Around Cape Ann: Judith comes alive in Sargent event today

The Sargent House Museum is inviting residents and visitors to bring lawn chairs and blankets today for an outdoor program featuring the works of Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820) from 5 to 7 p.m. on the lawn of the historic home.

The event, "Judith Speaks, " will feature locals who will read excerpts from a variety of her writings.

For more than a century, the historic house was the home of sea merchants, patriots and community leaders. It is described as high-style Georgian domestic architecture. Capt. John Stevens, her first husband, built the house in 1782. After he died, she married the Rev. John Murray, known as the founder of Universalism in the United States.

Judith Sargent Murray is considered among the early advocates of women's equality, as well as a philosopher, playwright and extensive writer. Her work has been used by best-selling author David McCullough in his book about John Adams, as well as by Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio and others.

"This event will be lots of fun. We have about 25 readers and a range of work that will be sad, funny, historic and inspiring," said Barbara Silberman, president of the museum board. "Her work is still relevant today."

Following the reading will be a tour of the museum and refreshments. There is a $5 suggested donation to benefit the museum, though no one will be turned away.

Benefit art sale at Willow Rest

The National Alliance of Mental Illness of Cape Ann is holding its first art show and sale tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at Willow Rest Restaurant and Grocery, 1 Holly St., Gloucester.

The event will feature a musical presentation by a harpist while guests look at oil paintings, watercolors, paintings on driftwood, jewelry, tiles and a new line of anti-stigma cards. These works reveal the creative positive, talent of those with a psychiatric diagnosis and demonstrate that recovery is possible.

Liz Longley returns

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Liz Longley makes a return appearance at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport in a show Friday night that is almost sold out.

Tickets may become available at the last minute; for the latest availability visit the Box Office Updates section on the home page of Rockport Music's web site www.rockportmusic.org.

Longley, who played the Shalin Liu to a sellout crowd last year, first appeared the year before with Livingston Taylor.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Longley was awarded the 2010 BMI John Lennon Scholarship, the 2010 Grand Prize International Acoustic Music Award (among 9,000 entries), and appeared at the Newport and Rocky Mountain Folk Festivals

'Thinking Inside the Box'

The North Shore Arts Association presents a solo exhibition of oil paintings by impressionist painter Judith Abbe titled "Thinking Inside the Box," with a free public reception Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Gordon Grant Room.

The show runs through June 14.

Abbe started painting in the late 1970s with workshops on Cape Ann with Roger Curtis, and later with Ken Gore and Charles Movalli.

Her work includes landscapes, still life, and figure paintings. Her colorful plein air pallette and impressionistic style have played a major role in the way she captures light and mood. She is often seen outdoors painting on Cape Ann. Her paintings have been shown at the Rockport Art Association, the National Arts Club, Salmagundi Club, Lever House, Allied Artists, American Artist Professional League, Hudson Valley Art Association and the Kent Art Association. She currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Rockport Art Association.

The North Shore Arts Association is at 11 Pirates Lane in East Gloucester. Call 978-283-1857, or visit www.nsarts.org for more information.

Small works show at NSAA

William E. Duke, who studied art at UCLA and the La Jolla Art Institute under the mentorship of Fred Holle, will have a solo exhibition of his paintings in the Hallway Gallery of the North Shore Arts Association from this Saturday to June 14.

Duke has had an extensive career in the arts beginning with illustration and teaching in the 1960s. After moving to the East Coast, Bill continued his work in illustration, earning awards for his work in advertising illustration. In 1995, he was hired by Hasbro toys as the senior creative illustrator of its Research and Development Department.

In 2004 and 2010, two of his watercolor paintings were accepted into The American Watercolor Society's annual International Exhibitions in New York City. For more information visit www.wedukestudio.com.

Casting call in Annisquam

The Annisquam Village Players is holding auditions for this summer's production of the universally popular "The Wizard of Oz." Auditions will take place at the Annisquam Village Hall on Sunday at 6 p.m. for all children, 5-12 years of age, and at 7 p.m. for all lead roles and adults, 13 and older.

All necessary call-back auditions will take place Monday at 6 p.m.

For directions and updates, visit the new website at: http://annisquamvillageplayers.com. These productions feature residents from all over Cape Ann and from all ages.

Windhover dance at the museum

The Windhover Performing Arts Center in Rockport will collaborate with the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester next week to present "The Artists and Dancers of Cape Ann."

The first event is set for Friday, June 1, with a 7 p.m., screening of the 80-minute documentary, "A New Dance for America: The Choreography, Teachings and Legacy of Doris Humphrey."

The documentary, narrated by Lindsay Crouse and Ina Hahn and produced by Phil Hopkins, was chosen to open "The Dance On Camera" Film Festival at Lincoln Center in New York last year.

Saturday, June 2, will feature a free dance event at 11 a.m. with Windhover dancers, directed by Carol Burnham, at the museum. Dancers are Susan Baker, Carol Burnham, Annette Cowhig, Michelle Dalton, Caroline Fitzpatrick, Nick Repoli and Sarah Slifer.

For reservations for both events, email jeanettesmith@capeannmuseum.org or call the museum at 978-283-0455 x11.

Around Cape Ann is a column devoted to events happening on Cape Ann and artists from Cape Ann performing elsewhere. If you would like to submit an item, contact reporter Gail McCarthy at 978-283-7000 x3445, or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com. Items should be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the event.

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