Tag: celebrate gloucester

Shop Local for a New Orleans Experience & a Holiday Tribute to a Music Icon

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Henri Smith for the New Orleans Peoples Project – taken after Allen Toussaint’s funeral in New Orleans.

Vickie and I applaud everyone who promotes shopping locally and truly appreciate people who buy tickets to local concerts as gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.  This Saturday at 7pm we present our third New Orleans Christmas concert at Beverly’s fully-restored, acoustically stellar Larcom Theatre starring Gloucester’s Henri Smith and featuring renowned trumpeter Stanton Davis (who performed with Henri at Celebrate Gloucester 2010) and Grammy-winner Amadee Castenell on Sax & Flute.  This year, Henri’s full brass band (complete with Tuba) will perform a special tribute to one of Henri’s mentors, Allen Toussaint, who died last month while on tour in Madrid.  Tickets are available here.

Check out this video of Henri with Allen Toussaint that I shot last year in Allen’s dressing room at Berklee Performance Center. Allen explains how Henri serves as a New Orleans ambassador — and also has very kind words for Amadee, saying “When Amadee was in New Orleans we didn’t leave home without him.  He’s our favorite saxophonist!”  Then he reveals why Amadee no longer lives in New Orleans.

This will be an emotional show for Vickie and me.  We hope you’ll join us in a Christmas Second Line Parade through the aisles of Beverly’s Larcom Theatre.

VIDEO: Henri Smith with the Great Allen Toussaint

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Last October, Gloucester’s Henri Smith chatted with Allen Toussaint in Allen’s dressing room at Berklee Performance Center.  Check out Allen’s reaction to Henri’s song.  Plus you’ll LOVE what Allen says about Amadee Castenell!  You can see Henri and Amadee along with award-winning trumpeter Stanton Davis (who performed with Henri at Celebrate Gloucester) on December 5 right down the road at Beverly’s fully-restored, acoustically magical Larcom Theatre.  Tickets available here.

BREAKING NEWS: Harvest Moon Music Fest Tix On Sale NOW!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

We’ve just put tickets on sale for the Harvest Moon Music Festival benefit to help save Addison Gilbert Hospital.

Five years after Celebrate Gloucester, top north-shore musicians once again take the stage at Gloucester’s award-winning HarborWalk for an extraordinary day of music, food and family fun to help the Addison Gilbert Hospital Citizens Fund save our local hospital.

This is an all-ages festival with plenty of food, an artisan marketplace and a beer and spirits tent for people over 21.

North Shore Curtain Up host Aurelia Nelson will MC the show.

Dance, eat, drink, party and feel good about it because you’re contributing to a great cause.

Get your tickets right now, right here!

You Asked for Schooner Fest Sunday Night Activities … We Listened

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Back in 2010 we presented Celebrate Gloucester featuring Roomful of Blues at the City’s newly acquired I4-C2 property on Schooner Festival Sunday because we were told there’s nothing to do on Sunday after the race. Here we are five years later bringing Roomful of Blues back to Gloucester aboard The Beauport Princess Cruise Ship for an evening Blues Cruise @ 7:30 on Schooner Festival Sunday.

The Schooner Festival has always been one of our favorite Gloucester events and we’re honored to add our little piece of cruising fun to one of the world’s major maritime spectacles!

Hear rock star, Nelson Bragg tomorrow (SUN) at 9am on North Shore 104.9

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Tomorrow morning at 9am, on her show 104.9FM radio show, “Curtain Up”, Aurelia Nelson hosts the multi-talented Nelson Bragg — percussionist, drummer, songwriter, vocalist for Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary tour.

Nelson will give us a glimpse into the L.A. pop scene and what it’s like to work closely with Brian Wilson and tour with the Beach Boys.

Here’s Nelson on percussion at Celebrate Gloucester 2010 with KBMG.

 

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, John Sebastian, Plays Gloucester Tonight — has a rock star this big ever played Gloucester before?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

When’s the last time a rock star this big played in Gloucester?  In fact, other than Billy Joel, who jumped on the piano a few times at the Studio many years ago, has any Rock & Roll Hall of Famer ever played Gloucester?  Has anyone else who played at Woodstock ever played Gloucester?  If you know these answers, please comment.

