GRAND FINALE, MOTOWN, SOUL, BLUES & JAZZ: ‘MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN,’ TONIGHT!
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CHILDREN’S CHOIR FESTIVAL IN GLOUCESTER!
Children’s Choir Festival Makes First Gloucester Appearance on Sunday
Nearly three dozen young voices will be joined in song on Sunday, February 11th beginning at 4 p.m. in the 10th annual Children’s Choir Festival. It will be held in the Sanctuary of the historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Street. This is a wonderful event for the whole family to enjoy!
The singers, ages 5 through 18, are from three Episcopal churches, St. John’s of Gloucester, Christ Church in Andover, and All Saints Church in Chelmsford, assembled to give them an opportunity to sing as part of a larger ensemble in a grand space with a bigger audience than their home choir situations permit.
The works will range from the famous Shaker Tune, “Simple Gifts,” through religious melodies, spirituals, and a work, ‘The Call of Wisdom,” written in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The audience will be invited to join the combined choirs in singing “All Creatures of Our God and King and Beethoven’s “Hymn to Joy.” Prayers and scripture readings will be interspersed throughout the hour-long program. A reception will follow.
The Choir Festival dates back to 2009 but this is its first appearance in Gloucester. Mark Nelson, music director at St. John’s Church, said the Meetinghouse was chosen as the venue for its ample seating for over 300 persons, as well as its fine acoustics. Nelson will be joined in conducting by Barbara Bruns of the Andover church and Maggie Marshall of the Chelmsford Church.
The Gloucester Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Middle and Church Street. Parking is available on the green in front of the Meetinghouse, in the St. John’s Church lot at 33 Washington St., and in the municipal lot at nearby St. Peter’s Square, on Rogers Street. Access for persons with disabilities is from the side door at 10 Church St.
The event is being hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. Admission is free (donations gratefully accepted). More information is available at:
http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
http://www.facebook.com/gloucestermeetinghouse/
SECOND ANNUAL GLOUCESTER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY CELEBRATION
WHAT: AN AFTERNOON OF PRESENTATIONS ON THE MLK HOLIDAY hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation
WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018, 2:00-5:30pm
WHERE: The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church) on Meetinghouse Green at the corner of Middle and Church Street. Accessible side entrance at 10 Church Street. Parking on the Green or next door at St. John’s Church.
PROGRAM:
Mary Ellen Lepionka, Cape Ann Algonquians’ fate after European colonization
Lise Breen, history of black leaders of the Abolitionist Movement
GWC Fish Tales, first-hand stories from refugees about the promise of America
Reverend Janet Parsons, accountability and where do we go from here?
Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken, commentary on cultural diversity
Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his final Christmas Sermon on interconnectedness
Closing, tolling of the Meetinghouse Paul Revere bell for freedom
WHAT’S SPECIAL? A rare opportunity to gather in community to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, learn about historical and present-day persons of color with diverse identities, initiatives to study the history of slavery on Cape Ann as well as the black leaders of the Abolitionist Movement and rededicate ourselves to the American creed that all persons are created equal. This is the 50th anniversary of the tragic assassination of Dr. King, whose message on non-violence, opposition to war, drive to lift people of any ethnicity, country of origin or racial background out of poverty, and belief in the care of our natural environment is as relevant today as it was in the 60’s.
COST: FREE with voluntary donations, all welcome. Refreshments will be available.
MORE INFORMATION: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION: The mission of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is to preserve the 1806 landmark building, Gloucester’s last-surviving historic Meetinghouse, as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community action center.
RELATED MORNING EVENT: The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport holds its annual Peace March commemorating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in which members and friends gather at 9:30 am for sign making, followed by a march through downtown Rockport at 10:00 am, and gather after the march for hot cider and goodies, followed by a short worship service. For more information see: http://rockportuu.org/
‘FOLLOW THE STAR,’ performed by the The Musicians of the Old Post Road in the Gloucester Meetinghouse, Saturday December 16th at 7:30pm.
Join us for a joyful celebration of the completed fire-sprinkler project with a magical Baroque chamber music concert!
