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.

P&V’s LOL #6: Multitasking isn’t

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
What impact might multitasking be having on the brains of young people? Researchers are starting to look into the issue, with weighty results.  Photo credit: © Alberto Pomares/iStockphoto

Multitasking isn’t.  Isn’t what?  Isn’t Multi.  Not really.  Just when we thought we were more efficient, science rears its ugly head and proves us wrong.  Google multitasking and you’ll see most of the results busting the myth of multitasking — many even saying it’s bad for our brains (see an example here).  YIKES!

You can still walk and chew gum at the same time.  That won’t fry your brain.  You can even drive and listen to the radio or sing or talk to the passenger at the same time.  But “switching tasks”, according to this article, isn’t just bad for your brain, it can even threaten your “basic health.”  Looks like interest rates are about to change (click here if you’re wondering about that).

Our new phones have a new feature they’re trying to sell us.  It transcribes voice-mails to text so you can read them on your phone.  So I ask Vickie, why would I want that?  It’s so much easier to listen to my voice mail.  I don’t have to fumble for my glasses.  I can listen in the car …  Well, you can read them in a meeting, she replies.

Really?  Seems to me that if I’m in a meeting where I can read my voice-mail, I’m in the wrong meeting.  Turns out, Google agrees.  According to this article in Forbes, Google banned laptops at meetings and guess what?  People who had more important stuff to do just left the meeting.  Brilliant!

Here’s a fun experiment — proof that multitasking isn’t.  Watch the video below while doing something else, like talking on the phone, or answering emails or reading transcribed voice-mails.  I’ll bet you won’t laugh.  Now stop everything else and watch.  It’s hysterical!

In the spirit of trying to quit (multitasking, that is) we’re gonna do you  a favor and not  post anything tomorrow (sorry, Joey).  You won’t be tempted to read our post while sitting in church or opening presents or eating Christmas dinner.  Nope.  You’ve got a multitasking free day.  Enjoy it, and imagine how clear your head will feel and how wonderful life will be once you’ve quit for good.

Then try this on Wednesday.  Go to one of Gloucester’s excellent music venues (see live music lineup here) and actually listen to the music (eat & drink if you like, but don’t talk).  You’ll get why we keep telling you Gloucester has top talent and a burgeoning music scene.

 

I wish I could fly

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

I wish I could fly.  That’s the title of a gorgeous Christmas song by Fly Amero & Allen Estes (Fly gets top billing — it’s not called I wish I could Allen).

Fly Amero (L) with Allen Estes (R)

You can hear this song on Aurelia Nelson’s show Curtain Up on North Shore 104.9 FM Tomorrow (Sunday, Dec 23) at 9am.  You’ll also hear a beauty by Aaron Neville.  If you were lucky, you saw Aaron Neville at North Shore Music Theatre in August with Henri Smith opening.

And tonight you’ve got excellent live music choices in all four Cape Ann towns.  See the live music lineup here.

I Feel Fine

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Lots of reasons to feel fine today.  Here are two good ones.

These guys are true rock stars who understand audience participation.

The greatest rock stars of all time.  Drowned out by of all the screaming, they couldn’t hear a thing.  But they stayed in tune, on beat and connected with the audience who would have torn them apart if they could have gotten to the stage.

Stormy, but no snow to get in the way of feeling fine tonight.  Get out there and party!  See all the great live music you can party to here.

Get a fresh start on Saturday after the world ends tomorrow

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

We’ve been hearing so much about tomorrow’s end of the world that we figured today is a good time to consider a fresh start–after the world ends tomorrow.  Funny, the Mayan’s don’t think the world will end tomorrow.  But that hasn’t stopped crazies around the world from fearing 12/21/12.  According to this article, the Mayans will “mark the new calendar with prayer and traditional ceremonies.”

So perhaps we should too.  After all, it is the winter solstice, a time when people of all traditions look to the return of the light — both physically (days will start getting longer on Saturday) and spiritually.  A good time to open Pandora’s box back up and grab the hope that still lies at the bottom.

Here’s a hopeful view of the world as sung by the great Louis Armstrong.

You wouldn’t think of this song as controversial, would you?  But it was when it was released in 1967, because of it’s subtle, anti-racist tone, mostly due to this stanza:
The colors of the rainbow
so pretty in the sky 
Are also on the faces
of people going by

ABC Records refused to promote it, so it sold fewer than 1000 copies in the U.S., while becoming a huge #1 hit in the U.K.  Of course, it’s a standard now and was performed beautifully by Gloucester’s youngest rock star, Snoop Maddie Mad this past June:

So much for the genius of record labels.

