Rockport Music to Sponsor Motif No.1 Day Events!

Saturday, May 17, 10 AM

Instrument Petting Zoo

Shalin Liu Performance Center, 3rd Floor Reception Hall
If you have ever wanted to experience playing the instruments seen and heard on the stage of the Shalin Liu Performance Center, now is your chance! Experienced professionals and students will be on hand to guide you with the correct way to hold and make music on many of the instruments of the string family, as well as instruments of the brass and woodwind families, and a Celtic harp. It is sure to be a cacophony of sound, but great fun!  Free, no tickets required. Click here to view a flyer of Rockport Music-related events at Motif #1 Day.

Saturday, May 17, 12 PM

Wenham Street Brass

Shalin Liu Performance Center
Justin Stanley, french horn Matthew Baker, trumpet Joseph Walsh, trombone
Created in 2010, the Wenham Street Brass is a trio of young professionals dedicated to engaging audiences through performance and education. They are the ensemble-in-residence for the A Street Music Education, a music school in Quincy, MA. All holders of graduate degrees from the New England Conservatory, the members of Wenham Street Brass have a wide variety of experience, and their programs reflect an interest in music of many time periods and genres.  Free, no tickets required
Motif No. 1 Day is a Rockport, MA town festival, and is a celebration of the arts inspired by Rockport Music’s iconic red fish shack, Motif No. 1. Festival events also include a sidewalk chalk drawing contest, live music, local food, and a 5K road race along Rockport’s scenic shore. Click here to view a flyer of Rockport Music-related events at Motif #1 Day.

Dance Performances on Motif No.1 Day in Downtown Rockport

A local school of dance and a professional aerial dance troupe will be performing on Motif No.1 Day, right in the heart of Rockport in Dock Square!

ABOUT ROCKPORT DANCE ACADEMY: Rockport Dance Academy, owned by Emily Twombly and established in 2010, is committed to providing high quality instruction in all facets of dance. We provide a progressive, versatile curriculum of instruction in a positive learning environment. We cater to students age three through adult, beginner to pre-professional level. Teachers assess students strengths and areas for growth and apply teaching skills in such a way to maximize students enjoyment and help them reach their ultimate potential.  

Rockport Dance Academy performs at the Motif No.1 Day festival at 11:30am. Photo courtesy of Rockport Dance Academy

ABOUT FIGHT OR FLIGHT THEATER:
"We do plays on the trapeze; and we've been doing it since 2008.  That’s the simplest way to put it.  We’re a group of Rocky Mountain-trained MFA-bearing actor/aerialists with a hankerin’ for visceral storytelling, imaginative staging, and a wee bit of irreverence.  We adore Theater and respect its great artists; but we will not hesitate to cut that Shakespeare joke about the “English Kersey” and the “French Velvet” if it’s not funny to a modern audience (Meas 1.ii).  We aim to break open great stories with innovative imagery, and elevate piece’s poetry by literally elevating ourselves." 

-- The Fight or Flight Theater Company

 Fight or Flight Theater Company performs at the Motif No.1 Day festival at 1:30, 2:15 and 3:00pm.
Photo courtesy of Fight or Flight Theater Company

Some Incredible Music Lined up for Motif No.1 Day!

Rockport’s annual Motif No.1 Day festival on Saturday, May 17th will feature locally and nationally acclaimed musical acts: Louise Mosrie, The Honey Dewdrops, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?, The LeitMotifs, James and Jake, and Alek Razdan and A-Train Orchestra.

Raised by British parents on a farm in middle Tennessee, Louise Mosrie grew up disliking the slow, sleepy ways of her small rural town. But when she moved to Nashville in 2004 to work on her song-craft, she found that the melodies and imagery that emerged in her writing came straight from the southern culture she once dismissed. Influenced by artists such as Nanci Griffith, Allison Kraus and Lucinda Williams, her songs tell stories of joy, love, struggle and heartbreak through the vivid characters and scenery of southern life.

Louise will be accompanied by Red House recording artist Cliff Eberhardt, who is the producer of her upcoming CD. Cliff was a driving force of the Greenwich Village New Folk movement, and his songs have been covered by the likes of Richie Havens, Buffy St. Marie, Erasure, Lucy Kaplansky and the folk superstar band "Cry, Cry, Cry" (Dar Williams, Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky).

