January can be a difficult month. After the fun and excitement of Halloween, Thanksgiving, December’s madcap holiday season, and the New Year, January, with its bitter cold and snow flurries, can feel like a letdown. Fortunately, the North of Boston region offers lots of great events to help you beat the January doldrums. Instead of huddling around the space heater and counting down the days until spring, why not enjoy…
In Plain Sight: Discovering the Furniture of Nathaniel Gould
On view through March 29 at the Peabody Essex Museum
Once an obscure figure in American furniture history, Nathaniel Gould is now recognized as Salem’s premier 18th-century cabinetmaker. New scholarship, based on the recent discovery of his detailed account ledgers and daybooks, has led to the identification and re-attribution of many pieces of furniture, including monumental desks and bookcases, bombé chests and scalloped top tea tables carved from the finest imported mahogany. In Plain Sight presents 20 exemplary works of Gould’s furniture alongside paintings, archival materials, decorative arts and digital media elements that provide insight into the makers and consumers of 18th-century American design and culture.
(Photo: Chest of Drawers, 1858-66, attributed to Nathaniel Gould. Marblehead Historical Society and Museum. Photographed in the Jeremiah Lee Mansion (ca. 1766-68), 170 Washington Street, Marblehead. © 2014 Peabody Essex Museum. Photo by Dennis Helmar Photography)
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Winter Brunch Cooking Class
Saturday, January 17th, 5:30pm, at the Compass Rose Inn
Join us n the kitchen of the Compass Rose for a wonderful evening of fine food and fun. These intimate 2 1/2 to 3 hour classes include a hands-on cooking experience while learning creative recipes, professional tips, cooking techniques, and methods. The class begins at 5:30 pm and ends in an evening of laughing and enjoying a wonderful meal that’s been prepared by all, in the warmth of the Compass Rose dining room.
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Light/Dark, White/Black
On view January 17-July 31 at the Addison Gallery of American Art
Beyond their effectiveness in depicting three-dimensionality and conveying light and shade to construct the illusion of space, black and white have long fascinated artists, as they are rich with symbolism, metaphor, and association. Comprised of challenging juxtapositions, harmonious ensembles, and unexpected pairings, this exhibition explores how artists use different formal elements and mediums to exploit the associative character of black and white and visually render conceptual themes.
(Photo: Carroll Dunham, Shadow in a Corner III, 2004, stainless steel, water-jet cut, painted black urethane, gift of the artist [PA 1967], 2007.42.37.3, Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA)
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Cooking Demo – Modern Southern Food
January 21, 6-9pm, The Essex Room at Woodman’s of Essex
A great gift idea for the cook in your family, for that person who has everything, or for a fun Girls’ Night Out! Enjoy a delicious Modern Southern Food cooking demonstration by the Essex Room’s award-winning Chef, Ned Grieg, followed by a tasting.
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Village Theatre Company presents Monty Python’s Spamalot
January 23-February 1
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. Did we mention the bevy of beautiful show girls? The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” and received 14 Tony Award nominations.
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Phillips Favorites: Winter Wonderland Walking Tour
Saturday, January 24, 2-3pm, at the Phillips House
Chestnut Street is even more beautiful with a coat of snow. Bundle up and join us for an architectural walking tour, ending at the Phillips House with a cup of cocoa. Registration is required. Special pricing for tickets for the entire series is available. Please call 978-744-0440 for more information.
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Ward Reservation Winter Fun Day
Sunday, January 25th, 12-3pm
Winter is a delightful season to experience Ward Reservation.
Enjoy an afternoon of winter fun complete with guided hikes, hot chocolate &
refreshments and a toasty warming fire! Cross-country skiing – Snowshoeing – Sledding, all day! (Please bring your own snowshoes, skis, and sleds). There will also be guided adventures through the reservation starting at 12:30. Hope to see you all there!
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Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend
January 30-February 1
Birdwatchers from New England and beyond flock to Cape Ann to participate in the Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend every year. Cape Ann is known worldwide for its exciting concentrations of winter seabirds, and the Cape AnnChamber of Commerce, working with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, plans a weekend full of events for all levels of birders. Expert speakers offer presentations, exhibitors showcase their programs and products, and artists display their art and give demonstrations at the event headquarters at the Elks at Bass Rocks and at other venues in Gloucester.
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