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.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW for Berklee in Gloucester on October 25 at the Gloucester House

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Don’t miss the kickoff of the new  Berklee in Gloucester season with a benefit concert featuring the great The Jim Odgren Quintet at The Gloucester House in their front room with excellent acoustics.  The band plays jazz and standard songs in a style steeped in the rich tradition of 50’s and 60’s Blue Note jazz.  A portion of proceeds will benefit the Berklee2Gloucester Scholarship Fund.

Doors open at 6:30, so come for dinner and stay for the show.  You can purchase tickets on-line now or call 978-525-9093 reserve a table.  Seating is limited and last time the Gloucester House show was almost sold out, so don’t wait too long.

Here’s some more info on The Jim Odgren Quintet:

Both Professors at Berklee College of music in Boston, Dave Santoro (acoustic bass) and Jim Odgren (alto saxophone) co-lead the band. Joining them are three young and very talented Berklee student musicians – Roberto Giaquinto on drums, Davis Whitfield on piano and Lucian Gray on guitar. Their music swings hard, bringing out a style reminiscent of mainstream jazz from the era, combined with solos that venture into more modern sounds. Dave and Jim have released one cd together. It’s called “Day Dreaming“. It can be found on CDBaby here.

Jim Odgren, alto saxophonist extraordinaire, has put together an album filled with playing of extraordinary intricacy. Yet it’s executed with such style and ease, it’s accessible to the common listener. Its smooth melodicism, mixed with intricate lines and exiting harmonies makes this album a must to listen to. This is musicianship at the highest level and it deserves a place in everyones CD collection

Steve Johnson’s review of
Jim Odgren’s CD “Her Eyes” available here.

Berklee is back in Gloucester for a new season on October 25 at the Gloucester House

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

We’ve just worked out a new season of Berklee in Gloucester beginning with The Jim Odgren Quintet, featuring not one, but TWO BERKLEE PROFESSORS.  The band plays jazz and standard songs in a style steeped in the rich tradition of 50’s and 60’s Blue Note jazz.  We kick off the 2012/2013 season at The Gloucester House in their front room with excellent acoustics.

Doors open at 6:30, so come for dinner and stay for the show.  You will be able to purchase tickets on-line later tonight or tomorrow morning.  You can also call 978-525-9093 to get tickets.  Seating is limited and last time the Gloucester House show was almost sold out, so don’t wait too long.

Today we also set up the Gloucester2Berklee Scholarship Fund at Berklee.  This scholarship fund is earmarked for helping to send a Gloucester student to Berklee.  If you want to donate to the fund, bring a check to the concert, make it payable to Berklee College of Music and put Gloucester2Berklee in the memo.  Soon you may even be able to donate on-line.

Here’s some more info on The Jim Odgren Quintet:
Both Professors at Berklee College of music in Boston, Dave Santoro (acoustic bass) and Jim Odgren (alto saxophone) co-lead the band. Joining them are three young and very talented Berklee student musicians – Roberto Giaquinto on drums, Davis Whitfield on piano and Lucian Gray on guitar. Their music swings hard, bringing out a style reminiscent of mainstream jazz from the era, combined with solos that venture into more modern sounds. Dave and Jim have released one cd together. It’s called “Day Dreaming“. It can be found on CDBaby here.

Jim Odgren, alto saxophonist extraordinaire, has put together an album filled with playing of extraordinary intricacy. Yet it’s executed with such style and ease, it’s accessible to the common listener. Its smooth melodicism, mixed with intricate lines and exiting harmonies makes this album a must to listen to. This is musicianship at the highest level and it deserves a place in everyones CD collection

Steve Johnson’s review of
Jim Odgren’s CD “Her Eyes” available here.

What? Another reason to cross the bridge? Yup — local music, food & fun in Boston this Sunday

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Yesterday, we told you about local artists at Topsfield Fair and suggested that you go see them (see post here).

