Willie Alexander at Music Meetinghouse Green

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni


August 20, 2021

WILLIE ALEXANDER’S PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY ORCHESTRA PERFORMS FRIDAY AUGUST 27 AT MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN
The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents Willie Alexander’s Persistence of Memory Orchestra in a free Friday evening concert on Meetinghouse Green at the corner of Middle and Church Street, August 27 at 6:00 p.m.

Gloucester native Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander continues to astound with his legendary talents as a singer, songwriter and keyboardist. Willie’s artistic and emotional integrity resonates with young and old, with rhythms and vocals reflecting his storied musicianship. Starting with The Lost, a 60’s garage rock ‘n roll band, to the post-Lou Reed Velvet Underground, and the 70’s punk Boom Boom Band, Willie’s Persistence of Memory Orchestra, born in the 90’s, is still rocking with energy today.

Free-will donations go to the evening’s featured local non-profit partner, the Gloucester Education Foundation, a local organization that expands student opportunities and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Gloucester Public School District.

Fresh pizza will be available from Sebastian’s Pizza. The 2021 summer music series is dedicated in memory of Harry Hintlian for his encouragement, generosity, and for making the Meetinghouse a net zero building. For more information, a full schedule of upcoming concerts, and to sign up for the GMF newsletter, visit www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org.

CONCERT DESCRIPTION

Willie’s musicianship crosses many genres, including Art Rock, Proto-Punk, Experimental Rock, Power Pop, and New Wave. In the very beginning he would sneak into church, where his father was Baptist Minister, to pound the piano. This led him to playing keyboard, with early influences including Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Afro-Cuban music and Jazz were also big influences. Winner of many musical accolades and an accomplished visual artist, Willie is famously humble. When inducted into the Musical Hall of Fame in 1987, Willie said, “I’m not used to getting awards. I’m used to playing the piano and singing.”

Music on Meetinghouse Green, now in its sixth season, features nine free Friday evening concerts with great music, favorite foods from local vendors, and benefits a different North Shore non-profit organization each week through free-will donations from the audience. Concert goers bring lawn chairs and blankets to spread out across the spacious green. Performances are handicap accessible, parking on the Green is limited to persons with disabilities only.

ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION
Founded in 2015, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is dedicated to preserving the landmark building as a civic hub, entertainment venue, and community center. In addition to its work to preserve the historic 1806 Meetinghouse, GMF is currently raising funds to restore Meetinghouse Green to provide a safe and more flexible outdoor concert and event venue.

OUR SPONSORS
Thanks to our Sponsors all the series’ expenses, such as for the musicians, are pre-paid. 100% of the free-will donations go to our non-profit community partners.

Platinum          John & Janis Bell, J.J. & Jackie Bell, Cape Ann Savings Bank, J. Linzee Coolidge, Scobie Ward

Gold                 BOMCO, Michael & Mary Ann Bresnan, Landesign, Inc.

Silver               Anonymous, Tom Burger & Andrée Robert, JoeAnn Hart & Gordon Baird, Pat Johnson & Jeff Henderson, Susan McKain & Ken Steiner, Charles Nazarian, John & Sandra Ronan

Bronze             Jerry Ackerman, Karen Bell, Pamela Bynum & Henry Ferrara, Peter Calkins & Susan Casey, Frederick Cowan, Richard Gardner, Rev. Janet Parsons, Dick Prouty, Joe & Maggie Rosa, Peter & Kathleen Van Demark, Kathleen Williams, Sarah Willwerth-Dyer & Michael Dyer

 

 

1606 Oyster Bar

Posted on by Nichole S.

A couple of friends and I had some fun with AC at the Beauport’s new bar in the 1606 Restaurant. Check out the restaurant and bar here: https://1606restaurant.com/ If you’re lucky enough to be there while AC is behind the bar you’re in for a treat.

Stacy Boulevard History Lives On

Posted on by Pat D

A few days ago, I posted the photo seen here and many of you correctly guessed its location at the top of the boulevard near the Tavern sign. But I did not see many thoughts on its significance. The date 1924 likely marks the first sidewalk installation, nearly 100 years ago. As you see from this excerpt, our own Stacy Boulevard was conceived to honor the 300th anniversary of the City. As we approach the 400th anniversary celebration, I find it significant that the medallion is still there after nearly a century.

