Two Rockport authors will give readings from their latest works this week.
Bestselling author Anita Diamant will discuss her latest book, "Day After Night," on Monday at 7 p.m. at Rockport Public Library.
The Wenham Tea House will host a reading and book signing by local author Saskia Roell today at 2:30 p.m. Roell will read excerpts from her book, "A Suitcase Full of Faith: How One Woman Found Her Dream Trusting the Compass of Her Soul," and hear the inspirational story of how she lead her family on their amazing journey.
"A Suitcase Full of Faith" is a real-life story of love, loss and adventure. In 2001, Roell, her husband and their five young children took a giant leap of faith and gave up their home and thriving businesses in Holland to explore new possibilities in the United States. With little money, no job prospects, no contacts and five kids who didn't speak a word of English, they landed in a small seacoast town and settled in the dream home they bought over the phone.
The Wenham Tea House is located at 4 Monument St. in Wenham. Tea and home-baked scones will be available for a fee of $7. There is no charge for this event, but reservations are requested. For reservations contact Emma Roberts, or Julie Perkins at 978-468-1398, or find more information online at www.wenhamteahouse.com.
Seats are still available for Diamant's reading, but due to space limitations, reservations are required. Please call 978-546-6934 and leave your name, phone number and the number of seats you would like to reserve.
"Day After Night" is based on the rescue of hundreds of Jewish prisoners from the Atlit internment camp outside Haifa in October 1945. The book weaves together the stories of four young women who meet in the camp. Haunted by their memories and losses and afraid to begin to hope, the women find salvation in the bonds of friendship and shared experience as they confront the challenge of re-creating themselves in a new country. Theirs is a story of loss, hope and courage.
Diamant began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 1975, writing on wide-ranging topics for many publications. Her first novel, "The Red Tent," was published in 1997. Inspired by a few lines from Genesis, the story gave added dimension to the Biblical story of Dinah, half-sister to the founders of the 12 tribes of Israel. The book became a bestseller and won many awards including the 2001 Booksense Book of the Year.
Her second novel, "Good Harbor," was a contemporary story that explored the importance of women's friendships as a source of strength and happiness. Her historical novel, "The Last Days of Dogtown," was set on Cape Ann in the early 1800s and described a poor, rural community inhabited by widows, spinsters and other marginal women, freed Africans, and orphan children. In addition to her novels, she has also published several guidebooks to Jewish life and lifecycle events as well as a book of personal anecdotes.
Diamant graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature. After earning a Master's Degree in English from the State University of New York at Binghamton, she moved to the Boston area and Rockport.
The Meet the Author series is sponsored by Rockport Public Library, the Friends of the Library, and Toad Hall Bookstore.
Uma Pollack, John Hicks at Coffeehouse
Old Sloop Coffeehouse will present a performance of gospel, folk, blues, and improvisational jazz by Uma Pollack and John Hicks tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
Uma Pollack is a professional singer and teacher. She has collaborated with composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist John Hicks for many years.
Opening this concert will be the swing trio Sparkle Motion. The suggested contribution for this concert is $10 for adults and $5 for people younger than 18 or older than 65, with a maximum of $20 for families. The church is handicapped-accessible. See http://www.rockportucc.org/oldsloopcoffeehouse.htm for more information. Call 978-546-3551 or send e-mail to oldsloopcoffeehouse@rockportucc.org for reservations.
Winter birding
Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for birding with over 100 species spotted last year. The park is hosting winter birding events on four Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ; the dates are Nov. 15, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, March 21.
This Sunday, Peter Van Demark will meet birders in the parking lot for this approximately 2-mile stroll along graded paths and the rocky coastline. Learn how to identify some common and uncommon shore, migratory and feeder birds by sight and sound. Bring binoculars.
For more information about Halibut Point State Park and its programs go to: www.halibutpoint.wordpress.com.
'LyricFlutes' returns
"LyricFlutes" presents a "Potpourri of Musical Gems." The recently formed chamber music group presents its unique repertoire in a concert Sunday at 3 p.m., in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockport on Cleaves Street. This group of four flutes, occasionally combining with organ or piano, will play music from many eras, some light and contemporary, some classical and serious. This concert highlights the pieces that they recently recorded for their first commercial CD, and features compositions by George Gershwin, John Short, Scott Joplin, Frederic Kuhlau, James Hook, Eugene Bozza and John Philip Sousa.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door on the day of the concert. The audience can share in a reception in the lobby of the church, immediately following the event. For more information, visit www.lyricfluteschambermusic.com.
Kepler shows for holiday season
Magnolia artist Fred Kepler is showing a number of his works in various venues this holiday season. Kepler has donated "Pumpkins and Mums at Marini's Farm" to the Silent Auction table of the Women's Magnolia Community Club's Holiday Fair. The fair runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Magnolia Library.
His painting, "Siblings," can be seen all month in the lobby of Sawyer Free Library, culminating in the Gloucester library's annual auction held on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
Tomorrow through Dec. 13, a number of Kepler's paintings can be seen at the holiday show and sale at the Newburyport Art Association at 65 Water St., Newburyport. His latest paintings are on view in the window of 5 Lexington Ave. in Magnolia. For information, visit www.seasidegalleryonline.com.
'Cape Ann on Canvas'
Original oil paintings by Jean Byrd are on exhibit at Bodin Historic Photo and Fine Art at 82 Main St. in Gloucester. There is a free opening reception for her show, "Cape Ann on Canvas," on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Her oil paintings depict Cape Ann scenes ranging from known landmarks to nooks and crannies. The exhibit runs through Nov. 29. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and closed on Wednesday. The public is welcome. For more information call 978-283-2524.
