Beeman Ballroom Experience Premieres on TV TONIGHT ~ Mad Hot Ball on Sunday

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Here’s what’s happening – from Lisa Smith @ Cape Ann TV:

Cape Ann TV Waltzes in with the Premiere of The Beeman Ballroom Experience Documentary in Conjunction with the Gloucester Fifth Grade Mad Hot Ball

What happens when you take a whole fifth grade class, mix in some cha-cha and waltzes, and what do you get? Join Cape Ann TV as they premiere, The Beeman Ballroom Experience, a half-hour documentary showcasing the four month journey of the Beeman Memorial Elementary School’s 2012 fifth grade students as they begin learning the steps to classic dances in their music classes to the District-Wide Mad Hot Ball Competition, and through these experiences mature and grow into confident young adolescents.

Started in the early 2000s, the Gloucester fifth grade dance program has been funded in part by the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) for all of the five Gloucester Elementary schools. Maggie Rosa, President of the Gloucester Education Foundation, says that the “Social skills these children learn are impressive.” Tina and Ron LaFlam, from Miss Tina’s School of Dance, teach the children the art of ballroom dancing. All the student’s hard work and hours of practicing culminates into a final Ball where each pair gets to dance for their families and a panel of judges. Carrie, one of the students interviewed, says that she was “scared” at the beginning of the dance program because she thought some were going to be better then others, but through the process realized that everyone was equal in their ability to dance.

This documentary shows how ballroom dancing still has a place in modern society. It was filmed by Cape Ann TV with CATV staff and Beeman parent volunteer, David Lufkin, and edited by Gordon College Student/Cape Ann TV intern Greg Dry and Cape Ann TV’s Lisa Smith. Ms. Wentzal and Ms. Lafata, two Beeman teachers who were interviewed in the film, say that the children take pride in their accomplishments at the end of the program and at the competition Ball, and that their academics became stronger as a reflection of the things they have learned.

Tune into Cape Ann TV Channel 12 for The Beeman Ballroom Experience on: Thursday, May 2 at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday May 5 at 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 9 at 8:30 p.m.; Friday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.  For more programming information go to: CapeAnnTV.wordpress.com.

This year’s Gloucester Fifth Grade District-Wide Mad Hot Ballroom Competition is Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Did you know we have a world-class composer in our midst? Check his new work out on Sunday

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Composer Robert J. BradshawAward-winning, local, world-class composer Rob Bradshaw’s new work premieres this Sunday 5/5 at Gordon Chapel with 2 performances at 2:30 and 5pm.  You may know Rob from over 20 works commissioned and performed about Cape Ann, including the cantata commemorating the Middle Street Fire, Requiem for Rockport and music for the dedication of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives statue and Schooner Adventure.

Beyond Gloucester, Rob’s works have been performed all over the world from Bangkok, Thailand, to Sydney, Australia.  In America, his works have been heard in many prestigious venues including Lincoln Center and during The Kennedy Center’s 2010 International VSA Festival at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall.

Here’s what he says about Las Apariencias Engañan, which premieres on Saturday as part of The Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras Spring Afternoon Concert.  This concert is free and open to the public and appeals to all ages.  Each concert will last between an hour and two hours and both will be followed by a reception after the performance. The NMYO Silent Auction will take place during the concerts as well.

Las Apariencias Engañan, for orchestra, is inspired by Afro-Cuban Bembe rhythms.  These rhythms, widely performed throughout Latin America, have dramatically influenced American popular music but have been lost in their original form for most listeners.  This composition is intended to provide a fun and exciting way to help reintroduce this wonderful music to musicians and audiences.
As with all of my music, this work has a strong educational component and is intended to raise social awareness – in this case, of how Latin  American music has influenced (and continues to influence) American  music.Adam Hayes (Berry College) asked me to write a work inspired by  Afro-Cuban Bembe Rhythms.  If you are familiar with Latin American  music, you know that the “clave” rhythm (and many variations) is an integral part of the music and culture.  What you may or may not  know is that these rhythms are also found throughout American music.   We play them over different meters and this had led to Americans  losing both the knowledge of our rhythmic heritage and more  importantly, often the ability to even play or understand these  wonderful rhythms in their original form.Although not a Bembe per se, every rhythm in the work is directly inspired by the rhythm of this style and common variations.  For  many months, I have been working closely with percussion faculty and  other experts in the field, learning how to assimilate this style into my own work.
CiR:  As Composer in Residence with the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras it is my responsibility to teach students about the craft of composition and to inspire them to explore creativity through music.  We work on a composition project each year where the students create elements of a larger work that I assemble and they perform at their May Concert.

