The White-Ellery House, a "First Period" structure built in 1709 on Gloucester's historic Town Green — now the Grant Circle rotary — then moved to its present location at 245 Washington St., will be open for guided tours as part of Cape Ann Museum's 17th-Century Saturdays program.

The programs are free to the public. The house will be open this Saturday, on Sept. 5 and on Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New this year will be a series of one-day contemporary art installations presented at the White-Ellery House in conjunction with each of the opening days; artist Sarah Hollis Perry will be featured Saturday.

Perry's installation features "Yellow Line," a knitted strip of bright yellow surveyor's tape the width of the line in the middle of Washington Street, which will start beside the Grant Circle Rotary, and then wend its way across the lawn, and straight through the White-Ellery House itself. The installation will symbolize the bifurcation of the original property which was moved to its present location in 1949 when plans were unveiled to extend Route 128 across Gloucester's original Town Green.

Inside the house, Perry's installations include "Mother's Journal," a wearable coat created from strands of text from a diary that hangs as a lonely reminder of a past life. Hanging on the walls, a group of tools created from paper and old sticks, resemble actual tools, but are totally useless — a reminder of fragility, old age and disuse.

As visitors approach the kitchen, the smell of baking bread will envelope them and welcome them "home" as if the scent lingered from the time when many generations living here carried out their daily tasks in this room.

A video in the attic of the house projects on the beams and sloping roof. Created from portraits of early Gloucester residents, "Ancestors" was made using original photos in the museum's collection.

Sarah Hollis Perry holds a Bachelor of Arts in History of Art from Smith College and a diploma and a fifth-year certificate from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

The White-Ellery House is one of a handful of surviving First Period buildings in Massachusetts. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites because of its design, materials, and workmanship, and its plank frame construction. Stabilization work of the roof and clapboard siding was completed this spring.

The house was built for the Rev. John White, Gloucester's first settled minister, and exhibits an elegance and refinement commensurate with White's esteemed position in the community. The second owner of the house was James Stevens, who kept it as a tavern until 1740, at which time it was sold to the Ellery family. In 1949, the house was taken by the City of Gloucester by eminent domain, turned over to the Cape Ann Historical Association, and moved safely out of the path of the highway.

For information call: (978) 283-0455 or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.

Harbor party celebrates two city institutions

An Inner Harbor party with live music will take place under the tent at the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m.

The party is to celebrate Gloucester Stage Company's 30th season and the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center's new Gorton's Seafoods Gallery. The event features an authentic New Orleans jazz performance by Henri Smith and Friends as well as dancing, raffles, a cash bar and refreshments under the Heritage Center tent at 23 Harbor Loop in Gloucester.

At 7 p.m., swing and salsa dance lessons will be provided courtesy of Miss Tina's Dance Studio. Raffle prizes include water adventures such as whale watches, fishing and kayaking trips; spa and salon experiences, tickets to New England area theaters, Red Sox tickets and many other goods and services.

According to Gloucester Stage Board member Elizabeth Neumeier, "It is thrilling to be celebrating the 30th season of the Gloucester Stage Company, and to be doing it with our partner across the harbor, the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center.

"Both organizations have come a long way since their founding. We hope that people from all over the North Shore come join in the fun," Nemeier said.

"Working with Gloucester Stage on this event is a natural fit for the Heritage Center," points out Harriet Webster, executive director of the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center. "It's a great opportunity to celebrate the enormous impact of the sea and the arts on Gloucester's cultural landscape. Each organization represents a unique part of the Gloucester cultural experience and both have homes overlooking the inner harbor. What a terrific partnership!"

Admission is $20. Advance tickets for the celebration can be purchased at the Gloucester Stage box office via telephone, 978-281-4433, or by visiting www.gloucesterstage .org. They can also be purchased at the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, and Gloucester Music, 210 Main St. ($1 surcharge).

Proceeds benefit the Gloucester Stage Company and the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center.

For questions, call the Maritime Heritage Center at 978-281-0470.

Artists intergrate maps, landscapes into works

"You Are Here" is the title of a new show that runs tomorrow through Aug. 30 at Flatrocks Gallery in Gloucester.

The show features contemporary Cape Ann artists who offer their interpretations of the interplay among mapping, landscape and art. A free public artist's reception takes place tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m.

The gallery is at 77 Langsford St., Route 127, in Gloucester. For information, call 978-282-4569.

Tour the porches of Annsiquam

The Annisquam Village Players tomorrow will be hosting the Porches of Annsiquam 2009, a walking tour of 10 private porches including several historic homes with views of Lobster Cove, Annisquam River, Annisquam Lighthouse and Ipswich Bay.

Residents are buzzing about the porch at Selkirk Ledge on Adams Hills Road as it visible from Wingaersheek Beach and has gone under extensive renovations.