No major label artists in town this weekend, but who cares?  Check out Gloucester’s major talent (see complete live music schedule here) and get ready to party like it’s the end of the world!

Love Christmas music or not, lots of great live music choices in Gloucester tonight

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Those of you who like Christmas music are in luck tonight.  Fly Amero is signing Christmas songs with his brother J.B. and Allen Estes at the Rhumbline tonight starting at 8pm.

Then catch the Local Music Seen with Allen Estes 2011 Christmas Special at 11pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 (originally aired last year) featuring Dan King, Daisy Nell & Capt. Stan, Ann Marie, Bradley Royds, Inge Berge, Chelsea Berry, Dave Sag, Courtney Reid and Allen’s son Dylan Estes.  Here’s a video of many of the performers singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. (see more air times here)

Of course, there’s lots of other excellent music in town (not necessarily Christmas — see full schedule here), including Dennis Monagle with Marina Evans, Joe Cardoza and Dave Brown at Minglewood Tavern starting at 9pm.

P&V’s LOL #5: Entertainment is more powerful than guilt

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Ever wonder why Pope Julius II Commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel?
Sistine Chapel

Well, the Catholic Church had been losing influence — and parishioners — partly due to tensions created by events leading up to the Protestant Reformation, which was sparked a few years after Julius II died.  So, thought Julius, what better way to bring people back to the fold than to make his churches the most beautiful buildings you’re ever likely to see.

And then, of course, there’s the music, which matured over the next 200 years to produce such great works that we still play them today.  Think our popular music will be played 300 years from now?  Here’s a piece you proabably know, written about 300 years ago:

Imagine life in the early 1700s (when Bach was a church organist — 200 years after Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel).  The only sounds you heard were those of nature–birds chirping, rustling leaves, whistling wind, the roar of the sea, the gentle wash of a babbling brook or running stream.  Think of this as the background music of the day upon which you hear the human voice: the sigh of a maiden in love; the jealous rage of a prince betrayed; the joyful song of family gathered around a crackling fire; a newborn’s cradle gently rocking on wide pine boards to his mother’s soft candlelight serenade.

People of the day spent their lives listening to the sounds of nature augmented only by music they made themselves, the notable exception being on Sunday.  Church music was an utterly exotic and extraordinary sound — and most likely the loudest sound anyone ever heard.

So, you fill the most impressive building in the city with the best art and music available anywhere on Earth and you’ve got a draw.   That’s what got people to church.  And it still does.  Just ask Greg Bover who buys most of the organs he builds at CB Fisk.

Regardless of their religious affiliations, more people go to church during big celebrations than at any other time — and a big reason is that’s when the music and pageantry (entertainment wrapped in ceremony) are at their best.  Check out this video of an Easter 2012 church service to see what I’m talking about:

All your shopping done? If not, NYRE Buttons could save your butt

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

OK, you’ve had Ladies Night and Men’s Night, but you’re still not done.  Or if you’re like me you haven’t started yet.  We went to Men’s night last night and what did I do?  Saw the Two Buddies Show at Alchemy, bought cheese, pate and olives at The Cave (I know I was supposed to by buying gifts, but I was hungry), talked with lots of people I don’t see every day and then it was late and Vickie and John (who had been Christmas shopping the whole time) wanted to go.  Oh well, guess I’ll go back to plan A, which is to start my shopping at noon on Christmas Eve.  Then I’m focused.

Henri Smith at Shalin Liu on NYRE 2011
Henri Smith at Shalin Liu on NYRE 2011

But wait!  You don’t have to procrastinate like I do.  You can get New Years Rockport Eve buttons for everybody still on your list.  It really is one of the best entertainment values you will ever get on Cape Ann with dozens of artists performing all over Rockport from 6 to midnight — and beyond (see live music schedule here).  Plus magic, puppetry, story telling, fortune telling, face painting, balloon making and lots more for kids and parents.

Here’s where you can get buttons:

In Rockport:
John Tarr Store, Main St.
Smith hardware & Lumber at the Lumber Desk, 3 Station Square
Toad Hall Bookstore, Main St.

In Gloucester:
Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Commercial St.
House of Raven, Main St.
Gloucester Music, Main St.

OK, now you’re done . . . and you can relax and enjoy all the great music this weekend.  You’ve got over 30 choices between now and Sunday.  See the full live music schedule here.

