Author: Vickie & Peter
Vickie grew up in Iowa. Lived in Silicon Valley & NYC. Peter has lived all over (NJ, NY, CH, IN, CA, MA, etc.) We chose to live and raise our family in Gloucester. Owners of gimmesound.com & Van Ness Group. Producers of gimmeLIVE concerts.
Ushers Needed at Larcom Theatre in Beverly
We are looking for people who would like to help at the Larcom Theater for our 2014 Season. See current shows here. More will be announced soon.
Ushers get to see the show for free and help others enjoy their show experience! Ushers assist our patrons in finding their assigned seats and provide playbills to patrons. The ushers then take a seat in the theatre during the show in order to address any needs that audience members may have.
If you are interested please call Peter or Vickie at 978-525-9093. 
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Tickets on sale today for Henri Smith feat. Charles Neville March 7&9 and Cape Ann Big Band May 3
FOBs find out first!
If you haven’t been down the road to Beverly’s fully restored, historic Larcom Theatre, this would be a good time to get tickets to see two top local bands in one of the best listening venues north of Boston.
With superb acoustics, world-class stage lighting, comfortable seats, and excellent sight lines, this gorgeous theatre is a perfect place to experience the area’s best live music — and it’s only about 20 minutes away with plenty of free parking. (Here’s some info on previous shows.)
Cape Ann Big Band’s Larcom Theatre Debut is Saturday May 3, 2014. 17 top players led by Gloucester’s Carlos Menezes (one of the area’s most talented young musicians) this big band will feature guest vocalists for a special spring concert. GET TICKETS HERE.
Back for two shows on the heels of their April 2013 sell-out, Grammy-winner Charles Neville joins Gloucester’s Henri Smith and his band New Orleans Friends and Flavours on Friday, March 7 at 8pm and again on Sunday, March 9 for a 3pm matinee. Take advantage of this early announcement and get your tickets now: Friday night tickets here, and Sunday Matinee tickets here.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Congratulations Marina Evans for being nominated NEMA Female Performer of the Year
The New England Music Awards announced their nominees yesterday and Cape Ann’s own Marina Evans is among them. Congratulations Marina. You make us all proud!
Now it’s up to YOU to help her out. Vote here! You only have until Jan 31.
This year’s nominees include other excellent choices in other categories too, some of whom, like Kingsley Flood, you’ve seen right here in Gloucester.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Guitarists Mark Small & Raymond Gonzalez at Cafe Shalom next Saturday, Jan 11
This just in from Natalia Carollo …
Cafe Shalom at Temple Ahavat Achim
Saturday, January 11th at 7PM
Tickets $10/per person
Enjoy music performances by Mark Small, a classical guitarist-composer-arranger who has penned classical, jazz, pop, and sacred music for chorus, wind ensemble, orchestra, piano, and guitar, and Raymond Gonzalez, a guitarist and composer who combines classical, jazz, Celtic and Latin influences into his songs and solo guitar compositions. His topics range from ethereal to- well, songs about pigs and mermen and most things in between.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Alchemy brings New Orleans to New England for New Year’s Eve
Alchemy will be celebrating 2014 New Orleans style with cocktails inspired by the Big Easy, creole fare and smooth jazz.
Sip Sazeracs while enjoying Chef Scott’s special prix fixe menu
Alchemy will be celebrating 2014 New Orleans style with cocktails inspired by the Big Easy, creole fare and smooth jazz.
