Franco-American singer/songwriter Josée Vachon documents her Quebec roots in song when she performs a free family concert Saturday night, May 3, at Amesbury Middle School Auditorium, 220 Main St., Amesbury.
A Quebec native transplanted to central Maine as a child, Vachon's original songs as well as popular and traditional songs from Canada are performed with guitar and spoons, plus a bit of clogging.
Vachon, who has been performing for more than 25 years, has recorded 12 solo albums in French, including her latest, titled "Inspiration;" and two with the Franco-American folk group Chanterelle, of which she was a founding member.
For 11 years, she hosted Bonjour!, a popular French language cable television show in the U.S. She made Yankee Magazines's Top 40 Music picks in 2001.
The concert starts at 7 p.m., and is sponsored by the Friends of the Amesbury Public Library. Light refreshments will be served.
'On the Loose' with North Shore artist
Middleton artist Cheryl Dyment goes it alone for a solo show opening today in Laura Coombs Hills Gallery of the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St., Newburyport.
One of the founding members of the Women in the Wild painting group, Dyment says she is stretching both her scale and style in "On the Loose." She has been creating larger-format pieces in her studio, located on the second floor of a barn on her property.
Dyment's representational style of painting relies heavily on color and mark-making to create what she calls atmospheric, contemporary renditions. She uses her brushstrokes to show movement, and her palette to provide atmosphere. Landscapes remain her main subject matter, and she still considers herself primarily a plein air oil painter.
"On the Loose" will run through May 17. An artist's reception takes place Friday night, May 2, from 7 to 9. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Call 978-465-8769 or visit www.newburyportart.org.
Boys & Girls Club rolls out annual auction
The Boys & Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley has its seventh annual auction on Saturday, May 3, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the club, 18 Maple St., Salisbury.
The club's largest fundraiser of the year will feature a live auction for autographed sports memorabilia, vacation home getaways, artwork, sports tickets, fishing outings, a wine tasting and more; a silent auction with more than 250 items, a dinner catered by Harborside Catering and dessert from Alden Merrell. There will also be a cash bar.
Tickets are $35. Proceeds support the club, which serves 1,200 members from greater Newburyport. For more, call 978-462-7003.
Student exhibit for The Artists' Playground
The students of The Artists' Playground in The Tannery in Newburyport show off their latest creations in an art show Saturday, May 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Newburyport City Hall on Pleasant Street.
The show will include art by students ages 6 to 80, many of whom have shown in area galleries and have been recognized in local art shows. Some of the pieces will be for sale. Classical guitarist John Tavano will perform and there will be light refreshments.
The Artists Playground was started almost 25 years ago by artist and teacher Pat Lutz. The annual exhibit allows her students to showcase their creativity. Call Lutz at 978-462-5366 or 978-462-8411.
Newbury artist shares portraits and landscapes
Newbury artist Fran Kaplan unveils her paintings for the first time publicly in a show this month in the main halls of Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland St., Newburyport.
Kaplan became interested in drawing people's faces as early as age 5, and knew at a young age that she wanted to be a painter. She continued drawing people into her adult years, capturing their faces on trains and planes, at concerts, and during class lectures and assemblies.
In addition to enjoying the challenge of a portrait, landscapes also capture her attention, and she enjoys painting small scenes on postcard-ready paper when she's traveling. She regularly paints outdoors in the local area during the summer.
Kaplan has studied with local artists Robert Scott Jackson, Joan Gessner and Pat Lutz and has taken workshops in the region. Her show runs through May 31.
Purple Sage Pottery fires up open house
Purple Sage Pottery, 3 Mechanic St., Merrimac, spins out a studio open house and sale on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 4, from noon to 5 p.m.
The show will feature the functional and decorative pottery and sculpture of 12 potters led by owner Iris Minc, who will be showing her new flower arrangement containers, both traditional and Ikebana-style. Joining her are Mochizuki Fumihiko, Beth Bell, Ana Guerra, Peter Grams, Lisa Victoria, Beth McKinney, Christina Bellinger, Gary Rathmell, Peter Hope, Mary Marshall and Bonnie Jean Malcolm.
The potters will be on hand during the weekend to discuss their work and demonstrate their craft. Refreshments will be available. Call 978-346-9978 or visit www.purplesagepottery.com.
'A Symphony of Colors' at Bridge Gallery
Award-winning artist Danielle Gauthier McCarthy takes the featured artist slot with her "A Symphony of Colors" exhibit opening Thursday, May 1, at Bridge Gallery, 113 Merrimac St., Newburyport. A reception for McCarthy takes place Friday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Newburyport's Invitation Night.
Also this month, Bridge Gallery is highlighting local beach scenes in its window show titled "Plum Island Revisited." A spring show of new work will be hung throughout the gallery.
Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Amesbury artist expands 'Women at the Well'
Paula Estey of Amesbury is showing new additions to her "Women at the Well" series in an exhibit opening Thursday, May 1, at Wick'd Kool Gallery and Gifts, 15 Friend St., Amesbury.
