The Lookout
Newburyport's Ron Pullins brings his new play, "Ice's Crossing," to the stage for its first trial run the next two weekends at The Actors Studio in The Tannery Mall in Newburyport.
Pullins' full-length drama has been in the works for several months, and it has gone through informal and rehearsed readings in Newburyport at The Actors Studio and elsewhere. While still in development, it comes to the stage with the look and feel of a produced play, complete with some set pieces and lighting.
Set in the Flint Hills of Kansas where Pullins grew up, the playwright describes "Ice's Crossing" as a play about loving, dying and letting go. He says it aims to strike a universal chord in people who have experienced the loss of a relative and the family struggles that often result.
"It is intended to be a play that helps us structure and come to terms with the love and loss and sadness of this great and final phase of living," Pullins says in a press release.
"Ice's Crossing" represents the first in a series of plays being presented as part of The Actors Studio's newly launched Stage Three, Workshop Production Series, which offers playwrights a chance to garner audience feedback as they continue to refine their works.
Mark Clopton, director of The Actors Studio, which aims to foster new plays and playwrights in Newburyport, calls the Workshop Production Series the next step for a playwright en route to a more formal production. The Actors Studio also hosts the first two stages in the playwrighting process — Writers and Actors Ink, which offers a venue for cold readings of new works, and the North Shore Readers Collaborative, which allows for rehearsed readings.
Clopton will direct Pullins' play, assisted by Suzy Goodspeed and Leslie Powell. The cast features Terry Blanchard, Teresa Donohoe, Tim Hiltabiddle, Mary Shapiro, Tom Kenison, Susan Hern and Sherry Bonder.
"Ice's Crossing" opens tonight and runs through Oct. 31. Performances are Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 978-465-1229. For more on the play, visit www.ronpullins.com.
Treasures & Travels auction benefits Historical Society
The Historical Society of Old Newbury presents Treasures & Travels 2009, a dinner and auction fundraiser, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Nicholson Hall, 9 Harris St., Newburyport.
The event opens with a preview and silent auction featuring hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, followed by dinner at 7 and the live auction led by local auctioneer John McInnis at 8.
Among the items up for grabs is an acrylic painting by the late Newburyport artist Hank Walker featuring two hunters walking through a salt marsh with a view of Plum Island in the background. One of the hunters pictured is former Massachusetts Gov. Francis Sargent, who owned a very early duck bluff on Woodbridge Island in the Merrimack River heading to Plum Island and brought exposure to the area for hunting and other sport.
In addition to being an artist, Walker was a conservationist and steward of his environment, and served as a state representative concentrating on environmental issues. He devoted much of his time, artwork and public appearances to the protection of both the marsh and waterfowling traditions.
Other items to be auctioned off Saturday are more than a dozen Oriental rugs, four American Airlines round-trip tickets, a caneware pitcher, a pair of antique Chinese silver bracelets, an array of ceramics, Red Sox and Boston Symphony tickets, vacation stays in Maine and Cape Cod, a framed Buffalo Bill signature, and the chance to name a character in Newburyport historical fiction author Anne Easter Smith's next book.
An auction preview is planned for tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cushing House Museum, 98 High St., Newburyport. Absentee bids will be accepted for the auction.
Tickets are $60. Reservations are required. Call the historical society at 978-462-8681, e-mail hson@newburyhist.org or visit www.newburyhist.org.
Port Masons serve up authentic Oktoberfest
St. John's Masonic Lodge in Newburyport is throwing its first Oktoberfest, featuring a traditional German dinner and entertainment on Saturday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the lodge, 31 Green St., Newburyport. The event is a benefit for the Prifti-Braman Masonic Angel Fund, which assists local schoolchildren in need.
The 12-member Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band, which has been performing for 44 years, will supply the entertainment with a program that includes old standards along with the latest offerings from Germany. The musicians play a variety of instruments, including the alpenhorn and cow bells.
An authentic German meal of sauerbraten (German pot roast), roasted potatoes, sauerkraut, bratwurst, knockwurst and dessert is on the menu. Guests will also receive three beverages donated by Samuel Adams.
