NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

AUDITIONS

COMEDY AUDITIONS. RJ's Comedy Express is seeking local comedic talent for upcoming open mike and comedy nights in the Merrimack Valley and southern Hampshire. Call Raymond Poirier, 603-382-0445 or 603-793-3725. Mail tapes to 12 Auburn St., Plaistow, N.H.

NEW ENGLAND CLASSICAL SINGERS. Auditions for all experienced singers in January, primarily for tenor, bass and soprano voices. Wednesday rehearsals are in Andover. 978-465-0181, 978-857-306, www.newenglandclassical.org.

OPEN AUDITIONS. The Valley Players are holding auditions for the Neil Simon comedy, "God's Favorite," Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. For actors no younger than 16. Amesbury Playhouse, 194 Main St. 978-388-9444, www.amesburyplayhouse.com.

AUTHOR READINGS/SIGNINGS

HEADLINES BOUTIQUE. Curt Szajnecki, co-author with Helen Wisocki Tierney of the novel, "Innocence Betrayed - A Dad's Story of Clergy Misconduct," will sign books Thursday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m . Headlines Boutique, 1 Merrimac St., Newburyport.

CHILDREN/FAMILIES

FREE BIRDING PROGRAMS. To learn more about birding at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, contact Sue McGrath at Newburyport Birders for the schedule. Call 978-462-4785, e-mail newburyportbirders@comcast.net or visit www.newburyportbirders.com.

MERRIMAC PUBLIC LIBRARY. Teaching art with books that kids age 6 to 12 love, Saturdays through Jan. 19, 10 to 11 a.m. Fee: $15 per class, $90 for six weeks. 86 West Main St., Merrimac, 978-346-9441 or www.merrimaclibrary.org...

STORY HOUR. The Book Rack hosts a story hour Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. Features the Story Weaver, Nicolette Heavey. Free. 52 State St., Newburyport. 978-462-8615.

CLUBS

CANVAS NIGHTCLUB. DJ T-Roc and DJ Gee-Spin Saturdays starting at 9:30 p.m. 1 Mill St., Lawrence. 978-687-9100.

CARRIAGE WHEEL PUB. Open mike with Rockin' Randy, Thursdays, 8 to 11 p.m.; Melvin Ellsworth Band, Saturday, Dec. 15, 8:30 p.m. No cover, 10 Friend St., Amesbury. 978-388-0291.

DOWNSTAIRS AT DAVID'S. John Tavano, Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 11 Brown Square, Newburyport. 978-462-8077.

GLORY. Greek Night with DJ Paul Yiotis and belly dancers, Thursdays, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the Lounge. 19 Essex St., Andover. 978-475-4811.

THE GROG. Superfrog, Thursday, Dec. 27; Artty Raynes Band, Friday, Dec. 28, Four on the Floor, Saturday, Dec. 29, Parker Wheeler's Blues Party, Sunday, Dec. 30; New Year's Eve with the Henry Welch Band, Monday, Dec. 31; open mike night, Wednesdays. Music starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 6 p.m. on Sunday. 13 Middle St., Newburyport. 978-465-8008.

HOBO'S CAFE AND LOUNGE. "Nostalgia Night" with the Lighthouse Trio first Wednesday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 Broadway, Salisbury. 978-465-4626.

NEW YEAR'S COMEDY. Bob Seibel, Mike Cote and Kyle Crawford, Monday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Tickets, $55 for comedy, buffet dinner, dancing, midnight champagne toast. The Roma Restaurant, 29 Middlesex St., Haverhill. 978-374-8001, www.ScampsComedy.com.

PALMER'S RESTAURANT AND TAVERN. Live music Thursdays, 8 to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 9 p.m. to midnight. 18 Elm St., Andover. 978-470-1606.

DANCE

SINGLES DANCE. The Single Life of Greater Haverhill hosts a New Year's Eve dance, Monday, Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets, $20. American Legion Post #4,1314 Main St., Haverhill, 978-373-3504.

EXERCISE

HOLIDAY YOGA. Join Kristine of Imagine Studios for an extra gentle "all levels" yoga class, Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Free. 47 Main St., Amesbury, 978-834-0367.

FILM

SCREENING ROOM. "Lars and the Real Girl," through Thursday, Jan. 3, Mondays through Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Fridays, 6:15 and 8:45 p.m., Saturdays, 3:45, 6:15 and 8:45 p.m., and Sundays, 5 and 7:30 p.m. 82 State St., Newburyport. 978-462-3456 or www.newburyportmovies.com.

STAGE TWO CINEMA PUB. "The Heartbreak Kid," Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Stage Two Cinema Pub, 109 Main St., Amesbury, 978-388-6555.

GALLERIES AND ART

ADDISON GALLERY. Ipswich Day, celebrating the ongoing exhibit "Ipswich Days: Arthur Wesley Dow and his Hometown," through Jan 6. Photographs by Dawoud Bey, "The Discerning Eye: Five Perspectives on the Addison Collection," "Bernard Langlais: Abstract Wood Reliefs." Exhibits run through December. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Located at Phillips Academy, 180 Main St., Andover. 978-749-4015 or www.addisongallery.org.

BOXFORD VILLAGE LIBRARY. Watercolors by Judi Milano, through Jan. 5. 10 Elm St., Boxford, 978-887-READ. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CHURCHILL GALLERY. December featured artist Scott Mattlin; gallery-wide holiday exhibition of works by more than 30 artists..Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 to 5 p.m.; or by appointment. 6 Inn St., Newburyport. 978-462-9891 or www.thechurchillgallery.com.

CLARKE GALLERY. Relocated from Boston's Newbury Street, features the work of traditional artists from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries, including the Hudson River and Cape Ann schools, as well as Newburyport artists Laura Coombs Hills and John Appleton Brown. 941/2 Lime St., Newburyport. 978-465-0494.

