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.

Harborwalk Summer Cinema Kicks Off July 13

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HARBORWALK SUMMER CINEMA RETURNS
Gloucester’s outdoor movies series now in its 3rd year

Movie_2016_smallThe City of Gloucester, Cape Ann Cinema & Stage, and North Shore Radio 104.9 are pleased to announce The Third Annual HarborWalk Summer Cinema Series. These free outdoor movies will run Wednesdays for 5 weeks throughout the summer, July 13 to August 10 (with a rain date on August 17) at 65 Rogers Street (I4C2).

IMG_1548In addition to the partners listed above the, Harborwalk Summer Cinema Series is sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank, the Green Carpet Sponsor and North Shore Community College the Community Sponsor. Individual film sponsors include Doyon’s Modern Home, The Open Door Food Pantry, Toodeloos! Toys, The Building Center of Gloucester and Essex, and Manchester Athletic Club. Other local businesses providing support include: Ipswich Bank, Gloucester Stage Company, Auto Expressions, and BankGloucester.

Movies start at 8:00 PM (or when it gets dark, whichever is earlier), and feature the following blockbusters:

July 13––GREASE (presented by Doyon’s Modern Home)Come dressed as your favorite character- there will be a prize for the best costume!

July 20––Disney/Pixar’s FINDING NEMO (presented by The Open Door Food Pantry)Bring a canned good for the Movie Night Food Drive!

July 27––MINONS (presented by Toodeloos! Toys)

August 3––STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (presented by The Building Center of Gloucester and Essex)

August 10––Disney/Pixar’s INSIDE OUT (presented by Manchester Athletic Club)

The movies are a free “BYOC” event (Bring Your Own Chair”) free. Local vendors Kettle Masters, Nana’s Fried Dough, Joe Popcorn’s Slush, Salty Frank’s Hot Dogs, Copper Dome Crust Pizza, and Cape Ann Cinema & Stage will provide snacks for purchase.

While in Gloucester, guests are encouraged to take the opportunity to visit the HarborWalk. The HarborWalk features 42 “story moments” on Cape Ann-sourced granite markers that weave in and around the waterfront and through Gloucester’s historic downtown. As noted by former Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk, “Our goal was to link Gloucester’s waterfront with the downtown area, and to make it easy for residents and visitors to experience the working waterfront’s edge without interfering with it.”     North Shore 104.9 will provide pre-show entertainment with music, contests and prize giveaways beginning at 6:00 PM every night.

 

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park Begins July 10

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The Antonio Gentile Bandstand Summer Concert Series begins on Sunday, July 11, 2016, at 7:00pm, at the bandstand in Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester, MA. The series of eight free outdoor concerts is celebrating its Thirtieth anniversary. For most of those years the concerts have been produced by David Benjamin, who promises another exciting season of varied musical styles played by top professional bands.

The concerts are sponsored in part by area businesses and individual sponsors. The opening concert on July 10, will feature the Continentals, a popular New England pop-rock band playing your favorite “oldies” and many current cover tunes. The Continentals rain date will be Friday, July 15, at 7pm. All other concerts feature a rain date of the following Wednesday evening.

This season marks a return of the Cape Ann Big Band (Aug. 21), the fantastic Beatles tribute band 4Ever Fab (Aug. 14) and Lee Lewis and the Doo Wop Allstars (Aug. 28). Other featured acts are: Grupo Fantasia (July 17), Compaq Big Band (July 24), Old Cold Tater with Chick & Ellen (July 31) and the Cape Ann Community Band (Aug. 28).

CapeAnnBigBand LeeLewis

For concert information please contact David Benjamin, Tel. 978-281-0543,
email: David@DavidLBenjamin.com or visit www.DavidLBenjamin.com,

2016 Summer Concert Series ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Postcard Face, 2016 Meetinghouse Summer Series-finalThe Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents a series of 9 free concerts on Meetinghouse Green, corner of Church and Middle St., Gloucester, from July 8 to September 2, 2016.  The family-friendly concerts begin at 6 pm.  Bring a picnic, folding chairs or blankets.  In case of rain, the events will take place inside the Meetinghouse (no food or drink.)  The public is invite
d to make free-will donations to Cape Ann non-profit organizations partnered with each concert (bring cash/check!)  Parking is available next door at St John’s Church.

