Author: Catherine

posted content / cell phone photos mine, unless otherwise credited (thumbnail portrait of Catherine at MFA, Boston © David Cox photo) https://www.cryanaid.com/

Just days away! World Famous Pianist Headlines Cape Ann Symphony Concert 🎹🎶

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Coming this Sunday May 14! Cape Ann Symphony news from Heidi Dallin:

The Cape Ann Symphony presents The Colors of Music featuring the world renown pianist Michael Lewin and dynamic music from Mozart, Hayden and Brahms on Sunday, May 14 at 2 pm at the CAS performance venue, Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. For tickets or information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org

The orchestra opens the concert with the Mozart’s joyous Overture to the Marriage of Figaro from his famed comic opera followed by Hayden’s charming Symphony No. 101 Clock Symphony. Cape Ann Symphony welcomes back pianist Michael Lewin to close the concert with Brahms’ powerful Piano Concerto No. 1.

“Michael Lewin is an incredible musician. The musicians of the orchestra and I are thrilled to be able to have a chance to perform the fiery Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with him. The Brahms is full of passion and great beauty, and Michael plays it like no one else. We can’t wait to share it with our wonderful audience!”

CAS Music Director and Conductor Yoichi Udagawa

Michael Lewin is one of America’s foremost concert pianists, winning over audiences in 30 countries.  His career was launched with top prizes in the Franz Liszt International Competition, the American Pianists Association Award and the William Kapell (University of Maryland) International Piano Competition. His recordings have won a Grammy Award and a Roundglass Music Award.

Mr. Lewin has appeared as orchestral soloist with the Netherlands Philharmonic, Cairo Symphony, China National Radio Orchestra, Bucharest Philharmonic, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, State Symphony of Greece, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and the Phoenix, Indianapolis, Miami, North Carolina, West Virginia, Nevada, New Orleans, Colorado, Guadalajara, and Puerto Rico Symphonies. Solo appearances include New York’s Lincoln Center, London’s Wigmore Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Taiwan’s National Concert Hall, Hong Kong’s City Hall Theatre, Holland’s Muziekcentrum, Moscow’s Great Hall, the Athens Megaron, the National Gallery of Art, the Newport, Ravinia and Spoleto Festivals and PBS Television. His extensive repertoire includes over 40 piano concertos, with particular interest in the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy and a host of American and Latin American composers.

An award-winning recording artist, Mr. Lewin’s discography on Sono Luminus, Naxos and Centaur includes a pair of acclaimed Debussy recordings entitled Beau Soir and Starry Night, the complete piano music of Charles T. Griffes and Scarlatti Sonatas for Naxos, Michael Lewin plays Liszt, A Russian Piano Recital, “Bamboula!” piano music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk, “Piano Phantoms,” “If I Were a Bird” and the 4 Violin Sonatas by William Bolcom with Irina Muresanu.

An educator as well. Michael Lewin is Professor and Head of Piano at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Classical Music Director for Ethos Music in China. He gives master classes worldwide, directs the Boston Conservatory Piano Masters Series and has taught many prize-winning and successful pianists. He is a Juilliard School graduate and a Steinway Artist. His teachers included Leon Fleisher, Yvonne Lefebure, Adele Marcus and Irwin Freundlich.

About Cape Ann Symphony

Founded in Gloucester in 1951, the Cape Ann Symphony is a professional orchestra of over 70 players from throughout the New England area. They perform a subscription season of four concerts per year plus several Pops and youth concerts. The Symphony Board of Directors named Yoichi Udagawa the Music Director and Conductor of the Cape Ann Symphony in the summer of 2000 after a yearlong search. In addition to his leadership of Cape Ann Symphony, he is Music Director and Conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and a cover conductor at the Boston Pops Orchestra. Maestro. Udagawa is on the faculty of the Boston Conservatory where he teaches conducting. Frequently invited to guest conduct, Maestro Udagawa has worked with many different orchestras including the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Indian Hill Symphony, the Garden State Philharmonic, the Brown University Orchestra, the Syracuse Society for New Music, the Boston Conservatory Orchestra, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, the Newton Symphony, the Austin Civic Orchestra, and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Maestro Udagawa is at home in popular and contemporary music as well as the standard symphonic repertoire. He is known for his relaxed manner and ability to speak from the podium which has helped new audiences as well as enthusiasts gain a greater appreciation for symphonic music. His programs often include premieres of new works – some specially commissioned for the orchestra — as well as great orchestral works across the symphonic repertoire and lively Pops programs. He is also an integral part of the Cape Ann Symphony Youth Initiative.

