music

12/29 CAPE ANN BIG BAND and JAMBALAYA HORNS, NEW YEAR’S CONCERT!

~ chasnaz

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation proudly presents the Cape Ann Big
Band with the Jambalaya Horns, plus guest vocalists Katy Geraghty and
Rhiannon Hurst, in a festive New Year’s Concert. The concert is on Sunday
December 29th at 5:00pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on
the green at the corner of Church and Middle Streets. Admission: $30 General,
$10 Students (all ages), Under 12 free. Tickets at the door and online with more
info at: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Since 2010, the Cape Ann Big Band, conducted by Carlos Menezes, has connected
with local musicians of all ages and backgrounds to inspire, challenge, and
educate. Inspired by the sounds of Jazz, Swing, New Orleans’ street bands, Soul,
and Rock n’ Roll, the Band prides itself in a repertoire without horizons. The
Jambalaya Horns provide added punch, with added Funk, Soul, and Brassy
Second-Lines. They will make you feel like you’re in New Orleans!
This is a great opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the sounds of two of our
community’s most amazing bands and to celebrate the coming New Year in our
historic 1806 Meetinghouse!

Side entrance at 10 Church Street provides a lift/elevator for those who are challenged by stairs. Street parking as well as parking on the green is also available.

Family Concert! Fun for All Ages: Ants on a Log

~ Sawyer Free Library

On Monday, August 5 from 11:00 to 11:45 am everyone is invited to enjoy a FUN FAMILY CONCERT featuring the award-winning band “Ants on a Long” performing music that centers positivity, social justice, and silliness. Full of humor and harmony, Ants concerts are energetic, interactive, and a delight for children and adults.

Presented by the Sawyer Free Library in collaboration Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Libraries, the free concert will take place at Masconomo Park, 60 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, with the rain location at the Rockport Public Library. For more information visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org

Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons at Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM at Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main Street

Bringing Women’s History Month to a close, the Sawyer Free Library invites you to Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons Presentation, with Tom Ingrassia. Tom is a Motown historian, author, radio personality and motivational speaker.

In this lively, entertaining and educational multimedia lecture program, Motown historian Tom Ingrassia (who worked for Mary Wilson, of The Supremes, for 6 years) takes you on a journey back to a turbulent time in American history, when Blacks and Whites were trying to change things…and The Supremes’ music helped to bridge the gaps.

Tom grew up with The Supremes. Don’t misunderstand…Tom wasn’t raised in Detroit’s Brewster Housing Projects. Nor did The Supremes live in tiny Middletown, New York. Their cultural and physical neighborhoods were hundreds of miles and a world apart.

But, in 1964, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard—the legendary Supremes—burst into the American musical consciousness just as Tom was becoming aware of the music shimmering from his tiny transistor radio. In no time, we was hooked on the Music of Motown—and that began an obsession that eventually led him to work with some biggest names in music history.

The Supremes owned the 1960s. Today, that statement may be obvious. But…in mid-60s America? The fact that three young African American women from Detroit’s housing projects conquered the world was profound…it was revolutionary. The Supremes were trendsetters, and set the standard against which all future female groups are measured. During the 1960s, only The Beatles and Elvis Presley sold more records than The Supremes. 

Girl Power takes audiences on a remarkable trip back in time—an engaging stroll into pop music history—to an era when the Music of Motown reigned supreme—and three young African American women from the Detroit housing projects conquered the world.

This event is open to all to attend. No registration required. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

SFL Local Music Showcase: Steve Lacey, Jazz Guitarist on Saturday at 3PM

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to welcome local jazz guitarist STEVE LACEY on Saturday, January 27 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM as part of the Library’s Local Music Showcase Series @ 21 Main Street. 

All are welcome to come and enjoy some live jazz performed by the incredibly talented Steve Lacey at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street, 2nd floor, Gloucester. 

For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.


GLOUCESTER’S MLK DAY CELEBRATION IN THE MEETINGHOUSE!!!

~ chasnaz

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

Beauport Cruiselines New Year’s Eve Cruise!

~ bhgmarketing2023

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?

Cash bar available.

Tickets are $96.00 per person. Guests 21+ only.

