Fall Theatre Classes in Full swing at Cape Ann YMCA!!!

Special theatre classes are offered year round and weekly drop ins are welcome at the Y!

So, what’s happening this month? Cape Ann YMCA Theatre Specialist Heidi Dallin details the current fun schedule of intensive theatre classes for all ages :). Jump in and try one!

Have a question about the theatre classes? Contact Heidi Dallin (P) 978-283-0470 (E) dallinh@northshoreymca.org | www.northshoreymca.org

September Tuesdays | Intensive Scene Study for ages 9-16

Do you have a Pre teen or Teen interested in developing their skills as an actor? Does your actor have an audition coming up? Scene Study & Acting Techniques, intensive workshops for young actors age 9-16 taught by professional actress & Gloucester native Heidi Dallin, at the Cape Ann YMCA. Students will explore both classical and contemporary theatrical scenes and monologues to learn more about given circumstances, script analysis, character development and vocal interpretation as well as practice listening and responding in character, and learning new acting techniques. Scene Study teaches young actors how to craft the arc of the scene, and it gives them the opportunity to practice creating different characters. Scene Study and Acting Techniques at the Cape Ann Y is designed to provide young people an outlet to discover their creative potential through building self confidence, and developing communication and teamwork skills to use in their daily life as well as introducing them to the skills necessary for professional theatre. Classes are on Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm at the Cape Ann YMCA. Sign up here: Scene Study Class

September fridays | The Power of Improv ages 7-16

The Power of Improvisation, an all ages class for ages 7-16 where young actors can learn the basics of improv through fun and engaging games, with an emphasis on team building, listening & thinking on your feet taught by professional actress & Gloucester native, Heidi Dallin, at the Cape Ann YMCA. Through improv, young actors learn every day tools for life: risk-taking, quick thinking, support, trust, confidence, teamwork, and acceptance. Actors will learn and perfect the 4 C’s of improv: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication Improv training helps young actors to learn how to think faster, to be a confident public speaker, to think more creatively, to perform better in auditions, and most importantly to have FUN on stage! The Power of Improv at the Cape Ann Y is designed to provide young people an outlet to discover their creative potential through building self confidence, and developing communication and teamwork skills to use in their daily life as well as introducing them to the skills necessary for professional theatre. Classes are Fridays: from 4pm to 6pm at the Cape Ann YMCA. Sign up here: PowerofImprov

AND For Our Younger Actors A two week Theatre Intensive

september mondays | Explore Acting! : Intro to the Basics of Acting for Ages 5-8

Do you have a young actor at home? Are you a young actor looking to hone your skills as an artist?   Are you interested to learn about being on the stage? Explore Acting!, an introduction to the basics of professional acting for ages 5 to 8 years old taught by professional actress & Gloucester native Heidi Dallin, at the Cape Ann YMCA. The intensive class is a great way for young actors of all levels of experience to develop their skills on stage and build their confidence. The class will introduce young actors to basic theatre concepts such as ensemble, pantomime and creating bold memorable characters. Young actors will develop stage presence, listening skills, sensory awareness, and focus through theatre games, public speaking, and storytelling and learn about acting techniques and making choices onstage. Explore Acting! at the Cape Ann Y is designed to provide young people an outlet to discover their creative potential through building self confidence, and developing communication and teamwork skills to use in their daily life as well as introducing them to the skills necessary for professional theatre. Classes are Mondays: from 4pm to 6pm at the Cape Ann YMCA.

The timeline for Theatre Productions starts long before opening night.

The spectacular Holiday Delights pre production and auditions are coming soon.

YMCA Actors on the stage. summer camp. Photo Credit: Photos by Sassy Square 

Join Opening Reception for Artists Deborah Barlow and Mary Bucci McCoy at Jane Deering Gallery #GloucesterMA

New show. Save the dates!

DEBORAH BARLOW + MARY BUCCI MCCOY

Intimate Infinities

Opening Reception: Saturday September 7 from 4-6 PM

Location: Jane Deering Gallery

The exhibition runs Saturday September 7 through Sunday, October 6, 2024 and will conclude with a closing reception on October 6 from 4-6pm. Note Gallery hours: weekends, Friday and Saturday 1-5, Sunday 1-4 — and by appointment by contacting the artists directly

Deborah Barlow here: dbarlow@gmail.com | deborahbarlow.com

Mary Bucci McCoy here: mary@buccimccoy.com | buccimccoy.com

JANE DEERING GALLERY 19 Pleasant Street Gloucester, MA 01930 (917) 902-4359 www.janedeeringgallery.com

Check out the new season! Cape Ann Symphony Spectacular Performances!

