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.

Don’t make the Bowie Mistake I made in 1973, 1974 & at least a dozen times since…

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

When I was a teenager it felt like I’d live forever.  By 18 or 19 I had lost that feeling of invincibility, but transferred some of its essence to a select group of celebrities whom I admired.  David Bowie was one of those lucky few. Brilliant, enigmatic, mysterious … in my mind, mythical … it felt like Bowie would live forever.

I had a chance to see the Ziggy Stardust tour in NYC, but for some reason it didn’t work out. Funny how I can’t remember what kept me from going, but if I had seen Bowie in 1973, I’m quite sure I’d have no problem recalling THAT experience today.

Then in 1974 I had a chance to see his Diamond Dogs tour when he came to Indianapolis. “But I want to see Ziggy,” I thought. (A friend who had gone to the show I was too “busy” to attend told me how “completely blown away” he was.)  I’ll just wait until he comes back around with that show.

Here’s the thing: Bowie never came back around with anything. Rather, he broke barriers and blew our minds for another 42 years … and every time I might have seen Bowie live there was always something keeping me from going, any sense of urgency lulled to sleep by my fabricated assumption that he’d be around forever.

When I saw “The Man Who Fell to Earth” (I think at the Harvard Square Theatre — still one of my favorite movies) I remember saying to myself I MUST see Bowie live someday.

Monday morning when I awoke to the news of Bowie’s death (which felt shockingly untimely) reality hit: “Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do …” I’m never going to see Bowie live.

Vickie and I were just saying last week that we had to see Bowie on this next tour … and I was confident that we would because, even as recently as last week, it still felt like Bowie would live forever.  And he will through his music.  We still have that … here’s his latest masterpiece.

What are you doing for New Years Eve? Rockport has a great lineup

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

RNYE-promotion-poster

Advance Buttons are only Adults: $15.50 Youth $10.50 & Child $5.50 available online or At Store Locations:

     IN ROCKPORT:

        Bean & Leaf Cafe, 12 Bearskin Neck

          John Tarr Store, Main Street

          Rite Aid Pharmacy, Whistlestop Mall

          Smith Ace Hardware & Lumber,   Lumber Desk,3 Station Sq.

          Toad Hall Bookstore, Main Street

     IN GLOUCESTER:

        Building Center, Harbor Loop

          Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Commercial St.

          Common Crow, Eastern Avenue

          House of Raven, Main Street

          Wally’s Blackburn Bistro, Blackburn Center

 

National Christmas Tree & Mass Christmas Tree

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Had a wonderful time walking around DC last night in short sleeves.  Temp as about 65 degrees.  The Lincoln Memorial was as inspiring as ever — this monument never loses its power.

We thought FOBs might like to see a shot of the National Christmas Tree and the smaller Massachusetts tree that was among trees from all states surrounding the National tree.

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Shop Local for a New Orleans Experience & a Holiday Tribute to a Music Icon

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Henri Smith for the New Orleans Peoples Project – taken after Allen Toussaint’s funeral in New Orleans.

Vickie and I applaud everyone who promotes shopping locally and truly appreciate people who buy tickets to local concerts as gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.  This Saturday at 7pm we present our third New Orleans Christmas concert at Beverly’s fully-restored, acoustically stellar Larcom Theatre starring Gloucester’s Henri Smith and featuring renowned trumpeter Stanton Davis (who performed with Henri at Celebrate Gloucester 2010) and Grammy-winner Amadee Castenell on Sax & Flute.  This year, Henri’s full brass band (complete with Tuba) will perform a special tribute to one of Henri’s mentors, Allen Toussaint, who died last month while on tour in Madrid.  Tickets are available here.

Check out this video of Henri with Allen Toussaint that I shot last year in Allen’s dressing room at Berklee Performance Center. Allen explains how Henri serves as a New Orleans ambassador — and also has very kind words for Amadee, saying “When Amadee was in New Orleans we didn’t leave home without him.  He’s our favorite saxophonist!”  Then he reveals why Amadee no longer lives in New Orleans.

This will be an emotional show for Vickie and me.  We hope you’ll join us in a Christmas Second Line Parade through the aisles of Beverly’s Larcom Theatre.

SELL OUT ALERT: Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops TOMORROW (SAT)!

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Once again, we’ve got you covered with a sell-out alert while you can still get tickets. Sunday is sold out, but if you act fast, you can get into tomorrow’s Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert. BUT … they won’t last long so CLICK HERE and get them now!