Sip Sazeracs while enjoying Chef Scott’s special prix fixe menu:
1st Course
Fried Oyster Po’Boy
Confit Alligator Hush Puppies
Maque Choux Salad
2nd Course
Sous Vide Grilled Filet Tenderloin
New Orleans Cassoulette
Crab & Crawdad Etouffee
3rd Course
Orange & Cinnamon Beignets
Glazed Doughnut Bread Pudding
Judith Murray and her trio will be crooning jazz standards throughout the night, and guests who order the specialty prix fixe menu ($75) will also score a ticket to Minglewood’s New Year’s Eve party right down the street! Call for Reservations: 978.281.3997
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Start New Years Eve by helping to send Rockport High Band, Chorus & Orchestra students on a concert tour of Ireland and take home a rock star’s autograph
New Years Rockport Eve has so much music that trying to decide what to see will become your first decision of the 2014. Check out the complete up-to-date music schedule here (this lists more shows than you’ll find on their website).
But before you even look at the schedule, check out this video & press release from Noreen Vincent about the amazing silent auction featuring instruments & sheet music autographed by Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan & the Eagles — all to support a program led by RHS Orchestra Director and local music star, Nathan Cohen:
Kick off New Year’s Eve with a Music and Silent Auction Fundraiser at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, Tuesday, December 31st from 3:30pm – 5:00pm.
There will be music of many genres, including a lively session of traditional Irish music performed by the Rockport High School students, faculty members and surprise guests. The Cape Ann Contra Dance Band will be joining the event for a live dance.
Silent auction & raffle items include instruments autographed by Taylor Swift and Paul McCartney, sheet music and albums autographed by Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, and The Eagles, autographed drawings by Seth McFarland and Charles Schultz, circus lessons, lobsters, Celtics tickets, a summer weekend rental in Rockport, a pair of concert tickets at the Shalin Liu Center, a a three-day trip to Paris, and much more. The celebration will end at 5:00 p.m. – in time for Rockport’s New Year’s Rockport Eve festivities, which begin at 6:00 p.m.
Proceeds will help fund the Rockport High School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra’s Concert Tour of Ireland in April of 2014. The students will travel to Ireland to engage in the musical culture, study with some of Ireland’s most renowned musicians, and to perform at some of the country’s finest venues. Students will visit Limerick, Galway, Dublin, and Cork, and will work both with classical musicians and traditional Irish musicians and dancers. The fundraising efforts are critical in keeping the cost of participating in this tour affordable to all students.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
This is not you’re grandpa’s bluegrass!
If you were at the Cape Ann Solstice concert, you heard Charlee Bianchini’s gorgeous version of Mark Erelli’s soulful “Snowed In.” You may also remember Charlee say she was lucky enough to see him live — not many people are so lucky. But you could be if you get your tix now to see him with Barnstar! at Old Sloop before they sell out!
Check out this video to see what I mean . . .
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Local Music Seen Christmas Special on Cape Ann TV
Those of you who missed the Cape Ann Solstice Concert at the UU Church Meetinghouse on Saturday will be able to catch much of it on Cape Ann TV in the next week or two.
And to get you in the mood, Cape Ann TV is reprising the original Local Music Seen Christmas special, that originally aired in 2011, tomorrow at 8AM and 11PM and on Christmas day at 5AM, 6PM and 10PM. You’ll see many top local performers, some of whom were at the Cape Ann Solstice Concert — others who were not. Here’s a taste:
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Thank you to Musicians, Sponsors, Volunteers & Fans for a magical solstice
What a gift it is to live in a community full of tremendously talented musicians, who can bring world-class music to one of Gloucester’s most treasured spaces.
All the performers were at the top of their game last night and, based on their level of talent, they could have brought giant egos with them.
But they chose to leave their egos at the door and collaborate at the highest level of professionalism in order to lift a packed house at Gloucester’s UU Church to a level of musical joy that many said they hadn’t felt in years.
Bravo!
Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and Cape Ann TV crew who helped to bring The Cape Ann Winter Solstice Concert to life.
Thanks, most of all, to everyone who came out to support our local music treasures and help restore the Meetinghouse so it can become a premier listening venue for dozens of major musical events every year.
