Gloucester Stage Company Launches 2011 Season with SPRING BENEFIT GALA Friday May 20th

The Gloucester Stage Company will mark their 32nd Season of producing professional theatre on Cape Ann with a celebratory SPRING BENEFIT GALA on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 6 pm to 11 pm. This fun-filled event will be held at Cruiseport Gloucester located on the waterfront at 6 Rowe Square in downtown historic Gloucester, MA. Included among the evening’s festivities will be a cocktail hour, gourmet buffet dinner, a Silent Art Auction and dancing to New England’s Premier Dance Band, Guilty Pleasure. Gloucester Stage Artistic Director, Eric Engel, will also be on hand to give gala guests the latest updates on the 2011 production season and the many special events planned for the year and architect Alan Joslin will be on hand to discuss Gloucester Stage recently announced plans to renovate the theatre’s home on 267 East Main Street.

Throughout the 2011 SPRING BENEFIT GALA, guests will be afforded the opportunity to participate in a Silent Art Auction where they can bid on unique and beautiful pieces of art donated by local and regional artists. Ranging from framed scenic photographs, oil and pastel paintings, and mixed media pieces, the artwork represented display a myriad of styles and disciplines. The Silent Art Auction will showcase the talents of New York artist Anna Cinquemani and Rocky Neck Art Colony affiliates Wendie Demuth, Devera Ehrenberg, Ken Riaf, Elynn Kroger, Brenda Malloy, Skip Montello, Ruth Mordecai, Judy Robinson-Cox, Patricia Sullivan, Ed Touchette and Rokhaya Waring.

Adding to the Gala’s ambiance will be the musical stylings of Guilty Pleasure, the popular seven-piece ensemble based in Boston. Formed in 2003, Guilty Pleasure is comprised of two male and female vocalists backed by some of the area’s top musicians. With their repertoire consisting of Motown, soul, R&B, funk, disco, Top 40, pop, and rock favorites, along with classic standards, ballads, duets, swing and “lite” jazz, Guilty Pleasure has garnered numerous accolades from their “dancing” and listening audiences.

Tickets to Gloucester Stage’s 2011 SPRING BENEFIT GALA are $150 per person and can be purchased by calling the company’s Box Office at 978-281-4433 or visiting www.gloucesterstage.org. Included in the ticket price is an Open Bar of wine and soft drinks from 6 pm – 8 pm along with the cocktail hour fare and gourmet buffet dinner. A cash bar of beer and spirits will be available throughout the evening; a cash bar of wine and soft drinks will be available after 8 pm. Tickets will not be sold at the door; advanced ticket sales only. Gloucester Stage Company’s 2011 SPRING BENEFIT GALA will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 6 pm to 11 pm at Cruiseport Gloucester located at 6 Rowe Square in downtown Gloucester, MA.

The Gloucester Stage Company is an award-winning, small, non-profit, professional theater company founded in 1979. Located in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, its mission is to provide a nurturing, intimate and relaxed platform for the development of new and established playwrights and plays; offer a wide variety of educational programs for children and adults; and present a high quality, relevant theater experience that is entertaining, stimulating and intellectually challenging to year-round and seasonal residents.

Cape Ann Skating Club will host its 37th annual spring show The CAFSC Music Awards

Hi Joey,

I just wanted to let you know that on Saturday, May 21st at 2:00 PM, The Cape Ann Skating Club will host its 37th annual spring show titled "CAFSC Music Awards."  The show will be held at the Talbot Rink in Gloucester at the O’Maley Middle School.

Dozens of skaters from preschoolers to high-schoolers will perform an array of skating programs with colorful costumes to grammy award winning songs.

Eleven members of the Cape Ann Team won medals this past winter at the Bay State Games.  Those medals qualified the skaters to represent Massachusetts at this years State Games of America, to be held in San Diego this summer.

A special treat this year will be 2 performances by the International Gold Medal Winning Adult Theater on Ice Team, Imagica.  Imagica won gold last year in France and has also qualified to compete in its third annual Nations Cup, to be held in Spain.  The team includes members from the Cape Ann Area, including Cindy Backe and Sherry and Mike Descios of Danvers, Anne Marie Crotty, Doug Grimes and Theresa Lee of Gloucester, Faye Greel of Rockport, Vikki Hyer and Gale Denis of Newburyport; Kathy MacNichol of Georgetown, Heidi Rowell and Carol Woods of Billerca, and Theresa Snow of Chelsea.

