Congratulations to the Lady Lukes Seine boat team on their incredible run tonight against two tough opponents. More photos tomorrow but for tonight, well done all!

Max Allen took down the flag toward the end of the first competitive round in tonight’s Greasy Pole contest. It was a great night and a great run! More photos tomorrow! Well done to all the walkers.

The PowOAR team in the Pinta put on an impressive show tonight for Fiesta’s Womens Seine Boat races. More photos tomorrow but congratulations to the PowOAR team!

Gloucester’s Culture Splash is back and bigger than ever for its fourth annual celebration, with an expanded lineup that honors the cultural vibrancy of this culturally-dense city, famed as America’s Oldest Seaport. The event series, running Thursdays July 11 through August 29, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., will feature a variety of free and discounted activities that highlight the rich artistic tapestry and maritime heritage of Gloucester, including outdoor and indoor live music, dance performances, light shows, film screenings, free museum admission, artist demos, exhibit openings, performing arts, and more!

Home to two of Essex County’s eight state-designated cultural districts, Rocky Neck and Harbortown, Gloucester offers free water shuttle service from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Culture Splash Thursdays, provided by Cape Ann Harbor Tours, connecting the two districts and making it easier for attendees to explore the full array of cultural offerings. Throughout the summer series, more than 50 cultural organizations and artists will welcome visitors and locals to “Splash” into Gloucester’s abundant cultural offerings. For the first time in 2024, we are excited to announce that new year-round entertainment venue and restaurant, The Cut, on Main Street in Gloucester’s Harbortown district, will host Culture Splash “After-Hours” with music playing  in “The Corner” of their dining room every Culture Splash Thursday starting at 8:00pm at no cover charge. While you’re there, check out their stellar line-up of musical acts and performances happening this summer and book tickets to a show!

Culture Splash is made possible thanks to grant funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as well as support from the City of Gloucester, as part of a collaborative vision to support the city and the state’s cultural institutions, individual artists, performers, and other types of arts & culture entities. 

 “Gloucester’s annual Culture Splash series offers an exciting chance for residents and visitors alike to explore the incredible cultural offerings within our community. From talented local musical performances to vibrant art exhibitions, there is a lot to explore and experience. I’m delighted that we continue to support this impactful series, now in its fourth year. It attracts both locals and tourists to our lively cultural districts, bolstering our local artists, performers, small businesses, and restaurants.”

Carolyn Cole from the Massachusetts Cultural Council added, “Culture Splash is one of my favorite annual events across the state. It is a quintessential creative community experience, offering free and accessible programming, widespread community participation, and incredible artistry on full display in Gloucester’s two state-designated cultural districts. Culture Splash centers on connectivity that includes a unique transportation component. This event boosts the local economy and attracts visitors from all over the region, promoting tourism, supporting the creative economy, and making the City of Gloucester a real cultural destination.”

The planning of Gloucester’s Culture Splash series is made possible by the power of volunteer leadership from cultural entities in Harbortown and on Rocky Neck who work collaboratively for months in advance of the summer season to plan the event lineup and generate exciting things to do throughout the series. Plus, help from boots-on-the-ground volunteers who assist “Splashers” with event info, wayfinding, shuttle directions, etc. each Thursday. 

Representing the Rocky Neck cultural district, Elizabeth Carey, CEO of Rocky Neck Art Colony, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the series: “Now in its fourth year, we are pleased to continue this collaborative campaign, connecting Gloucester’s two cultural districts. We invite both visitors and residents to join us in celebrating the vibrant arts and culture of Gloucester’s harbor. Culture Splash attendees can enjoy complimentary events in both communities, conveniently connected by the free water shuttle across the harbor.”

Miranda Aisling, Head of Education at Cape Ann Museum, located in the Harbortown cultural district, emphasized the continued growth and expansion of the Culture Splash series, stating, “The Cape Ann Museum has been a proud participant of Gloucester’s Culture Splash for the past four years through free CAM Courtyard Concerts. As a member of the Harbortown Cultural District, I’ve been especially excited to see the cultural organizations in town coming together to collaborate and organize a great series of events this summer both in our district and with our partners in the Rocky Neck Cultural District. It’s a great example of how, by coordinating the amazing offerings in Gloucester, we can showcase the depth and breadth of the art and culture of the city.”

This year’s Culture Splash also introduces a new addition: Maritime Gloucester’s weekly series of marine pop-ups from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in their classroom, featuring engaging activities such as plankton safaris, creature of the week, and fish printing, all free of charge.

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled cultural richness of Gloucester. From the flourishing arts scene to the storied maritime heritage, Culture Splash 2024 promises an unforgettable experience for all.

For more information and a detailed schedule of events, visit https://discovergloucester.com/culture-splash.