From The Gloucester Guide by Joe Garland and excerpts available online:

The esplanade was conceived by George Stacy when that flamboyant hotel man became park commissioner in 1908, brought to reality on the inspiration of the three hundredth anniversary celebration in 1923, and restored in 1988. To make way for it, Gloucester (which has always had a partiality for moving heavy things around) relocated up in the back streets the houses that crowded the harbor side of Western Avenue. Fill was dumped; a new seawall was made; trees were planted; the esplanade was laid out; the benches were bolted down; and three years before his death in 1928, Mr. Stacy saw his boulevard done, his promise kept.

Dollar Oysters! We’ve got $1 oysters for you every day we’re open at Tonno Gloucester!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

tonnogloucester's avatarcapeanneats

Dollar Oysters! We’ve got $1 oysters for you every day we’re open! Enjoy shucks for a buck during the first hour of service, 4pm – 5pm. Rotating oysters from New England and beyond; we’re keeping the selection as fresh as can be!

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More Feathers than Fur — pat morss

Posted on by patmorss

Seems like mostly birds around this week, and the animals are out of sight.

Redwing on the lookout
Molting Little Blue Heron preening on the Niles Pond lily pads
We feared injury, but our family experts assured us not
It takes effort slogging through this year’s water lily crop
Easier going for this Canada Goose at the shoreline, but dining with head underwater is messy
This turkey’s nemesis (reflection) never goes away
I call this guy a Rhino-Turk
A Downy Woodpecker enjoying a decadent dessert
A Nuthatch has an advantage feeding upside down when there’s little seed left

This weekend don’t miss the 40th Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival, at Stage Fort Park.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This weekend don’t miss the 40th Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival, at Stage Fort Park. Over 150 booths of juried arts, crafts, food vendors, authors and musicians. Enjoy free “family style” entertainment including live music and various performance art. Bring your appetite for fantastic fair food including fried dough, fresh wraps, kettle corn, Italian sausage and more! The Rotary Club hosts annual pancake breakfast Saturday morning and The North Shore Car Club will display various antique automobiles Sunday. The Gloucester Waterfront Festival hours are Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 9am-5pm. More info at www.castleberryfairs.com

If this doesn’t tug at your heart you’re not human.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

and I’m not even a dog person…

DANCE Performances next week at Windhover

Posted on by James Eves

PRESENTS:

Michael Trusnovec and Company in

Legacy: Looking Forward and Glancing Backward

Friday, August 27th, 2021 at 7:30pm & 
Saturday. August 28th, 2021 at 7:30pm

Dance luminaries perform works by legendary choreographers Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, and Margie & Chris Gillis

Michael Trusnovec and Annmaria Mazzini

Rockport, MA – Windhover Center for the Performing Arts presents Michael Trusnovec & Company performing Legacy: Looking Forward and Glancing Backward on August 27th and 28th at 7:30pm. The event is a full evening of modern dance featuring works by legendary choreographers Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, and Margie & Chris Gillis, as well as new choreography.

Michael Trusnovec

The performance is conceived by Michael Trusnovec, former soloist with Paul Taylor Dance Company and hailed by the New York Times as “one of the world’s most luminous dancers.” Trusnovec is joined by Xin Ying, current star of the Martha Graham Dance Company, Annmaria Mazzini of Mazzini Dance Collective, Bradley Beakes of Doug Varone and Dancers, and dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker Thryn Saxon. Additional live music is provided by virtuoso guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan.

Archival photo of Martha Graham performing Immediate Tragedy

The program includes Vers la Glace, choreographed by Margie and Chris Gillis and James Kudelka with music by Eugene Friesen, and performed by Michael Trusnovec and Annmaria Mazzini; solo from Spindrift, choreographed by Paul Taylor and danced by Michael Trusnovec; Immediate Tragedy choreographed by Martha Graham and danced by Xin Ying; A Moment More, choreographed by Hernando Cortez and performed by Michael Trusnovec, Shedding Velvet, choreographed and performed by Bradley Beakes and Thryn Saxon, and additional choreography by the company.

Tickets are $34 and are available at https://windhover.org/performances/ or by contacting the Gloucester Stage Box Office at 978-281-4433 or boxoffice@gloucesterstage.com.

For more information about Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, please visit https://windhover.org/

Rainy Day Comfort Food from Bischo

Posted on by Pat D

As I write this, it is just pouring rain and there are flash flood warnings. All I want to do is crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head, but GMG Jimmy saved the day with this bit of comfort food from Bischo on Main Street. PERFECT.