Another historic home on the porch tour is that of artist Shaun McNiff at 54 Leonard St.. This Greek Revival house was constructed by John Pierce circa 1840. In 1871, Dr. J. Franklin Dyer, a prominent figure in the village, purchased the home and its history since that time has been well known in the community. McNiff's artwork will also be displayed.

The event will be held tomorrow from 6 to 8:30 p.m. At sunset on the final porch, overlooking the Annsiquam Yacht Club and Wingaersheek Beach, the Annisquam Village Players will serenade guests with songs from its upcoming production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Tickets for the tour are $25 and available at the Annisquam Exchange on Leonard Street, by calling 978-281-0353, at www.annisquamvillageplayers.org, or if not sold out, on the day of the event at the Annisquam Village Hall.

Three Sheets to play at Nights on the Neck

The Rocky Neck Art Colony's Nights on the Neck, an evening of gallery receptions and entertainment, continues Thursday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 9 p.m., featuring the band Three Sheets to the Wind, Todd Brunel, Leigh Calabrese, David Kirkdoffer/Undo, and The Boston Hoop Troop.

The Schooner Adventure organization spawned Three Sheets to the Wind, a group of local musicians and Adventure crew members who are preserving the history of maritime work songs (chanteys) and forebitter songs, while Brunel is a critically acclaimed clarinetist and educator and crossover classical/jazz musician and Calabrese features her innovative "singing saw."

Kirkdorffer performs melodic textural ambient music that can sooth or seethe your spirit; the Boston Hoop Troop is a collective of Hula Hoopers from New England who gather to practice, perform, and teach the graceful art of hoop dance.

Tickets on sale for art auctions and gala

Tickets for North Shore Arts Association's Live and Silent Auction & Gala on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. are now on sale.

The Live & Silent Art Auction & Gala is sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank Trust & Financial Services Department. The benefit auction features no buyer's premium, and no sales tax will be charged.

The live auction begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 8, and is open to the public.

A preview party will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The live auction will be hosted by well-known auctioneer Frank Kaminski of Kaminksi Auctions in Beverly. The evening will include passed hors d'oeuvres by Duckworth's Bistrot, an open wine bar and live music by What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?

The live and silent auctions will include paintings from North Shore Arts Association's most accomplished artists, including Jeff Weaver, Charles Movalli, Donald Mosher, Tom Gill, Joyce Wood, Steve Kennedy, Marilyn Swift, Barbara Donnelly, Caleb Stone, Dale Ratcliff, Dennis Poirier, Tom Sutherland and more than 100 others.

All live and silent auction paintings will displayed at North Shore Art Association tomorrow through Aug. 7 until 8 p.m. Silent auction paintings will available for bidding during this time period. Absentee bids on all paintings will also be accepted. The public is also invited to a special reception to kick off the preview week and meet the artists at a free event to be held this Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the auction are $25 each and may be purchased at North Shore Arts Association located at 11 Pirates Lane in Gloucester, online at www.nsarts.org, or over the phone with a credit card by calling 978-283-1857. More information can be found at www.nsarts.org.

Folly Cove Designs to be displayed

The Annisquam Exchange, 32 Leonard St., a community-based nonprofit organization, will present "A Treasure Trove of Folly Cove" exhibition beginning Monday and running through Sept. 14 in the Annisquam Art Gallery, upstairs from the Exchange.

The exhibition is in celebration of the centennial anniversary of Virginia Lee (Burton) Demetrios, the founder of Folly Cove Designs. The Exchange showroom will also feature authentic Folly Cove Designs for sale.

The Exchange is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. offering antiques, collectibles, linens, cards and gifts. Call 978-281-0358.

Last call for 'Breath of Life"

The Gloucester Stage Company's production of David Hare's "Breath of Life," continues to run through Sunday.

It is the story of two women and one man,

The Gloucester Stage show stars two acclaimed North Shore actresses — Paula Plum and Rockport's Nancy Carroll — in this intimate portrait of two women who were never intended to meet. Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith performed the roles in a London production.

For information and tickets, call the box office at 978-281-4433 or visit www.gloucesterstage.org.

Local group debuts new compact disc

Singer and songwriter Dan King will perform with David Brown, Dave Mattacks, and Wolf Ginandes live at in a CD release party at Atwoods Tavern in Cambridge tonight at 9:30.

The band, known simply as KBMG, will also perform in Gloucester tomorrow at Elliott's at the Blackburn beginning at 8:30 p.m., playing in support of their new studio album, "Western Color."

An accomplished musician, King has played all over New England and on both coasts. King believes "Western Color" is the "epitome of the sound we've been striving for, I can't imagine being able to work with a better group of musicians."

Guitarist Brown is resident of Gloucester and has worked with Billy Joel, Dr. John, and Simon and Garfunkel.

