Thursday it’s the Third Thursday (music) Therapy FREE show with The Spynz! Each month we offer a free concert as a way to say thanks to the community and make sure that everyone has a chance to enjoy the incredible sound system and huge dance floor! If you haven’t been to a show at The Cut yet, this is the perfect opportunity to scope the scene without having to buy tickets. The Spynz will be playing classic and modern hits all designed to get you dancing! Doors are at 6:30pm, show is at 7pm. There are some seats available on a first come, first serve basis.
Friday is the Brassfed Nation’s Holiday Bash featuring The Jambalaya Horn Orchestra! You’ll feel like you’re celebrating Christmas in New Orleans! This show is ALL AGES, so it’s the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family. Seats are pretty much sold out, but there are still some GA Standing (aka dancing) tickets available! Doors at 7pm. Show at 7:30pm.
We will also have live music in the restaurant from 7pm-9pm. No cover. Just come hang, grab a drink and a burger, and enjoy the cozy holiday vibes!
Saturday we are throwing it down with DJ Vito & Friends in the restaurant from 9 to close! DJ Vito Ferrara & Friends will be with us every Saturday night. No cover. Follow us on social media for guest DJ updates!
Sunday come by and knock out the rest of your holiday shopping list with the Last Minute Holiday Gift Market hosted by Cape Ann Makers Market from 12pm-4pm. They’ll have over 25 local vendors, so you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list. The bar will be open so you can sip & shop, Little Sister will be serving food, and we’ll have all the NFL games on in the restaurant too. The perfect little Sunday!
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and at noon on Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing!
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL BE CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND 1/1-1/7 FOR STAFF APPRECIATION BREAK.
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO OPEN AT NOON ON SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 5PM, SUN 12PM
Mayor Greg Verga is pleased to announce that beginning Thursday, November 27, 2025, the City of Gloucester will offer free 2-hour parking on Main Street in Zone 6 and Zone 2 through Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The initiative is designed to encourage visitors and residents alike to shop, dine and stroll the downtown corridor during the holidays, while supporting our local businesses and fostering a vibrant community environment.
Key Details
Free parking will apply in the two-hour metered spaces on Main Street within Zone 6 and Zone 2 from November 27 through December 31.
Even though parking fees are waived,vehicles must still register their license plate number and time either at the on-street kiosk or via the Flowbird Parking app.
The free two-hour session is limited to once per day per vehicle.
The two-hour time limit will be strictly enforced. Vehicles parked longer than two hours will be subject to standard enforcement procedures.
At the kiosks, users will press the check mark to start, enter their vehicle’s license plate number, press the check mark to continue, and finally press the check mark to activate the two-hour session (no payment is required/accepted). The app functions in a similar fashion: you log in, select the Main Street zone, enter your plate and confirm to activate the two-hour session.
The City asks all parkers to comply with the time-limit and registration process to ensure fairness and availability of spaces for all visitors and residents.
Why This Matters
This free-parking offer is part of the City’s broader holiday activation plan: by reducing the barrier to access downtown, the City is supporting Main Street-area merchants, restaurants and galleries and encouraging foot traffic in the heart of Gloucester. At the same time, the enforcement of the two-hour limit protects turnover, ensuring that parking remains accessible through the busy season.
Additional Reminders
The registration of your license plate and time is still required—even though payment is waived. Failure to register may result in a violation.
While Sundays and legal holidays already enjoy free parking across all zones (under normal conditions) in Gloucester, this Main Street waiver is an additional convenience for the holiday period.
A free 20-minute session remains available in all other zones and parking regulations will continue to be enforced in these areas.
Please always check the posted signs in the area to confirm the applicable zone and pay/registration requirements—these remain part of the daily regulation system.
“We want everyone to enjoy the spirit of the season and support our downtown businesses. By offering free parking along Main Street and maintaining the two-hour limit, we strike the right balance between convenience for visitors and continuing turnover so our Main Street remains vibrant and accessible,” said Mayor Verga. “I encourage all of our residents and guests to plan their visits, register their plate and time, and enjoy a holiday season filled with local culture, shopping, and community.”
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Wednesday is Thanksgiving Eve – also known as the BIGGEST bar night of the year. So you should probably spend it at the biggest bar in town! The Cut is hosting a DJ Dance Party with DJ Skully & DJ Vito in the venue. NO COVER. But if you want to impress those cousins in from out of town or make that ex from high school jealous, you can buy a VIP table for 4 that comes with a bottle of bubbly and cocktail service. Or just buy a rail seat so you have somewhere to leave your things, and can order drinks from a QR code and skip waiting at the bar!
And as we do every Wednesday, we’ll also be hosting our weekly Seisiun! Join us for live traditional Celtic music in the restaurant. No cover! Musicians will gather starting at 6pm and play until 9pm. This is intended to be an intimate and collaborative celebration of live music for the whole community, so we hope you’ll come by, grab a pint, and enjoy!
CLOSED THURSDAY FOR THANKSGIVNG
Friday is Rhythm of the Saints – A Tribute to Paul Simon with The Gary Backstrom Band playing the music of the influential jam band, Jiggle the Handle. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm. There are still a table seats and rail seats available, as well at GA standing (aka dancing) tickets!
