Eight Magnolia homes decorated for the holidays will be open to the public Saturday in a self-guided tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Businesswomen's Division. The tour raises funds to support the Carolyn O'Connor Scholarship, which benefits women who are changing careers or returning to the workforce and are in need of further education. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the tour. Tickets and a map showing the tour homes' locations can be picked up the day of the tour at Magnolia Library at One Lexington Ave. in Gloucester from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance tickets may be ordered by calling 978-283-1601.
Holiday fairs on Cape Ann
The Rockport PTO will hold its annual holiday fair Saturday at Rockport High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair features more than 50 crafters, children's gingerbread houses to take home and decorate, an enchanted gift shop, live music, surprise jars, face painting, games, a bake table and more. Santa will be available for photographs. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria.
St. John's Church, at 41 Middle St. in Gloucester, will hold its holiday fair this Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. In addition to its usual fare of handmade crafts, jewelry, holiday decorations and baked goods, this year's fair welcomes a new feature, Santa's Workshop. There will be a variety of wooden toys, blocks, puzzles, bird feeders, boxes, garden baskets, holiday decorations and book racks, all designed and crafted by hand by St. John's parishioners. Lunch will be served. The church is handicapped accessible from Middle Street. Parking is available in a lot on Washington Street.
In Manchester, Sacred Heart Church will hold its Christmas fair at the parish hall on School Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features fish chowder from The Causeway. The old-fashioned Christmas fair features eclectic items from crafters, Christmas greenery, a theme raffle, silent auction and bake table.
Classical guitar master in concert
Cape Ann Museum will host Robert Steven Squires in concert Saturday at 3 p.m. Squires will perform a varied program of concert material for the classical guitar including excerpts from Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and other works inspired by art and artists such as Vincent Van Gogh. This program is free to the public.
Squires is a resident of Cape Ann, who has performed solo concerts in South America, Canada and the United States. His repertoire includes classical and contemporary selections spanning from the Renaissance to the 21st century.
Squire was formerly a lead guitarist for the popular Boston-based Beatles tribute band Beatlejuice for 10 years. For 30 years, he was a guitar instructor at Phillips Exeter Academy Music Department.
The museum is at 27 Pleasant St. in Gloucester. For information call 978-283-0455, or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.
Bonnie Gray joins Local Colors
Rockport artist Bonnie Gray has joined the Local Colors Artisans Gallery, a cooperative of Cape Ann artists, at 121 Main St. in Gloucester. Gray, a North Shore Arts Association member for 13 years, has painted in oil most of her life and studied the traditional craft of still-life painting for 10 years with the late Helen van Wyk. Recently retired from a 33-year career in the Rockport Public Schools, Gray is now devoting herself to painting, producing full-size and miniature still-life paintings as well as pet portraits. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. On Dec. 4, Local Colors will offer a door prize on ''Ladies Night" featuring a $50 gift certificate. For information, call 978-283-3996 or visit www.local-colors.org.
Ed Herman solo show at the RAA
A solo show of Ed Herman's work will be held at Rockport Art Association this Sunday through Dec. 5. Herman was juried into the RAA in November 2007. Herman, who lived at the Lorraine Apartments before they were destroyed by fire last year, is known for his landscape paintings.
Holiday show auditions
Blackburn Performing Arts and Gloucester Kidz Theatre are holding open auditions for adults and children for their holiday production of "A Christmas Carol." Auditions will be held at Blackburn Performing Arts at One Washington St. in Gloucester tomorrow from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Classic rock in Manchester
Garfish, a Cape Ann classic rock band, will perform at Coastline Grille in Manchester on Saturday, from 9 p.m. to midnight. The band is led by Gar Hiltz on bass and vocals, with Frank Bernadini on lead vocals, Doug Comeau on lead guitar and vocals, Dan Rehner on flutes, trumpet, rhythm guitar and vocals, Walter Piscitello on drums and vocals and Jeff Worthley on keyboards, saxaphone and vocals.
Wine pairing and singing events
The Yale Alley Cats, one of the nation's most celebrated a capella groups, will perform for dinner guests at the Emerson Inn in Rockport tomorrow.
The 17-person ensemble, established in 1943, has performed around the world ever since. The group sings jazz, Motown, pop, classical and other genres.
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and continue through dinner, starting at 6:30 p.m. A prix fixe menu will feature a special three-course meal.
The Grand Cafe at Emerson Inn, recipient of the Wine Spectator Award for the past two years, will offer a six-course wine pairing dinner featuring wines from New Zealand and Australia this Sunday at 6 p.m.
For reservations and information on both events, please call 978-546-6321.
North Shore Players present 'Bye Bye Birdie'
"Bye Bye Birdie," a Tony Award-winning best musical, will be performed by the North Shore Players tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Hogan Regional Center Auditorium at 6 Hathorne Circle in Danvers, off of Route. 62. Tickets are $15 and $12 for students and seniors. Directions and information are available by visiting www.northshoreplayers.org or calling 978-750-4842.
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, ext. 3445, or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com, or fax to 978-281-5748.
