My View of Life on the Dock
51 ROCKY NECK restaurant has been nominated for “the Best of the North Shore awards” *BONS*
in six categories
Five under the “Dine” group-
*Alfresco,
*New Restaurant,
*Overall,
*Best Burger,
*Water View
And one under the “Drink” group-
*Patio
If you would like to help us, go to
https://www.nshoremag.com/bons-2025/#// (https://www.nshoremag.com/bons-2025/#//)
and cast you votes
And tell your friends!
Thanks, Patrick
Where: ZOOM
When: March 19, 2025, 7:00pm
Please join us as we listen to respected Paul Balmer discuss his artistic journey. This exciting talk is open to all members of New England Experimental Art Group.
Paul Balmer was born and raised in South Africa. At seventeen he moved to Australia where he studied Fine Art at the Drawing School in Sydney and Graphic Design at the Sydney Institute of Technology. After university Paul spent several years working in illustration and advertising in Australia and America. Paul eventually left commercial art and moved to Europe to pursue his passion for painting. While living and traveling through England, Italy and France he explored various subject matters but was always drawn to Neoclassical architecture and sculpture. This exploration led to Paul’s first gallery shows in London and Boston featuring large scale Neoclassical paintings. Moving to New York City in 1999 was a turning point in his career. What started as a journey into traditional academic painting gave way to works of the imagination. His paintings took on a naive and abstracted quality. And although his subject matter continues to evolve, the colors, shapes, and primitiveness of his work is markedly influenced by his roots in South Africa and Australia.
Paul’s work is included in many private and public collections including Delta Airlines, Marriott Hotels Boston, The Queen Mary 2, The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital and Suffolk University. His work has been shown in galleries in the U.S., UK, Holland, South Africa, South Korea and Australia.
Paul recently moved to New Canaan, CT where he lives with his wife and young children.
The New England Experimental Group is a creative forum, its main mission is to increase public awareness and to foster self-expression by bringing artists together to explore and share ideas that cultivate creative freedom.
If you would like to learn more about The New England Experimental Art Group please contact: Nella Lush, Experimental Group, Chair, via email at experimentalartgroup@gmail.com.
The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is delighted to announce the Rocky Neck Winter Fest 2025, a dynamic weekend event celebrating art and community, taking place Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, February 9, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
RNAC Member Pop-Up Show and Fundraiser: “Art to Warm the Heart and Soul” at Cove Gallery (11 AM–5 PM)
RNAC Member Artists invite you to a heartwarming pop-up show and fundraiser celebrating kindness and community on Rocky Neck and beyond. A portion of the sales from this exhibition will be donated to CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund), a mutual aid organization that assists with relief efforts for artists affected by the fires in LA. Enjoy light refreshments while exploring the art on display — paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, and more.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special pop-up exhibition featuring artwork from Rocky Neck Art Colony artists. Explore paintings, drawings, ` sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry, all priced at $500 or less.
Participating Artists: Kristie Bernard, Paula Borsetti, Jason Burroughts, Jillian Demeri, Paige Farrell, Jackie Ganim-DeFalco, Kathleen George, Karen Gross, Leslie Heffron, Nancy Henry, Joanne Hurd, L. Marie Lamarche, Bob Murphy, Crissie Murphy, Judy Robinson-Cox, Amy Sudarsky, Juni Van Dyke
Live Portrait Drawing at The Cultural Center (11 AM–5 PM)
Watch local artists create live portraits or sit for your very own!
Pre-register for a 30-minute session, [https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A8AC28A4FDC07-54496831-winter#/] or simply walk in.
Cost: $50 per portrait. Proceeds benefit RNAC and the participating artists.
Participating Artists: RNAC Member Artists: Amy Sudarsky, Janet Grover, Mary Lee, Helen Tory, Vanessa Michalak, and Invitational Artist Jill Hoy.
Valentines Makers Event at The Salted Cod Arthouse (4 PM–5:30 PM)
Join us upstairs to express your love with a fun, creative Valentine’s card(s).
Tickets: $20.00, includes supplies. Light refreshments will be served.
While you’re at The Salted Cod: Browse and purchase RNAC members’ artwork on-site.
Enjoy food and beverages at The Salted Cod Arthouse bar.
Additional Open Studios and Galleries:
Michalak Fine Art
Old Salt Studio
Hughes Bosca/Side Street Gallery
RNAC Member Pop-Up Show: “Art to Warm the Heart and Soul” Continues at Cove Gallery (11 AM–5 PM)
Don’t miss the second day of this special Valentine’s Day-themed exhibition.