We will also have Cheryl Arena & Mike Dibari Duo playing in the restaurant from 7pm-9pm. No cover. Just come hang, grab a drink and a burger, and enjoy some live music!
Saturday Zane Christopher returns to The Cut for a homecoming show you won’t want to miss. This North Shore native almost sold out last year, and tickets are going fast again, so don’t wait! Zane will be joined by Overserved Again. This is the perfect show to bring your out-of-town cousins to if they love Noah Kahan, Vance Joy, The Lumineers or Zach Bryan. There are still a few high tops and rail seats available. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm.
We are also bringing back Saturday Night DJs in the restaurant from 9 to close! DJ Vito Ferrara & Friends, every Saturday night. No cover. Follow us on social media for guest DJ updates!
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and now starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing!
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL BE CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY, CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY, AND 1/1-1/7 FOR STAFF APPRECIATION BREAK.
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO NOW OPEN AT NOON ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 12PM, SUN 12PM
Wednesday we’re hosting our weekly Seisiun! Join us for live traditional Celtic music in the restaurant. No cover! Musicians will gather starting at 6pm and play until 9pm. This is intended to be an intimate and collaborative celebration of live music for the whole community, so we hope you’ll come by, grab a pint, and enjoy!
Thursday It’s our Third Thursday (music) Therapy FREE SHOW with Local 28!! This is the perfect opportunity to check out the venue if you haven’t been to a show yet! There is some seating available – first come, first serve. Doors at 6:00pm. Show at 7:00pm.
Friday is FJ – A Tribute to Foreigner & Journey featuring Rudy Cardenas from American Idol! So many people BEGGED us to book this band and we’re very excited to have the up on The Cut stage for the first time. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm. There are still a few high top tables available, as well at GA standing (aka dancing) tickets!
We will also have Peter Tentindo playing in the restaurant from 7pm-9pm. No cover. Just come hang, grab a drink and a burger, and enjoy some live music!
Saturday we have Don’t Stop Believin’ Karaoke with DJ Lou up on our BIG stage in the venue. This is not your run of the mill bar karaoke, this is your chance to feel like the star of the show up on the stage with professional sound & lights! Standout singers will be invited to sing at our Live Band Karaoke Showcase with Groove Therapy in February. Do you have what it takes? $5 cover at the door – no presale. Seating is first come first serve. Doors at 7:00pm. Karaoke starts at 8:00pm.
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and now starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing!
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO NOW OPEN AT NOON ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 12PM, SUN 12PM
Ever wonder how Gloucester’s public library came to be? The Sawyer Free Library invites the community to a special evening celebrating nearly two centuries of local history, innovation, and civic spirit. On Thursday, November 20 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, the Library will present a film screening and panel discussion of Timeline Cape Ann: Sawyer Free Library in its Community Room.
Produced by Kory Curcuru of1623 Studios, Timeline Cape Ann: Sawyer Free Library traces the remarkable story of Gloucester’s public library—from its 19th-century beginnings in the Gloucester Lyceum to its role today as a vibrant civic and cultural hub. The short documentary explores how a small-town vision grew into a cornerstone of learning, access, and community connection.
The film situates the Sawyer Free Library within the broader story of American public libraries—beginning with Benjamin Franklin’s 1731 subscription library, which sparked a movement for shared knowledge and free access to books. By the early 1800s, the “Lyceum movement” swept New England, bringing citizens together for lectures, debate, and education. Gloucester quickly joined in. In 1830, residents established the Gloucester Lyceum, which merged Franklin’s ideals with this new spirit of civic learning.
The Library’s evolution accelerated under the leadership and generosity of Samuel Elwell Sawyer, a Gloucester native and philanthropist who made access to books free for all. His lasting legacy includes the donation of the Saunders House, which remains part of the Library campus today, and the 1872 incorporation of the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library, with a charter promising it would remain free forever.
Timeline Cape Ann also highlights the Library’s continued resilience and innovation—surviving fires, embracing technology, and expanding services through the 20th and 21st centuries. From WPA murals and children’s programs to its newly completed, state-of-the-art renovation and expansion, the Sawyer Free Library remains a living institution shaped by generations of readers, learners, and citizens.
Following the screening, Curcuru will be joined by Sawyer Free Library Local History Librarian Julie Travers and local historian and author Wayne Soini for a panel discussion and audience Q&A exploring the Library’s enduring role in Gloucester’s civic life.
This free public event offers a fascinating look at how one man’s generosity and a community’s shared commitment helped shape the heart of Gloucester.
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Thursday, November 20, 2025 5:00–6:30 PM Sawyer Free Library, Community Room (Ground Floor), 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA
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Wednesday we’re hosting our weekly Seisiun! Join us for live traditional Celtic music in the restaurant. No cover! Musicians will gather starting at 6pm and play until 9pm. This is intended to be an intimate and collaborative celebration of live music for the whole community, so we hope you’ll come by, grab a pint, and enjoy! Last week was a fabulous first run that allowed us to work out some kinks. This week it will be even better!!
Friday is The Rock & Roll Circus featuring New England Music Hall of Fame members Jon Butcher and James Montgomery, and The J. Geils Band co-founder and “Ace on Bass” Danny Klein (Danny Klein’s Full House). You can expect a night of classic rock and blues; all for a more than worthy cause!!! 100% of net proceeds go to benefit The Open Door Food Pantry at a time when they need it most! Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm. There are still some tickets available!
We will also have local favorites, Lines End, in the restaurant playing an acoustic set from 7pm-9pm. No cover. Just come hang, grab a drink and a burger, and enjoy some live music!
Saturday we’ve got an epic 80s dance party with Fast Times! Boasting wild hair, keytars, and all the drumstick twirls you can handle, these guys throw one heck of a party that you don’t want to miss! There are still some tickets available! Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm.
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and now starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing!
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO NOW OPEN AT NOON ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 12PM, SUN 12PM
Wednesday we’re hosting our first Seisiun! Join us for live traditional Celtic music in the restaurant. No cover! Musicians will gather starting at 6pm and play until 9pm. This is intended to be an intimate and collaborative celebration of live music for the whole community, so we hope you’ll come by, grab a pint, and enjoy!
Thursday it’s Crowned28 performing high octane tributes to 28 iconic women in music with powerhouse vocals, costume changes, and other surprises! If you scream-sing along to Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey in your car, this is the ultimate girls’ night out for YOU! There are still tickets available, so grab yours before they’re gone! Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm.
Friday is HALLOWEEN! We’re celebrating everyone’s favorite candy-consumption holiday with Soul Rebel Project. They’ll be playing a killer rock-reggae show complete with Halloween surprises! Costumes are encouraged! Doors at 8:00pm. Show at 9:00pm. There are still some tickets available!
We will not have live music in the restaurant this Friday. Friday Night Live will return next week!
Saturday we’ve got an epic disco dance party with Motor Booty Affair! Come boogie the night away with Superfly, Spanish Fly, Vinnie Boom-Boom Funktonio, and Cyclone Link Sky! These guys throw one heck of a party that you don’t want to miss! There are still some tickets available! Doors at 7:30pm. Show at 8:00pm.
DJ Skully will also be throwing it down for Send It Saturday in the restaurant starting at 9pm. No Cover!
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and now starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing!
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO NOW OPEN AT NOON ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 12PM, SUN 12PM
New Beaches and Parks Operations Manager and Economic Development Coordinator will enhance the city’s open spaces and support local business growth.
GLOUCESTER – Mayor Greg Verga is pleased to announce the hiring of Kansas Ricci-Munn as the City’s Operations Manager for Beaches and Parks and Emily Sloane as the City’s Economic Development Coordinator.
“Emily and Kansas bring a wide range of knowledge and experience to the team, and I’m confident they’ll make a real difference in their new roles,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “Our open spaces and local businesses are among the most important parts of our community, and these two new positions will play a key role in advancing the initiatives that strengthen and support them.”
Ricci-Munn, a Gloucester resident, has been a valued member of the City’s lifeguard team for nearly two decades, bringing experience and creativity to the role. He has worked as Lifeguard Coordinator for the City of Gloucester since 2022 and has been instrumental in the development of the program and team. Through his leadership of the lifeguard program, he has prioritized training, staff engagement, and communication.
“It brings me great joy to serve the City of Gloucester,” said Ricci-Munn. “ We have a special community and I’m proud to be part of it”
As the City’s new Operations Manager for Beaches and Parks, Ricci-Munn will be responsible for the care and oversight of some of Gloucester’s most well-used public spaces. From maintaining the safety and accessibility of our shorelines to supporting the upkeep of our parks, including Stage Fort Park, he will help ensure these areas remain welcoming and enjoyable for residents and visitors. He will play a key role in the implementation of Gloucester’s Beach Management Plan — ensuring our beaches are safe, well-maintained, and welcoming for all residents and visitors.
Sloane, a native of Gloucester, brings over 20 years of experience driving economic growth, strengthening the workforce, and empowering communities. Most recently she supported studies intended to promote global food security as Markets Advisor at Tetra Tech, following nearly a decade of experience in international economic development and humanitarian program management work — specifically within the nonprofit or international NGO (INGO) sector. As Economic Development Coordinator, she will play a key role supporting Gloucester’s economic growth and long-term community goals. She will focus on implementing many of the City’s recently completed strategic plans, including the Municipal Harbor Plan, Local Rapid Recovery Plan, and Comprehensive Plan, while advancing the creation of a Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).
“After two decades of working on economic development projects worldwide, I am truly excited to be focusing on my home community. Gloucester has so many smart, engaged residents, and I look forward to partnering with them to build a stronger economic future for us all,” said Sloane.
In this role, Sloane will also work to support Gloucester’s existing maritime industry while helping to guide opportunities in the emerging blue economy, ensuring that Gloucester continues to honor its working waterfront heritage while preparing for a sustainable economic future.
Sloane and Ricci-Munn officially started with the City of Gloucester on October 6, 2025.
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Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6th, 5:00pm in the Library’s Matz Gallery
The Sawyer Free Library proudly presents Volume One, the inaugural exhibition in its new Monthly Artist Program—marking a vibrant beginning for the Library’s reimagined Matz Gallery and its renewed commitment to the arts. Featuring Gloucester artists Erin Luman and Laureen Maher Bowie, Volume One will be on view November 2 through December 29, 2025.
There will be an Artist Reception on Thursday, November 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Matz Gallery at the Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. The public is invited to attend this special event. No registration is needed.
Volume Onecelebrates both the creative spirit of the community and the innovative transformation of the Sawyer Free Library itself, which has just reopened following a two-year, $28 million renovation and expansion.
Both artists began their creative journeys years ago by exhibiting in the Library’s Monthly Artist Program. Returning now to inaugurate the revitalized Matz Gallery, they reexamine their art through a fresh lens—bridging past and present in this inspiring debut show.
About the Artists Gloucester-based contemporary artist Erin Luman weaves memory and daily life into evocative scenes that invite viewers to pause and reflect. What began as a fascination with the weathered cottages of Long Beach has evolved into a body of work capturing small, intimate moments—a century-old bathroom sink, beach towels drying in the sun, or glimpses of lived spaces both personal and universal. While her upcoming winter exhibition at Endicott College will spotlight the studios of local makers, Volume One offers a deeply personal collection drawn from the in-between moments that inspire her.
Laureen Maher Bowie, an award-winning local painter and celebrated colorist, captures the beauty and grit of Gloucester in richly layered oils. Her iconic painting, We Dive at Five, depicting local youth jumping off from the Good Harbor Beach footbridge at high tide, will be displayed publicly for the first time at this exhibition. Maher Bowie’s work has been featured in Exhibit Art New England and will appear in the upcoming Rockport Art Association & Museum National Juried Show.
As part of the Library’s renewed commitment to supporting local arts and culture, the Monthly Artist Program will feature rotating exhibitions that highlight both emerging and established regional artists. The newly formed Matz Committee will help guide future exhibitions, ensuring that the space remains a vibrant showcase for creativity and connection. Local and regional artists interested in exhibiting may submit expressions of interest to matzgallery@sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Volume One serves as an exciting kickoff to this initiative—and to the holiday season—with 25% of all sales benefiting the Sawyer Free Library. The exhibition has already drawn enthusiastic community response and stands as a fitting tribute to the Library’s long-standing role as a cultural cornerstone of Gloucester.
Visitors are invited to experience Volume One and explore the beautifully expanded Sawyer Free Library at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester—a welcoming, inspiring space designed to serve generations to come.
Friday is for the Emo/Punk kids who had Blink 182 and Yellowcard CDs in their sun visor CD case back in the 90s and early 00s! The Warped Tour Band will be playing all your favorites with openers, All The Blink Things and Dookie. There are still some GA standing tickets available. Doors are at 7pm. Show is at 8pm.
We’ll also have Headlands Trio playing live in the restaurant from 7pm – 10pm. No cover!
Saturday it’s time to get FUNKY with Booty Vortex! This band really knows how to throw a party that you absolutely don’t want to miss! There are still some GA Standing (aka DANCING) tickets available. Doors at 7:30pm. Show at 8:30pm.
We’ll also have DJ Skully in the restaurant keeping the party going from 9pm – close. No cover!
Sunday the legendary Chicago Bluesman, Toronzo Cannon, will be up on The Cut stage! There are still some tickets for what is sure to be an incredible and intimate show. Doors at 6pm. Show at 7pm.
We’ll also have ALL the football on our 9 TVs, so make sure you stop by to watch the games and enter to win a VIP Experience at our Super Bowl Party!
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and now starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing!
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO NOW OPEN AT NOON ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 12PM, SUN 12PM
Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community with Ethan Kent
The Sawyer Free Library will officially relaunch the Gloucester Lyceum with a special event, Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community, featuring internationally renowned placemaking leader Ethan Kent, Executive Director of PlacemakingX.
The program will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Room, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. Free and open to the public, registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited.
The program will begin with remarks by Mr. Kent, followed by interactive conversations with fellow attendees throughout the various spaces of the newly renovated, expanded, and modernized Sawyer Free Library. The perspectives shared in these dialogues will inspire closing insights from Mr. Kent, allowing participants to reflect on how Gloucester can continue to build meaningful, inclusive spaces—starting with its newly reimagined Library.
“Placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and the places they share,” said Ethan Kent. “It’s about making the spaces we live, the places we love.”
The Gloucester Lyceum: A Tradition Renewed
Founded in 1830, the Gloucester Lyceum once brought thought leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to Cape Ann. Today, the Sawyer Free Library’s relaunch builds on this proud tradition, offering marquee programs that bring contemporary voices into dialogue with the community.
“The relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum is about renewing a proud tradition of bringing people together for public discourse within a collaborative forum. True to the notion that a lyceum is “where the city comes to think,” we are honored to welcome Ethan Kent as our first speaker in this new chapter. His work around the world embodies the very spirit of community dialogue and imagination that we hope to cultivate right here in Gloucester,” said Laura Ventimiglia, Chair of the Gloucester Lyceum.
“Welcoming Ethan Kent to Gloucester to help relaunch our historic Lyceum is both timely and inspiring,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Board of Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library. “Our newly reimagined Library is the hub of the community—offering so much to so many. Ethan’s work demonstrates how meaningful public spaces can bring people together, foster belonging, and strengthen communities.”
About the Sawyer Free Library
For nearly 200 years, the Sawyer Free Library has served Gloucester as a hub of culture, learning, and civic life. Its newly renovated and expanded building continues this mission, providing equal access to resources and programs that support the community’s evolving needs.
For more information and to register for this special evening, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited, so register today!
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Deborah Read Named Goetemann Artist-in-Residence at Rocky Neck, October 2025
Gloucester, MA — This October, Gloucester-based artist Deborah Read joins the Goetemann Artist Residency at Rocky Neck Art Colony with a deceptively simple but urgent inquiry: Does art have to be an object?
For Read, the answer has long been “not necessarily.” Her interdisciplinary practice—spanning installation, performance, writing, and collaborative projects—frames art as an act of generosity. As co-founder of Gallery RAG in Gloucester and the international foundation Art+Everywhere, she has created platforms that dissolve boundaries between artist and audience, centering collaboration, care, and mutual support.
Read’s projects invite participation and dialogue: immersive performances with Coco Haze that turn galleries into collective canvases, hybrid works with poet Joel Iwaskiewicz where language becomes performance, and community-based installations like Tejido Vivo, which weave craft traditions into living art. In each case, connection outweighs the object itself.
Her foundation Art+Everywhere embodies this vision, described by Read as “a global, artist-led ecosystem built on mutual generosity.” Its mission: expand access to funding, programming, and creative opportunities while removing barriers of gatekeeping institutions. “The challenge is not scarcity, but activation,” Read explains. “Compassion already exists—in hundreds of hands and eyes—ready to help.”
At Rocky Neck, her residency continues this ethos—not as a retreat into isolation, but as a public process of listening, generating, and sharing. “The question is never just ‘what did I make,’ but ‘what did we generate together?’ Generosity is generative—it can enrich lives, spaces, and even economies.”
Public Programs:
Artist Talk — October 5 from 4-5PM at Rocky Neck Cultural Center
Open Studios — October 27 and 29, from 12-2PM at Gallery RAG
Culminating Talk — October 30 at 6PM at Gallery RAG
For Rocky Neck—a community shaped by both maritime labor and artistic innovation—Read’s residency is both a philosophical question and a practical experiment: What if art is not possession, but presence? Not scarcity, but abundance?
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Thursday it’s our monthly FREE show: Third Thursday (music) Therapy with Groove Therapy! If you haven’t been to The Cut for a show yet, this is the perfect opportunity. Come check out the unbelievable sound, killer sightlines and huge dance floor! 21+. Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm. There will be some first come, first serve seats available.
Friday Dueling Pianos are BACK! This is a full audience participation show, complete with sing-alongs and friendly competition! Tickets are still available. Doors at 7pm. Show at 8pm. We’ll also have Brian Dwyer Trio playing live in the restaurant from 7pm-10pm. No Cover.
Saturday we are thrilled to have Gavin Marengi with Nate Perry & Ragged Company up on The Cut stage. Tickets are going fast, but there are still some available! Doors at 7pm. Show at 8pm. Then we’ll have a live DJ in the restaurant from 9pm-close. Follow us on social media for pop-up DJ updates!
Sunday we’ll have ALL the football, so make sure you stop by to watch the games and enter to win a VIP Experience at our Super Bowl Party!
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night and now starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing! They offer a late-night menu on Friday and Saturday nights.
LITTLE SISTER IS ALSO NOW OPEN AT NOON ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!
HOURS: MON 5PM, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 12PM, SUN 12PM
Celebrations to Kick Off with Public Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, September 5
After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is proud to announce the grand reopening of its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue. To celebrate this major milestone, the Library will host a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 5, followed by a Community Open House on Saturday, September 6.
All are warmly invited to attend and explore the newly revitalized space.
This once-in-a-generation transformation marks a bold new chapter in the Library’s nearly 200-year legacy as a pillar of civic and cultural life in Gloucester. The result is a vibrant and inclusive public space designed to support 21st-century learning, creativity, and community connection.
“The new Sawyer Free Library reflects the spirit of our city: rooted in tradition, driven by creativity, and focused on building an inclusive, dynamic future”, said Mern Sibley, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees.
“This represents one of the most significant civic investments in Gloucester in a generation,” said Gloucester MayorGreg Verga. “It reflects what’s possible when we invest in public spaces that serve everyone.”
“We are incredibly proud to welcome everyone back into a new Sawyer Free Library that is reimagined, renewed and ready to inspire,” added Library DirectorJenny Benedict. “This Library will serve our community as a launchpad for lifelong learning, innovation, and connection for decades to come.”
A Space Revitalized for All
Designed by Oudens Ello Architecture and Dore + Whittier Architects and built by W.T. Rich Company, the $28million construction project seamlessly blends the original 1913 structure and 1976 addition with a striking new 14,000-square-foot expansion. The project was guided by extensive community input and completed on time and within budget.
The transformed Library offers an expansive array of amenities and technologies to serve Gloucester’s evolving needs:
A light-filled Children’s Room and Early Learning Center
A vibrant Teen Room featuring a STEAM-focused Creation Space, gaming consoles, and study nooks.
A state-of-the-art Digital Learning Lab and Podcast Studios with media creation tools, digitization equipment, and soundproof recording rooms
A 100-seat Community Room with adjacent public-use kitchen
New study rooms, conference spaces, and quiet reading lounges
A dedicated Local History Research Center with an extensive collection of books and manuscripts, a robust digital archive, and an interactive 85” Gloucester History Timeline, alongside the preserved writing desk of historian Joseph Garland
In addition, visitors can enjoy a refreshed Matz Gallery for local art exhibitions and the soaring three-story Cape Ann Quarries mural by artist Leslie Bartlett. Outdoors, the grounds feature expanded outdoor gathering spaces, including the Fountain Plaza, covered Dale Avenue Porch and the Library Greenway with raised garden beds, as well as EV charging stations and bike/e-bike parking.
With over 66,000 items—including books, media, digital devices and book club kits—sections of the Library’s collection have grown alongside its physical footprint. New conveniences like after-hours pickup lockers extend access for all.
Built for the Future
The Library sets a new standard for sustainable public building design in the region. Built to Net Zero Ready standards and LEED Gold certification, the building features an all-electric HVAC system, smart energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient landscaping—demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.
“The long and challenging journey to restore, expand, and revitalize one of Cape Ann’s greatest public resources has reached a successful ending through the tireless work of dedicated trustees, donors, and a community that cherishes the tradition of a free public library,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Now, its doors will open wide again to allow us all to begin our own countless journeys in the future, made possible by the resources and the inspiration inside its incredible new spaces.”
“As the daughter of a school librarian, I’ve always understood the power of libraries to open doors and bring communities together. The reopening of the Sawyer Free Library reflects Gloucester’s deep commitment to knowledge, creativity, and civic life,” said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “The facilities in the expanded library will serve every generation — supporting early literacy, digital access, lifelong learning, and community gathering in one space. Thank you to the many partners who helped make this transformative project a reality.”
A Community Effort, A Shared Legacy
The $28 million construction transformation was made possible through generous public and private support, including over $10 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $6 million from individual donors, $1.85 million from corporate donors, and $200,000 in local government and community partner grants. In addition, the Library Corporation contributed $2 million to the project during the design phase from trust funds. The capital project has reached completion on time and within budget.
To date, 65% of the Library’s capital campaign goal has been raised. Fundraising continues to fully cover construction costs and support the Library’s long-term vision. To contribute, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For nearly two centuries, the Sawyer Free Library has served as a trusted source of knowledge, creativity, and connection. The 2025 Library honors that legacy while boldly embracing the future—with a mission grounded in inclusion, sustainability, and lifelong learning.
“This is Gloucester’s library,” said Sibley. “And it belongs to everyone.”
To celebrate this milestone, the Library will host two public events:
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Friday, September 5, from 3:00–4:30 PM Featuring remarks, guided tours, a Cape Ann Youth Chorus performance, and light refreshments. Free and open to all. Rain or Shine.
Community Celebration & Open House Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM A day of family-friendly activities and opportunities to explore the transformed space.
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This week celebrates the conclusion of August performances at Windhover with a feast of great dance and music. On Thursday August 28 and Friday, August 29th at 7:00pm, former principal dancer from the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company, Annmaria Mazzini, performs in a show she curated with dancers and musicians working in a collaborative manner. This innovative performance is titled: “The Sound of Memory,” exploring music with sound bowls, Saigon water bells, Moroccan Crescent Drum, Caxixi Brazilian Shakers, Octo Cahon Drum, Indian Kinjira Drum, healing practices, vocals, oral history and varied choreography by Annmaria and others.
The Sound of Memory
Jennifer Mabus (dancer) and Brittany Breitman Nearing (sound bowls) rehearsing at Windhover
This evening presents a choreographic and musical meditation about the passage of time, caregiving, loss, fragility, and moving through life with a sense of awe and wonder. Renowned for its capacity to provoke thought and generate healing, “The Sound of Memory” explores questions of where in the body memory resides, what haunts us, and what sustains us. Tickets are available on the Windhover website or by using the buttons below. Distinguished bios of the artists can be found on the Windhover website: www.windhover.org
Then on Saturday, August 30, please join us in a musical bash when two talented music groups collaborate for an evening under the tent. Opening the evening at 6:30pm will be guitarist Brendan Evans and the Night Owls which brings together the music talents of guitarist Brendan Evans, vocalist Ben Blanchard and Daniel Palmer, a songwriter turned mystery/suspense novelist. The group performs mostly original material blending classical guitar with three-part harmonies to create a unique sound for their indie-folk infused songs. Then at 7:30pm, theClements Brothers & Good Company perform. This is an exciting chance to see the local and beloved (and identical twins) Charles and George Clements with their full national touring band who will perform together under the tent. The Clements Brothers, who live here on Cape Ann, have been playing and writing music together for as long as they can remember. With roots in rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George (on guitar) and Charles (on bass) aim to capture their singer-songwriter sensibilities in a unique blended voice, at once enthralling and intimate, groovy and serene. Tickets must be purchased in advance with this link.
