McGRATHPR.com – Spring fever inspires the finest arts, entertainment and cultural opportunities in the Greater Boston, South Shore, and Cape Cod regions from late winter through spring.
The James Library & Center for the Arts
2024 Featured Artist Jake Basso
The James Library’s new public art project features new works created and installed monthly on The James’ grounds, viewable for the public. Throughout 2024, large scale sculptures created by local Artist Jake Basso will be installed monthly. The series launches with Basso’s sculpture, “OK,” a mixed media piece of found items of metals and other materials.
Jake Basso is an interdisciplinary artist living in Norwell, who creates sculptures, drawings, paintings, and poetry. His abstract and figurative sculptures are made from reused materials that he collects at construction and industrial sites.
Jake is a graduate of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. His work has recently been featured at the Brickbottom Gallery in Somerville, the James Library’s gallery, and at South Shore Art Center in Cohasset. Follow @JakeBassoArt on Instagram.
Architect Jim Kelliher ~ Italianate Architecture on the South Shore and Beyond
Tuesday, January 23, 1 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted
Local architect Jim Kelliher demonstrates the Italianate style of architecture, a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of classical architecture. First developed in Britain by John Nash about 1802, it launched with the construction of Cronkhill in Shropshire. This small country house is generally accepted to be the first Italianate villa in England, from which is derived the Italianate architecture of the late Regency and early Victorian eras. The Italianate style was further developed and popularized by the architect Sir Charles Barry in the 1830s. Barry’s Italianate style drew heavily for its motifs on the buildings of the Italian Renaissance, though sometimes at odds with Nash’s semi-rustic Italianate villas. Sponsored by Axiom Architects.
Norwell High School’s Senior AP Art Show
Opening Reception: Friday, February 9, 6 to 8 pm
On View: February 9 through March 9
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted
View showcased work by accomplished Norwell High School student artists as they continue to find their creative voice. AP Art students’ portfolios are driven by personal research. There is no preferred style, only encouragement to experiment, practice, revisit, and revise, as they contemplate the synthesis between materials, ideas, and communicating their story to their prospective audience. Displayed student works are always in flux, with potential continued development prior to AP exam submission in May.
Each student has two works in this exhibit that convey their research and direction. Sponsored by Joseph’s Garage of Norwell and the Norwell Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Jane Austen: Who Dares to be an Authoress? ~ Actress Laura Rocklyn
Sunday, March 10, 3 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Tickets: $20, general admission, $10 students
*A limited number of free tickets for seniors are available, courtesy of the Cordelia Family Foundation
The year is 1815, and Miss Austen has just returned from a visit to the Prince Regent’s London residence. The honor of this invitation prompts her to reminisce about the events that led the daughter of a country clergyman to a position of such notoriety. She shares her thoughts and feelings about her novels and how their publication changed her life forever.
Playwright and actress Laura Rocklyn portrays Jane Austen, with discussion and Q&A about Regency deportment and etiquette. Boston-based actor, writer, and first-person historical interpreter Laura Rocklyn writes and performs one-woman historic character portrayals for educational groups throughout the east coast. Generously sponsored by Cheever Tavern.
Edmar Colón Quartet ~ Original works by Colón, and selections from the Puerto Rican Songbook
Saturday, March 16, 7:30 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Tickets: $35 general admission, $30 seniors, $20 students
*A limited number of free tickets for seniors are available, courtesy of the Cordelia Family Foundation
Puerto Rican saxophonist, pianist, and composer Edmar Colón explores the connections between the West African musical heritage in the Americas and the idiosyncrasies of classical music from Europe and beyond. By amplifying the similarities of these and other musical traditions, Colón achieves a distinctive homogenous blend of sounds, textures, and rhythms in his original work. This program features selections from the expansive and ever-so-beautiful Puerto Rican songbook by composers such as Bobby Capó, Julio Guitiérrez, and Sylvia Rexach.
The concert features award-winning musicians Edmar Colón on saxophones, Alain Mallet on piano, Ian Ashby on bass, and Julian Miltenberger on drums. Sponsored by Patty Jackson, your local realtor, Lynch Marini & Associates, and Napier Financial. Also sponsored in part by the Norwell and Scituate Cultural Councils, local cultural councils supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Fifth Annual Spring Juried Art Exhibition
Submission deadline: February 18, 2024
Opening Reception: March 22, 6 to 8 pm; On View: March 22 through April 27
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted
Welcoming artists of all levels and art of all mediums. Juror Larisa Grollemond is Assistant Curator of the Manuscripts Department at the Getty Museum. Cash awards to winners. More information and detailed prospectus can be viewed at jameslibrary.org. Sponsored by The Frame Center, Cordelia Family Foundation, Norwell Chamber of Commerce, and Hanover, Marshfield, Norwell, and Scituate Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Mini Golf for the Whole Family
Tuesday, April 16, 11 am to 2 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted
Looking for something fun to do during spring school vacation? Join the James for an indoor round of mini golf. The entire building will be transformed into a 10-hole mini golf course with greens and holes winding through the stacks, around the art gallery, and through the concert hall. Everything is provided, including clubs, balls, scorecards, and fun! This is the perfect activity to let loose and support the James. Sponsored by First Parish Preschool of Norwell and The Liz McCarron Team at William Raveis.