The Masonic Angel Fund has contributed more than $20,000 to benefit local children in the past three years. The lodge works with school nurses, principals and guidance personnel to meet unfilled needs of students.
Oktoberfest tickets are $30 and available in Newburyport from the Warren Street Market & Deli at 226 Merrimac St. and Fowle's Market at 341 High St., or by e-mailing NewburyportOktoberfest@yahoo.com. Reservations are requested.
Byfield Arts Center rolls out a fundraiser
Fiddler Melinda Rheinelander and her musician friends headline Byfield Community Arts Center's second annual fundraiser on Saturday night. The night featuring music, an auction and food and drink starts at 7 p.m. at the arts center at 7 Central St. in Byfield.
Auctioneer Steve Deorocki will call the evening's live auction, with sports memorabilia, a kayak, a print from the collection of Newbury's Hank Walker and more up for grabs. Hors d'oeuvres, beers from local brewmasters, wine and soft drinks will be available.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds will support the nonprofit arts center, a self-supporting organization devoted to building community through and with the arts, and help continue its lineup of programs and events, including the Cat in the Cradle Coffeehouse, theater productions; dance, art and music classes and art exhibits. Call 978-463-3335 for tickets or information. Visit www.byfieldcac.org for more.
High Range hits notes for Elks Club benefit
New Hampshire's High Range brings its high-energy acoustic roots, folk and bluegrass sound to The Elks Lodge in Newburyport Saturday night. The show benefits the Elks charitable, educational and community programs.
High Range is known for its original music and styles from bluegrass and swing. The band, which has performed throughout New England, features Matt Shipman on guitar and mandolin, Ron Kneeland on mandolin and drums, Todd Jones on guitar and banjo, Brendan Dowd on upright bass and Ellen Carlson on fiddle.
Saturday's concert will celebrate the 10th anniversary of High Range. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the music goes from 6:30 to 8:30. There will be a cash bar and desserts for sale. Tickets are $10. Children under 12 get in free. They are available at Dyno Records on Middle Street in Newburyport and at the Elks Lodge, 25 Low St.
Fair promotes Women in Wellness and Arts
Local artists and artisans team with area health and wellness professionals for a Supporting Women in Wellness and the Arts Fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and Parish House of Main Street Congregational Church, 145 Main St., Amesbury (next to the library).
Local artists and artisans will be showcasing work in a range of mediums, including jewelry, pottery, textiles, photography, sea life wreaths, ornaments, small framed watercolors, soaps and lotions and more.
Information on wellness and education will be available. Topics covered will include reiki, massage, yoga, acupuncture, CPR, women's safety and women's heart health.
The fair is sponsored by the Main Street Congregational Church Women's Group.
Boston comics unite for good cause
Boston comics Dave Andrews, Steve Guilmette and Dennis Fogg trade laughs in a Comedy Night benefit for the New England Over the Hill Soccer League Injury Fund tomorrow at Amesbury Sports Park, 12 South Hunt Road.
Andrews blends humor, music and nostalgia in his act, while Guilmette's comedy combines his raucous wit and everyman's sensibility. Fast-talking Fogg says he first began making people laugh while waiting in line at the grocery store.
The Comedy Night is aimed at raising awareness of the injury fund, which was established by Amesbury Sports Park owner Ted Dipple and Julian Dunlop, captain of the Amesbury Veterans Soccer Club, after a local player suffered a fatal injury after falling off his roof. The fund, which financially supports any member of the New England Over the Hill Soccer League who suffers a catastrophic or permanently disabling injury, has raised more than $3,000 to assist the player's family with medical expenses.
Doors for the Comedy Night open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Tickets are $15 and available online at www.amesburysportpark.net or by calling 978-388-5788, ext. 106. Tickets will be available at the door, but reservations are recommended.
Comedy from Las Vegas to Plum Island
Laugh Riot Productions returns to The Barn in downtown Amesbury tomorrow with Las Vegas performers Jim Colliton and Steve Bjork, plus local favorite Missy McNeal of Plum Island.
