Bandstand 2026 Season Celebrates Forty Years!

David Benjamin, the Summer Music Director for the City of Gloucester announces The Antonio Gentile Bandstand 2026 Summer Concert Series.  He offers eight free concerts beginning on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 6:30pm with the Cape Ann Big Band and ending on August 30, 6:30pm with The Continentals. This year marks the fortieth season of concerts at the bandstand.

On Father’s Day, June 15, 1986, The Herb Pomeroy Band played the Inaugural concert of the Antonio Gentile Bandstand. The bandstand was completed in 1986, to honor Anthony “Tony” Gentile, who had been the Director of the Gloucester High School Band for many years. His former students raised funds to build the bandstand. The Cape Ann Savings Bank sponsored that first concert and went on to sponsor other concerts over the forty year span of free public concerts at the bandstand.

A highlight of the 2026 season will be the Cape Ann Community Band “American Music; 250 Years Strong” program. Director David Benjamin plans to highlight America’s most important music beginning with William Billings’ “Chester”, the first popular American Revolution song. The concert will feature all of the uniquely American forms of music in our two hundred fifty year history; Marches, Dixieland, Swing, Jazz, American musicals, Rock & Roll and more. The concert is sponsored by Bank Gloucester and the Gloucester Cultural Council.

The concert series is held at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester. All concerts begin at 6:30pm.. The Gloucester Rotary Club helps maintain the bandstand and its landscaping. The concerts are ninety minutes in length. The rain dates for the Sunday concerts are the following Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. 

The 2026 series will also feature the return of the Compaq Big Band, the Continentals, 4Ever Fab, Horizon, the Jantelles and Martin and Kelly, Country Western Favorites.

Benjamin encourages all to attend. “Fantastic music overlooking the outer harbor; glorious sunsets; schooners sailing by; it doesn’t get any better than this in Gloucester!”

All programs are subject to change. Admission and Parking are free. Restrooms are ADA accessible. Bring a chair or blanket.

2026 Antonio Gentile Bandstand Schedule

July 12, 2026, 6:30pm              Cape Ann Big Band; Jazz

July 19, 2026, 6:30pm              Horizon and the Horns

July 26, 2026, 6:30pm              4Ever Fab; Beatles tribute

Aug 02, 2026, 6:30pm             Compaq Big Band; Jazz

Aug 09. 2026, 6:30pm             The Jantelles, Vintage Rock & Roll

Aug 16. 2026, 6:30pm             Martin & Kelly; Country

August 22 (Sat). 2026, 6:30pm Cape Ann Community Band;

August 30. 2026, 6:30pm         Continentals; Rock & Roll

For concert information please visit www.DavidLBenjamin.com or telephone 978-281-2286

Photo by Carl Wycoff             

Good Morning from Salty’s Bagels 🥯🥯🥯❤️❤️❤️!

We will be open Saturday, April 4th in Rockport at 1 Whistlestop Mall – 8:00 am to sell out. (Pre-orders are sold out!)

We will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 5th! 🐣🐇🌷

BAGEL OF THE WEEK:
🧀Asiago 🧀 – cheesy inside and out!

SCHMEARS OF THE WEEK:
Rosemary Honey 🐝
Hot Honey 🌶️

PRE-ORDERING:
Sign up at http://www.hotplate.com/saltysbagels (see link in bio) to get a text alert when our pre-orders go live on Monday mornings at 8:00 am.

Mayor Paul Lundberg Welcomed and Thanked New Gloucester Residents for Generous Donation to Lily Jean Fund

Mayor Paul Lundberg was joined by Kimberly Brusseau and Beverly Cadigan of New Gloucester, Maine, at his office at Gloucester City Hall. Ms. Brusseau and Ms. Cadigan visited on behalf of the community of New Gloucester, whose residents organized a fundraising effort after learning about the devastating loss of the Gloucester fishing vessel Lily Jean earlier this year. 

The Lily Jean, a 72-foot Gloucester-based commercial fishing vessel, sank on January 30, 2026, off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Seven lives were lost in this tragedy, which had a profound impact on Gloucester’s historic fishing community as many of the crew members came from multigenerational fishing families.

In the wake of the tragedy, Gloucester residents and supporters across the region have rallied to assist the families affected by the loss. The Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund established the Lily Jean Fund to assist the families of the crew members and support the broader fishing community. Donations to the fund are distributed evenly among the families of those who were lost.

Residents of New Gloucester, Maine, organized their own community fundraising effort and collected donations for the Lily Jean Fund. Together the town of 6,000 residents raised $3282 for the fund, along with sympathy cards and gift bags from Mainely Fudge for each family. Their generosity reflects the strong connection shared by fishing communities throughout New England and the widespread compassion felt following the tragedy. 

“On behalf of the City of Gloucester, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the residents of New Gloucester for this extraordinary act of kindness.” Said Mayor Lundberg. “In the face of unimaginable loss, your community’s generosity is a powerful reminder that the bonds between our residents run deep. Your support not only honors the memory of the Lily Jean crew, but also brings comfort and strength to the families and to our entire fishing community during this difficult time.”


Mayor Paul Lundberg
City of Gloucester

Motif No.1 Day

 ~ GREATER CAPE ANN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ~ 

Built by Fishermen, Named by Artists, Loved by All

Join us for Motif No. 1 Day as we celebrate Rockport’s unique identity as both a historic fishing village and a vibrant artist destination. Centered around the iconic red fishing shack—long a favorite subject for painters and photographers—this beloved annual event brings together the very spirit of Rockport: coastal beauty, creative energy, and community pride.

Stroll through town as artists set up along the harbor capturing Motif No. 1 and Rockport’s stunning waterfront in real time. Enjoy live music, street performances, family-friendly art activities, and pop-up experiences that unfold throughout the day. From Dock Square to Bearskin Neck and beyond, there’s always something happening just around the corner.

Explore galleries, discover local shops, and experience the charm that has inspired generations of artists. Whether you’re watching a painting come to life, enjoying a performance, or simply taking in the view, Motif No. 1 Day invites you to slow down, look closer, and connect with what makes Rockport so special.

Chamber Events

IMPORTANT: RSVPs needed by April 14

Businesswomen’s Committee Spring Luncheon

Wave Makers ~ Tide Changers, Women of Innovation & Impact

Thursday, April 30 | 11 AM – 2 PM

Beauport Hotel

Please note that the Spring Luncheon is taking the place of the Fall Luncheon.

The Businesswomen’s Committee of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is proud to present Wave Makers ~ Tide Changers, Women of Innovation & Impact, an event spotlighting three remarkable women whose vision and leadership are shaping the future of our community.

This engaging luncheon will feature three dynamic speakers — one from the non-profit sector, one from the maritime industry, and one from the business community — who will share their journeys, insights, and the impact of their work.

The 2026 invited speakers are:

  • Leslie Gould, Executive Director, Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce
  • ​Ann Molloy, Sales & Marketing Director and Co-Owner, Neptune’s Harvest
  • Gail Brenner Nastasia, Defense Attorney & Author

Join us for an afternoon of storytelling, inspiration, and connection as we celebrate the women who are lighting the way, steering the course, and charting the path forward.

REGISTER NOW (REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED): RSVPs needed by April 14

$55 Member

$75 Non-Member

$650 For a Table of 10