Yoichi Udagawa, the son of a nuclear physicist father and singer/artist mother, was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. His family immigrated to the United States soon thereafter. He began playing the violin at age four and made his conducting debut at age fifteen. After receiving a music degree from the University of Texas at Austin, he continued advanced studies in conducting with Gunther Schuller, Seiji Ozawa, Morihiro Okabe, and Henry Charles Smith. A fan of many different styles of music, Mr. Udagawa also enjoys performing gospel music in addition to his conducting activities. He is also an accomplished violinist and an avid fan of exercise and yoga.

The Cape Ann Symphony’s May concert The Colors of Music is Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium is handicapped accessible. Ticket prices are $45 for adults, $40 for senior citizens, $5 for Youth (12 years old and under). For information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org

Sound of Music Rehearsal- Manchester Essex Middle School Ready for Opening Night!

Posted on by Catherine

Just days away! Manchester Essex Regional Middle School presents the Sound of Music on May 5, 6, and 7. Below is a press release, cast list and rehearsal photos.

Photos: Courtesy photos

The YMCA of the North Shore and Manchester Essex Regional Middle School (MERMS) are  proud to present one of the most famous musicals of all time: The Sound of MusicYouth Edition on Friday, May 5 at 7:00pm;  Saturday, May 6 at 7:00pm;  and Sunday, May 7 at 2:00pm at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. All tickets are $15.00. For ticketsgo to:https://our.show/mermssound-of-music

Directed by YMCA of the North Shore Theatre Specialist Heidi Dallin, the production features students from the Manchester Essex Regional Middle School playing some of the most beloved characters in theatre history. The Sound of Music was the final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein and features many cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music.  The book of the musical was written by the Pulitzer Prize winning writing duo of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. A Broadway legend, Crouse spent his summers living in the Annisquam neighborhood of Gloucester. The Sound of Musicwon the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. Set in 1938 Austria, before the Nazi occupation, this inspirational story based on the memoir of Maria Augusta von Trapp, follows Maria Reiner, an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. 

MERMS 8th Grader Cate Vendt playing Maria Reiner and MERMS 7th Grader Jack Rousmaniere playing Captain von Trapp lead the cast of over 30 middle school actors. Director Heidi Dallin’s YMCA Theatre Production Team includes Music Director: Rin Wolter; Set, Prop and Costume Designer: Sarah Vandewalle; Stage Manager: Manchester native Jenny Hersey; Choreographer: Ts Burnham; Sound Designer: Francis Bordeleau; Set Tech: True Sayess and Lighting Designer: MERHS Sophomore Nicholas Haley.

 The YMCA of the North Shore and Manchester Essex Regional Middle School’s production of The Sound of Music Youth Edition will be presented at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA on Friday May 5, and Saturday May 6, at 7:00 p.m and Sunday, May 7 at 2:00 pm. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased at  https://our.show/mermssound-of-music

The SOUND OF MUSIC CAST

Sound of Music Youth Edition CAST LIST

CharacterCast
Maria RainerCate Vendt
Opening Number ensemble (mountains, trees, birds, a brook, etc)Grace Burgess, Kit Carpenter, Thomas Chrzanowski, Damian Etna, Kate Graeter, Annabelle Kerivan, Calvin Lee, Scarlet Lee, James Lamb, River Martin, Mady N, Jack Rousmaniere, Oscar Storella, Julian Zaremba
Sister Berthe, Mistress of NovicesSimone Argento
Sister MargeHarper Hemme
Sister AnneNatalia Woodman
Sister EttaMaddie Delaney
The Mother Abbess, in charge of the AbbeyScarlet Lee
Sister SophiaRosie Renehan
Nuns of the AbbeyKatelin Aloi, Sofia Colarusso, Elizabeth Coughlin,  Emily Fedorowich, Maya Khan, Paisley Koeplin, Estelle Lovett, Chloe Marletta, Hannah Meara, Anne Stevens, Antonia Vivanco
Captain Georg von TrappJack Rousmaniere
Franz, the butlerElizabeth Coughlin
Hellen, the ChefHannah Meara
Clara, the MaidKatelin Aloi
Annika, a servantEstelle Lovett
Emilia, a servantMaya Khan 
Frau Schmidt, the housekeeperAnne Stevens
Liesl (16)Kit Carpenter
Friedrich (14)Oscar Storella
Louisa (13)Kate Graeter
Kurt (10)Thomas Chrzanowski
Brigitta (9)River Martin
Marta (7)Grace Burgess
Gretl (youngest)Annabelle Kerivan
Rolf GruberDamian Etna
Max Detweiler, friend of CaptainCalvin Lee
GoatAntonia Vivanco
Girl in the Pale Pink CoatChloe Marletta
Folks In the TownSofia Colarusso, Maya Khan, Paisley Koeplin, Madelyn Nazzaro, Natalia Woodman, Rosie, Simone, Katelin, Maddie D, Harper, James, Damian, Scarlet, Estelle, Julian
MamaEmily Fedorowich
Herr Zeller, a German supporterFrau ZellerJames Lamb
Fraulein Zeller, Herr Zeller‘s SisterMadelyn Nazzaro
Baron Elberfeld, party guest against NazisJulian Zaremba
A New PostulantPaisley Koeplin
Admiral von Schreiber, admiral In German NavyChloe Marletta
German OfficialsDamian Etna, Maya Khan, James Lamb, Antonia Vivanco, 
Salzburg Accordion DancersElizabeth Coughlin, Paisley Koeplin, Hannah Meara
Festival JudgesEstelle Lovett, Anne Stevens, Julian Zaremba
The Trio of The Saengerbung of HerwegenSofia Colarusso, Emily Fedorowich, Madelyn Nazzaro
Fraulein SchweigerKatelin Aloi

