th Course: Filo Crusted Cheesecake, paired with Van Zellers & Co. 20yr Tawny Port
++ MA State Tax & 20% Gratuity will be collected on-site in addition to the $120 price of the dinner experience. Cancellations and no shows will be charged the full amount.
The GMGI Science Hour returns for the first talk of 2024, featuring the fascinating work of Revive & Restore, a wildlife conservation organization whose mission is to enhance biodiversity through the genetic rescue of endangered and extinct species.
Ryan Phelan, the organization’s co-founder and Executive Director, joins us on Thursday, January 18th to discuss her work with the world’s leading molecular biologists, conservation biologists, and conservation organizations. Together, they envision and develop pioneering projects that apply cutting-edge biotechnologies to seemingly intractable conservation challenges. Challenges such as:
Genetic diversity loss Invasive species Coral bleaching Climate change
You can register for Ryan’s talk, “Bringing Biotech to Wildlife Conservation” at the link below.
Celebrate the transition from 2023 to 2024 in unparalleled style by gathering your friends in the opulent setting of our Castle’s Great Hall. Prepare to dance the night away to the sensational beats curated by DJ JRM of Scape Audio New England, all while being charmed by our master of ceremonies for the evening, the incomparable Bruce Jacques! Check out Bruce’s reel herefor a sneak peek into the infectious energy and unparalleled entertainment he brings to every event. Indulge your palate with a selection of enticing hors d’oeuvres crafted by Creative Catering, and raise your glass for a complimentary champagne toast as we collectively countdown to the magic moment at the stroke of midnight, marked by our dazzling New Year’s illumination.
But the festivities don’t end there! Embark on a journey through Hammond Castle Museum’s many rooms, each possessing its own unique charm and rich history, enhancing the layers of delight woven into your New Year’s Eve celebration. Join us for an unforgettable night of music, laughter, and exploration, creating memories to carry into the promising dawn of the new year.
Celebrate the beginning of New Year’s weekend on Friday, December 29th at 7:30pm in the historic Gloucester Meetinghouse with the Good Old Salty Jazz Band playing New Orleans Jazz tunes of the holiday season. This group of legendary local musicians will delight you with their fantastic sound!
Robert Tuffley, cornet & trumpet John Cameron, piano Jimmy Favazza, drums John Hicks guitar & banjo Dave Sag, bass Robert Landoni, sax & clarinet Rikki Razdan, sax & clarinet Ben Tuck, trombone
Last year’s New Year’s concert in the Meetinghouse sold out, so purchase your seats early! Light refreshments will be served. The Meetinghouse is located on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets.There is a side entrance with an elevator at 10 Church Street.
Unable to attend in person?The concert will start at 7:30pm and will be simulcast on the Gloucester Meetinghouse YouTube channel, where it will be available afterwards.
Tickets are available online at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org or at the door by cash, check or credit card. General seating $30; students $10; children under 12 free.
Cruise into 2024 amidst the waves and beneath the stars aboard Beauport Cruiselines!
Our can’t-miss New Year’s Eve Cruise will feature a sparkling Champagne Toast, Lively DJ Entertainment, delectable Passed Hors D’oevres, a delicious Mac & Cheese Martini Bar a Chinese Food Feast, and more! What better way to sail into the New Year?
Bid farewell to 2023 and ring in the brand-new year, 2024, in grand style in our Castle’s Great Hall. Get ready to dance the night away with the fantastic beats of Scape Audio New England and be entertained by our emcee of the festivities – Bruce Jacques! Savor the evening with an array of mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres by Creative Catering and raise your glass for a complimentary sparkling champagne toast as we count down to the stroke of midnight with our New Year’s illumination. But that’s not all! Explore the many rooms of the Castle, each with its unique charm and history, adding an extra layer of delight to your New Year’s Eve celebration.
– Doors open at 9:00 pm and the celebration goes to 1:00 am. – Tickets are only $125 for each guest. – VIP Tables (Limited Availability) are only $850 and offer guaranteed seating for up to 6 guests, a bottle of champagne, and six souvenir champagne glasses for your midnight toast!
Genetic diversity loss
Cape Ann Community 