Reserve your spot today: https://beauportcruiselines.com/cruise-schedule/

‘THE HAUNTED HOUSE’ AND ‘THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA,’ HALLOWEEN SILENT MOVIES WITH THE PIPE ORGAN IN THE MEETINGHOUSE!!!

~ chasnaz

PETER KRASINSKI, WORLD-FAMOUS SONIC ARTIST AND MAESTRO OF THE PIPE ORGAN, IMPROVISES MUSIC FOR TWO GREAT SILENT MOVIE CLASSICS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 AT 7:30PM IN THE HISTORIC GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE!

$15 GENERAL ADMISSION, $ 5 STUDENTS, UNDER 12 FREE. COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SEATS. MAIN ENTRANCE ON THE GREEN, CORNER OF CHURCH AND MIDDLE STREETS; ACCESSIBLE SIDE ENTRANCE AT 10 CHURCH STREET. COSTUMES OPTIONAL BUT ENCOURAGED. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

PROGRAM: the famous and exciting PRELUDE AND FUGUE IN D-MINOR BY J.S. BACH; the hilarious slapstick comedy ‘THE HAUNTED HOUSE’ STARRING BUSTER KEATON; and the spooky, Halloween classic that takes you deep below the street level of Paris, France in ‘THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA’ STARRING LON CHANEY.

ADVANCE TICKETS AND MORE INFO AT: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’ this Friday!!!

~ chasnaz

Alek Razdan Ensemble next Friday!!!

Music on Meetinghouse Green presents a free, outdoor concert at 6:00pm featuring ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’on September 1 in front of the UU Church at the corner of Middle and Church Streets. Free-will donations from the audience will benefit the Northshore Health Project. The Lobster Roller is the food vendor. This concert was postponed from August 4 due to heavy rain.

Well known in Boston’s underground cabaret scene, ‘What Time Is It Mr. Fox?’ has earned a loyal following with frequent performances in New York City and tours across the United States. Their original songs feature rich lyrical imagery that explore love, spirituality, sexuality, and identity, and their performances are infused with energy, honesty, and emotional authenticity. Their unique brand of music and performance art has been adopted by popular singers, filmmakers, and repertory theaters. Band members include: 3rian King, voice, piano, and acoustic guitar; Nathan Cohen, violin, trumpet, voice; Dennis Monagle, drums; Renee Dupuis, voice, keys, and melodica; and Joe Cardoza, upright bass.

Next Friday, September 8 at 6:00pm, is our grand finale summer concert featuring the Alek Razdan Ensemble. In addition to Alek, the ensemble features his father Rikki Razdan on saxophone and clarinet, Jim Coyle on guitar and vocals, John Cameron on keyboard, Ken Steiner on bass, and Roger Brockelbank on drums. Free-will donations go to the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation’s upcoming major restoration of Meetinghouse Green. The Causeway Restaurant is the food vendor.

Sawyer Free Folk Showcase: PETE LINDBERG on Thursday, July 13 at 6pm

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Folk Showcase continues on Thursday, July 13 at 6:00 p.m. with PETER LINDBERG.

Having just returned from Nashville after ten years, Cape Ann-based critically acclaimed folk artist and storyteller songwriter Peter Lindberg will share his lyrical prowess and unique alt-country songwriting with us at the SFL at 21 Main Street!

The Library’s summer musical series spotlights local singer-songwriters. Performances are 6:00 to 7:00 pm on select Thursdays through September at the Library’s 21 Main Street location in downtown Gloucester. Each evening the featured artist performs a 45-minute set followed by a brief discussion about their musical career and approach to songwriting. The performances are free and open to all to enjoy.   For more information about the musicians, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

You can hear more from Peter HERE.

Be sure to add to your calendar the following upcoming musical appearances by local singer songwriters at the Sawyer Free this summer:

Thursday, August 10: GEORGE CLEMENTS

Thursday, September 7: LIAM ANASTASIA-MURPHY

Sea Shanty Sing Along at the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday evening, July 6

~ Sawyer Free Library

On Thursday, July 6 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. join OLIVIA GALE for a Sea Shanty Sing Along at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street.

The Gloucester native, musician, and teacher will entertain us with an engaging performance of sea shanties, nautical ballads, and other folk music written about the sea. Olivia welcomes audience participation as a part of her show too! So come one, come all! It will be great fun!

For more information visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or 978-325-5500.