We will thank the key civic grant sources and private individual donors to the sprinkler capital campaign; especially Linzee & Beth Coolidge who provided the initial and capping gifts that made it possible
The Musicians of the Old Post Road is a chamber ensemble based in the Boston area that specializes in the period instrument performance of dynamic and diverse music from the Baroque to early Romantic eras. Founded by Artistic Directors Suzanne Stumpf (flute) and Daniel Ryan (cello), the ensemble also includes Sarah Darling (violin & viola), Marcia Cassidy (viola), and Michael Bahmann (harpsichord).
‘Follow the Star’ is a program showcasing music written for Epiphany and shining a light on the Magi’s journey toward Bethlehem. This festive concert includes selections by Telemann, Geist, and a modern day revival of a cantata by Graupner. The ensemble is joined for this concert by distinguished vocal soloists: soprano Jessica Petrus, mezzo-soprano Catherine Hedberg, and tenor Jason Wang.
LOCATION: The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church), on the green at the corner of Church & Middle Street. Accessible side entrance with a lift at 10 Church Street, near the corner of Pine Street.
COST: $45 Preferred Seating (reserved front rows & rear gallery), $30 General, $25 College Students & Seniors (65+), under 17 free. Tickets may be purchased online at:
http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
or at the door with cash, check or major credit card.
PARKING: On Meetinghouse Green (enter at the curb cut between the granite pillars) or next door at St. John’s Church
THE EXPERIENCE:
“To attend an Old Post Road concert is to be transported back in time. Picture yourself sitting in the pews of a beautiful old church…with bold, graceful, or spritely music filling the intimate venue. The program that rests in your lap details the rich history of the music you are listening to, and the concert venue you are enjoying. In front of you, the ensemble charms on a variety of period wind, string, and keyboard instruments.”
Symposium at the Meetinghouse: ‘PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY?’
This is a community Symposium presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation and its clean energy initiative TownGreen/2025 on Saturday afternoon November 11th, 2-6:00pm.
The event will explore whether preservation of our older homes and historic civic buildings is compatible the goal of becoming “green” through expert presentations, responses from a distinguished panel, and Q&A with the audience.
Cape Ann is actively pursuing two goals that are sometimes viewed as separate or opposed. One is for the preservation of Cape Ann’s historic buildings and homes, especially as Gloucester’s 400th anniversary approaches in 2023. The other is to seek alternate sources of clean energy, minimize consumption, and reduce our overall carbon footprint to counter the global forces of climate change.
We explore many aspects of the basic question: Can preservation and sustainability can be complementary rather than competitive goals?
Some of the issues emerged recently in the controversy about whether the Sawyer Free Library should build an all-new structure or work within an existing building envelope that was purposely designed to complement the landmark buildings of the Historic District.
In a sequence of four 50 minute sessions with 10 minute breaks, the Symposium will provide a friendly and informative forum in which residents may interact with professionals to discuss how these two worthy goals sometimes conflict or may go together.
LOCATION: The historic (1806) Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green at the corner of Church & Middle Street. Parking is available on the green, next door at St. John’s Church, and at the Sawyer Free Library. Accessible side entrance with an elevator is at 10 Church Street.
ADMISSION: Free (offerings gratefully accepted), refreshments available all afternoon
More information is available at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
TODAy OCTOBER 12th: Raising Urban Chickens, a workshop at Backyard Growers
Raising Urban Chickens
Thursday, October 12th, 6:00-7:30PM
Join Backyard Growers and local chicken farmer Jess Araneo as we discuss these fine birds. From getting started, to meeting city standards, to choosing the right ladies for your flock- we’re excited to answer all your burning questions and leave you ready to start, improve or expand your backyard flock! We’ll spend just over an hour discussing the ins and outs of chicken raising, then leave time to meet a bird or two and answer all your questions. Join us!
Jess is resident in Rowley, MA where she raises over 40 chickens and 20 ducks on less than an acre. She sells eggs from her chickens and ducks out of a farm stand at her house.
Hosted at Backyard Grower Office: 127 Main St, Gloucester
Tickets: $10 Purchase tickets here
Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org
Cape Ann Community 