The Honey Dewdrops, husband and wife duo Kagey Parrish and Laura Wortman, write timeless songs that sound as if they are part of an old Appalachian songbook. The topics are universal: friends and loved ones, fellow troubadours, the land and its loss to progress. The instrumentation is sparse (guitar, mandolin, and banjo), and the arrangements are basic. The vocal harmonies are glorious. Hailing from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virgina, the Honey Dewdrops appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and gained Folk Radio notoriety with the #1 album “Silver Lining”.

Named after a Victorian children’s game, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox? can time-travel from the woods of Medieval France to a 1930s New Orleans jukejoint. Led by the gender-defying voice of 3rian King, the ensemble delivers their own brand smoky cabaret, neo-soul and acoustic noir, sounding something like Tom Waits and Annie Lennox performing in a French cafe. What Time Is It, Mr. Fox? will be represented on Motif #1 Day by singer-songwriter-guitarist-keyboardist 3rian King and violinist and vocalist Nathan Cohen.

Together in this configuration for their first public appearance, the LeitMotifs are guitarists John Rockwell and Eric Wilson (also sharing vocals),bassist Dimitri Eleftherakis, and fiddler Larry Young.

James Vassallo (born March 1998) and Jake Stavros (born December 1997) are an American rock/pop act working under the moniker “James & Jake”. Discovered in early 2013 by skilled indie award- winning songwriter/producer Brad Byrd, James & Jake recorded their debut EP “Blue” with famed rock producer/mixer Warren Huart (Fray, Aerosmith, Augustana) and Grammy award winning engineer Phil Allen (Adele).

The A-Train Orchestra is a versatile group that performs an eclectic mix of blues, rhythm-and-blues, and swing. The band features 20-year-old Alek Razdan on saxophones and vocals, Dan Whalen on guitar, Rikki Razdan on saxophones, David “Doc” Vincent on drums, and Ken Demaine on bass. From waterfront bars and bistros to corporate functions to family-friendly festivals, the A-Train Orchestra provides an exciting musical experience for listeners of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

Motif No.1 Day performance schedule information can be found at www.rockportartfestivals.com

Interested in Motif No.1 Day? We Could Use Your Help!

We could use a few good men and women to help out on May 17th, with shifts generally ranging around 2 hours (though you could hang around as long as you'd like!)

Email us at rockportfestivals@gmail.com or call 978-546-2861 to let us know if you would like to be a part of the festivities. It's a lot of fun, we promise!

Rockport's own Betsy G., helping out at the ol' lemonade stand

The Harvestfest Lineup: A Contra Dance AND a Polka Band!

Bearskin Neck Leathers, the legendary shop on Old Harbor Road on Bearskin Neck, is sponsoring the special Harvestfest appearance of an equally legendary North Shore band, The Buddy Walker Band, during the festival on Saturday, October 19th. Buddy Walker's band is a classic Polish polka band founded nearly 65 years ago -- and still lead by the original bassist and founder, Buddy Walker. Don't miss a performance by the band, located in front of Bearskin Neck Leathers and performing at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm on Saturday, October 19th! For more information on the performance, check out to Bearskin Neck Leathers' Facebook page.

Git yer dancin' shoes on! Harvestfest includes a contra dance this year, sponsored by our local dance organizers, Cape Ann Contra Dance. We're really excited about this addition to the festival! A caller accompanied by real live actual musicians will be on hand. It will be epic. Dancing in Dock Square? Yes! We're soooooooo there, as the kids say. For more information, click HERE.

LAST Rockport Farmers' Market of the 2013 Season is Tomorrow!

Well, it's been a great three months for the first season of the new Rockport Farmers' Market, but like all good things, it is coming to an end. For this year at least. Tomorrow, September 7th, is the final summer Farmers' Market for this year.

So be sure to stop by to load up on your delicious market goods! Fresh, organic produce, cheese, savory jams, pickles, baked goods, fresh pasta, fresh pesto, focaccia, honey, eggs, grass-fed beef, maple syrup, Twin Lights soda and much, much more...

Come visit Buddy from First Light Farm tomorrow! photo: Heather Atwood

Git yer Twin Light soda at tomorrow's Farmers' Market. Rockport's own locally-made soda!

A fresh focaccia sandwich from Prides Osteria. Photo: Heather Atwood

But never fear: you can still get fresh, local food at the wonderful Cape Ann Farmers' Market, which is still going strong on Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30 in Gloucester. And if you miss some of your favorite Rockport Farmers' Market vendors, you will see them again very soon at Rockport's Harvestfest, taking place on Saturday, October 19th.