Imagica, under the direction of Tansey Mazzarino of Danvers and Amy Vecchio of Winthrop will skate a short program, which is a patriotic skateto an Olympic Medley and a longer program which tells a story of a leprechaun tracking down a pot of gold.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00.

Hope to see some of your subscribers at the rink cheering on these accomplished young skaters!  It is sure to be a great afternoon of skating.

Thanks so much, Becca Campbell

Paulie Frontiero’s Art Set Up In The New Khan Studio/Good Morning Gloucester Gallery

To say that I’m excited about the gallery would be an understatement.  I’m looking forward to seeing people at the openings and being part of the Rocky Neck Community.  EJ did an incredible job!

The idea EJ had to offer artists two week art shows in a guest artist space is brilliant.  For a small amount of money an artist can have space at a high traffic area on Rocky Neck, they get the incredible power and reach of the Blog (lately 17-24,000 people per day) to talk about their show, and they can have their own opening for their two week stint.  Any artist that is interested in what I consider to be an awesome opportunity should contact EJ an lock down a two week span.

Imagine this- you are a FOB and you are coming to Gloucester for a couple of weeks this summer.  You could come and have an art show on the oldest Art Colony in the Country.  Or if you are a local but don’t have a studio space to show your stuff, you could use the power of GMG to get your stuff shown and promoted on the blog and feed off that energy for  a two week exhibit.  No-brainer, right?

Contact EJ for available weeks- believe there are 5 slots that are spoken for.

For more info-

Khan Studio & Good Morning Gloucester Gallery At Rocky Neck

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Blues & Brews Back to the Beach Bash at the Blue Shutters This Saturday

From Tony Sapienza-

Joey mentioned in a recent Good Morning Gloucester posting that the Blue Shutters Beachside Inn has turned into a lively event center.  Well, we’re not done yet — in fact, the best is yet to come.  On the afternoon of  Saturday, May 21, we’ll hold our annual Blues & Brews Back to the Beach Bash.  The Cape Ann Brewing Co. will once again be on hand to offer tastings of their beers, and some musician friends will provide live entertainment on our lawn overlooking Good Harbor Beach.  There will be opportunities to tour the inn and stroll across the footbridge to enjoy the beach.  Call or email us to reserve a room at the Shutters for that Saturday and party with us into the night — we’ll be roasting marshmallows by the firepit and playing games inside late into the evening. Here’s a photo from last spring’s Blues & Brews Bash.  Those of you who have joined us in past years know how much fun this can be — and the 2011 version will be no exception

Blues and Brews 2010

Adele’s Gumbo At Passports

Perfect on a cold damp day to warm you up. Had a bowl yesterday and like Toby said when we were talking about it- “If Erik Ever Takes It Off The Menu There Will Be Hell To Pay!” (or something like that).

That andouille sausage takes the chill right out

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Congressman Tierney to Host Community Coffee at Cape Ann Business Incubator

GLOUCESTER, MA — On Thursday, May 19th at 9 am, Congressman John Tierney will host a community coffee for local families and small business owners at the Cape Ann Business Incubator.  In an effort to provide a legislative update and to hear from local residents, Congressman Tierney regularly hosts community meetings throughout our area.

In addition to taking questions on a variety of issues, Congressman Tierney will provide an update on his ongoing work with small businesses and local officials to encourage economic growth in our communities.  This event is open to the public.

***COMMUNITY COFFEE***

Who:                     Congressman Tierney

When:           Thursday, May 19th 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Where:              Cape Ann Business Incubator 3rd Floor

33 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA  01930

Local Treasures You Need To Know About- Archivist Stephanie Buck At Your Service!

I had no idea how much the people who work at the Cape Ann Museum love their job and how willing they are to investigate things for you.

Listen to this interview with Stephanie Buck and get an idea of  what I’m talking about-

The bar on which Stephanie’s arm rest is the exact bar from the tavern of Howard Blackburn.  Just one of a gazillion interesting artifacts down in the archives at The Cape Ann Museum!