And a sneak peek at September brings a group of local Cape Ann dancers and musicians together for a special one night only performance under the tent titled Locomotors on Friday, September 5 at 8:00pm. Locomotors is a collaborative music and dance group rooted in the practice of Dalcroze Eurhythmics and open-form improvisation, with a special focus on the somatic relationship between sound and movement. The core members are pianist and composer Michael Joviala, and dancer and choreographer Dawn Pratson. This performance also brings in guest artists Sarah Slifer Swift, dancer and director of Movement Arts in Gloucester ( MAGMA), plus with the work of visual artist Derick Melander, whose large-scale sculptures made from secondhand clothing, confront the intersection between global consumerism and our intimate relationship with what we wear. Tickets can be found here.The mission of Windhover this season continues to be: Collaboration… Connection… Community… and Creativity, which are our themes and directives. All of these upcoming performances are rare chances for you, the audience, to engage in these art forms and enjoy the collaborative beauty of these creative artists.Please come enjoy and support these artists in dance and music. Warm Wishes, Lisa Hahn, Windhover Executive Director
Wednesday we’ve got Trivia in the restaurant! Free to play. Prizes include show tickets and Little Sister gift cards!
Thursday it’s our Third Thursday (music) Therapy FREE show with Line’s End! If you haven’t had a chance to check out how incredible to venue portion of The Cut is yet, this is the perfect opportunity! Doors are at 6pm. Show is at 7pm. There are some seats available, first come, first serve.
Friday Robert Ellis Orrall returns to The Cut stage for a night of stories and songs from his EPIC career. If you’re interested in the music industry, or just love good storytelling and music, this one is for you! Plus Fun Bucket will be throwing an afterparty, so stay and dance! This show was SO good last year, so don’t miss your chance to see it this time around! There are still some tickets available. Doors are at 6:30pm. Show is at 7:30pm. We’ll also have live music in the restaurant starting at 8pm. No Cover.
Saturday it’s a double header. First a night of comedy with Tom Cotter, Christopher Robinson, and Tim McKeever. Doors at 6:30pm. Show at 7pm. There are still tickets available. THEN Come dance to pop hits and hip-hop from the 90s and 00s, plus current party anthems at our End of Summer Jam. This is a FREE DJ Dance Party with DJ Snackzilla & DJ Deirdre Dagata! Party kicks off at 9:30pm. 21+.
Sunday we have a collab between The Cut & Little Sister with South African music AND food! Come enjoy a special menu in the restaurant, and then enjoy Bokani Dyer back in the venue. Doors at 7pm. Show at 7:30pm. There are still tickets available.
As always, Little Sister will be serving their Best of The North Shore award-winning burgers (and so much more) starting at 5pm each night. Come early and grab food before the show or stay late and refuel after dancing! They offer a late-night menu on Friday and Saturday nights.
Gloucester, MA — Mayor Greg Verga is proud to announce the completion and official adoption of the City of Gloucester’s Comprehensive Plan 2025–2035, a forward-looking, community-driven roadmap that will guide growth, priorities, and investment over the next 10 years.
“This is more than just a document, it’s a promise to our community,” said Mayor Verga. “It’s aspirational, actionable, and attainable. And it reflects what thousands of Gloucester residents shared with us about their hopes for the future of our city.”
The Comprehensive Plan was developed over two years through robust public engagement, with nearly 4,000 community participation touchpoints through surveys, meetings, workshops, and events. The result is a visionary plan centered on local values and goals, Gloucester’s unique identity, natural beauty, working waterfront, creative economy, and iconic neighborhoods.
Key highlights from the plan include:
Upgrading infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, schools, and recreational facilities, to support evolving community needs.
Expanding housing options for residents at all life stages and income levels.
Supporting economic growth by strengthening Gloucester’s marine economy and attracting innovation-driven industries.
Creating safer, healthier connections through walkable neighborhoods, expanded bike and transit access, and public health investments.
Mayor Verga plans to appoint an Implementation Committee, composed of community members, city staff, and representatives from boards and commissions, that will be tasked with ensuring meaningful and transparent progress on the plan’s goals. The following phase will include annual reporting, performance tracking, and continued public involvement.
“This effort has been central to my vision for Gloucester since day one,” said Mayor Verga. “It’s deeply gratifying to see this plan finalized and I’m incredibly proud of the team effort it represents. From the Planning Board and City staff to our partners and residents, Gloucester showed up and helped shape this together. Now, the real work begins: turning vision into action.”
The Community Development Department will present the plan to the City Council on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Tickets are now available to the annual Gloucester Rotary Comedy Night, featuring Ken Rogerson, Artie Januario, Sam Pelletier, and Boston’s Dave Rattigan on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Cruiseport Gloucester, located at 6 Rowe Square on Gloucester’s harborfront. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.
