Good Morning Gloucester

Don’t worry, I’ll remind you next year when they run it so you can get a couple for your freezer.

Lines…

The Cape Ann Guitar Society proudly presents Five Cent Fireballs, an all female alt-bluegrass group, at the Manship Artists Residency from September 7th through the 14th. Based out of Charlottesville, Virginia, the Fireballs are coming up to Cape Ann for a week of composing and rehearsing material for their debut album. Come hear this new material and more at their concert in the Manship barn studio on Friday the 13th – doors open at 6:30 and music starts at 7 pm. 

Malia Furtado (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Clara George (guitar, keyboards, Scruggs-style banjo, vocals), and Emma McDowell (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, clawhammer banjo, vocals) bring together their own musical styles to create a perfect union of the alternative and bluegrass worlds. Displaying instrumental virtuosity with stunning three-part harmonies, their repertoire includes original songs as well as covers that pay tribute to women in bluegrass/folk such as Alice Gerrard and Hazel Dickens, pioneering women of bluegrass, and Nanci Griffith (folk/country). Throw in a few traditional bluegrass tunes, “Talk About Suffering,” and “Pretty Fair Maid,” and you have a show that respects and reimagines bluegrass culture. 

Throughout their residency week, in keeping with the Cape Ann Guitar Society’s purpose of listening and learning, members of the group will teach workshops on bluegrass string instruments and singing. All levels of musicians are encouraged to register for the workshops – the guitar/fiddle/banjo sessions will be on Monday the 9th at 7 pm, and the vocal class is on Wednesday the 11th at 7 pm. Sign up for these events at the guitar society’s website, capeannguitarsociety.org/events. Tickets for the Friday concert are also available at the Manship website, https://www.manshipartists.org/.

ABOUT the MANSHIP ARTISTS RESIDENCY 

The site of the Manship Artists Residency was once the summer retreat of Paul Manship, the sculptor of the Prometheus Fountain at Rockefeller Center. Many of the same opportunities and qualities that attracted Manship to Cape Ann are available to those who come here seeking solitude or community in this restorative landscape. Manship Artists Residency gives artists and the creative spirit time and space to flourish for the benefit of our community by welcoming artists and thought leaders from around the world to work in these serene surroundings steps away from the scenic northeast coast of New England. Our residents magnify the social capital and the cultural value of Cape Ann, and our innovative programming contributes to the health and vitality of our community and beyond.

ABOUT the CAPE ANN GUITAR SOCIETY

The Cape Ann Guitar Society is a newly incorporated non-profit with the mission of elevating local guitarists, bringing global talent to Cape Ann, and increasing access to guitar education. It has been a longstanding dream of founder and Rockport native Brendan Evans to build a guitar society on Cape Ann, and 2024 is the year the dream comes true. Our offerings to the community include concerts, educational workshops, jam sessions, and ensemble opportunities. 

Cape Ann Guitar Society bluegrass events

Title: Bluegrass instrumental workshop with the Five Cent Fireballs

Date and start/end time: Monday, September 9th, 7 – 8:30 pm. 

Place: Manship Artists Residency; Address given upon registration.

Description: Bring your guitar, banjo, mando, or fiddle, and learn tips, tricks, and tunes with the Fireballs. All levels are welcome. More info and registration: http://capeannguitarsociety.org/events

Title: Bluegrass vocal workshop with the Five Cent Fireballs

Date and start/end time: Wednesday, September 11th, 7 – 8:30 pm. 

Place: Manship Artists Residency; Address given upon registration.

Description: Bring your singing voice and join the Fireballs in a vocal workshop – warmups, techniques, harmony and joy! More info and registration: http://capeannguitarsociety.org/events

Title: Five Cent Fireballs in concert

Date and start/end time: Friday, September 13th, 7 – 9 pm. 

Place: Manship Artists Residency; Address given upon registration.

Description: Malia Furtado (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Clara George (guitar, keyboards, Scruggs-style banjo, vocals), and Emma McDowell (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, clawhammer banjo, vocals) bring together their own musical styles to create a perfect union of the alternative and bluegrass worlds. Displaying instrumental virtuosity with stunning three-part harmonies, their repertoire includes original songs as well as covers that pay tribute to women in bluegrass/folk such as Alice Gerrard and Hazel Dickens, pioneering women of bluegrass, and Nanci Griffith (folk/country). Throw in a few traditional bluegrass tunes, “Talk About Suffering,” and “Pretty Fair Maid,” and you have a show that respects and reimagines bluegrass culture. Tickets and info: http://manshipartists.org

I was alerted to Arctic Schooner Bowdoin‘s presence by FOB Susan L who saw it in the harbor and let me know. Little did I expect to see her tied up with Schooner Adventure at Maritime Gloucester to spend the night. She’s the official vessel of the State of Maine and is built specifically for the arctic. In fact, she very recently returned from a two month voyage. The ice barrel at the top of the foremast is designed for ice work and exploration. It is really beautiful and quite a lovely surprise in our very own harbor.

August 6, 2024 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Family Fun Event on Saturday, August 10 at 11:15 am 

Come learn about, meet & handle (if you’d like!) many types of snakes, some of which are from our local area. Rick Roth and his Cape Ann Vernal Pond team will share their knowledge and enthusiasm as they present science in a unique and fun way and help the Sawyer Free Library celebrate the summer reading theme of Read, Renew, Repeat which strives to bring attention to our natural world.

All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event which will be held on Saturday, August 10 at 11:15am at the Trinity Congregational Church, lower level, 70 Middle Street in Gloucester.

No registration required. For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500. This special event is made possible in part through the generosity of the the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.

“Snakes of New England and the World” presented by Sawyer Free Library

National Lighthouse Day…

Join us for a fun-filled evening of ball whacking, great prizes, and bragging rights! All proceeds go towards a great cause. Don’t miss out!

From the Gloucester IDRC Facebook page regarding the scheduled elimination races Saturday Aug 10: