William Shakespeare's RICHARD III presented by Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe
2026-04-12 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-16 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Shakespeare introduces one of his most notorious villains in Richard III. Richard, the deformed youngest brother of the newly crowned King Edward, vows to his audience to “prove himself a villain.” Armed with unparalleled skills of persuasion and deceit, he murders and manipulates his way to the English throne. A strangely lovable villain, Richard easily wins his audience over, leaving us to question who we are truly rooting for. However, a kingdom built on lies and ruthless ambition is destined to crumble. Richard entrances the audience with his wit, cunning manipulation of language, and vicious determination—qualities that once won his audience, ultimately lead to his rapid downfall.
Performing from April 9th-12th and 16th-19th, all performances are at The Natti-Willsky Performance Center, Home of Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Showtimes are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 978-281-4433.

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents RICHARD III
2026-04-12 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-16 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:30 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States

The Sole Man: The Story of Jan Matzeliger
2026-04-15 15:30 - 16:30 | Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Have you ever wondered how shoes are made? Join Essex Heritage and the Beverly Public Library for a fun, hands-on children’s program celebrating the incredible life and legacy of Jan Ernst Matzeliger, the brilliant inventor who revolutionized the shoe industry, right here in Essex County and around the world!
We’ll explore the fascinating history of shoemaking and its impact locally, discover how Jan’s genius invention – the shoe lasting machine – changed the industry, and read The Sole Man by Shana Keller and illustrated by Stephen Costanza, an inspiring picture book about his remarkable journey. Then we’ll get creative with a make-your-own-shoe craft to take home.
This FREE program is perfect for curious kids who love history, inventions, and getting creative. Come ready to learn, listen, and craft!
This program is for children ages 6 and up and registration is required.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams
2026-04-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Through Tom’s cinematic eyes, his family’s life isn’t the dream he imagined. In a rundown St. Louis apartment the matriarch, Amanda Wingfield, is desperately clinging to a past of parties and endless callers. Her adult children, Tom and Laura, become victims of her delusions as she pushes for Tom to provide for the struggling family and Laura to find a husband. The two seek solace in ways of escaping their mother and their own misery until a visit from a gentleman caller presents the possibility of new opportunities.
Renowned playwright Tennessee Williams opens the 2025 Season with this classic drama, directed by Doug Lockwood. Running from June 5 to 28, all performances are at Gloucester Stage’s Theater 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Showtimes are Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, and matinees Saturdays & Sunday at 3:00pm.

The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings
2026-04-16 12:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-23 12:00 - 20:00 | Cabot House, 117 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
1776 was more than a turning point; it marked the birth of a new world order. A bold line was drawn as ordinary people made extraordinary decisions, declaring independence from the most powerful empire on earth. Driven by youthful fire, they believed in the promise of liberty more than they feared the cost of pursuing it.
Historic Beverly proudly presents The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings, a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of artworks commissioned to illustrate Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Sr.’s landmark book.
These paintings are featured in Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary The American Revolution. The exhibit will be on display at the Cabot House from September 6, 2025 to July 4, 2026. Tickets are free and open to the public

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents One Act Wonders
2026-04-17 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-18 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Gloucester Stage, 267 East Main St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents “One-Act Wonders”, a program of four modern one-act plays exploring boundaries, loyalties, and the absurdities of life. The program will run for four performances only, at Gloucester Stage Theater, April 17th (7:30pm) 18th (7:30pm), and 19th (3pm + 7:30pm). Tickets are $28.

Newburyport Art offers Gelli Plate Printing & Collage with Maria Malatesta
2026-04-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
In this workshop, learn to make unique monoprints using a gelli plate. There will be demonstrations of various printing techniques which will include painting and drawing on the plate, using stencils, layering, combining shapes and image transfers. Printing and rice papers are great to print on as well as found and old papers. You may then use these printed papers in collage. This will be a fun and productive day of printing and experimenting with different methods and materials.

