Tag: Block Party

Dennis Monagle welcomes the Dejas to Minglewood again ~ always a great show

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

If you haven’t seen this enchanting duo, check them out tonight at Minglewood Tavern.  Rumor has it they may even perform at the next Block Party.  Stay tuned for word on that  . . .

If you want to be outside tonight, you have two great choices:  Remember, Conscious Reggae Band will be in Masconomo Park (rescheduled from yesterday) and Compaq Jazz Band at Stage Fort Park.  Get details and the full live music lineup here.

Fred Bodin’s View Of The July 2012 Block Party

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The West End was packed, from Jalepenos to Washington Street.

Blackburn Challenge athlete Paul Morrison and pro photographer Kathy Chapman in my gallery.

Painter Laureen Maher’s oil painting of the Good Harbor Beach concession stand and of Fly Amero, with Banana’s window in the background.

Ed Collard and Laura Jardullo rock out in the gallery later in the night (haven’t I seen them dancing in Havana in the 30’s?). Ed was instrumental in finishing the mini-keg of Heineken. It was a great Block Party, with 150+ people coming in, no food or wine left, so I’m going home!

Kudos To The 2012 Block Party Organizers and Supporters

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Block Parties and The Middle Street Walk are right up there with what I think are the best family fun times for our City.  There is a tremendous amount of energy spent putting these things together and the people that work behind the scenes so you can go down and enjoy all the free entertainment and safe fun atmosphere are many.

Also thank you to the many City officials and agencies that get behind and support it.

So kudos to you all and Thank you for all the hard/fun work you do.

From the Block Party Website-

The Block Heads Who Bring the Block Parties to You Are

Mark McDonough
Mark McDonough – Eminence Gris
Entrepreneur and restaurateur, an inspiring Gloucester supporter, Mark always has his ear to the ground. Because of this he’s often hard to find. He’s a genius, but you’d never guess. He once wanted to jump off a bridge in Paris, but was afraid he’d be found in Seine. His termite collection is world renown.

Valerie Marcley
Valerie Marcley – Artistic Director and Disorganizer Former Construction worker, Playboy bunny and financial advisor to Bernie Madoff. She loves nature, in spite of what it did to her. She has dated several animals. Val enjoys rehab and injuries. She has never really grown up.

Judith Brackley
Judith Brackley – Sponsorship and Advertising Director Writer, radio station boss and news person, she’ll do anything to wear costumes. This is a sickness and she needs help. Please send your contributions (or costumes) to Sequins Anonymous. She loves show business and played the part of the chandelier in The Phantom of the Opera. Judith has almost no musical ability.

Lucinda Seigel
Lucinda Seigel – Volunteer Coordinator and Advisor: Lucinda has a vast international business experience. Because of this Interpol is offering a reward for her. She loves danger and is frequently under cover, so if you see her ignore her. Lucinda carries a gun, enjoys cannibalism and catatonic states. Don’t waste your time trying to figure her out.

Will Hunt
Will Hunt – Technical Director Will makes the Block Party music materialize. A master musician he’s learning the bagpipes but is off kilter. Will spends much of his time decomposing. Although making people leery with his incessant cheerfulness and sunny disposition, Will wears blame proudly. He has almost no self-control.

Contact us at: glostablockpahty@gmail.com with your comments and questions. See you soon!

If you’d like to volunteer, please send an email to lseigel1@gmail.com. Not sure how you can help? Click here for some fun ideas.

Thank you to our exceptionally generous sponsors for all their help! Visit them through the links below:

The GDBP is a project of the non-profit CABI with major support from

BankGloucester
Applied Materials

Gloucester Daily Time
Stop & Shop
Gortons
Orleans Live at North Shore Music Theatre

Latitude 43
Intershell
Rockport National Bank
Hiltz Disposal
Alchemy Cafe & Bistro

© 2008 – 2012, Downtown Block Party Committee ~ Website donated by Van Ness Group ~ Logo & Posters by Mike Ciolino of Verve Creative

“Stay in the street,” we tell the Zip Line Kid, who sees 20 friends at the Block Party

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

No pictures (if you want pictures click here).  Just a quick note to say that one main goal of the Block Parties (to build community) was realized last night for kids and adults alike.

Now that John has his own phone (more about that here) we figured he could enjoy a bit of freedom at the Block Party as long as he stayed within the blocked-off section of Main St.  (sounds funny telling your kid to stay IN the street) and checked in with us every fifteen minutes or so.

At the end of the night, I asked how many friends he saw.  “At least 20,” was his immediate answer.  “Kids from the cast [Holiday Delights], kids from school, kids from camp, kids from St. Ann’s, kids from all over.”

Vickie and I connected with at least as many — and met a few new friends.

The Block Party worked!

But there’s more — a dozen live music choices on Cape Ann today.  Keep the momentum going.  Don’t stay home.  Check them out here.

July 2012 Downtown Gloucester Block Party Pics

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Rick Doucette Crushes This Teddy Bear Holding a tulip Balloon

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Jen Cullen Workin Sugar Mag’s

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Sugar Mag’s Lobster Risotto-

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Beannie Facepainted

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Johnny Mac Teaches Ruby how to jump rope while Luke does his thing.

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See “Rock Stars of Gloucester” tonight ~ in the flesh and oil

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Allen Estes ~ oil on canvas by Laureen Maher

Just in case you’ve been under a rock for the past couple of weeks and don’t know that Gloucester’s biggest block party ever starts at 6 tonight, you can click here to read some posts about it.  Okay, now you know.