SPECTRUM SINGERS PERFORM AT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 AT 3:00PM ~ Tolling the Bell for Paris

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Tomorrow the Gloucester Meetinghouse will toll the Paul Revere bell in the Meetinghouse tower at 2:45pm, 15 minutes prior to the Spectrum Singers concert.  We will do this in honor of those who died or are suffering in Paris, the worldwide victims of terrorism or intolerance, and affirmation of our precious heritage of religious freedom.

The concert was planned before the tragic events in Paris but speaks to our common humanity through musical settings of the psalms and prayers of the 3 Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – including the premiere of a choral piece by Mohammed Fairouz.  It concludes with the hauntingly beautiful setting of Psalm 90 by Charles Ives with the full chorus, soloists, bell choir, chimes and organ.

Whether you subscribe to a traditional religious practice or simply find a divine presence in nature…we hope you will join us for this meaningful community event.

Gloucester Meetinghouse, Spectrum Singers, letter flyer

SRO Seats Available for Yardbirds with Gloucester’s KBMG Opening

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

As always, we alert our GMG friends when a show is about to sell out. Gloucester’s KBMG (Dan King, Dave Brown, Dave Mattacks & Wolf Ginandes) are opening for The Yardbirds, right down the road at Beverly’s intimate Larcom Theatre this Friday 11/20 and there are 8 single seats left, but we added 8 more standing tickets behind the last row in the Orchestra.  The standing tickets are only available by phone on a first-call-first-served basis, so if you want them, please call 978.525.9093.  You can leave a message if you get voice-mail and one of us will call you back.

You may know that Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton were all former lead guitarists for The Yardbirds.  Malden, MA native Johnny A is their newest lead guitarist and by all accounts is carrying on the tradition in stellar fashion.  You may have also heard the story of when Jimmy Page left the Yardbirds to form his own band, he was going to call it “The New Yardbirds” and his friend Kieth Moon quipped, “Well that’ll go over like a led zeppelin.”

Here’s a video of a Yardbirds show from a couple of days ago.  They are HOT!

VIDEO: Henri Smith with the Great Allen Toussaint

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Last October, Gloucester’s Henri Smith chatted with Allen Toussaint in Allen’s dressing room at Berklee Performance Center.  Check out Allen’s reaction to Henri’s song.  Plus you’ll LOVE what Allen says about Amadee Castenell!  You can see Henri and Amadee along with award-winning trumpeter Stanton Davis (who performed with Henri at Celebrate Gloucester) on December 5 right down the road at Beverly’s fully-restored, acoustically magical Larcom Theatre.  Tickets available here.

A moving expression of love for his wife and his country

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

As we honor those who give their lives in defense of our freedom, we thought we’d share perhaps the most eloquent account ever written by a soldier of what compels him to serve.

SELL OUT ALERT – Fly Amero opening for Steve Miller Band TONIGHT in Lynn – Less than 50 tickets left

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

It’s not often that a local musician gets to open for a major rock star at a big venue like Lynn Auditorium with over 2000 seats, but then, not every local musician is Fly Amero either!

That’s right, Fly Amero is opening for the Steve Miller Band tonight at Lynn Auditorium and there less than 50 tickets left.  GET THEM HERE if you want to go.

We’ll be there tonight cheering for one of our favorite local legends while he’s on the big stage!

 

Gail McCarthy’s wonderful profile in today’s Times highlights local musicians

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Jon Butcher at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre

We are tremendously honored to have our gimmeLIVE work featured by Gail McCarthy in today’s Gloucester Daily Times (see article here).

In particular, we want to thank Gail for highlighting the stellar musicians who make Gloucester such a vibrant place to live, especially Jon Butcher, Fly Amero, Allen Estes , David Brown, Dan King, Dave Mattacks, Wolf Ginandes, Henri Smith, as well as some of our regional favorites Danielle Miraglia, Johnny A., John Cafferty , Michael “Tunes” Antunes, The Delta Generators, The Willie J. Laws Band.

Most importantly we want to thank all the fans — especially GMG fans — who get off the couch and come out to support live music in our little slice of heaven up here on Boston’s north shore.  As Dave Brown says, “We’re nothing without you!”

Here’s a little video treat — the Yardbirds having a bit of Halloween fun in PA last Saturday with Johnny A (who recently joined the band) on lead guitar (past Yardbirds lead guitar players include Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page & Jeff Beck, so I’d say our local guy, Johnny A., is in pretty good company.)

SELL OUT ALERT: There are only a few seats left for the Yardbirds show right down the road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre with local favorites KBMG opening!  Get tickets here before they’re all gone.

