North of Boston

Good News Gus! – Puppets, Magic, & Music at Wenham Museum
2026-04-22 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Route 1A, Wenham, MA, 01984, United States
All aboard for a train-tastic show with Good News Gus! Join puppeteer, musician, and magician Harry LaCoste for The Caboose Is Loose, an interactive performance filled with lively songs, playful puppets, and plenty of laughs.
With his lovable puppet pal Gus and a suitcase full of surprises, Harry brings music, magic, and humor together in a joyful, high-energy show that will have kids giggling, grown-ups smiling, and train fans cheering! 🚂
Preregistration required.
Register for the 10 AM show here >>
Please note: Museum admission is required for non-members and is included in the ticket price below.
Tickets:
$12 – Member Child/Adult/Senior
$24 – Nonmember Child/Senior (includes Program Ticket + Museum Admission)
$29 – Nonmember Adult (includes Program Ticket + Museum Admission)
Free – Child under 2 years old
For the full schedule of all the April Break Adventures at the Museum, please visit this link >>.

Kids Free Week at Hammond Castle Museum
2026-04-22 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-20 09:00 - 15:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Hammond Castle Museum is happy to welcome school age children for free during April school vacation week. From April 20-24, all children ages from 0-12 are invited to take a self-guided tour for free with the purchase of an additional adult or senior ticket.
In addition to a self-guided tour, guests will also be able to view our fourth annual Eric Pape fine art exhibition, featuring a significant collection of pen and ink illustrations by Eric Pape (1870 to 1938). Many of these works were recovered from Pape’s locked studio decades after his death and have not been publicly exhibited for over a century. Included are illustrations originally created for The Arabian Nights, Tales of Wonder and Magnificence, Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, Victor Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris, Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Shakespeare and The Heart of a Child by Gertrude Slaughter.
Advance Reservations strongly encouraged. Museum Member savings apply.
Experience Hammond Castle Museum at your own pace with our flexible arrival times for Self Guided Tours! Your tickets grant you entry anytime within the Morning or Afternoon times, based on your selection, ensuring you can arrive stress-free and enjoy your visit to the fullest.
Morning Session: 9:00 am – 11:45 am
Afternoon Session: 11:45 am – 2:30 pm
Please note: last entrance to the Museum is at 2:45 pm sharp. The Museum & Grounds close promptly at 3:30 pm. We recommend planning at least 60 minutes to explore the grounds and interior galleries of the Museum. The Museum is not handicapped accessible as it features numerous stairs.

Latin Night! Learn Salsa
2026-04-21 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

Animal Adventures at Wenham Museum
2026-04-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Route 1A, Wenham, MA, 01984, United States
Get ready to meet some amazing animals in this exciting live program from Animal Adventures! During this interactive, all-ages presentation, an Animal Adventure Guide will introduce fascinating creatures, share fun stories, and reveal surprising facts about each one.
From soft and fuzzy to scaly and surprising, you’ll meet a lively assortment of animals that crawl, hop, slither, and scurry. With plenty of audience interaction—and even opportunities for controlled touching and petting—this lively program offers a memorable, hands-on experience that animal lovers of all ages will enjoy.
Preregistration required.
Register for the 11 AM show here >>
Please note: Museum admission is required for non-members and is included in the ticket price below.
Tickets:
$12 – Member Child/Adult/Senior
$24 – Nonmember Child/Senior (includes Program Ticket + Museum Admission)
$29 – Nonmember Adult (includes Program Ticket + Museum Admission)
Free – Child under 2 years old
For the full schedule of all the April Break Adventures at the Museum, please visit this link >>.

Kids Photo Op at Witch Pix
2026-04-20 10:30 - 16:30, 2026-04-19 10:30 - 16:30, 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.

Live Animal Encounter with Joy Marzolf at PEM
2026-04-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA, 01970, United States
Know before you go
In-person
Location: Main Atrium
Included with admission
Children and youth under age 16 always receive free admission!
Learn about forest animals here in New England and around the world. Animals of the forest have special adaptations to survive. How do they find food and avoid predators? How do some species deal with extreme temperatures and other challenges? Come find out as you meet some forest animals up close and learn more about their wild relatives.
About our collaborator
Joy Marzolf
Joy Marzolf has loved animals from the time she was a child growing up in New England and she would always take advantage of any outdoor time to explore nature. Now, she still loves to explore, but also to share her knowledge about wildlife, wildlife photography and nature in general. She has worked with reptiles in the wild, and in captivity, for over 20 years. This includes live animal education programs in Oregon and field work with the Crocodile Research Coalition in Belize and the Copperhead Institute in New England. Her company, Joys of Nature, provides nature, nature travel and live animal programs for all ages, including programs for senior centers, libraries, camps and schools. One of her favorite things to do is break people’s misconceptions about many animals that people fear, including predators such as sharks, reptiles and spiders.
Happens on the following Dates:
Apr 20, 2026, 10:30am to 11:00am Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Apr 20, 2026, 11:30am to 12:00pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Create & Craft at Wenham Museum
2026-04-20 10:00 - 15:00 | Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Route 1A, Wenham, MA, 01984, United States
🎨✨ Create, Craft, and Imagine! ✨🎨
Make the most of school vacation week with hands-on creativity at the museum! Kids can choose from a menu of craft projects — from colorful creations to take-home treasures — and make something uniquely their own.
🖍️ $10 per craft
✨ No registration needed — just stop in, get inspired, and let your creativity shine!
🎟️ Regular museum admission is required — then it’s up to you how crafty you get!

