My View of Life on the Dock
That’s right, folks. Â If you missed last Sunday’s World Premiere by the Cape Ann Symphony of Charles Floyd’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, you can see it on TV tonight, tomorrow and Monday. Â Here is a sneak peek recorded Sunday at the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Auditorium.
Tune into Cape Ann TV Channel 12 to watch the full concert tonight at 8pm.  See the Cape Ann TV Schedule for more air times.
Now we often fast forward through TV commercials or change the car radio station when an ad come on, but once in a while somebody crafts such a good radio spot that you can’t help but listen.  That’s what our friends Aurelia Nelson & Jay Foss at Northshore 104.9 did this week and I was so inspired when I heard it that I decided to pop into Adobe Premiere and have some fun.  This is what came out:
And by the way, there are still good seats left to what could be your last chance to see these young, rising blues stars before they break into big venues. Â Get them here.
Singers, Songwriters, & Musicians
OK, folks.  Time to kiss the cold winter blues bye bye and get ready for hot spring & summer blues starting next Saturday, April 5th, with the hottest concert of the season just down the road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre featuring Gracie Curran with Roomful of Blues horns and Lydia Warren opening.  All three of these bands have a Gloucester connection.  Gracie Curran and Lydia Warren both performed at last year’s Gloucester Blues Festival.  And Roomful of Blues performed at I4-C2 for Celebrate Gloucester in 2010.  Save the date Saturday, August 9th for the 2014 Gloucester Blues Festival!
Here’s Gracie Curran and Lydia Warren at the 2013 Gloucester Blues Festival:
Good seats are still left for next Saturday. Â Get tickets here. Â This may be your last chance to see these two rising blues stars at an intimate venue close to home!
Do you have tickets to tomorrow’s sold out Experience Hendrix show at Hampton Beach Casino?  If so, we’ve got a job for you.  Our friend Jon Butcher (who moved to Cape Ann a year or so ago) has been asked to join Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Dweezil Zappa, Billy Cox (from Band of Gypsys & Jimi Hendrix Experience) and numerous other stars on stage at tomorrow’s show and we want YOUR photos of him.
So, if you’re there, shoot a photo of Jon Butcher on stage and put that photo (or a link to it) in a comment to this post.  We’ll select the best photo and give the photographer 2 tickets to The Jon Butcher Axis: Celebrating the Music of Jimi Hendrix show down the road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre one month from today (Sat, April 26).  Of course, this show will sell out too, so if you can’t shoot Jon Butcher tomorrow, get your tickets today!
Here’s a taste of what you can expect at the Jon Butcher Axis show on April 26:
Every year or so, Megan Burtt comes to Gloucester to visit her good friend and Berklee chum, Chelsea Berry — and to treat us to her thoughtful, moving, gorgeous music at local venues.  This time she’s at Old Sloop next Saturday, April 5th with Boston singer/songwriter Danielle Miraglia.  This will be an excellent show!
In celebration of Megan’s return, we’re reprising her show on Local Music Seen with Allen Estes this week starting tomorrow (WED) at 6:30 and again on Friday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 6pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12.  Here’s a taste of  that show:
Ticket Sales Dates
Subscriptions: March 27, 2014
Single Tickets: April 16, 2014
Summer Flex Subscriptions –Â available March 27
June-August events only
Mini-Flex:Â Purchase 6-9 concerts and save 10% (concerts only, guest presentations excluded)
Super-Flex:Â Purchase 10 or more concerts and save 15% (concerts only, guest presentations excluded)
Festival Rising Star Series –Â available March 27
Purchase all 3 Rising Star Concerts in the Rockport Chamber Music Festival and save 10%Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The Rockport Chamber Music Festival, June 6–July 13, opens with a performance by the Grammy Award-winning Emerson String Quartet.  The 2014 Festival brings the finest in chamber music from the award-winning male a cappella ensemble Chanticleer to pianist Jeremy Denk plus many Festival favorites.