This weekend you’ve got another opportunity to see one of our local favorites, Satch Kerans, at the Boston Local Food Festival on Sunday.  Satch is on The River Plug and Play Stage at 1:30pm (see complete festival entertainment schedule here).  If you’ve never seen Satch, check out this video from the Songwriters in the Round series.

Before and after Satch’s set, you can catch the start and finish of the big, Boston version of Gloucester’s Seafood Throwdown (yup, these are the same people who produce the one at the Farmers Market) — and your boy, Peter Van Ness, will emcee once again.

Now for some evening excitement featuring 30 artists this weekend and your last chance to experience music aboard the Lannon in 2012 (see this post if you’re not sure what we’re  talking about).  See the complete list of live music in Gloucester and Cape Ann here.

Local bands at Topsfield Fair this week

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

You may not cross the bridge often, but local musicians have to if they want to make a living.  We love seeing locals in venues outside of Gloucester.  It’s kind of like going to an  away game.  You get to root for the home team, except musicians never lose.

This week is the perfect chance to show your Gloucester Love for musicians at the Topsfield fair starting tomorrow 10/4 with Full Circle 7-9pm on the Kiddie Land Stage.  Then on Saturday 10/6, it’s the distinctively Gloucester sound of  The Bandit Kings on the Trianon Stage at 6pm and 7pm and the GHS Docksiders on the Trianon Stage at 8:30 and 9pm.  You could wear your GMG T-Shirt so everybody knows you’re from G-Town.

Just to get you in the mood, here’s a fun video of the Docksiders Spring Break Fundraiser at GHS featuring a drum-off with special guest Dennis Monagle of the Bandit Kings

You know how we’re committed to starting the weekend on Thursday.  Well, have you noticed that Wednesday is now the new Thursday?  Nine live music choices tonight!  Check out all the live music in Gloucester & Cape Ann here.

COMING UP AT ROCKPORT MUSIC

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

This just in from Karen Herlitz, Director of Marketing @ Rockport Music:

ROCKPORT MUSIC 2012-13 SEASON

As part of Rockport Music’s 2012-2013 Season, we are pleased to provide a diverse set of musical offerings at the Shalin Liu Performance Center!

On Sunday, October 7, at 5 pm, Quartango—a group of four highly accomplished musicians, takes the music of the tango in new directions.  The musicians offer up a repertoire ranging from the classic tangos to tango nuevo and Piazzolla while fusing anything from jazz and opera to waltzes and jigs in their own inimitable style. Having performed with numerous orchestras around the world, Quartango is the recipient of multiple awards including three Opus Awards, a Félix Award and a Juno nomination.  Tickets:  $25-$39

The Classical Series opens with the Boston Chamber Music Society on Friday, October 12, at 8 pm.  Their program includes 2 string sextets by Brahms, Strauss’ String Sextet, TrV 279a from Capriccio, Op. 85, and Mendelssohn’s Capriccio for String Quartet in E minor, Op. 81, No. 3.  Considered one of the finest chamber ensembles in the country, the Boston Chamber Music Society has been a collegial ensemble distinguished by its enduring wide-ranging concert series.  Tickets: $46, $38, $28

On Saturday, October 13 at 12:55 PM, the Metropolitan Live in HD production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore will be shown at the Shalin Liu Performance Center.  A Pre-Opera Lecture by Dr. Elizabeth Seitz is held in the concert hall at noon.  Anna Netrebko makes her Met role debut as the beautiful landowner Adina in this new production of Donizetti’s comic gem L’Elisir d’Amore, directed by Bartlett Sher and conducted by Maurizio Benini.  Tickets: $32, $29, $20

Later on Saturday, October 13 at 8 pm, the California Guitar Trio & Montreal Guitar Trio willturn over 40 years of combined performing experience into one unique six-by-6-string event.  Combining California Guitar Trio’s steel strings with Montreal Guitar Trio’s nylon-stringed guitars, the trios chase each other’s fret boards in energetic and infectious arrangements that fuse progressive rock with world, jazz, and classical music.  Tickets:  $34, $28, $19

