Around Cape Ann
Gail McCarthy
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The acclaimed Tir Na Theatre production of Mark Doherty's "Trad" is entering its final days of performances at Gloucester Stage Company. The shows in the first week drew many to the Irish play — both comedic and poignant — for the first time as well as those who saw the sell-out show in Boston earlier this year.
It is the same cast and director, of which many are Ireland natives themselves who perform this theater piece which gets its title from the word "tradition" in the tale of a 100-year-man who reveals to his 150-year-old father that he has a son. The two go off in search of the child, now likely around 70-years-old, as they confront generational issues.
The show also features live Irish music with fiddler Morgan Evans-Weiler and guitarist Chad Kirchner.
Ray and Cynthia Arsenault of the Newburyport area were among those who wanted to see the show more than once because of its many layers and came to Cape Ann to do so.
"I found it to be very interesting how with a minimal stage set they managed to transport you so that you are on a path, on a boat, in a graveyard, but none of that is really on stage. But it is done through words and body language and I found that particularly impressive," said Ray Arsenault, also a playwright. "This show is character driven and the characters created the environment in which they were operating."
He was so immersed in the show the first time when he saw it in Boston that he wanted to experience it a second time to take in other aspects.
"It was a transformative experience and I became immersed the second time as well," he said.
There are evening and afternoon shows. The production closes on Sunday, Sept. 12. The production is directed by Carmel O'Reilly and the cast includes Rockport resident Nancy E. Carroll, Colin Hamell and Billy Meleady. "Trad" was performed at the Edinburgh Festival where it won a Fringe First Award. It also received the 2004 BBC Radio Drama Award from the Stewart Parker Trust. For reservations or information, call the box office at 978-281-4433 or visit www.gloucesterstage.org. The theater is at 267 East Main St. in Gloucester.
Dog Day at Stage Fort Park
Join dog lovers of all ages at Cape Ann Animal Aid's Dog Day on Sept. 12 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain Date 9/19). This celebration of all things canine features an expo with vendors and community groups, doggy games and contests, demonstrations, activities for kids, bouncy house, raffles and prizes, food and drinks, low cost micro-chipping clinic, doggy nail trimming, agility course and more. The event is free to attend and a $10 participation fee for those who want to take part in dog activities; the first 100 participants receive a free Dog Day t-shirt. All proceeds benefit Cape Ann Animal Aid. For more information, visit www.CapeAnnAnimalAid.com or call 978-283-6055.
Public reception for art opening
A joint exhibit of oil paintings and sculpture will be presented by John Patrick Flynn and Ed Krukonis in the Gordon Grant Room at the North Shore Arts Association at 11 Pirates Lane in Gloucester. There is a free public reception with the artists on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 2-4 p.m.
Inge Berge and Bandit Kings at House of Blues
Local musicians will be on the bill to perform at the House of Blues in Boston. The Bandit Kings will join Inge Berge at the Fenway music venue next Thursday, Sept. 16 and they are looking for local support. There is a bus being organized for those interested. For information, visit www.ingebergeworld.com to find a link. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Berge, a native of Norway and now a Gloucesterite, will perform with a five-piece band, featuring Kim Trigilio, Nicole Fichera, Leo Sharamitaro and Joe Cardoza. The music he performs he described as "song-orientated rock."
Old Cold Tater at Stage Fort Park
The free concert at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand in Stage Fort Park in Gloucester on Sunday features local favorite acoustic bluegrass masters, Old Cold Tater, who will perform Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. This free outdoor concert takes place at the park on the edge of Gloucester harbor. There is free parking and restrooms, which are handicapped accessible. Concertgoers often bring picnic dinners, chairs and blankets. For further information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.davidlbenjamin.com.
Navy showband
The Northeast Navy Showband will give a free concert at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. The concert is part of the Rockport Navy Weekend hosted by the Rockport Navy Committee. The 17-piece band performs jazz, rock-and-roll and patriotic favorites. Tickets will be available at the Rockport police station's community room on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limit two tickets per person. For more information on the Rockport Navy Weekend go to www.rocnavcom.org.