Playing the Cards: Fun Duplicate Bridge Group at Rose Baker Senior and Rockport Community Centers. Shout out to Lester Stockman, a tremendous volunteer who makes it all work!

Posted on by Catherine

The best bridge players of the day on Cape Ann convene at least twice a week for competitive games–and on Mondays for a bonus master class and play–at the Rose Baker Senior Center in Gloucester and Rockport Community Center, two ideal local venues. (A few manage additional games outside of that schedule. Two head to cribbage right after!)

A game of practice and quick perception that takes a serious chunk of time, the “individuals and the individuality” of bridge appear to be irresistible when you see these dedicated (some might say obsessed) folks meet up! Here are a few scenes from past games in Gloucester and Rockport from 2019 and 2023. Current avid players include:

Kathy Bacsik, Bernice Blitz, Mary Jane Boughn, Bill Breslin, Louise Cook, Charlotte Chase, Ellen Clark, Mike Colomo, Joe Curley, Paul Evans, Susan Everitt, Dixie Lee George, Mary Hayes, Cheryl Hunt, Mike Johnson, Nikki Karkatti, Minnetta King, Phil Lambert, Kim MacLeod, Claire Norton, Steve Parsons, Jack Smallcomb, Vivian & Jim, Molly, Bonnie, and Lester Stockman.

Occupations among the members present and past are broad: Several engineers, educators (school teachers, professors and academics), pilots, fishermen, medical doctors, psychiatrist, investors, and at least one expert horsewoman. My mother in law is a superb player. She loves the game for its mingled skill and chance, the social visits, and mentions how it builds intellectual strength — to encourage others to the tables for much of her life.

Group photo caption: There’s always one! Yes, that’s bunny ears– courtesy of the oldest player there that day 🙂

Back row L to R: Phil, Louise, Mike, Steve. Middle Row: Molly, Lester, Claire, Charlotte, Mike C., Bernice. Seated: Minnetta King and Paul Evans. (Art work by Rose Baker Senior Center patrons working with Art Director Juni Van Dyke. The room changes depending on how many tables are needed.) A welcoming group!

Lester Stockman

Guiding these abundant opportunities without a hitch is the most impressive sleight of hand. Lester Stockman a volunteer and accomplished player manages to fill tables of four on any given day year round despite everyone’s busy daily lives and the inevitable planned and unplanned intrusions. For close to a decade Stockman makes the phone calls and connections required when teams have to temporarily shuffle as a result of absences, arrives early and stays late to arrange tables and chairs, keeps score, and offers the master classes on Mondays. Prior to that stretch, he helped Bill Calloway when Bill played with his wife Kate.

Lester Stockman is a volunteer champion

His sustained and prodigious effort in service to area bridge players offers an essential and vibrant routine for residents, many who are seniors. He has done this for years with the lightest touch and his gifts certainly merit some community commendation!

“One player will possibly not approve of methods which another equally good player upholds and adopts.”

Bridge Abridged; Or, Practical Bridge. by W. Dalton, 1855 with some timeless and relatable advice

Grand Slams to all!

Bridge in America

Wilhelm Funk’s 1904 portrait of Barbey. Collection NY Historical Society
J Elwell book dedication 1904

Henry Isaac Barbey (1832-1906) is credited with introducing bridge in America. Barbey was a 19th C. business tycoon, the Director of the Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh Railroad (the BR&P), a yachtsman, master card player, and philanthropist (including a seat on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s board). He married a wealthy NYC heiress, Mary Lorillard, and they naturally made the Four Hundred list. Perhaps there were visits on Cape Ann or the North Shore because of that racing. Newport was a destination for sure. I wonder if their children played bridge? One of their daughters, Hélène de Pourtalès, competed and won an Olympic gold medal in sailing in the first year women were allowed to compete. Good read by Christophe Vuilleumier published by the Swiss National Museum Blog here: The first female Olympic champion: New York-born Hélène de Pourtalès (1868-1945) of Geneva won gold at the 1900 Olympic Games. Largely unknown today, this pioneering yachtswoman paved the way for other women to compete at the Olympics.

