North of Boston

Newburyport Art presents the April Exhibitions!
2025-05-02 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-01 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-30 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-29 11:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Newburyport Art (NAA) presents new exhibitions opening on April 3rd! On view in the Sargent Gallery is the 2025 OpArt Exhibition, featuring artists from Opportunity works. On view in the Hills Gallery is the Newburyport Ten and Band of Brushes Show, featuring works painted en-plein-air by 13 artists. Lastly, in the upstairs Hartson Gallery is Youth Voice, an exhibit highlighting young artists in grades 1 through 12. Additionally, Artist Spotlight Kathleen Miller will be on view from April 11 to 24 in the Mural Gallery.
The 2025 OpArt Exhibition features over 30 works created by OpArt artists. OpArt is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to enrich their lives through creative expression and artistic practice by providing art instruction in a variety of mediums and techniques. Artists are encouraged to work freely and experiment across different media (paint pastels, collage, drawing, sculpture, etc.) to create artwork centered on a theme or create independently. An opening reception will be held on April 3rd from 11:00-1:00 PM.
The Newburyport Ten and Band of Brushes Show features works created en plein-air by local artists. “Plein air” is a French expression meaning “in the open air.” Both groups travel to various landscape, seacoast, and garden venues together to paint. Artists featured include: Dorothy Aham, Michele Champion, Grace Daly, Karen Fitzgerald, Mary Francis, Margery Jennings, John Kessler, Christine Molitor Johnson, Kris Munroe, Mary Parks, Daniel J. Shaw, Susan Spellman, and Mary Webber. Join the artists for an opening reception on April 5th from 4:00-6:00 PM.
Youth Voice, formerly known as Young & Budding, features the work of over 60 student artists from grades 1 through 12. Artists are from local and regional schools, with artworks An awards presentation and reception will be held on May 3rd from 3:00-4:00 PM.
The galleries are free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00am–5:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm–5:00pm. Newburyport Art is closed on Mondays. The ground-floor Hills Gallery has an accessible entrance. More information, as well as an online gallery is available at newburyportart.org.
Founded in 1948, Newburyport Art is dedicated to promoting and exhibiting members’ work and to providing art education and access to the visual arts for the entire community.

Walking Tour: Bones of Homes
2025-05-02 10:30 - 12:00 | Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, 01930, United States
Cape Ann Museum Courtyard, Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant St, Gloucester, MA, 01930
$10 for CAM Members, $20 for non-members
Registration Required
This walking tour provides participants with an architectural overview of Gloucester building styles from the mid-18th to the mid-20th century. On this tour of the area immediately surrounding the Cape Ann Museum’s Downtown Campus, participants will learn about architectural elements and styles that arose out of specific socioeconomic and cultural circumstances during this critical 200-year period in the City’s development.
Stroll with a CAM Docent for about 1 1/2 hours as you loop around downtown Gloucester.
Where to Meet?
Though the Downtown Campus is currently closed for renovations until the spring of 2026, the tour will gather at the courtyard attached to the Museum on 27 Pleasant Street. Tours are light rain or shine.
Photo Credit: CAM docent leading walking tour rain or shine, CAM staff photo.

Spring BloomFest - May 1-4
2025-05-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, Chickering Road 153, North Andover, M, 01845, United States
About Spring BloomFest
Join us for the start of Spring at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens with a celebration of bulbs at our Spring BloomFest weekend! Stroll through our beautiful gardens with budding tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs while enjoying the crisp spring air and soundscape serenades. During this festival style event, visitors will have access to the gardens and the opportunity to participate in our daily activities included as part of your admission. This includes:
-Little Sprout Kids Korner (Kids activities and craft station)
-Storytime at 11 am and 2 pm
-Little Sprouts in the Garden Education Cart
-Self-Guided Historic House Tours (Available 10:30 am-4:30 pm)
-Sensory-Friendly Nature Scavenger Hunt
-Daily Garden Tours at Noon (approx. 30 minutes)
-Food and Coffee Vendors
-Yard Games in our Event Lawn
-Bulb Information Station
Mother nature can be tricky, so we appreciate your understanding that the bulbs bloom on their own timeline! Check our our social media to get up to date “bloom reports”.
In addition to our daily offerings, we will be hosting a number of workshops and specialty tours at the property during Spring BloomFest event including:
Spring BloomFest: Sunset After Hours
Spring BloomFest: Garden Design Tour with the Horticulturist
Spring BloomFest: Garden and Bulb Tour
Spring BloomFest: Yoga in the Gardens
Spring BloomFest: Spring Planter Garden Workshop
If you have signed up for one of these workshops or tours, no additional admission ticket is necessary.
Parking is located at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
Pre-registration is required. Tickets will not be sold on site. Ticket time represents your arrival window.
Refunds for this event must be requested 7 days prior to workshop. In the event of cancellation, you will be notified via the email address you used to register and refunded in full within 14 business days. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Membership: To locate information about your Membership, including Member ID, expiration date, and more please visit: https://tickets.thetrustees.org/membership.
Tickets: To look up your tickets or re-send an email confirmation, please visit: https://tickets.thetrustees.org/orders
FAQ:
Tickets & Admission
I am a Trustees Member. Do I still need to purchase a ticket? Yes! Both members and non-members need to purchase a ticket for this special garden event.
Is this the same as Spring Blooms and the Tulip & Daffodil Festival? While many elements will be similar to years past, and the wonderful program at Naumkeag, we have had to make some adjustments to the event this year. Due to a tulip blight our gardens will have a less dense bulb planting. The decrease in bulbs is reflected in our lower pricepoint. We appreciate your understanding and hope you’ll come enjoy the beauty of our gardens this year!
Do children under 2 need a ticket? No, children under 2 are free.
What happens if I show up early or late for my entry time? Due to capacity & parking limitations of guests allowed per hour, we ask that you arrive on time.
Can I change my date or time? At this time, we are unable to accommodate date or time changes.
What is the weather policy? This event is rain or shine, however unsafe or extreme weather will cancel this event. In the event we have to cancel due to weather, we will offer a full refund or an alternative date to return, depending on availability.
How should I dress? This is an outdoor event, please dress for the weather. Our paths can get quite muddy so we recommend shoe’s you feel comfortable getting wet.
What is the refund policy? Refunds must be requested no later than 7 days before your ticket date to be honored.
Can I take my family photos or senior portrait during Spring BloomFest? Yes! We sell photo permits for photographers, all information can be found on our photo permit page.
Can we bring a picnic? Yes, you may. We will have food vendors and concessions available for purchase on-site.
Parking, Facilities, and Amenities:
Where is the parking for this event? Parking will be on-site. The property entrance for Stevens-Coolidge House & Garden is located at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
Is the site wheelchair or stroller accessible? Stevens-Coolidge has accessible crushed stone pathways that are present throughout the property. Off the paths, the grounds are uneven grass.
Are dogs allowed? No, in order to protect our gardens dogs are not allowed on our public garden properties at any time.
Is the interior of the property open to the public during this event? Yes, our historic house will be open for a self-guided tour experience. Our Knowledgeable Guides will be available to answer any questions you may have while in the house.

Francoix Simard
2025-05-01 20:00 - 22:00 | Off Cabot Comedy & Events, 9 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Join us for an evening with multi instrumentalist Francoix Simard & Friends. Francoix Simard has traveled the world singing for adoring audiences for over 20 years. Hailing from Quebec, he presents an electric energy with a diverse repertoire of brilliant covers from blues and rock to country and pop.