Antonio Cirino at RAA
The Rockport Art Association is opening a new show with works of Antonio Cirino starting tomorrow and running through Sept. 30. This is part of a series of exhibitions in collaboration with the Cape Ann Museum's special exhibition titled "ART IS LONG, LIFE IS SHORT: Rockport Artists in the 1930s."
This show will feature approximately 20 works by Cirino, with a number of them on sale. A special panel discussion on Cirino will be conducted at the RAA on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The exhibition is free for members and the general public. The panel discussion is free for members and $5 for non-members.
Cirino (1888-1983) was born in Serino, Italy on March 23, 1888. He came to the United States as a child of three. Cirino had talents for painting, writing, teaching, and designing jewelry. In the 1920s, he discovered Rockport, and began living there during his summers. A plein-air painter, he loved the feeling of painting the many beautiful landscapes of Cape Ann, working directly from nature. Cirino was one of the founding members of the Rockport Art Association. He bequeathed the majority of his work to the association, and became the cornerstone of their growing permanent museum collection. For information, call 978-546-6604.
End of Summer Swing with the A-Train
Local teen sax and clarinet sensation Alek Razdan and the A-Train Orchestra will close out the summer at a special event at the Rockport Art Association featuring a mix of music including jazz, swing and blues on Friday, Sept. 10 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at an all-ages encore performance.
"We had such a great experience at the Rockport Art Association with our August appearance, we decided to do it again in September and hope that anyone who loves good music will come by to enjoy the show," said Razdan.
Razdan's talent was praised by the Saxophone Journal and Frank Hadley of Downbeat Magazine, as well as from fellow musicians including Roomful of Blues saxophonist Mark Earley, punk rock icon Willie "Loco" Alexander and international sax star "Sax" Gordon Beadle. The 17-year-old senior at Rockport High performs with Rik Razdan, his father, on baritone sax and clarinet, Dave "Doc" Vincent on drums, both formerly with Battle of the Blues band winner the Megawatt Blues Crushers, as well as Ken Demaine on bass and Dan Whalen on guitar.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and teens. Advance tickets are available at the Rockport Art Association, Katie's Gift Shop, Toad Hall Bookstore and the Bearskin Neck Country Store in Rockport. Refreshments and seating, and a dance floor, will be available. For information, call 978-546-6604, or go to www.myspace.com/alekrazdan.
Thacher Island book
Paul St. Germain, president of the Thacher Island Association and author of the newly published book entitled "Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Cape Ann" will hold a book signing and discuss the history and background of the many vintage photographs used in the book. The event will be held on Sept. 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Rockport Public Library. The presentation is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution and is free and open to the public. For more information contact Susan Herron at 978-546-2082.
Food & Wine Gala
The Cape Ann YMCA will hold its 2nd Taste of Cape Ann, a Food & Wine Gala, on Thursday, Sept. 16, at Cruiseport - Gloucester from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are now on sale for $35. The evening will feature food to sample from the area's top spots including Alchemy, Chili Choice, the Dog Bar, Emerson Inn by the Sea, Henry's, Jalapeno's, Jim's Bakery, Latitude 43, La Tratoria, Madfish Grille, Pleasant Street Tea Company, the Rudder, Ryan & Wood Distillery, the Seaport Grille, Sugar Magnolia's, and Vinwood. Tickets are available at the Cape Ann YMCA or at the door. All proceeds benefit the YMCA's Child Care, Camp and Teen Initiatives in Gloucester and Rockport.
Artist-in-residence talk
Printmaker Anne Krinsky is the third and final Goetemann Artist in Residence for 2010. On Wednesday, Sept. 15, she will give a talk at 7 p.m. in the Rocky Neck Gallery at 53 Rock Neck Ave. in Gloucester. Krinsky makes grid-based works on paper and panel that occupy a middle ground between painting and drawing. In them, a linear geometry is alternately overlaid with, or superimposed upon, translucent layers of acrylic color. Her panels are built up over time with thick swaths, splotches and drips of candy-colored paint. She subsequently sands these down to create a seamless seductive surface — a visual representation of a present moment shaped by prior experience. She will have a show in October "Time/Line, 2000 - 2010" at the Trustman Gallery at Simmons College in Boston. She holds a BFA in printmaking from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is represented in Boston by Soprafina Gallery. She will give a studio talk on Sept. 29 at 51A Rocky Neck Ave. at 7 p.m.