FERRY WHARF GALLERY. Fine art studio and working gallery featuring original oils, watercolors, etchings and giclees, including "Newburyport 1899" by John Richard Perry and works by Enrico Donati, Jacob Towle, Dan Shaw, Paul Nevette, Susan Orfant, Anne Recchia, Agnes Kelley Manning, Traeger DiPietro, Ellen Sklar-Abbott, Beverly Mitchell, Solvi Stein Perry, Marjet Lesk, Charles Margeson and Eva Maria Lee. 1R Water St., Newburyport.

GALLERY 181. Second Holiday Affordable Art Exhibition, through Jan. 3. 181 Canal St., Lawrence. Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. 978-979-8922 or gallery-181@hotmail.com.

LEPORE FINE ARTS. Newburyport's oldest gallery dealing in antique paintings and leading expert in the work of Laura Hills and J. Appleton Brown. Also showing works by William Bradford, Emile Gruppe, George L. Noyes, Jane Peterson, Paul Strisik and Harry Vincent. Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 58 Merrimac St., Newburyport. 978-462-1663.

LESLANE GALLERY & DESIGN. Holiday art show highlighting small winter pieces and small specialty frames by Debra Corbett, Leslie J. Dondero, Bill Duncan, Jeannette Steele Esposito, Jim Grabowski, Teresa McCue, Corey Craig Moore, Michael Palmer, Robert Price, Ellen Rolli, Joyce Wetherbee and Susan Zampell, through January. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 144 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, 978-948-2105, www.leslanegallery.com..

RIVERWALK BEAD SHOP. Work by 36 local artists including jewelry, beads, paintings, pottery, weaving, carved gourds and more. 32 Elm St., Amesbury. 978-388-3499.

SLEIGH OF GIFTS. The Newburyport Art Association presents its annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, through Dec. 28. 65 Water St., Newburyport. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The NAA will be open Newburyport Invitation Nights. 978-465-8769 or www.newburyportart.org.

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY. The Provident Bank's Amesbury Lobby for the Arts program will feature the wildlife photography of Bill McAdams' "A Time and Place," though Jan. 5. The Provident Bank, 5 Market St, Amesbury.

MUSEUMS

CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM. Built in 1835, the Newburyport Custom House was designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument and the U.S. Treasury Building. Features ship models and maritime art as well as exhibits on shipbuilding, the Coast Guard and author John Marquand. Open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 25 Water St., Newburyport. 978-462-8681 or www.themaritimesociety.org.

DOLE-LITTLE HOUSE. Circa-1700 timber-frame construction home restored in 1955. Open year-round by appointment only. Admission $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students/children. 289 High Road, Newbury. 978-462-2634 or www.historicnewengland.org.

LOWELL'S BOAT SHOP. Established in 1793, oldest continuously operating boat shop in the country. Guests can view boatbuilders at work, take a tour and view exhibits. By appointment only. 459 Main St., Amesbury. 978-834-0050 or www.lowellsboatshop.com.

MEETINGHOUSE. Rocky Hill Meeting House, circa-1785 rural New England meetinghouse with limited ornamental detail offering example of vernacular architecture. 4 Portsmouth Road, Amesbury. 978-462-2634 or www.spnea.org.

PRINTING MUSEUM. World's largest collection of antique printing, typesetting and bindery machines. Contains extensive printing collection of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $5. 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover. 978-686-0450.

SWETT-ILSLEY HOUSE. Circa-1670 saltbox dwelling illustrating development of New England's timber-frame architecture and building practices over two centuries, including one of the largest kitchen hearths in New England. 4 High Road, Newbury. 978-462-2634 or www.spnea.org.

MUSIC

A CHRISTMAS VOICE RECITAL AND CAROL SING. Martha Peabody of the Peabody Studio of Voice in Amesbury presents a student voice recital, Sunday, Dec. 30, at 5 p.m. Free. The First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist Church, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, 978-465-0602.

CARRIAGE WHEEL PUB. Open mike with Rockin' Randy, Thursdays, 8 to 11 p.m. No cover, 10 Friend St., Amesbury. 978-388-0291.

DOWNSTAIRS AT DAVID'S. John Tavano, Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 11 Brown Square, Newburyport. 978-462-8077.

HOBO'S CAFE AND LOUNGE. "Nostalgia Night" with the Lighthouse Trio first Wednesday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 Broadway, Salisbury. 978-465-4626.

LICORICE & SLOE COMPANY. Sunday Morning Crumpets and JAM live music series, featuring JR & Jenni of the Divorced, Sunday, Dec. 30. 21 Middle St., Newburyport, 978-499-8327.

OPEN MIKE. Imagine Studios hosts an open mike night the last Sunday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m., J Bucks Espresso and Wine Bar. Free. All ages welcome. 32 Elm St., Amesbury. 978-388-1100.

THE GROG. The Klapp opening for Superfrog, Thursday, Dec. 27; Artty Raynes Band, Friday, Dec. 28; Four On The Floor, Saturday, Dec. 29, Parker Wheeler and Bev Rohlehr, John Colby, Chris "Stovall" Brown, The Big Buzz Horns, Sunday, Dec. 30; The Henry Welch Band, Monday, Dec. 31. Music starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 6 p.m. on Sunday. 13 Middle St., Newburyport. 978-465-8008.

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Submit calendar items in writing to Sonya Vartabedian by fax at 978-465-8505, e-mail svartabedian@ecnnews.com, or mail to The Daily News, 23 Liberty St., Newburyport, MA 01950. Calendar listings are limited primarily to arts and entertainment. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday publication.