North of Boston

Larry McCray
2026-08-07 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Experience the raw power and soul of the blues with Larry McCray, a true Rust Belt blues shouter and fiery guitar slinger whose music hits straight from the heart. “‘Blues Without You’ is a career defining song, that could arguably rival ‘The Thrill is Gone’ or other Blues classics.” — Blues Rock Review Born in Magnolia, Arkansas and raised on a farm, McCray found his voice through the guitar, inspired by the legendary “Three Kings” — B.B., Freddie, and Albert. By the late 1980s, his electrifying style caught the attention of Virgin Records, launching a career that helped shape modern blues rock. With decades of nonstop touring, searing live performances, and collaborations with icons like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Joe Bonamassa, Larry McCray’s shows are equal parts grit, groove, and emotional fire.

Sunset Sessions at the Birdseye Rooftop
2026-08-07 19:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-01 19:00 - 22:00 | Beauport Hotel Gloucester, 55 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Enjoy the weekend in style at Sunset Sessions. An evening of vibrant energy, coastal glamour, and unforgettable harbor front views at Beauport Hotel’s Birdseye Rooftop.
Join us during our 10th year by the sea, every Friday and Saturday evening for a lively celebration featuring DJ entertainment from The 617 Event Group. Dance as the sun sets over Gloucester Harbor, sip handcrafted cocktails, and soak in the atmosphere high above the water. Feeling bold? Bring your suit and take a dip in the pool or hot tub. This event is for guests 21+.
General Admission starts at $30 and does not include food or beverage.
VIP Premium Lounge Tables are $300 and include entry and premium seating for four. For a more elevated experience, reserve one of our VIP Premium Lounge Tables on the Harbor View side of the rooftop. These exclusive tables include a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label (inclusive of tax and gratuity)—perfect for toasting the night in style.
Tickets are non-refundable. This event is rain or shine unless the rooftop is closed due to inclement weather, as determined by Beauport management by 2PM on the day of the event. Guests will be notified via email.

Gloucester Block Party #2
2026-08-07 18:00 - 22:00 | Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Friday, August 7, 2026
5 PM Streets closed off to traffic & parking
6 PM: Balloon Artist at Center & Main
6 PM Music Stages Open (x3)
6:15 PM ALAKAZAM at Hancock & Main
7:00 PM Cape Ann Dancers at Hancock & Main
8:00 PM ALAKAZAM at Hancock & Main
Main Street, Downtown Gloucester comes alive when the Street is closed off and we have live music, street performers, non-profits, food vendors and more
Many of our shops and businesses on Main Street will be open for business and will welcome partygoers. Other Gloucester businesses and non-profits will be represented on the Street as well. We can promise a night full of Live music, great food, and fun activities with lots of local flavor!
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
NON-PROFITS
FOOD VENDORS
Crepe du Jour
Lobster Roller
Meat & Sweet
Three Gingers Jerky
Whoopie Wagon

RED: A Gloucester Stage Benefit
2026-08-07 17:30 - 21:30 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
You know Mark Rothko’s artwork; now witness a pivotal moment in his career in this exclusive staged reading of John Logan’s Tony Award-winning play RED at Gloucester Stage. Directed by internationally acclaimed theatre and opera director Kate Cherry, RED is set in Rothko’s studio in the late 1950’s as the artist grapples with a commission to create a series of murals for NYC’s Four Seasons restaurant. Conflicted by the commission and at odds with his conscience, Rothko makes a decision that is still discussed in art circles today.
Gourmet Offerings and Complimentary Bar
Reading will take place Friday, August 7th from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Natti-Willsky Performance Center – 267 East Main Street, Gloucester.