International Piano Soloist Einav Yarden
Friday, April 19, 7:30 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Tickets: $40 general admission, $30 seniors, $20 students
*A limited number of free tickets for seniors are available, courtesy of the Cordelia Family Foundation
Pianist Einav Yarden is praised for her “imagination and exceptionally vivid playing…sense of immense majesty, tempered by gentleness and quiet grace” (The Washington Post), and “glistening rapture…ingenious humor” (Tagesspiegel, Germany). She is a frequent recitalist at top venues around the world, and as soloist with orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester and the Rundfunkchor, Berlin, Germany, Minnesota Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Bradenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, Bucharest Philharmonic, and Jerusalem Symphony. Sponsored by Acella, South Coastal Animal Health, Owens Corning Basement Finishing Systems, KAF Financial Services, and the Douglas Perry Fund. Also sponsored in part by Norwell and Scituate Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Jedi Knight Training with Jungle Jim ~ May the Fourth Be With You
May 4, 1 to 2 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
$10 per Padawan Learner, accompanying adults attend for free
Bring your young Padawan Learner for a Jedi Knight Training! Children are led through a series of challenges including Jedi Force Magic, the Laser Balloon Barrage, Jedi Teamwork Training, and of course, Lightsaber Dueling. Recommended for ages 3 to 11, limited to 35 children and their accompanying adults. Star Wars apparel encouraged.
Roll out the red carpet and cue the Star Wars theme for the Jedi Knight, who’s not just any ordinary space warrior, but the galaxy’s most entertaining and charismatic guide! Watch as he takes your young Padawans on a whirlwind adventure, filled with Jedi Force magic that’ll make Harry Potter jealous, a laser balloon barrage that’s more thrilling than a carnival game, and Jedi Teamwork Training that even Yoda would approve. Let’s not forget the pièce de résistance: Lightsaber Dueling! Sponsored by the Bob Melone Team at Radius Financial Group and SHD Marketing.
Artist Marcia Ballou ~ Kaleidoscope
Opening Reception: Friday, May 10, 6 to 8 pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, May 18, 1 pm
On View: May 10 through June 15
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted
On a sparkling summer day, Artist Marcia Ballou was sitting on a bench in her field enjoying the bright light and beautiful summer flowers, when a dance of nature appeared before her eyes. A swarm of dragonflies, diving, circling, and chasing each other, displayed wings sparkling in the sunlight. Monarch butterflies appeared, many of them, floating into the scene and joining the dance. It was enchanting. “This scene is held in my memory as a treasure. It is a scene I paint, always trying to portray the feeling I had of joy,” shares Ballou.
Collage is Ballou’s medium. She incorporates a palette of painted papers, cloth, paints, and threads. The process is slow, while she employs deliberate and spontaneous application. Her colorful gestures and intuitive patterns are accented by paint for atmosphere.
She then assembles papers, cloth, and threads with acrylic mediums or by hand stitching, assembled like a jigsaw puzzle, enlivened by unexpected material and shape combinations. Occasionally a realistic painting of a favorite creature appears against the abstract dance of color. Ballou’s patterns always seem to create blossoms of texture on the surface of each finished piece, with a goal to evoke joy. Sponsored by Marshfield Cultural Council, a local cultural council supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union ~ Author Stephen Puleo
Tuesday, May 21, 7 pm
James Library & Center for the Arts, 24 West Street, Norwell
Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 students
*A limited number of free tickets for seniors are available, courtesy of the Cordelia Family Foundation
For a quarter of a century, including twenty-three consecutive years in the Senate from 1851 until his death, it was Charles Sumner – not Lincoln, not William Lloyd Garrison, not Frederick Douglass, Lydia Maria Child, or anyone else – who was the nation’s most passionate, vociferous, unrelenting, and inexhaustible anti-slavery, and equal rights champion.
Before and during the Civil War, at a great personal sacrifice, Sumner was the conscience of the north and the strongest and most influential voice in favor of abolition. Throughout Reconstruction, no one championed the rights of the emancipated Freedmen more than Charles Sumner. Through the force of his words and his will, he first moved his state, and then the nation, toward the twin goals of abolitionism – which he achieved in his lifetime – and equal rights, which eluded him and the country, but for which he fought literally until the day he died. In so doing, he laid the cornerstone arguments that civil rights advocates would build upon over the next century as the country strove to achieve equality among the races.
Author, historian, teacher, public speaker, and communications professional Stephen Puleo has published seven narrative history books. His eighth book, The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union, is due for publication this April. Sponsored by Norwell Historical Society, the Edward and Estelle Mosher Fund, and Napier Financial. Also supported in part by Norwell and Scituate Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Since 1874, The James Library has served the South Shore community as a warm gathering place. Housed in a landmark Victorian in historical Norwell Center, The James is dedicated to serving the community by providing high-quality programs, resources and materials through a concert hall, art gallery and the operation of a free lending library. As an independent, non-profit arts center we foster a mission for the creation, appreciation, and enjoyment of the arts for residents of all ages on the South Shore, while preserving the historic character of our home. The James Library is located at 24 West Street, Norwell and is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 pm and on Saturday from 11 to 1 pm. For more information, please call 781-659-7100, visit jameslibrary.org or follow The James Library on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Company Theatre Center for the Arts
Draw The Line
Saturday, February 10, 8 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $75 VIP, $35 standard
Draw The Line, the ultimate Aerosmith tribute, is the only group that has been featured on the official Aerosmith website and by Aerosmith’s Official Fan Club. With support and accolades from Steven Tyler, as well as journalists, top DJs, and fans worldwide, it’s no wonder Draw The Line is recognized as a one-of-a-kind. “A professional show band in a league of their own amongst tribute acts, and of a caliber that is unparalleled in the tribute genre.”
A Swingin’ Affair
Saturday, February 17, 4 pm, and Sunday, February 18, 3 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $40 premium, $35 standard
There’s nothing like the excitement of a live swingin’ big band! Frontman Donnie Norton and special guests sing the Frank Sinatra Songbook backed by resident Musical Director Steve Bass’s professional 16-piece big band. Hit songs include “Fly Me To the Moon” and “I’ve Got The World On A String”, and “In the Mood.” Bring your dancing shoes — the dance floor will be open.
Mutts Gone Nuts
Tuesday, February 20, 1 and 4 pm; Wednesday, February 21, 1 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $30 premium, $25 standard
From shelters to showbiz, Mutts Gone Nuts is ready to unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action-packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world’s most talented four-legged performers. Deemed “a must see” by The Washington Post, the dogs are sure to steal your heart!
Barbie the Movie
Thursday, February 22, 4 and 7 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $10 standard
To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken. Enjoy the film with lots of your friends – and wear pink!
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
March 15 through 30
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (excludes March 30) 7:30 pm, Saturday, March 30 and Sundays, 3 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $58 premium, $50 standard
A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm and a dash of murder. A Tony award winning musical comedy set in Downton Abbey era England that has been called a “knock ‘em dead uproarious hit!”
Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr.
Friday, April 12, 7 pm; Saturday, April 13, 3 and 7 pm; Sunday, April 14, 1 and 4 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $35 premium, $28 standard
From the brilliant songwriting team behind Frozen comes a new musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean when his kid Nemo is captured and taken to an aquarium in Sydney. Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
Peter and the Starcatcher
Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 7:30 pm, Sunday, May 5, 3 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $35 premium, $28 standard
A whimsical, high-flying theatrical adventure unfolds to discover the origins of the beloved Peter Pan. With magic, music, pirates, and a whole lot of imagination, this clever prequel to the classic tale is a rollicking good time for all ages. Set sail on a sea of laughter and wonder as you watch the transformation of an orphan child into the iconic boy who never grows up. It’s a swashbuckling, heartwarming story that will leave you starry-eyed!
Denise Fennell’s The Bride, or Does This Dress Make Me Look Married?
Saturday, May 11, 3 pm and 7:30 pm, Sunday, May 12, 3 pm
The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell
Tickets: $40 standard
The Company Theatre’s fan favorite Denise Fennell, known for her role in Sister in the Late Nite Catechism series, returns for an all-new comedy showcase that’s part truth, part fiction, and totally hysterical. Drawing inspiration from Fennell’s own life, this bride of a certain age will have you howling with laughter and touch your heart, as she begins to question the meaning of love, life, and the ritual of marriage.