A great Edward Hopper Gloucester watercolor to be auctioned at Sotheby’s May 2023. Whitney Museum selling 4 Hoppers from repository. And there’s another.

Posted on by Catherine

Do you know a cluster of homes perched like the subjects in this classic Edward Hopper watercolor painted here in Gloucester 100 years ago? Hallmark motifs and themes pair up throughout this bright and sunny scene: outhouse on the left and brush edged to the right (“nature calls”), passage between buildings and boulders, light and sharp shadow, double windows and curtains, roofline and sky, line up of chimneys, and the mystery of cropped views over the hill and off to the sides.

A house like the home on the right with dark trim and the pair of double stacked windows may appear to be a double story home from one side and as a single story from another. (A home at the corner of Webster and Sadler Sts. shows the vernacular charm and multi vantage points.)

At Sotheby’s May 2023

The drawing is available for purchase. The Whitney Museum of American Art is deaccessioning four Edward Hopper watercolors inspired by the artist’s travel to four locations: Gloucester, Truro, Vermont/NH, and South Carolina. Sotheby’s Auction House has listed them in their major upcoming New York spring sales: one painting for the Modern Evening auction May 16 and 3 paintings on paper for the Modern Day auction on May 17. A fifth Edward Hopper work on paper is included in the day sale.

Images: Edward Hopper works from the Whitney collection at Sotheby’s auction May 2023, images left to right: Lot 434 Red Barn in Autumn Landscape, 1927; Lot 430 Gloucester Group of Houses 1923 est 500,000 – 700,000; Lot 432 The Battery, Charleston, SC 1929 est 500-700,000; Lot 145 Cobb’s Barn, South Truro, circa 1930-33, presale estimate 8-12 million. This painting was selected for display in the Oval Office* by President Obama. A later Edward Hopper Cape Cod watercolor from 1943, Four Dead Trees, with a presale estimate of 700,000-1,000,000, sold at Christie’s on April 23, 2023 for 1.5 million (price realized includes added fees). Lot 531 an Edward Hopper Sailboat study from 1899 from the Sanborn batch, presale est. $100,000 (w/ art and papers in the Nyack home following Hoppers’ deaths.)

Auction follow up and results posted here.

White House Oval Office installation view 2014

image: Portrait of President Obama viewing Edward Hopper paintings in the Oval Office by Chuck Kennedy. Loan from/by the Whitney Art Museum 2014 (and other selections and guidance see Michael Rosenfeld Gallery)

On right, Hopper’s NY Rooftops 1927 reminds me of the Gloucester forms ( installation view Whitney NY, Jan 2023), like vessels on the Hudson. Photo c ryan

—

*I wrote about art at the White House in 2014 which was published here on GMG in 2015:

“What’s the best art inside the White House? No matter what is your artistic preference, Gloucester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts could top the charts as the City and state with the best and most art ties featured at the White House. Let’s break down a selection of that Massachusetts list currently on display at the White House room-by-room, shall we?

“Not one, but two Edward Hopper paintings, lent by the Whitney Museum of American Art, were installed one over the other, Cobb’s Barns, South Truro and Burly Cobb’s House, South Truro. The Childe Hassam’s painting, Avenue in the Rain, and Norman Rockwell’s painting, Statue of Liberty, were displayed nearby.

…How does the White House collection work? It is unusual for the White House to accept art by living artists. There are more than 450 works of art in the permanent collection. New art enters the collection after its vetted and is restricted to works created at least 25 years prior to the date of acquisition. For the public rooms, the Office of the Curator works with the White House advisory committee, the First Lady serves as the Honorary Chair, and the White House Historical Association. The private rooms are the domain of the First Family. Works of art from collectors, museums, and galleries can be requested for temporary loans and are returned at the end of the President’s final term. The Obamas have selected contemporary art, including abstract art, from the permanent collection, and borrowed work for their private quarters. Besides the Hopper paintings and John Alston’s Martin Luther King sculpture, they’ve selected art by *Anni Albers, *Josef Albers, Edgar Degas, Jasper Johns, Louise Nevelson, *Robert Rauschenberg, Edward Ruscha, and *Alma Thomas.” * indicates works that have been donated to the permanent collection.

Catherine Ryan, 2014

Works from the White House permanent collection

There are more than 120 Edward Hopper works inspired by Gloucester, MA. See Edward Hopper all around Gloucester. The Whitney Museum has sold Hoppers before. I’ll write more about that for another post.