Participating Artists: Kristie Bernard, Paula Borsetti, Jason Burroughts, Jillian Demeri, Paige Farrell, Jackie Ganim-DeFalco, Kathleen George, Karen Gross, Leslie Heffron, Nancy Henry, Joanne Hurd, L. Marie Lamarche, Bob Murphy, Crissie Murphy, Judy Robinson-Cox, Amy Sudarsky, Juni Van Dyke
The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street
The Salted Cod Arthouse, 53 Rocky Neck Avenue
Cove Gallery, 37 Rocky Neck Avenue
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The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering artistic excellence. Through exhibitions, workshops, residencies, historical tours, and cultural events, RNAC brings vibrant arts programming to its members and the public. Explore RNAC’s three exhibition spaces on picturesque Rocky Neck. For more information, visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org or call 978-515-7004.
Join us for a night of delicious food and fantastic tequila at Machaca. Indulge in a carefully curated menu paired with the finest selection of G4 Tequila.
Immerse yourself in a culinary experience like no other, surrounded by great company, and a vibrant atmosphere. Jason will be back to educate and walk us through each tequila we are sipping. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening!
Doors open at 5:30pm, No assigned seating
Dinner & Tequila Tasting 6pm – 8:30pm
Menu by Chef Luis Pardo:
Ensalada de Pepino con Camarón
G4 Blanco Tequila One
Crisp slices of cucumber and red onion, paired with succulent shrimp, all drizzled with a tangy homemade Mexican teriyaki glaze.
Pan Vazo
G4 Madera Blanco Tequila Two
Fluffy dinner roll filled with a savory blend of seasoned potato, spicy chorizo, and tangy red pickled onions.
Tostadita de Cangrejo
G4 Reposado Tequila Three
A crispy mini tortilla shell topped with delicate crab meat, nestled in a smooth, flavorful cream sauce.
Calabasita Rellena
G4 Anejo Tequila Four
Tender zucchini stuffed with a savory picadillo—ground beef sautéed with vibrant vegetables—topped with rich Machaca sauce and melted cheese.
Dessert & Raffle G4 Bottle Winner!
Tres leches
Please notify us two weeks before event of any food allergies or dietary restrictions at machaca.restaurant5@gmail.com
Parking close to restaurant is available on Rogers street, Cape Ann Savings parking lot or St. Peter’s Parking lot.
Tickets available in link below:
Machaca
Tacos & Tequila
14 Rogers St
Gloucester, MA
Not so much boating weather. It’s officially February and the Town Landing at the end of the Essex River is completely frozen. No boating for quite a while it appears.
I noticed this update on where to locate Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana as of February 1 and thought you might be interested too. We definitely need to know where to find these guys! From their Facebook page:
From the Annisquam Village Players regarding the annual Cabaret event:
~ CHASNAZ
”Curcuru’s docuseries, “Timeline: Cape Ann”, produced for 1623 Studios, focuses on the history,culture and heritage of Cape Ann. This event will present eight of Curcuru’s shorter videos,telling the story of Cape Ann’s unique history in jewel-like form, from the “first boss-lady,”Abigail Trask of Manchester-by-the-sea to Rockport’s long celebrated but little understood“Paper House,” actually a much more complicated tale than just a house of newspaper. Curcuru will be guiding the audience with his exciting style of storytelling. The films will be shown on a big screen, in collaboration with the Cape Ann Community Cinema, in the Meetinghouse. This will be a highly entertaining celebration of Cape Ann’s quirky, singular history.
The film showing will be held on Saturday, February 15th at 7:30pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). Parking is available on the green. The admission for the event is $20 General, $5 Students (all ages), under 12 free. An elevator is available from the side door at 10 Church Street. For more information please visit: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
The new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to set your sights on a fresh start. Whether you’re decluttering your home, moving to a new space, or gearing up for a big project, Grove Street Self Storage is here to help you achieve your 2025 goals.
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I cried listening to it then, and I still get chills listening to it now.
After the light snow on Saturday, it so pretty outside decided to take a quick walk on the Boulevard.
What a great idea from Tonno Gloucester on Main St! From their Facebook page:
Downtime…
Valentine’s Week Hours
You’ll flunk this quiz: Who wrote the first computer program?
Believe it or not, it was a brilliant young woman in the U.K.
Now guess when.
