A cultural cornucopia of Cape Ann-inspired events, from music to film to an inventive community arts party, is on tap this weekend.
Up first is a screening of the film “No Pretty Prayer,” a project of Gloucester native Sal Zerilli, at the Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, a 8 Washington St. in Gloucester. There will be a discussion period after the film. All ticket sales benefit St. Peter’s Fiesta. Shows are Saturday, April 13, at 2 and 7 p.m.
The film explores the gritty character of The Fort, an old seaside neighborhood in the oldest seaport in America. The enclave has long served as the working heart of Gloucester’s marine industrial economy and home to the city’s Sicilian community.
“The film examines how this mix of industry and culture has fused the character of this place and its people over the past 100 years. With the threat of urban gentrification as a haunting backdrop, the film invites viewers to contemplate what it means to sustain cherished roots to a humble place that the broader world threatens to erase and forget in time,” according to IMBd.
In addition to Zerilli, Jim Wehmeyer and Barbara Burton served as directors on this 2011 film.
For advance tickets, visit eventbrite.com and search for “No Pretty Prayer.”
Musicians Unleashed
Cape Ann Symphony’s popular Musicians Unleashed series is back for a spring concert, titled “Fantasies and Mythology,” on Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m. at Crowell Chapel, 3 Rosedale Ave. in Manchester-by-the-Sea. A woodwind quintet and pianist Kathleen Forgac will present “musical fantasies” and works inspired by myths, legends and lore. This program will explore the sounds of the woodwind quintet and then showcase each of the instruments alone. The music program includes works by Nielson, Poulenc, Mouquet, Debussy among others. For details and tickets, visit: capeannsymphony.org; or call 978-281-0543.
‘Matilda Jr.’ at Gloucester Stage
Beeman Memorial Elementary presents Roald Dahl’s “Matilda Jr.” in partnership with Gloucester Stage Company’s Youth Theatre Education program this week. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12. The run time is 55 minutes with no intermission.
The “rebellious and magical musical” is performed by Beeman’s fifth-graders, directed by Gloucester Stage’s Ts Burnham and Beeman music teacher Marisa Mercham. Production support comes from Gloucester Stage which hosts the performances on the main stage.
All performances are at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 E. Main St., Gloucester. Appropriate for families with children ages 6 and up. Tickets are $5 for all ages. For details, tickets and reservations, visit www.gloucesterstage.com, or call the box office at 978-281-4433.
Scribble presents ‘Animal Party’
The artist collective Scribble continues its adventurous performance event series with “Animal Party” this Saturday, April 13, at 7 p.m. at MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester. The event features 12 artists responding to the title theme.
On view will be visual artworks by Naomi Lanson; installation works by Michael Lamarche; an interactive photo-booth by Nick Neyeloff; an installation piece by Christine April; a performance dance piece by Jon Holland and Lisa Bouchie; a drag performance by Jude Johnson-Shoucair and Maeve Lally; and three video pieces by Mack, Casey Buckles and Peter Littlefield.
Scribble has received funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council; this performance is funded in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council.
“Scribble was born out of a longing for consistent collaboration with local artists. Initiated by Michael Lamarche for his senior study at Goddard College, it is simply a name for a group of local artists presenting their work to the local community. Scribble practices radical inclusion and practices equality and transparency in organization as well as funds received,” according to a program statement. “As the name suggests, Scribble isn’t focused on polished pieces of work. Instead, its main focus is on continual presentations of works, and facilitating meaningful connections and conversations.”
Additionally, “Scribble as an artistic entity in and of itself will be sculpting itself and building its own culture,” according to its mission.
The cost is $15 but no one will be turned away for lack of money. For tickets, visit www.magma.center/events.
Return of the BIGtiny auction
Art lovers get ready for Rocky Neck Art Colony’s return of its annual fundraiser, BIGtiny. The four-day online auction starts Thursday, April 18m and closes Sunday, April 21. A sneak peak can be found online Wednesday, April 17, at https://rockyneckartcolony.org/big-tiny-art-event.
Close to 300 tiny works have been donated by artists to support this annual benefit event. The works are on a scale of 6-by-6 inches.
In this event, the idea is for viewers to be drawn to an artwork because of the design and not the artist’s name. The works are signed on the back, and the artist will be revealed at the time it is picked up after a successful online bid. Some of the featured artists are Hans Pundt, Lynne Sausele, Stephen LaPierre, Vanessa Michelak, Joeyce Roessler, Ken King, and many more.
All proceeds from BIGtiny go to support the exhibitions and programs of the Rocky Neck Art Colony.
Artworks at the Beauport
Partnering with Gloucester-based North Shore Arts Association, the Beauport Hotel, 55 Commercial St., has brought back its Artist in Residence program now through Nov. 15. The hotel is featuring a rotation of artwork from local artists in its lower-level lobby.
On display through Monday is artwork by oil and watecolor artist Kathy Roberts. During the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roberts held a drive-by art show displaying her work to bring hope, color and music to her neighborhood. She was an art teacher at Gloucester High School and has taught both adults and children watercolor classes.
On Monday, paintings and sculptures by North Shore Arts member Heidi Domingue Jackson go on show.
They will be exhibited through May 15. Her sculpture “American Beauty” was part of the 2021 national juried show at the Rockport Art Association & Museum, of which she is a juried member.
Around Cape Ann is a column devoted to events happening on Cape Ann and artists from Cape Ann performing elsewhere. If you would like to submit an item, contact reporter Gail McCarthy at 978-675-2706 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com at least two weeks in advance.