Continue reading “Rockport Chamber Music Festival – Tickets On Sale March 27th”
Al Stewart is best known for his singles “Year of the Cat,” “Nostradamus” and “Time Passages,” Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart has enjoyed a remarkably prolific career spanning 50 years. From his orchestral folk debut in 1967, through his popular historical folk rock albums of the 70’s, to his more recent duo outings with guitarist Dave Nachmanoff, Stewart has proved to be an artist of impressive longevity. Having gained a devout cult following with his epic, progressive brand of folk rock, Stewart now tours the world, often with his musical partner Dave Nachmanoff, reinterpreting the songs from his extensive catalog. He has released 22 records and played alongside a long list of musical giants including Alan Parsons, Jimmy Page, Richard Thompson, Rick Wakeman, Tori Amos and former Wings lead-guitarist Laurence Juber.
There are still some seats available but don’t wait to get them , get them now here
Our theme is Taking Flight – we’ll be singing about the coming of spring and some flying creatures. You’ll hear several languages: Japanese, Swahili, Hebrew, Spanish – and some nonsense language thrown in for good measure! We’ll have a bit of percussion and flute. By tradition we’ll have a Beatles song, a madrigal, and a round.  
Normally I write about music in this blog. Â But this is a blog — and the fact that you’re reading this post has most likely just been logged into an N.S.A. database, along with lots of other info about what you’ve been doing just now, including where you are, every email you’ve just sent and read, what other websites, photos and blogs you’ve just visited, all the texts and phone calls you’ve made today, and so on and so on . . . Â Does this make you a tad uneasy? Â It should. Â So here’s a chance to do something about it. Â Perhaps I’m being optimistic (I’ve been accused of that before) Â but I’ll bet Congress and the White House are a little worried about what we all think of their rampant invasion of our privacy. Â That’s why they’re asking us what we think — and it’s why they’re trying to deflect our fear of them and point that fear toward technology itself. Â Watch this video of former Clinton Chief of Staff, John Podesta as he tries to do just that:
Don’t let them get away with it. Â Go here and fill out the survey. Â Be sure to put something in their comment field labeled, “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your thoughts on this issue?” Â Be bold and don’t worry; it won’t increase the government’s surveillance of your actions. Â There’s really nothing more they can do that isn’t already being done. Â Here’s an excerpt of what I put in:
Come hear an amazing double bill featuring two of New England’s most buzzed about acoustic folk/Americana acts: Annalivia and Ari & Mia. It will be an evening of inventive and dynamic music for all ages: fiddles, mandolins, banjos, warm harmonies and spirited songs, drawing from traditional and original repertoire.  The members of Annalivia includes Gloucester locals Liz Simmons & Flynn Cohen with the newest member Emarald Rae.  Get your tickets now to see them at Shalin Liu.  Buy Tickets
As always check online for the lastest updates:
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7:00 pm LINDA AMERO Menage a Trio with special guest Jack Senier (piano) & & Mark Pucci (bass) 118 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone:Â 978-283-7888 FREE SHOW
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8:00 pm  MIKE O’CONNELL BAND Giuseppe’s Ristorante and Piano Bar 2 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978-879-4622 FREE SHOW
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9:00 pm THE RUNAROUND SOUND Dog Bar 65 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978-281-6565 FREE SHOW
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9:00 pm   SOUL REBEL PROJECTRoots Rock Reggae! Minglewood Tavern 25 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978-281-0223 FREE SHOW
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9:30 pm  THE BANDIT KINGS One of the last shows ~ Don’t Miss 40 Railroad Ave, Gloucester, MA
Phone:Â 978-283-9732 FREE SHOW
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An Evening of Roots Americana with Annalivia And Ari & Mia
Annalivia is a New England-based string-band drawing from tradition & today to create their own brand of new acoustic folk music, alive with new energy & innovation. Members:Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen, & Emerald Rae are all masterful players of bluegrass to Irish, Scottish & Old Time Appalachian music
Don’t Miss a Night of Roots American @ Shalin Liu on 4/6
Continue reading “Spring is Here and Cape Ann is Coming ALIVE – Check out this weekends live music!”
