Check out this video of Allen Estes’ new song, “We All Fall Down”, which premieres on his show Local Music Seen with Allen Estes tomorrow (WED) at 6:30pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12. Allen had been working on this song before the marathon bombing, which gave the song a more profound meaning closer to what we’re all feeling right now. If this song doesn’t move you, nothing will.
In this special show, Allen is his own guest and sings four new songs and one older one from his Nashville writing days. He ends with one of my new favorites, “Swimming” or “The Good Harbor Beach Song” — a perfect way to get into the Cape Ann Summer spirit!
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!
7th Wave Khan Family
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Then it’s a HUGE night on Cape Ann. You can’t possibly see it all, so you’re gonna have to choose. See the full live music lineup here. Aren’t you glad you live in a community with a vibrant local live music scene? Twenty Two local artists performing today alone!
Crowell Chapel is a gem of a venue in Manchester and tonight you can see award-winning Boston singer/songwriter Meg Hutchinson with local rising star, Joe Wilkins opening. Get tickets here. Here’s a taste of Meg:
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Hello Friends, Colleagues & Get Fit Gloucester Partners, The Backyard Growers Program has just launched its first-ever on-line fundraising campaign! We are raising money to host a FoodCorps Service Member next year and to support our expansion into Gloucester’s elementary schools (read below for details). Check out our campaign at www.indiegogo.com
Please consider making a donation and/or forwarding our campaign to your networks. The fundraiser video features my lovely daughters, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face : ) Thank you! Lara Here’s the nitty-gritty on who we are and what we’re asking for (you can also read this on our campaign site):
What we do Backyard Growers is a program of the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market. We are part of the farmers’ market strategy for increasing fresh veggie eating in Gloucester!
Since 2010 the Backyard Growers Program, in partnership with The Food Project, has provided low- to moderate-income Gloucester residents with backyard raised-bed vegetable gardens, garden training, and ongoing mentor support. It’s simple! We help people grow their own fresh vegetables. Our survey results show that having a backyard garden and knowing how to use it:
Increases the amount of fresh produce a family eats,
Gets kids excited about eating fresh veggies,
Saves money on grocery bills, and
Builds community within neighborhoods.
We are expanding! Next fall we will expand into Gloucester’s elementary schools, bringing our comprehensive garden program to over 1300 students! Our program will build the capacity of each school community to manage their school farms over the long term. Students will:
Learn through doing in the school garden!
Grow and harvest their own salad greens and eat them as part of school lunch in the cafeteria.
Plant crops in June to be harvested when they return to school in the fall as part of an annual harvest celebration.
To do this we need help… We have an opportunity to host a FoodCorps Service Member for one year starting in September.
FoodCorps is a national nonprofit organization that works with schools to create a healthier school food environment. It is part of the AmeriCorps service network, and targets improving childhood health by placing service members in public schools around the country to teach hands-on nutrition education; build and care for school gardens; and work to bring high-quality local food to school cafeterias.
Our Service Member will build the capacity of each school to maintain productive school gardens with the goal of school gardens becoming part of the culture of each school!
Donate! Your contribution will make all this possible! Please help us raise $7,500 by donating to our campaign.
$5,000 = Our salary contribution for a one-year, full-time FoodCorps Service Member
$2,500 = Program expansion costs (garden & program supplies, additional staff costs)
We have some fun perks for you, including free seeds & seedlings and garden training, and some special ways for you to connect with the school garden program. If we don’t reach our entire fundraising goal we will ramp up the grant writing. If we exceed our goal, we will put the funds toward the future sustainability of the Backyard Growers Program.
Help us Spread the Word! Forward this indiegogo campaign to your people.
Aria McElhenny submits this thank you from Next Step-
Hi Joey-
Great event at the Farm last weekend – Craig’s 2013 dodgeball movie is incredible! Wanted to share this link so the dodgeballers who missed the event could see how thankful all of us at Next Step are for their hard work at the tourney.
Chelsea has a way of channeling what we’re all feeling through her music and tonight will be one of those magical moments when you’ll get to witness Gloucester’s top talent find hope in tragedy and do some real, tangible good in the process. Come down to Cape Ann Brewing tonight at 5pm and experience the transformative power of music.
To get you in the mood, here’s a wonderful video by another one of Gloucester’s rising stars, Inge Berge. How lucky we are to live in a community filled with such talented people who enrich our lives every day! Let’s vow never to take them for granted.
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If you’re an American Idol fan, you might just want to cross the bridge this afternoon.
Angie Miller, who was graduated from Beverly High School last year, will be honored in a parade starting at Beverly City Hall today at 3pm ending with a free concert in the south fields at Beverly High Schoolat 4pm.
The Beverly Patch reports that Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon said he expects “thousands of people” for the “largest crowd we’ve ever assembled” during his 18 year tenure as Mayor.
Here’s a video of Angie performing Rihanna’s hit Diamonds
Then tonight there’s plenty of excellent music in Gloucester. See the full schedule here. Captain Carlos welcomes Jenny Dee and the Deelinquints back for what should be a great show.
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Brad Byrd (R) w/ Allen Estes on the set of Local Music Seen
We see one of our roles, here at GMG, as making sure you know who’s on the way to making it big. Rockport native, Brad Byrd is one of those local musicians. Some day, when Brad’s playing stadiums and you can’t get a ticket for under 200 bucks, you’ll be saying, “I saw him at the Dog Bar in Gloucester, Mass!” But only if you get down to the Dog Bar tomorrow (THURSDAY) where he’s on at 9pm.
