Tuesday, March 26, 2024 6:30 PM

Link for tickets here- https://resy.com/cities/bos/venues/tonno-gloucester/events/march-madness-napa-wine-dinner-2024-03-26?date=2024-03-26&seats=2

About

Reception 2022 Clos Du Val Sauvignon Blanc First 2022 Far Niente Chardonnay VS 2021 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay ‘George Menni’ Hamachi Crudo, orange, radish, scallion Second 2021 Duckhorn Merlot VS 2020 Pride Merlot ‘Rabbit Stew’, Parmigiano pudding stuffed crepe, peas, chanterelle mushroom Third 2021 Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon ‘State Ranch’ VS 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Signature’ Ricotta and Fontina Ravioli with braised veal breast Fourth NV Overture by Opus One VS 2018 Quintessa Wagyu Sirloin, roasted potato, balsamic glazed shitake Fifth Warm Blueberries with Mascarpone

In The Mood…

Gloucester Stage Company is excited to announce the upcoming season, marking a significant milestone as it celebrates its 45th year of bringing exceptional theater to audiences in Gloucester and beyond. With a legacy of producing innovative and thought-provoking performances, the 2024 season promises to be an unforgettable celebration of creativity, talent, and the enduring power of theater. From a laugh out loud comedy to poignant world and regional premieres, this season presents a dynamic lineup of plays with a diverse representation in both the storytellers and the stories on stage that will entertain, inspire, and engage audiences of all backgrounds.

“As we mark Gloucester Stage’s 45th Anniversary, we are pleased to present a season that celebrates the very same mission on which our Company was founded in 1979. Looking toward the future of Contemporary Theatre, we are working to amplify diverse voices and stories, inviting our audiences to experience the world through a new lens,” said Managing Director Christopher Griffith. “We embody the stubborn fortitude of our Gloucester namesake, and with help from loyal supporters, we take pride in continuing to tell socially relevant stories that authentically bring our community together for shared entertainment.”

Artistic Director Rebecca Bradshaw shared her excitement for the upcoming season, “When considering the plays for 2024, I felt a deep conviction, more than ever, that theatre needs to be a place for us to come together, connect, and laugh with each other. From septuagenarians learning how to surf to siblings behaving horrendously, the hijinx abound in these plays as they each lure us in with humor. Under their antics though, each ensemble is facing a pivotal moment in their lives. As an audience, we have the opportunity to learn from their choices and to dig deep into the relationships that keep them afloat. Whether it’s a bunch of guys on a job site throwing jabs at each other or in an Iranian apartment full of girlfriends fussing the night before each other’s nuptials, we will travel across the country and reach across the globe to find empathy and ignite conversation about how important it is to stay connected with those around us.”

The 2024 season kicks off with a bang as Gloucester Stage presents 2024 Dramatist Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Christopher Durang‘s Tony Award-winning play VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, directed by Rebecca Bradshawº, from May 31 to June 23. This play is a wild ride as three adult siblings come back together under one roof with a lot of opinions. Alongside a band of eccentric characters, the trio may slip into their teenage petulance as the stakes get desperate. Hilarious twists and unexpected romances will overshadow any need to be a Chekhov aficionado to enjoy this comedic masterpiece.

To follow as a part of its rolling world premiere through the National New Play Network is WIPEOUT by Aurora Real de Asua from July 5 to July 28. Directed by Shana Gozanskyº, the play takes audiences on a heartwarming journey with three adventurous 70-years-old women on their surfboards in the middle of the ocean as they learn the ropes from a hot rod young instructor. Together they navigate the waves of life and laughter in this tale of friendship, courage, and the pursuit of new experiences.

Gloucester Stage then presents the regional premiere of WISH YOU WERE HERE by Pulitzer Prize Winner Sanaz Toossi, recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, from August 9 to August 25. Directed by Melory Mirashrafi, this play follows a circle of tight-knit girlfriends as they gather to plan weddings, trade dirty jokes, and try to hang onto a sense of normalcy in 1980s Iran.

Finally, Gloucester Stage is proud to co-produce with Teatro Chelsea, a Latine Theatre organization based in Chelsea, MA, the regional premiere of THE HOMBRES in September. This uproarious comedy, written by Tony Meneses and directed by Armando Rivera, offers a fresh perspective on male friendships and machismo culture as three Latino construction workers find themselves entangled in unexpected yoga classes next door to their job site. The play, running from September 6 to September 29, includes community engagement programming in English and Spanish. The first three weeks of rehearsals and the final week of performances will take place in Chelsea, providing an opportunity for cultural exchange and collaboration.

