Music lovers will be in Cape Ann heaven this weekend with a particularly large offering of programs, some free, which feature music in a number of genres and venues, and some outdoors like the Harbor Loop concert tonight. A few are also geared for families such as the A-Train Orchestra concert at the Rockport Art Association and the waterfront dance party at Maritime Gloucester. Pianist Alpin Hong also performs in a special benefit event. Read on for details.
Nights on the Neck
The once-a-month Nights on the Neck takes place today, Aug. 2, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Gloucester’s Rocky Neck Art Colony, featuring free performances in the newly designated Massachusetts Cultural District. Performers include Adventure Chantey Singers; Julie Dougherty & David Brown; Eric Schoonover, a poet and author; Ryan & Ortolani; Deb Hardy & Kerry Mullen; Bird Mancini and T Max. Visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org for details.
Harbor Loop tonight
The free outdoor Harbor Loop concert tonight from 6 to 9 features two bands overflowing with Gloucester musicians. Dented School Bus and Simply Said will take the stage.
Dented School Bus features Frank Bernadini on vocals; Theresa Gray on vocals; Rick Geraghty on drums, congas and vocals; Walter Piscitello on drums, vocals; John Donlon on bass, vocals; John Silviera on guitar, vocals; and Frank Hawks on guitar and vocals.
Simply Said features Scott Parisi on vocals, guitar; Len Palazola on bass, vocals; Rick Geraghty on drums; Mike Chipperini on harmonica, vocals; and Frank Hawks on guitar.
Award-winning banjoist
A concert this Friday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m., features two-time Juno Award-winning banjoist Jayme Stone, who makes music inspired by folk traditions from around the world. The Juno Award is the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Award. Stone’s latest album “Room of Wonders” explores music inspired by rich folk dances like reels, ruchenitsas, morescas and sambas, and was recently awarded the Canadian Folk Music Award for Instrumental Artist of the Year. For tickets, visit www.rockportmusic.org or call 978-546-7391.
Jane Deering Gallery
The Jane Deering Gallery in Annisquam is hosting a new show with an artist reception today, Aug. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. The show, titled “Interior Views,” features work by Chris Baker. It runs through Aug. 26, and includes new oil paintings and works on paper inspired by Baker’s environment on the Blue Hill Peninsula in Maine and his travels to Istanbul and Paris. Baker follows a Jasper Johns’ dictum — make something; then do something to it; then do something else to it. The gallery is open by appointment only. Call 917-902-4359 or visit www.janedeeringgallery.com.
Waterfront Dance Party
Maritime Gloucester and the North Shore Jazz Project are partnering to host a benefit concert Saturday, Aug. 4, at Maritime Gloucester featuring The Lamine Touré and Group Saloum at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and children under 18 are free.
Amadou Lamine Touré comes from a long line of griots, a caste of musicians and oral historians among the Wolof people of Senegal. Lamine Touré now lives, teaches, and performs in the Boston area. This year there is a free drum clinic at 3 p.m.
The jazz project, now in its fourth year, was founded by Gloucester resident Henry Ferrini. “Programming like the upcoming concert supports our educational outreach as well as Maritime Gloucester,” he said. “The excitement Lamine brings with his dance and music is like nothing else you will experience. One can feel the beats from your ears to your feet.” Gloucester resident Joe Poirier, who has studied African dance for more than 20 years, said Cape Ann is fortunate to have performers the caliber of Lamine Touré who has toured internationally with many world-class musicians and dancers.
For information, call 978-281-0470. Maritime Gloucester is at 23 Harbor Loop in Gloucester. Tickets at the door or ahead of time at Maritime Gloucester or at www.northshorejazzproject.org.
A-Train at art association
The A-Train Orchestra will perform an all-ages, family-friendly concert at the Rockport Art Association at 12 Main St., on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
The band performs an eclectic mix of jump-blues, jazz and swing. A cabaret-atmosphere will be created with seating at tables with free non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
The band is comprised of long-time Cape Ann musicians featuring Alek Razdan on saxophone and vocals, his dad Rikki Razdan on saxophone, Dan Whalen on guitar, Ken Demaine on bass, and Dave “Doc” Vincent on drums.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the art association. Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the RAA at 978-546-6604. Visit www.alekrazdan.com for more information about the band.
Free outdoor concert Sunday at Stage Fort
The 2012 Free Summer Concert Series schedule at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester continues with Old Cold Tater and special guest Allen Estes on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand. Concertgoers are urged to bring picnic dinners, lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the concert in comfort. For further information call 978-281-0543 or visit www.davidlbenjamin.com.
Summer soiree
and ‘Master Harold’
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The Gloucester Stage Company will once again host its summer soiree on Sunday, Aug. 5, at the theater at 267 East Main St. in Gloucester. This third annual summer benefit extravaganza features the opportunity to see the 4 p.m. performance of playwright Athol Fugard’s award-winning coming-of-age story “Master Harold ... and the Boys” (which runs through Aug. 12), and attend a reception following the performance. This play was first produced at the Yale Repertory Theater in early 1982, and opened on Broadway in May 1982.
