A documentary feature film set in the world of big mountain skiing, "The Edge of Never" spotlights a tribe of skiers who challenge the biggest, most dangerous mountains in the world.
Now, Cape Ann residents will have a chance to view the film that has some local ties of its own at the Little Arts Cinema on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
This gala premiere event includes free wine and cheese and hors devours. Everyone who attends can enter a raffle for the grand prize of a free trip to Chamonix, France to ski with legendary guide "Fan Fan," one of the stars in the film. And producer Peter Schweitzer, who has ties to Cape Ann and is visiting for Thanksgiving weekend, will be on hand to field questions about the piece.
In 1996, extreme-skiing legend Trevor Petersen was killed in Chamonix, France. Nine years later, Glen Plake decides it's time for Trevor's 15-year-old son, Kye, to ski the route that killed his father and join the tribe of big-mountain skiers.
An adventure tale, the coming-of-age film is billed as a rich portrait of men and women who live big in the face of their greatest fears.
The film, produced by Schwqeitzer, is written and directed by William A. Kerig, a Hamilton native, and is based on the book of the same title written by Kerig, For information, visit www.edgeofneverfilm.com.
The film is currently being shown on the festival circuit and will be the closing night gala event at the Whistler Film Festival in British Columbia on Dec. 6.
Tickets for the Rockport presentation are $15.
More than movies at Cinema
There's more than film offerings on tap over the next week at Gloucester's Cape Ann Community Cinema at 21 Main St.
Next Tuesday night at 7, the Cinema debuts a series called "Odd Tuesdays," an open stage featuring Cape Ann's best musicians.
The first hour of each event is programmed with an invited guest — with contemporary fingerstyle acoustic guitarist Ken Bonfield on Dec. 1 and singer-songwriter Paul "Sasquatch" Cohan playing on Dec. 15 — with the following 90 minutes being a free-form show featuring anyone who shows up with a song to share.
There wil be a $5 cover, part of which will be donated to further local music education.
'Full Cold Moon' over Rockport
Rockport will also be hosting a full moon event next Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Halibut Point State Park.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to come and view the full moon in an informative and fun program presented by the town's Department of Parks and Recreation. Participants will have the chance to learn the names of the moons for different cultures and their origins; December's is the Full Cold Moon.
The program includes explanation of moon phases and moon cycle, viewing of the full moon with telescopes, spotting scope and binoculars, as well as night time activities.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Particpants should meet at the Halibut Point Visitors' Center, and bring flashlights, as it will be dark on the walk from the parking lot. Call 617-828-1728 for more information.
New artists at Local Color
Local Colors Artists' Cooperative, 121 Main St., Gloucester, invites the public to come see the artwork of two new artists: Stephanie Bowens, a fiber artist, and Kathy Roberts, a painter who specializes in watercolors.
Hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 978-283-3996 or visit www.local-colors.org for more information.
Santa Parade and tree lighting
Gloucester's Santa Parade and tree lighting will be this Sunday. The parade begins at 3 p.m. at the Jodrey State Fish Pier, running through Main Street and ending at Kent Circle on Stacy Boulevard for the annual tree lighting at about 4:30 p.m.
Library art auction
The annual art auction sponsored by Art Advisory Committee of the Sawyer Free Library ends Monday.
Patrons are invited to view original paintings by local artists. Silent bids will be accepted through Monday with a final live auction on Wednesday at 7 p.m. A preview party will begin at 6 p.m. Information is available by calling 978-281-9763.
Holiday Craft Fair
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport, 4 Cleaves St., is now hosting its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturdays, starting this weekend through Dec. 19. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featured will be original art, handcrafted jewelry, greeting cards, knitted scarves, stained glass boxes, fresh baked cookies and candy, and much more. The Thrift Shop will be open, too, with "not quite new" holiday ornaments, a wide selection of books, slightly used toys and vintage gift items. For more information, call 978-546-2989.
Small gifts show
Flatrocks Gallery's second annual holiday show, "Small Gifts," presents a wide selection of "wrappable art" by local artists — small-scale paintings, sculpture and ceramics, as well as jewelry and clothing items.
There will be an opening to benefit the Gloucester Education Foundation on Dec. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m., and Dec. 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show runs through Jan. 3; hours at the gallery, located at 77 Langsford St. in Gloucester, are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Celebrate the Season with Rocky Neck
A winter art exhibit and annual "Winter Stroll" bring the Rock Neck Art Colony to life, on and off the Neck, this holiday season.