Tutti Music Collective
Echoes of Heritage ~ A medley New and Traditional of Folk Tunes
Saturday, April 13, 2 pm
Boynton Yards performance hall, 101 South Street, Somerville
The Tutti Music Collective, Elijah Langille, Conductor
Early Bird Tickets: $17, or $22 for two tickets, through March 22.
Tickets: $50 for preferred seating, $22 general admission $15 for students and seniors, after March 22
Available on eventbrite.com and at the door
In its fourth concert performance, Tutti Music Collective’s composers and choir explore the works of contemporary local composers, including TMC Co-Founder Rachel Burckardt, Mary Casiello, Kelvyn Koning, Rachel Marie, Javier Marquez, and Jay Verchin. Historically, folk music originated in beloved tunes handed down through fellow musicians orally, spanning many cultures. Today, the folk music landscape still widely embraces traditional music, in addition to new contemporary music, emerging through the kaleidoscope lens of life – music that speaks of experiences, struggles, and hopes. “Echoes of Heritage” offers a program that blends music from traditional sources together with works by local living composers, spanning instrumental, accompanied and a cappella forms.
Aspiring to become a nonprofit organization to champion its mission, The Tutti Music Collective is committed to showcasing the music of local minority, the LGBTQIA+ community, and living composers, in the belief that concert music should reflect the diversity of the world we live in. The Board-led Collective strives to create a space where these voices can be heard and celebrated. Wood Harbor Orchestra is dedicated to the performance of works by local composers, focused on underrepresented groups in classical music, including women, people of color, and those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pilgrim Festival Chorus
Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem)
Saturday, May 4, 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 5, 4 pm
St. Bonaventure Parish, 803 State Road, Plymouth
Tickets: $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students
Card to Culture attendees and children 14 and under admitted for free
Artistic Directors William B. Richter, conductor and Elizabeth Chapman Reilly, accompanist
Pilgrim Festival Chorus, the region’s community choral ensemble, proudly presents Johannes Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem), one of the greatest works of the entire choral repertoire with 90-singer chorus, 25-piece orchestra, and soloists David Tyler and Allyson Lynch.
One of the greatest works of the choral repertoire, the Brahms “Requiem” continues to resonate with listeners everywhere, even 150 years after its composition. The seven movements suggest a journey that explore the nature of life, death, sorrow, hope, and comfort, in essence, the universal human condition. From the deepest sense of loss and the understanding that life is short, the music brings us to a realization that a time will come when death is no more, and ultimately brings us to a place of comfort and peace.
Since 1999, PFC has provided South Shore audiences with classical choral music concerts. More than 90 vocalists of all adult ages from 20 South Shore communities currently fill out the ensemble. In addition to its spring large-scale choral concert, PFC presents an annual winter concert and “Messiah Sing” in December, as well as a summer concert series featuring Broadway and Americana music.
PFC participates in the Card to Culture Program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council, the Department of Transitional Assistance, Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and Massachusetts Health Connector, by increasing access to cultural experiences.
Tickets for “Ein Deutsches Requiem” are $25 for adults, $20 for senior citizens, and $15 for students over 14. Card to Culture attendees and children ages 14 and under are admitted for free. Tickets are available at pilgrimfestivalchorus.org/tickets, from PFC members, and at the door.
For more information, including details on membership and performances, visit pilgrimfestivalchorus.org, or follow Pilgrim Festival Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.
Massachusetts Cranberries
Cranberry Bog Group Tours ~ for coach bus tours and tour agents
Spring and Summer 2024
Weekdays 9 am to 2 pm, by appointment only
Departing from Makepeace Farms, 146 Tihonet Rd., Wareham
Custom rates based on group size available on request
Massachusetts Cranberries offers spring and summer bog tours that begin at Makepeace Farms in Wareham. Visitors enjoy an agriculture experience, learning about the growing seasons, history, and the world of cranberry farming. Tour tours include a visit to a cranberry bog, exploring the year-round efforts of generational cranberry farmers. Makepeace Farms boasts a cranberry-themed gift store, gourmet lunch menu, and an exciting addition for 2024 – a mini cranberry museum! For bookings and more information, visit cranberries.org/charter-tours or email bogtours@cranberries.org.