 

The concert schedule and non-profit partners:

 

July 8    Berklee Jazz Quintet & Linda Amero to benefit Pathways for Children

July 15  Ken Steiner Presents the Music of New Orleans to benefit Gloucester Stage Company

July 22  Peter Souza, 3 Sheets to the Wind to benefit Schooner Adventure

July 29  Northshoremen, Barbershop Chorus to benefit The Kestrel Educational Adventures

Aug 5    Willie Alexander and the Raztones to benefit Opioid Angel Program

Aug 12  Dory Mates + Brian King  & Nathan Cohen to benefit Gloucester Writers Center

Aug 19  The Milkhouse Heaters, Vermont to benefit The Grace Center

Sep 2      Cape Ann Big Band (Ensemble) to benefit GMF Fire-Sprinkler Project

Poster, 2016 Meetinghouse Summer Series-final

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation’s mission is to preserve the City’s oldest church building (1806), centerpiece of the Historic District on the National Register, and to expand its non-religious use as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community center.

BREAKING NEWS: Court Rules Led Zeppelin DID NOT steal Stairway to Heaven – do you agree?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

A couple of months ago, we posted the article below.  Here’s an update:

A few hours ago, an LA Jury found that Led Zeppelin did not steal Stairway To Heaven‘s iconic opening riff from Randy Wolfe (a.k.a. Randy California) who wrote the song “Taurus” for the band Spirit.  Best of all — according to the LA Times, the jury based their decision on hearing the music! Here’s an excerpt from the article:

Shortly before making that decision, the jury returned to the courtroom and asked U.S. District Court Judge R. Gary Klausner to hear recordings of both songs played on an acoustic guitar again. They were played twice, and the jury returned to deliberations.

Just 15 minutes later, the court reconvened, and jurors announced they had reached a verdict.

See the full article here.

Do you agree?  Below is our April 14 post on the subject along with a video of each song (the passage in question begins at :45 seconds into the song Taurus).

A recent article in the Boston Globe tells the story of several lawsuits against Led Zeppelin, with particular detail on a Los Angeles judge’s ruling to proceed to a jury trial this May in order to determine whether Jimmy Page stole the opening guitar riff to “Stairway to Heaven” from Randy California, composer of “Taurus” by the band Spirit.

Below are the two songs.  Listen to the intro of each one — especially the acoustic guitar parts.

Do you really think Page stole the lick?

 

BREAKING NEWS: Tickets just went on sale for Henri Smith feat. Charles Neville in Beverly Aug 19

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Gloucester’s Henri Smith returns to Beverly on August 19 after headlining last year’s wildly successful Beverly Block Party! For this summer’s Mardi-Gras themed concert at Beverly’s Vittori-Rocci hall, Henri welcomes Grammy-winners Charles Neville and Amadee Castenell with a special appearance by the New England Nevilles featuring Charles Neville with his two sons: keyboardist Khalif and drummer Talyn.

This concert features reserved seats (get them here) with plenty of room to dance in the aisles with Henri, the New England Nevilles and the whole band during the traditional Second Line.

Ice Trampoline Challenge – Who is up for it?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Our son John came up with this challenge the other day with @ 10 LB of Cape Pond Ice but this time they bumped up the challenge with 40LB of ice.  Melissa Cox has agreed to the the Ice Trampoline Challenge after Fiesta – anyone else up for the Challenge?  John will shot, edit and post your Trampoline Ice Challenge Video.

If you want to see more of John’s videos (including Gloucester GoPro videos) subscribe to his Youtube Channel here.  Please like his videos too

 

Breaking News: Court Rules Comcast can’t slow down GMG Videos or block GMG posts!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Well, it’s actually A LOT bigger than GMG.  The New York Times just reported the following:

The two-to-one decision from a three-judge panel at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday came in a case about rules applying to a doctrine known as net neutrality, which prohibit broadband companies from blocking or slowing the delivery of internet content to consumers.

For us, here in Gloucester, it means that Comcast can’t intentionally slow down your streaming of a Netflix movie or a GMG video and it can’t block a GMG post — not even this one!

It’s a big win for GMG and everyone who uses the Internet … but, as you might expect, the fight isn’t over.

Check out the NYT article here.