Jeff Weaver show
On Saturday, from 2 to 5 p.m., an opening reception will be held for "Gloucester — New Works," a show of paintings at the Jeff Weaver Studio/Gallery at 16 Rogers St. in Gloucester. The show runs through Saturday, Dec.19. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m., by chance, or appointment by calling 978-590-2979.
Alyssa Suede rocks Gloucester
Local promoters Dan King and Victory Agents will present Alyssa Suede, for one night only, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, live at Elliotts at the Blackburn.
"We are very excited to bring such a big talent to Gloucester. Alyssa has a fantastic voice and we feel very lucky to have her come through here on her tour," said King.
Singer and songwriter Suede began her music career two years ago under the guidance of her dad, renowned arranger and composer David Campbell. She spent the past year playing clubs in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and northern California. Her latest performances include the 2009 Sundance Festival and this year's SXSW.
Meanwhile, her single, "Falling from Mars," has already generated a buzz in the film community, winning "Best Music Video" at the Memphis 2008 Film Festival and "Best Original Song" at the 2008 Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood. Her EP, "Black and White in Color," is available on iTunes.
Doors at 7 p.m., show promptly at 8 p.m. Cost is $10 at the door.
Banana Glam O Rama Fashion Show
Banana Glam O Rama, a fundraising fashion show to support the restoration of Gloucester City Hall, will be Sunday at Gloucester City Hall at 9 Dale Ave. The Saturday night and Sunday shows sold out, but 50 seats in the balcony are being opened for the Sunday show at 4 p.m. For these tickets call Jan Bell at 978-283-1107, or Kathy Slifer at 978-283-2505. There may tickets at the door if there are any left.
Glass event at Peabody Essex Museum
"Atrium Alive! The Art of Fire —Weekend Festival" takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. New England glass artists will demonstrate their skill with small "lamps" of fire and talk about the beads they create in response to objects in the museum's collection. Participating artists are Barbara Newman, Jennifer Geldard, Cynthia Liebler Saari, Kate Fowle Meleney, Carol Bugarin, Beth Williams of Gloucester and Lee Woodburn. They will demonstrate flameworking, also known as lampworking, at the torch.
The museum will also be offering the next in its Masterpiece Lecture Series; Josh Simpson will present "Glass, A Fascinating (and Frustrating) Material." Simpson talks about his life's work and the Infinity Project, which invites people to hide his glass planets around the world. There will also be several other artist's gallery talks and related workshops taking place during the weekend. For more info visit www.pem.org or www.bethwilliams.com.
New show in Rockport
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport's art gallery is featuring the works of artist Richard Giedd during November. Represented in his works are three disciplines: still life, portrait, and plein air landscape. The emphasis is on sound drawing, composition, and visual perception grounded in Impressionist seeing as practiced by greats such as Diego Velasquez and Vermeer. Giedd is a senior designer at The Boston Globe newspaper and continues Web design, illustration, and fine art projects at his studio. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
Saltbox Gallery holiday show
Harbor Loop artist Barbara Donnelly will join 16 juried Saltbox Gallery artists in the annual Saltbox Gallery Holiday Show & Sale in Coolidge Hall, Topsfield Fairground, Route 1 North, in Topsfield, tomorrow through Sunday.
This major holiday exhibition and sale will feature fine art in oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, hand-pulled etchings, museum-quality carved birds and high quality jewelry from local and regional professional artists. An award-winning artist and teacher, Donnelly will exhibit oil and watercolor paintings including still life, figurative, marine, landscape and architecture. She is an artist member of the Academic Artists, American Artists Professional League, Copley Society of Art, New England Society of Watercolor, North Shore Arts and Rockport Art associations.
The show will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Several artists will be demonstrating throughout the weekend. The public is invited to enjoy the Friday evening artists' reception from 7 to 9 with hors d'oeuvres by Lantern Hill Catering.
Women's choral concert
Sorellanza, a Cape Ann women's chorus directed by Patti Pike, presents "With Calls of Longing," a concert of songs that speak to our search for peace and a place of belonging, on Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church at 48 Middle St. in Gloucester. Admission is $10 per person.¬ For more information, contact Anne Stevens, 978-281-6417.
Jubilee Trio performs songs of strife, success
The Jubilee Trio, Boston-based performers of American art songs and African-American spirituals, will perform a benefit concert with Chorus North Shore on Sunday in Our Lady of Hope Church in Ipswich at 3 p.m. The Jubilee Trio, with contralto Marion Dry, pianist Leslie Amper, and baritone Robert Honeysucker, was founded in 1995. The trio combines American Art Songs with African-American Spirituals by composers such as Samuel Barber, Margaret Bonds, Harry T. Burleigh, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Lee Hoiby, John Jacob Niles, William Grant Still, and Florence Pride, to create programs celebrating the diversity of our national musical heritage.
The concert will benefit the ongoing operations and performances of Chorus North Shore and the Honors Youth Choir of Chorus North Shore. The choruses, directed by Sonja Dahlgren Pryor, will perform two popular spirituals during the concert.
Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or online: www.chorusnorthshore.org.
Insideout: Museum School art sale
The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is holding its celebrated annual art sale, starting next Wednesday. The show takes place from Wednesday through Nov. 22. Thousands of original, fine art pieces by hundreds of artists, including alumni, faculty and students — seven are from Gloucester — will be on sale. Proceeds benefit both artists and the school's scholarship fund. Admission to the sale is free. The opening celebration is Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Show hours are Wednesday and next Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., and Nov. 20 to 22 from noon to 6 p.m.
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.