Satch Kerans at Shalin Liu on Friday with Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
“Satch” Kerans

This will be a great night, local favorite “Satch” Kerans  opening for Ronnie Earl & The Boardcasters.  Ronnie’s music truly transcends genres and touches the soul.   Some tickets are still available.

If Satch & Ronnie don’t do it for you check out the other great live shows happening around cape ann here.  Get out and enjoy the holiday with some great music, good friends and always good food.

Moms can take the kids to Holiday Delights tomorrow while Dad is at Men’s Night

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Or you could both go this weekend.  If you’ve never seen Holiday Delights before, don’t miss it this year.  No, it’s not JUST for parents of kids who are in it.  This is a professional production that you will actually enjoy.  And when you see one of these young actors in a major film, you’ll be able to say, I saw that kid when  . . .  Plus, If you bring your kids (and grandkids) they’ll just  love it!

HolidayDelights2012

 

Don’t panic, we’ve figured tonight out for you

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Raffle Prizes for the GCA FundraiserYou’re overwhelmed.  So are we.  That’s why we’ve got an itinerary that you can follow to make sure you get everything you really want to do into tonight.  It’s good practice for tomorrow (Men’s night in case you haven’t been paying attention).

For those of you who like to start early, it’s dinner at Jalapenos GCA fundraiser at 5pm.  While you’re there, enter to win some great prizes pictured to the right.  You don’t have to be present when the prizes are drawn in order to win.  Just be sure your name is on the raffle ticket.

At 6:30 catch the PART 1 premiere of Dan King on his Local Music Seen with Allen Estes farewell tribute with special guest J.B. Amero that we previewed in this post.  You can run home to catch the show, or, better yet, ask the bar manager where ever you are to turn the TV to Channel 12.

Then at 7, head over to Alchemy to see Chelsea Berry and drop off a toy for the Pathways Toy Drive.

Finish up the night at with Fly Amero and his 80s rock star guest Jon Butcher at the Rhumb Line.  Whew!

Then be sure to get plenty of rest so you can start all over tomorrow at Men’s Night.

Special Dan King farewell tribute premieres tonight on Channel 12

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Just in case you haven’t heard, Dan King is moving early next year.  So, in honor of one of Gloucester’s most important music figures, we had him down to the Cape Ann TV Studio to film a special two-part Local Music Seen farewell show with Allen Estes — and guess who showed up?  The great J.B. Amero!  Boy, did those guys have fun together!  Check out this gem we caught after we were done taping and the boys just started jammin:

You can catch the Part 1 premiere of this special farewell show tonight at 6:30 on Cape Ann TV Channel 12.  It will air again on Friday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 6pm.

Now before we started taping we asked Dan if he would represent GMG and here’s what he said — PAY ATTENTION, JOEY!

Toys, Toys, Toys! You’ve got plenty of chances to donate toys today and tomorrow!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Pathways for Children Toy Drive with Chelsea BerryI know it’s a very busy time of year and there is a TON going every night (see live music schedule here) but in the midst of all the frenzy, it just feels good to give a toy to a kid in need, doesn’t it?

Tonight you can go to Alchemy tonight between 7-9, hear one of our favorite singer/songwriters Chelsea Berry and donate a toy to the Pathways Toy Drive.

And if you can’t get to that, you have all day tomorrow to drop off a toy during Bruce Tarr’s North Shore Holiday Toy Drive sponsored by North Shore 104.9 from 6am – 6pm at 10 locations (4 of them on Cape Ann).  And for those of you who are like me and just can’t get enough of Chelsea Berry, you can see her at the MAC from 2-3pm when she’s on the radio.

ToyDrive

Remember Jon Butcher Axis? Ever thought you’d see Jon Butcher @ Rhumb Line? Tomorrow’s your chance.

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Gloucester legend Fly Amero has been hosting Wednesday’s at the Rhumb Line for some time now — and his guests range from more Gloucester legends to people you can’t see every day.  But tomorrow, he’s outdone himself by bringing Grammy-nominated 80s rock star, Jon Butcher as his guest.  Remember this MTV video from 1984?