You can still get tickets (here) to tonight’s show at Gloucester’s UU Meetinghouse featuring Lovin’ Spoonful founder and writer of some of our generation’s most enduring #1 hits, like “Do You Believe In Magic?” “You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice.” “Daydream.” “Younger Girl.” “Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?” “Summer In The City.” “Rain On The Roof.” “Nashville Cats.” “Six O’Clock.” “Darling Be Home Soon.” “Younger Generation.”

After the show, John will hold a meet & greet and sign records, CDs, posters, Woodstock tickets … what ever memorabilia you bring — and you can get his new CD with David Grisman.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience music that defined a generation up close and personal!

VIP SELL OUT ALERT: John Sebastian VIP Tickets for Saturday (9/13) almost gone

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Only a few VIP tickets left for John Sebastian at Gloucester’s UU Meetinghouse (GET VIP TICKETS HERE).  VIP gets you in the first 5 rows, plus exclusive early entry and a Celebrate Gloucester Commemorative VIP Laminate.

CG_2014_JohnSebastian

As of now, there are plenty of standard seats left, but they’re going fast too, so you might not want to wait until the last minute.  Get tickets NOW so you can relax, vote in tomorrow’s primary and enjoy the rest of the week with one less worry on your mind.

John Sebastian on Aurelia Nelson’s 104.9 Radio Show, Curtain Up tomorrow at 9AM

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

North Shore 104.9’s Curtain Up host, Aurelia Nelson welcomes Rock n Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian, of The Lovin’ Spoonful as her guest tomorrow (SUN) morning at 9AM on 104.9FM.

John is a wonderful storyteller, so this show is certainly worth getting up for.  You’ll get a taste of the kind of stories you’ll hear in between his #1 hit songs when he performs next Saturday 9/13 at Gloucester’s UU Church Meetinghouse. GET TICKETS HERE.

Karen McDonald, star of “Doubt” opening at Stoneham Theatre next Friday is Aurelia’s other guest.

What a powerhouse show this will be!

 

Rock n Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian comes to Gloucester Next Saturday 9/13

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

It’s not often that a rock star this big performs in downtown Gloucester.  Remember The Lovin’ Spoonful?

How about Woodstock, which was 45 years ago this August?

When John Sebastian performs next Saturday at Gloucester’s UU Meetinghouse, he won’t be wearing the tie-dye jacket he’s got on in this video, because it’s now on display at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. He will, however, sing some of his most enduring #1 hits like “Do You Believe In Magic?”, “Daydream”, “Summer In The City” and “Welcome Back” the theme song from Welcome Back Kotter.

And he’ll tell some wonderful, fascinating stories rooted in the major role he played in the mid-’60s rock revolution.  Don’t miss this rare chance to experience music that defined a generation up close and personal.  Get your tickets now (right here).

Friday is your last Chance to “Celebrate Gloucester” in the BIG TENT on the water

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

If you haven’t yet been to a concert at Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion, now is the time — and if you’ve been to a concert in this gorgeous waterfront venue, you know what I’m talking about.

It’s the perfect summer music experience — ask anybody who was at the packed James Montgomery show last Friday.

Henri Smith
Henri Smith

This Friday (8/29) we’re bringing in the same concert stage and state-of-the-art sound & lights for Henri Smith New Orleans Friends & Flavours to kick off Schooner Festival weekend — get tickets here.

There’s a wonderful parallel between James Montgomery and Henri Smith.  Both bandleaders are major talents, they love to surround themselves with the best players available and both are committed to furthering their musical traditions by nurturing young talent.

Henri is bringing Grammy-winning saxophonist and flautist Amadee Castenell (who appeared in the HBO hit series Treme) along with Berklee professor Herman Hampton and top New England Conservatory trombonist Eric Stilwell — 3 generations of top musicians on the same stage!

And Mile Marker One will have a full bar along with perfect summer food: Lobster Rolls, BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Sausage/Peppers/Onions and of course Clam Chowda!

Don’t let summer pass you by without dancing a second line with Henri and his stellar band at the largest waterfront tent in Gloucester!  Don’t wait until it sells out.  GET TICKETS NOW!

Amadee Castenell
Amadee Castenell
Herman Hampton
Herman Hampton

Amadee Castenell

Eric Stilwell
Eric Stilwell

Sell Out Alert: A Few VIP Seats Left for Henri Smith YMCA Benefit on Friday 8/29 @ Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion (the BIG Tent)

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

JMB-WillieLast Friday’s James Montgomery show jam packed Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion (the BIG tent next to Mile Marker One) and VIP was sold out. The photo on the right shows how close the VIP seats are to the stage.