On this day in 1911, Boston Globe Features John Hays Hammond Automobile class at GHS. In 1951 Arthur Smith sums it up for the Gloucester Daily Times #GloucesterMA

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On this day in 1911, the Boston Globe reported on a novel auto mechanic course at Gloucester high that would expand the vocational offerings already established in the district. John Hays Hammond who served on the school committee had the idea and seeded the concept. Forty years later, Arthur Smith reflected on how the new program fared when he wrote about the history of Gloucester High School (published by the Gloucester Daily Times in 1951). Hammond’s tenure on the school committee overlapped with renowned teacher and administrator, Albert W. Bacheler, the Gloucester High School Principal. In 1911, the high school was located on Dale Ave. now Central Grammar. Excerpts follow.

Excerpts from the Boston Globe article

“John Hays Hammond, who is a member of the Gloucester school committee, offered to maintain, for a year at least, a class of high school boys in automobile instruction…

“Under the terms of the contract the boys were to be given 40 lessons a the rate of two lessons a week in the machine shop. But Mr. Perkins and Mr. Hodgkins, becoming enthusiastic over the idea, have lengthened this out to 50 lessons at shop work, and for further good measure Mr. Hodgkins has given, gratis, 40 evening lessons at the high school on the theory of construction and management of gas engines. Thus it is believed that the course has been thorough from the theoretical and practical standpoint. The first lesson at the garage consisted in leading the class to an automobile, directing them to dismantle it and reassemble it, care being taken to tell them to acquaint themselves with the function of every piece of metal which was handled. The test in this was to ascertain at the very first if the boys had the mechanical knack and observation so necessary in matters of this kind…

“The Gloucester high school met this in a measure by introducing some 15 years ago the commercial and high school course, which has equipped many for a livelihood as stenographers and bookkeepers, but this class instituted by Mr. Hammond, if it shall become permanent, will go a step further, and turn out young men who, in their special branch of business, are skilled mechanics and not above overalls and hands and arms soiled with oil…

“…the popularity of the new departure is attested by the fact that one-tenth of the whole number in the pubic schools is enrolled in the high school, which must be enlarged to accommodate those who desire to enter…”

Boston Globe April 30, 1911

“At the same time the reputation of the school as one of the best college preparatory institutions in New England has increased, as the large number of its graduates in the colleges and universities attest.”

Boston Globe April 30 1911
1911-april-30-boston-globe-ftr-novel-vocational-class-gloucester-high-school-funded-by-john-hays-hammond-research-catherine-ryan-2017Download

When the HS moved to its current location, the gym was dedicated and also known as the Albert W. Bacheler drill hall. Read more about the history of the school buildings here: Gloucester Public Schools Then and Now

Photo: C. Ryan. At the corner of Wells & Beacon, Gloucester’s “second” school house, 1793 on a sunny day in 2021. Building timeline: Funds appropriated in 1793 for a grammar schoolhouse which was constructed on Granite St. & dedicated in 1795; moved 60 years after to this site; later serving the district for administration purposes; gifted for use by veterans of the Spanish-American War; present day now a private home.

Flash forward to april 30, 1951

The district registered 4196 students in 1892 with just 300+ in the high school. Attendance was an issue. The enrollment number increased under Bacheler’s stewardship.

In 1951, Arthur Smith wrote about the history of the high school at the 100 year mark. The multi part series was published weekly on the front page of the Gloucester Daily Times. Bacheler is featured in several. Smith covered the enrollment and described what had happened with Hammond’s vocational goals for the district:

**from the SFL digitization microfilm reels**

Bacheler’s

“…30 years in the school saw many changes. He came to a school of 226 students, most of them girls, and five teachers including himself; when he left in 1914, there were 603 students and 19 teachers. When he came, few students from Gloucester had gone on to college; he seems to have waged a campaign for higher education, and probably sent half a dozen to higher institutions for every one who had gone before….

“…Industrial vocational training did not fare so well in the same period. There was agitation for it, and the committee agreed in 1907 that industrial training was becoming part of the high school course in other cities, where there was a direct demand for employees with certain training, but it did not feel that Gloucester was so well situated in regard to trades. The following year, it was suggested that there might be some sewing and cooking for girls, and carpentry and printing for boys, but no action was taken. By 1913, the committee definitely felt there was a need for a high school of practical arts in the city, either a part of the existing school, or better yet, as a separate school, but nothing was done.

“A private benefactor, John Hays Hammond, primed the pump for the city, but to no permanent avail. In 1911 and 1912, through his generosity, cooking classes were made available to senior girls in the afternoon, but it was not seen fit to make the course available to all girls as part of their regular school course. Although 46 of 49 senior girls gave up their free time to enroll, the class was dropped. Similarly, in 1910 and 1911, the same man made possible instruction on the automobile for senior boys. A six months course was provided, part of it held at Perkins and Corliss garage, and part in the high school classrooms and a dozen seniors gave up their afternoons for instruction in this new field. But the course was ahead of its time in Gloucester, and it was not continued at public expense. This was very possibly the earliest course in automobile instruction in this state.”