Jazz Sunday Service with Rev. Jenny Rankin and musicians Ken Steiner and John Funkhouser at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church on March 23rd
BASICS:
Festive Sunday Morning Service
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:00am in the Sanctuary
Gloucester Unitarian Unitarian Church
Corner of Middle and Church Street, on the green
Accessible Entrance at #10 Church Street
All are Welcome
Additional Information at www.gloucesteruu.org
Continue reading “Jazz Sunday Service on 3/23/14 at Gloucester Unitarian Unitarian Church”
One of my favorite local stars, Inge Berge, shared a post on his Facebook page about this “Call For Performers” by the city of Yellowknife, NT in Canada:
As we head into Gloucester’s spring/summer/fall busy season, I’m glad he brought this topic up because that’s often when musicians are asked to play for free in return for “exposure.”
I don’t expect musicians to perform for free, because I don’t work for free.  Actually, the last time I asked any musician to play without pay (except for passing the hat) was when Vickie and I were helping organize the first Block Parties in 2008, at which I played for free too.  And that was only because everyone involved in starting the Block Parties donated their time.  By last year  (could have been 2012) the Block Parties had evolved to the point where the Block Party Committee raises money and pays musicians.
Don’t get me wrong, I do volunteer my time for various causes that I feel are worthwhile — and I sometimes work for trade. Â But in every trade case, I’m getting something in return for my work — something of equal value to the value of my work.
Next time somebody asks you to play for free, ask “What am I getting in trade?” Â If the answer is something like, “Oh, you’ll get great exposure,” Â my advice is just say no.
Lugging your gear into your car, driving to the venue, setting up, breaking down, loading your gear back into your car and driving home would be enough to demand some pay (at least what stage hands get).  Then there’s performing, which (among other things) requires years of practice, tremendous dedication, a willingness to trust your artistic instincts and … talent.  That should be reserved only for those occasions where the people who’ve asked you to perform value the fact that you’re digging deeper into the human soul than most people ever get and sharing what you find with the rest of us.Â
I could rattle off a dozen reasons why mere “exposure” is no where near enough compensation for performing — and the first one that comes to mind is that if you’re playing anywhere on Cape Ann, you can get plenty of free exposure right here on GMG and on gimmesound.com.
Plus, because you don’t want to play to an empty room, you’ll probably plug the event on your own social media pages, which gets free exposure for the people who’ve asked you to perform in the first place.
Feel free to share this post with everybody who asks you to play for free …
Finally, we can answer all the people who ask, “When are you going to produce another concert at the UU Meetinghouse?” Gloucester singer, songwriter, performer, creative genius, 3rian King has put together a spectacular show with other top Gloucester talent, including Chelsea Berry, Renee Dupuis, Joe Cardoza & Dennis Monagle, plus Brendan Burns & Meff  from Boston (together known as The Number Nines) and we’re presenting this extravaganza at Gloucester’s UU Meetinghouse on Friday April 25th at 8PM.  Just like the Cape Ann Solstice Concert, this show will support the Meetinghouse Restoration Project.  Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of the show and went on sale TODAY.  Get them at the UU Church Office at 10 Church St, at The Liquor Locker on Main & Rogers or on-line here.  Our Solstice show was full and seating is limited so don’t wait.  Get your tickets TODAY!
Nancy Grace to lead Introduction to Dreams at Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church on March 16th (rescheduled from February)
BASICS:
March 16th, 2014 at 11:30am in the Sanctuary
Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church
Corner of Middle and Church Street, on the green
Accessible Entrance at #10 Church Street
All are Welcome
Additional Information at www.gloucesteruu.org
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
Using the language of symbol and metaphor, dreams paint pictures of our lives, and offer us guidance and creative inspiration. In this introductory gathering, we’ll learn a variety of techniques for making connections between dreams and waking-life circumstances, as well as how to talk about dreams with others, how to increase dream recall, keep a dream journal, and understand recurring dreams and nightmares.  Bring your questions and, if you’d like, a dream to share.
Nancy Grace began teaching about dreams in 1989, and has given presentations on dreams at retreat centers, churches, therapy centers, and colleges including Harvard, Northeastern, and Berklee College of Music. She has trained in group dream work processes with UU minister Jeremy Taylor, and with Montague Ullman, M.D. Â She served for many years on the Board of Directors of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, and is a co-founder of the Cummington Community Dream Center in western Massachusetts, which has been meeting monthly for the past 10 years.
Good Morning Gloucester 