Wouldn’t you like to be this close to Henri Smith and his band New Orleans Friends & Flavours featuring Grammy-winning sax & flute player Amadee Castenell?

Henri_postcardYou can still get VIP seats (right here), but they won’t last long.  Plus you’ll be supporting Cape Ann YMCA Camp & Teen Services.

Don’t be one of those people who comes at the last minute and then complains that all the best seats are taken.  DO IT NOW!

Here’s a shot of the VIP section from behind the last row of VIP.
VIP Seating

Isn’t this where you want to be on Friday night to kick off the Schooner Festival?

Check out this video of Henri Smith’s sold out Mardi Gras 2013 concert at the Larcom Theatre in Beverly.

 

HALF OF GLOBE NORTH BEST BETS ARE IN GLOUCESTER THIS WEEKEND

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Today’s Globe North Best Bets column features 4 events and the first 2 listed are in Gloucester.  Here’s what they say:

Theater

Gloucester: Gloucester Stage Company closes its current season with August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Fences.” The play tells the story of a former Negro baseball leagues star working as a garbage man in Pittsburgh in 1957. Thursday through Sept. 7. $35, $40. Gorton Theatre, 267 East Main St. 978-281-4433, www.gloucesterstage.com .

JamesNewsletterMusic

Gloucester: The Celebrate Gloucester Benefit Concert Series presents blues artist James Montgomery, joined by Danielle Miraglia, Marissa Licata, Sax Attax Horns, and Willie Loco Alexander. Friday, 8 p.m. $25-$55. A portion of proceeds will go to The Open Door food pantry. Waterfront Pavilion, Cape Ann Marina, 75 Essex Ave. www.gimmelive.tv

Looks like the editors of the Boston Globe know where to go for top entertainment north of Boston.

Aren’t you glad you live here?

BREAKING NEWS & VIDEO: Whitney Doucet, who sang with Keith Urban, to join James Montgomery at the Celebrate Gloucester Kick-off on Friday

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

James Montgomery just added young, rising Country star, Whitney Doucet to his lineup for the Celebrate Gloucester Benefit for The Open Door this Friday at Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion in Gloucester.  Whitney is fresh off a duet with Country Star and American Idol judge Keith Urban that blew Keith away.

Whitney’s addition to the stellar lineup will add a Country flavor to the already unique benefit concert that showcases two beautiful and talented young women namely Jazz phenom Marissa Licata, and rising Blues star Danielle Miraglia, and also one of the Founders of the Boston Rock scene Willie Loco Alexander. Backing the Montgomery Band that night will be the Sax Attack horns, one of Boston’s premiere horn sections, who add a lot of power on the songs they perform.

The very best in Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Country will all be represented in one unique electrifying performance. This is a very special James Montgomery benefit concert that can only be seen on This Friday, August 22!  VIP is already sold out, but good seats are still available.  Get them NOW (right here)!

 

ALERT: Only a few VIP Tickets left for James Montgomery’s Celebrate Gloucester Benefit Concert FRI AUG 22

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

20140811_132207As promised, we always tell FOBs before good stuff sells out and we’re almost out of VIP seats for James Montgomery’s Celebrate Gloucester Benefit for The Open Door on Friday, August 22nd at Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion (the BIG tent).  VIP seats are right up front, plus you get Exclusive Early Entry and the Celebrate Gloucester Commemorative VIP Laminate in the picture.  Tickets available here.

Even if you miss VIP (which you probably will if you don’t get them by tomorrow morning), you can still get a great seat inside the tent.  We’re setting up the stage and seating so everyone gets a great view — and if the weather is good you can even sit at a table under the stars.

Waterfront Pavilion at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort

Win James Montgomery concert tickets at the Sidewalk Bazaar

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

CG_Montgomery_LegalYou’ve probably heard about our Celebrate Gloucester Benefit Concert Series that starts Aug 22 at Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion (the BIG tent).

And unless you’re just visiting, you probably also know that Gloucester’s Sidewalk Bazaar starts tomorrow and features all sorts of artists, artisans and bargains on Main Street through Saturday.

Starting tomorrow, you can enter to win 2 tickets to the James Montgomery Band with special guests, who are coming to Gloucester to help raise money for The Open Door.