Arthur N. Smith, Part 7, Gloucester Daily Times, May 29, 1951
Smith, a GHS teacher, wrote this special chronicle about the history of the High School to commemorate its 100th anniversary. Bacheler is featured in 4 installments which you can read on line through the SFL digitized GDT newspaper microfilm rolls. Part 1 was published on 4/30/1951. All of them were published on the front page above the fold.

The 7th installment also mentions that the first Sawyer medals were awarded in 1912:

“In June of 1912, the first Sawyer medals were awarded to the boy and girl in each class who was outstanding in scholarship and effort. These medals were paid for from the interest of a fund established by the will of Samuel E. Sawyer, to whose generosity Gloucester is indebted for many things, including the public library building.”

Twin Lights Half Marathon 9-12 Today #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Reminder for drivers: runners on the road 9-12 for the beautiful and popular Cape Ann route

YuKanRun Twin Lights Marathon

Mostly light rain this morning so far with stretches of heavy. Good luck to the racers on this woolly weather day!

Race will be over before the gale weather warning issued 5pm thru tomorrow.

Gruppe Family Legacy exhibit at City Hall is a knock out!

Posted on by Catherine

Scenes from Kyrouz Auditorium opening reception.

Open Saturday and Sunday– don’t miss this show!

The Sound of Music Next Week!

Posted on by Catherine

The YMCA of the North Shore & Manchester-Essex Middle School blooms and grows with “The Sound of Music – youth edition” in May 2023. Heidi Dallin shares the lovely performance flyer for next week’s shows May 5, 6, and 7. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Sound of Music opened on Broadway in 1959–an instant smash hit and perennial cultural favorite ever since. It’s special when there’s any production on Cape Ann: Thanks to Russel Crouse, much of the stage musical was written during stints in their Annisquam neighborhood in Gloucester.

YMCA of the North Shore & Manchester-Essex Middle School Sound of Music 2023 | performance flyer printableDownload

Stage Fort Park: Busy Earth Day 2023 #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Stage Park before noon 4/22/2023: Dog park clean up was active. Canon status as is. Kids breaking in the street hockey rink.

Link to prior GMG post BEFORE photos through the years of the cannons and site design (incl 1870, 1921, 1930, 1973, and 2019). The cannons were removed for restoration in 2019 from grounds that were restored and completed back in 1973 by the 187th Infantry Brigade– and in time for the city’s 350th celebration. That vision was hoped for over many decades and emulated how the fort looked in the 1700s.

Amy Solomon | Magic and Offerings at Jane Deering Gallery opening April 28th

Posted on by Catherine

PRESS RELEASE

Jane Deering gallery is pleased to present Amy Solomon’s paintings on paper and mixed media on wood in a solo show titled Magic and Offerings opening April 28th, 2023, with a Reception with the artist on Sunday April 30th from 3-5pm. Solomon speaks about her work on paper as daily meditations in paint

“These works are made with paints, medium and inks applied to the paper with marks, dots and drips. Over the past two years this has become my form of personal daily meditation practice: a way to connect with myself through the materials. What is in this gallery are remnants of the search and process. A shadow from a dance,” and her work in mixed media on wood as frozen disintegrations. “Again, what interests me is the power contained in the materials. Objects, colors and textures come together as a visual poem.”

Amy Solomon

Amy Solomon holds a BFA in Painting from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work is in collections in the United States, Greece, and Switzerland.

Jane Deering Gallery
janedeeringgallery.com
@janedeeringgallery.com

printable_amy-solomon_magic-and-offerings-solo-show-at-jane-deering-gallery-opens-april-2023Download

“I almost shed a tear after the second bite.” Virgilio’s #GloucesterMA Rave Food Review

Posted on by Catherine

Brad Roe, author, gravel cyclist, and foodie, is reviewing Italian subs near Boston. Can you guess which one was his first stop? Enjoyable read and congratulations Virgilio’s.

“Given the spiritual nature of deli sandwiches…my first stop on the journey was the heralded St. Joseph sandwich at Virgilio’s in Gloucester…I almost shed a tear after the second bite. I called my wife. She was a bit surprised by my instant emotional response to the sandwich but patiently listened as I began my soliloquy espousing that for a sandwich (or any menu item, for that matter) to transcend normalcy, it has to be made with… “

Brad Roe reviews Virgilio’s St. Joe Italian sub
Sandwich Obsessed: the Best Italian Subs on the North Shore of Boston. Yahoo article here. The article originally appeared on Outside, April 19, 2023.

Brad Roe Wed, April 19, 2023 This article originally appeared on Outside. Brad Roe is the founder of Peloton magazine and the Editorial Director of the Road/Gravel Cycling Group at Outside, Inc.