Funny Girl at NSMT grabs you and won’t let go!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Shoshana Bean is Fanny Brice in North Shore Music Theatre’s production of FUNNY GIRL playing thru June 19, 2016. Photo © Paul Lyden

Every once in a while a live show delivers a truly moving theatre experience.  North Shore Music Theatre‘s production of Funny Girl is it.  This musical has everything you’d want in an evening out: It’s funny, heartwarming, music is stellar and the dancing is engaging — especially the tap.

Most importantly, the star, Shoshana Bean, grabs you from the moment she enters the stage and keeps hold of your emotions while she beckons your hopes, dreams and fears to go along with her on a wild ride through the early 20th century life of Zeigfeld Follies star Fanny Brice.

Shoshana Bean (who was the first replacement actress for the role of Elphaba on Broadway in the musical Wicked) has a gorgeous voice and is perfectly cast in the role made famous by Barbara Streisand on Broadway in 1964 and on film in 1968.  Bean is an extraordinarily good actress whose physical comedy and timing make this NSMT show one of our favorites in a long time.  Even our son loved it and he’s jaded by having been around rock stars all his life!

Funny Girl is selling fast and only running through June 19th, so get your tickets right now, RIGHT HERE!!

Here’s live performance of Fanny Brice singing one of her hits just to get you in the mood  . . .

Here’s the first of our son’s Gloucester Go Pro Montage Videos

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Cape Ann Big Band Summer Concert on June 17th.

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The Cape Ann Big Band will be hosting its only Spring/Summer Concert at the O’Maley Middle School on Friday June 17th at 7:00pm! 80% of all ticket sales will help fund new instruments and band room renovations at the Middle School. We’ll be featuring an opening set by the all new O’Maley School Jazz Ensemble! Come check these guys out!

Tickets on-sale here for $20. Seating is General Admission.

Joshua Nelson & The Kosher Gospel Singers at Temple Ahavat Achim – Sunday June 5th

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Joshua Nelson at TAA flyer - JPEGhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Woid2dcFTqrS1YRIMbM2YFdxb795OEbsutcVFtd0yDs/viewform

Summer Songwriting Classes for Kids 10-16

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MA Songwriting Poster

Space is limited here is the registration form Songwriting SignUp

SELL OUT WARNING: Roomful of Blues Cruise this SUNDAY

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

When I lived for a while in the mountains near Woodstock, NY, people there used to say, “We have three seasons: July, August and Winter.”  This spring might make you wonder if the same is true here in Gloucester.  It’s not.  Nice weather is around the corner and it starts this weekend when we celebrate Memorial Day and call it the beginning of summer (even though astronomically, summer isn’t for another 4 weeks).  So … good riddance oh nasty spring — IT’S TIME TO PARTY!

But here’s the thing: even if our capricious New England weather decides not to cooperate, which we all know is possible, you can still party in supreme comfort aboard The Beauport Prince Cruise Ship on Memorial Day Sunday with 5-time Grammy nominees Roomful of Blues!  That’s because the Beauport Princess is a Cruise Ship (not a whale watch boat) sporting 2 climate-controlled indoor decks with dance floors PLUS an open-air top deck — and there’s a full bar on every deck.  For this cruise, we have theatre seating on the first deck, tables on the 2nd deck and couches on the top deck — because Mother Nature could be nice to us after all!  Tickets are only $35 in advance ($45 at the dock if there are any left — this cruise has sold out the last 2 years).  It’s the best Memorial Day bargain you’ll find so get tickets right now RIGHT HERE!

Tomorrow (SAT) Miranda Russell Performs the Last Show at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre before it Closes

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Miranda Russell and her band play a wide variety of repertoire from jazz to folk-rock invasion to contemporary gems. Critics routinely praise Miranda for her dynamic vocal range and unique treatments of celebrated songwriters such as Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, as well as standards from the American Songbook.  You will also hear at least one song from one of Miranda’s favorite artists: Prince.

Tickets are still left.  Best available seats are in the balcony.  Get Them Here.

The Band:
David Sparr – keyboards
Justin Piper – guitars
Joe Kessler – fiddle and mandolin
Dave Landoni – acoustic upright bass & bass guitar
Leo Ciaramitaro – drums

Special Guests:
Folk Singer Daisy Nell
Singer Cecelia Russell
A professional opera singer
Trumpeter Tom Palance

Note about the Larcom Theatre : The owners of the Larcom Theatre have put it up for sale. We are working to preserve this historic treasure as a performing arts venue rather than see it go condo. If you would like to help us in this endeavor, please call Vickie or Peter at 978.525.9093 or contact us here.