Breakfast at Atlantis — our official season starter — this Saturday

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

BreakfastatAtlantisEverybody has their “start of the season” favorites.  RD’s is a clam roll at Top Dog in Rockport (see Paul’s post about that here).

For Vickie, John and me it’s breakfast at Atlantis Oceanfront Cafe, which opens on Saturday.

For those of us who live here, hotels are not always top of mind, but this is one of the best  breakfast places anywhere.

Fish Cakes Benedict at Atlantis Oceanfront Cafe
Fish Cakes Benedict

Gorgeous view of the atlantic and the Twin Lights.  Warm, clean, sunny dining room.  Relaxed environment with excellent sound.  I know most people don’t consider sound high on their list of restaurant priorities, but I do.

It’s breakfast.  That means morning.  And the last thing I want to deal with first thing in the morning is loud ambient noise making it hard to talk–or even think–over breakfast.

Quiche at Atlantis Oceanfront Cafe
Quiche with friut

Of course, the food is excellent–and fun.  Spectacular sticky buns.  Home-made corned beef hash, fish cakes, quiche, etc.  They even have a Monte Cristo.

John loves the pancakes.  Vickie usually has an omelet or quiche special.  My favorite is the Lobster Eggs Benedict they often offer as a special.  Whatever you choose, there’s no need for lunch.  They’re open 7:30-11.  You might want to call and see how busy they are 978-283-0014.

The Cripple Cove Quintet featuring The Goddesses at The Rhumb Line Friday May 3rd

Posted on by Joanne

cripple cove quintet

The Cripple Cove Quintet featuring The Goddesses will be performing three sets of pre-Beatles and Pub Rock at The Rhumb Line on Friday, May 3rd starting at9:30pm.   The CCQ consists of husband and wife harmonizing duo Tony and Samantha Goddess plus Pete Koeplin on drums, Ryan Alto on bass, and Geoff Small on guitar.  No Cover/21+.

WHAT:

The Cripple Cove Quintet featuring The Goddesses

WHERE:

The Rhumb Line (40 Railroad Avenue, Gloucester)

WHEN:

Friday, May 3rd starting at 9:30pm (3 sets)

http://tonygoddess.com/

Artist Work Spaces: Carol I. Mckenna

Posted on by capeannpainter

 

Hi Paul ~

You put a call for artist’s to send in a pic of their studio space. Well, here is mine.

Located in loft of 3rd floor of my home ~has spectacular view so I am surrounded by the sea ~ the ‘Glosta Harbor’ and Dog Bar Breakwater ~ A view that is always changing and always gorgeous. I am ever grateful. Thanks for the opportunity to share.

http://www.acreativeharbor.com/

Carol Mckenna

An odd origami menagerie; upcoming origami class

Posted on by Matthew Green

I folded these stegosaurus, bull, mice, penguin, and Chinese dragon last night during “the Sing” at the Inn at Babson court.  The diagrams for the dinosaur and the bull are from the “annual collection” from the origami convention in New York City in 1991; the rest are from an origami book by Akira Yoshizawa.

I will teach another origami class at The Hive on Thursday, May 23.

– Fr. Matthew Green

 

Lannon Opening Weekend May 4th!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Kay Ellis Writes-

Hi Joey,
This is of the Wednesday night shakedown sail for Tom and his buddies.
We start sailing this weekend, May 4th & 5th from 1-3. Wahoo!