Tonight you can see Brad on Local Music Seen with Allen Estes, which airs at 6:30 on Cape Ann TV Channel 12. In this show, Brad’s hypnotic voice draws you into his world where you’ll notice that every one of his lyrics is perfectly placed and there isn’t a single extra word. This is some of the best songwriting you’ll hear.
When this show premiered last June, Allen introduced an excellent new song, “The Trouble with Me”. Here’s a taste:
Almost exactly a year ago, Brad shot a music video for his hit, Zero to the 101 at Minglewood. Here’s some behind-the-scenes footage from that video shoot.
Old reels of tape converted to digital files. Ciaramitaro and Curcuru families. Benny Curcuru, Auntie Annie, Captain Joe and Felicia Ciaramitaro. Stage Fort Park, Gloucester Harbor, the Paint Factory, The Dragger Fleet, Downtown, Rogers Street, The Gloucester House, Bearskin Neck, Rockport. I don’t recognize a lot of the older Italian women and men, feel free to leave a comment with the names you recognize and the time displayed when you see them in the comments on this video. Thank you
Bob Hastings, co-producer of the Gloucester Blues Festival, sent me an email this morning saying they just signed Lydia Warren. We saw her open for Savoy Brown at the Bull Run on December 1 (see post about that concert here). Alone on stage with her strat, she captured the crowd with her soulful vitality. At the Blues Fest, she’ll have her full band!
From Lydia’s website:
“Changing the face of the blues” – NBC’s Today Show
Lydia Warren tours internationally from Brooklyn to Beirut, whipping audiences into a frenzy at each stop. A versatile singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer, the Boston-based performer tours and records as a solo act and with her band. The Lydia Warren Band has been nominated for a Boston Music Award, appeared on NBC’s Today Show and has released five albums.
Complete Blues Fest Lineup (see videos of the rest of the Blues Fest linuep in this post):
Lydia Warren
Johnny Rawls
Biscuit Miller
Anthony Gomes
Anna Popovic
Tommy Castro
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Beth Genovese and Gina Russo’s Business Is Growing!
Owners Beth Genovese and Gina Russo are pleased to announce that Sage Floral Studio is growing! As of April 30, 2013, Sage will be located at its new home at 274 Main Street, nestled between Thai Choice and The Cat Doctor.
“After 12 successful years at our current location, we were at a crossroads. This opportunity came up and we decided it was a good time for us to expand,” said Russo. “We are so excited about our new, sunny spot, and can’t wait for our customers to see it!”
Sage Floral Studio, is a European-inspired flower shop, offering a wide variety of fresh-cut flowers, house plants, one of the largest selections of orchid plants on the North Shore, and a unique array of giftware and seasonal decorations for the home.
Sage is a full-service flower shop offering daily deliveries to local hospitals and funeral homes and specializing in weddings and events. For more than 20 years owners Genovese and Russo have worked closely with all the premiere North Shore venues. Wedding consultations are provided free of charge by appointment.
“Gloucester is a vibrant community that actively supports small businesses like ours. That’s why it was so important for us to stay on Main Street,” said Genovese.
Sage will remain open for business at its current location through the end of the month. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 9 to 3. To contact Sage: call 978-282-9582, email: sagefloralstudio@verizon.net, or like Sage Floral Studio on Facebook.
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Interested in Gloucester/Rockport real estate? Want some "inside" info? Watch Kenny MacCarthy’s video commentary, complete with photos and stats. This week, Kenny tours 23 houses and condos. 978-758-0983
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As I pointed out in this post, non-violent defiance is the best weapon against tyranny. This weekend we all have a chance to defy the terrorists by going out as planned. If you haven’t yet made plans, there’s even more going on than we knew about when we posted yesterday. Tonight alone, you’ve got a choice of 10 shows starting at 6pm. See the full live music schedule here. Plus it’s Earth Day Weekend with over 20 Cape Ann events planned and nicely mapped out for you by our boy Joey here.
Whether it’s music, movies, eco-scavenger-hunting, shredding, clean-up, planting … whatever … don’t be shy — defy! Let Music & Mother Nature cleanse your soul.
Even Yankee fans are showing us love by singing our tune …
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36 performers on Cape Ann this weekend — remember, by my definition, the weekend starts on Thursdays. Tonight we’ve got the Singer/Songwriter Shuffle starting at 7, featuring some of the area’s best, including Inge Berge, whose new children’s album (see this post for more info) was featured in today’s Gloucester Times (see article here).
After the shuffle, you can catch award winning Indie Rocker, Bray Byrd at Dog Bar starting at 9. Music starts at 7pm tomorrow, 10:30 AM on Saturday and 11:30 AM on Sunday, so plenty of opportunities to get the kids out to listen. See the full schedule here.
To get you in the weekend mood, here’s a video Brad shot at Minglewood about a year ago of one of my favorite songs from his award-winning album Mental Photograph.
This just in from Lisa Smith at Cape Ann TV. Watch the interview below the news release:
Celebrate Earth Day and discover what Gloucester businesses are doing to go green on the Eco-Trip Scavenger Hunt on April 20 at 12:30 p.m. On the Eco-Trip you’ll solve crossword puzzles and mazes, get exercise walking to eight downtown businesses, shop at the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market, win prizes from local merchants, and socialize over refreshments at Latitude 43. We can’t think of a better way to spend Earth Day.
When you register to play at capeanntimebank.org, you’ll get a free copy of “Share the Ocean” by Michael Crocker. Before April 13 it’s $10 to play solo or on a team. After that, it’s $15. So register early!
Here Nancy Goodman, co-founder of the TimeBank, Robert Heidt, chief executive officer of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and Maureen Aylward of Cape Ann TV talk about the Eco-Trip.
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Good Morning Gloucester 