Category: gloucester

VALENTINE’S EVENING GLOUCESTER STAGE PRESENTS TRIALS OF LOVE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

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Robert Walsh, Artistic Director     Jeff Zinn, Managing Director

From: Heidi J. Dallin, Media Relations Director Phone: 978-281-4099/978-283-6688 Email: hjdallin@hotmail.com

Dating Comedy Show Trials of Love arrives at Gloucester Stage for Valentine’s Day

 

Mike Dorval’s hilariously interactive Trials of Love comes to Gloucester Stage for one night only on Valentine’s Night, Wednesday, February 14 at 7:30 pm. After playing to sold out houses at the Charles Playhouse in Boston — the side-splitting cast will be laughing along with couples on this side of the bridge. According to GSC Managing Director Jeff Zinn, “Trials of Love is truly unique — each new couple and audience brings fresh fodder for comedy. It’s the perfect date night out, ladies’ night, or group outing.”  This interactive problem-solving comedy show, hosted by Mike Dorval, the show’s creator, will run Valentine’s Night, Wednesday February 14th at 7:30pm at Gloucester Stage at 267 E Main St, Gloucester MA 01930. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m.; reserved seating; tickets available online at gloucesterstage.com.

 

Trials of Love, crafted by Dorval, a renowned standup comedian, brings everyday couples into the Love Judge’s (Dorval’s) ‘courtroom’ to have their relationship conflicts worked out through comedic insight and juried audience participation. The couple receives prizes and a lifetime courtroom pass — as well as having their relationship saved — and the partner who emerges victorious is awarded an official proclamation for their triumph. The Love Judge promises there isn’t a couples’ conundrum he can’t resolve — although he does footnote that “isn’t an actual promise.”

The show features fellow comedians from around the East Coast and New York, Carman Lagala, Sam Evans, Emily Ruskowski, Katie McCarthy, and Srilatha Rajamani.

In addition to each night’s featured couple on trial, the Lightning Round of Love gives every member of the audience an opportunity to stump the Love Judge with their relationship dilemma, and the top problem of the night also wins a prize — in addition to their newfound flaw-free relationship!

For more information or tickets visit gloucesterstage.com or  Facebook/Twitter/Instagram@GloucesterStag

SANDPIPER BAKERY AND EASTERN POINT LIT HOUSE JOIN FORCES TO BRING THE “BREAD POETS SOCIETY” INAUGURAL EVENT!

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MY WHAT BIG FEET YOU HAVE HEDWIG! -By Kim Smith

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My what big feet you have Hedwig! A Snowy Owl’s feet are covered in feathers, providing insulation against Arctic temperatures–just like a pair of warm fluffy slippers.

Hedwig left her perch and walked over to a patch of snow, which she proceeded to eat. She also washes her face and feet in snow patches.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE SNOWY OWLS STAY IN GLOUCESTER? -By Kim Smith

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Not all Snowy Owls migrate south, but the ones that do leave the Arctic tundra to winter over in North America arrive at their wintering grounds (areas such as the Massachusetts coastline) usually beginning in mid-to late-November. Some don’t arrive until December and some as late as January. They migrate along coastlines, prairies, river valleys, and even mountain ridgelines are thought to help guide the Snowies.

By mid-April, most Snowies have left Massachusetts, although one study that I read recorded a Snowy that did not leave Logan Airport until July 7th! Another study reported that in most cases, the Snowy Owls that did not leave until summer were non-breeding birds in their first year of life.

How long will Hedwig stay? She appears to be getting plenty to eat and is quite well adapted to backshore living, despite her throngs of weekend fans. Let’s hope her stay is a good one and that she returns to the Arctic this summer to make lots of little Hedwigs and Bubos!

SNOWY OWL WATCHING TIPS: The following are some helpful tips for watching Snowy Owls.

  1. Watch from a comfortable distance–comfortable for the bird that is. Nothing makes the Owls more stressed than people getting too close.
  2. Please keep children from throwing rocks towards the Snowy or anywhere within the vicinity of the Owl.
  3. Please don’t allow dogs to play near the Snowies.
  4. There have been reports of Snowies flying into cars. They often fly low when flushed and it is easy to understand why this may happen, especially as the Snowies are drawing so much traffic. Please be on the look out when you are in known Snowy Owl territory.
  5. Slamming doors, radios blasting, barking dogs, and loud mufflers all stress the Snowies.