Ken Rogerson, the funniest man you’ve never heard of, has performed on the nationwide “Rescue Me Comedy Tour” with Denis Leary, and made television appearances on such shows as NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comics Come Home for Comedy Central and Showtime’s A Pair of Jokers and more. Rogerson has also appeared at The Chicago Comedy Festival and TBS’s The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas. The Boston Herald proclaimed, “He makes the absurd seem logical” and Las Vegas Magazine wrote, “As far as pure stand-up goes, it doesn’t get any better than Rogerson.”
Artie Januario (aka Artie J.) has spent 10 years living a double life as a pharmacist and one of Boston’s premier comedians. He has been selected to perform at Denis Leary’s prestigious annual Comics Come Home concert, the longest running comedy benefit show in the United States, which has raised more than $4 million for the Cam Neely Foundation, which aids cancer patients and their families during treatment. He’s traveled the country, performing all over New England as well as in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and is a favorite for fundraisers and corporate events. Among the acts he’s worked with: Dom Irrera, Brian Regan, Jeff Dunham, and Lenny Clarke.
Sam Pelletier has been bringing his unique blend of observation and relatability to audiences for over a decade. Originally from the (somewhat) great state of Maine, Sam won the Cellar on Treadwell Competition in 2023, and was a finalist in the New England’s Funniest Comedian Competition of 2021. He opened for national headliners including Shane Torres, Joe Bartnick, and Alex Edleman. Sam has been featured in the Boston Comedy Festival, Maine Comedy Festival, and Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival in San Francisco. His hobbies include hiking and being a good listener.
Host Dave Rattigan had summer plans included performances in Ireland (for the second time), as well as at the Hampton Beach (NH) Comedy Festival and the inaugural Cotuit (MA) Comedy Festival. In addition to standup, he’s had humorous columns published in The Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, North Shore Magazine and North Shore Sunday, and has acted in regional TV commercials and small independent films “that didn’t pay anything.”
Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department responded early Monday morning to a head-on crash on Route 128 that injured five people.
On Monday, June 30, at approximately 1:45 a.m., the Gloucester Fire and Police Departments, as well as Massachusetts State Police, were called to the Route 128 Bridge over the Annisquam River for a report of a head-on collision with one vehicle having rolled over.
Rescuers arrived to discover a two-vehicle crash on the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge, with one of the vehicles on its roof. Two people in the vehicles were trapped and had to be extricated by Gloucester Firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools.
One of the trapped occupants, an 18-year-old man, was taken to a nearby landing zone, and flown to a Boston hospital by medical helicopter in critical condition.
Three other individuals in the vehicles, two 19-year-old women and a male in his 80s, were taken to Beverly Hospital by Gloucester Fire Department and Beauport ambulances. A fifth individual, an 18-year-old man, was taken to Addison Gilbert Hospital by a private vehicle.
One of the 19-year-old woman was later transferred to Tufts New England Medical Center, where she is listed in critical condition. The other 19-year-old woman was treated and released from Beverly Hospital. The man in his 80s was later transferred to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, where he is in critical condition. The condition of the 18-year-old man who went to the hospital in a private vehicle was not immediately available.
“Last night’s serious crash on the Route 128 bridge has deeply affected our community. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with their families, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” said Mayor Greg Verga. “This hits especially close to home, as several of those involved are not only from Gloucester, but are young members of our community. We are a city that cares deeply — we’re all holding those impacted in our hearts right now.”
Since the crash occurred on the highway, it is under investigation by Massachusetts State Police. Additional inquiries about the crash and investigation should be directed to the State Police.
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The future of the Sawyer Free Libraryis rising on Dale Avenue—and it’s breathtaking. On schedule and on budget, our modernized library is nearly complete and set to open its doors to the Gloucester community this fall!
This transformation is about more than a building. It’s about what happens inside, and every floor tells a story of inclusion and innovation.
On the Ground Floor
A cutting-edge Digital Learning Lab 💻
A Local History Research Center with an 85” interactive display and digital archive
A 100-seat Community Room for performances, workshops, and forums
On the First Floor
A warm, inviting Reading Lounge and expanded collection 📚
On the Second Floor – 9,500 square feet devoted to Young Minds
A Light-Filled Children’s Room
An Early Learning Center supporting literacy from the start
A Creative Program Room for hands-on exploration
Gloucester’s only dedicated Teen Space and Creation Studio
We’re building more than a library—we’re creating a future where knowledge, equity, and opportunity can thrive. This is a library for everyone: every age, every voice, every dreamer. But we’re not quite there yet.
To everyone who has supported the Sawyer Free Library project—thank you. Your generosity has brought us this far, and we’re proud of what we’ve built together. Now, as we prepare to open the doors, we invite you to help us complete this transformational project by donating to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library 🌸 Spring Appeal.
💛 Let’s Finish This Together Your gift will help turn this shared vision into reality. It’s an investment in Gloucester’s wellbeing, culture, and future. Please consider donating today at 2025.sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Whether you’ve already contributed, are considering an additional gift, or are giving for the first time—your support matters.
Good Morning Gloucester 