The popular holiday book fair in downtown Rockport returns with many special guest authors, including the award-winning Andre Dubus III.
The book fair, presented by Literary Cape Ann, invites book lovers of all ages to meet some of the region’s authors and shop for holiday gifts at Brackett’s Oceanview restaurant, 25 Main St., in downtown Rockport on Saturday Dec. 2, from noon to 3 p.m.
In all, there will be 22 authors and their books; Dubus will greet readers and sign copies of his books between 1:30 and 3 p.m. His new novel, “Such Kindness,” received high marks in a recent New York Times Sunday Book Review.
Among the books will be New England history, mysteries, literary novels, memoirs, science fiction, cookbooks, children’s books and related merchandise. The Bookstore of Gloucester will be part of the fair to sell many additional titles of interest to North Shore readers.
“All are welcome to stop by and enjoy conversations with this large and lively gathering of esteemed authors,” according to a press release. “Additionally, this event takes place on one of Rockport’s most fun and festive days. On this special day Santa Claus sails into Rockport Harbor and the town lights up its colorful Christmas tree in Dock Square. It’s the perfect time to bring the family, shop for books and gifts, and sing a few carols with Santa Claus.”
Featured authors are: Susan Oleksiw, mystery; Innkeepers of Rockport, cookbook; Mary Faino, Susie Rich, Jean Woodbury, Alice Gardner, children’s books; Peter Swanson, fiction; JoeAnn Hart, environmental fiction and true crime/memoir; Ben Anastas on behalf of the late Peter Anastas, fiction; Greg Gibson, fiction; Dan Duffy, memoir; Kristin Czarnecki, memoir/poetry; David Caiati, science fiction; Kyle Fiske, historical fiction; Diane Barnes, Elizabeth de Veer, Wayne Soini, Peter Swanson, all fiction; Elana Sami, local culture; Mark Kanegis, photography; Tammy Donroe Inman, food; Lorenzo Petruzziello, noir crime fiction; and the Rockport Rotary Club, 2024 calendar.
Refreshments will be for sale at Brothers Brew and Brackett’s. For more details, visit Literary Cape Ann’s Facebook page.
Another version: ‘Battle for Pigeon Cove Harbor’
Due to popular demand and two sold-out showings, another screening of a film of the live performance of the original musical “The Battle for Pigeon Cove Harbor” will take place Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. at Cape Ann Community Cinema, 37 Whistlestop Mall, Rockport.
This is a different version of this production that was filmed at Gloucester Stage Company 26 years ago on Nov. 8, 1997, which was a two-camera shoot produced by the local cable access channel. Those who saw the recent screening of the version performed at Windhover Center for the Performing Arts will have a new production to see.
It features a number of familiar faces, including Michael O’Leary, Gordon Baird, Herman Fritz, Lisa Hahn, Caroline Fitzpatrick and Pamela Wise. The musical is about the fishing and lobstering communities of Rockport and their 1991 fight to keep developers from taking over their fishing port to build condominiums and luxury boat slips. For tickets, visit capeanncinema.com.
Wanted: Gingerbread
On the 25th anniversary of Gloucester’s Middle Street Walk, there is an effort to entice more entries into its annual gingerbread contest on the occasion of the Gloucester’s 400+ anniversary. Creations large and small and of any kind are welcome; it doesn’t necessarily have to be a “house.” Barbara Catalini, former owner of Cakes by Barbara, and Ros Puleo will be judges again this year for the Middle Street Walk on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit middlestreetwalk.org.
Author reading
Gail Brenner Nastasia, a Gloucester native and North Andover resident, will have a book reading for her memoir “The Fruit You’ll Never See: A memoir about overcoming shame” — which recently received an American Book Fest Award — on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 5 p.m. at The Purple Couch Bookshop, at 350 Winthrop Ave. Unit 9B (Route 114 next to TJ Maxx) in North Andover.
The memoir chronicles her journey as a child surrounded by a drug-addicted environment to triumphant student, lawyer and mother, and now writer. She was awarded a fellowship to Emerson College where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in 2021. For more details, visit www.gailnastasia.com.