Open Content: 40+ years of Gloucester Daily Times newspapers digitized! Jan 1923 thru Mar 1965 | Sawyer Free Library #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Hundreds of the library’s Gloucester Newspaper Microfilm Collection of monthly reels spanning 40+ years have been optimized for accessibility and are now fully searchable on line! The microfilm rolls and readers on site are up and running as well.

“The Sawyer Free Library digitized the Gloucester Daily Times from January 1923 through March 1965. You can access the collection through our website (homepage), or directly from the online collection.”

Sawyer Free Library

It’s as easy as click on the home page! Here’s Julie Travers, SFL’s Local History Librarian, walking me through the happy news. If you’d like to contribute to the library’s ongoing efforts, each roll costs roughly $175-$200 a piece.

Archives for All!

“HISTORY MAKING PLEA – ARCHIVES FOR ALL
The prohibitive costs of best practice historic preservation (ADA compliant, temperature and humidity controls, security, sustainability, in house scanning/OCR/audio transcription, etc.) is impossible for all the worthy collections in town, and pits them as foes when vying for funds. Let’s flip that impediment on its head and make Gloucester a model for the state. Its treasures would be available worldwide if they were truly accessible –digitized…”

Catherine Ryan, Jan. 3, 2017 here

How exciting that Gloucester’s repositories have been busy digitizing treasures from their archives. The GDT newspaper microfilm rolls are a welcome addition.

Rare Gruppe Legacy Art Exhibit at City Hall curated by Karen Tibbetts #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Save the date! This one special weekend only!

GRUPPE FAMILY LEGACY ART EXHIBITION

Curated by Karen Tibbetts

Gloucester City Hall Auditorium

Saturday April 29 and Sunday April 30, 2023

10-5pm each day

Free Admission

“Welcome to a once in a life time opportunity to view the Gruppe family’s art legacy highlighting art and talent in Gloucester and Cape Ann. This extraordinary exhibition will showcase 25 pieces from Robert Gruppe’s collection of historic marine paintings. Some never before seen paintings from world renowned Emile Gruppe will also be on display, along with sculptures from Karl Gruppe, and a display of the Gruppe family history.”

Karen Tibbetts, Curator, Gruppe Family Legacy Exhibition, Gloucester City Hall, 2023

Gruppé  generations

  • Charles P. Gruppé  (1860-1940) painter | Helen Elizabeth Gruppé 
  • Paulo* (1891–1979) cellist | Karl (1892-1982) sculptor | Emil (1896-1978) painter | Virginia (1907-1980) watercolorist, gallery owner|
  • Robert Gruppe** (b. 1944) painter, gallerist | Emilie gallerist

*Son Charles C artist; and granddaughter artist

**Son Scott painter

Earth Day 2023! Join Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus!

Posted on by Catherine

Sawyer Free Library Children’s Services presents Ms. Frizzle of the Magic School Bus

Celebrate Earth Day Saturday April 22, 2023

Join Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus for a fun & interactive program about planting, gardening and saving the beautiful planet earth!

11:30AM. Note the venue location: Trinity Church, 70 Middle St

print and share the sweet printable flyer!

Bobbi Gibb Interview ahead of Patriot’s Day Boston Marathon 2023

Posted on by Catherine

In case you missed another joyous interview with Bobbi Gibb on All Things Considered last week, Read the transcript here. Listen to the interview | here.

Show intro: “With the 127th Boston Marathon coming up this Monday, this week’s edition of the Joy Beat celebrated the incredible Bobbi Gibb, who is now 80. She joined All Things Considered host Arun Rath to discuss her feat and her life.”

“It has to be coming from love. It’s not coming from hate. It’s not coming from fear. It’s coming from love. When you tune into that love, you feel that that’s the basis of joy. That’s the basis of joy in your life and your sense of wonder, your sense of “Wow, we’re alive on planet earth.” Isn’t that great? Let’s celebrate.”

Bobbi Gibbs from interview with host Arun Rath. All Things Considered 3/14/2023

Can’t help thinking about her art while listening to that April 14th interview on All Things Considered.

Bobbi Gibb, 2019, sweeping lush untitled landscape (photo: installation view at Common Crow, Gloucester, MA., Dec. 2022)

Bobbi Gibb is so impressive! American Artist, Inspirational Speaker, Author, Runner, Attorney, Researcher in neuroscience, First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon 1966, 1st to finish 66, 67 & 68.

Roadwork April 17-21 #RockportMA Closures include Community Center, Brothers’ …

Posted on by Catherine

Roadwork signs are up for for milling and repaving of Main Street in Rockport during school vacation week. Keep in mind partial and full closures, detours, and route plans.

Rockport’s Community Center will be closed the week of April 17th due to the road work. Bridge groups in Rockport and Gloucester will not meet at either Center this week. Rose Baker Senior Center is closed for Patriot’s Day.