Cranberry Education Field Trips ~ for schools, homeschool groups, scouts, and camps
April through June and September through November, weekdays, 9 am to 3 pm, by appointment only
Massachusetts Cranberries Tour Barn, Carver
Fee: $12 per person
Explore the fascinating world of cranberries with Massachusetts Cranberries’ engaging education field trips! Based in Carver, the program offers an outdoor educational experience about cranberry agriculture and local farming. In the spring, witness the growing berries and perennial vines while delving into their history and seasonal cycles. A hands-on approach includes activities like creating a mini bog in a cup to take home. Industry experts guide attendees through the cranberry farm, sharing valuable insights. Cranberry farming equipment is showcased up close for a better understanding of how they operate. 60-to-90-minute tours accommodate groups from 15 to 130 attendees. Buses, cars, and vans are all welcome. Bog roads accommodate ADA vans and wheelchairs for the walking portion. For bookings and more information, email bogtours@cranberries.org.
Concord Women’s Chorus
After the Rain: Music for the Journey
Saturday, May 4, 4 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord
Tickets: $25 adults, $20 seniors and students, $5 children ages 12 and under
Concord Women’s Chorus performs a spring concert program featuring some of the very best new music written for women’s voices. “After the Rain: Music for the Journey” tracks the twists and turns of our life stories: the joys, the disappointments, the stumbles, and the redemption along the journey.
From Gwyneth Walker’s reflective Maid of Constant Sorrow, to the hope of Elaine Hagenberg’s contemplative Song of Miriam and exploration of wonder in By Night; from the dream of taking flight in Jocelyn Hagen’s The Sky Falls to the triumph of Anthony Trecek-King’s I’m on My Way, the entire program serves to uplift and to delight, to overcome and to ultimately sing with joy!
Concord Women’s Chorus is a 45-singer ensemble fostering the power of women’s voices through song. Singers hail from Concord and the greater Boston area. Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank conducts the chorus performing a wide variety of choral music, ranging from early music to contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on works written for women’s voices.
CWC’s commitment to the mastery and performance of a dynamic repertoire for women transforms the act of choral singing into an instrument for collaboration, education, and connection. The ensemble features confident singers who care deeply about creating, through women’s voices, a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, the audience, and the world around us. For tickets or more information, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, or follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.
South Shore Ballet Theatre
Youth America Grand Prix
January 25 through 27
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester
Tickets: TBA, available at the door, viewable on YouTube Live
SSBT students compete with seven solo performances in the junior and senior classical ballet division, two students perform their original choreographed duet, and contemporary and classical ensembles compete with original choreography.
Universal Ballet Competition
Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4
Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester
Tickets: $15, available at onestopdanceshop.com
SSBT students compete with seven solo performances in the junior and senior classical ballet division, two students perform their original choreographed duet, and contemporary and classical ensembles compete with original choreography.
Young Dancers Summer Program Auditions
Saturday, March 16, ages 6 to 7 from 11 am to 12 noon, ages 8 and 9 from 12 am to 1 pm, boys from 1 to 2 pm
South Shore Ballet Theatre, 45 Industrial Park Road, Hingham
Details and registration at southshoreballettheatre.com
Summer Ballet Intensive Program Auditions
Saturday, March 16, ages 10 to 12 (pointe not required) 11 am to 12:30 pm
Saturday, March 16, ages 13+ up (pointe required) 10 am to 11:30 am
South Shore Ballet Theatre, 45 Industrial Park Road, Hingham
Details and registration at southshoreballettheatre.com
Come one come all to auditions for South Shore Ballet Theatre’s popular Summer Intensive programs. The program is available weekly or for the full program, which runs from June 17 through 28, 4 to 7 pm on weekdays; and July 8 through 26, 9 am to 3 pm on weekdays.
Girls arrive wearing black leotard, tights, ballet shoes, pointe shoes (if en pointe), hair in a bun. Boys arrive wearing a white shirt, black bike shorts or black tights and ballet shoes. Scholarships are available.
Dance Northeast Weekend
Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10
Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, NH
Performance tickets: $17 adults, $14 students, general admission at rochesteroperahouse.com
SSBT’s contemporary and classical ensembles perform original choreography in “La Sylphide” and “Taka-ta-da-da,” on Saturday, February 3 at 7 pm. SSBT Director Marthavan McKeon serves as guest masterclass educator during Dance Northeast’s Sunday, March 10 masterclass offerings.
South Shore Ballet Theatre Gala
Thursday, May 9, 6 pm
Maria Chapman Theatre, Chapman Middle School, 1051 Commercial St., Weymouth
Tickets: $30-$40, discounted tickets available for Weymouth residents and Chapman School students
Tickets available at https://29965.danceticketing.com/ starting April 2.
South Shore Ballet Theatre’s Gala features an ensemble performance along with a showcase of solo and ensemble performances by SSBT dancers from the 2024 ballet competition season. Choreographer Nilas Martins sets the first movement of the iconic ballet “Serenade”. Dancers perform excerpts from Swan Lake, La Sylphide and Taka-ta-da-da.
