Live Music

SAWYER FREE LIBRARY TO PRESENT “GLOUCESTER ZINE FEST”

~ Sawyer Free Library

Saturday, April 27th from 11:00am to 3:00pm: Cape Ann’s first-ever festival dedicated to self-published works is free to all

The SAWYER FREE LIBRARY is excited to announce the inaugural GLOUCESTER ZINE FEST, taking place on Saturday, April 27, from 11 am to 3 pm at both 20 and 21 Main Street in Gloucester, MA. The festival, in celebration of the Library’s new zine collection, zine-making, and zine culture, promises a day filled with artistic expression, community engagement, and fun for all ages. It is free and open to everyone to attend and enjoy with free giveaways for the first 200 attendees. 

Short for fanzine or magazine, zines are small-batch, hand-made publications that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and formats. As DIY self-published works, they are a medium for self-expression that is generally not represented in mainstream culture.

Gloucester Zine Fest attendees can look forward to a vibrant and engaging lineup of hands-on activities and workshops for all ages, including inspiring speakers and live music, with the highlight being the Zine Marketplace at 20 Main Street. Here is where zinester-vendors will be trading and selling their work, serving as a great opportunity for people to meet the artists and learn what zines are all about. Participants of all ages can also unleash their creativity by crafting their own zine with local community partners Cape Ann Art Haven and Cape Ann Museum and enjoy aperformance by the Gloucester Student Band. And what’s a festival without some delicious treats? Attendees can indulge in some Holy Cow Ice Cream while immersing themselves in the world of zines.

The Sawyer Free Library’s mission is to cultivate connections across our community, power imaginations, inspire learning and provide a free, welcoming space for all. Zine-making provides the opportunity to nourish creativity and discover perspectives from diverse voices. Zines are often a platform for people in marginalized or less-empowered communities to share their knowledge and experiences. 

The Sawyer Free has been diligently curating a collection of zines that are now available for checkout. This collection aims to provide access to a wide range of zines, showcasing a variety of styles and perspectives. Additionally, the Library welcomes zine donations from people who wish to contribute to this growing collection.  

To learn more about Gloucester Zine Fest, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

What: Gloucester Zine Fest

When: Saturday, April 27, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street and Event Space at 20 Main Street, Gloucester, MA

http://www.SawyerFreeLibrary.org

Hayley Reardon kicks off Sawyer Free Folk Showcase on Thursday, June 1!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Critically acclaimed local singer songwriter Hayley Reardon to perform at SFL @ 21 Main Street on Thursday evening!

Sawyer Free Library is excited to announce its Sawyer Free Folk Showcase this summer, a series spotlighting local singer-songwriters. The showcase will be held on the first Thursday of the summer months at its 21 Main Street location in downtown Gloucester. The first one is this upcoming Thursday, June 1, with Gloucester-based singer-songwriter Hayley Reardon from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Hayley will perform a 45-minute set of her music followed by a brief discussion about her approach to songwriting and lyrical composition. The evening is free and open to all to come and enjoy.  No registration is required.

Hayley Reardon is a critically acclaimed folk-pop artist and a storyteller in the truest sense of the word. Her songs are postcards from an artist brave enough to take the road less traveled. Raised in Massachusetts, Reardon dove headfirst into music at 15 and honed her craft for over a decade, sharing the stage with acts like Lori McKenna, Rodney Crowell, and Anaïs Mitchell, among others. Her raw artistry boasts a lyrical and melodic weight far beyond her years. Her music has been described as “brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul” (Performer Magazine) and “a melancholy little masterpiece” (American Songwriter Magazine). She recently made a splash with her single, “Losing From Within,” grabbing the attention of Spotify Editorial Playlists like Fresh Folk, Folk Pop, Morning Coffee, and Today’s Singer/Songwriters. Her latest EP, In The Good Light, was recorded in Barcelona with Catalan collaborator Pau Figueres (one of Spain’s finest guitarists). Having recently made her home here in Gloucester, Hayley wowed audiences at the 2023 Singer/Songwriter Challenge at Machaca, winning first prize and making a memorable impression on the Cape Ann music scene.

The Sawyer Free Library is honored to have her perform for its first Sawyer Free Folk Showcase series. 

For more information, visit the calendar at sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5571. 

Live Music in the Amphitheatre: “Knock on Wood” performs at the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Come one, come all and be ready to have some fun!

Join the Sawyer Free Library this Saturday, June 19 at 11:00 am outside in the Amphitheatre for live performance by musical group “KNOCK ON WOOD“

Knock on Wood is a high-energy, family-friendly acoustic folk-rock duo, featuring singer-songwriter Howie Newman on guitar, lead vocals and harmonica. Howie is joined by Joe Kessler, one of the top fiddlers in the area. They also play mandolin and sing backup vocals. The duo performs Classic Rock covers and funny original songs (suitable for all ages). It’s a very lively show with great musicianship, nice vocal harmonies and a little humor here and there.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org