They are as diverse as the photos they shoot — a medical event planner, research and development director at Hood Dairy, executive vice president for a chain of music stores, calligrapher and even full-time photographers.

But they all share a common desire to communicate their personal perspectives through the changing medium of photography.

The more than 40 members of the Newburyport Art Association's Photography Interest Group are hosting their annual show, "Through Our Eyes," through Nov. 7 at the art association at 65 Water St. in Newburyport.

Members of the group say that while digital technology has changed the tools of their craft, the fundamentals and the necessity of having a vision remain the same. Some of the participating photographers have stuck with traditional film, others have fully embraced the digital age, but most operate somewhere in between. The photographers collectively have decades of experience, and have exhibited around the North Shore and across the country.

The photos on display will highlight subject matters as varied as the photographers themselves: an empty billboard from Route 1 with superimposed hand-lettering, nautical scenes from Chatham and Ogunquit, Maine; racing yachts and scenes of fantasy worlds using food and miniatures figures.

A wine and cheese reception for "Through Our Eyes" takes place Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Also at the Newburyport Art Association, Topsfield artist Linda Siwak is presenting her pastel landscapes in a new exhibit titled "The Good Earth." The show opens today and runs through Nov. 4 in Laura Coombs Hills Gallery.

Siwak's pastel landscapes feature the North Shore coastline, marshes and scenes of local life that she says combine fresh color and compelling perspectives.

An artist's reception for Siwak's show and sale is tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m.

For more on the exhibits or the art association, call 978-465-8769 or visit www.newburyportart.org.

Musical union of Greek and Irish cultures

Greece meets Ireland in an evening of music and dance tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Harris St., Newburyport.

The evening will feature Carol Coronis and her Aegean/Celtic Connection band, which plays Greek and Irish music as well as performs Greek, Irish and Middle Eastern dance. Coronis entertains regularly at Greek and Irish clubs in New Hampshire.

A variety of Irish and Greek culinary specialties will be served, and a dessert buffet will be available. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and $6 for children under 12. For tickets or information, call the church office at 978-465-5757.

Eye to the sky for full beaver moon

Follow the full moon to Maudslay State Park on Curzon Mill Road in Newburyport on Monday for an informative and fun program for all ages from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Participants will learn the names and significance of each full moon, discover their importance in tracking seasons and events during the year, and find out why the November full moon is named for the beaver. There will also be an explanation of moon phases and cycles, capped off by viewing of the full moon with telescopes.

Admission is free. Meet at the park headquarters across from the main parking lot. Children are welcome with an adult. Call 978-465-7223 for more.

'Seussical the Musical' plays in Georgetown

Some of Dr. Seuss' popular characters come to life this weekend in Moonlight Productions' presentation of "Seussical the Musical" at First Congregational Church on Andover Street in Georgetown. The family show is on stage today through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The story follows the adventures of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that is actually the smallest planet in the universe filled with a race of tiny creatures. Expect a visit from the Cat in the Hat and other Seuss characters as well.

The cast of local youth is led by 18-year-old Rob Stahley of Groveland as Horton the Elephant. The show is directed by Boxford's Kimberly Robertson.

Tickets are $12 for general seating, $15 for reserved seats and $10 for seniors and children 12 and under. Call 978-352-7315.

Dramatic reading opens Amesbury Peace Center

Amesbury Friends Meeting opens its new Peace Center Sunday with a dramatic reading of "The Human Cost of War: Voices of Iraq Soldiers and Their Families" at 2:30 p.m. at the meetinghouse, 120 Friend St., Amesbury.

The Peace Center, an outreach project of the Quaker meeting, is designed to be a community place for hosting and sponsoring events related to peace, including film screenings, speakers, exhibits and workshops. Material from peace organizations, book lists for suggested reading and brochures on related topics will be available as well.

The opening program, "The Human Cost of War," features stories of U.S. Iraqi veterans and their families. Readers will include representatives of Women's Action for New Directions, Merrimack Valley People for Peace, Ipswich House of Peace, Veterans for Peace, SEED (Seacoast Energy and Environmental Design Coalition), Greater Newburyport Food Network, Young Friends of Amesbury Friends Meeting, Chaplaincy Institute of Maine and a World War II veteran. A discussion will follow the presentation.

The program will end with a reception. Admission is free. Visit www.amesburyquakers.org for more.

'In the Spirit of Music' set to inspire, entertain

Local performers are joining together for "In the Spirit of Music: An Evening of Live Music, Humor & Fun" to benefit the Women's Interfaith Spiritual Encounter on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport's Market Square.