Windhover Center for the Performing Arts presents Quarry Dance 2026
2026-08-07 13:30 - 15:30 | Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, 257R Granite St, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Art meets nature at this special free event! Join us as New York City-based Alison Cook Beatty Dance performs a site-specific dance sure to inspire wonder.
Quarry Dance is Windhover’s signature summer project, the vision of Windhover’s founder, the late Ina Hahn. Her vision marries the art of modern dance with the pristine landscapes of the quarries on Cape Ann. Utilizing the natural amphitheaters of these quarries opens up a world where art and nature can co-mingle.
Three performances offered:
Friday, August 7 from 1:30-3:30pm
Saturday, August 8 from 10:30am-12:30 pm
Sunday, August 9 from 1:30-3:30pm
Times include shuttle service to and from Windhover.
This year’s Quarry Dance will take place at a private quarry in Lanesville. A shuttle will transport you from the Windhover parking lot to the performance and return you afterward. No parking is available at the performance site. Shuttle service from Windhover runs from 1:30-1:50pm on Friday and Sunday and 10:30-10:50am on Saturday. Please arrive at the Windhover Parking lot located near 247 Granite Street (by the Windhover sign).
Quarry Dance admission (including shuttle service) is FREE. No advance RSVP required. Donations are most welcome!
In the event of rain, Quarry Dance is subject to cancellation. Please check our website for updates or call 978-546-3611 where a pre-recorded message will state if the quarry dance is cancelled due to rain.
Our thanks to the Rockport and Gloucester Cultural Councils for their support of Quarry Dance 2026.

Falconry & the Medieval World: A Live Bird Presentation
2026-08-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Wingmasters’ Birds of Prey returns to the Hammond Castle Museum!
Falconry is the sport of hunting with a trained bird of prey. It is also the demanding art of training a predatory bird that is by nature wary of people to hunt cooperatively with a human partner. While the sport has a 4,000-year history, its glory days were indisputably in the medieval period. While this presentation centers around live birds used in falconry, it is not a flight demonstration but a history-rich look at an ancient sport. Focusing on the medieval period, it explains the characteristics of the birds of prey used, how the sport reflected the lifestyle of the time, and the historical reasons behind falconry’s rise and fall.
Please note: This program is only intended for ages 8 and up. Tickets for this event are $20 adults, $10 kids. This ticket grants you access to the Falconry & the Medieval World: A Live Bird Presentation, which will be held in a tent on the ocean-facing lawn, as well as access to the Museum Shop. A separate tour ticket will be required to enter beyond the Museum Shop for a guided or self-guided tour. Ticket holders may purchase Self-Guided Tour tickets in the Museum Shop at a 20% discount.
About WINGMASTERS:
Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks are both licensed wildlife rehabilitators based in Massachusetts and are dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of North American birds of prey. Together they care for injured birds of prey at their private center in Leverett, Massachusetts. Most of the birds they rehabilitate can ultimately be released back into the wild, but in some cases, the birds are left permanently handicapped. Julie and Jim are further licensed to provide a home for these non-releasable raptors and to use them for educational programs. Since 1994, WINGMASTERS has presented over 10,000 programs at schools, libraries, and museums throughout New England.
All proceeds from this educational program support additional educational programs and ongoing Museum restorations. Museum member savings apply!

Neal Francis
2026-08-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
The latest album from Neal Francis, Return To Zero, emerged from the kind of visionary fever dream that only the most masterful and inventive artists are capable of bringing to life. Amid a grueling tour schedule that found him playing nearly 400 shows from 2021 to 2024, the Chicago-based singer/songwriter/pianist immersed himself in creating a beautifully strange entangling of timeless rock & roll and ’70s-era dance music, merging supremely heavy guitar riffs with lush and pulsating grooves—all constructed sans digital programming, in keeping with his devotion to all things analog. Worlds away from the glitzy fantasia of archetypal disco, Return To Zero inhabits a far moodier atmosphere and ultimately makes for the most thrilling manifestation of Francis’ peerless musicality yet.

Elizabeth Winthrop at The Bookstore of Gloucester
2026-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main Street, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
We are excited to welcome North Shore author Elizabeth Winthrop to The Bookstore on Thursday August 6th from 6:30pm-8pm! She’ll be discussing & signing copies of her new novel CONVICTION.
Books can be found at The Bookstore before & during the event. No registration is required!