The fifth annual winter exhibit and sale is set to open tomorrow and run through Dec. 23 in downtown Gloucester, at 117 Main St. A reception to a Meet The Artists will take place Dec. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. This event is open to the public.
Marie Sweeney, artist and organizer, said there are 39 artists participating this year, with works including original oils, watercolors, photography, mixed media, greeting cards, fabric art, jewelry and pottery.
All artists are members of the Rocky Neck Art Colony on Rocky Neck, Gloucester. For more information contact 978-281-6130.
Three weekends have been designated for the second annual Rocky Neck Art Colony Winter Stroll — Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. In all cases, Rocky Neck galleries will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the spirit of the season, there will be lights, decorations, refreshments, and music.
An art colony is a place where artists live and work together. Some colony artists live on "the Neck" year round and don't close their doors at the end of the summer.
"We're a close community and enjoy each others' company. We wish to extend that energy and warmth to everyone," said Judith Steele Goetemann, artist and gallery owner.
Participating galleries include: the Elynn Kroger Gallery, Hughes Bosca Side Street Gallery, Sigrid Olsen Art Gallery, Judith and Gordon Goetemann Gallery, James B. Hand Gallery, Judythe Evans Meagher Gallery, John Nesta Gallery, and Tom Nihan featured at Imagine Gallery. Sailor Stan's will be open, as well, for light refreshments. Contact 978-282-3467 for more information.
'Roomful' saxophonist celebrates jazz
Mark Earley, Roomful of Blues saxophonist, multiple WC Handy Award winner, and Grammy nominee on the 2004 Roomful's release, "That's Right," is celebrating one year as host of the Thursday Evening Jazz Showcase in the dining room at Latitude 43 Restaurant.
"This has truly been a blessing for me," Earley said. "I consider myself so very fortunate to have had this opportunity to play host with my many musical friends and showcase some of the area's finest jazz vocalists and musicians playing music from the great American songbook. And the Latitude 43 dining room makes for the most beautiful backdrop."
Earley's Roomful of Blues touring schedule has eased up lately, affording him the luxury of hosting Latitude 43's weekly night of music. Earley's featured guests for December in the Latitude 43 dining room are as follows:
Dec. 3 — Vocalist Steve Wark with Steve Hershman on the piano and Jason Davis on the acoustic bass.
Dec. 10 — vocalist Kaye Kelly with Jane Potter on the piano and Thomas Hebb on the acoustic bass.
Dec. 17 — vocalist Rebecca Shrimpton with Richard Greenblatt on the vibes and John Turner on the acoustic bass.
The Mark Earley Jazz Sessions are every Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Latitude 43 is located at 25 Rogers St., Gloucester. For more information, call 978-281-0223.
Dickens comes to life
The Actors Company will be presenting J.T. Turner in his one-man performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" next month at The Gloucester Stage Company Theatre at 267 East Main St. in East Gloucester.
In this show, award-winning actor J.T. Turner portrays Charles Dickens in the classic Christmas story. Using a few simple props and lights, the actor brings the show to life, portraying over 25 characters.
There will be six shows:
Dec. 16-19 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 19 and 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are priced at $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and children under 12.
Call Amy Sheridan to reserve tickets: 508-942-9938. For information, e-mail amydsheridan@gmail.com.
Artist's talk: Rural N.E. churches
The Cape Ann Museum will present an artist's talk with photographer Steve Rosenthal on Saturday at 3 p.m. in conjunction with the current exhibition, "Churches of Rural New England."
The program will include a documentary film by Peter Hoving, and a book signing for Rosenthal's book, White on White: Churches of Rural New England, published by The Monacelli Press. This program is included with admission and reservations are required. Call 978-283-0455, x11.
Rosenthal is an architect who has specialized in architectural photography, primarily in New England, for more than 35 years. He is a graduate of Yale University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design where he studied architecture. He is the recipient of "Institute Honors" from the American Institute of Architects, and the Architectural Photography Specialty Group Award from the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP).
The museum is located at 27 Pleasant St. in Gloucester. Children under 12 are free. The museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 978-283-0455, or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.
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. Items should be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the event.
