North of Boston

William Shakespeare's RICHARD III presented by Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe
2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-16 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-12 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 One Act Wonders
2026-04-18 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-17 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.

Rockport Music presents: Brentano Quartet & Jonathan Biss, piano
2026-04-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
The Brentano Quartet—celebrated for its “luxuriously warm sound” and imaginative interpretations—joins pianist Jonathan Biss for a program of Haydn, Beethoven, and Dvořák, uniting one of today’s leading chamber ensembles with a pianist admired for intellectual depth and expressive clarity.
PROGRAM
HAYDN: String Quartet, Op. 20, No. 4
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 1
Intermission
DVORÁK: Piano Quintet, Op. 81, No. 2
“luxuriously warm sound [and] yearning lyricism” -The New York Times
BRENTANO QUARTET
Mark Steinberg, violin | Serena Canin, violin | Misha Amory, viola | Nina Lee, cello
With a career spanning more than three decades, the Brentano Quartet has appeared worldwide to both popular and critical acclaim. The New York Times praises its “luxuriously warm sound [and] yearning lyricism,” while The Times of London hails the ensemble’s “wonderful, selfless music-making.” Renowned for its probing interpretive style, distinctive musical sensibility, and imaginative programming, the Quartet has performed across five continents in many of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, establishing itself as one of today’s preeminent chamber ensembles.
Equally committed to education, the Brentano Quartet has served for the past decade as Artists-in-Residence at the Yale School of Music, where its members are deeply involved in mentoring young musicians. The Quartet also leads the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and appears regularly at the Taos School of Music. Previously, it served for fifteen years as Ensemble-in-Residence at Princeton University, shaping generations of chamber musicians.
Formed in 1992, the Brentano Quartet has received numerous honors, including the Naumburg Chamber Music Award and the Cleveland Quartet Award. The ensemble has collaborated with artists such as Jessye Norman, Joyce DiDonato, Mitsuko Uchida, and Jonathan Biss, and has commissioned works from leading composers including Gabriela Frank, Vijay Iyer, Steven Mackey, and Charles Wuorinen.
The Quartet’s recordings include Beethoven’s Op. 131 (Aeon), featured in the film A Late Quartet, and Into the Fire—Live from Wigmore Hall with Joyce DiDonato (Warner). The ensemble is named for Antonie Brentano, believed by many scholars to be Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved.”
JONATHAN BISS, piano
Jonathan Biss is an internationally acclaimed pianist recognized for his profound musicianship, intellectual curiosity, and deeply communicative performances. Born in 1980 into a musical family, he began piano studies at age six and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, studying with Karen Taylor and Evelyne Brancart. At seventeen, he entered the Curtis Institute of Music to study with Leon Fleisher, an experience central to his artistic development.
Biss has established himself as one of the leading pianists of his generation, appearing regularly with major orchestras and conductors worldwide. He has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as many of Europe’s leading ensembles. His collaborators have included Lorin Maazel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Simon Rattle, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He is also a frequent recitalist in major concert halls across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Especially admired for his interpretations of the core classical repertoire—particularly Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, and Brahms—Biss has released numerous critically acclaimed recordings. These include a complete cycle of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, issued in nine volumes, as well as recordings of concertos and chamber music.
Committed to education and musical inquiry, Biss is the author of Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas and a long-standing member of the faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Colonials of the North Shore: A Tour of Massachusetts Historic Home Interiors
2026-04-18 14:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-18 09:00 - 13:00 | 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.

"Printing Revolution" presentation lecture
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Museum of Printing, 15 Thornton Ave, Haverhill, MA, 01832, United States
Andy Volpe (Museum of Printing, Haverhill MA) will present “Printing Revolution” which looks at both the printing press and what was being printed as “revolutionary” as well as talking about the lead-up to the American Revolution, the legal battles fought by the Colonial printers and England over the ideas of Freedom of Speech and a Free Press, and the printing of the Declaration of Independence

Road To Independence Tour
2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 20:30 | 1727 Town House Square, Marblehead, MA, 1727 Town House Square, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
The Marblehead Museum will debut the new the Road to Independence Walking Tour on Friday, April 17th at 7pm and Saturday, April 18th at 10am and 1pm.
The tour will feature the history of Marblehead in the early 1770s, highlighting the town’s pivotal role in such famous events as the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the resistance to British taxes.
The tour will also explore controversial stories, including attacks on local Loyalists. In addition, tour guide Jarrett Zeman will explore the contradiction of Marbleheaders fighting to end their political “enslavement” by Britain while enslaving Blacks in their own homes.
Ticket prices include a $1 ticketing fee.