Celebrating a 45 year, prolific journey, the celebrated Chilean ensemble Inti-Illimani performs Sunday, October 14, at 5 pm. Linked to the past in spirit, the ensemble both Chilean and Latin-American experience, as well as to the universal human experience we all share.  Led by musical director Manuel Meriño, the ensemble performs on more than 30 wind, string and percussion instruments.  Tickets: $31-$52

Five-time Grammy® Award-winning Swingle Singers perform on Thursday, October 18, at 8 pm.  An international a cappella sensation, the Swingle Singers’ unmistakable sound and signature close-microphone technique has captured audiences and pushed the boundaries of musical innovation for almost five decades.  Today’s Swingles is a contemporary vocal super-group whose repertoire encompasses classical, jazz, Latin, pop, and rock—all accompanied by their own vocal rhythm section. “Everything about the Swingles is flawless.” (Los Angeles Times)  Tickets:  $46, $38, $28

On Friday, October 19 at 8 pm, Classical Jam, a young innovative chamber ensemble of flute, percussion, violin, viola, and cello is best known for its engaging and lively presentations for today’s contemporary audiences.  Their program is entitled From The Street To The Concert Hall with several works by Piazzola, , Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D Major, K. 285, as well as Classical Jam arrangements of J.S. Bach’s Art of Fugue and Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5.  Tickets: $46, $38, $28

Additional HD broadcasts include

Tuesday, October 9, 7 pm: Met Opera Encore production of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann

Thursday, October 11, 7 pm: England’s National Theatre production of The Last of the Haussmans starring Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter films, Calendar Girls).

Tuesday, October 16, 7 pm: Met Opera Encore production of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor

For tickets and more information on these and other concerts/events in the 2012-13 Season, please visit our website at www.rockportmusic.org.  Concerts are added throughout the year, so make certain you check the website for new additions.  Tickets are also available through the Box Office at 978-546-7391 or visiting 35 Main Street, Rockport, MA.  The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 10am-4 pm.

See daily concert lineup for Shalin Liu Performance Center here.

Just when you thought it was safe to crawl into a hole for the winter

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

What’s this?  More music?  More fun?  I thought this was the start of the slow season.  Nope.  The truth is, folks, that there’s no such thing as a “slow season” in GTown any longer — at least not when it comes to music and the arts.  There are plenty of restaurants that stay open year round, plus lots of other year-round venues for music and the arts.

And we’re seeing an expansion of music venues even after summer is over.  Catch 22 is expanding their music offerings to Tuesday – Saturday and  Seaport Grille has music tomorrow (a new player in Wednesday night music).

Sure we might relish the idea of less traffic downtown and fewer tourists walking the streets, but that wears off quick.  This is what we want, right?  A thriving music scene all year long.

And this is precisely the time of year when we can  support the steadfast restaurants and venues who stay open all year long (see them here – along with their live music lineup for this week).  The best way to convince them that they’re doing the right thing is to go there.

Oh, it gets better.  Perhaps you caught the Gloucester Times story about Endicott (see here).  Nancy Gaines’ insightful article focuses on the educational value that Endicott will provide Gloucester residents and only hints at how Endicott students will help revitalize our City, breathing new life into arts, culture, science, music — all in the “off season”.  Becoming a college town is likely to be the best thing that has happened to Gloucester this century.  Let’s welcome Endicott and the students, parents, vitality and just plain fun they are bringing to our City.

Call for Artists $50,000 public art project for Gloucester’s Harbor Walk ~ TONIGHT @ City Hall

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

From the City’s website:

The Committee for the Arts will provide information about the upcoming $50,000 Call for Artists to create public art for the Gloucester Harbor Walk and will take comments on ideas from artists and community members about potential art installations and the process.

Ready for Rocktober in Gloucester?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The fall entertainment season is in full swing this week with performances by your favorites and as well as some people you can’t see that often.  See this week’s schedule of live music in Gloucester & Cape Ann here.

And it all starts with the Bandit Kings Open Jamm at Rhumb Line tonight.  Remember, you still have time to help them make a record.  Click here to help.