Ginandes lives in Framingham, and is a bass veteran who's played with G.E. Smith and The Mohegan Sun All-Stars; drummer Mattacks started performing with big bands in the United Kingdom before he joined the influential folk/rock group Fairport Convention. His discography includes five CDs with Paul McCartney and various albums and tours with the likes of Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Brian Eno, Elton John and Jimmy Page.

New show at Local Colors

Local Colors at 121 Main St., in Gloucester, is featuring an exhibit by Lawrence Martin-Bittman, beginning Saturday and running through Aug. 22.

The paintings are of his native city of Prague, the Czech Republic, which he had to leave in September 1968 after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. It was only after the collapse of the communist regime 22 years later that he was able to visit Prague again.

A meet-the-artist reception will take place Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 978-283-3996, or visit www.local-colors.org

Community Cinema showing Oscar film

The 2008 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign-Language Film is now showing in Gloucester.

"Departures," a film by Yojiro Takita, PG-13, in Japanese with English subtitles, is now playing at the new Cape Ann Community Cinema, 21 Main St., above Mystery Train Records and the St. Peter's Club.

For more information and for show times, visit www.massbayfilmproject.org.

Trade cards at Cape Ann Museum

The Cape Ann Museum is pleased to present "Victorian Advertising Trade Cards of Gloucester" with Ken Anderson, tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the museum's Library.

The program is free to the public. You may reserve a seat by calling 978-283-0455, Ext. 11.

Anderson has been a collector of antique advertising for some 40 years. His program will include a review of the history of trade cards, information on collecting trade cards, and trade card care and preservation. He published his first book, "Victorian Advertising of Gloucester," in 2008. His own collection of Gloucester trade cards from the 1880s and Victorian trade card albums will be on display during the program. The exhibit of Victorian advertising cards will be on view in the museum's library until Aug. 13.

This program was made possible through a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant St. in Gloucester. The museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 978-283-0455 or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.

A-Train performing at Halibut Point State Park

The Friends of Halibut Point State Park will be presenting Alek Razdan and A-Train on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

The combination of the striking scenery, along with the exciting jazz, blues and swing of local teen Razdan and his quartet, is sure to please audiences of all ages and is free of charge.

Please note that this is a rain or shine performance, with shelter available if the weather is inclement. For more information call 978-546-2997

Kids sail free on Saturday mornings

On Saturdays in August, from 10 a.m. until noon, the schooner Thomas E. Lannon is offering free sailing for kids 16 or younger. Each child must be accompanied by an adult paying full fare. No other discounts apply. The Lannon sets sail from Seven Seas Wharf at the Gloucester House restaurant, Route 127, Gloucester. Tickets are $37.50 for adults, $32.50 for seniors. Seating is limited and reservations are suggested. Go to www.schooner.org or call 978-281-6634 for information and reservations.

Tunes on the town

Deborah Pearl, singer-songwriter, pianist, will perform songs with a rhythm 'n' blues and soul vibe for Sunday Morning Live at the Seaward Inn, Rockport, on Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon. For more on the artist check www.seawardinn.com or call 978-546-3471. Reservations are encouraged, there is no cover charge.

Folk musician Angela Masciale, keyboardist John Boehmer and sculptor and poet Dan Zampino, accompanied by Angela and Dan's son Adam and his wife Michelle, both musicians, will be at Dark Star next weekend for a Saturday evening concert at 7:30 p.m.. All five are donating their time and talent to support the many free events that Dark Star presents. It is located at 14A Old Harbor Square on Bearskin Neck in Rockport. For information, 978-546-3976, www.darkstaronline.com.

The concerts following the Cape Ann Farmers Market continue tonight, featuring local classic rockers and Harbor Loop staple Garfish, led by Gar Hiltz. Next Thursday, Aug. 6, will feature Elegant Trash, led by Theresa Gray, and they will be joined by newly formed blues rockers Slingdaddy led by guitarist Frank Hawks and singer Justin Tocco, with John Donlon and Rick Geraghty. The shows take place from 6 to 9 p.m., after the Cape Ann Farmers market.

For more information, visit www.capeannconcerts.com or www.capeannchamber.com. The concerts are presented by the City of Gloucester and Cape Ann Concerts.

Local artist has show in New Bedford

Leo Allen, who has a gallery in Rockport and resides part-time in Gloucester, has been invited to show his work Colo Colo Gallery in New Bedford.

There will be an opening reception tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. The show runs through Aug. 29. The show is titled "Tides of Life." For information, call 508-496-4718.

Award-winning film at Lyceum

"Greenheads, The Movie" will be shown at the Gloucester Lyceum on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. The film runs 30 minutes and will be followed by a short Q&A from both film producer Gordon Baird and artist Sam Holdsworth.

The free event takes place at the Friends Room in the Sawyer Free Library.

Around Cape Ann is a column devoted to events happening on Cape Ann and artists from Cape Ann performing elsewhere. All items need to be sent 10 days before the event. If you would like to submit an item, contact reporter Gail McCarthy at 978-283-7000, ext. 3445 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.