Here’s what Fly has to say about tomorrow:

It is a thrill for me to present my good friend, Jon Butcher to
the local art community and to the music lovers of Cape Ann
at large.  This is a man who built a legacy for himself that
extends from its early roots in Boston to the far reaches of the
planet.  At last, after years away on the West Coast, he returns
to his adoring fans here in New England – all of whom clearly
remember his music and his legend.  This is Jon Butcher Axis.
And this is a one-in-a-million show you won’t want to miss!
~ Fly

From http://www.jonbutcher.com/

Grammy-nominated Jon Butcher is one of a select handful of
influential recording artists comprising the legendary Boston
music scene.  MTV vids and hit songs, “Life Takes A Life”,
“Wishes”, “Holy War”, “Goodbye Saving Grace”, “Miracles”,
“Send Me Somebody” comprise the underpinnings of a
recording/ touring career that continues today.  Two critically
acclaimed CD’s, “Positively The Blues” and “Electric Factory”
mark Jon’s enduring love affair with all things Americana –
blues, jazz, Dixieland, folk, swing, Cajun and more.

P&V’s LOL #4: The harder you resist change, the more you need it

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Direct Porportionality
y is directly proportional to x (y ∝ x)

Given that we’re now in our 4th week, those of you who follow GMG probably know about our Monday series Peter & Vickie’s Laws of Life (LOL, for short).  Click here, if you missed any of the first 3.  In our LOL #2, we introduced the concept of inverse proportions.  Today’s concept of direct proportions is much simpler and today’s law could be stated thus, The vigor with which you fight against change is directly proportional to your need for change.

It won’t take you long to think of plenty of examples of this LOL, the most obvious being addiction, but I thought I’d start with a personal one.  Back in 1998, when Vickie and I founded Van Ness Group, we built complex, data-driven websites and Web applications for public companies and big financial institutions.  We were experts in a niche and that was that.  People told us to diversify.  We resisted.  Local businesses asked us to build websites for them.  We refused.  Clients wanted us to help with marketing.  Forget about it!   We had spent 10 years becoming experts in employee stock benefit plans and 15 years in database technology.  We were determined to stick with it — and we did!  That is, until the niche vanished suddenly in 2001 right before our very eyes like a cheap magic trick.  YIKES.

Mayor Kirk alluded to this LOL in her Mayor’s Desk column with this gem, “Expansion of the commercial tax base is the antidote to rising taxes for homeowners which most people claim to want relief on but at the same time is fought every step of the way.”

Back to addiction.  You’ve probably seen or heard of addicts resisting, with all their vigor, the one thing that is their only hope — to quit.  But this applies to lots of things, not just drugs.  Before the Civil War, the South was addicted to slavery — they believed their economy depended on it.  But in the long run, the best thing for their economy was the abolition of slavery.

Now the one addiction I’ll just accept is music.  I’ll never try and quit.  Especially while I live in the middle of the hottest independent music scene north of NYC.  Just look at all the music this week — and it’s off season!

Here’s one of my favorite videos from MTV’s heyday about another addiction:

Zip Line Kid builds it up and knocks it down

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Isn’t it fun to watch what kids will do with junk?  Last year John built a Zip Line with stuff from the garage (see those videos here).  Watch his balancing act from today:

Nope, he’s not playing with any of those expensive gifts you get at the malls.  Something to think about this time of year, huh . . .

Here’s something you don’t see every day – and a bit of heresy too

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

OK, you’re probably already downtown at the Middle Street Walk, and you’ve already decided you’re going to the GMG XMAS party at 6, right?  Now Joey’s all dump the kids with a babysitter and get your naughty on and make some bad decisions and burn down the neighborhood.  Got it. But in between all that, you  might want to sneak away for a quick set of this guy at Minglewood Tavern — guaranteed to be something you don’t see every day.  He even made a funny little teaser for tonight’s show?  You just gotta respect anybody who goes to that much trouble to promote his Gloucester gig!

NOW FOR SOME HERESY
Just in case you feel like bucking the tide, you could consider a quick appearance at Bodin’s and duck out (sorry Paul) in time to catch the Cape Ann Big Band in (dare I say) Manchester … Nope, I didn’t get struck by lightning.  You won’t either.  But you absolutely will be struck by their awesome sound.  And tonight you get to hear one of my favorite singers, Renee Dupuis perform with them.  Just sayin’ you gotta choice.  Here’s a slightly wobly video, but with good sound, featuring some of the band’s hot solos and killer horns.

MORE HERESY AND A BIT OF IRONY
I just can’t help pointing out the irony of my most favorite, irreverent singer/songwriter of all time, Inge Berge as Fireside Dining.  But that’s how it’s being billed at Castle Manor Inn tonight.  Perhaps, during dessert, you could request this song:

Or it’s sequel:

More Inge Berge videos here.