North of Boston

Rocky Neck Now 2025: A Celebration of Creativity
2025-03-01 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-02 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-07 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-08 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-09 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Location: The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA
Exhibition Dates: February 21 – April 6
Opening Reception: Sunday, February 23, 4pm–6pm
Gallery Hours: Friday–Sunday, Noon – 5pm
Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC) is thrilled to kick off the 2025 exhibition season with Rocky Neck Now, the much-anticipated annual members show. This dynamic exhibition brings together an exciting and diverse collection of recent works from 92 RNAC artists, offering a stunning reflection of talent, vision, and artistic passion. With pieces spanning painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more, visitors will experience a rich and varied exploration of contemporary creativity—from bold abstracts to evocative realism.
Celebrate with Us!
The public is invited to immerse themselves in art and community at RNAC’s lively Opening Reception on Sunday, February 23, from 4pm to 6pm. Meet the artists, engage in conversation, and enjoy refreshments, drinks, and a welcoming creative atmosphere.

Theatre at Castle Hill: Ada and the Engine
2025-03-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, Argilla Road 290, Ipswich, M, 01938, United States
Ada envisions a whole new world where art and information converge in this story of love, friendship, and the edgiest dreams of the future. The poignant drama follows Ada Byron Lovelace’s complicated relationships with Charles Babbage, her mother, and the memory of her poet father.

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS with the Jambalaya Horns
2025-03-01 19:30 - 21:00 | Gloucester Stage, 267 East Main St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
New Orleans-flavored Funk, Soul, and Brassy 2nd-Lines by the Jambalaya Horns will have you feeling like you’re in New Orleans this Mardi Gras season! Formed in 2013 and fronted by Carlos Menezes Jr. on lead vocals and horns, the group strives to capture the essence and soul of the diverse musical culture of the Crescent City. The core group features Martina Gallo (keys), Rick Geraghty (drums), Gary Wolsieffer (bass/tuba) Henley Douglas Jr. (saxes), Ben Tuck (trombone), Christian Towler (guitar) and Robby Perkins on percussion. This show will also feature an expanded horn section and surprise guest vocalists! You’ll feel like you’re in New Orleans this Mardi Gras Season!
Learn more about the Jambalaya Horns by visiting brassfednation.com.
Performing February 28th and March 1st, all performances are at Gloucester Stage’s Theater 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Showtimes are Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 978-281-4433.

Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties by Jen Silverman
2025-03-01 19:30 - 21:00 | Salem State University- Callan Studio Theater, 352 Lafayette St., Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Betty is rich; Betty is lonely; Betty’s busy working on her truck; Betty wants to talk about love, but Betty needs to hit something. And Betty keeps using a small hand mirror to stare into parts of herself she’s never examined. Five different women named Betty collide at the intersection of anger, sex, and the “thea-tah.”
For mature audiences.
February 21, 22, and 28 and March 1, 2025 at 7:30 pm
February 23 and March 2, 2025 at 2:00pm

Portrait of a Sculptor: Walker Hancock & Michael Lafferty
2025-03-02 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-06 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-07 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-08 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-09 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Walker Hancock was one of the premier American sculptors of the 20th century and a highly engaged and respected member of the Cape Ann community. Michael Lafferty is a skilled photographer who spent hours photographing Hancock in his Lanesville studio, creating a series of intimate portraits of the sculptor at work. This exhibit will combine the work of Lafferty and Hancock.
The CAM Green offers free general admission, vehicle reservations are recommended .
Image: Michael Lafferty, Walker Hancock recasting Arion, 1995, digital print from 35mm film. Gift of the artist, 2022 [2022.074].

PEM Presents | Shayok Misha Chowdhury: RHEOLOGY
2025-03-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Know before you go
In-person event
Location: Morse Auditorium
Included with admission
Preregistration is required for this event.
Award-winning playwright and director Shayok Misha Chowdhury will spend a week as an artist in residence at PEM, developing his new play RHEOLOGY. This work is a performance memoir created with Chowdhury’s mother, the physicist Bulbul Chakraborty. Her specialty is rheology, the laws governing the malleability and movement of matter under force.
Hear excerpts from the play, then participate in a short Q&A hosted by David Snider, PEM’s Director of Learning and Community Engagement. A light reception will follow.
RHEOLOGY will have its world premiere at the Bushwick Starr in Brooklyn in May 2025.
PEM Presents seeks to surprise and delight audiences with world-class artistry in music, theater, dance, film and more. This series allows audiences to learn about the artistic process and supports the development of artists with local, regional, national and global perspectives. PEM Presents further activates the museum as a global center for art, culture and creativity with artist residencies, live performances, lecture series, symposia and conferences. PEM Presents is a collaboration between Learning and Community Engagement and the Present Tense initiative.
PEM Presents is made possible by The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation and the Lowell Institute.