Cape Ann Symphony
Cape Ann Symphony Singers begin rehearsals on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 7:15 p.m. in the Rockport United Methodist Church, 36 Broadway, Rockport. Wendy Betts, Music Director, seeks singers for all voice parts to perform with the Cape Ann Symphony in the Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, The Magic Of the Holidays on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 at Fuller School Auditorium in Gloucester. Newcomers are most welcome. Call Wendy at 978-546-5220 for more information and to schedule an audition time for singers new to the group. Rehearsals are every Tuesday through Nov. 23 at the Rockport United Methodist Church. There is a $15 registration fee per singer which covers all music and rental costs.
Youth choral auditions
The Honors Youth Choir of Chorus North Shore will hold auditions at 4 p.m. next Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Rockport Baptist Church for the upcoming concert season. Youth ages 10 to 15 are invited to audition. The youth choir will join Chorus North Shore in concert Dec. 11 to 12 singing Rutter's "Magnificat" and other seasonal selections. On April 16, the youth choir will perform their own concert "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and in May they will join Chorus North Shore for a gala performance of "Carmina Burana". This is an opportunity for children to sing with a symphony orchestra, professional soloists, and a large adult chorus. The artistic director, Sonja Dahlgren Pryor and associate conductor, Mary Sepich bring their experience as life long educators and musicians to development of this group. For information, call Sepich at 978-468-2841.
Back Room Sale, etching of Gloucester Harbor
The Granite Shore Gallery is holding a back room sale of original art work through the end of September featuring award-winning artists of Cape Ann and beyond. The current show is titled "Views of Rockport" with various scenes represented by a variety of artists, past and present. Some of the artists include Jeff Weaver, Arnold Knauth, Jerri Ricci, Bruce Turner, John Caggiano, Jacob Greenleaf, H. R. Kamins, Theresa Bernstein, Marguerite Pearson and more. Additional works of Cape Ann scenes are available as well. The gallery is located at 20B Main St. in downtown Rockport "on the porch." For information, call 978-546-6700 or visit www.GraniteShoreGallery.com.
Gloucester Stage youth acting workshops
Gloucester Stage announces the fall session of its Youth Acting Workshops for children ages 6 to 18. The six-week session taught by award-winning actress Heidi Dallin will be held Saturdays beginning Oct. 2. The workshops are designed to build self confidence and develop communication skills to use in daily life as well as learn about the skills necessary for professional theatre. The workshops encourage students to discover and nurture their creative potential. The workshops include an introduction to theatre basics such as theatre games, improvisation, movement, vocal and physical expression, character preparation, scene study, storytelling, writing and public speaking. All classes are held at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main St., Gloucester. To register, call 978-283-6688.
Jazz in historic barn
The North Shore Jazz Project presents an early Sunday evening of jazz on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the historic barn at the Crane Estate where there are panoramic views of the marsh. Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds as musicians play. There will be Russell Orchard cider donuts, apple cider and some ice cream for purchase.
The barn will be filled with the horns, keys and percussion of this eclectic combination of musicians. Opening with an acoustic set will be Orville Giddings. Also performing are: Tom M. Palance, a trumpet performer and educator who has performed for five U.S. presidents, was with the DC United Navy Band and has played with the Glen Miller Band, Joe Williams and many more; Mark Earley, a baritone and tenor saxophonist for Roomful of Blues; Bert Seager-is a leading jazz pianist and educator in Boston; John Lockwood, an acoustic and electric bassist, has toured the U.S. and Europe; Joe Hunt, a drummer and Berklee College professor of percussion studies.
Since its inception 10 months ago, the Jazz Project has presented several standing room only events. The barn was donated for the show by the Trustees of Reservations. Proceeds will benefit the North Shore Jazz Project. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door. Students are half-priced.
For information or tickets, visit: www.northshorejazzproject.org.
