The Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is pleased and excited to announce the appointment of Catherine S. Amidon as the new Executive Director.

Amidon comes to RNAC with a deep background in art history and non-profit arts management, most recently serving as the Founding Director of the Museum of the White Mountains (MWM) at Plymouth State University in NH which, much like the RNAC, was established to introduce people to and “showcase the story, culture, and legacy of the region.” While at the MWM she was responsible for the majority of the fundraising, donor relations, grant writing, organizing exhibitions, publications, and programing, skills and experience that will well serve the RNAC in the next phase of growth.

While working on her ‘Doctorat’ from University of Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, Amidon worked at the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris. She was awarded a Fulbright-Hayes Grant for Comparative Cultural Diversity in Transition in the Baltic States and Russia. In 2008, she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Kingston, Jamaica where she worked at the National Gallery of Art.

Prior to the MWM she was the director of exhibitions in spaces across the PSU campus, a position that evolved from her 1999 appointment as Gallery Director. She has worked in a variety of galleries, museums, and universities in the US and abroad and now brings these experiences back to her North Shore roots.

With strong family ties to the area, she is delighted to be working in Gloucester. Amidon plans to “hit the ground running” (with her two Siamese cats in tow) as she joins the Art Colony in mid-September. She will be a welcome addition to the RNAC team and looks forward to transitioning with Interim Director, Patricia Conant, whose deep knowledge of the organization and community has assured a smooth transition.

Friday night at Maritime Gloucester the beautifully restored Captain’s Cabin on the Adventure was dedicated in honor of Joseph & Helen Garland who treasured Adventure and her home port of Gloucester.  Forever to be The Garland Captain’s Cabin.

In honor of the event Peter & Audi Souza presented Helen with a lovely picture painted by Audi.

Contact Carlo Dasilva dasilva.carlo@yahoo.com

Rockport Music brings jazz this fall with Tamir Hendelman, Regina Carter, Michael Feinstein, and much more 

This Fall, Rockport Music features the best in jazz, soul and the American Songbook featuring the Tamir Hendelman Trio, soul queen Bettye LaVette, jazz violinist Regina Carter in a program entitled Simply Ella, as well as the incomparable Michael Feinstein.

Michael Feinstein at the Palladium in Carmel, Ind., Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. (Photo by AJ Mast)

Regina Carter

Tamir Hendelman

Friday, September 8, 8 PM
Tamir Hendelman Trio

With his hard-swinging approach and feather light touch, pianist Tamir Hendelman has emerged as one of the most intriguing jazz talents to arrive on the scene in quite some time. On top of his own trio outings as a leader, the Israeli-born artist is best known for his outstanding work with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.  With the CHJO, Tamir has recorded for John Pizzarelli, Gladys Knight and Diana Krall. He is the pianist/arranger on Jackie Ryan’s “You and the Night and the Music” and Janis Mann’s “A Perfect Time.” He is also featured on Natalie Cole’s “Still Unforgettable” and Barbara Streisand’s Love is the Answer.  Tickets:  $29, $24 

Sunday, September 17, 5 PM
Lizz Wright

A vocalist of uncommon talent and spirit who slides effortlessly between jazz, R&B, gospel, blues and folk, Lizz Wright has a smoky, supple voice that has beguiled fans and critics alike for over a decade.  Her most recent effort, 2015’s Freedom & Surrender, featured a set almost entirely made up of originals.  Tickets: $59, $55, $45

An Intimate Evening with Bettye LaVette
Featuring Alan Hill on Keyboards

A soul queen with a commanding voice and a hugely charismatic stage presence, Bettye LaVette comes to Rockport in the midst of a long-deserved career renaissance.  The Grammy-nominated singer was recently given the Blues Music Award for Soul Blues Female Singer of the Year. Tickets: $46, $40, $29

Sunday, October 8, 5 PM
Regina Carter: Simply Ella

The foremost jazz violinist of her generation and recipient of the prestigious “genius grant” from the MacARthur Foundation, Regina Carter is touring off her recent release, Ella: Accentuate the Positive, marking the 100th birthday of a musical legend. The program celebrates the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald – the source of Regina’s musical inspiration. Tickets: $55, $49, $39

Friday, October 20, 8 PM
Michael Feinstein

Over the last three decades, Michael Feinstein has brought the music of the Great American songbook to the world.  A five-time Grammy nominee, Feinstein has also received tremendous TV success with his Emmy nominated special Michael Feinstein-The Sinatra Legacy, the PBS series Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook, as well as hosting an acclaimed NPR series. Hailed as “the Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Feinstein is one of the most important musical forces of our time. Tickets: $125, $105, $85

Saturday, December 2, 3 & 8 PM
Cape Ann Big Band Holiday

Enjoy the holidays with Cape Ann’s own 17-piece big band performing holiday favorites, old and new, infused with a bit of jazz, swing, and rock n’ roll.   Tickets:  $36, $29, $19

Sunday, December 3, 5 PM
An Evening with George Winston

One of the most successful and recognized solo pianists in the world, George Winston brings his remarkably enduring and highly imitated piano style to Rockport for the first time in a concert just in time for the holiday season.  This concert will feature George’s Winter Show, which will include melodic fall  and winter type songs, some of Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, pieces inspired  by the New Orleans piano & the stride piano traditions, and songs from his  upcoming albums.  Tickets: $52, $45, $38

Wednesday, February 7, 7 PM
Beantown Swing Orchestra

The 18-piece big band performs music of the swing era with its characteristic and infectious swing beat, as well as Sinatra classics. The Orchestra’s mission is to bring big band music back into the mainstream for future generations to enjoy. The orchestra features many young and notable vocalists, including American Idol finalists and other rising stars. The concert will include a local student quintet and vocalist in the program.  Tickets: $20, $15

NEW CONCERTS ADDED TO THIS SEASON

Friday, November 3, 7 PM
Rockport Folk Summit: Pickers & Fiddlers
Session Americana & Lonely Heartstring Band

Two of New England’s most celebrated roots music bands—Session Americana and the Lonely Heartstring Band–team up for a truly special night celebrating the great Americana tradition. These acclaimed bands will each perform a set before joining forces in an exciting hootenanny collaboration. Tickets: $26, $20

Saturday, November 18, 8 PM
Justin Townes Earle
Opening Act: Joshua Hedley

Justin Townes Earle has emerged as a genre-busting acclaimed singer-songwriter, infusing country, blues, folk and indie rock into his vintage Americana sound. The son of beloved country folk musician Steve Earle, Justin is touring off his newly released album Kids in the Street.  Tickets: $39, $35, $29

Sunday, March 4, 5 PM
Sweet Honey In The Rock

Globally renowned a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock continues to cultivate, evolve and add memorable moments to their indelible legacy as activists and artists. They have stayed true to their mission to educate, entertain, and empower their audience and community through the dynamic vehicles of a cappella singing and American Sign Language interpretation. Tickets: $72, $66, $50

All concerts and events are held at Rockport Music’s stunning, seaside Shalin Liu Performance Center at 37 Main Street, Rockport, Massachusetts. Visit rockportmusic.org or call the Box Office at 978-546-7391 for more details on upcoming concerts.  Rockport Music is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.