Thank you Everyone for being good caretakers of Hedwig, Bubo, and all the Snowies during their stay in Gloucester!

Jennifer and her daughters Ellie and Isla are super Snowy stewards, keeping well beyond the 150 feet recommended for safe observation.

PRINTING A LIMITED EDITION OF “Super Blue Blood Moon Over Gloucester”

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

PRINTING A LIMITED EDITION OF “Super Blue Blood Moon Over Gloucester”

Dear Friends,

I am receiving so many requests for photos and would like to honor your requests while also trying to find a hassle-free, simple way to do this and not take time away from completing my documentary film about the Monarchs.

If you would like an 8 x12 print of the “Super Blue Blood Moon Over Gloucester’s UU Church” photo, please place your order by emailing me at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com, commenting in the comment section of this post, or facebook messaging me. We are printing a limited edition at 95.00 each, which includes shipping and tax. The image will be a giclee print on fine art hot press paper.

We will accept checks or cash. Place your order before February 8th (within this upcoming week) and payment must be received by February 15th (within two weeks). The limited edition images will be printed that week and mailed immediately. Your order is not placed until you have received a confirmation of payment.

If this system works smoothly, I think we’ll do the “We Love You Too Snowy Owl” or Piping Plovers “OctoPop” next 🙂

Thank you all so much for your interest ❤

A FEW MORE PHOTOS #SuperBlueBloodMoon OVER GLOUCESTER -By Kim Smith

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A rare beauty treat this morning to see the Super Blue Blood Moon descending, with a touch of the lunar eclipse. My favorite photo is the one posted this morning and here are a few more.

Wednesdays with Fly Amero @ The Rhumb Line ~ This weeks special guest: Lynne Taylor 7pm 1.31.2018

Posted on by Joanne

 

 

Dinner Specials Each Week!
Wednesday, January 31st – 7pm
My Musical Guest: LYNNE TAYLOR!

Well know as the rockin’ upright bass player for Liz Frame’s
Kickers, Lynne Taylor also happens to be a wonderful song
writer and singer. She comes to us this week with every
ounce of that potent energy we love and have come to expect.
I personally am really looking forward to this one, folks! ~ Fly
Dinner with great music!
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
The Rhumb Line Kitchen…
…now features Janet Brown with some new and healthy ideas!
Plus a fine, affordable wine menu!
Next week…
2/7 – Howlin’ Bill Gleason

Visit: http://www.therhumbline.com/
Looking forward…
…to seeing you there 🙂

#SuperBlueBloodMoon OVER GLOUCESTER -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A rare and spectacular trifecta of Moon events occurred this morning– a Blue Moon, a Supermoon, and a lunar eclipse. Additionally, I have been trying to get a shot of the Moon slipping behind the UU Church. I thought it would be beautiful if it ever lined up all at once, to see Moonlight coming through the open arches of the UU Church’s steeple. In the past either the weather didn’t cooperate or the site line was off. Today, joy! And because of the eclipse there is a magnificent red shadow edging the Moon’s glow.  

From NASA: So for viewers in the East the Moon will enter the outer part of Earth’s shadow at 5:51 a.m., but Johnston says it won’t be all that noticeable. The darker part of Earth’s shadow will begin to blanket part of the Moon with a reddish tint at 6:48 a.m. EST, but the Moon will set less than a half-hour later. “So your best opportunity if you live in the East is to head outside about 6:45 a.m. and get to a high place to watch the start of the eclipse—make sure you have a clear line of sight to the horizon in the west-northwest, opposite from where the Sun will rise,” said Johnston. 

 

 

SNOWY OWL HEDWIG TAKES A BATH! -By Kim Smith

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Filming and photographing Cape Ann wildlife I have experienced extraordinary beauty and fascinating behaviors at nearly every encounter but filming a Snowy Owl take a bath has to be one of my favorite captures. I think there are a number of reasons why we are so captivated by these beautiful creatures. Most owls are nocturnal, which doesn’t allow much viewing of their day to day life. On the other hand, the diurnal Snowy Owl gives us a wonderful window into their world. Culturally, owls symbolize wisdom and intelligence and the characters they are assigned in literature strengthen our associations. Mostly though we are drawn to these creatures because they do not appear to be afraid of us, unlike most wild animals. Snowies will become irritated and depart an area when startled, or are being pestered, but I don’t sense fear in these Arctic visitors. I wonder if most have ever even seen a human being prior to migrating south.

