Lifestyle

The Lookout: A fresh take for Liv Taylor's annual visit

The Lookout
Sonya Vartabedian
Published: September 25, 2009

Fresh off a summer in Nashville recording his latest CD, Livingston Taylor makes his annual visit to Newburyport next month to share his music and wisdom in two concerts at the Firehouse Center for the Arts.

Taylor's latest album, which will probably be called "Last Alaska Moon," is an extension of "There You Are Again," the first of a two-part recording issued in 2005 with 12 tracks of original songs. It is due out this fall.

Taylor is said to practice what he preaches to his students in his Stage Performance Techniques classes at Berklee College of Music in Boston and his book, "Stage Performances." His Firehouse concerts typically sell out and are known for being an entertaining mix of lyrical tunes and humorous commentary.

The concerts are set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32, $29 for members. Call the Firehouse box office at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org.

Plum Island artist wins pastel society prize

Fran Butsavich of Plum Island took home the Pan Pastel Award in the Pastel Society of New Hampshire's 2009 National Juried Show, "It's Pastel!," for her painting "After the Storm."

Butsavich's winning piece features a view of Plum Island Basin. It is on display as part of the juried show through Oct. 19 at the Discover Portsmouth Center Gallery, 8 Islington St., Portsmouth, N.H.

While pursuing a career as a physical education teacher, Butsavich spent many evenings and summers at the Massachusetts College of Art and Harvard Extension School of Design. She began studying pastel painting in 2004 and has also studied portraiture. She is currently working with local artist Julie Airoldi in pastel and oil.

A member of the Newburyport Art Association, the Pastel Painters of Maine and the Pastel Society of New Hampshire, her paintings have won several awards and been featured in a variety of juried shows and exhibits. The marshes, fields and woods of New England are favorite subjects as are the landscapes of southern Arizona, a winter destination. She lives on Plum Island with her partner, Elizabeth DeGrenier.

Gallery hours at the Discover Portsmouth Center Gallery are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit www.pastelsocietynh.com.

Philosophy group explores 'Examined Life' series

Socrates' Cafe, a philosophy discussion group, examines a screening of "Are We Social Beings?" from "The Examined Life" series when it meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Jabberwocky Bookshop in The Tannery Mall, 50 Water St., Newburyport. A discussion will follow the 25-minute screening.

The discussion group gathers the second and last Tuesday of each month. Call Elaine Mawhinney at 978-556-3395 for more.

Anna Jaques uncorks wine tasting fundraiser

"Taste of Spain and Mediterranean Wines" is the theme of Anna Jaques Community Health Foundation's seventh annual wine tasting benefit on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Newburyport City Hall on Pleasant Street.

The event will feature a mix of wine and tapas. Tickets are $60 and include one full glass of wine or beer and unlimited tastings and tapas. Proceeds will benefit urology services at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.

For tickets, call the foundation office at 978-463-1176 or visit www.ajh.org. Tickets are also available at Leary's Fine Wines & Spirits, 202 Merrimac St., Newburyport.

Healthy dose of laughs headed for Firehouse

Boston-bred comedian Steve Sweeney tackles the New England political scene and more when he brings his trademark Boston accent and idiosyncratic mannerisms to Newburyport's Firehouse Center for the Arts in Market Square on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Sweeney has headlined at top comedy clubs around the country, including Caroline's Comedy Club in New York City. He has been a regular on "The David Letterman Show," "Evening at the Improv," "Comics Come Home" and other shows, and appeared in Rodney Dangerfield's "Back to School," Judd Apatow's "Celtic Pride," "Me, Myself & Irene" and "There's Something About Mary." His "Steve Sweeney Morning Show" can be heard on WZLX 100.7-FM radio.

Tickets are $20, $18 for members. Call the Firehouse box office at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org.

Harmonic sacred harp singing in Byfield

Explore the earliest roots of sacred harp singing when the 34th annual New England Sacred Harp Singing Convention takes over Byfield Community Arts Center next Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4.

The art can be traced to the country parish music of early 18th century England. It was later introduced to America, where the acoustics of the antique churches, grange halls and meeting houses are well suited to the tunes' a cappella, four-part, close harmony.

Organizers of the event say the style of singing, which uses words from sacred text, is enjoying a resurgence of popularity, especially in New England as well as the South. Next weekend's event at the arts center at 7 Central St. is expected to attract individuals from across the country.

For more about the event or the New England Sacred Harp Singing Convention, call 617-233-8592 or visit www.neconvention.net.

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