Based on last night’s success, it’s safe to say we’ll be doing this again and again and again. Stay tuned …
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Cape Ann Solstice Tickets Available at the Door ~ Plenty of FREE PARKING
You can’t get advanced tickets online any more, but you can still go the Gloucester UU Church and get tickets at the door ($25 for all ages). Box office opens at 4pm. Doors open at 7. Concert starts at 7:30. There’s plenty of free parking at the Church and nearby (Trinity Church parking lot and Library lot off School St. are both plowed) so come on down and celebrate the longest night of the year with some of Cape Ann’s finest musicians while you help to restore one of Gloucester’s most treasured buildings!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Holiday Specials Galore on Cape Ann TV
It’s a big week of holiday specials on Cape Ann TV featuring Bruce Tarr’s Toy Drive, Holiday Delights, Local Music Seen Christmas special, Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, Church services, plus many other holiday events — and of course lots of football! Get the schedule here — and check out Cape Ann TV’s young Santa guiding his sleigh through the night sky below:
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Only a few hours left to get discounted tickets to Cape Ann Solstice
Advanced tickets are $20 General Admission ($15 under 12 or over 65). Pews are still available (online only) $195 side pew seats 10 adults, $225 center pew seats 12 adults.
You can get advanced tickets online here, or the Winter Solstice Farmers Market at the UU Church (10 Church Street) from 9AM – Noon, or at Liquor Locker 287 Main St.
After the Farmers Market closes tomorrow at noon, all tickets are $25 for all ages. We’ll open up the box office at 4pm at the UU Church (cash only please). Doors open at 7pm.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
The best radio Christmas shows you’ll hear this year ~ SUN 12/22 @9AM & 7PM on 104.9
We’ve pointed out before that North Shore 104.9 host Aurelia Nelson frequently features local talent on her show, “Curtain Up” (see examples here). This Sunday 12/22 she pulls out all the stops with her hyper-local Christmas show featuring some of Cape Ann’s top talent performing a Christmas repertoire that rivals what you’d hear on a big city radio show!
You’ll hear Dan King’s wonderful new Christmas song “Handmade With Love (Present)” featuring Charlee Bianchini, “I wish I Could Fly” written by Allen Estes & Fly Amero, new songs by Bryan Alex, John Stevens and Angie Miller (Beverly’s own Idol finalist) and selections by the Beantown Swing Orchestra.
We know you’ll be at Gloucester’s UU Church on Saturday night, where you can see many of these stars LIVE — and we promise the show will be over in plenty of time for you to get a good night’s sleep and get up by 9am for Curtain Up on North Shore 104.9.
Then on Sunday night at 7pm, you can hear a real radio play, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This is a rare experience you simply can’t get any other way. Build a fire, sit together as a family in the living room, tune the radio to 104.9, chill in a comfy chair, close your eyes and lose yourself in this classic story. When’s the last time you heard a radio play?
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Honoring Our Firefighters
This just in from Senator Bruce Tarr:
Today I had the honor of attending the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s 24th Annual “Firefighter of the Year” Award Ceremony. Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary of Public Safety and Security Andrea Cabral, State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, and I were all on hand to support and honor firefighters across the Commonwealth for their acts of heroism and bravery.
Among today’s recipients were members of the Gloucester Fire Department: Captain Joseph Aiello, and Firefighters Jonathon Sanger, Charles Scola, James Burke, Robert Rivas, Frank LeClerc, James Hannon, and Paul Hudson, who were recognized for their bravery in trying to rescue a 15-year-old girl in April during a house fire on Summer Street in Gloucester, and three other fires throughout the city earlier this year.
I am deeply appreciative of the efforts of the members of the Gloucester Fire Department and all of those in the fire service throughout our state for their personal commitment and sacrifice on behalf of our safety and well-being.
Posted below are two photos of Gloucester’s firefighters at today’s ceremony; one with Governor Deval Patrick during today’s ceremony, and one with Mayor Carolyn Kirk and myself.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
STRESSED? Here’s an antidote that will make you feel great!