The evening will feature performances by Temple Thieves, Lesley Smith, Meg Rayne, Sarah Pirtle, Patty Barkas and Denise DeSimone, with music by Ken Clark and Steve Chagaris.

Temple Thieves combines singing, poetry and what the group calls a rocking spirit to deliver a message rooted in American blues, "new thought" spirituality and "sensuous rhythm." The group includes Lisah Plumley, a singer-songwriter, musician and artist; and Newburyport's Paula Estey, a songwriter, musician and artist, with Clark on keyboards and Chagaris on percussion.

Rayne and DeSimone are familiar faces on the local scene. A singer-songwriter and "sacred sounder," Rayne writes songs aimed at inspiring female empowerment, and has produced four CDs. DeSimone teaches Sound as a Spiritual Practice workshops, and combines her inspirational story of personal survival from stage-4 throat and neck cancer in her work.

Smith, a ventriloquist, singer and comedian who founded The Theatre of Life Puppets, uses comedy, performance and music to uplift and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Barkas has performed, recorded and toured nationally and internationally with an eclectic group of artists for more than two decades and can be heard on film soundtracks, television and commercials.

Pirtle is an "ecofeminist" singer-songwriter best known for her song "My Roots Go Down." She has received nine national awards for her recordings and books, including the Magic Penny Award from the Children's Music Network for lifetime achievement in 2007.

Tickets are $20, and are tax-deductible. Proceeds will support the annual Women's Interfaith Spiritual Encounter conference, which celebrates the divine feminine, explores creative expression and the healing power of nature, and provides time and space to reflect as well as opportunities for inspired action. WISE is affiliated with the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine, an interfaith wisdom school and nonprofit educational organization.

For reservations, call the Firehouse box office at 978-462-7336 or visit www.firehouse.org.

'Passion for Painting' for Wings exhibit

Jacqueline Cunningham shows off her "Passion for Painting" in an exhibit of her works opening Monday at Chase & Lunt Insurance, 47 State St., Newburyport.

A self-taught artist, Cunningham says she is inspired by moments in her country home as well as heirloom or everyday objects with which she has an emotional or visceral connection. Her landscapes illustrate her love of her New England roots.

Cunningham's paintings have been featured in several area art association and juried shows, and she has won awards from the Haverhill and Rockport art associations, Andover Artist Guild and the Arts Institute of the Merrimack Valley.

The Chase & Lunt show is part of the Newburyport Art Association's Wings Exhibit, and runs through Nov. 30. An artist's reception takes place Friday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 978-462-4434 for more.

Vintage music spins again in Salisbury

The vintage music group Lighthouse Trio returns to Hobo's Cafe and Lounge at 5 Broadway on Salisbury Beach on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. for another round of '30s, '40s and '50s music. The trio of Lou Masiello on drums, George Blodgett on bass and Bob Allison on piano and vocals will perform selections from their extensive repertoire of lively, popular tunes.

Comical singer-songwriter and guitarist Howie Newman of Melrose will fill the halftime slot with his original material from 8 to 8:30 p.m. John Melisi from Maine sits in with the trio as saxophone soloist, singer Ellen Gutowski of Topsfield will perform some ballads and bluesman Malcolm Carnwath will offer a blues set from 7:45 to 8 p.m. There will also be a limited open mike.

Admission is free. A Thanksgiving-themed buffet with turkey and sides will be available for $5.

The Lighthouse Trio performs at Hobo's the first Wednesday of every month, except January and February. The other Wednesdays, Allison hosts a sing-along and karaoke from 7 to 9 p.m., preceded by a jazz hour with Melisi on tenor saxophone from 6 to 7. For more, call Hobo's at 978-465-4626.

Local author offers pathway to cremation

West Newbury's Jesse Kalfel discusses his new book, "So You're Cremated ... Now What?" on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Newbury Library on Lunt Street in Byfield.

Kalfel's lighthearted book takes the serious topic of how to handle cremated remains and makes it approachable for families to discuss. The book offers legal tips, urn advice, resources and more than 100 creative ways to scatter one's ashes. For more on the book, visit www.crematednowwhat.com.

Sharpen prose for Novel Writing Month

Newburyport Public Library is observing National Novel Writing Month in November by hosting writing groups on Mondays, Nov. 16, 23 and 30, from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Anyone working on a novel is invited to attend. All ages and writing abilities are welcome.

For more, contact Donna Childs at the library at 94 State St. at 978-465-4428 or visit www.NaNoWriMo.org.

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