Performances will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Season Subscription Packages are on sale now, with individual tickets released for sale on March 15th online and at the Gloucester Stage Company, located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester.

PERFORMANCE TIMES AND LOCATIONS:

All performances, unless noted, are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm at Gloucester Stage Company located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester.

Tickets to the Gloucester Stage 2024 season are available for sale on March 15th.. Single Ticket prices range from $15 to $67, with discounts available for seniors, military families, college students, youth under 18, young professionals under 35, E.B.T. Cardholders, W.I.C. benefits, and Cape Ann residents. For detailed ticket information, visit www.gloucesterstage.com.

Season Packages start at $200 for four tickets for any mainstage performance and include early access to seating, no fees, and free ticket exchanges. Packages can be purchased or renewed by calling the Box Office at 978.281.4433 or visiting gloucesterstage.com/subscribe.

For additional information, contact the Box Office at 978.281.4433 or boxoffice@gloucesterstage.com. Located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, the Box Office is open Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

ºMember Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (S.D.C.) Union 

MARCH 25, 2024 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

Bringing Women’s History Month to a close, the Sawyer Free Library invites you to Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons Presentation, with Tom Ingrassia. Tom is a Motown historian, author, radio personality and motivational speaker.

In this lively, entertaining and educational multimedia lecture program, Motown historian Tom Ingrassia (who worked for Mary Wilson, of The Supremes, for 6 years) takes you on a journey back to a turbulent time in American history, when Blacks and Whites were trying to change things…and The Supremes’ music helped to bridge the gaps.

Tom grew up with The Supremes. Don’t misunderstand…Tom wasn’t raised in Detroit’s Brewster Housing Projects. Nor did The Supremes live in tiny Middletown, New York. Their cultural and physical neighborhoods were hundreds of miles and a world apart.

But, in 1964, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard—the legendary Supremes—burst into the American musical consciousness just as Tom was becoming aware of the music shimmering from his tiny transistor radio. In no time, we was hooked on the Music of Motown—and that began an obsession that eventually led him to work with some biggest names in music history.

The Supremes owned the 1960s. Today, that statement may be obvious. But…in mid-60s America? The fact that three young African American women from Detroit’s housing projects conquered the world was profound…it was revolutionary. The Supremes were trendsetters, and set the standard against which all future female groups are measured. During the 1960s, only The Beatles and Elvis Presley sold more records than The Supremes. 

Girl Power takes audiences on a remarkable trip back in time—an engaging stroll into pop music history—to an era when the Music of Motown reigned supreme—and three young African American women from the Detroit housing projects conquered the world.

This event is open to all to attend. No registration required. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

I’ve been curious about the Power of Play event organized by the Gloucester Education Foundation and since FOB Susan L was planning to volunteer, I decided to drop in yesterday. WOW! The GHS gym was jam packed with activities and families and it seemed the kids were having a ball. One genius move by the organizers was to collect up dozens of empty cardboard boxes and just throw them in a corner for the children to decide how to arrange. There were many other activities and games offered for movement, game play and strategy skills. In short, there was something to please everyone. I even got to say hello to one of my favorite young Gloucestermen. Kudos to the sponsors, the organizers and the many volunteers for this obviously popular free event. See you next time!

📣 We need your help in spreading the word 📣
We are less than 2 weeks away from our travel FYS and CAU teams season starting up. We know our fields are soggy and this upcoming rainy weather will just make them worse.
❤️ P L E A S E ❤️ we are begging that community members share with friends and family these pictures below and remind everyone that Magnolia Woods should not be the location for someone to go up and do donuts in their car.
This is where our community comes together to play soccer, take walks, enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding magnolia and the serenity of it all. The five minutes of joy that doing donuts brought someone is not worth the weeks and money spent to repair the fields.
Please spread the word. I encourage you all to share and let folks know how valuable our green space is for the children of this community and we desperately need to preserve as much of it as possible.
Thank you!