Heidi Dallin heralds the impressive 2024-2025 Cape Ann Symphony Season! Mark your calendars and choose your seats 🙂

—–

Cape Ann Symphony Opens 73rd Season

Cape Ann Symphony proudly announces the launch of the orchestra’s 73rd concert season on Sunday, September 29 at 2:00 PM at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium.

“Our 73rd season certainly is a season of spectacular performances,” says Cape Ann Symphony Board President John Todd. “Each concert is filled with dazzling music masterpieces played by our virtuoso CAS musicians who will be joined by two amazingly talented and world renowned guest artists: cellist Owen Young and pianist Myron Romanul; and our own Cape Ann Symphony Chorus returns with Brittany Betts, our new Choral Director and all is led by our incomparable Music Director and Conductor Yoichi Udagawa. I highly recommend getting your season subscription NOW so you will not miss a concert!” 

Cape Ann Symphony Music Director and Conductor Yoichi Udagawa looks forward to opening the CAS 73rd Season in September,

“The 2024-25 Season of the Cape Ann Symphony will be a great one. We’re starting off with an Orchestral Spectacular that features An American in Paris by George Gershwin, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and the Candide Overture by Leonard Bernstein and The Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi. These are some of the most incredible pieces written for orchestra, and it will be an exciting concert.

In November, we will be presenting our annual Holiday Pops. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus will be featured, and we are welcoming Brittany Betts, the new director of the chorus.

In March 2025, audience favorite Owen Young will join the orchestra as soloist in a performance of Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1.

Our May concert will feature pianist Myron Romanul playing Rachmaninoff‘s gorgeous Piano Concerto No. 2. Myron Romanul was a soloist with the Cape Ann Symphony in his youth, and in addition to being a fabulous pianist, he is a conductor at the Munich National Theater. The romantic and passionate Symphony No. 2 by Jean Sibelius will also be on the program. The Cape Ann Symphony’s 2024-25 season is full of masterpieces and unbelievable virtuoso soloists. The incredible musicians of the orchestra and I can’t wait to prepare and present it to our amazing audiences!”

Photo credits: 

  • Photo: Cape Ann Symphony Music Director and Conductor Yoichi Udagawa
  • Photo: March 2025 Concert Guest Artist BSO Cellist Owen Young
  • Photo: May 2025 Guest Artist Internationally  Renowned Pianist Myron Romanul  Photo Credit : Martina Rall
  • Photo: New Cape Ann Symphony Chorus Director Brittany Betts

Cape Ann Symphony 73rd concert season kicks off on Sunday, September 29 at 2:00 pm at the Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA with The Orchestral Spectacular Concert. Season subscriptions for the four concert season are available to purchase. Single ticket prices are $50 for adults, $45 for senior citizens, $20 for students of any age with valid Student ID; $5 for youth 12 years old and under. For information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org

printable one sheet:

Ahoy Schooner Swooners! Billy Baker profiles Harold Burnham! Boston Globe feature is terrific and oh so deserving! Gloucester Schooner Festival 2024

Right and beautiful spotlight!

Boston Globe article

Baker, Billy. “Schooner-building was a part of Essex history. Then Harold Burnham came along. After an audacious career building massive wooden sailboats the old-fashioned way, Harold Burnham looks back to his accomplishments, and ahead to his boldest idea yet.Boston Globe. 2024 August 29.

Burnham Boat Building link here

Contribute to the Sch. Sylvina W. Beal fundraising here

Happy News from Heidi Dallin: Cape Ann Symphony Announces new Choral Director and Auditions for chorus singers 🎼

Please join in and share the news!

The Cape Ann Symphony recently announced that Rockport’s Wendy Betts, longtime Director of the CAS Chorus will retire and her daughter multi-talented musician Brittany Betts will take over as Choral Director for the CAS Chorus.

‘’We are thrilled to have Brittany Betts join us as the new Director of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus. She is a fabulous musician and will do an amazing job conducting the chorus. We will be collaborating with her and the wonderful singers of the chorus at the Holiday Pops concerts, and are really looking forward to it!” 

Yoichi Udagawa, Cape Ann Symphony Music Dir & Conductor

Message from Brittany Betts

“I am honored to be carrying on the tradition of choral excellence with the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus that my mom, Wendy Betts, so beautifully crafted for 16 years, ” says Brittany Betts, “I believe music has the ability to bring people together for good and, together with Maestro Udagawa and the symphony, the chorus and I will help bring our community together with beauty, skill and fun. The Symphony continues to grow and expand their skillfulness, and so it stands, at this new time for the chorus, we should do the same. In order to fulfill this growth, we will be changing things up a bit and holding auditions a week before rehearsals begin in order to build a smaller chorus of about 40 singers. We are hoping some of our local high school students might like to participate too! I also want to share that I am thrilled that Priscilla Walter, pianist extraordinaire, has agreed to be the chorus accompanist this year! She is an excellent musician who has been sharing her musical gifts on Cape Ann for years and we are blessed to have her with us once again.”

Brittany Betts

Cape Ann Symphony Chorus Auditions

Cape Ann Symphony Chorus Auditions will be held on Saturday September 7 from 10 am -Noon and Wednesday September 12 from 6 pm – 8 pm.  If you are interested in auditioning, please contact Brittany Betts at brittanybetts@gmail.com

CAS Chorus Rehearsals will be Wednesdays September 18-November 20 from 7 pm – 9 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lanesville along with 2 rehearsals with the orchestra during the week of the concerts. The Cape Ann Symphony 2024 Holiday Pops Concerts are:

  • Saturday, November 30, 2024: 2:00 PM Dolan Performing Arts Center, Ipswich High School. Ipswich, MA
  • Saturday, November 30, 2024: 7:30 PM Manchester-Essex High School, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
  • Sunday, December 1, 2024: 2:00 PM Manchester-Essex High School, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

The Cape Ann Symphony launched The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the directions of Wendy Betts at the 2005 Holiday Pops Concert. . The group has performed with the Cape Ann Symphony at Holiday Pops Concerts in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018, 2019,2021 and 2022. “I am excited to share that Maestro Udagawa and I have put together a fun Holiday POPS program for 2024, ” continues Betts, “The chorus will be presenting five beautiful and fun pieces to reflect the holiday and winter season – filled with traditional favorites and new to us pieces. You can expect to tap your feet to a medley of broadway Christmas tunes, and to feel cozy and reflective as the choir sings a tender lullaby about winter and time passing by.  We will then honor our Jewish and Christian friends’ traditions with a medley of Hanukkah pieces which you will end up wanting to sing along to, and a stunningly beautiful favorite of the classical choral realm, John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music”.  And we will top it all off with a rousing gospel piece, “Rejoice! How Great Our Joy” which reflects the jubilance of the Christian Christmas tradition. You will want to stand and clap for sure (and we want you to do so)! Now, don’t worry, we will be inviting the audience to join their voices as one big choir on the sing-a-long as has been a long favored tradition at the Holiday Pops Concerts. So grab your ticket, do your vocal warm-ups and let’s celebrate the season TOGETHER this November!”

Brittany Betts brings with her a different approach to the choral world having primarily worked as a trumpeter,  djembefola (someone who skillfully plays the djembe, a West African drum) collaborator, worship leader, jazz singer and composer. She performs with the David Whitney Orchestra, Riverside Renaissance Swing Band, Cantemus Chamber Chorus and the vocal trio, ONE. In 2023-2024, she served as Artist-in-Residence at First Church Congregational in Swampscott, composing sung liturgies and songs for their Advent and Lenten services. Ms. Betts traveled the country and abroad as a Glocal (local and global combined) Musician Educator and Worship Coordinator with the Global Mission Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for 10 years. During that time she also served on the music staff of Visible Music College in Memphis, TN where she taught voice, music theory, rock bands, the World Music Ensemble and a guided improvisation class.

Cape Ann Symphony Chorus Auditions will be held on Saturday September 7th, from 10 am – Noon and Wednesday September 12 from 6 pm – 8 pm.  If you are interested in auditioning, please contact Brittany Betts via email here: brittanybetts@gmail.com

The Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concerts are Saturday, November 30 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 30  at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 1 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA . Single ticket prices are $50 for adults, $45 for senior citizens age 65 and above, $20 for Students of any age with a valid student id; $5 for youth 12 years old and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit http://www.capeannsymphony.org.

What did we see? pilot whales or dolphins or…? Video from shore #GloucesterMA

August 14, 2024. 6pm.

Images: Exciting sightings! Shoreside views looking in the direction of Milk Island and Twin Lights from Long Beach neighborhood. Feeding and fast maneuvers between Twin Lights and Good Harbor Beach with the extended feeding seen in the images closest in line to Milk.



Rainbow then spider lighting. video #GloucesterMA Ocean sky summer storm

tonight’s weather Images August 4, 2024.

photos: 2:45-8:45pm

1400 without power. 2nd power outage in a week #GloucesterMA

MEMA Outage map July 29, 2024 at 5pm here (about 6 hours for us).