Hedwig was a contented mess, her feet and talons blood stained reddish pink from a fresh kill. It was the morning after a storm, and the crevices atop Bass Rocks held pools of icy fresh water.

She gingerly at first hopped over to the largest pool, paused, and then jumped in. Repeatedly Hedwig dipped her face into the water to drink. After quenching her thirst, she plunged her entire face into the pool of water. She cleaned her face feathers by rubbing them against her breast feathers. Immersing, rubbing, immersing, rubbing, her face was clean in no time.

Then Hedwig went all in, dipping and soaking all her feathers, but not all at once did she completely submerge herself. I think that would have left her vulnerable to predators if she were unable to fly. She dipped and soaked, then fluffed her feathers, then repeated all several times more. The total length of time was about 40 minutes; she was still fluffing when I had to leave. Watching a Snowy Owl take a winter bath was beautiful and fascinating, unexpected and funny and am overjoyed to have captured with photos and film.

Happiness is a long winter bath.

A flock of Herring Gulls had the same idea. 

SNOW STORM BACKSHORE ATLANTIC ROAD HIGH TIDE SURGE AND EXPLODING WAVES -By Kim Smith

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Today during the snow storm at 8am at peak high tide, this is what the exploding surf along Atlantic Road looked like. Cold and windy, with big fat wet snowflakes, it was beautiful nonetheless.

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE 10TH ANNUAL LOBSTER TRAP TREE BUOY AUCTION!

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Photos from Art Haven’s Lobster Trap Tree Buoy Auction fundraiser.

HUGE SHOUT OUT TO CATHERINE RYAN, CAPE ANN READS ORGANIZER AND DIRECTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE!

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There are so many to thank for the tremendous success of the Cape Ann Reads Book Fair and Celebration, but one huge extra special shout out goes to Catherine Ryan for all that she did to make the day sing.

Thank you Catherine ❤ ❤ ❤

 

Unfortunately I didn’t take very many photos today, but here you can see Mayor Sefatia giving accolades to Catherine for not only the tremendous job she did helping to launch and organize Cape Ann Reads, but for her role as the Mayor’s art liaison, and for all that she does each and everyday for the Cape Ann arts community.

Ribbon Cutting for the inaugural Cape Ann Reads celebration, the first of what promises to be an annual event.

SUPER FUN KID ACTIVITIES AT CAPE ANN READS TODAY AT CITY HALL!

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From noon to four this afternoon City Hall will be abuzz with a special celebration exhibiting the work of Cape Ann children’s book authors and illustrators. Each author has a table with their projects. Come meet and talk to the authors about their original stories. The illustrators have created art coloring sheets taken from the pages of the books to give to guests. The award ceremony, hosted by Mayor Sefatia, takes place at 1:30. This is a unique and new book fair created by Cape Ann’s four library directors, Deborah Kelsey (Gloucester), Deborah French (Essex), Sara Collins (Manchester), Cindy Grove (Rockport), and art director Catherine Ryan.

I am looking forward to seeing all the artists coloring sheets. My Monarch Butterfly project and documentary film Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly first incarnation was an illustrated book, then photo exhibit, and now film.

The illustration above is of a male and female Monarch mating. The Monarchs fly up into a tree and stay joined together, abdomen to abdomen, for about four hours. The blue butterflies are a cousin of the Monarchs, the Blue Tiger of India (Tirumala limniace), but you can color your butterflies anyway you see fit–I’d love to see a pair of rainbow Monarchs 🙂

Read more about the Cape Ann Reads celebration in a post by Catherine about Gail McCarthy’s Gloucester Times article here.

DON’T MISS THE ANNISQUAM VILLAGE PLAYERS THIRD ANNUAL WINTER CABARET!

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Join past and present members of the Annisquam Village Players for an evening of live entertainment. Admission includes wine and appetizers. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Entertainment starts at 7:30.