PortWatch
The Lookout: An extreme start to the new year
If you can't get to the slopes this weekend, settle for the next closest thing — a bird's- eye view of Warren Miller's latest extreme ski flick, "Dynasty," being screened in two showings Saturday at Newburyport's Firehouse Center for the Arts.
"Dynasty" represents Miller's 60th anniversary release. What started as a one-man venture is now a filmmaking empire, complete with a team of experts who travel the world in search of the perfect confluence of weather, snow and athletic ability to bring the magic of the mountains to viewers.
Directed by Max Bervy, the film travels the globe with some of the sport's top athletes, including Chris Anthony, who treks into China's interior on a search for the birthplace of skiing; mountaineering marvel Chris Davenport, who tackles Norway's highest peaks; and Midwesterners Luke and Adam Schrab, The film also weaves in vintage footage from the Warren Miller Entertainment vault.
This is the sixth year the Firehouse has screened Miller's annual releases, which attract a cult-like following. Showings are planned at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, $8 for students and seniors. For information or reservations, call the Firehouse box office at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org or www.warrenmiller.com.
Piano nights key to Amesbury Playhouse's Sundays
The Valley Players introduces its new grand piano nights Sunday with the help of Don Pasco. The veteran pianist takes the keys at Amesbury Playhouse, 194 Main St., Amesbury, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., performing for guests' listening, singing and dancing pleasure.
Grand piano nights will become a weekly feature at the Playhouse, thanks to a new piano donated by a longtime patron and friend of the theater group. Various accomplished pianists will take the piano seat every Sunday.
Admission is free. A cash bar will be available, and appetizers and desserts will be sold. Call 978-388-9444 or visit www.amesburyplayhouse.com.
Film Society Nights set to roll in Port
The Newburyport Film Society kicks off 2010 with the debut next week of its monthly film nights at the Screening Room at 82 State St. in downtown Newburyport.
The nonprofit society, which puts on the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival every September, has partnered with Andrew Mungo and Nancy Langsam of the Screening Room to present the Film Society Nights.
"The Men Who Stare at Goats" will be the first film screened on Monday at 7:30 p.m. A casual discussion will follow. The screenings will continue the first Monday of every month at 7:30. The Screening Room is offering tickets for the film nights at a reduced price of $5.50 (a $1.50 discount).
In addition to partnering with the Screening Room, the Newburyport Film Society is in talks with the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport to develop a screening program focusing on New England filmmakers. Visit www.newburyportfilmfestival.org or www.newburyportmovies.com for more.
Photography exhibit headed to Anna Jaques
Photographer Suzie Goodwin leads off the year as the featured artist for January in the main halls of Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.
A self-taught photographer, Goodwin, of southern Maine, says she is fascinated with urban culture and man's throw-aways. Her most current work includes experimenting with various materials and combining techniques and processes. She prints on unusual materials, including aluminum.
Her exhibit at Anna Jaques opens Sunday. Visit www.suziegoodwin.com for more.
Talk focuses on social styles for new year
Betsy Westendorf of Newburyport presents an interactive program, Social Style, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St.
By understanding and using social styles, Westendorf says individuals can be more influential, gracious, effective and successful. She has presented the program to executives, managers, parents, teachers and others for the past 25 years.
Registration is encouraged. Call the library at 978-465-4428, ext. 226.
Local band keys up for benefit show
Local pop-rock trio Sunchunck is finally ready to showcase material off its new CD, and the Amesbury High School Class of 2010 stands to benefit. The band will perform as part of an all-ages benefit concert for the high school class Friday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m. at Amesbury High School Auditorium on Main Street.
Sunchunck will share songs from its upcoming CD set to be released this spring in Boston, including "Finally Here," "No Win Fantasy" and "Voodoo On The Brain." The band features John Catino on guitar and vocals, Mike Bertolami on bass and vocals and Brett A. Manoloff on drums. All three musicians believe strongly in giving back to the community. Both Sunchunck and The Closers, which will open the show, are performing for free.