Answer: the 1850’s. That’s right: long before computers were even invented.
And if you remember the classic poet Lord Byron, here’s a bit you’ll really love: That young girl, Ada Byron Lovelace, was the poet’s only daughter — and he abandoned her.
All of which somehow makes for a heartwarming, heartbreaking, inspiring stage play, Ada and the Engine, presented by Castle Hill Productions, at the Crane Estate in Ipswich February 27 through March 9.
Featuring some of the North Shore’s most beloved actors, Ada reveals a tangle of family tensions and an intriguing glimpse into the mind of a child genius who produced revolutionary scientific work in spite of rigid Victorian-Era attitudes about women.
“It’s the perfect production for Women’s History Month,” says director Kristina Grundmann, who founded the theatre company for The Trustees, the non-prof that owns and operates the Castle Hill property. “A girl haunted by her absent celebrity father, partnering with a male inventor but mentored by a female scientist, navigating her mother’s anger — it’s a whirlwind. But a beautiful whirlwind, because it’s such a brilliant, delightful script.”
Ada and the Engine was written by Laura Gunderson, one of the theatre world’s most popular new playwrights.
The play will be presented in the intimate ballroom of the Crane Estate’s grand mansion. As a result, seating is extremely limited. Theatre lovers are urged to buy tickets online immediately. Trustees members will pay $28, non-members $35. For more information: www.TheTrustees.org/Ada, or phone 978.356.4351.
Ada and the Engine stars Stanis Ames (of Salem) as Ada, along with Karen Dervin (Billerica), Chris DeStefano (Ipswich), Conor Burke (Somerville), Julie Butters (Salem), and Gary Ames (Salem).
WHERE: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich
WHEN: February 27-March 9, Thursday-Saturday at 7 pm, Sundays at 6 pm
HOW: Tickets may be purchased online in advance. Trustees Member: $28. Nonmember: $35. Please visit TheTrustees.org/Ada or call 978.356.4351 for more information.
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About the Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit supported by members, friends and donors and our more than 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
Fred Shrigley announced the winners of the 2025 Chili Cookoff. I don’t know who gets photo credit on this as I just borrowed it from Fred’s Facebook page, but it’s not my photo. Fred says: “Sunday was so much fun with so many great variations of chili. Pictured here are the top three.1st Place Chris Silva 2nd place Susan Gould Coviello and 3rd place Eve Favalora and the customers voted for Chris #1, Paul McDermont 2nd and Brenda Leahy 3rd” We got there late but were able to congratulate some of the winners. Well done once again Rhumb Line, participants and customers.
photos: The Cape Ann Symphony Annual Meeting was held in Minglewood Harborside (the Tavern) full service special event space on January 29, 2025.
What an impressive and humble assembly of dedicated supporters! Many board members have helped the symphony for years. Board President, John Todd, reviewed the prior season and made certain to introduce the contributions and efforts of CAS officers and members, like Martha and Roy Mayne from Manchester. Martha has been hanging CAS posters for 15 years on Cape Ann and beyond. Her husband, Roy, now assists her. Todd extended regrets from Maestro Yoichi Udagawa who was attending to his father. Robert Ellis, Chair of the Program Committee explained that planning for the 2025/2026 season is well underway and the program reveal will be announced soon. Shhh! Don’t forget that a major milestone anniversary is on the horizon for Cape Ann Symphony, a cultural anchor on Cape Ann then and now. There is so much fun history to tap into. Lynn Khambaty mentioned that the Cape Ann Symphony Musicians Unleashed Sunday Broadway event was sold out, and detailed how these small delights evolved from antecedents decades past when donations were dropped in a bowl at the back.
In the meantime, the Cape Ann Symphony big spring concert for the current season is coming up Sunday March 16th at 2pm: Mendelssohn, Saint-Sëans, & Beethoven featuring guest artist, a returning and CAS audience favorite, cellist Owen Young! Buy tickets here. Check out the poster designed by board member Monty Lewis below the photo block for more info. Cape Ann Symphony is a professional regional symphony that is well and widely regarded and a treasure to experience its impact so close to home.
The service was excellent and the food was terrific for this congenial Annual Meeting and celebration. Minglewood’s event space has a dedicated full bar along its Rogers Street wall and customizable table layout and menu design. The original Chris Williams Octopus sculpture was re-sited from the old Latitude’s waterfront entrance to out front here and looks fantastic.
This week’s live music schedule at the Rhumb Line.
Good Morning Gloucester 