Celebrating Gloucester’s extraordinary music scene has become a Block Party tradition — and we do it by putting musicians and dancers on the street, right in front of our celebrated shops and restaurants.  (see schedule here)

Fly Amero ~ oil on canvas by Laureen Maher

In this spirit, Laureen Maher will be putting her series of oils on canvas, entitled “Rock Stars of Gloucester” on display at Fred Bodin’s Historic Photo Gallery at 82 Main Street, right next to the Sargent Stage (see map here) where one of the rock stars in her collection, Allen Estes, will be performing with his son Dylan.

Other Rock Stars of Gloucester on display tonight (in oil) will be JB Amero, Dave Sag, Inge Berge, Willie Alexander featured with Greg Tower and Ed Savage, Rik Razdan featured with Lisa Marie — and Fly Amero (who may appear in the flesh with his sister, Linda, at the Franklin Stage).

So dine, dance and shop under the stars tonight in Gloucester.  You’ll have more fun than you think you deserve.

Got kids? Take ’em to the Block Party. It’s Free and Fun on Saturday.

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

I just spoke with Rick Doucett, whom you all know and love from the YMCA.  Rick reminded me that he and his wife, Loren, will be running Kids Town at the Block Party on Saturday (just like last year).   Kid’s Town is between Pleasant St. & Hancock St. near the Sovereign Stage (see map here).

Balloons, face painting, giant chess and more.  Every year kids connect with friends at the Block Party that they haven’t seen in a while (just like adults do).  How many things can you do that are just as much fun for your kids as they are for you?

Speaking of kids, don’t forget Y summer camp is in full swing (see here).

Don’t forget that the Orleans concert on Aug 31 — featuring Gloucester’s own Fly Amero along with Rhode Island’s John Cafferty of the Beaver Brown band and Eddie and the Cruisers movie will help raise money for the North Shore YMCA Summer Camp program.

And just in case you missed Monday’s announcement (click here if you did) Allen Estes will open the show.  You won’t want to miss this!

You and your kids can see Allen Estes at the Block Party on Saturday at the Sargent Stage.

And if we’re lucky,  we may also get to hear Fly sing with his sister at the Franklin Stage.

See Block Party Entertainment Schedule here.

Block Party Update – New Map, New Entertainment Schedule

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Check out the new map from Block Party Committee with all 5 stages.  Remember the Block Party is this Saturday.  And we’ve got an updated entertainment schedule below the map:

SOVEREIGN STAGE
  • 6 PM – THE DYNAMIC DUO – Show, classics and some Italian tunes. Guest appearance by Gloucester student, 9 year old Kam Diaz
  • 7 PM – TH’ BONES AND ROSES CIRCUS SIDESHOW – Astounding and varied side show feats and acrobatic yoga
  • 8 PM – NOT THAT BLONDE WITH JIM D’AUGUSTINE – Acoustic group with rich harmonies and an inimitable style. A wide mix of songs from the familiar to the obscure.
  • 9 PM – THE GOOD HARBOR BAND – Rocking with classic rock and originals – get ready to dance!
SARGENT STAGE
  • 6 PM – LIVIN’ ON LUCK – Soft rock from the 70s to the present; guitars, keyboard and vocals.
  • 7 PM – CAPE ANN DANCE TROUPE – Our gifted and graceful dance group – creative choreography
  • 8 PM – ALLEN AND DYLAN ESTES – National star Allen Estes joined by his talented son performing brilliant country, rock, blues and original tunes.
  • 9 PM – DAY JOB – Dance music from the 60s to today; fun listening and they will get you moving!
MYSTERY TRAIN STAGE
  • 6 PM – JAMES GOOD EYE – Acoustic guitar, alternate-roots Americana
  • 7 PM – DEB HARDY AND KERRY MULLEN – Cutting edge acoustic folk rock uniquely interpreted
  • 8 PM – SOLOMON MURUNGU – Traditional music from Zimbabwe played on the melodic Mbira
  • 9 PM – NATE SHAFFER – Gifted acoustic guitarist/singer playing originals and covers. Emerging young talent from Cape Ann.
AT THE FRANKLIN CAFÉ
  • THE LINDA AMERO QUARTET – Jazz interpretations by extraordinary chanteuse Linda and her trio.
AT THE DOG BAR
  • JOE MACK – Blues master! This guy never runs out of musical ideas, and what a voice! 9 PM at the back stage.

Dancers, singers and our favorite magician, Joe Howard will be roaming Main Street.

VISIT KIDS’ TOWN FOR GAMES, FACEPAINTING, KID SNACKS AND MORE!

After the Block Party winds down, many Gloucester venues will continue music into the wee hours, so there’s no reason to go home when the music on the street ends.  One of my favorite bands (KBMG Electric) will be heating things up at Minglewood Tavern.

See the complete Saturday music lineup here.

Allen Estes will open for Orleans at North Shore Music Theatre on August 31

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

You know that being an FOB means you’re the very first to get the scoop on what’s up in Gloucester.  Well, Allen Estes just agreed to open for Orleans and we’re telling you BEFORE we even update the website.  We’ll do that later tonight.  In the meantime, you can get tickets here.

Here’s a video of Allen singing one of his new songs The Trouble with Me — destined to be a hit.  If you like the song, you can catch Allen with his son Dylan at the Block Party on Saturday and ask him to include it in his set at North Shore Music Theatre.