Santa at The Larcom Theatre ~ A Magical Experience to Benefit the YMCA

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Santa_PosterEnjoy a magical 90 minute Christmas program with your child at Beverly’s fully-restored, historic Larcom Theatre!
  • Multi-media presentation of The Night Before Christmas narrated by Le Grand David (David Bull) of the Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company
  • Christmas songs by Allen Estes
  • Sing-along with Allen & Santa’s Elves
  • Special appearance by Santa
  • Perfectly Lit Photo Op with your child and Santa together on stage.
  • Limited Seating Available – Get Tickets Now

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church on 10/31/15

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

On Halloween Night — Saturday, October 31st at 7:30pm International Sonic Artist Peter Krasinski will be accompanying the 1920’s silent film “Phantom of the Opera” starring Lon Chaney, on organ.   “Creative costumes” are encouraged; everyone in costume can join a parade at intermission and be eligible for prizes.

Phantom-Halloween-2BDESCRIPTION:

Experience a unique evening of entertainment for the whole family with one of the most famous silent film actors of all time, Lon Chaney, in his legendary role as the Phantom of the Paris Opera House.  When Krasinski accompanies a film it becomes literally a “once in a lifetime” event. Well known in the Gloucester area for his improvisational skills he began perfecting his craft at Hammond Castle and has become internationally known as a master of his art.  This is a “do not miss” evening!

This event is the first of 2015-16 Concert & Lecture Series to benefit the Meetinghouse Preservation Fund.   For more information see:  www.gloucesteruu.org

This event takes place at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester MA 01930.    Doors open at 7:00pm, the show starts at 7:30pm.

ADMISSION:

$15 general admission, $12 seniors (over 65) & students; children under 12 free.

Cliff Eberhardt & Louise Mosrie @ Old Sloop Nov 7 — Don’t miss this one!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Two of our favorite performers, Cliff Eberhardt and Louise Mosrie will share the stage at Rockport’s Old Sloop, one of Cape Ann’s best listening rooms.  If either of these artists were performing solo, you’d want to go — but the two together is like an early holiday gift!  Get tickets now RIGHT HERE before they sell out.

Cliff Eberhardt and Louise Mosrie

If you saw Cliff open for The Jon Butcher Axis this summer at The Cabot, you know what I’m talking about.  If not, check this out:

Here’s Louise Mosrie on Local Music Seen with Allen Estes

Salem News Profiles Gloucester Blues Fest Performer who’s returning to Beverly on Saturday

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Check out this insightful profile by Will Broaddus in today’s Salem News of blues star Victor Wainwright and soul star Eli “Paperboy” Reed, who are sharing the stage on Saturday with local blues icons Ricky King Russell and Parker Wheeler — right down the road at Beverly’s Larcom Theatre.

If you missed Victor Wainwright‘s rousing performance at the 2014 Gloucester Blues Festival (he got the first standing ovation of the day) you’ve got your chance to make up for that on Saturday — and if you did see him, you’re probably dying to experience the power of his music in an intimate, acoustically spectacular venue.  But don’t wait ’till the last minute.  Tickets are going fast.  Get them here.

Here are a couple of videos to get you psyched up for Saturday’s show:

Crow Fest -Saturday 10/24/15 at Common Crow

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

CrowFestJoin us for a day long celebration of fall’s harvest at Common Crow Natural Market on Eastern Avenue! Live music in our backyard with Treehouse Charlatan, Brian King and more! Food demos, free samples, giveaways, community tables, art & family activities, herb and wellness classes, chair massages and 15% off storewide all day! A way of saying thank you to YOU, our incredible customers, for an amazing first summer season in our new digs.

Schedule of Events:
9am Bike Brigade
Road Bikes meet Jim Dowd at Niles Beach, Gloucester for Guided Ride to Store; Mountain Bikes meet Erin Canniff at Dock Square, Rockport for Guided Ride through South Woods

10am Crow Fest Begins
Cider Press Demonstration and Fresh Cider Sampling by Essex County Greenbelt;Community Tables with Cape Ann Farmers Market, Rockport Exchange, Open Door, Cape Ann Fresh Catch, Salt Marsh Poultry Farm, Cape Ann Vernal Pools Reptile Display; Vendor Demos and Storewide Samples & Giveaways All Day!

