Sarah Kelly, Rockport Short Film Festival, 7th Wave, and a Great Saturday on Cape Ann!

There were so many amazing community events taking place yesterday. Although our GMG Cape Ann Monarch Milkweed Project was held in the morning, I was able to attend the Rockport Film Festival in the afternoon, where Sarah Kelly, the festival’s organizer (and GMG contributor) had invited me to speak about my forthcoming film “Life Story of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly” and my short film”BomBom Butterflies” had been accepted to the screening.

Rockport was teeming with families and activities. It was difficult to find a parking space but when I finally arrived at the Firehouse where the afternoon’s screenings were taking place, Craig and Hannah Kimberley had very kindly saved me a seat. All of the films were well-worth seeing;  just some of the highlights were Len Burgess’s film about the launching of the Schooner Ardelle, Robert Newton’s film about Gloucester’s WPA murals, and “Homemade Parade” by Emile Doucette. The short film event was followed by poetry readings from local poets. I left shortly after and returned home, with plans to return to the 7th Wave with my husband for dinner (where our son is the cook).

When we returned to Rockport at 7:00, Sarah Kelly was still working away at the Firehouse cleaning up with her family and friends after the day’s events. She was so gracious and I think is doing a fabulous job promoting the festival. I am hoping she will perhaps write a post-festival GMG post on her perceptions of the event’s successes.

We arrived at the 7th Wave Restaurant and were seated at a lovely spot by the window, with the gorgoeus view of the harbor made even prettier in the light of the setting sun. I had a Blue Moon beer, which I love because the name of the beer is one of my favorite Ella Fitzgerald songs. The beer was served with a wedge of orange–a flavorful touch, and fitting because Blue Moon’s list of ingredients includes orange peel. My husband had the cooked-to-perfection grilled mahi-mahi with a delicious spicy mango salsa. Usually I don’t order fried clams because frankly they often aren’t very well prepared and, as they are currently more expensive than a lobster dinner, it really is no fun to bite into a pricey soggy, soden lump of sand and grease. Have no fear of being diappointed at the 7th Wave because, really, their fried clams are to-die-for; simply the best fried clams I have had in a long time (take note Craig if you are reading this!). The batch I had last night was soooo fresh and delicious, perfectly golden brown and crunchy crispy on the outside, with tender, fat bellies on the inside. I had heard in Joey’s podcast with Craig that the fried clams at the Cape Ann Brew Pub are pretty awesome and I have yet to try those, but I know where I will be heading next time I get a jones for extra delicious fried clams and dinner with a stunning view!

Khan Family 7th Wave Rockport © Kim Smith 20137th Wave Khan Family

Motif No.1 Short Film Festival

The newest element of Rockport Motif No.1 Festival is the Short Film Festival. Festival organizer and GMG’s Sarah Kelly writes that, “one of the goals of the festival is to help create grass-roots interest in Rockport as a place to work across the arts, and as a place that encourages working artists outside a historical context.”

All the short film entries accepted are screening on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday at 7:30pm at the Rockport Community House hear filmmaker Emile Doucette talk about his work and his short film “Homemade Parade” which captures the unique spirit of Cape Ann. On Saturday, at the Old Firehouse Trust, the screening events begin at 3pm. I will be giving a brief talk about my BomBom Butterflies short film and forthcoming film, Life Story of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.

I am so excited to have been invited to be part of the first ever Rockport Short Film Festival and I hope to see you there!!

Friday, May 17th at the Rockport Community House Brown bag community supper, 5K race packet pickup & Motif 1 Short Film Festival Screening 7pm. Bring your supper (optional) to enjoy with friends and neighbors while checking out our 45-minute screening of short films. And if you’re registered for the Motif 1 Day 5K, you can pick up your race packet and number too! Filmmaker Emile Doucette will be on hand to talk about his work and his short film “Homemade Parade” which captures the unique spirit of Cape Ann.

Saturday, May 18th at 3 pm

Motif 1 Short Film Festival Screening in the Old Firehouse Trust.

Your Motif No.1 Day Festival Guide HERE on GMG!

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