North of Boston

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents RICHARD III
2026-04-11 19:30 - 22:00, 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.

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 | 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, 2026-04-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-06 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-07 19:30 - 21:30 and 5 more dates | 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.

Colonials of the North Shore: A Tour of Massachusetts Historic Home Interiors
2026-04-18 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-18 14:00 - 18:00 | Andover and North Andover, MA, 111 Phillips Brooks Rd (parking location for bus tour), North Andover, MA, 01845, United States
Step inside historic colonial-era homes on this new tour, offered April 18th only!
Interior stops include the oldest deeded house in North Andover, the birthplace of the country’s first postmaster general, and more!
In the 1600s, colonists from England settled an area of the North Shore region of Massachusetts and named their new town after their British one—Andover. Also encompassing the town of North Andover, which was established in the 1850s, the history of the two locales includes nearly a third of all accused of witchcraft in Salem, early opposition to British taxes, men who marched to Lexington on April 19th, and the origins of the “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” anthem.
This tour will bring you inside several colonial-era homes found in these two locales, with many more highlighted from the comfort of our charter bus.
Vernacular farmhouses and Georgian and Federal homes are some topics of colonial-era architecture that will be seen and discussed on this tour, along with stories about the people and history of these places.

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.

Enchanted Plants: An Exploration of Common and Uncommon Plants in Folklore and Magic
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00
From the tangled forest to the garden gate, join folklorist, rotten botanist, and author Varla Ventura for an exploration of some of the world’s most enchanted plants. We’ll start in the Queen’s Garden of cultivars, then amble over to the Cottage Garden where ordinary plants offer extraordinary stories. Carefully we’ll slip through the iron gates of the Witch’s Garden to discover poison plants that have shaped history. We’ll gallop on to meadowlands, forests, and finally the sea. From the ordinary apple to the fabulous foxglove, we’ll discover plants that have played a significant role in fairy tales, folklore,
and history.
This free virtual program will be hosted on Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 pm ET. Registration is required.

Chamber Music Concert to Celebrate Spring
2026-05-17 16:00 - 17:00 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 135 Lafayette St, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
What: Spring chamber music concert — Debussy, Franck & Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires Who: Pianist Eleena Gelfgatt (Carnegie Hall debut, 2018), violinist Diane Hastings (toured nationally with Michael Bublé and Josh Groban), and cellist Peter Zay (Principal Cellist, Plymouth Philharmonic)
When: Sunday, May 17, 4:00 PM (doors 3:30 PM) Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead, MA Cost: Free admission, suggested donation $25. Doors open 3:30pm.
