Music with an ocean view

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Groove Therapy opens the free outdoor Harbor Loop concert series on July 12. Courtesy Photo

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July 8, 2012

Music with an ocean view

By Gail McCarthy Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Sun Jul 08, 2012, 11:48 PM EDT

Gloucester's Mark Pelosi, a singer and guitar player, grew up attending the free Harbor Loop concerts on Thursday evenings.

This year he opens the outdoor series, with his band Groove Therapy hitting the Harbor Loop stage Thursday night.

The Harbor Loop Concert Series has provided free popular entertainment for the residents and visitors of Cape Ann since 1973, and has especially become a waterfront staple over the past few years.

Now, the 2012 Harbor Loop Concert Series opens Thursday and runs through Aug. 30, with music each week from 6 to 9 p.m.

As the sun sets over Gloucester's historic inner harbor, music lovers bring blankets, chairs, and picnics of pizza and subs as they listen to music from the vantage point of the hill of Fitz Hugh Lane Park located off Harbor Loop off of Rogers Street.

The five-piece Groove Therapy features Cape Ann musicians of Pelosi, along with Jeff Arnold on guitar, Dennis Monagle on drums, Vincent Briguglio on bass and vocalist Brian O'Connor.

The band has been around since the mid-1990s as a trio and has evolved into the current band.

"It's very special and the band is looking forward to this gig," said Pelosi, a father of two boys. "The kids are looking forward to it. It's a big deal for them. I love these concerts because it's a chance for adults and children to listen to music together in a family friendly environment."

Groove Therapy performs what it calls funky rock and "raggei", featuring both originals and cover music.

"It's very much music that makes you want to dance," Pelosi said.

Bradley Royds, one of the series organizers, said the season's lineup is still being put together but the schedule includes a Mile 21 reunion on Aug. 9 with the Runaround. Others appearing include Jake Pardee, Gary Backstrom band, and Dan King and Safety.

"The Gloucester music community would like to thank all of the past Harbor Loop Concert Series sponsors. We are looking forward to another exciting season and hope that you will consider supporting this," said Royds, who added that, while the bands volunteer, money is raised for sound equipment.

Donations of any size are gladly accepted and greatly appreciated.

Contributions can be made payable to: Harbor Loop Concerts, and mailed to: Bank Gloucester, 160 Main St., Gloucester MA 01930. Pass-the-hat income will be given directly to the entertainers on the night of each show.

Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000, ext. 3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.