Start Your Labor Day Weekend at the Rockport Farmers Market!

Tomorrow is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Farmers' Markets yet as we kick off the three-day weekend with delicious fresh food.

The amazing natural rind cheese is back at the Market this week, coming to us from a family farm in Vermont. The beautiful, organic produce from First Light Farm will be at the Market as well, along with a host of other delicious goods. Alexander, who makes Ma's Tomato Marmalade, has a fresh batch all jarred up and ready to sell, with fresh organic tomatoes that came off the vine just this week... AND we have music coming your way, with the sounds of Chris "Squantch" Sears and band, coming to the Market around 11 a.m...

Bounty from First Light Farm

 Check out the vendors below, and remember, the Rockport Farmers' Market goes on rain or shine, so don't let a foggy New England morning keep you from getting your fresh, local food!

Wally's Blackburn Bistro (guacamole, pico de gallo, hummus)
Seaview Farm (grass-fed beef, produce, eggs & honey)
Prides Osteria (handmade pasta, pesto & focaccia)
Ma's Tomato Marmalade (pickles & savory jams)
Brothers' Brew (doughnuts, nisu & coffee)
First Light Farms (tons of fresh in-season produce)
Home Grower's Wheelbarrow (herbs & more)
Rockport Festivals Market booth
Batter Up Bakery (small batch cookies and gluten-free granola)
Sea Biscuit Bakery (anadama bread, cookies & granola)
West River Creamery (natural rind cheeses, maple syrup)

Ma's Tomato Marmalade with the Motif in the background! photo: Mary Z

TOMORROW at the Rockport Farmers' Market!

Thanks to all those who came out last week for the first summer Rockport Farmers' Market! We had a great time and are looking forward to an entire summer of starting the weekends off with awesome food from local growers and makers. As usual, the Rockport Festivals Market booth will be staffed with volunteers to answer questions and offer information. Festival posters will be available for purchase (with other great stuff, such as t-shirts, coming soon!).

June 29th Rockport Farmers Market Lineup

Vendors:
First Light Farms
Prides Osteria
It's-All-About-the-Herbs
Seaview Farm
Ma's Tomato Marmalade
Sasquatch Smokehouse
Brothers' Brew
Sea Biscuit Bakery
Twin Lights Soda
Home growers: herbs, rhubarb, flowers, produce

Mary White of White Gardens of Rockport

Garden Talk: 
Market-goers will enjoy having master gardener Mary White, owner of White Gardens of Rockport and a long-time organic gardener, on hand to answer questions and engage in a discussion on gardening. Mary will have tips on everything from making your own compost to growing tomatoes. The discussion is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Rockport Festivals Market booth.

Singer-songwriter Brad Byrd

Music:
Brad Byrd, the award-winning singer-songwriter, will be playing at the Rockport Farmers' Market at 11:30 a.m. -- a great opportunity to hear one of the region's best indie musicians in a fun setting! 

TOMORROW! The First Summer Farmers' Market

Our summer Rockport Farmers' Market will be small but mighty. Just like Rockport itself! We will have a little of everything, from honey to grass-fed beef from Seaview Farm (right in Rockport!) to smoked seafood from Sasquatch Seafood to beautiful produce from First Light Farms to award-winning pesto and handmade pasta from Paolo Laboa of Prides Osteria. To give you a visual teaser of what's to come at our Farmers' Market, check out this video showing Paolo Laboa making his pesto (from his days at Farina in San Francisco). Our mouths water every time we view it!

Download the Motif No. 1 Day Schedule of Events!

Here it is, in case you want to download it, print it, carry it around in your pocket, take it out, look at it, memorize it, give it away... then start the cycle all over again.

The Downloadable 2013 Motif No. 1 Day Schedule of Events
For an interactive Schedule of Events listed on our website that you can sort according to times and interests, click HERE.

Our Yankee Magazine listing as one of the top 20 events in Massachusetts in the current issue. Are we excited about this? Yes!

HarvestFest Dog Parade Sponsored by Cape Ann Animal Aid!

CAAA's Best Dressed Dog Parade from Harvey park to Bearskin Neck and back again. Registration for the Parade starts at 11am with the actual Parade starting at noon. The winners will be announced and prizes awarded immediately following the parade at the CAAA table in Harvey park.