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas
2025-05-01 20:00 - 21:30 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
The acclaimed Celtic music duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas return for a spectacular evening of cutting-edge fiddle and cello, blending Scottish tradition with global influences in a performance that pushes the boundaries of Celtic music.
” … you would think they’d been playing together for centuries. While his fiddle dances, her cello throbs darkly or plucks puckishly, [reaching] soaring sustains, windswept refrains and sudden, jazzy explosions.”
— The Boston Globe

Jefferson Starship 50th Anniversary Tour
2025-05-01 20:00 | The Cabot, 286 Cabot Street, Beverly, CA, 01915, United States
As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, the band reaches a rare milestone that only a few bands ever achieve.
Jefferson Starship is one of the most successful arena rock bands of the ’70s and ’80s, earning 3 platinum and 8 gold records, as well as numerous Top 40 Billboard singles.
Founded by Paul Kantner in the ’70s, Jefferson Starship was conceived as a collective of musical adventurers contributing to his epic concept albums and eventual catalog of rock classics. When the current lineup came together in 2012, with many members hav ing joined years earlier, Kantner couldn’t have predicted the band would become the road – conquering force they are today.

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents One Act Wonders
2025-05-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-04-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-04-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-04-28 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-04-27 19:30 - 21:30 | 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.

The Past, Present & Future of the Pipe Organ at Hammond Castle Museum
2025-05-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
5:30 – 6:00 pm, Light Refreshments & Networking
6:00 – 7:00 pm, Presentation
7:00- 7:15 pm, Conclusion & Q&A.
Within the walls of Hammond Castle Museum lies a hidden treasure: the great pipe organ designed and assembled by John Hays Hammond Jr. himself. Comprising parts from many different organs and boasting over 8,000 pipes, it was once considered one of the most extraordinary private organs in the world.
This special presentation will be led by Peter Kennett, Vice President, Board of Directors at Hammond Castle Museum and Organ Restoration Team Lead, and John Roper, Deputy Team Lead and the Plenum Organ Company.
Join us as we explore some of the most legendary organists of the 20th century who have played this remarkable instrument, including Virgil Fox, E. Power Biggs, Joseph Bonnet, and Marcel Dupré.
We’ll also explore how the organ now sits silent and share our commitment to breathing life back into this magnificent instrument. We will present our goals and vision for the organ’s restoration, with the ultimate aim of fully restoring the pipe organ and bringing organ concerts back to the Museum.
Advanced Registration: $20
Door: $25
Member savings apply. Proceeds from this program will support the restoration of the pipe organ of the Hammond Castle Museum.

Coffee and Conversations at the Carlson Education Center: Margaret Fitzhugh Browne
2025-05-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Carlson Education Center & Janet & William Ellery James Center
CAM Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA
CAM Members Free, Non-Members $5
Registration Required as space is limited.
Join us for a deep dive into the life and work of artist, Margaret Fitzhugh Browne, Emily “Bonnie” Browne, The Artist’s Sister. Known mainly as a portraitist, Browne was commissioned to paint the portraits of such turn-of-the-century luminaries as Henry Ford, John Hayes Hammond Sr., Howard Blackburn and King Alfonso of Spain. Here we find Margaret Fitzhugh Browne turning her attention to a more conventional subject, her sister Bonnie.
Join us Thursdays 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 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.
Image Credit: Margaret Fitzhugh Browne (1884–1972), Emily “Bonnie” Browne, The Artist’s Sister, c. late 1920s, oil on canvas. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA. Gift of the Gershon Benjamin Foundation, 2009 [2009.1].

Sea of Life
2025-04-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Sea of Life is a collaborative project among three of the North Shore’s most prominent arts organizations: Rockport Art Association & Museum (RAA&M), The Orchestra on the Hill, and Rockport Music (Shalin Liu Performance Center). Connecting young aspiring visual artists with professional composers, the project will spur multifaceted community events celebrating the sea.
Celebrating the Sea through Art & Music
Student artists from RAA&M’s Teen Arts Collaborative will learn from composers from The Orchestra on the Hill how visual art and concepts, such as the sea, can be parlayed into different musical styles. As students develop the art, composers will brainstorm with them, engage them in dialogue, and write original orchestral compositions stemming from these creative exchanges.
The collaboration will culminate with exhibitions of the teens’ art at various local venues, and a performance of the ensuing compositions at Rockport Music on April 30, 2025. Audiences will experience a blend of visual art, musical interpretation, youthful perspective, and adult collaboration, all inspired by the sea.