You may know we’ve been adding more videos to gimmesound.com every week.  We’ve got a nice little collection of Bandit King videos here.  Here’s one of my favorites from their album Precious Stones (just love these harmonies).

So Joey, does this guy meet your criteria for safe bike riding in Gloucester?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

See this post if you’re wondering about my reference in the video to the woman from PeopleforBikes.org.

For those of you who don’t get the question, see Joey’s Obnoxious Bike Rider Rant.

Gran Prix of Gloucester Video from Day 1 – Look out Joey, lots of bikes around town

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

If you missed today’s psycho-cross excitement, this video will give you a feel for what you can expect tomorrow.  You really can’t miss this international sporting spectacle, complete with beer, food and plenty of fun for kids.  So bring the family up to Stage Fort Park tomorrow.  You’ll be glad you did.

Joey, you might want to listen to what Christy from PeopleforBikes.org has to say about putting more people on more bicycles more often — especially in Gloucester!

I ran into Thom Falzarano who shot more race footage.  Look for that coming soon.

After a day of cyclocross you may want to warm up a bit.  (Can you believe it? John and I were surfing last week!).  Plenty of good options for catching great live music (in warm, dry venues) from Beethoven to Ska to 80s to Zappa to Funk, Jazz & good ol’ Rock n Roll!  See tonight’s full lineup of live music in Gloucester and Cape Ann here.

Over 3000 people from all over the world coming to Gloucester this weekend

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

This is their 14th year.  Can you believe it?  The Gran Prix of Gloucester is a major, international sporting event — and this year Paul Boudreau and his gang are bringing over 3000 people from all over the world to Gloucester (950 riders each day plus a couple thousand spectators), including international superstars of this 150-year-old sport.

“If you talk to anyone who knows Cyclocross all over the world, they know Gloucester,” says Paul Boudreau.  Now it’s time for Gloucester to get to know him — and the sport of Cyclocross.  What is Cyclocross?  Think of it as crazy bike racing.  I call it psycho-cross.  As Paul says  in the video, racers prefer “crappy” weather.  They race through crazy difficult terrain, have to get off their bikes and carry them over obstacles and often get covered with mud, sand, snow — almost always ending up wet and filthy.  AND THEY LOVE IT!  You gotta come out and experience this spectacle for yourself.  These racers are the strongest, fastest, best fit, toughest sporting contestants you will ever see.  You’ve gotta be to compete.

Plus there’s plenty of food and beer.  Kid biking (5 and up) and much more.  It’s a two-day, family, international, world-class sporting extravaganza right here in our own backyard.  AND IT’S FREE!  Don’t miss it.

Oh, and these people LOVE Gloucester nearly as much as we do.  Look at what they say on their website Home Page:
Known nationally as “the New England Nationals” – unfolds at one of the most beautiful race venues in the country: wind-swept ocean side park. Winners are a veritable who’s who of cyclocross: Johnson, Vervecken, Trebon, Anthony, Powers, Bessette, Dunlap, Knapp and more. Gloucester is one of the oldest UCI races in North America and attracts hundreds of racers and thousands of spectators.  … The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester is two days of international races where competitors from all over the US, Canada & Europe converge to race in the most beautiful race course in North America.

FOR ALL YOU RACERS AND FANS:  From Paul’s description of you in the video, I get the feeling you like to party — well folks you’ve come to the right town.  You’ve got over 28 live music choices at 15 warm, dry venues.  And lots of them are on the water, so if you really want to sit out on the deck in the rain, just ask.  The owners will probably accommodate you.  We’re nearly as psycho as you are!

See the complete schedule for all Live music in Gloucester and Cape Ann here.

Revel in this last September weekend and get ready for the Rocktober spirit

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Well it’s not quite October, but beer festivals are already starting up.  Tonight Alchemy will host live music with Marina Evans and Dave Brown (normally they don’t have music on Thursdays) to help celebrate North Shore Beer Week featuring homemade brew’s from Cape Ann Brewery.  Check out her new EP and maybe you’ll want to request one of those songs.