Spiritualism Tours by Candlelight at Hammond Castle Museum
2026-08-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
From John Hays Hammond Jr.’s attempts to communicate with supernatural entities using a Faraday Cage to Irene Fenton Hammond’s extensive astrological writings under a mysterious pen name, this 55-minute, fully-guided specialty tour sets the stage for a fun and informative seasonal experience unlike any other. The dramatic, Gothic-inspired architecture of the Museum and the twilight atmosphere are enhanced by the light of handheld electronic lanterns throughout your tour.
New in 2026: Extended Hours and Midnight Tours
For the first time, Hammond Castle Museum is offering its popular Spiritualism Tours by Candlelight during extended late-night hours–including a midnight tour–on October 22nd and 29th—a one-of-a-kind experience for those celebrating the Halloween season on the North Shore!
Admission:
July, August, & September: $27.50.
October: $35.
Museum Member savings apply.
Please be mindful when processing your reservation to select the correct reservation date and corresponding admission price.

Birdseye Rooftop Live Music Access
2026-08-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-04 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-03 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-02 18:00 - 21:00 | Beauport Hotel Gloucester, 55 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Bringing live music every Sunday-Thursday on the Birdseye Rooftop at Beauport Hotel with craft cocktails and unbeatable views.
Elevate your weeknight above Gloucester Harbor. Join us on the Birdseye Rooftop for live music by Dis N Dat Band, handcrafted cocktails, and golden hour views stretching from the working waterfront to downtown Gloucester, all paired with relaxed rooftop vibes and a sunset soundtrack to carry you into the evening. Slip into the pool or unwind in the hot tub as the sun sets and the evening settles in. This is your midweek moment, six stories above it all.
Rooftop Evening Pass begins at 6:00PM. Swimsuits encouraged.
This event is 21+ adults only. General Admission starts at $20 and does not include food and beverage. *Complimentary to hotel guests
Tickets are non-refundable. Events are rain or shine unless the rooftop closes due to inclement weather. Any closure decisions are made by Beauport management at 2:00PM the day of the event; guests will be notified by email.

Culture Splash Returns to Rocky Neck for Its Sixth Season of Summer Arts Celebration
2026-08-06 16:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Neck
Gloucester, MA – Thursday nights come alive on Rocky Neck as Culture Splash returns for its sixth season, transforming Gloucester’s historic waterfront into a vibrant celebration of art, music, creativity, and community.
Running every Thursday evening from July 9 through August 27, Culture Splash invites residents and visitors alike to experience the Rocky Neck Cultural District in its most festive form. Galleries throw open their doors, artists welcome visitors into their studios, musicians fill the harbor air with live performances, and creative energy spills onto the streets along Gloucester’s iconic working waterfront.
Recognized as one of Cape Ann’s signature summer traditions, Culture Splash offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy gallery openings, artist demonstrations, poetry readings, live music, signature cocktails, waterfront dining, and opportunities to meet the artists who make Rocky Neck one of New England’s most celebrated creative communities.
Adding to the experience, a free water shuttle will once again connect stops at Solomon’s Landing and St. Peter’s Square to Rocky Neck, delivering guests directly to the heart of the festivities at 51 Rocky Neck Restaurant.
“Culture Splash captures everything that makes Rocky Neck special,” said Elizabeth Carey, Executive Director of Rocky Neck Art Colony. “It’s an evening where art, music, food, history, and community come together against the backdrop of Gloucester Harbor. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, it’s one of the most memorable ways to spend a summer evening in America’s Oldest Seaport.”
Presented by Rocky Neck Cultural District and its many community partners, Culture Splash continues to celebrate the rich artistic heritage of Rocky Neck while welcoming new audiences to explore galleries, discover local artists, and experience the unique character of Gloucester’s waterfront arts district.
Some highlights include: Ocean Alliance Drive-in Movie night July 2; Ristuben Jazz Trio on July 16 at Rocky Neck Cultural Center; Betrayal by Harold Pinter at Gloucester Stage Company on July 23; Coco Haze at Gallery RAG on July 30; Kevin Gallagher on August 6 at Gloucester Writers Center and Susan Lynn Demo at North Shore Art Association on August 20.
For a complete schedule of events, participating venues, featured artists, and shuttle information, visit the rockyneckartcolony.org or discovergloucester.com.

