Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Doug Johnson, owner of Annisquam Studios, featured Fiesta photos by Walter Bibikow and Good Harbor surfing photos by photographer Daniel Tedeschi, among others. Johnson met Tedeschi 22 years ago when he was his high school photography teacher, and he’s been a fan since! Come on down and check out this show until August 11th at 34 Leonard St.

Doug and former student Daniel Tedeschi

Bob Callahan sculptor

Fiesta photos

Betty and Rita Go To Paris-Michael Malyszko

Who: Janie Brendel & Friends: DANCES to the Music of Brahms

Time: Friday, August 2nd at 7:30pm and Saturday, August 3rd at 7:30pm

Place: Windhover Center for the Performing Arts on the outdoor stage covered by a tent

257R Granite St, Rockport, MA. 01966

Renowned modern dancer Janie Brendel and her New York City dance company Janie Brendel & Friends will be performing a portion of their complete show, “Inspired” at the Windhover Center for the Performing Arts. It is a tribute to Howard Gilman, White Oak, and the dances it inspired.

Janie Brendel & Friends spent three life changing summers in residency rehearsing and creating dances at Howard Gilman’s White Oak, a 13,000 acre conservation center, wildlife preserve, and utopia for dance. The dances are all set to the music of Johannes Brahms, rooted in both its passion and compassion. The works are infused with the luxuriant beauty of this paradise, the powerful spirit of its roaming animals, and the kind generous people who worked there, the White Oak family.  This dance project is being done in the spirit of gratitude, which was the feeling generated by White Oak. They will share two and a half of the four dances, a glimpse of the entire show. The choreographers brought to White Oak were Adam Hougland and Kenny Larson. They also rehearsed and performed a piece by Peggy Baker.

At a time when both the arts and the earth are under serious threat, Mr. Gilman’s vision of dance and nature has never been more relevant. The beauty of Windhover is an ideal setting to feature these works.

Conceived by Janie Brendel

Artistic Directors for Inspired:

Janie Brendel, Roger C. Jeffrey, and Jason Jordan

Dancers:

Janie Brendel, Jennifer Golonka, Roger C. Jeffrey, Jason Jordan, Aaron Loux, Xavier Porro,

Uta Takemura

Program includes: 41 minutes

• Peggy Baker’s “Her Heart” danced to Brahms Opus 117 #1 for one dancer

• Brahms Opus 118 #5 a recording made by our pianist and Musical Director John Gavalchin

piano only, no dancers

• Adam Hougland’s Brahms Opus 91 for piano, soprano, and viola, and four dancers

• Adam Hougland, a 17-minute excerpt of his Brahms Opus 36, string sextet for 6 dancers

Tickets range from $10-$20 and can be purchased in advance at

https://windhover.org/event/janie-brendel-friends/ Or go onto the

Windhover.org website under the tab: “Performances” and follow the link.

What a story. What highs and lows for one family in one day.

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.

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

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/

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:

Sponsored by: 

Jacob Taylor photo

Hi Joey,

I have opened a little gallery in the village of Annisquam, called Annisquam Studios. We have a reception this Saturday 6/29 at 3:00pm – 6:00pm, 34 Leonard Street. The show’s main feature is the St. Peter’s Fiesta photography series by Walter Bibikow (see attached). The timing is perfect with the Fiesta taking place this week. I am a huge fan of you and Good Morning Gloucester! Thanks for your consideration on announcing this. The show will run from June 29th – August 11th. There are other photographers showing work as well (some awesome Good Harbor winter surfing pic’s!). You can check out more photos @annisquam_studios.  on Instagram. Thanks! Doug

PS – Gallery hours are: Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm

-Doug Johnson