Folk Electric Painted Dreams: An Immersive Film, Music & Art Party
2025-03-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Off Cabot Comedy & Events, 9 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Painted Dreams, an immersive extravaganza curated by husband-and-wife team Scott Moore and Erica Pisaturo, calls to lovers of music, art, film, and storytelling. Violinists Moore and Pisaturo will open with a dynamic set of original compositions and traditional fiddle tunes, then take the audience on a guided tour of their hour-long experimental film and album-in-progress, folk electric: wayfaring stranger. Echoes of folk, rock, and classical merge into a genre- bending, multi-sensory adventure, where characters and imagery trace an abstract narrative from the fiery to the woeful. Wildly creative artists Matthew Billey & Loren Doucette will paint live throughout the party, translating music to canvas.

DenCITY Soulcase & Open Mic
2025-03-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre, Exchange Street 25, Lynn, M, 01901, United States
🎤 DENCITY Soulcase + Open Mic
Step into a space where creativity flows freely and community thrives. DENCITY brings you an evening of authentic artistic expression, smooth vibes, and genuine connection at the historic Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre in Lynn’s Central Square.
📍 WHEN: Every 1st and 3rd Sunday
🕖 TIME: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
💫 FREE ADMISSION
Whether you’re a poet, musician, storyteller, or dancer, DENCITY welcomes all artists to share their craft in our judgment-free zone. Each performer gets a 5-minute spotlight, chosen randomly from our “Lighthouse” to keep the energy spontaneous and fresh.
🎵 VIBE WITH US:
Spoken Word & Poetry
R&B & Neo-Soul
Live Music & Dance
Storytelling & More
✨ EVENING HIGHLIGHTS:
Soul Writers Workshop
Featured Performer
Professional Photography Available
Vendor Marketplace
Community Resources
Sober, Inclusive Space
📍 LOCATION: Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre 25 Exchange Street, Lynn, MA
Easy parking
Near MBTA/Commuter Rail
Fully accessible venue
Produced by Michelle La Poetica, DENCITY isn’t just an open mic—it’s a movement celebrating diversity, creativity, and community connection. Come early to secure your performance slot and stay for the phenomenal vibes!
📱 CONTACT: Michelle La Poetica (662) 799-1916 DencityVibes@gmail.com

Story-Time & Craft Wednesday
2025-03-05 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, 1 Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
NEW PROGRAM ALERT!! Summer is the PERFECT time for outdoor story time and craft making! This BRAND NEW family event is an extension of our Newburyport Arts and Culture Shanties Program and will take place each Wednesday in the Pop Up Park on Merrimac Street – where the Shanties are currently located. Come join the fun this Wednesday and see what it’s all about!
Running each Wednesday until August 21st from 10 AM-12 PM
Free of charge, but donations are welcome

Coffee and Conversation at the Carlson Education Center
2025-03-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Carlson Education Center
CAM Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA
Free Program, Registration Required
Late 19th and early 20th centuries immigrants had limited opportunities, especially women and girls. The Saturday Evening Girls Club was founded to bring girls together for intellectual pursuits and companionship, and the Club developed the Paul Revere Pottery. The Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements influenced the girls’ work, with the concepts that simple beauty should be a part of daily life and that there was little distinction between fine and applied art. Scores of girls became contributors to American life as a result. Join us for a presentation focusing on the influence of the Saturday Evening Girls Club and Paul Revere Pottery.
You are invited to join us Thursday for a unique experience. Led by a CAM docent, these deep dives into a single artwork or object from the Collection will begin with conversation, a short presentation and complimentary coffee at the Carlson Education Center, followed by a special trip to the James Center to view the object being discussed. No special knowledge needed! Just a curiosity to learn more in a small group setting and enjoy a unique experience.
Photo Credit: Lili Shapiro (1894-1978), Goose Bowl, made for Paul Revere Pottery, 1910. Earthenware with glaze. Gift of Martin Whyte and Alice Hogan, 2015 [Acc. # 2015.31]