10 -11 Music
Bonnie Barrish & Jane Shapiro

10-12 Kid & Family Art Activity
Coco Berkman & Rocky Delforge Printmaking Station

11am Wellness
Family Plant Walk with Dr. Nicole Andrade

12-1pm Music
Drumming with John Holland & Lisa Bouchie

12-2pm Wellness
Common Crow Medicine Show with owner Pat Towler

12-4pm Kid & Family Art Activity
Crow Mural painting with Tina Lamond

1pm Family Activity
John Mahaney of Gloucester Uechi Karate Academy
Karate Demonstration and Instruction

1-2pm Wellness
Guided Ayurvedic Shopping Tour with Angela Corcoran

1-2pm Music
Brian King with Mike Leggio

2-4pm Wellness
Complimentary Chair Massage by Karen Lohnes

2-4pm Wellness
Meet the Herbalist with Margi Flint

2-4pm Music
Treehouse Charlatans

Rockport HarvestFest – Saturday 10/17/15

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

October 17, 2015 9am to 6pm

Here is the Music Line-Up

Rockport Harvest Fest in Rockport MA

TOMORROW, Saturday, October 17, 2015
10:00 am   QUENTIN CALLEWAERT

Harvey Park Stage
11:00 am   BRIAN KING

Harvey Park Stage @ 11:15
11:00 am   COLD CHOCOLATE

T-Wharf Stage
1:00 pm   OLD COLD TATER

T-Wharf Stage
1:00 pm   CHARLEE BIANCHINI

Harvey Park Stage @ 1:15 with Jack Tomaiolo
3:00 pm   SASQUATCH

Harvey Park Stage @ 3:15 with John Hicks
Joe Wilkins 3:00 pm   Listen to Joe Wilkins JOE WILKINS

T-Wharf Stage ~ with NuFolk Duo featuring Ryan Goodhue on Accordion
5:00 pm   ABOVE WATER

T-Wharf Stage

MUSIC & MEDITATION IN THE MEETINGHOUSE with Elizabeth McLindon & Brian King

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

MUSIC & MEDITATION IN THE MEETINGHOUSE (MMM) featuring meditation leader Elizabeth McLindon and singer-songwriter Brian King, October 25, 2015 at the Gloucester UU Meetinghouse

BASICS:
Meditation and Music combined in a candle-lit setting October 25, 2015 at 7:30pm in Gloucester’s Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church Corner of Middle and Church Streets, on the green

Free-Will Offering, Fully Accessible, and Everyone is Welcome
Social Gathering Afterwards with Light Refreshments
Church Contact: Karen Rembert, info@gloucesteruu.org , (978-283-3410)

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is pleased to announce the next event of its monthly series called Music & Meditation in the Meetinghouse (MMM) that offers Cape Ann residents and visitors a unique combination of beautiful music and relaxing meditation.  Each MMM event offers the participants an opportunity to enjoy a different combination of peaceful self-awareness through various kinds of meditation enhanced by the musical offerings.

The October event features meditation leader Elizabeth McLindon singer, Brian King.  There will be a collation with light refreshments afterwards in the Entrance House, giving participants the opportunity to meet the leaders and each other in a convivial atmosphere.

The MMM experience is intended to be comforting, entertaining and spiritual but it is emphatically not a church service.  It is held in the candle-lit sanctuary of the grand Meetinghouse, a place of gathering and welcoming for the entire Gloucester community for over 200 years.   The Meetinghouse, whose lantern tower with a Paul Revere bell has guided generations of mariners safely into our harbor, is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is the oldest and largest surviving building of its type on Cape Ann.

The Sanctuary is accessible with facilities for persons with disabilities via the side entrance at 10 Church Street.   A free-will offering of $10 is requested but no one will be turned away and everyone is welcome regardless of financial capability.  Find your way Sunday evening to the green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets to discover an hour of peace, enjoyment and contemplation in Gloucester’s historic 1806 Meetinghouse.

MEDITATION LEADERElizabeth McLindon:  Elizabeth McLindon

With early roots in Catholicism, Elizabeth studied Theravadan Buddhism in the 1990s, and has been practicing Mahayana Buddhism for the past several years.   She learned Transcendental Meditation in 1983, then Insight meditation in the ‘90s, and is focused now on Shamatha and Vipashyana which is a big part of her life and practice.   Elizabeth is a local massage therapist and meditation teacher.

MUSICIAN:  Brian Kingbrian king fly add

BRIAN KING is a singer, songwriter, and performer acclaimed for his soulful voice and evocative lyrics. As a vocalist he’s been called the male Amy Winehouse. With his original songs, Brian carries audiences through raw meditations on love, loss, and identity. His song “Cold Rain” was recorded by New Orleans Soul Queen, Irma Thomas, on her Grammy-nominated CD “Simply Grand,” earning the track high praise in Rolling Stone, USA Today & The Village Voice. He also does fun fresh takes on songs from Joni Mitchell & Johnny Cash to Prince & Billie Holiday. Whether solo or with his neo-cabaret band, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?, Brian has performed to packed houses like Club Passim in Cambridge MA, Joe’s Pub in NYC, Shalin Liu in Rockport, MA, and venues throughout the US. For more info visit www.whattimeisitmrfox.com