Attendees to the soiree will be able to meet the cast, and enjoy culinary treats and an open bar of beer, wine and soft drinks. Boston cabaret piano stylist Brian Patton will be on hand to lead the fun-filled Broadway cabaret sing-along. Patton, who appears for the third consecutive summer, has performed throughout New England and New York City for more than 20 years. He has performed on cruise ships, theaters and clubs in NYC and was the bandleader for comedian Joan Rivers.
Tickets to the soiree are $125, and includes both the theater show and reception. For tickets, call the box office at 978-281-4433 or visit www.gloucesterstage.org.
Rockport Jazz Festival
Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Rockport Jazz Festivalwhich will run from Aug. 15 to 19. Two shows have sold out. Appearing are vocalist Tierney Sutton, who was nominated for three Grammy Awards; jazz legends Ellis Marsalis (sold out) and Roy Haynes; saxophonist Grace Kelly (sold out), and jazz-pop singer Ann Hampton Callaway. Tickets for sold-out concerts often become available at the last minute. For the latest ticket information, visit the Rockport Music home page often or follow the box office on Twitter. For tickets, visit www.rockportmusic.org.
Two Old Friends in concert
Fishtraks recording artists Two Old Friends will appear at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport, 4 Cleaves St. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
The duo features Mac McHale and Emery Hutchins, founders of Northeast Winds. They delight audiences young and old with music from Ireland, the mountains, and the sea. With banjo, guitar, mandolin, concertina, bodran, octave mandolin, and heart-warming vocal harmonies, Two Old Friends tell a story in music of how immigrants came to this country from Ireland, Scotland, and Great Britain, bringing their melodies and instruments; and they show how the old time country ballads of the Appalachians are rooted in these tunes. Their shows include both plaintive ballads and foot-stomping tunes; gospel sing-alongs and story-telling. There is something for everyone.
Tickets are $10 at the door.
Benefit evening
with pianist Hong
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Pianist Alpin Hong will perform in a benefit for the National Center on Family Homelessness on Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center. The evening celebrates children, families, and the transformative power of music. Hong has earned the reputation as a modern-day Pied Piper, opening ears, eyes, and imaginations with his technique, emotional range, and humor. His music is described as “classical for the iPod generation.” The program will range from classical masterpieces to pop culture classics like “Super Mario Brothers.” A portion of the program will feature Camp Encore/Coda, a musical summer camp, performing alongside Hong. Tickets are on sale for $40, $30, and $20 (all children under 12 are $20 for any seat) at http://rcmf.org/classical-concerts/8-4-12.html.
Contemporary art
at historic house
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The Cape Ann Museum presents “Still Life: a Fabricator’s Banquet,” a one-day contemporary art installation by Elizabeth Alexander at the historic White-Ellery House on Saturday, Aug. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The house is open that day as part of 17th Century Saturdays, an Escapes North program. This program is free to the public. The house is at 245 Washington St. in Gloucester just off the Grant Circle rotary.
Alexander is a sculptor and installation artist. This exhibit is a wood, paper, and sound site specific installation “merging the luxurious language of still life paintings with the utilitarian language of welding tools and railings,” according to an artist statement. Her father was a welder and she grew up surrounded by architectural books. She earned a MFA in sculpture in 2009 from Cranbrook Academy of the Art in Bloomfield, Michigan and a BFA with distinction in sculpture in 2004 from Mass. College of Art. She is an adjunct faculty member at Montserrat College of Art.
For more information, call 978-283-0455.
Christopher Pullman exhibit
Christopher Pullman, the former vice president of design at WGBH for 35 years, is exhibiting “Shore Rocks,” a selection of oil and watercolor paintings, at Gladstone fine jewelry and fine art gallery at 36 1/2 Union St. in Manchester. Pullman’s paintings will be on display through Sept. 9. Gladstone also has a collection of antique and contemporary fine jewelry selected by gallery owners Elaine Souza and Charles Gladstone. Closed Monday and Tuesday. For information, call 978-704-9410.
Kosher gospel at temple
Temple Ahavat Achim presents a unique musician tomorrow night with Joshua Nelson on Friday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. at the temple at 86 Middle St. in Gloucester. For Nelson, kosher gospel is a way to claim both parts of his identity as a black Jew, according to his bio. Oprah called him a “Next Big Thing.” Members of all faiths are welcome. For more information, call the temple 978-281-0739.
A “spirited” evening
A “Spirited” evening with the United Kingdom’s top teen psychic, medium Ross Bartlett, will take place on Sunday, Aug. 5 from 7 to 9 at Inn Magnolia at 18 Norman Ave. in Gloucester. At 19, Bartlett has been praised as the UK’s most “evidential medium.” He will host a gallery reading at the inn. Tickets must be purchased in advance from New England Ghost Project’s website at www.neghostproject.com, or phone 978 455-6678.
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.
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