Just find The Open Door’s booth at the Sidewalk Bazaar and get a raffle ticket for their 3 minute shopping spree (see Craig Kimberley’s video of last year’s winner here.)

Every raffle ticket purchased at the Sidewalk Bazaar is automatically entered to win 2 free tickets to the concert.

One winner will be announced on the Open Door’s Facebook Page after being drawn at the end of each day.

Your raffle ticket helps support the Open Door AND you just might win tickets to one of this summer’s hottest shows!

Great musicians like Johnny Winter and James Montgomery inspire each other

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

You may know that legendary blues man James Montgomery toured the world for 5 years as featured member of Johnny Winter’s band, so Johnny’s recent passing hit James extra hard.

There’s a special bond among musicians (especially those who tour together) that’s hard to describe.  I’ve never been to war, but the guys I know who have describe a very similar bond among the people in their unit.

Rather than try to describe this bond, I figure the best way to convey it is by demonstrating through music.  Isn’t that what music does anyhow — convey a feeling or circumstance that’s impossible to describe?

Check out this video of James with The Johnny Winter Band in NYC.  Johnny & James don’t even look at each other, but they don’t have to.  Their musical bond holds it all together.

Perhaps, when he kicks off the Celebrate Gloucester Benefit Concert Series on August 22 at Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion, we’ll get James to give us a taste of what it was like to tour with one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived!  Get your tickets NOW before they sell out like Johnny Winter at the Larcom in January.

New Live Henri Smith CD to be released at Celebrate Gloucester Aug 29

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

HenriPoster_600When Henri Smith brings New Orleans Friends & Flavours, featuring Grammy-winner Amadee Castenell to Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion on August 29, he’ll be helping to raise money for the Cape Ann YMCA — and he’ll release his new live CD recorded at The Larcom Theatre last March.

This will be Henri’s first live CD and it features stellar guests, including Grammy-winners Charles Neville and Amadee Castenell along with young, rising stars — all brought together by Henri Smith, one of the country’s premier band leaders.

Recorded and mixed by Bill Winn (whose award-winning credits include Whitney Houston and Herbie Hancock among many others), this CD is destined to become a classic — and you can get yours signed at the concert.

Henri Smith concerts have been selling out, so you probably shouldn’t procrastinate.

Get your tickets now (right here) and then you can relax the rest of the summer.

James Montgomery is bringing young rising stars to Gloucester on Aug 22 — and a surprise!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

JamesNewsletterJust Announced: James Montgomery’s Celebrate Gloucester Guests

James has invited young rising stars Danielle Miraglia & Marissa Licata along with Gloucester’s own Willie Loco Alexander to join him on stage Friday night August 22 at Cape Ann Marina’s Waterfront Pavilion to help raise money for the Open Door.

This is James’ first appearance in Gloucester on over 2 years and he won’t be back for a while — and you can’t see him with this lineup anywhere else.  So get tickets now (right here) before it’s too late.

Check out these videos of James and his guests and you’ll see why this is one summer concert you absolutely don’t want to miss!

Celebrate Gloucester Update: John Sebastian Concert Rescheduled

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Due to a scheduling conflict, we have moved the Celebrate Gloucester Benefit Concert featuring John Sebastian to Saturday, September 13 at the UU Meetinghouse.  Get tickets here.

CG_2014_JohnSebastian

This is one more example of how things often work out despite my frustration when I found out about the conflict.  The UU Meetinghouse a fitting venue given that this concert helps raise money for its restoration and the acoustics are excellent.  But with no air conditioning, it wouldn’t have worked for an August concert.  However, it’s perfect for September when the average high is 72 and low is 55 (it might be a little chilly at 8pm on the water that time of year) and the cushioned pews are quite comfortable.

This concert is a perfect opportunity to experience the music that helped define a generation up close and personal.  Here’s a video of John Sebastian at Woodstock (45 years ago this August):

CELEBRATE GLOUCESTER 2014 ANNOUNCED – STARTING AUG 15th – THE 45th ANNIVERSARY OF WOODSTOCK

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

BREAKING NEWS: We just announced the Celebrate Gloucester Benefit Concert Series — three great concerts for three great causes, beginning with Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee John Sebastian on August 15th, the 45th anniversary of his performance at Woodstock.  Get tickets here.