Update: out again 720pm.

1400 outages in Gloucester (out of 1640 total outages in Massachusetts)

On July 23rd 800 customers were out in Gloucester and Rockport

this week! The Cape Ann YMCA Goes under the Sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr

Heidi Dallin shares the Press release and cast photo by Sassy Square. Link for tickets here

Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is playing at the Cape Ann YMCA, 7 Gloucester Crossing Road, on Thursday, August 1 and Friday, August 2 at 5pm. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories, Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. The talented young cast of North Shore residents features over 40 young actors led by Director Heidi Dallin  and her  YMCA  Theatre Team. 

The Little Mermaid JR. takes place in a magical kingdom beneath the sea, where a beautiful young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, the king of the sea, escape the clutches of an evil sea witch and convince a prince that she’s the girl with the perfect voice. Based on the 2008 Broadway production and the 1989 animated feature film, The Little Mermaid JR contains all of the songs from the Academy Award® winning animated feature film as well as three new songs from the Broadway show. The musical includes the classic Disney hits : Part of Your WorldUnder the SeaKiss The Girl and Poor, Unfortunate Souls.  

For information on purchasing tickets please visit MermaidTickets or call the Cape Ann YMCA: 978-283-0470. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $10 for Children. 

Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International

Photo Attached : The Cape Ann YMCA’s  Little Mermaid Company Photo Credit: Sassy Square

Sure to be drawing admiration in August: Group show ‘Lines of Thought’ Jane Deering Gallery #GloucesterMA

Upcoming show invitation from Gloucester gallery owner, Jane Deering:

Please join us for the Opening Reception of ‘Lines of Thought | Contemporary Women Artists Draw’ on Thursday August 1st from 5-7pm. The opening will also have Dick Luecke on classical guitar.  He’s terrific.

As Art Critic Robert Hughes wrote:  

Drawing never dies, it holds on by the skin of its teeth, because the hunger it satisfies – the desire for an active, investigative, manually vivid relation with the things we see and yearn to know about – is apparently immortal…”             

The gallery is pleased to include artists—Meg Alexander . Gabrielle Barzaghi  . Ann Conneman . Linda Ekstrom . Celia Eldridge . Paige Farrell . Renata Fryshara . Lilian Hsu Anne Johnstone  Ann Ledy . Kat O’Connor  . Whitney River . Marie Schoeff . Emily Speed . Joan Tanner

JANE DEERING. Jane Deering Gallery. Summer gallery hours: Thursday 4-7pm . Fri & Sat 1-5pm . Sun 1-4pm

Stop & Shop Volta EV Charging Stations going in #GloucesterMA

Gloucester, Ma. (July 26, 2024)—At each end of Stop & Shop’s lot on Thatcher Road, two ‘electric vehicle fueling station’ bays with two EV charging spots each are being constructed for public use. They’ll have kiosks running advertisements and should be up & running soon (ETA 2-4 weeks). This is the 8th Stop & Shop Massachusetts EV supermarket installation for the Volta crews.

photos: charging station installation for Stop & Shop, Thatcher Rd; detail from Google maps showing charging stations in Gloucester, Ma. as of July 2024.

Stop & Shop press release July 2021. Volta was acquired by Shell.

Was a pretty summer morning out there today!

Thacher Island vs. Thatcher road (two ‘t’s)

What a big and busy Summer Cast! The Little Mermaid Performances are next week at Cape Ann YMCA!

“Performance Camp has been great! The actors are working very hard!! Join us ‘under the sea'”!

Heidi Dallin.

Thursday Aug 1. Friday Aug. 2nd

There’ll be ice cream in August. The Cupboard Update in the news.

The spring without The Cupboard has turned into summer and ever more. Gloucester’s authentic, reliable & affordable summer eats is **gasp** done.

Read more about the status in a front page story by Ethan Forman in the Gloucester Daily Times.

Although the restaurant and food take out won’t open, the ice cream windows will serve happiness for a few weeks. So, trying to stay positive, the send off will be a sweet, soft closing which may soften the blow. At the very least it will prod a visit and a chance to express gratitude.

When summer days and nights beckoned and our cupboards were bare, The Cupboard was indescribably full. Wish them all the best!

1978 was the beginning of Vincent Castagnacci’s Cape Ann paintings…2024 features a New Solo show opening Thursday. Jane Deering Gallery #GloucesterMA

Opening this week! Vincent Castagnacci | Variations on the rock that is Cape Ann. 