A self-taught, mixed-media painter, Estey has been teaching "Painting as a Spiritual Practice" and mentoring artists for more than 10 years. She also leads workshops in art practices.
The show runs through May 31. A grand opening reception takes place Friday, May 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. For more, call 978-388-9909.
Spotlight on Amesbury Student Art Show
The Provident Bank's Lobby for the Arts program is hosting its 10th annual Amesbury High School Student Art Show this month. The exhibit opens Saturday at the two Amesbury branches at 5 Market Square and on Route 110.
The students' paintings sculpture and photography will be on display through May 30. A reception for the participants takes place on May 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the main bank office on Market Street. Call 978-834-8540.
Off to Kerrville Folk Fest for Susan Levine
Newburyport recording artist Susan Levine has been selected as a New Folk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas.
Chosen from 800 entries worldwide, Levine is one of 32 new artists slated to perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival over Memorial Day weekend.
The festival is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. Since 1972, it has attracted international singer/songwriters of varying musical styles. Its focus is to promote emerging artists while giving exposure to both new and recognized, seasoned talent. Major artists such as Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Lucinda Williams played Kerrville early in their careers.
Before leaving for Texas, Levine will perform a hometown show Saturday, May 3, as part of Newburyport's Licorice and Sloe "Saturday After Dark" series. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the 21 Middle St. tea shop. Admission is free. Call 978-499-8327 or visit http://www.susanjlevine.com.
Comedy Night in store for Port Elks Hall
A night of Boston-style comedy to benefit the Pentucket Basketball Boosters takes place Friday, May 2, at 8 p.m. at the Elks Hall on Low Street in Newburyport.
National favorite Robbie Printz, who won the 2002 Boston Comedy Festival and was named the 2003 Best Comedian by the Improper Bostonian, will headline the show with his look at childhood wonder and everyday adult absurdity. Boston comics Jimmy Walsh and Carolyn Plummer are also on the lineup.
Tickets are $25.
Folk and blues to boost Youth Mission
The folk and blues sounds of the Bob Kramer Band will rock the halls of the Byfield Community Arts Center Saturday, May 3, for a concert to benefit the Youth Mission of the Community United Methodist Church of Byfield and All Saints Anglican Church of Amesbury.
The Youth Mission is a group of 60-plus teenagers and adults who will be rehabilitating homes in Byfield and Haverhill this spring in preparation for a weeklong mission in Washington and Hancock counties in Maine. In its sixth year, the Youth Mission has completed more than 100 projects in Maine and locally.
Doors at the arts center, 7 Central St., Byfield, open at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 7:30. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Proceeds from the concert will help pay for supplies. There will also be raffles, a silent auction and refreshments for sale. Call 978-463-3335 or visit www.ByfieldCAC.org.
Concert fundraiser for Symphony by the Sea
Symphony by the Sea presents a special concert and dinner fundraiser featuring Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and No. 5" Sunday, May 4, at 4 p.m. at Newburyport's Mission Oak Grill, 26 Green St., Newburyport.
The event will open with cheese appetizers followed by the Symphony by the Sea performance. Harpsichordist Frances Conover Fitch, flautists Beverly Clark and Carolyn Colby, and violinist Peter Jarvis will join the orchestra for the show.
An optional prix fixe dinner will follow the concert. Tickets are $50 for the concert and appetizers, and $75 with the prix fixe dinner of a choice of two appetizers, choice of two entrees, dessert, and a choice of two wines. The concert will take place in the Mission Oak Room, while the dinner will take place in the restaurant downstairs.
Proceeds benefit Symphony by the Sea's 2008-2009 concert season. Seating is limited. Call John Altson at 978-462-7196 or e-mail at jaltson@comcast.net for reservations.
Afternoon Tea for girls and their dolls
Dress up your favorite doll for an Afternoon Tea fundraiser Saturday, May 3, to benefit Merrimac Old Home Days 2008. The event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Merrimac Senior Center.
Young ladies are invited to bring their favorite American Girl or other doll for an afternoon of finger sandwiches, tea and dessert. The event will include a photo taken of each girl and her doll. Three American Girl Doll gala gowns will be available to borrow for pictures.
Reservations are $10 per person. All girls must be accompanied by an adult. Dolls are admitted for free. Reservations are requested; space is limited. E-mail Marianne Snow at mariannesnow@g.mail.com.
Jazzy music program rocks with locals
Bassist and guitarist Sam Allen of Newburyport and vocalist Alexi Watts of Georgetown join the new Northern Essex Community College jazz/rock ensemble Thursday, May 1, for a free concert in the Technology Center on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St.
In addition to Allen and Watts, the five-member ensemble features Tim Davis of Haverhill on guitar and vocals, Eric Giribaldi of Haverhill on guitar and drums, and Matt Klawitter of Hampstead, N.H., on guitar. The group will perform two jazz standards, "Autumn Leaves" by Johnny Mercer and "Satin Doll" by Duke Ellington, as well as two rock songs, "Fire" by Jimi Hendrix and "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder.