Get Ready for Cape Ann Symphony’s Season Finale with this Mesmerizing Look at Brahms

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Can you imagine a more spectacular climax to the Cape Ann Symphony‘s most spectacular season?  On Saturday (5/21) you can join Yoichi Udagawa and the top classical players on Boston’s North Shore for a stellar evening of music.  This kind of concert doesn’t come along very often.  Believe it or not, there are still tickets available for this Grand Finale. Get Tickets Here.

Watch this mesmerizing video to get you in the mood . . .

 

We’re not always right but we’re right about this

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Once in a while we pick a winner.  This is one of those times … trust me.  Ruby Rose Fox will be a major Rock Star in the not-too-distant future.

We’ve presented Ruby Rose Fox on stage twice: Opening for Martha Davis + The Motels last April at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre (where Sheila Roberts Orlando took the photo at right) and in a co-bill with Jesse Dee at The Cabot last July (see this review).

In addition to being one of the best singers and songwriters we’ve encountered over the past dozen or so years, Ruby produces extraordinary videos (see them here).

Today she premieres a double feature.  That’s right, folks … 2 videos at once.  See a review by Infectious Magazine here.  Better yet, watch and enjoy, below (top volume and full screen recommended).  You can see Ruby at Katrina’s on June 18th with Gloucester’s own Inge Berge opening (another one of our favorite singer/songwriters/video producers — see some of Inge’s videos here and listen an excellent Inge Berge song below).

Art Garfunkel & Savoy Brown — Right Down the Road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre This Weekend

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Tickets are still available to both Larcom Theatre concerts this weekend featuring two legendary performers:

Tomorrow (SAT) at 8pm, British Blues Pioneer Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown celebrate 50 years and more than 5,000 rockin’ shows from the Royal Albert Hall to Carnegie Hall to the Fillmore East and West and now Beverly’s Larcom Theatre!  In this interview, Kim Simmonds tells Blake Maddux of the Beverly Citizen, “I’m bringing a guest vocalist in for a few songs. It will be a quite different show that people might never see again.”  GET TICKETS HERE.  Savoy Brown’s “Tell Mama” was featured on HBO’s hit series Vinyl.

Then on Sunday at 6pm you can experience the magic of an intimate evening with one of popular music’s most revered icons, Art Garfunkel, who brings his astounding performance to the gorgeous, acoustically stellar Larcom Theatre.  There are still a few tickets left, with the best available seats being in the Balcony (remember the last row of the Larcom’s balcony is only 60 feet from the stage).  GET THEM HERE.

Miranda Russell on 104.9FM w/ Dana & Mugs Tomorrow (5/11) at 8:30AM

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Miranda Russell in front of The Larcom Theatre

If you live in Gloucester, you most likely listen to North Shore 104.9 FM radio for local news, happenings, Red Sox games, classic rock and the best local morning show on radio, hosted by Dana Hersey & Kevin McGonagle (Mugs) who lives in Gloucester.

Tomorrow morning (5/11) at about 8:30 local vocalist Miranda Russell will be their guest.

Miranda will give a little preview of her concert next Saturday, May 21 (right down the road at The Larcom Theatre, Beverly’s most intimate, acoustically stellar listening room) and perhaps a bit about what to look for this season at Russell Orchards (her farm in Ipswich) and probably a surprise or two.

Dana & Mugs are always entertaining — and when they’re joined by a world-class entertainer it’s even more fun.  Check them out!

Here’s a taste of what you can expect from Miranda at her concert on May 21. Tickets (starting at only $19.00) are still available, but they’re selling fast.  The best seats are in the balcony.  Get them here.

BREAKING NEWS: 2nd Annual Gloucester Harvest Music Festival Tickets On Sale NOW

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Here we go again!  The Addison Gilbert Citizens Fund presents their 2nd Annual Gloucester Harvest Music Festival on September 17th at I4-C2.  Tickets went on sale today (get them here).

This year’s lineup includes:

Nadia Robertson
Henry Allen & the New Swingset
Allen Estes
Back Eddy
Zili Misik
Liz Frame and the Kickers
Zepparella
Danielia Cotton

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Check them out here.

Mark your calendar for a gorgeous day of music, food, wine, spirits and fun on the water in America’s Original Seaport.