Tag: Music on Meeting house Green

MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Willie Alexander

WILLIE ALEXANDER’S PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY ORCHESTRA
August 16 free concert on Meetinghouse Green

Gloucester-based Willie Alexander and the Persistence of Memory Orchestra offer up their unique experimental art rock ‘n roll music in a free concert on Friday, August 16 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Meetinghouse Green, corner of Church and Middle Streets in Gloucester.

Singer and keyboardist Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander has a storied history playing with legendary bands including the Lost, a 60s garage-band that made records for Capitol; a stint with the post-Lou Reed Velvet Underground, and the alternative punk Boom Boom Band, which recorded for MCA. He formed the Persistence of Memory Orchestra in the ‘90s, and their high energy and artistic integrity continue to excite audiences of all ages.

Willie brings a sweep of cultural interests to his musicianship. His 1954 single “Kerouac” was covered by Tim Pressley on the Album The Wink (Drag City, 2016). In 1994 he narrated a local film titled ‘Middle Street’ made by fellow Gloucester native, independent filmmaker and co-founder of the Gloucester Writers Center, Henry Ferrini. He continues to collaborate with Ferrini on soundtracks for other films.

Lovers of experimental music, punk rock, and good old rock ‘n roll will groove to the beat of Willie Alexander and the Persistence of Memory Orchestra.

Each week Music on Meetinghouse Green partners with a different non-profit organization to raise awareness for the services they provide to the local community. At the August 16 concert, the audience is invited to contribute a freewill donation to the Grace Center, a Lifebridge North Shore day resource center serving those who are homeless. Willow Rest will provide tasty, fresh food for concert-goers.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Unitarian Universalist Church, is located at the corner of Church and Middle Streets. The concert is handicapped accessible. Event parking is available on the green and at additional parking lots nearby in the Historic District. Folding chairs will be provided or bring your own beach chair. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held inside the Meetinghouse.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is grateful to our 2019 sponsors who made this series possible:
Hero: Scobie Ward
Platinum Tier: J.J. & Jackie Bell, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Harry & Mary Hintlian
Gold Tier: John and Janis Bell, Bomco, Michael & Mary Ann Bresnan
Silver Tier: Anonymous, Gib and Sarah Carey, JoeAnn Hart & Gordon Baird, Charles Nazarian, John and Sandra Ronan
Bronze Tier: Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Bill & Rose Hausman

All 2019 Music on Meetinghouse Green concerts are dedicated in honor of Linzee Coolidge and the late Beth Coolidge for their vision and generosity.

Music on Meetinghouse Green Announces Fourth Season

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

PRESS RELEASE, June 28, 2019, announcing:

Music on Meetinghouse Green IV, Summer Festival 2019

 A free outdoor summer music festival at 6:00PM on Friday evenings in July and August.  We dedicate this fourth season in honor of Linzee Coolidge and the late Beth Coolidge for their vision and generosity to the Cape Ann community.

 Description:

Please join us for the 4th season of this free outdoor concert series, hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church.  This unique summer music festival features a different musical ensemble at 6:00PM each Friday evening in July and August and benefits our North Shore non-profit partners via free-will offerings from the audience.  The whole community is invited to enjoy this ‘mini-Tanglewood’ experience under the shade trees on the green at the corner of Church and Middle Streets.  Bring lawn chairs, blankets and your favorite libation to enjoy the music and delicious food available from local vendors.  Your voluntary contributions support the work of 8 terrific partner organizations that work so hard to improve the lives of our fellow citizens on Cape Ann.

 Schedule:

Date                Music                                      Beneficiary                                          Food

July 5               John Baboian Ensemble          Pathways for Children                         Causeway

July 12             Livin’ on Luck                          Backyard Growers                               Classic Cooks

July 19             Hye Fusion                              The Open Door                                    Markouk

July 26             The Goddesses                       Art Haven                                            Willow Rest

August 2          What Time Is It Mr. Fox?         Maritime Gloucester                           CommonCrow

August 9          Cape Ann Big Band                 HAWC                                                  Jalapenos

August 16        Willie Alexander                     The Grace Center                                Willow Rest

August 23        Deb Hardy Band                      Gloucester Education Foundation       Jalapenos

September 6    Alvin Foster                             Gloucester Meetinghouse                  Causeway

 Sponsors:

Thanks to their amazing generosity, the series’ expenses are pre-paid and all free-will donations from the audience go to our non-profit community partners!