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Gloucester’s Courtney Reid Heading To NYC As A Finalist In The Folgers Jingle Contest

Five Finalists announced in Folgers® Jingle Contest

click the arrow to hear her jingle

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ORRVILLE, OH, May 11, 2011 — Five musical acts are heading to New York City as finalists in the Folgers® Jingle Contest.  The talented top five will compete in a live audition in front of award-winning songwriter and former American Idol® judge, Kara DioGuardi for a chance to win the grand prize of $25,000, a mentoring session with Kara and a chance to appear in a Folgers Coffee commercial.
The top five finalists:

Charles M. from Springfield, MO

Courtney Reid. from Gloucester, MA

Dorrell E. from Mesa, AZ

Jered L. from Fort Collins, CO

John P. from North Port, FL

“I’m all about taking a song and making it your own.  It’s been great to hear the diversity of The Best Part of Wakin’ Up™ jingle submissions—from R&B to Country—musical genres of all types have been represented,” said DioGuardi.  “I’m excited to witness the creativity and musical talent first-hand at the judging event in New York City.”
Visit www.bestpartofwakinup.com to view the finalists’ video entries and complete Official Rules.
About the Contest
Thousands of creative musicians submitted video entries on www.bestpartofwakinup.com from January 19 through March 1, 2011.  Qualified entries underwent an initial round of judging based on creativity/originality, musical performance, and adherence to creative assignment and were then narrowed down to a group of ten semi-finalists.  
From March 31 through April 25, 2011, the top ten semi-finalist entries were posted to www.bestpartofwakinup.com for a public vote.  The top five finalists were determined based on points awarded from both the initial judging round and online vote totals.   
Finalists will travel to New York City in June 2011 to compete in the live grand prize audition and perform their version of The Best Part of Wakin’ Up jingle in front of Kara DioGuardi and a panel of judges. One finalist will be named the Grand Prize Winner and receive $25,000, the chance to appear in a future Folgers commercial and chance to receive a music mentoring session from Kara DioGuardi.

GLOUCESTER’S GOT TALENT BABY!!!!

Lettie G Set To Stay In NYC Say Sources In The NY Post

Seaport Museum’s ships will be stay downtown in deal with city and state, say sources – NYPOST.com
Click this picture to visit Bowsprite Blog
Click this picture to visit Bowsprite Blog

http://bowsprite.wordpress.com/

Thanks Brian for forwarding the story

Giant Flea Market

Giant Flea Market
Holy Family ParishWomen’s Guild is hosting a Flea Market on Saturday May 21st from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.  There will be dozens of vendors with wonderful crafts, white elephant, and games & face painting for the kids.  There will be coffee & lunch available.  Hope to see many GMG subscribers there!

fleamarket

Magnolia to Unveil Memorial Stone Honoring Veterans!

The Magnolia Historical Society Proudly Announces…

Magnolia To Honor Veterans & Servicepersons

May 21st, Saturday at 10:00am

The public is welcomed & encouraged to join in this
poignant ceremony.

Magnolia, Massachusetts — April 25, 2011 — For Immediate Release —
The Magnolia Historical Society is excited to announce an unveiling and ceremony honoring all service branches on May 21st at 10:00 in Knowlton Park in Magnolia – situated along side the Magnolia Firehouse between Fuller & Shore Roads, overlooking Magnolia Harbor. A full military dedication will take place and the unveiling of the memorial stone.  A free reception open to the public will follow immediately with light fare, refreshments and beverages.  
Open to the public, we encourage all to attend, witness the unveiling of the memorial plaque and raising of the newly installed flagpole and flag, wreath laying ceremony, singing of the National Anthem, gun salute, color guard and more.   
This memorable ceremony will include veterans, active servicepersons, dedicated citizens, Gloucester Police & Fire Departments, Sen. Bruce Tarr and more – please be a part!
Seating and facilities will be available throughout the ceremony at the park for convenience.  Please come celebrate and show your appreciation our veterans and servicepersons representing and protecting the United States of America.
For more information contact:
Lisa Ramos, President of the Magnolia Historical Society
978.290.3005 – lramos@eastcoastindustrial.com

Tomorrow Night "Dan Rather Reports" Investigates Fisheries

From Bore Head-

After a six month investigation, Dan Rather Reports will broadcast an in-depth look at the US commercial fishery along the east coast on Tuesday May 17th at 8 p.m. ET.