Wenham Wednesdays – Games
2025-04-30 13:15 - 16:00 | Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Route 1A, Wenham, MA, 01984, United States
Early release drop-off program for Hamilton-Wenham elementary students. Sign up for one Wednesday, or every Wednesday!
Board Game Club
Enjoy an afternoon at the museum with friends.
Bring a snack
Choose from a variety of board games to play with others.
Selection includes: Battleship, Sorry, Twister, Throw Throw Burrito, Checkers, Candyland, Connect 4, Guess Who, and more
Have a favorite game that you think we should add? Just let us know!
Explore the museum galleries until it is time to go home
Every Wednesday during the school year, Wenham Wednesdays will feature activities such as craft projects, board games, LEGO building, paper crafts, and more – plus time for students to explore the museum galleries with friends.
Learn more: www.wenhammuseum.org/wenham-wednesdays

Music in the Gallery
2025-04-30 13:00 - 13:30 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Wednesdays, April 16 – June 25, 2025
1:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Janet & William Ellery James Center, CAM Green
13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Free and open to the public.
Parking is first come, first served.
Join us Wednesdays, April – June in the James Center Gallery to enjoy music during your visit played by C.B. Fisk musicians on a continuo organ. For more information about C.B. Fisk please visit: www.cbfisk.com.
C.B. Fisk organists: Carl Klein, Tim McEwen, Ted Stoddard, Michael Kraft, Barbara Bruns, Mark Nelson, David Pike, along with Kathleen Adams. For biographies please visit: cbfisk.com
Image Credit: Opus 150, designed by C.B. Fisk in 2018 for Christ Church Episcopal, Philadelphia, PA. Photo courtesy of C.B. Fisk.

Story-Time & Craft Wednesday
2025-04-30 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

“Old Andover” and the American Revolution
2025-04-29 18:00 - 20:00 | The Stevens Center on the Common, 800 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover, MA, 01845, United States
This talk shows how Andover helped plant the seeds of the American Revolution. We will see old Andover’s role in the fight for Independence and our legacy in shaping the birth of the nation.
Scott W. Dianis is a longtime resident of Andover with a keen interest in local history, particularly in the stories that help explain the town’s early development and evolution. He recently published an updated edition of Sarah Bailey’s “Historical Sketches of Andover”, detailing the town’s history from its founding to the early 19th century.
Doors at 6pm/Presentation at 6:30pm
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets

Old Andover and the American Revolution
2025-04-29 17:30 - 20:00 | North Andover Historical Society, Bus Tour - Meet at The Stevens Center on the Common 800 Massachusetts Avenue North Andover, MA 01845
Scott W. Dianis is a longtime resident of Andover with a keen interest in local history, particularly in the stories that help explain the town’s early development and evolution. He recently published an updated edition of Sarah Bailey’s “Historical Sketches of Andover”, detailing the town’s history from founding to the early 19th century.

Improv Jam & Jelly
2025-04-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Off Cabot Comedy & Events, 9 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Improv open hang and structured games for all levels.

“By the First Ship from Salem:” The Voyage of the Schooner Quero, April 28, 1775.
2025-04-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Salem Maritime National Historic Site is telling the story of a key but lesser-known voyage across the Atlantic Ocean 250 years ago to deliver news of rebellion in Massachusetts. In April 1775, after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the race was on to control the narrative of the rebellion. Leaving from Derby Wharf onboard the schooner “Quero,” Salem patriot Captain John Derby and his crew set sail for England on April 28th, 1775. Onboard the ship were written accounts of the battle and sworn affidavits by participants. They aimed to beat the British ship “Sukey,” which was carrying the British military report of the battles back to England. Despite the “Sukey” leaving four days earlier, the nimble “Quero” arrived almost two weeks before the British vessel. The written accounts from the “Quero” were delivered to London, where they were quickly disseminated throughout England.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the voyage of the “Quero,” Salem Maritime National Historic Site is hosting a FREE EVENT at 7 pm on Monday, April 28, at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center (2 New Liberty Street). Titled “By the First Ship from Salem: The Voyage of the Schooner Quero,” curator Dr. Emily Murphy will highlight the historical significance of this race across the Atlantic. Living history practitioners will read the original accounts from the “Quero” and the “Sukey.” Join us as we explore the tumultuous start of the American Revolution and how the news spread in 1775.