Then you’ve got a choice of 21 artists Friday and Saturday (see schedule here)

Next Saturday (Oct 6) is the last 2012 Celtic Music Sail aboard the Lannon.  If you’ve never experienced truly acoustic music – no mics, no amps, no speakers – on a schooner in full sail, this should be on your bucket list.  (Now, I’m not suggesting that you’re not likely to make it until next summer, but why take the chance, right?)  You know you’re getting top musicianship when the wind is literally the only thing between you and the sound of voices and instruments.

(See more Michael O’Leary videos here)

Take advantage of our thriving music scene during these last few days of September, with over 30 artists performing this weekend (remember, the weekend starts tonight).  See the complete schedule of all live music in Gloucester and Cape Ann here.

Rhumb Line guest host, new blood & lots of new videos

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Allen Estes will be sitting in for Fly Amero tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Rhumb Line where he’ll introduce Maine singer/songwriter Barry Michaud to Gloucester.

We’re beginning to get caught up publishing new videos on gimmesound (we’ve still got a lot to go) and today we added several new Allen Estes videos (click here).  Below is one of his new songs about Good Harbor Beach that was recorded on Local Music Seen:

BTW: Surfing at Good Harbor has been spectacular the last three weekends.

Of course, you can see great music all week long and into the weekend.  Check out the full schedule of live music in Gloucester here.

Marina said Rock and she delivered

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

In her interview a couple of weeks ago (see here) Marina Evans said that Dogtown the title track of her new EP was a rocker — and when she released it today, she delivered.  Listen below:

You can catch Marina on Thursday and Friday this week (see her schedule here).

Tonight there’s a special Open Jamm with the Bandit Kings at Rhumb Line.  Don’t forget you still have time to help them make their record  (click here for more info).  If you’re not sure what I’m talking about and watch the video below:

Who is Yancey Strickler and why are Chelsea Berry and I so grateful to him?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

I met Yancey Strickler in October 2009, when we were on a panel together at the CMJ Music Festival in New York City talking about the future of music.  Having been a rock critic for the past 8 years or so, Yancey described himself as the Eeyore of the music business, with gloomy predictions for it’s future.  I, on the other hand, was optimistic, pointing out that yes the music business is changing — it’s changed dramatically several times over the past 100 years.  But one thing remains constant: people love music.  We crave it.  Most of us couldn’t even imagine a world without it.  If anything, our insatiable appetite for music is on the rise.

Little did I know that Yancey’s ability to channel his pessimism would revolutionize the music business so optimists like me could once again fall in love with new music.

A few months before we met, Yancey had co-founded KickStarter, a funding platform for creative projects that helps artists like Chelsea Berry raise the money she needs to make her new record.  This new funding model has revolutionized the music business more than any other development since the dawn of the Internet.  Don’t take my word for it, see what cranky music business pundit Bob Lefsetz says about it here.

On Tuesday, something momentous happened: after a tremendous push on her part, Chelsea Berry reached her KickStarter goal (but you can still contribute and get even more good stuff for doing so — just click here).  She IS going to make that new record with her new band that all of us really want to hear.  Here’s a taste of what to expect:

Perhaps Chelsea doesn’t fully realize that she’s also helping to build a new music world where musicians and fans rule — not the multinational corporations that bought up the labels and killed the intensely creative music business we all grew up with (baby boomers, that is).

Congratulations Chelsea — and thank you!

Don’t you wish you could just go out and see Chelsea and her band tonight?  Well you can’t, but you can help the guys in Runaround celebrate some birthdays at The Rhumb Line tonight — that’ll be a rockin’ party.

Indeed, there are nine excellent live music choices tonight.  Check out all the live music in Gloucester here.

And, if you’re near a TV at 1:30pm today, catch the multi-talented Brian King on Local Music Seen with Allen Estes.  It was supposed to premiere on Wednesday on Cape Ann TV Channel 12, but technical difficulties prevented that.  You can also catch it on Sunday at 6pm.