The report examines charges that NOAA, the agency that oversees the National Marine Fisheries Service, has been over-zealous in its prosecution of those in the fishing community. Fisheries Administrator Eric Schwaab’s responds to the charges.

Included in the report is rarely seen video of a NOAA raid against the Gloucester Seafood Display Auction and details of NOAA’s attempt to shut down the fish warehouse.

Also, the report examines the Asset Forfeiture Fund where fines, many in the hundreds of thousands of dollars against the fishermen, are deposited. The broadcast digs deep into what NOAA used the fund for. For example, it paid for bonuses for NOAA employees. Also, the broadcast documents that hundreds of thousands of fund dollars were spent on NOAA travel. One document shows that the fund paid the expenses of two prosecutors to Kuala Lumpur along with the judge in the case they had just completed. Eric Schwaab responds to these and other uses of the asset forfeiture fund.

Dan Rather Reports has obtained the confidential Inspector General’s report on the shredding of official documents by the head of NOAA’s law enforcement arm during an official investigation. NOAA responds to questions about that and to questions about an audit of the fund.

Community Garden Launched at Burnham’s Field Photos and Captions By John McElhenny

John McElhenny writes-

Joey,

The Burnham’s Field Community Garden has been officially launched! On Saturday, 25 volunteers laid down geotextile landscaping fabric, built 4’ x 8’ garden boxes, filled wheelbarrows full of compost and raked fine-looking garden plots that’d make a Midwestern farmer proud. Twenty individual garden plots are planned, along with a low fence to protect the garden from critters. Thanks go out to the volunteer gardeners for their energy and awesomeness, the Building Center for donating materials, J. Harrison of The Food Project for his direction, Steve Winslow and the City’s Community Development Department for their support, and Donna Ardizzoni and the One Hour at a Time Gang for sprucing up Burnham’s Field on Saturday morning before the gardeners arrived.

John McElhenny, Allen Street

Gloucester

A truck dumps steaming compost for the community garden at Burnham’s Field. It took 25 volunteers about 2 ½ hours to shovel the compost into 4 x 8’ frames for individual garden plots. Twenty plots are planned.

Community garden - compost

Becky Thompson spreads compost in one of the 4 x 8-foot boxes specially built for the Burnham’s Field community garden. Thompson, who lives right by the field, is one of several Gorton’s employees who’ve volunteered to work in the garden.

Garden - Becky Thompson

Gardeners Barb Collins (left) and Marie Rodriguez fill a wheelbarrow with compost. Rodriguez is part of a group of teachers from St. Ann School who plan to use their garden plot to teach children about growing fresh flowers and vegetables.

Community garden - Barb Collins and Marie Rodriguez

Tim Burnham from the Building Center delivers wood to the garden site. The Building Center generously donated materials for the construction of the community garden.

Community garden - Tim Burnham

Gardener Gina Curcuru spreads compost onto the geotextile fabric beneath the garden. Curcuru is one of the many gardeners who live close to Burnham’s Field and can walk to their plots.

Community garden - Gina Curcuru

Thanks John for getting us the pictures and the rest of the volunteers and folks who donated time, money and energy to make it happen!  You all should be very proud!

Docksiders Would Like Your Vote In Bandemonium

This round ends at 11:59pm Monday Night

(David Cox, May 2011 Docksiders @ City Hall Photo)

2011MayDocksiders

The Gloucester High School Docksiders Stage Band still needs your vote for the Boston Heralds online "Bandemonium" contest. The prize is a $5,000 grant and with your vote that can happen!

Bandemonium Logo

The Docksiders thank everyone for their continued support in voting and look forward to seeing the community at many concerts in the fall.


Direct link to voting: http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1337005

The Infamous Fred Buck In The Archive Room At The Cape Ann Museum

I’d never been down to the archive room where Fred and Stephanie Buck work.  Look for the video tomorrow to see just what types of treasures are located down in the basement of the Cape Ann Museum and how you can access them.

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