Culture Splash Returns to Rocky Neck for Its Sixth Season of Summer Arts Celebration
2026-08-06 16:00 - 19:00
Gloucester, MA – Thursday nights come alive on Rocky Neck as Culture Splash returns for its sixth season, transforming Gloucester’s historic waterfront into a vibrant celebration of art, music, creativity, and community.
Running every Thursday evening from July 9 through August 27, Culture Splash invites residents and visitors alike to experience the Rocky Neck Cultural District in its most festive form. Galleries throw open their doors, artists welcome visitors into their studios, musicians fill the harbor air with live performances, and creative energy spills onto the streets along Gloucester’s iconic working waterfront.
Recognized as one of Cape Ann’s signature summer traditions, Culture Splash offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy gallery openings, artist demonstrations, poetry readings, live music, signature cocktails, waterfront dining, and opportunities to meet the artists who make Rocky Neck one of New England’s most celebrated creative communities.
Adding to the experience, a free water shuttle will once again connect stops at Solomon’s Landing and St. Peter’s Square to Rocky Neck, delivering guests directly to the heart of the festivities at 51 Rocky Neck Restaurant.
“Culture Splash captures everything that makes Rocky Neck special,” said Elizabeth Carey, Executive Director of Rocky Neck Art Colony. “It’s an evening where art, music, food, history, and community come together against the backdrop of Gloucester Harbor. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, it’s one of the most memorable ways to spend a summer evening in America’s Oldest Seaport.”
Presented by Rocky Neck Cultural District and its many community partners, Culture Splash continues to celebrate the rich artistic heritage of Rocky Neck while welcoming new audiences to explore galleries, discover local artists, and experience the unique character of Gloucester’s waterfront arts district.
Some highlights include: Ocean Alliance Drive-in Movie night July 9; Ristuben Jazz Trio on July 16 at Rocky Neck Cultural Center; Betrayal by Harold Pinter at Gloucester Stage Company on July 23; Coco Haze at Gallery RAG on July 30; Kevin Gallagher on August 6 at Gloucester Writers Center and Susan Lynn Demo at North Shore Art Association on August 20.
For a complete schedule of events, participating venues, featured artists, and shuttle information, visit the rockyneckartcolony.org or discovergloucester.com
Photographs available upon request.
About Rocky Neck Art Colony
Founded in 1850, Rocky Neck Art Colony is the oldest continuously operating art colony in America. Located in Gloucester’s historic Rocky Neck Cultural District, RNAC supports artists and enriches the community through exhibitions, educational programs, performances, and cultural events throughout the year.

En Plein Air Sketch Classes with Sue Wheeler
2026-08-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-01 09:30 - 11:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
From stick figure doodlers to first-rate talents, join us for a seaside, En Plein Air sketch class with Sue Wheeler of Arts Abound in Magnolia. All skill levels are welcome! This two-hour session includes a 30-minute beginner sketch lesson. All you need to bring is a sketchbook, pencils, a ruler, and an eraser. Please note: watercolors, pastels, oils, or acrylics are not permitted on the Museum grounds.
Attendees who wish to tour the Hammond Castle Museum after this class are entitled to a 20% discount on a self-guided tour. Tour tickets may be purchased in the Museum Shop before 2:30 pm on the day of this class.
Class Schedule:
Thursday Plein Air Sketch classes: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
May:14
June: 11
July 23: (6 – 8 pm)
August: 6
September: 10
October: 8
Saturday En Plein Air Sketch classes: 9:30 am- 11:30 am.
May: 9
June: 20
July:18
August: 1
September: 5
October: 3
All classes are $25 each. Museum Member savings apply.
Weather-dependent; classes may be canceled, and reservations will be refunded if necessary.
About Sue Wheeler:
Sue has a lifetime of making art through various mediums from delectable pastries to abstracts in pastels, watercolor, and acrylics. She enjoys using her creative flair in quilting and interior design as well.
Sue graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor’s in business with a focus on hospitality management and earned an associate’s degree from the Culinary Institute of America. Following her tenure as a pastry chef in New Hampshire, Sue returned to school for a certificate in graphic design and put her talents to use as a designer in the book publishing and art publishing industries in Vermont. In early 2019, Sue opened her own gallery and studio, Arts Abound in Magnolia Village, MA, as an artistic haven for local artists. Through the gallery, over 30 artists featured their creative works, ranging from paintings, hand-painted silk scarves, silver jewelry, and more. Sue also ran many workshops and classes featuring many of the artists. Often, Sue would work late into the night, painting in her Arts Abound studio. After closing the gallery in 2022, Sue continued to offer the often sold-out painting classes, taught by some of the Arts Abound artists.
Sue has studied under numerous artists to learn watercolor, acrylic painting, cold wax & oil, and collage. Her goals for the Hammond Castle Museum sketch classes are to engage those who are new to the world of art and reinvigorate those who haven’t picked up a blank canvas or sketch pad in a long time. Sue’s philosophy on the creative process encourages you to be less concerned about the final product and instead to enjoy the journey of creativity and get lost in the moment. Once you find yourself in your work, you may just be surprised!