The concert starts at 6 p.m. Contact ensemble director Michael Lecuyer of Groveland at 978-556-3521 or mlecuyer@necc.mass.edu.
NECC Chorus performs 'A Celebration of Song'
Northern Essex Community College's Chorus presents its spring concert — "A Celebration of Song" — Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. in the Technology Center on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St.
An eclectic mix of music is on the program, including madrigals and selections from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Les Miserables," including a duet featuring Danny Potter of Merrimac and Abby Hilton of Haverhill. There will also be a tribute to the country's veterans called "American Heroes," which will include theme songs for each branch of the military.
Tickets are $5. Contact choral director Alisa Bucchiere at abucchiere@necc.mass.edu or 978-556-3226.
Locals perform with improv/comedy troupe
Jess Bryant of Merrimac and Andy Scannell of Georgetown join Salem's improv/sketch comedy troupe Grandma's 3rd Leg for a production of its latest show, "Taking Over the World," Thursday, May 1, at 10 in the Callan Studio Theatre of Salem State College, 352 Lafayette St., Salem.
Admission is free. Seating is limited. For more, visit www.grandmas3rdleg.com.
Merrimac student among nation's top artists
Merrimac's Sean Bixby has gained entry into the Society of Illustrators 2008 Student Scholarship Competition. He is one of 130 students selected from 1,867 applicants representing 88 schools to show his work at the society's Manhattan gallery.
Bixby works in three-dimensional art. He will sculpt a scene out of various materials and then photograph it and use the image as his illustration. The result, he says, resembles a freeze frame from a Claymation movie. Only one other student is featuring three-dimensional work in the show, which runs through May 16.
Newburyport poet visiting Governor's Academy
Award-winning poet Rhina Espaillat, who was honored last week at the Newburyport Literary Festival, will read from her work in a program on Monday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at The Governor's Academy, Elm Street, Byfield.
Espaillat writes in Spanish and English and her work has appeared in a number of magazines and anthologies. Admission to the program is free. Call 978-499-3236.
Lighthouse trio welcomes local cellist
Byfield cellist and singer-songwriter Kristen Miller will be featured when the Lighthouse Trio returns to Hobo's Cafe at 5 Broadway at Salisbury Beach on Wednesday, May 7.
Miller, who was named Jam Magazine's Female Artist of the Year for 2004, will perform during the 8 p.m. half-time show. Her recent CD, "Strange Little Valentine," which includes a Johnny Cash cover tune, has been charted on college and community radio stations nationwide.
The evening's entertainment begins at 7 with the Lighthouse Trio exploring its collection of vintage tunes from the '30s, '40s, and '50s. Recent University of New Hampshire graduate Chris Klaxton takes on trumpet duties, while. Malcolm Carnwath will lead the group through a blues segment during the first set..Singer Ella Gutowski of Topsfield will offer some ballads and swing tunes, including material from Elvis and the Beatles..
For more, call 978-465-4626.
'Introduction to Bicycling' pedals into Port
The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition and the League of American Bicyclists are teaming up to present "Introduction to Bicycling" on Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. at Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St., Newburyport.
The free, two-hour program will focus on operating bikes in traffic and is appropriate for all levels and interests.
The nonprofit sponsor organizations are dedicated to promoting the benefits of bicycling. Reservations are requested by e-mailing pierreavignon@yahoo.com.
A glimpse at the 2007 Greenway Sojourn
The Coastal Trails Coalition presents an illustrated program on the 2007 Greenway Sojourn, the.inaugural ride of the.country's longest multi-use, off-road trail, on May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Program Room at the Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St., Newburyport.
Bill.Steelman of Newburyport and Dave Read of Topsfield joined.500.cyclists on a weeklong, 335-mile, off-road.journey from Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh along a route that incorporated the 185-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath and the 150-mile Great Alleghany Passage.
A founding board member of the Coastal Trails Coalition, Steelman works.on regional trail initiatives such as.the Coastal Trails.Network.and the Border to Boston Trial.on behalf.of the Essex National Heritage Commission. Read is chairman of.the Border to Boston Trail Coalition and serves on the board of the East Coast Greenway Alliance.
Contact Steelman at 978-740-0444 or bills@essexheritage.org.
Photographers salute Essex National Heritage Area
The works of local photographers are among the award-winning images from the 2007 Essex Heritage Photography Contest featured in an exhibit this spring in the National Park Service Regional Visitors Center in Salem.
The exhibit is a collaboration of the Essex National Heritage Commission and National Park Service.
Photographers Matthew Shelter of Byfield and Trish McGregor of Rowley join Daniel Terry and Zachary Peterson, both of Ipswich; Kathryn Prybylski of Boston; and Marion J. Bayly and Jean Mackay, both of New York, as the featured artists.
The award-winning photographs may also be viewed on the Essex Heritage Web site at http://essexheritage.org/photocontest/.
Deadline for submissions for the 2008 Essex Heritage Photography is Oct. 1. Contest details are also available on the Essex Heritage Web site.
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