A special fund-raiser at Giuseppe's Ristorante and Piano Bar at the west end of Gloucester's Main Street next Wednesday — Feb. 29, Leap Year Night — will benefit the Cape Ann Theater Collaborative and celebrate its upcoming spring production of Neil Simon's "Rumors."
To help raise funds while having a great time, visitors are invited to join the play's cast and crew at Giuseppe's from 4 p.m. until closing.
The program will include an Open Mike Night with Brian King, as well as performances by Willie Alexander and the women's a cappella ensemble Leven.
The benefit will also include a 50/50 raffle.
For more about the play at www.catcollaboraive.org. Reserve tickets for Rumors at www.catcollaborative.org or call CAT at 978-325-315.
Rumors will be performed by CAT Collaborative March 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and April 1 at the Gloucester Stage Company's Gorton's Theatre.
The Cape Ann Theatre Collaborative has also announced that its performance on Thursday, March 29, will benefit the Lane's Cove Fish Shack Restoration project. Reconstruction of this part of Gloucester's living history is slated to begin this spring.
For reservations or more information, call Giuseppe's at 978-879-4622 or visit www.giuseppesma.com.
Events at Shalin Liu
A program titled "Schubert's Winterreise" will be performed on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Shalin Liu Performance Center at 37 Main St. in Rockport.
The program features Boston star tenor William Hite and Rockport Music favorite Gilles Vonsattel. This piece is one of the great works of the repertory — seminal, profound and deeply moving.
A free community concert will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 29, featuring the group A Far Cry at 7 p.m.
A Far Cry is a self-conducted string orchestra from Boston. The group's visit is also part of two day residency in the Rockport and Gloucester Public Schools.
Through interactive programs, presentations and concerts, this group of 17 young musicians hopes to pass along their passion for collaborative music. A reception with the artists will follow.
For more information, call Rockport Music at 978-546-7391.
Ronan's 'Yeats' in the Big Apple
Local writer and former Gloucester Poet Laureate John Ronan's play, "The Yeats Game," has made it to The Big Apple.
The comedy, which had its world premiere in Gloucester, back in 2007, opens next Wednesday and runs through March 25 at The Producers' Club, 358 West 44th St., in Manhattan.
The production is under the direction of Kathy Richter.
"This is a wonderful production, and we have sponsorship help from the American Irish Historical Society, the W.B. Yeats Society of New York, American Storyboard, and many others," Ronan said. "I hope you can catch the show and let others know about it."
One World a cappella group
Talk To The Hand, a women's acappella quartet will perform Saturday at 8 p.m. as part of the One World Coffeehouse series at the First Universalist Church at 59 Main St. in Essex.
Talk To The Hand uses no instruments except its four voices in covering a variety of pop, rock, and country artists. Those interested can go to talk2thehand.com to hear their music.
The suggested donation is $15. For reservations, call 978-768-3690. If you have a reservation, concert organizers ask that you arrive by 7:30 to secure it.
Shakespeare soon
The Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe is presenting the premier of the "new" 400-year-old comedy "Closets" by Nat Segaloff and inspired by Ben Jonson's 1606 satirical comedy "Volpone" in a production to run March 8 to 18 at the Gloucester Stage Company's Gorton's Theatre.
"Closets" is set in the present day gay community of West Hollywood, with the protagonist, Julian, feigning impending death. But unlike Volpone (the fox), he does so not to get expensive gifts from his friends with the promise to be named sole heir, but to test their loyalty.
"Closets" directed by Joseph Stiliano will be performed March 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m., March 11 and 18 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are priced at $15 for general admission; $10 for students and $5 for those 18 and under, and will be available at the door or by reservation at cast2008@prodigy.net.
Parental discretion is advised. More information available at capeannshakespearetroupe.blogspot.com or Facebook.
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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