Bubbles & Books Storytime
2026-08-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Join us every Wednesday morning in July & August for Bubbles and Books on our seaside lawn!
Bubbles and Books is so much more than just storytime. It’s a seaside bubble party featuring stories, music, crafts, a light snack & even an outdoor scavenger hunt.
Doors open at 10:00 am, with bubbles and a craft, then the story & snacks begin about 10:20 am. We recommend you bring a cozy blanket for your little one to cuddle on while we enjoy the storybooks on the lawn. After storytime, enjoy more bubbles and end the morning with a kid-friendly scavenger hunt in front of the Museum.
Don’t forget sunscreen, and we encourage little ones to come dressed in their favorite crown, cape, or whatever makes them feel magical!
Tickets for this event are $10 for ages 8 to adults, and kids ages 7 and under are only $5. Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply.
We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes early to allow enough time for the walk from the parking lot down to the Museum, then for the check-in process and the walk to the lawn. There are many stairs throughout the campus and inside the Museum. Strollers are not allowed in the Museum or on the Museum Grounds, and oversized baby carriers are not permitted in the Museum due to the many narrow passageways.
This ticket grants you access to the Bubbles & Books program, which will be held on the ocean-facing lawn. If you wish to tour the Museum after this program, ticket holders may purchase Self-Guided Tour tickets in the Museum Shop at a 20% discount. Little ones 4 and under enjoy FREE admission to guided and self-guided tours!
Rain or Shine. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. All proceeds from this program will support the restoration and preservation of the Museum.

Wicked For Good
2026-08-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Wicked: For Good continues the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring how their friendship is tested as they fully embrace their destinies as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Set in the land of Oz, the film delves into the cost of choices, loyalty, and what it truly means to be “good.”

Essex Shipbuilding Museum Adult Workshops
2026-08-03 09:00 - 23:00 | Story Shipyard, 66 MAIN ST, ESSEX, MA, 01929, United States
Learn something you can’t learn on the internet.
This season, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum is offering a full lineup of hands on workshops for adults, from traditional maritime crafts and woodworking to citizen science and folk art.
Stitch a ditty bag. Carve a bird. Explore the marsh during Crab Lab. Make something with your hands and spend time in one of the most unique classrooms around: a working shipyard on the Essex River.
To make participation easier, many workshops are being offered twice, with both Monday morning and Thursday evening sessions available.
No experience necessary. Just curiosity.
Registration is now open.
#EssexShipbuilding #AdultEducation #MaritimeHeritage #HandsOnLearning #EssexMA

As You Like it Live Performance at Windhover
2026-08-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-01 19:00 - 21:00
As You Like It, a play by William Shakespeare, directed & adapted by M. Graham Smith
July 10–August 2, 2026
Windhover Performing Arts Center
257R Granite St, Rockport, MA 01966

