The 102nd annual celebration of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will have an element for the public interested in a live performance of varied artists.
The event this year will take place on Friday, Jan. 26, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport with two ticket options.
This year the chamber focus will be on the theme of “Creativity, Culture & Commerce: Stronger Together.”
The chamber’s goal throughout the year will be to “inspire new synergies” among the region’s arts, culture and business communities.
The annual gathering will welcome the 2024 Board President Karen Ristuben and also thank outgoing 2023 Board President Loran Caputo.
Ristuben has a diverse background. A former lawyer and teacher, she has worked in arts administration and advocacy, and is an artist and musician.
The new 2024 Board of Directors are Michele Cooper of Cross Country Mortgage; Lindsey Egan of Egan Law Center; Lauren Georgiades of GL Design; Erina McWilliam-Lopez of Cape Ann YMCA; Gayle Movalli of Happy Valley; and Charlie Powers of Burgin Platner Insurance Co.
The outgoing board members also will be recognized: Chairperson Caitlin Pszenny, Cathy Lanois, Carol Sharoff and Eli Timmons.
The Jan. 26 celebration will showcase the talents of those residents of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Ipswich in the visual and performing arts, including music, painting, drama, poetry and dance.
The live performance features the Cape Ann Big Band with featured vocalists Alexandra Grace, Emily Grace, Rhiannon Hurst, Scott Parisi, John Rockwell and Nathan Seavey. Also performing will be the BrassFed Nation Youth Swing Orchestra with featured vocalists Scarlett Berge, Jessica Cote, Alexis Geary and Alessandro Schoc.
There will be a spoken word performance with Luce Wren Brandt and Kaley Fantasia, and a dance performance with Sarah Slifer Swift and Carey McKinley of Movement Arts Gloucester MA (MAGMA).
Additionally there will be an address by Lanes Coven Theater Co. with Lily Narbonne and Justin Genna, and live art demonstrations with Loren Doucette of Seven Suns Gallery.
Other artists demonstrations will be featured at this celebration including wood carving by master shipwright Harold Burnham; live painting with Joli Ayn Wood; and the creation of centerpieces featuring pieces from the “Chubby Clay Bodies” series by Miranda Aisling, filled with floral arrangements by Betsy Morris Quinn of Dirt Floral Works.
A life-size portrait by Leslie Heffron of Capt. Kyle Nelson, a Pigeon Cove lobsterman, will be showcased in the lobby. This artwork and other created artworks will be available for purchase.
The annual program and cocktail reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., and the performances starts at 7:30 p.m. Ticketing options include: program, cocktail reception and performance, $100; or performance only for $45 for adults, and $20 for youth younger than 18. For tickets, go to bit.ly/AnnualCelebration2024, or call the chamber at 978-283-1601.