Check local businesses for updates. Bracketts/Brothers’ is closing a bit longer, from the 17-26th.

Before

Pay for parking 7 days a week commenced April 15.

Rose Baker Senior Center closed Monday, April 17th, 2023 in observance of Patriot’s Day.

Cape ann Symphony Coming Up! Musicians Unleashed Concert Spring Awakening 🌱🎼

Posted on by Catherine

Heidi Dallin shares spring concert news:

Cape Ann Symphony Musicians Unleashed Concert Series, Spring Awakening, Saturday April 15, 2023, at Manchester’s Crowell chapel will feature special guest artist, pianist Tianhong Yang.

Cape Ann Symphony’s Musicians Unleashed Series welcomes spring with an afternoon of music featuring special guest artist pianist Tianhong Yang and Cape Ann Symphony musicians Bill Kirkley, clarinet; Seth MacLeod, Cello; Scott Moore, violin; Erica Pisaturo, violin; Richey Tally, string bass; and Brandon White, viola; playing nine compositions from nine composers of varying styles ranging from Gershwin to Liszt.

“The final Musicians Unleashed concert of the season is going to be a great one. Fantastic musicians from the Cape Ann Symphony will be playing a varied program written by a wide range of composers with a lot of different combinations of players. Plus our special guest, the enormously talented pianist Tianhong Yang!”

Yoichi Udagawa, Cape Ann Symphony Conductor and Music Director

The concert program includes

Nine compositions from nine composers: Bach, Beethoven, Dvorák, Gershwin, Koussevitsky, Liszt, Mozart, Saint-Saens, and Trenet-Weisenberg

Beethoven’s Spring Sonata 4th Movement; Bach’s Cello Suite No 1, Prelude; Saint-Saens’ The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals (Le Carnaval des animaux); Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet 1st Movement which is Mozart’s only completed clarinet quintet, and is one of the earliest and best-known works written especially for the clarinet; George Gershwin’s Promenade; Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 10 for solo piano; Trenet-Weisenberg’s En Avril à Paris; Koussevitsky’s Valse Minature; and Dvorák’s String Quintet No. 2, 1st Movement.

About the Guest Artist, Tianhong Yang

Based in Boston, Chinese born pianist Tianhong Yang has made solo appearances in a number of prestigious festivals and venues across Europe, Asia and the USA. Yang made her UK debut in 2010 at the St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, performing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, Op.37, under the direction of Maestro David Jones. Throughout Yang’s competition career, she has participated and won numerous top prizes in international piano competitions such as Liege International Piano Competition and Andree Charlier International Piano Competition. At the age of four, Yang started her piano lessons and continued her studies in the Middle School program at Wuhan Conservatoire of Music, then later was admitted to the High School of Central Conservatoire of Music in Beijing, China. After Yang’s intensive primary school training in China’s most prestigious conservatories she was awarded the inaugural Steinway Full Scholarship in 2009 to further her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music under the tutelage of Richard McMahon. In 2013, Yang was invited to study with the Piano Legend, Dmitry Bashkirov, at Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Spain and she was sponsored with a full scholarship by the Yamaha Europe Association and the Albeniz Foundation. Yang simultaneously began her master’s degree in performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, Belgium, with Polina Leschenko, and performance diploma program at the Accademia Pianistica Internazionale Incontri Col Maestro, Italy, with Vovka Ashkenazy and Boris Petrushansky. Yang also works closely with Chinese composer, Haofu Zhang, promoting Chinese-Western contemporary compositions. Yang is currently working on her doctoral degree in Piano Performance at Boston University, under the guidance of Pavel Nersessian.

The Cape Ann Symphony’s Musicians Unleashed programs were launched in 2019 and have become a wonderfully popular series with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience response. Spring Awakening is Saturday, April 15 at 3:00 PM at the Crowell Chapel, 3 Rosedale Avenue, Manchester-by-the-Sea. Ticket prices for Spring Awakening are $40 for Adults and $15 for Youth. Call Cape Ann Symphony at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org for tickets.

Photos attached for Spring Awakening Musicians

Photo 1: Special Guest Artist Tianhong Yang, Piano
Photo 2: Bill Kirkley, Clarinet
Photo 3: Scott Moore, Violin
Photo 4: Erica Pisaturo, Violin
Photo 5: Richey Tally, String Bass
Photo 6: Brandon White, Viola

Acrid smoldering by Plum Cove looked like fog. Blue Sky sunrise on Cape Ann. #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Easter morning Rockport, Gloucester 4/9/2023

A few spaces left! April Vacation Acting Fun at the Cape Ann YMCA

Posted on by Catherine

April 18 – April 21, 2023

School vacation acting opportunities with Heidi Dallin and team at Cape Ann YMCA

Print and share – PDF

2023 printable flyer – Cape Ann YMCA, April VacationDownload