“Rosalind and her cousin escape into the forest and find Orlando, Rosalind’s love. Disguised as a boy shepherd, Rosalind has Orlando woo her under the guise of “curing” him of his love for Rosalind. Rosalind reveals she is a girl and marries Orlando during a group wedding at the end of the play.”
– Shakespeare birthplace trust

No Sitter Necessary - Family Dance Party
2026-08-02 17:00 - 19:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Doors 4:30pm
Show 5:00pm
ALL AGES
Premium Seating with cocktail service: $38 + $6.95 service fee
Standard Seating with cocktail service: $34 + $6.95 service fee
GA Standing: $28 + $6.95 service fee
+ $5 Day of Show
NO SITTER NECESSARY: FAMILY DANCE PARTY – SUMMER POP DANCE BATTLE IS COMING TO THE CUT LIVE!
You’ve been playing the soundtrack in the car line. Singing it at home. Dancing in the kitchen. Now take it to the dance floor.
After packed dance floors and viral moments for the K Pop Parties at The Cut Live, No Sitter Necessary is coming back bigger, louder and even more unhinged for our brand new Summer Pop Dance Battle edition.
Parents vs. Kids battle it out on the dance floor in a full-on family party built for kids AND the grownups who still know every word to the throwbacks.
Expect epic dance battles. Massive line dance mashups. Hype MC callouts. Throwback karaoke moments for parents. And a packed dance floor where literally anything can happen.
We’re running it back with hits like:
Whip Nae Nae. Cha Cha Slide. Cupid Shuffle. Crank That. Plus K Pop hits like Gnarly and Pinky Up, What It Sounds Like. Disney 2000s throwbacks (think your favorite High School Musical anthem). And the college dance floor jams parents forgot they still knew every word to.
This isn’t a sit-down kids show. Cut the rug is going to be an understatement for your family.
Parents and kids. Same dance floor. No sitting.

Vintage Base Ball
2026-08-02 11:00 - 17:00 | Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, 5 Littles Lane, Newbury, M, 01951, United States
It’s Base Ball, 1864 style at Spencer Peirce Little Farm! These fun, historically accurate games feature underhand pitching without gloves. A ball bounced once and caught is an out! Snacks, baseballs, and cards are available for purchase. Come and see for yourself how “America’s favorite pastime” was played in the 1860s. The teams competing are based on actual nineteenth-century baseball clubs from New England.
The Essex Base Ball Organization is a nonprofit “vintage base ball” group that plays the game as it was played in the 1860s. They are based out of Newbury, Massachusetts, and have four teams. They teach the history of baseball through games and demonstrations, offering youth clinics and lectures on baseball history at historical societies, libraries, and other civic organizations.
See HNE website for first pitch times; triple headers start at 11 AM, doubles at noon.

Sullivan Fortner
2026-08-01 19:30 - 21:30 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Kayvon Gordon, drums | Tyrone Allen, bass
For more than a decade, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Sullivan Fortner has garnered international praise as a leader and a fierce collaborator. Recipient of the 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award, he earned the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance on Samara Joy’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” and the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album alongside Cécile McLorin Salvant for her acclaimed album The Window.
His fundamentals as a player could hardly be stronger, and his instincts as a composer and bandleader are almost startlingly mature.” — The New York Times
Fortner also has earned GRAMMY nods for his 2023 release Solo Game and his provocative arrangement of “Optimistic Voices/No Love Dying” from Salvant’s 2022 release Ghost Song. As a solo leader he has issued Aria (2015); Moments Preserved (2018); Solo Game (2024), which earned 4-star reviews in DownBeat and France’s Telerama Magazine; and Southern Nights (2025) which landed Fortner on the February cover of DownBeat. Winner of the 2024 DownBeat Critics Poll for Rising Star Jazz Group: Sullivan Fortner Trio, the prolific artist has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Paul Simon, Diane Reeves, Etienne Charles and John Scofield; frequent collaborators have included Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stefon Harris, Kassa Overall, Tivon Pennicott, Peter Bernstein, Nicholas Payton, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, Chief Adjuah and the late Roy Hargrove. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory and Master of Music in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music (MSM) and has taught at MSM, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Purdue University, Lafayette Summer Music Workshop, Belmont University and Oberlin Conservatory. Fortner has performed at Snug Harbor, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Sweet Lorraine’s and The Jazz Playhouse in New Orleans, and The Village Vanguard, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard and Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. He’s appeared at Newport, Monterey, Discover, Tri-C and Gillmore Keyboard jazz festivals. Both his works and his insights have been featured in culture drivers from The New York Times to The Root. Further accolades include the Cole Porter Fellowship awarded by the American Pianists Association, Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship, the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, the Shifting Foundation Grant and the Western Jazz Presenters Grant.

Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival
2026-08-01 10:00 - 18:00 | Salem Maritime National Historic Park, 160 Derby Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
After more than thirty years the beloved Salem Heritage Days Parade is making its triumphant return, brought to life through a collaborative effort between the City of Salem, National Park Service, Salem State University, the Salem Police Department, Salem Trolley, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and the North Shore CDC. This diverse planning committee is working together to offer the community a unique opportunity to experience more than 400 years of Salem’s remarkable story through an innovative chronological format. Under the overarching theme of “Salem Through the Centuries” the parade will take spectators on a journey through time, beginning with Salem’s indigenous roots and progressing through each major era that has shaped the city’s identity.

National Political and Historical Collectibles Show and Sale
2026-08-01 10:00 - 16:00 | DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Boston North Shore, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA, 01923, United States
In honor of the nation’s 250th birthday, the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) will host a celebration of the history of U.S. political campaigns at its national convention in Danvers, Mass., from July 30 through August 1.
The highlight will be more than 200 tables full of political pinback buttons, ribbons, posters, paper and much more for the public to view or purchase. Dealers will be attending from most of the 50 states offering original items for sale from the inauguration of George Washington to the campaigns of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy & Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and many other candidates.
The event will be held at the DoubleTree Boston North Shore hotel in Danvers from Thursday, July 30 through Saturday, Aug. 1. Hours will be 10am – 5pm on Thursday; 9am to 5pm on Friday; and 9am to 4pm on Saturday. Admission to the public is $15; seniors and students are $10; free admission for kids 12 and under, and every child who attends will receive a free bag of political pinback buttons. Attendees also are encouraged to bring political campaign items for a free appraisal, and items may be auctioned for a 15% commission, which is donated to the APIC.

Festival by the Sea 2026
2026-08-01 10:00 - 16:00
Date and Time
Saturday Aug 1, 2026
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT
*This event takes place Rain or Shine
8 AM Artisan/ Vendor Check-in
10 AM Vendors Open, Live Music, Artisans & Food available
4 PM Event Ends
Location
Masconomo Park
Reed Park
Town Hall Park
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
60 Beach Street Manchester MA 01944
Fees/Admission
There is no charge for the public to attend this event
Artists & Artisans may register online (Limited to 85)
Website
http://www.capeannchamber.com
Contact Information
Michelle Pepin 978-283-1601
Send Email
TODO
Event Sponsors
Bandstand Sponsor
Kelly Automotive Group
Gold Sponsors
Applied Materials
Description
Festival by the Sea is a celebration of the things that are synonymous with greater Cape Ann in the summertime: Art, Music & Food! Artist & artisan booths will be spread throughout downtown Manchester. Your senses will be inspired by the beautiful art, extraordinary live music and the aromas of delicious, local foods.
Please make checks payable to Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
DOWNLOAD ARTISAN APPLICATION
DOWNLOAD NON-PROFIT APPLICATION
DOWNLOAD FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION
Visit Festival by the Sea Facebook Page
MASCO Park Music Schedule:
10 AM -12 PM: Corey Wrinn
12 PM -2 PM: Jim n’ Tonic
2 PM -4 PM: Rob Banks and the Moneymakers
TOWN HALL Music Schedule:
10 AM -12 PM: Liam Anastasia-Murphy
12 PM -3 PM: Matt Rich & Gil Clark