Holiday Art Walk
The Rocky Neck Holiday Art Walk takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an expanded area for 2023, between Cripple Cove Studios at 97 East Main St. and Mad Fish Wharf at the far end of Rocky Neck Ave. in Gloucester. The studios and galleries on Rocky Neck include: Michalak Fine Art on Madfish Warf, Stephen LaPierre Studio, Salted Cod Arthouse, Huges -Bosca Gallery, Larry Dahmler Studio, and The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck as well as a Pop-up Show at Cove Gallery, 37 Rocky Neck Ave.
Cripple Cove Studios features artists Rebecca A. Nagle, Sinikka Nogelo, Linda Lagano Sojda, Maura Cronin, Loren Doucette, Cindy Efinger, and Sarah Harper. Also open are the East Main Street Studios of Jeffrey Marshall, 233 East Main St. rear, and David Calvo at 235 East Main St.
Pairing art and wine
Celebrate the season at Cape Ann Collectors with its holiday event “Palette to Palate: The Pairing of Art and Wine” on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m., at its gallery, at 474 Washington St., Gloucester. The show features 49 works by Cape Ann masters displayed among multiple art and wine pairings.
“Join us as we explore the historically intertwined worlds of art and viticulture and study their influences on each other… Is viewing an iconic Impressionist pastel enhanced by sampling a wine from the same landscape where the movement began? Is a deep, tannic red the best choice for appreciating a hardscrabble, black and white etching? Does truth in color and composition of an oil painting make more sense after one glass of wine, or perhaps two?” according to an exhibition statement.
Appointments also welcome at 978-430-0414, or at capeanncollectors.com.
Art gallery event
A grand reopening celebration will take place at the new location of the Art Nook, now located at 9 Bearskin Neck in Rockport at an event on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m.. The afternoon begins with a ribbon cutting followed by wine, appetizers, music and more. On exhibit are works, also for sale, by artists Kathleen Miller, Stefan Mierz, as well as art works by the late Lawrence Martin-Bittman. For more details, visit www.art-nook.com.
Ruth Mordecai exhibit
The Rocky Neck Art Colony currently presents “Ruth Mordecai, Early Work: 1970-2000” at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson St., Gloucester. The exhibit is a fundraiser to support the Goetemann Artist Residency program, of which she has been involved since 2005. On Saturday, Dec. 2, from noon to 5 p.m., Mordecai will be available for conversations about her work. For information, visit: www.rockyneckartcolony.org.
A Baroque Christmas concert
The Musicians of the Old Post Road return to the historic Gloucester Meetinghouse for the seventh consecutive year to perform a program called “Heavenly Baroque Christmas” on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. for a candlelit concert in the sanctuary of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located at the corner of Middle and Church streets in Gloucester (GPS 50 Middle St.). An easily accessible side entrance with an elevator is at 10 Church St.
The concert celebrates the season with “celestial works” from Spain and New Spain, featuring music by Iribarren, Salazar, and others including Zumaya, the first Mexican classical composer of indigenous descent. The Musicians of the Old Post Road are joined by guests from Ensemble La Fontegara of Mexico, and soloists, soprano Adriana Ruiz and mezzo-soprano Hilary Anne Walker. For tickets and more details, visit: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org.
Night of Stars
Spaulding Education Fund, which supports the Manchester Essex Regional School District, has for many years hosted a well-attended talent show fundraiser called Night of Stars. After a COVID-19 pandemic hiatus, the gala performance is back this Sunday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. in the Manchester Essex Regional Middle/High School auditorium. Proceeds support educational programs. For more details, visit spauldingeducationfund.org.
Caroling at the YMCA
The public is invited to join members of the Cape Ann YMCA for a session of caroling Thursday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m. in the recreation room at the YMCA, 7 Gloucester Crossing Road.
Nonmembers are asked to arrive a bit earlier to sign a waiver to join this free event.
Questions may directed to Mary Sholl via email at thriveinsong@gmail.com.
Around Cape Ann is a column devoted to events happening on Cape Ann and artists from Cape Ann performing elsewhere. If you would like to submit an item, contact reporter Gail McCarthy at 978-675-2706 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com at least two weeks in advance.