Founded in 2008, South Shore Ballet Theatre (SSBT) is the South Shore region’s pre-professional ballet school featuring world class faculty, training tomorrow’s dancers today! SSBT’s mission is to provide students and their families with the opportunity to develop an appreciation of ballet and related dance disciplines in a safe and nurturing environment, encouraging students to strive to achieve their fullest potential, regardless of course of study.
SSBT students frequently take the performance stage including the beloved full-length production of “The Nutcracker”, their annual Spring Gala and throughout the year collaboratively with local schools and arts programs, sharing the appreciation of dance with the local community.
SSBT staff are committed to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. All students are welcome regardless of appearance, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability. SSBT maintains an open-door policy so that all individuals may join the SSBT community and share this art form.
SSBT’s programs include American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT®) National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough nine-level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
For more information about South Shore Ballet Theatre, its programs, tuition, scholarships, and performances, visit SouthShoreBalletTheatre.com, call 781-312-7224, or follow South Shore Ballet Theatre on social media.
Sandwich Arts Alliance
The Writers’ Critique Group
Thursdays, February 1 and 15, March 7 and 21, April 4 and 18, 1 to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Free for members, membership information at sandwichartsalliance.org
This group of writers meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month. A chapter of a current project is emailed to members of the group, read, and critiqued, and brought to the meeting where it is read aloud and further discussed. Supportive, encouraging, and informative. All are welcome.
Acrylic Painting Exploration ~ with Instructor Peggy Richard
Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5 and 12; 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
6-class program fee: $180 members/$210 non-members, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
A welcoming exploration for students of all levels learning about the diversity of acrylic paint, in a fun and cooperative setting! Each week through observation, guided instruction, and hands-on experimentation students begin a new painting challenge. By the end of this class, attendees take away five paintings, new skills, and newfound confidence! Materials list available on the SAA website registration page.
Your Daily Practice Writers Group
Wednesdays, February 7 and 21, March 6 and 20, April 3 and 17, 11 am to 12 noon
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Free for members, membership information at sandwichartsalliance.org
Welcoming writers desiring to establish a daily practice, encouragement, and accountability.
Mixed Media Flower Class ~ with Instructor Jacqui Hawk
Saturday, February 10, 9:30 to 11:30 am
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members; includes supplies, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
In this two-hour class, students enjoy the therapeutic process of creating a mixed media flower using collage, beads, buttons, and special personal objects. There are no set design rules; the instructor encourages independent thought and the use of unique and personal touches. All materials will be provided for a 16 x 20″ canvas. Students are encouraged to bring a few personal beads, buttons, or nostalgic objects to decorate the flower’s center.
Online Art Auction
Monday, February 12 through Thursday, February 22
Bid early and bid often! This fast-paced, fun art auction event is anticipated by artists and buyers all year.
Storytelling Workshop ~ with Instructor Susan Picillo
Thursday, February 15, 11 am to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members; includes supplies, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
Everyone has a story to tell. In this 3-hour workshop, participants will have the opportunity to craft and share true stories from their own lives. The workshop will include some group improvisational activities, short “blasts” or writing, and tips and techniques for mastering the art of storytelling. Everyone will be encouraged and expected to share. There will be a short snack break.
Writer’s Networking
Thursdays, February 15, March 21, April 18, 11 am to 12 noon
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Free for members, membership information at sandwichartsalliance.org
This exchange, open to all, is held on the third Thursday of each month. It offers a variety of programs from speakers to casual, convivial information exchanges on writing and publishing.
Big Brush Painting ~ with Instructor Joe Gallant
Saturday, February 17, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $90 members/$100 non-members, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
Paint large or small! Experience the fun, freedom, and spontaneity of using inexpensive brushes to create paintings. Using acrylic paints or water mixable oils, full-time artist Joe Gallant will demonstrate and guide you through the steps of creating your own seascape or landscape painting destined to become a focal point in your home or office! Students complete an acrylic or water mixable oil painting during this fun 3-hour workshop. Suitable for adult beginners, intermediate painters, and past participants in Joe’s popular workshops.
Tales for a Winter’s Night
Saturday, February 17, 7 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Admission: $25
A celebration of the art of storytelling, exploring the depths of human emotion through narratives of love and hate, featuring skilled storytellers who will transport the audience through tales that evoke a range of emotions and leave a lasting impact on all who attend.
A Gathering of Poets
Tuesdays, February 20, March 19, April 16, 1 to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance Center, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Free for members, membership information at sandwichartsalliance.org
A supportive and informative poetry critique group, meeting monthly on third Tuesdays, All are welcome. Attendees read their poems aloud each session, consider suggestions, and make observations.
