A Favorite Post

Friday, May 31, 2019

Spring Unfolding, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Not too many weeks ago, the pond view looked like this.



Then, the days grew longer and the air turned warmer and slowly the grass greened, the bushes grew, and the tree leaves started to sprout and unfurl.....



....faster and faster.....



..then the pollen fell from the trees onto the water surface and was swirled into Van Gogh-like patterns by the wind.....



....and the oak leaves grew bigger and denser......



....until they had that impenetrable look of summer. Impenetrable, that is, except for the caterpillars who will soon be munching holes in their oak leaf buffet. Ah, spring in New England.........such a delight.


Thursday, May 30, 2019

Spire Fifth Anniversary featuring - "Juice," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



It was a perfect spring evening for the Spire Center for Performing Arts to welcome the band, "Juice," to the stage to help celebrate the Spire's 5th anniversary.



The seven-member band of former Boston College classmates, plays and blends a mix of "rock, R&B, and hip-hop into a signature sound with a distinct kick of electric violin, rich harmonies, honest lyrics, and festival-worthy choruses." Source: Juice website.



The sound engineer, foreground, and lighting engineer, background at right, work their magic at the audio and lighting mixing control boards.



It was a wonderful evening of celebration for the Spire and a delight to have these fine musicians and performers to lead the way.

Come out and support the Spire in particular and performing arts in general.

"The Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center, Inc. (GPPAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and dedicated to performing arts and educational programs which support the vibrant arts community in the greater South Shore region.  The organization founded The Spire, a venue to serve as a mecca for the arts and showcasing music, theatre and dance performances as well as education that supports the performing arts.

Tremendous acoustics, sightlines, and an architecturally beautiful interior are The Spire’s trademark. The 225-seat performance hall features superior acoustics, custom state of the art lighting and sound systems and original period architectural details offering patrons an exceptional performing arts experience." Source: Spire website.


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

A Rainy Day in the Big City, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



The forecast was for a slight chance of rain so I headed into Boston anyway hoping for the best. Who would have guessed that an unbroken line of rain and embedded storms stretched from Boston to Albany moving eastward. It turned my outing into a whole different experience. I walked to the SOWA Open Market from Post Office Square but, the deluge forced me to ride the Silver Line back to Downtown Crossing and dodge raindrops from there. I knew I should have brought raingear but......a great experience nevertheless. Unplanned and random.



Sheltering under the Macy's overhang at Downtown Crossing, I enjoyed the lively tunes of the strolling Downtown Boston Brass quartet.



I'd be curious to know how successful this request is.



No, this is not a museum piece but, it could be. For those of you in the younger demographic, this is a public telephone, which, in the olden days (before cellphones in your pocket), was the only way to contact someone else when you were out and about. You actually inserted coins into the vertical slot at the top to make them function. As a kid when I walked by one, I would always check the coin return to see if someone had left their change. They often did. (By the way, "change" is the term applied to small round metallic objects that were used as legal tender before debit and credit cards and Paypal and Venmo and Dwolla, and and and..........)



I have digressed, this post was about the rain so, here's a brief study of rain avoidance techniques. None of the participants were aware they were in the study. This first image, each person has his/her own umbrella.



This second image, only one umbrella is shared by two people, walking in lockstep formation.



This third image, only one person with one umbrella, walking blurringly fast. I've always wondered, does walking faster in the rain to dodge the drops actually work or, do you just get wetter faster with the same number of drops?



This fourth and final image is the best of all - here's what to do with an old dry cleaner bag languishing in your closet covering that dress or suit or gown you will likely never wear again because it's too small or out of fashion. (Not for children!)

As is always the case, I had a great time in Boston even though my original intention got rained out. That's the third weekend in a row that the SOWA market has been rained on or rained out.


Tuesday, May 28, 2019

"Lez Zeppelin - Women Who Rock," Spire Center for Performing Arts, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Plymouth's Spire Center for Performing Arts recently brought "Lez Zepplin," the New York City-based all-women band, to the Spire stage for a rockin' night of tribute to the music of Led Zeppelin. They did not disappoint. Also on the night's billing were "Heavy Temple" and "Flight of Fire."





















Spring has arrived at the Spire! Come out and support the performing arts in our community or, wherever you live in the world.

"The Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center, Inc. (GPPAC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and dedicated to performing arts and educational programs which support the vibrant arts community in the greater South Shore region. The organization founded The Spire, a venue to serve as a mecca for the arts and showcasing music, theatre and dance performances as well as education that supports the performing arts." Source: Spire website.


Monday, May 27, 2019

Flag Garden - Memorial Day, Boston, Massachusetts, USA



On the last Monday of May, we pause in the United States to remember and honor the many people who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In Boston, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund plants a flag "garden" on the Boston Common that contains 37,000 flags in memory. (Click on an image for a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).









The man at right is tending the "garden." Flags broken or blown over in the recent wind and/or rain storms are quickly repaired or replaced.



It is a dramatic scene on a spectacular spring day in Boston.








Friday, May 24, 2019

"Seussical, Jr. " Final Tech/Dress Rehearsal, Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Manomet, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA



Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) Owners, Guardians, and Producers, Bob and Sandy Malone, recently presented their spring Children's Workshop performances of, "Seussical, Jr."  The director for this production was John Duff.  Musical director was Katie Duff.

The show, "includes the lovable Dr. Seuss characters! Travel and sing along with the Cat in the Hat as he narrates the story of Horton the Elephant. This is a musical for the entire family! Seussical Jr takes us into the world of  Dr. Seuss where we will be reminded of the power of being unique and the importance of fighting for your beliefs." (Source: PBT)

PBT has been educating young performers for more than 70 years and it is a delight to see these young folks blossom on the stage.



The performances were held on PBT's Barn Stage, a 240-seat venue, now in its 81st season and cited as the oldest summer stock barn theatre still operating in America. The original barn was built in 1875. The current owners, Bob and Sandy Malone, completed a modernization and renovation effort in 2014-15 and installed new state-of-the-art systems and comfy seats, too!

Seussical Jr. Production Team

Owners, Guardians, Producers: Bob and Sandy Malone
Production Manager: Joshua Patino
Director: John Duff
Musical Director: Katie Duff
Stage Manager: Isabelle Beagen
Production Assistant: Alex Beard


The following moments were captured live during the final dress rehearsal, are not posed, and are in order of occurrence in the show. (Click on an image for a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).








































































2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Children's Workshop Series

"Seussical, Jr" in May,
"Godspell, Jr" in July,
"Junie B. Jones, Jr" in July,
"Little Red Robin Hood" in August,
"Frozen, Jr" in August




2019 PBT Barn Stage Productions - Adult Cast Series

"Life Could Be A Dream" in May,
"Heathers the Musical" in June,
"Hairspray" in July,
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" in August,
"[Title of Show]" in September,
"Young Frankenstein" in October.


Contact PBT online or by phone at 508-224-4888 for more info.

We are so fortunate to have such an extraordinary performing arts venue right here in our local community.  Your support and attendance is important to keep this resource thriving.