Danú
2025-03-08 20:00 - 21:30 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Benny McCarthy, accordion/melodeon | Nell Ní Chróinín, vocals/penny whistle | Éamon Doorley, bouzouki | Oisín McAuley, fiddle | Tony Byrne, guitar | Ivan Goff, flutes/uilleann pipe/penny whistle | Billy Sutton, bodhran
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations start early this year in Rockport with a returning favorite, Danú! Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of Ireland’s most cherished Irish folk bands and among the leaders of the new traditionalist movement in Celtic music. They have been thrilling audiences with their instrumental virtuosity, high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire for more than 25 years.
“fierce fiddle reels to pensive ballads”
– The New York Times

The Vibrato Bar - Classical Karaoke at Off Cabot!
2025-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Off Cabot Comedy & Events, 9 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Join us for March Madness at The Vibrato Bar – the North Shore’s only Classical Karaoke Piano Bar
This March at the Vibrato Bar, get ready to embrace the drama. Classical music is FULL of songs that allow us to get lost in the full range of emotions – from longing, lust, betrayal and magic to madness!
Whether you’re conquering a soaring aria or embracing the frenzy of a comedic duet, March Madness at The Vibrato Bar invites you to explore the wild side of classical music.
Join us for a night where you take the spotlight, performing your favorite music, hanging with friends and colleagues, enjoying a specialty cocktail from our favorite bartender, Ben—all while accompanied by the North Shore’s best collaborative pianists.
Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or a first-timer, there’s no pressure—just a celebration of music, emotion, and the thrill of the moment.
Come for the music. Stay for the madness. We’ve got a seat saved for you at the Vibrato Bar!
Date: Monday, March 10
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Off Cabot, 9 Wallis St Beverly
Cover: $10 in advance online, $15 day of/at the door
All voices, all levels welcome—we want YOU to sing at the Vibrato Bar!
Tix at https://offcabot.org/shows/vibrato-bar-march-madness/
Sign up in advance to sing here! https://forms.gle/xRGg9cpSGEEqoYkv5
Please note you’ll be required to sign in to google in order to upload sheet music
Singers and spectators of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience are welcome!

Multi-date event: PEM Reads: Moby-Dick Read-a-Thon
2025-03-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Virtual, MA, United States
Know before you go
Virtual event hosted on Zoom
Free
This event series is a part of PEM Reads.
Content warning: This book depicts violence, gore, animal killing, cannibalism, racism, xenophobia and death.
Join us on select Wednesday evenings over Zoom for an amazing, year-long PEM Reads journey through Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick! Set sail with Dan Lipcan, the Ann C. Pingree Director of the Phillips Library and curator of our current exhibition Draw Me Ishmael: The Book Arts of Moby Dick, and David Snider, Director of Learning and Community Engagement.
Each session of our voyage will feature a brief special presentation by Dan on the day’s reading and its connections to the exhibition, followed by a lively discussion facilitated by David. By June 18, 2025, we will finish the book together, exhausted but invigorated with new perspectives on this classic tale — and with the bragging rights that we have completed a Moby-Dick marathon! Participants who complete the book and attend all five sessions will win a special Moby-Dick-related prize from PEM. Join us for this free, fun, public event!
We will be using the Norton Critical Edition (3rd edition, 2018) of Moby-Dick, edited by Hershel Parker. Attendees are welcome to use their own copy or a library copy to participate in the reading, but please be advised that the page numbers will not match.
Series schedule:
Wednesday evenings, 6:30–8:00 pm ET
July 24, 2024 | Session 1: Introduction to the book, process and exhibition
October 9, 2024 | Session 2: Chapters 1–28, p. 1–104
January 15, 2025 | Session 3: Chapters 29–54, p. 104–204
March 12, 2025 | Session 4: Chapters 55–96, p. 205–314
June 18, 2025 | Session 5: Chapters 97–Epilogue, p. 314–410
Curious about the tradition of Moby-Dick marathons? Read about the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s annual event.