A regular at the Tropicana in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Colliton can be heard on XM Satellite Radio's Comedy Channel and has recently opened for national acts Anthony Clark and Dom Irrera. Bjork has been on the comedy scene for 16 years, performing with such names as Dane Cook, Steven Wright and Dave Chappelle.
McNeal has been performing her comedy all over New England for several years. Referred to as "The Maid of Plum Island," her material and no-holds-barred approach are said to be anything but maid-like.
Tomorrow's show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Call 978-388-8700 or visit www.thebarnpub.com for more.
Jazz master class at The Dance Place
The Dance Place in Newburyport is presenting a jazz master class in the Luigi technique with Francis Roach Saturday and Sunday at the studio in The Tannery at 50 Water St.
On Saturday, Roach, who teaches at the Luigi studio in New York City, will lead a style class at 10:30 a.m. and an intermediate class at 1 p.m. He will teach another style class on Sunday at 11 a.m.
The cost is $20 for one class, $36 for two and $55 for three. A portion of proceeds will support the nonprofit Joppa Jazz Dance Co. For more on the classes, call 978-465-1485 or visit www.danceplacenbpt.com. More about Roach and the Luigi technique is available at www.luigijazz.com.
Former Port writer returns to promote debut novel
Former Newburyport resident Kristin Bair O'Keeffe, who now lives in Shanghai, China, with her husband and daughter, has returned to the area to promote her debut novel, "Thirsty."
O'Keeffe's book seeks to spread awareness about domestic abuse and inspire women to escape the cycle of abusive relationships. Set in turn-of-the-century New England, it follows the 40-year journey of a Croatian immigrant who moved to America to escape her abusive father, only to find herself married to an equally abusive man. She later watches her daughter travel down the same path as her.
A writing workshop and discussion that O'Keeffe is leading Saturday at The Write Spirit on Pleasant Street in downtown Newburyport is completely booked. Next Thursday, Oct, 29, she will hold a reading and book signing from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wine-Sense in Andover.
O'Keeffe, who received her master's in creative writing from Columbia College in Chicago, writes both fiction and creative nonfiction, and has contributed stories and essays to several literary magazines. She lived in Newburyport from 1998 to 2005. For more on her book, visit www.thirstythenovel.com for more.
Green Fashion Show for Groveland church
St. James Episcopal Church in Groveland sets up a runway for a Green Fashion Show on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall at 119 Washington St.
The show will feature gently used and recycled clothing from New To You Boutique in Haverhill. Raffles are planned, and finger foods, desserts, wine and coffee will be served. Proceeds will benefit the church's international mission, Centro Buen Pastor in San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic. The next mission trip is planned for January,
Tickets for the fashion show are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Call Charlotte Parker at 978-372-0847 or e-mail charllparker@comcast.net.
First settlers focus of genealogy workshop
The Sons & Daughters of the First Settlers of Newbury is holding a workshop for prospective new members on Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Archival Center at Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St.
Participants will learn about genealogy research and see if they are eligible to join the organization. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, call Cecile at 978-465-3755 after 6 p.m.
Local author's tween book makes list
West Newbury author Elizabeth Atkinson's new young adult novel, "From Alice to Zen and Everyone in Between," has been named one of Bank Street College's Best Children's Books of the Year.
"This explains why my book ended up on summer reading lists all over the country. I'm thrilled to be honored by one of the country's top institutions dedicated to the education of children," said Atkinson in learning that her novel was included in the 100th-year anniversary edition of the noted Columbia University publication.
Atkinson incorporated some local flavor in her book for tweens. The story focuses on tomboy Alice Bunt and her flamboyant friend, Zen, a boy with a passion for fashion who is on a mission to make her the most popular kid at Sachem Regional Middle School.
Atkinson recently released a gluten-free survival guide for young adults and the newly diagnosed. Her next novel geared at middle school students. "I, Emma Freke," will be published by Lerner Books in September 2010.
For more, visit www.elizabethatkinson.com.
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