Seasonal Saturday Tours!
2026-04-18 11:00 - 16:00 | Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Guided tours of the Museum of Old Newbury’s 1808 Federal-style home, offered Saturdays this winter. History comes alive on every floor!
NEW! Fall and Winter Guided Tours at the Museum of Old Newbury
Beginning in mid-October, 2025, the Museum of Old Newbury will open its doors for guided tours every Saturday. Tours begin on the hour from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last tour departs at 3:00 p.m.). Please note: certain dates are excluded, and tours are weather permitting.
Step back in time as your knowledgeable guide leads you through two floors of our 1808 brick Federal-style home, where every room is filled with objects, stories, and memories of Old Newbury. Along the way, you’ll hear tales of the families who lived here, discover treasures from our collection, and gain new insight into the rich history of Newburyport and the surrounding area.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime resident, this is your chance to experience the museum in a whole new way—through a carefully curated, guided experience designed to bring history to life.

Kids Photo Op at Witch Pix
2026-04-18 10:30 - 16:30 | Witch Pix, 172 Essex St, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
A kid-only witchy portrait session offering four fun styles for a quick, imaginative Salem experience. For a limited time, young visitors can enjoy a brief witchy portrait designed for vacation fun in Salem. Children pick one of four signature styles—Graveyard Magic, Crystal Ball Witchery, 1692 Glamour, or Earth Witch—and step into character with simple costume pieces. The session blends creativity, history, and play, producing a small gallery of expressive images.

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

Speed Oracle Card Reading
2026-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Celestial Navigation Astrology & Wellness, 254 Essex St, Suite 204, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Join us for a magical evening of Speed Oracle Readings — a fast-paced, fun, and deeply intuitive event where you’ll receive 5 unique oracle card readings using 5 different decks, each one offering new insight and energy. 💫
✨ Each group rotates through 4 oracle stations
✨ Tap into divine guidance from a variety of perspectives
✨ Perfect for gaining clarity, setting intentions, or just enjoying a night of spiritual connection
Whether you’re seeking messages from your guides, clarity on a decision, or just curious about what each deck has to reveal, this is your night to connect and awaken!
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams
2026-04-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-04-15 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.

Latin Night! Learn Salsa
2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Larcom Theatre, 13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Get ready to spice up your dance moves at our Latin Night! Learn Salsa Dance Class Series!
TUESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHTS ——NEXT 6-WEEK SERIES STARTS APR 7 & 9!
Max 22 students per class. No Drop Ins or Single Classes.
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$114 for the 6-week series
TUESDAY NIGHTS: April 7 to May 12
THURSDAY NIGHTS: Apr 9 to May 14
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Join experienced dance instructors for Latin Night at the Larcom Theatre, where you’ll learn the vibrant rhythms of Salsa. Known for its passion and sensuality, salsa is a lively fusion of Latin American and Caribbean dance styles enjoyed around the world.
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BEGINNER 1A: Tuesdays, 6:30 PM Or Thursdays, 8:40 PM
This class is open to everyone! Whether you’re new to Salsa, have never tried it before, or are transitioning from On 1 to On 2 timing, this Beginner Class is perfect for you. The focus is on mastering basic dance steps, understanding salsa timing, building connections and frame, exploring partnering elements, and learning the basic moves for patterns, including left and right turns, and the cross-body lead. No previous experience is necessary.
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BEGINNER 1B: Tuesdays 7:40 Pm or Thursdays, 6:20 PM
This class builds directly on the Beginner 1A series and is ideal for dancers who have learned the fundamentals and are ready to gain confidence and consistency. There will also be a FOCUS on the ‘Leads’ for proper footwork and leading techniques, to become a better leader, needed to lead more advance moves in the future. You’ll continue developing On 2 timing, strengthen partner connection, and expand on basic patterns including turns and cross-body lead variations with proper techniques. The focus is on smoother transitions, musicality, and dancing with greater ease and control. Completion of the Beginner 1A class is required before enrolling in this class.
ADVANCED BEGINNER 1C: Thursdays (7:30)
This class is designed for dancers who already know the basics and are ready to refine and gain salsa skills. Participants must be comfortable dancing ON TIME with the ON2 Rhythm, and able to lead or follow left turns, right turns, and the cross-body lead. To enroll in this advanced class, you should have completed Beginner Class 1A & 1B or have equivalent formal training or experience. Please note: if you currently dance only On 1, you’ll need to start with the Beginner 1A class.
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No partner is required for any class.
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​​We extend a special invitation for ‘leads’ to join, as their participation will help ensure a robust presence of potential partner leads. ​
For questions about the class, email: donnie@thelarcom.org
LARCOM THEATRE, 13 Wallis St, Beverly MA