Entry for the Best Best Dog Parade is $10 and every participant receives a participation ribbon and doggy goody bag. There will be 4 extra prize winning categories each receiving a prize from one of 4 local dog stores; Petco, Essex Bird Store, Animal Krackers and Good Dog Gallery:

1) Darned Cutest
2) Most Creative
3) Ova The Bridge Pooch (most captures the essence of Cape Ann)
4) Harvest Fest Pooch (most captures the essence of harvest season) - GRAND PRIZE

All proceeds directly benefit CAAA.

Lobster & Music in Rockport THIS Weekend!

Saddle up, Rockport residents and visitors! The upcoming weekend in Rockport is going to be a doozy. On Saturday you can enjoy the Rockport Rotary Club's Lobsterfest and as if that isn't enough, on Sunday you can hang out and listen to music all afternoon at the Rockport Acoustic Music Festival!

Both events take place at the Rockport Legion Band bandstand at Back Beach, a beautiful and festive setting. See you downtown this weekend!

For more about Lobsterfest, click HERE.

For more about the Acoustic Music Festival, click HERE.

Join in the Fun: Host Families Still Needed for the Navy's visit!

Rockport Navy Committee
P.O. Box 35 ~ Rockport, MA 01966
www.RocNavCom.org

The Rockport Navy Committee (RocNavCom) and the Town of Rockport will again be hosting The United States Naval Academy (USNA) Offshore Sail Training Squadron (OSTS). Five NA-44 foot sailboats will arrive in Rockport on Friday July 13th, 2012 and cast off Monday morning July 16th, 2012. 

A replica of an 1812 USS Constitution gun deck complete with a 5,800 pound late 18th century long gun will come to Rockport on Sunday. A master gun team, in 1813 period uniforms, will be giving hourly demonstrations in the upper parking lot on Bearskin Neck from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sailors from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, the USS Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts and the Navy Band in Newport, Rhode Island have been invited to participate in the weekend events.

Midshipmen Hosting

The RocNavCom is looking for  Rockport families to host the forty midshipmen and ten advisors during their visit. The midshipmen range in age from 18 to 22. The families will be responsible for room and board Friday, Saturday and Sunday, transportation to morning events and returning the midshipmen to T-wharf Monday morning. Many of the activities the midshipmen will be participating in will include meals. We are holding to the Navy standard of the buddy system; families must be able to accommodate at least two midshipmen or advisors. If you are interested in hosting midshipmen, please fill out the form below or go to:  http://www.rocnavcom.org/Host-Families.html

 

Kickball

The US Navy and USNA will play kickball with Rockport children 6-16 years old on Saturday.  The children and sailors/midshipmen will be mixed together on the teams, no rivalries. Children must be able to be photographed. The game will be held at Evans Field at 10:15 a.m. Lunch will be provided for the players after the game at 12:15 p.m.

If you would like your child(ren) to play, please fill out the form below or go to: http://www.rocnavcom.org/Sports.html

Raffle

The success of the Navy visits is dependent on the enthusiastic support and generous financial donations of the residents and businesses of Rockport. To help defer the costs of the Navy Weekend the RocNavCom will be holding a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are available from committee members. The drawing will be held during the USN/USNA vs. Rockport Police/Fire softball game at Evans Field on Saturday night July 14th. The game starts at 6:30 pm. Public is welcome.

Midshipmen Hosting

Name______________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________  Email:_________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

Preferred gender: •Male  •Female  •No preference

Number of midshipmen/advisor you’d like to host: •2 •3 •Other__________  

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Financial Contributions

Please make checks payable to American Legion Post 98

and write RocNavCom in memo.

Name/Business name: ______________________________________________________________

I would like to donate to the RocNavCom Fund •$5 •$10 •$25 •$50  •$_____

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Sponsorship

Name/Business name: ______________________________________________________________

I would like be a sponsor of the:

Kickball team •$200.00 (Name will appear on the back of t-shirt) Deadline June 18th

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Kickball

Child’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Parent’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________

Rockport Music Offers Free Youth Tickets

Kim's Walk of Hope: Your Chance to Honor Your Loved Ones

12th Annual Kim's Walk of Hope
Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at 10am at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockport
In memory of those loved ones lost to cancer.
Visit: kimswalkofhope.com for more information.

Please contact Amy Rich (sister of Kim) at 978-325-0428 or at amyrichstein@gmail.com for more information.