Hero                Scobie Ward

Platinum          J.J. & Jackie Bell, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Harry & Mary Hintlian

Gold                 John & Janis Bell, BOMCO, Michael & Mary Ann Bresnan

Silver               Anonymous, Gib & Sarah Carey, JoeAnn Hart & Gordon Baird, Charles Nazarian,

                        John & Sandra Ronan

Bronze             Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Bill & Rose Hausman

 Location, Time and More Info:

The Green in front of the Gloucester Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Church and Middle Streets.  The program starts at 6:00PM and concludes at 8:30PM.  Please consult www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org  for more information about the performers, non-profits and food vendors.  Please note, events are held indoors in the downstairs social hall in case of bad weather-we never cancel!

Additional information

 

Quilt to be Raffled to Benefit the Meetinghouse:

Lanesville textile artist Doris Prouty has created and donated a beautiful quilt that will be raffled to benefit the present work on the Meetinghouse.

 Building History and the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation:

Completed in 1806 for the first Universalist Church in America, the grand Federal Style, 600-seat Meetinghouse with a 110’ lantern steeple and Paul Revere Bell is a jewel in the heart of the Historic District.   Now well into its third century serving the people of Cape Ann, its history is steeped in the establishment of religious freedom in Massachusetts and the Constitutional separation of church and state.  Home of the present-day Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and host to The Grace Center, the building is alive with activities like concerts, family-friendly entertainment, events, symposia and civic celebrations.

 The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit modeled upon the Old North Foundation in relation to Boston’s famous Old North Church.  Its mission is to preserve the landmark building as a welcoming civic hub, premiere entertainment venue, and family-friendly community action center.  The ongoing preservation of the building seeks to combine the highest standard of restoration and energy conservation techniques.

 

Thanks to support from state, municipal and philanthropic grants plus gifts from private individuals the Meetinghouse is accessible to persons with disabilities,  is protected by a fire-sprinkler & monitoring system augmented by extensive fire-proof thermal insulation, and has achieved a ‘net-zero’ building carbon footprint with the help of Reforest the Tropics  and its climate-change initiative TownGreen/2025. 

 More info at: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

 

 

Gloucester Meetinghouse

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni


PRESS RELEASE:

First Event of ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’ Series to benefit Pathways for Children on Friday Evening, July 7th

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents the first of 9 free, family-friendly outdoor concerts, featuring Berklee Be-Bop Guitars with John Baboian on July 7th 2017 at 6 pm, on Meetinghouse Green, corner of Church and Middle St, Gloucester.

The “Be-Bop” Guitars is an all-faculty band from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. It includes guitars, trumpet/flute, vibes, bass and drums. The band plays both guitar-oriented jazz and music rooted in the “Bop” tradition. They promise a lively and fun evening!

The public is invited to make free-will donations to Pathways for Children, the non-profit organization partnered with this concert (please bring cash or check and be generous). Pathways is a leading provider of education and care programs on the North Shore of Massachusetts serving over 500 children and their families from 13 communities.

Picnicking is encouraged so pack a basket with food and drink. You may also purchase delicious seafood and other goodies on-site from Joe’s on a Roll. Bring folding chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the event will take place inside the Meetinghouse.

The sponsors of ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’ pre-pay the expenses so all contributions go to our non-profit partners. Special thanks to Linzee & Beth Coolidge (matching gift) plus Tom & Susan Andresen, J.J. & Jackie Bell, Michael & Mary Ann Bresnan, Harry & Mary Hintlian, Dick & Doris Prouty, Charles Nazarian, Sandra Ronan, and our corporate sponsor: Cape Ann Saving Bank.

____________________________________________________________

NOT FOR PUBLICATION:

Media Information Contact: Charles Nazarian, president
Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation
chasnaz@gmail.com or 978-821-5291