Reception Thursday July 11th, 2024. Jane Deering Gallery.

Jane Deering shares a reminder and some more about the exhibit:

They will be green again: Old Nugent Farm Monster Exterior Reno Project! 20M+ and scores of condos remodeled all at once #GloucesterMA

Out with the old exterior and in with the new! The Old Nugent Farm condominiums are getting some love in the summer of 2024. There are 70+ (72?) condos and SPS was contracted to take care of each one. The exterior components to be demoed and replaced are all the biggies: Roofs (some with skylights). Siding. Windows. Deck. Chimney repointing. The completion date is expected before the summer of 2025.

A unique construction staging area was tucked away to manage the scale of this project. Besides deliveries and garages, a mini mockup condo model was constructed to test the materials in the field, and problem solve optimum execution and training (such as the flashing performance).

The original great design of the Old Nugent Farm condos, which deferred to nature, will remain. They will be green again. Do you remember before there were condos?

PHOTO SERIES: JULY 1, 2 & 8 2024

March 2024. BEFORE.

Utility work on Thatcher. View back to Old Nugent Farm condos on the right and Good Harbor Beach parking lot sign on the left.

prior years

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy William Gillespie baritone solo from Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942

Happy 4th! Enjoy William Gillespie with the gorgeous solo from the George Washington finale number (George M. Cohan samples Battle Hymn of the Republic in You’re a Grand Old Flag); and two clips with James Cagney as Cohan: dancing down the White House stairs; and on the dock because Gloucester and the fireworks signal from the ocean liner 🙂

William Gillespie glorious baritone. George M. Cohan samples Glory, Glory Hallelujah in You’re a Grand Old Flag number.

Back at it! Good Harbor Beach Inn construction update #GloucesterMA

Gloucester, Mass. July 3, 2024.

After a lull in construction on the Good Harbor Beach Inn site — reflecting 3 months fine-tuning the engineering plans just so– the foundation digging for the anchor lobby building has commenced for this scenic property across from Salt Island.

The Martignetti family who purchased Good Harbor Beach Inn a couple of years ago are diehard Gloucester fans. Mark Martignetti who is directing the building is overjoyed to be back at it.

“I’m managing the building for a family venture. We have always, always loved Gloucester! Part of growing up North of Boston is coming to Gloucester…to Good Harbor Beach, right? We had talked about the business for years and years. Now we are thrilled to own it. We can’t wait to open and be part of the community!”

Mark Martignetti. Good Harbor Beach Inn, July 2024

As reported with the demo here, the configuration of the Inn will remain roughly the same featuring a main lobby building with the guest room out buildings clustered on the hill. One local amenity that will not return is the rustic snack window takeout which was not grandfathered into the renovation. Stay tuned: A family familiar with the food & beverage and hospitality industry will no doubt have some attentive and creative ideas to satisfy guests.

The construction site will get busier now. Crews are lined up and final construction ETA may be 9 months out.

Renderings

Drawings illustrating the final project will be public over the next couple of weeks.

BEFORE

July 1, 2024

April 1

March 18

2019 here

Bows and flows of angel hair and Fiesta garlands in the air #GloucesterMA

Fiesta clouds and blue sky: Two days to go before St. Peter’s Fiesta 2024 Gloucester looks ready!

Blooms and Junes and Ferris Wheels

Moons coming 🙂

Jrue! JT! JB! Pritchard! White! Enjoy Boston Celtics Parade Copley videos: Confetti, crowd chants and beaming players!

6/21/2024. Electric videos for GMG courtesy of a Gloucester fan in Boston!

post updated: video cropping to resize for the vertical orientation

Jrue

caption: Jrue Holiday! Wait for it. Endearing smiles and flashes the peace sign

pritchard

caption: Catch! Payton Pritchard asks for a pass, snags a beer tossed from the crowd, then shakes it up

TATUM

caption: Crowd senses Jayson Tatum is next! JT turns around, exalted arms embraces moment

Al’s float then GM Brad Stevens’

caption: Big Al’s dad waving green flag (Al on the other side of the duck boat, follow the cowboy hat) followed by duck boat with  GM Brad Stevens waving

jaylen

caption: “MVP!” crowd chants as Jaylen Brown rolls by duck boat party

Truth | Legends green duck boat

caption: Boston Celtics Legends on the green duck boat, of course

hauser

caption: Hauser sports the goggles

Derrick White – all smiles

Confetti bang! green and white 🙂

caption: Here they come! Celtics championship parade starts with a BANG–Green and white confetti blasts!

Images: video clips with Celtic players spotted on duck boats.