The village of Annisquam has a reputation for infusing the performing arts into so many parts of its village life, from the annual summer theater of the Annisquam Village Players to works within the Annisquam Village Church.
On Saturday, the eighth annual Annisquam Talent Show takes place at Annisquam Village Hall, featuring a crossover of talent for many in the village from the local minister to a sitting judge.
But there will be talent from all over Cape Ann, with all proceeds of the talent show will benefit Action Inc., the local anti-poverty agency.
The talent show begins with a pot-luck meal serenaded by a jazz band, followed by the show, which features about 20 acts of all kinds from all ages.
This summer, the Annisquam Village Players will stage "The Wizard of Oz," which means there will be several references to that work in the talent show. The show will include a tribute to the late American R & B singer, Etta James.
There is always a lot of laughs at these events, and this show will be no different. The talent show always includes a skit from the previous summer's show with the actors dressed in drag so this year it will be a scene from "Annie Get Your Gun" and the song "Doin' What Comes Naturally."
Among those likely to take the stage include the Rev. Deirdre White, who usually takes on a small part for the annual summer shows. She was in the last two talent shows.
White, who is now in her third year as minister of the Annisqaum Village Church, seeks to infuse the fine arts into church life.
"All the arts are a wonderful teaching and spiritual tool," she said in an interview this week. "Cape Ann is a great place to do this because there are so many talented people, and many of them just happen to be in my church. There's a lot that happens here with the arts, including the dramatic arts because of the population of the village."
White noted that the church is growing, with that growth is coming from other parts of Cape Ann.
"And these people are bringing their talents from West Gloucester and Rockport and Lanesville and East Gloucester," said White.
Terry Sands, a member of the church and a co-director of the Annisquam Village Players, said White's creative energies are welcomed by the congregation. Those efforts include a jazz service one Sunday that struck a chord. There was a Broadway Sunday when people sang Broadway songs related to the church, including songs from works such as "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."
"She's always looking for creative ways to bring people in and she gets the congregation involved," said Sands.
In addition to the typical Nativity, Sands noted that there was a mini play written by a member of the congregation that was presented for fun, and it was a take off of the birth of Jesus story happening on a boat in Annisquam.
He also noted that White has substantially added to the membership of the church.
"She wants the church to be inclusive of anyone who wants to come," he said.
When White started, there was a core group of 20 members of the congregation plus the choir. Last week, there was 70 people. The choir also has grown, under the direction of Kathleen Adams, who also directs a growing children's choir.
"There is something going on at the church nearly every night. The church is really alive," said White. "It's really inspiring for me and people are really involved in whatever we do. It's an uplifting place to be for me as a minister."
White was inspired to do a performance of the Bible in less than an hour last November, which was a hit, and involved the whole congregation and many generations.
"I had found something similar to this in a book, but it covered too much," she said. "So I took that idea, and with Bebe Nelson we reworked it and focused on stories in the Old Testament." she said.
It began with Gabriel and ended with Joseph saying "Oy vey."
Born in New York's Hudson Valley outside Poughkeepsie, White comes from a family of musicians.
"I have played the piano and flute, and have sung for years. I started singing in the church choir when I was about 3. I've always been interested in the visual arts. I've done some photography and I do a lot of writing. So my interest in the arts is pretty widespread."
Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
If you go
What: The eighth annual Annisquam Village Church Talent Show
When: Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m. with a gathering and pot luck meal, followed by the show at 7:45 p.m.
Where: Annisquam Village Hall
Why: All proceeds to benefit Action Inc. Refreshments will be provided or BYOB. Potluck supper — bring a dish to share and let us know whether it is a main course, dessert or "other."
How to participate: Contact Terry Sands at 978-283-7065 or sands_a@comcast.net.
How much: $10 for adults, $5 children under 16, with a $30 family maximum. Reservations are recommended, call the church office at 978-281-0376 or email avchurch820@gmail.com.
VH1's 'Single Ladies' Launches Season 2
RPatz Swaps Cullen for Cronenberg
Stars Crowd Red Carpet for AmfAR
Knick's Anthony on NY Life, Linsanity, New Role
Zefron Gets Eroticised
Kristen Stewart 'On the Road' to Cannes
Mads Mikkelsen on 'The Hunt' in Cannes
Brad Pitt Dispels Wedding Date Rumors at Cannes
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
ShowBiz Minute: Gibb, Billboard, Smith
Robin Gibb of Bee Gees Dies at 62
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Journalist
Wes Anderson Makes His Cannes Debut
Tony Nominee Josh Young on Judas Role in 'JCS'
Jaime King's Southern Belle Secrets
ShowBiz Minute: Summer, Gaga, Beckham
Fans Pay Tribute to Donna Summer
Glenn Frey on New Solo Record, Eagles
Disco Queen Donna Summer Dies at 63
Brooklyn Decker Talks Career and Gowns