The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings
2026-04-16 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

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.

Emily Carpenter & Shannon Kirk @ The Bookstore
2026-04-12 17:30 - 18:30 | The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main Street, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
We’ll welcome authors Emily Carpenter & Shannon Kirk back to the store on Sunday April 12th at 5:30pm for a conversation about Emily’s new book A SPELL FOR SAINTS AND SINNERS.
The Bookstore will have copies of both Emily & Shannon’s books for sale. No registration required.

Newburyport Art has Daylight Drawing Fun!
2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Come enjoy this fun group and draw fellow artists / take turns posing for the group. All skill levels welcome!

Film Screening: Last Stand at Dodge
2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Last Stand at Dodge follows jazz/funk band Fats Hammond, which has played at the same Salem club every Tuesday night for 13 years. But when the band suddenly loses its residency, how can the musicians and their loved ones move on? This documentary is a loving portrait of four musicians and their community.
Producer/Director/Writer/Editor: Beth Cloutier
Co-Producer: Claudia Ghetu
Camera: Jessica Egmont, Mark Killian, Daniel Villaneuva
Music: Ken Clark, Marty Rowan, Scott Kesner
Starring:
Ken Clark, Hammond B3 organ
Martin Anthony Rowen, Hammond B3 organ
Mike Mele, guitar
Benny Benson, drums

Gloucester National Honors Art Society Students at Cove Gallery
2026-04-12 12:00 - 17:00 | Cove Gallery, 37 Rocky Neck Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930
Rocky Neck Art Colony presents a dynamic three-day pop-up exhibition showcasing original work by junior and senior artists from Gloucester High School’s National Art Honor Society, in collaboration with Cape Ann Art Haven. Now in its fourth year, the program highlights students who demonstrate exceptional artistic talent, leadership, and community engagement.
The exhibition features a diverse range of mediums and reflects the students’ commitment to using art as a tool for connection—through outreach projects such as global portrait initiatives, local mentorship, and community service. In addition to exhibiting their work, students gain valuable hands-on experience in professional gallery practices, from curation to sales.
This collaboration offers an inspiring platform for emerging artists, celebrating creativity while fostering the next generation of artistic voices and community leaders.
The public is warmly invited to visit the Pop-Up Art Show April 10-12, as well as an Opening Reception on Friday, April 10 from 4-6pm. Join us as we celebrate the creativity and dedication of Gloucester’s emerging artists.

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
2026-04-11 20:00 - 22:00 | Larcom Theatre, 13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
DMTB is a celebration of the music of the Dave Matthews Band—your time machine to a funky ’90s tea party, when tape trading, big sing-alongs, and fearless musical exploration ruled the scene. Expect complex guitar riffs, soaring violin melodies, smooth sax lines, and explosive, adventurous drumming that bring that era back to life.
Dedicated to recreating that iconic sound, DMTB has been honing their craft for more than 20 years. Since 2004, their relentless touring has included 2000 shows across 46 states and 10 countries. Based in Buffalo, NY, they deliver a heartfelt tribute the faithfully captures DMB’s musical spirit.
DMTB’s goal is simple: transport you back in time. With deep respect for the original quintet, they lean into the classic DMB era while weaving in favorites from later and current catalogs—creating a well-rounded, authentic concert experience
Hear fan-favorite songs like: “Don’t Drink the Water,” “What Would You Say,” “You and Me,” “Jimi Thing,” “Everyday,” “Crash Into Me,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and more —so spot-on that fans say: “Wow…if I close my eyes, it’s like I’m there!”
Thelarcom.org/dmtb