Take a Bow…

Rocky Neck Historic Walking Tour
Sunday, July 7  – 11AM – 12:30 PM

11 Rocky Neck Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
(parking lot near the entrance to Rocky Neck)

Join a knowledgeable volunteer guide for a walking tour showcasing both the rich history of Rocky Neck as well as the contributions and achievements of the present community. Building on the original Rocky Neck Historic Art Trail, the tour takes visitors on a journey from the time when the native Pawtucket people lived on Rocky Neck to today. The path includes many of the diverse subjects that have enriched and continue to enrich today’s community: native inhabitants, fishermen, industry, ships, tourism, transportation, celebrations, education, entertainment, and of course, the artists. 

Tours last 1 – 1.5 hours and cover approximately .75 miles. Tours begin at the Rocky Neck Parking Lot and end at the Salted Cod Arthouse, 53 Rocky Neck Ave. Tour participants are encouraged to park in the parking lot at the entrance to Rocky Neck where a volunteer tour guide meets the group. Tours are limited to 15 people and are free for Rocky Neck Art Colony Members or $15 for nonmembers. Join RNAC at https://rockyneckartcolony.org/become-a-member/. Comfortable shoes are encouraged. Be prepared to walk on uneven terrain. 

For more info and to register:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/21604974-d1ed-4961-a228-9e8d0bf870b9

Firefly Family Fun

Sunday, July 7 from 1-3 pm
Lanesville Community Center, 
8 Vulcan Street,
Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930

Manship Artists Residency is pleased to present Firefly Family Fun on Sunday, July 7 from 1-3 pm as part of Manship Artists Residency’s Firefly Fiesta. This program is a partnership with the Lanesville Community Center and the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottage. This free, family event is ideal for children ages 3-12. It includes a bug scavenger hunt, children’s book reading, the making of firefly signaling devices, and an art project. This program will take place at Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930. Please register at ManshipArtists.org.

• For more information and to register:ManshipArtists.org.

Wouldn’t that be something to watch Will in the Army Navy Game if he goes to The US Naval Academy?

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Two Performances Showcase 13 International Artists

ROCKPORT, MA – Windhover Center for the Performing Arts is proud to host the debut

performances of the newly launched United Flamenco Arts Society. These exciting events will showcase rising flamenco artists alongside esteemed professionals following an intensive week-long residency, bringing the fire of flamenco to Rockport.

Event Details:

Dates: Saturday, July 6th, 7:00 PM and Sunday, July 7th, 3:00 PM

Location: Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, 257R Granite St, Rockport, MA

01966

Price: Tickets are $25

Set against the backdrop of Windhover’s stunning facilities, which have long been a haven for artists, 3 musicians and 10 dancers will transport the audience to the heart of Andalucía with live music, the sounds of percussive castanets, fiery footwork and soul-stirring dance. 

“Our inaugural event embodies United Flamenco’s mission to empower artists and advance the flamenco art form,” said Leslie Roybal, Co-Founder of United Flamenco Arts Society. “We’re excited to showcase the incredible talent nurtured through this residency program and to share our work with the Windhover community.”

United Flamenco Arts Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and advancing the flamenco art form by uniting a global community of students, enthusiasts, rising artists, and professionals, empowering them to reach their full potential through innovative education, creation and performance.

Purchase your tickets here: https://windhover.org/event/united-flamenco-arts-society/

Viva! These guys are downtown today showing off their crazy Fiesta headwear thanks to the talents of our Crazy Hat Ladies. Amazing detail and creativity on display as Fiesta celebration is fully underway.

We stopped at Little Sister in Rockport on Bearskin Neck for a little lunch recently. I ordered the Talise and Jim got the fish sandwich. They happened to be out of regular fries that day so we chose coleslaw as our side. The fish piece was very generous and “crunchy” as reported by Jim. The double burger was deliciously messy and filling. We chose to eat outside and watch the world go by. We were very happy with our lunch.

They offer online ordering and takeout with several gluten free or vergetarian options. All bases seem to be covered. They call themselves Bigger Than A Burger Shoppe, which rings true! Check them out online at this link, but better yet–check it out in person and bring your appetite.

Learn About Famous Gloucester Writers

Customers loiter outside the Proctor Brothers Gloucester paper goods store circa the 1880s. T.S. Eliot bought a notebook here as a teenager in which he wrote some of the most famous poems of the 20^th century, including the masterful “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Also, the Gloucester Daily Times started publishing here in 1888. (Photo courtesy of the Cape Ann Museum.)

The free tours gather in front of the of the Sargent House on Main Street (next to Bananas thrift store) and depart at 10 a.m. sharp on 8 selected Saturdays this summer:

Saturday, June 22	Saturday, June 29
Saturday, July 13	Saturday, July 27
Saturday, August 10	Saturday, August 17
Saturday, September 7	Saturday, September 21

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