Kids Free Week at Hammond Castle Museum
2026-04-20 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-22 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-23 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 15:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Hammond Castle Museum is happy to welcome school age children for free during April school vacation week. From April 20-24, all children ages from 0-12 are invited to take a self-guided tour for free with the purchase of an additional adult or senior ticket.
In addition to a self-guided tour, guests will also be able to view our fourth annual Eric Pape fine art exhibition, featuring a significant collection of pen and ink illustrations by Eric Pape (1870 to 1938). Many of these works were recovered from Pape’s locked studio decades after his death and have not been publicly exhibited for over a century. Included are illustrations originally created for The Arabian Nights, Tales of Wonder and Magnificence, Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, Victor Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris, Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Shakespeare and The Heart of a Child by Gertrude Slaughter.
Advance Reservations strongly encouraged. Museum Member savings apply.
Experience Hammond Castle Museum at your own pace with our flexible arrival times for Self Guided Tours! Your tickets grant you entry anytime within the Morning or Afternoon times, based on your selection, ensuring you can arrive stress-free and enjoy your visit to the fullest.
Morning Session: 9:00 am – 11:45 am
Afternoon Session: 11:45 am – 2:30 pm
Please note: last entrance to the Museum is at 2:45 pm sharp. The Museum & Grounds close promptly at 3:30 pm. We recommend planning at least 60 minutes to explore the grounds and interior galleries of the Museum. The Museum is not handicapped accessible as it features numerous stairs.

CAM Talk: To Live like an Artist, Cape Ann of the 1920s, by Martha Oaks
2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Janet & William Ellery James Center, CAM Green
13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
CAM Members $5, Non-Members $10.
Registration Required. Parking is first come, first served and carpooling is encouraged.
This talk by Martha Oaks, the Museum’s Chief Curator and contributing author to the upcoming Avery, Gottlieb, & Rothko: By the Sea exhibition, will explore Milton Avery and Sally Michel’s earliest visits to Gloucester, setting the stage for future stays with artist friends. What was it that drew the couple here and inspired them to keep coming back? Who did they rub shoulders with on Cape Ann and who was taking note of their work? Learn what has changed in the local art colony over the past century and what has stayed the same.
This lecture is presented in conjunction with the museum’s upcoming exhibition, Avery, Gottlieb, & Rothko: By the Sea, offering context and insight into the artists and themes in the exhibit. For more information about upcoming lectures for the exhibition, please visit the Events Calendar.
Martha Oaks is the Henrietta Gates and Heaton Robertson Chief Curator of the Cape Ann Museum. She has written extensively on the art, artists, history, and culture of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Cape Ann, contributing catalog entries, articles, and essays. Oaks has curated numerous exhibitions exploring the history and the artists of Cape Ann and has contributed to Fitz Henry Lane Online, a digital resource and catalog to the American marine artist. She holds an MA in American and New England Studies from Boston University and a BA from Colby College.
Image Credit: Gloucester Chamber of Commerce booster car, 1925. Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, Massachusetts

Cedar Bark Mat Weaving Demonstration at PEM
2026-04-23 11:00 - 15:00 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join artist Elizabeth James-Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag) for a demonstration of the Native American art practice of weaving a mat from the inner bark of a cedar tree. After the session, see her nature-based artworks featured in the Knowing Nature exhibition. James-Perry, a restoration ecologist, will also discuss how she sustainably harvests and prepares natural materials from the forest, including plant dyes, for her artworks.
About our collaborator
Elizabeth James-Perry
Elizabeth James-Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag) engages with Northeastern Woodlands Native cultural expressions, primarily in sculptural forms of wampum shell carving, twined basketry and bead making, with connections to identity and sovereignty, maritime traditions and restorative Native gardening.

Elephants and Sweet Treats: A Storytime of Salem Firsts!
2026-04-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Did you know that Salem had the first elephant to ever set foot in America? It’s true!
Join us and the Salem Public Library at the Salem Armory Visitor Center for a storytime of Salem firsts – we’ll be reading books, playing games, making a craft, and enjoying a sweet treat at the end. This event is free and geared towards kids ages 3+, but open to all.

Just Looking: A Collection of Drawings and Musings by Linda Kauss
2026-04-23 17:00 - 19:00 | The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Join multidisciplinary artist Linda Kauss for an evening celebrating “Just Looking: A Collection of Drawings and Musings”, a deeply personal work rooted in creative exploration and intuition.
“Just Looking” began in 2005 as an exercise in creative play. With no set outcome in mind, Kauss explored the movement of graphite and the subtle power of erasure, allowing organic forms to emerge. The result is a series of unexpected, evocative images—moments of discovery that have shaped her ongoing artistic practice.
Meet the artist, hear selected readings, and view the artwork behind the book. Copies of “Just Looking” will be available for purchase and signing.