Creative Crescendo ~ with Instructors Michael Berndt and Bridgette Salvon-Berndt
Friday, February 23, 1 to 4 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members; includes supplies, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
An exploratory workshop investigating methods to develop and strengthen creativity in visual arts by experimenting and interacting with diverse music. Think of it as a workout for your brain rather than your body! Students don’t produce a finished piece or to learn about a specific technique, but rather explore a pathway to increase creativity and develop new ways of thinking about our art.
Children’s Book Writers
Thursdays, February 29, March 28, and April 25, 1 to 2 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Free for members, membership information at sandwichartsalliance.org
Welcoming writers who aspire to publish children’s books. Attendees share their latest work by reading aloud and receive comments and suggestions.
Biribá Union ~ with Mike Block
Friday, March 1, 7 to 9 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Admission: $25 at sandwichartsalliance.org and at the door
Biribá Union features Mike Block (cello, vocals), Christylez Bacon (beatbox, guitar, rhymes), and Patricia Ligia (electric bass, pandeiro, vocals), forming a dynamic trio that blends original music with global influences, creating a fresh and accessible sound. Each member draws from their diverse backgrounds, including Brazilian, bluegrass, Jazz, classical, hip-hop, funk, and pop styles, synthesizing them through original compositions and songs that highlight their improvisational spontaneity and high energy stage presentation. “A dynamic trio, blending original music with world fusion influences.” ~ Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Celebration of Women in the Arts Weekend
By women, for women, about women
Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17 ~ Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Opening Art Show & Reception ~ Friday, March 15, 5 to 7 pm
Admission is free, donations welcome
A feature of SAA’s March celebration of International Women’s Month, literary arts members perform original pieces of spoken word in the SAA Gallery. Visual Artists presents “Celebration of Women in the Arts”. This month-long exhibit will be highlighted by a reception with music, poetry, award ribbon presentations and refreshments.
Fat Ass Cancer Bitch ~ with Christine Ernst ~ Saturday, March 16, 7 pm
Admission: $25, available at sandwichartsalliance.org
Get ready for some laughs and inspiration with the Fat Ass Cancer Bitch, a one-woman show by Christine Ernst. Writer, performer, and a cancer survivor, Ernst uses humor and honesty to tackle the challenges of life. Her new 2024 show, still under wraps, will heighten your senses and laughter!
Staged Reading by Cape Cod Women Playwrights
Sunday, March 17, 2 pm
Admission and details TBA
Finding The Writer Within ~ with Instructor Linda Maria Steele
Fridays, March 22 and April 19, 10 am to 12 noon
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $100 members/$120 non-members, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
Finding the Writer Within invites writers of all levels and interests to explore different writing genres in a supportive writing community. Participants write and read their work throughout the class. The playful yet productive workshop is highly regarded and recommended for writers and non-writers alike. Writers are welcome to take the workshop a suggested three times maximum.
Needle Felting Landscape ~ with Instructor Isabel Stearns
Thursday April 11, 4 to 6 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $60 members/$70 non-members; includes supplies, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
Students create a 5” wooden hoop frame landscape by “painting” with wool. This fun class serves all levels and culminates with a wonderful home decoration or unique gift. All materials are included. Having been introduced to felting as a child attending the Waldorf School, Isabel was later inspired to rediscover felting as a therapeutic art form.
Classic Jazz Visions ~ with The Michael Persico Big Band
Featuring the Jazz Photography of the Cape’s Own Jack Bradley
Saturday, May 4, 7 to 9 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Admission: $25
Experience the life, the musical history and legacy, the very essence of the greatest icon of American Jazz, “Pops,” “Satchmo,” “Louis” Armstrong in a truly multi-dimensional immersive experience. Hear the greatest music of the Jazz Age played live on stage, by some of the finest jazz musicians in The Classic Jazz and Swing Orchestra. See images of Armstrong never before available to the public and hear the incredible story of how a young man born in Cotuit became the personal photographer and close personal friend of the great Louis Armstrong, all wrapped within the sounds that have become the foundations of American music.
Needle Felting Birds ~ with Instructor Isabel Stearns
Thursday, May 9, 4 to 6 pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Fee: $60 members/$70 non-members; includes supplies, register at sandwichartsalliance.org
Chirp chirp! Isabel Stearns, founder of The Felted Acorns, offers this introductory workshop exploring the basic techniques involved in felting – a wonderful workshop for those new to felting or looking for an afternoon of crafting. The resulting little needle felt bird is perfect for resting on a windowsill or as a springtime gift.