Phenomenal Physics with Mad Science at Wenham Museum
2026-04-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Route 1A, Wenham, MA, 01984, United States
Mad Science is back by popular demand with Phenomenal Physics—an exciting, hands-on show that brings the wonders of science to life! Through surprising demonstrations and plenty of audience interaction, kids and grown-ups alike will explore the forces that shape our world, including balance, gravity, and Newton’s Laws of motion.
Get ready for jaw-dropping moments as Mad Science turns a baby bottle into a working fire extinguisher, sends “kinetic beads” leaping into the air, and even makes water disappear before your very eyes. Packed with energy, humor, and amazing experiments, this interactive program is sure to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists.
Preregistration required.
Register for the 10 AM show here >>
Please note: Museum admission is required for non-members and is included in the ticket price below.
Tickets:
$12 – Member Child/Adult/Senior
$24 – Nonmember Child/Senior (includes Program Ticket + Museum Admission)
$29 – Nonmember Adult (includes Program Ticket + Museum Admission)
Free – Child under 2 years old
For the full schedule of all the April Break Adventures at the Museum, please visit this link >>.

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents RICHARD III
2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 22:00 | 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
2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-04-18 19:30 - 22:00 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents One Act Wonders
2026-04-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-18 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.

Cantus
2026-04-19 15:00 - 16:30 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Now in its 30th anniversary season, Cantus is acclaimed for its signature warmth, rich blend, and inventive programs spanning music from the Renaissance to today. One of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus performs without a conductor, creating collaborative, emotionally resonant performances praised for their “exalting finesse” and “spontaneous grace” (The Washington Post). The ensemble tours widely, records prolifically, and remains deeply committed to education and the creation of new works for low voices.
“Exquisite” –The Philadelphia Inquirer
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary season, the “engaging” (New Yorker) low-voice ensemble Cantus is acclaimed for its trademark warmth, impeccable blend, and bold, thoughtful programming. Known for riveting performances that span the Renaissance to the 21st century, Cantus has been praised by The Washington Post for its “exalting finesse” and “expressive power.”
As one of the nation’s only full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus is defined by its unique collaborative process. Performing without a conductor, its members rehearse and create as chamber musicians, shaping programs that reflect shared human experiences. The Star Tribune notes, “The hallmark of the Cantus sound has always been sheer quality and an unbroken belief in the special way vocal music warms and invigorates the human spirit.”
Based in Minneapolis–St. Paul, Cantus maintains a robust touring schedule, with appearances at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, San Francisco Performances, Tanglewood, and Bravo! Vail. Its pandemic-inspired digital concerts now reach audiences in all 50 states and 16 countries.
Cantus records for Signum Classics (UK), with releases including Manifesto, Into the Light, and The COVID-19 Sessions, and maintains a substantial self-released catalog. Devoted to expanding repertoire for low voices, Cantus commissions new works and revives overlooked gems. The ensemble has received grants from New Music USA, NEA, Chorus America, and others, and in 2023, received Chorus America’s Alice Parker Fund Award for its authentic programming of Black and Latinx traditions.
Cantus collaborates regularly with leading artists and organizations including the Minnesota Orchestra, Boston Pops, Canadian Brass, Chanticleer, and Sweet Honey in the Rock. The ensemble appears frequently on public radio and SiriusXM.
Education is central to Cantus’ mission. Through masterclasses, residencies, and its award-winning high school programs, Cantus reaches over 5,000 students annually. Its new High School Mentorship program and statewide tenor-bass festival deepen this impact, alongside its Young and Emerging Composers Competition.

Newburyport Art offers Gelli Plate Printing & Collage with Maria Malatesta
2026-04-19 10:00 - 15:00 | Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
In this workshop, learn to make unique monoprints using a gelli plate. There will be demonstrations of various printing techniques which will include painting and drawing on the plate, using stencils, layering, combining shapes and image transfers. Printing and rice papers are great to print on as well as found and old papers. You may then use these printed papers in collage. This will be a fun and productive day of printing and experimenting with different methods and materials.

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 | 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.