Take a break from all this madness and enjoy great music with friends & family Saturday December 21st. Get your tickets now so you can relax.
If you’re not convinced this will be the concert of the season, check out Gail McCarthy’s piece in today’s Gloucester Daily Times.
You have a few options for tickets:
Reserved Pews (no hassle): $225 Seats 12 or $195 Seats 10 (less than $20/person)
or
General Admission $20 in advance $15 Child/Senior (under 12/over 65)
$25 At the Door (all ages) – Cash only, please, at the door.
Tickets are available online, at the church and liquor locker. They will also be available on Saturday morning at Solstice Farmers Market.
Plenty of free parking available:
- both sides of Pine Street and Proctor Street (Pine becomes Proctor after it crosses Church Street)
- in a small parking lot on Proctor Street (free parking)
- portions of both sides of Middle Street (and any place on Middle where there is a parking meter – no fee on Sunday)
- one side of Church Street (please be mindful not to block the driveway of residents)
Parking also available at Trinity Congregational Church 70 Middle Street & Saint John’s Church at 48 Middle Street
The Line-Up:
- Allen Estes with Matt Leavenworth, Wolf Ginandes & Dave Mattacks
- Willie Loco Alexander & the Raztones
- Fly Amero
- Gordon Baird
- Inge Berge & Julie Cleveland
- Charlee Bianchini
- Ken Bonfield
- Lenny Campanello – Gloucester Police Chief
- Will Hunt & Alexandra Stella D’Maris
- Dan King
- T Max
- Michael O’Leary
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Christmas Eve Service – 12/24/13 @ 5pm – All Welcome!
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
INSTRUMENTAL GIVING to support MUSIC CREATES at House of Blues in Boston ~ Wednesday December 18th
BE INSTRUMENTAL!!!
Help Us
Ring in the Holidays on December 18th
Please join us Wednesday Night, December 18th, at the HOUSE OF BLUES in Boston for a night of INSTRUMENTAL GIVING to support MUSIC CREATES.
MUSIC CREATES is a non-profit established in 2002 whose mission is to bring music programs into our Public Schools free of charge. Our Teaching Artists are all working professionals who have played with everyone from the Allman Brothers to Freddie Hubbard.
Based on our vision and track record in NYC, where we have been working for the past 11 years, we are pleased to announce that a very special CEO has generously underwritten MUSIC CREATES music programs in the Boston area.
One person rising up through their inspiration can change us all!
Kicking off MUSIC CREATES Boston debut, join us for a fabulously rockin’ night. Coming all the way from Orlando, we are so pleased to have Good Luck Penny. From NYC, Combust A Groove. This 8-member group is garnering a lot of media attention. It’s something you have probably never seen before!
Other special guests include Boston legend Andy Pratt and Gerry Mordis, 1st violinist for the Boston Pops who has also performed with Aerosmith and Cyndi Lauper.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Get your Cape Ann Solstice tickets tomorrow at the Middle Street Walk
Tomorrow is what Winter in Gloucester is all about. Stroll downtown from 8am – 4pm and take in our historic city’s wonderful, eclectic architecture, do some shopping, eat, make an ice sculpture — or s’mores, listen to music, sing carols, (see music schedule) take some tours — you can even get a tree (see full Middle Street Walk event schedule). Plus you can get your Cape Ann Solstice tickets at City Hall and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Don’t wait until the last minute — and don’t say we didn’t warn you. If you can’t get downtown tomorrow, get tickets here.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
The Toy Drive is Still On
Yesterday’s marathon toy drive led by Senator Bruce Tarr and broadcast on North Shore 104.9 brought in lots of toys and cash donations, but it’s not over yet. If you missed the opportunity to donate a toy yesterday, you can drop one off at any of the collection spots through next Friday, December 20. See a list of collection spots here.
Here’s a wonderful PSA created by Cape Ann TV featuring local budding movie stars!
Good Morning Gloucester 