No reservations are required.

Kinky Bowl
2025-04-27 20:00 - 21:30 | Off Cabot Comedy & Events, 9 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Miz Diamond and A Glam B are bringing you a “Bowl” that will be SUPER, but more kinky and no padding or balls…well, maybe a little bit of those too. This irreverent show will have you “clutching your pearls” and exploring your own kinks. You will not want to miss this drag & burlesque mash-up! Get your tickets now!

“How the First Shots of the Amer. Rev. War Could Have been Fired in Marblehead and/or Salem on February 26, 1775”
2025-04-27 16:00 - 17:00 | MA
A 1-hour walking Tour with Judy Anderson
Marblehead’s role in the events of 26 Feb. 1775 ~ where the British Regulars landed ~ and who did & did not participate.
Tour meets at Fort Beach. No RSVP required. Tour will end on Washington Street.
Please note: there are no restrooms available during the tour. Children are welcome, as well as dogs on a leash.
CLICK HERE for more information

Cann Piano Duo
2025-04-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Avid recitalists, chamber musicians and educators, sisters Michelle and Kimberly Cann bring a program of such classical favorites as Bach, Strauss and Bernstein as well as moving arrangements like Let My People Go and a Fantasy on George Gershwin’s Songs.
Program
BACH: Trio Sonata No. 4 in E minor, BWV 528 (arr. Babin)
STRAUSS: “Ständchen,” Op. 17, No. 2 (arr. Chasins)
TANSMAN: Fantaisie sur les valses de Johann Strauss
LUTOSŁAWSKI: Variations on a Theme of Paganini
Intermission
BERNSTEIN: Symphonic Dances, from West Side Story (arr. Musto)
LEIBOWITZ: Let My People Go
MAYEVSKY: Fantasy on George Gershwin’s Songs
“a pianist of sterling artistry” –Gramophone

Music in the Atrium: Celebrate Mother Earth with Johnny Fireseed
2025-04-27 11:30 - 13:30 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Know before you go
In-person event
Location: Atrium
Included with admission
Salem residents and workers always get free admission.
This program will contribute to the sound in the Atrium. If you would like to borrow noise canceling headphones, please pick up a KultureCity bag at the coatroom.
ABOVE IMAGE: Illustrations by Chris Cyr.
This month, our Music in the Atrium series celebrates Planet Earth with live performances by Johnny Fireseed. A project of Framingham-based Fireseed Arts Studios, lead by artist and musician Patiño Vázquez in collaboration with local musicians and craftspeople, Johnny Fireseed uses instruments made entirely from upcycled trash and repurposed items to perform original music with an upbeat eco message. The band’s inspiring sound aims to spread a message of joy, fun and new ways of thinking about consumption and waste far and wide.
Vázquez will be showcasing instruments made from locally harvested trash and live looping to create ambient soundscapes. Come hear high-end electric guitars made from old kitchen countertops and drums fashioned from ventilation ducts and popcorn tins in an aesthetic that’s “part Victorian Steampunk with elements of mystic meditations in heart-opening layers of rhythms and harmonies.” Building loops and then improvising over the loops gives the listener a feel for the looks and sound characteristics of each instrument. Audience members are often invited to join in the fun!
Music in the Atrium is PEM’s live concert series that features local and visiting performers from a variety of musical traditions and styles. Concerts take place on select Sundays. Explore upcoming shows at pem.org/events.

Leslie’s Retreat: Illustrated Powerpoint
2025-04-27 11:30 - 12:30 | Old North Church, 35 Washington Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
With images & visuals, social historian Judy Anderson of Marblehead will talk about the confrontation in Salem on February 26, 1775, and where the British Regular Army troops are said to have landed in Marblehead.
The program will emphasize the historical background of Marblehead at that time, and the distinctive differences between Salem & Marblehead, both during the Revolution and before.
Event is FREE but donations to the Old North Church are greatly appreciated.