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Community Photos 5/2/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

There was some wonderful surf last week at Good Harbor.  And by contrast, a very peaceful day at Rocky Neck yesterday.  I thought I’d send these along.

Mary Barker

Folly Cove Sunset #2 Photo By Anthony Marks

Folly Cove Sunset

Community Stuff 5/2/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Leslie Wind submits-

Essex County Needlework Guild Tea
Display and demonstrations.
Hellenic Center @ the intersection or *Route133 & Route 1A

IMAG1036

Hi Joey,
We are really excited about The Open Door Empty Bowl Dinner is Thursday, May 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester. Tickets are just $15 at the door. (Children age 10 and under are $10)

Will you let all the GMG readers know? Thank you!

For more information, folks can visit www.foodpantry.org
Hope to see you and the family there. It’s lots of fun. 🙂
Julie
—
Julie LaFontaine

Executive Director
The Open Door

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BIKINI DODGEBALL-THE MOVIE 2013-SHRINKAGE FOR A CAUSE PREMIERE QUATRO DE MAYO AT THE FARM BAR & GRILLE

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This is the final trailer in efforts to get your lazy ass, and your even lazier friend’s assesses, to The Damn Farm Bar & Grille for the world premier.

May 4th 7PM at The Farm Bar and Grille
REMEMBER! It’s all for a good cause! for more info on NEXT STEP, go to:
nextstepnet.org/

We will be starting with Kim Smith’s videos and finishing with Craig Kimberley’s 35 minute Bikini Speedo Dodgeball movie starring a cast of every man woman and child who attended this year’s event!

GloucesterCast With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guest Donna Ardizzoni

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GloucesterCast With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guest Donna Ardizzoni Taped April 29th 2013

Click to listen- With Host Joey C and Donna Ardizzoni

Topics Include: Kim Smith, Moving To Gloucester, Good Harbor vs Wingaersheek, One Hour at a Time Gang, Best Outside Deck To Dine, Favorite Community Events, Block Parties, Celebrate Gloucester, Schooner Festival, Ravenswood vs Halibut Point Park, Kayaking Gloucester, Staying Positive

DSC09426

Vote For Duckworth’s Bistrot

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Nicole Duckworth writes-

Hey Joey,
I was late getting us entered, the deadline is May 12. Could you spread the word? We are hoping to win a small business grant for the Bistrot.
Thanks so much!
Nicole
Check out this wish from Intuit’s Small Business Growing Strong campaign. You can help this small business grow by voting for its wish to come true this spring! Vote at http://bit.ly/YiRSge

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Beanpot Title game at Fenway Park with GHS graduates Dylan Maki and Ryan Cusick

Posted on by David B. Cox

Beanpot Title game at Fenway Park with Gloucester’s own Dylan Maki from Northeastern playing against Ryan Cusick from U. Mass. Ryan played well. Dylan did not play, because he had pitched a couple of days before.

Ribbon Cutting at The Center at Rocky Neck

Posted on by God's Morning

center ribbon cutting

We’re lucky our Mayor isn’t an “off with their heads” kind of gal, or some people might be in trouble with those massive scissors she was wielding last night. 

It was a wonderful celebration of the Center passing into the hands of the Rocky Neck Art Colony.  We now have a permanent home, and a space where everyone in the community can come together and enjoy a great diversity of programming.

If you haven’t yet been to the Center, you owe it to yourself to stop by and visit soon.  It is really a beautiful, warm and inviting space with lots of great things happening in it.   Visit http://mail.rockyneckartcolony.org/ to see what’s coming up.

E.J. Lefavour

WOW and WONDEFUL—150 milkweed plants ordered!!!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thank you to everyone participating in our Cape Ann Milkweed Project!

Monarch Butterfly milkweed Good harbor Beach ©Kim Smith 2011

Monarch Butterfly Nectaring at Common Milkweed ~ Good Harbor Beach

Milkweed may not be for everyone’s garden; even if you did not order plants, you are welcome to come on down to the dock Saturday morning, the 18th of May, and learn more about the Monarch-milkweed connection. The plants are being shipped on Monday the 13th and I will keep you updated on their progress.