Love, Loss and What I Wore ~ a play by Nora and Delia Efron
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, May 17 through 26, matinee and evening performances 2 pm/7pm
Sandwich Arts Alliance, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Admission: $25
‘Love, Loss, and What I Wore’ is a rare theatrical opportunity for women to commiserate and rejoice over shared experiences and for men to perhaps gain some insight into them. With its highly relatable vignette, ‘Love, Loss and What I Wore’ is a funny, touching, and insightful ‘everywoman’ piece that will connect with audiences in deeply personal ways.
Exhibits:
Exhibits by SAA Members in a gallery, gift shop, and at community venues
on view during business hours, also viewable at sandwichartsalliance.org
Sandwich Arts Alliance Gallery, 130 Main Street, Sandwich
Spring business hours starting March 4: Tuesdays through Saturdays weekly, 11 am to 4 pm
Of note: In March, Sandwich Arts Alliance Visual Artists will help celebrate International Women’s Month with the member exhibit “Celebration of Women in the Arts”. This month-long exhibit will be highlighted by a reception on March 15 with music, poetry, award ribbon presentations and refreshments.
Sandwich Public Library, 142 Main Street, Sandwich
February 6 through March 5 ~ Nancy Orbe
March 5 through April 2 ~ Marie Brezinski
April 2 through May 7 ~ Joyce Frederick
May 7 through June 4 ~ Valerie Leri
June 4 through July 2 ~ Mark Wiklund
Fishermen’s View Restaurant, 20 Freezer Rd, Sandwich
SAA artists exhibit works for sale on a rotating basis
For more information about Sandwich Arts Alliance’s gallery, exhibits, programs, events, and membership, call 774-338-5201, email at info@sandwichartsalliance.org, or visit sandwichartsalliance.org, where an online store is also available. For the latest on Sandwich Arts Alliance, follow its social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram. Sandwich Arts Alliance is pleased to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program; inquire by phone or email for details on available discounts and information.
Founded in 2015, Sandwich Arts Alliance (SAA) is an artist-driven nonprofit organization supporting the arts and artists – serving as a platform for new works, cultivating the creative economy, and culturally enriching the Sandwich and greater Cape Cod communities.
Sandwich Arts Alliance is comprised of four groups that meet regularly: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts and Friends of the Arts. Membership is open to all artists and friends residing in Sandwich and beyond. As part of its mission, SAA collaborates with other nonprofit and community-based organizations to help promote a wide variety of cultural programming. SAA’s goal is to identify and support all local artists through a resource database, providing greater exposure and opportunities for fellow artist networking.
The Sandwich Arts Alliance Center’s offerings include a gallery of original art, art classes for artists of all ages, books by local writers, a gift shop for year-round shopping, and performances throughout the year. SAA’s Gallery, located at 130 Main Street, Sandwich, is open to the public weekly from Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm. For membership, class, exhibit, performance and exhibit information, call 774-338-5201, email info@sandwichartsalliance.org, or visit sandwichartsalliance.org, where an online store is also available. For the latest on Sandwich Arts Alliance, follow its social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram.
The Kerry Jon Walker Fund
Art Auction Fundraiser
Date TBA, rain or shine
Sunset Point Camp, 138 Edgewater Road, Hull
Tickets: $45, children under 12 attend for free, includes catered buffet with cash bar available
The Kerry Jon Walker Fund (KJWF), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping humanity and supporting those affected by poverty, presents its annual benefit evening Art Auction. All proceeds support the fund’s mission, including mission service trips for teens supporting sustainable programs to improve health, education, and economic opportunity for those in need.
A family friendly evening of delights awaits where art and handmade crafts from local and international fine artists are on display in a festive atmosphere. Children’s activities, live entertainment by “World Music Award” winners Kalifa & Koliba, catering by “Best of the South Shore” winner Clandestine Kitchen and a cash bar are highlights. A Rwandan market table features one-of-a-kind African treasures, fine art selections and a local services auction. Purchases make wonderful gifts, support a great cause and may be taken home the same night.
KJWF provides financially challenged urban teen students the opportunity to create global objectivity and travel abroad in charitable service. KJWF provides student service trips to Rwanda, where they have assisted 500 orphaned teens at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. While providing service to this community abroad, the Boston teens, most never having never traveled out of the country, gain a new understanding of the developing world.
Admission and auction purchases may be paid for by cash, check and credit card on site. To learn more or support the Kerry Jon Walker Fund, visit thekerryfund.org.
Michelle McGrath PR | Media Relations provides visibility for arts and culture, non-profit, and small business sectors. mcgrathpr.com