Admission is $10. Proceeds from the concert will help the senior class pay for its yearbooks and senior week activities. Tickets are available through the high school at 978-388-4800 or Manoloff at bmanoloff@aol.com, Visit www.sunchunck.com for more.
WomenSong gearing up for spring season
WomenSong, a choral group for women in the Merrimack Valley, is seeking singers for its spring concerts on April 24 and 25. The program will feature works by Brahms, Gwyneth Walker, Gustav Holst and a bit of jazz.
Rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 7:15 to 9 p.m. in West Newbury. Singers should be experienced in choral work and have some reading ability.
Check out www.womensong.org for listening samples and past programs. To set up an audition or more information, contact Frances Burmeister at fburmeister@hotmail.com.
Cantemus Chamber Chorus auditions
Cantemus Chamber Chorus is seeking experienced singers in all voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). Auditions will be held by appointment on Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Miles River Middle School on Route 1A in Hamilton.
Known for its eclectic programming, the chamber chorus will perform "The Woodland Quiet: Songs of Nature & Beauty" in May. To schedule an audition, call 1-888-CHORUS 1. Visit www.cantemus.org for complete audition and chorus details.
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To submit a Lookout item, e-mail it to svartabedian@newburyportnews.com, fax it to 978-465-8505, or mail it to The Daily News, 23 Liberty St., Newburyport, MA 01950.
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Newburyport High grad takes1,600-mile ride of a lifetime — by scooter
Mike Avagianos, who grew up in Newburyport, set off from Boston on his scooter July 10 on an adventure to recharge his batteries and contemplate the next phase in his life. He reached his destination of Austin, Texas, this past Sunday.
Mike Avagianos was bored, dissatisfied and ultimately unhappy. However, unlike many in his shoes, he decided to do something to change all that.
He embarked on sort of a cross-country excursion, from Boston to Austin. -
Labor Day Festival packs in final stanza of summer fun
Newburyport native Kathy Heywood is bringing back her Labor Day Festival for the second year, an event that marks the end of the summer season with a nod to helping local charities and organizations.
Heywood, a former chairwoman of Newburyport's Yankee Homecoming summer celebration, planned the festival last year after the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry decided not to hold its annual Buskers Festival, a longtime Labor Day weekend tradition in the city. -
The Lookout: Artist's watercolors highlight 'Historic Port & Neighbors'
Watercolorist Anne Recchia uncovers "Historic Newburyport & Neighbors" as the featured artist this month at Bridge Gallery in downtown Newburyport at 1R Water St.
Recchia was inspired to create many of the paintings in the exhibit after completing a course on historic preservation at Boston Architectural College. -
Back to School
Ready for a fresh take on the after-school snack? We've dreamed up some delicious new approaches to keeping the kids content after they get off the bus.
DRIED FRUIT AND POPCORN BARS
Start to Finish: 1 hour (10 minutes active) -
When it comes to nutritious choices, parents need to do their homework
You want your back-to-schooler to eat a healthy diet, so you pack a "wheat" bread sandwich and tuck a "juice" drink in her brown-bag lunch. But did you know that loaf simply labeled "wheat" may be just white bread with added coloring? And the "juice" drink may contain more water than juice?
- The Mother Load: Losing control over the remote
- Tim's Tips:
- August 27, 2010
- Grieving the loss of a special pet takes time
- Works of wooden art
- Health Beat
- August 26, 2010
- Region's outdoor concerts hitting their final notes
- Musicians rally around one of their own with benefit concert
- The Lookout: A timely 'Picnic' unfolds on Playhouse stage
- August 25, 2010
- FILLING THE LUNCH BOX
- Tim's Tips: Bouncing back from summer's dryness
- Going Green: Step lightly on the Earth heading back to school
- Roll out the fun with paper beads and baskets
- BBQ My Way: How sweet it is
- Biting into the tastiest tomatoes in your garden
- August 20, 2010
- Actress, Buddhist monk bringing principles of peaceful living to Byfield
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