Ice Water…

Link to purchase- https://gloucesterapparel.square.site/

We will be at 44 Main St from 11-3pm Sunday

We were invited to preview the upcoming “Gertrude Cawein at Hammond Castle Museum” Exhibition and chat with Dr. Gregory Conn, a well known expert on artist Eric Pape. Pape had a number of connections to Gloucester which you will be able to learn by visiting this exhibition Friday April 5 – Saturday April 28. It’s going to be a rare opportunity to view this collection of artwork with the Gertrude Cawein full length portrait as its centerpiece.

But, don’t rely on me. Here’s the release from the Hammond Castle Museum with more details and in depth information:

The “Gertrude Cawein at Hammond Castle Museum” Exhibition Offers A Rare Glimpse into the World of Eric Pape’s Society Portraits

Hammond Castle Museum Brings the Former Annisquam Resident’s Rarely Seen Works Back to Cape Ann with an Extensive Exhibit of Nearly 60 Pieces.

Gloucester, Massachusetts – 2/26/2024– Hammond Castle Museum is proud to present “Gertrude Cawein at Hammond Castle Museum,” a new exhibition featuring the works of Eric Pape (1870 – 1938). A former Annisquam resident and designer of the Tablet Rock Memorial in Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park, this exhibit marks a homecoming for this extraordinary collection of nearly 60 pieces from Pape’s extensive portfolio.

At the heart of this exhibition is the full-length portrait of Gertrude Cawein (oil on canvas, 75 x 52 inches framed), painted by Pape in 1907 and loaned by the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, KY. For the first time outside the Filson, visitors can witness this rare example of Pape’s work as a society portraitist. Upon arrival to the Museum, Gertrude will undergo important conservation by conservator, Timothy Neill, prior to the exhibit opening.

With many pieces on loan from the private collection of esteemed Pape collector and
biographer, Dr. Gregory Conn, this exhibit offers a unique insight into Pape’s multifaceted talents. Renowned as a painter and society portraitist, Pape’s brilliance shines through various mediums, including pencil, pen, watercolors, and oils.
Admission to the “Gertrude Cawein at Hammond Castle Museum” exhibition will include self- guided tours of the Museum. Hammond Castle Museum members enjoy free access to the exhibit. During the school vacation week (April 15 – 19 th ) children aged 12 and under will have free admission to the exhibit with reservation. Virtual tour access will also be offered making this the most accessible Pape exhibit ever offered.

The exhibition not only showcases Gertrude’s portrait but also highlights the intricate world of Eric Pape’s artistry, offering a unique glimpse into Pape’s role as a portraitist and including examples of his celebrity portraits created during the Great Depression. A limited selection of artworks from the Hammond Castle Museum’s previous 2023 “Pape at Hammond Castle Museum” exhibit will also be on display. The three Pape paintings on permanent display within the Museum, including the sole surviving mural of the celebrated artist, “The Wireless Naval Battle of Gloucester Bay,” will also be featured. The Museum Shop will host a limited number of copies of Dr. Conn’s newest biography, “Eric Pape in the New York Herald Tribune,” which delves into Pape’s work as a society portraitist. The exhibition also marks the announcement of
the launch of Dr. Conn’s new website, ericpape.com, featuring free flip books of all five of his published Pape biographies.

The connection between the Cawein family, Eric Pape, and Gloucester runs deep. Madison Cawein, known as the Keats of Kentucky and Gertrude’s husband, wrote a poignant Ode to the founding of Gloucester for the 1907 Gloucester Day celebrations, during which time Pape presented his iconic Tablet Rock Memorial. The exhibition will also feature an elaborate pen and ink drawing by Pape, representing Madison’s moving elegy upon the death of Pape’s first wife, Alice Monroe Pape, in 1911.

Hammond Castle Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built from 1926 through 1929 and incorporated as a museum in 1930, the castle was the home and laboratory of John Hays Hammond Jr. Known as “The Father of Radio Control,” he is one of the nation’s most prolific inventors of the 20th century. Hammond’s extensive list of patents, his work with radio control, and his work on guided torpedoes for the military are on display. The Museum offers tours and numerous educational and cultural events throughout the year. It is also available for private event rentals. For more information, please contact Hammond Castle Museum at 978-283-2080 or visit hammondcastle.org.

Thank you Mary Goldberg for the invitation as well as photo credit for the Madonna and Child photo shown here.

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This is to answer a question from a viewer – I also wondered what this bird was at the bottom of the bird feeder photo. It didn’t look dark enough for a Red-winged Blackbird, but our ornithologist daughter assured us it is, but is a one year old male.