Last Minute: LIttle Known Special FREE

Greeting Gossip Lovers,

Dropped by Seacoast Repertory Theatre last night to peek in on the "In To the Woods" rehearsals, (an all time favorite musical).

Much to my surprise something very different was being rehearsed. Something I hadn't even heard about . ME! G. Lady! Oh the horror!

Anyway, there in the dark was a handful of people, Merrill Pieffer, Craig Faulkner, Claudia Coznier, Chris Bradley, Demond Nason - and other alum and a few newcomers (Ryan Bates the adult Tiny Tim in its current "Christmas Carol" and longlost college pal Doria Bramante for example).

So tell me people, what does this collection of people have in common? Think now.
YES! Incredible voices!

And tonight they'll raise them up as "the Friends" in support of the Rep Youth Chorus Holiday Concert.

And get this. It's FREE. They'd love you to give a donation, but no need. At 7 p.m. you can just sashay in and enjoy some of the newest voices - under the direction of Miles Burns, Mr. Voice himself, and then a few tunes from the old pros.

I'll be there with hat and bells on!

Oh and if you hadn't heard, the Rep JUST added a performance of "Christmas Carol" for Sunday, at 7 p.m.- its last. Get a move on people.

Have a wonderful holiday all.
Here's hoping yours includes some wonderful art event - and lots of love.

Gossip Lady

WHO IS IT??

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

This little heartwarming fella has been warming the hearts of fellow seacoasters for years.

He's made us laugh, made us cry and simply entertained us.

Starting this weekend he'll warm our hearts once again. This little Ring Bearer is playing an iconic character at the Players' Ring through December 23.

Hints?

Tinman at Prescott Park? Candle stand at the Rep? How about the devil at the latter?

Got it yet?

He's been performing on the seacoast for decades folks.

Final clue. A more recent role was as a full fledged human; Herbie in "Gypsy" also at the Rep.

This little cutie is none other than our Ed Batchelder, who performers as Cratchit in the Ring's current production of "Christmas Carol."

As soon as G Lady puts the keyboard down, she's off to gussy up and head over to the show. I hear director Rob Scullin has put a spin on the piece, putting Scrooge's sexuality into question.

That McCartin woman quotes Scullin in her "Spotlight" Gossip Column as saying he's not pressing the point but making it. Intriguing don't you think? Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

See you there??

Yours in creative interpretation.

Gossip Lady

Times running out!!

G Lady's list:

Button Factory Open Studios - check (open through Sunday night)
Secured tickets for "Christmas Carol" at Seacoast Repertory Theatre - check
For "Christmas Carol" with a twist at Players Ring - you betchya

Waiting by the door in hat and gloves till it's time to head out for tonight's performance of "Striking Twelve" at the Music Hall - Without a doubt!!!

Gossip Lovers:

Do not. I repeat - do not - miss this. If you love a great story, intelligent, witty lyrics, music the gods pass the time with, well - I said it last year and I say it again - GrooveLily, the band that makes this happen, is NOT TO BE MISSED!

This is some of the finest, tightest performance/band/musical (jazz, rock, pop and showtune) in one cohesive, delightful tale. The Music Hall has it listed as the "anti-holiday show with Seinfeldesque humor."

I'm goin' with the latter and questioning the former. Sure it has a disgruntled guy tired of the holidays, but this show shows more of the season's original intent than most. It's touching, funny, interesting and thoughtprovoking.

All that AND some of the finest musicianship you're likely to catch anywhere, anytime, holiday or not.

Okay I'm gushing. But I'm doing it for your own good. It's true. Do yourself a favor. Catch this one-night show tonight - then let's consider launching a fan club ?

Yours in art and love of GrooveLily
Gossip Lady

SCROOGE

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Since we're getting into the holiday spirit, (see post below), let's check in on a few - holiday spirits that is.

In the latest G. Lady video,I take on the bad boy of Christmas himself - Scrooge, (aka David Coffee). Much to my surprise a few of his "buddies" drop in during our tete-a-tete. (Gave me a bit of a start really).

Well Ebenezer was warm, inviting and forthcoming. (Yes, we are on first name bases now. Such a lovely gentleman). He talks openly about his past, future, and what he hopes for on Christmas. Did he ever hook up with some lovely lady? Did he ever confront the thieves? Find out the answers to these probing questions and more.


Hot Toddy on! Feet up. Enjoy!

Gossip Lady

Scrooge will be appearing in "Christmas Carol" at Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Check it out.

It's in FULL SWING

Well G Lovers,

The holiday happenings are in full swing folks.

Okay, so this is what you do. You go on line HERE, (or pick up a "Spotlight Magazine)," you take a deep breath then calmly make up a list of things to do Sunday, November 29, that's tomorrow.
There are four open studio/tour/craft events tomorrow, Exeter to Kittery, Maine; three in walking distance of one another. So get a move on!

The Nutcracker Tea is at Wentworth by the Sea and "Santa Come Home" is over at the Players Ring. And of course there's non-holiday fare - check out "Seascape" at NHTP. There's just far too much going on for you to be sitting around finishing off the left overs folks. Get up. Get out.

And PLEASE, don't you dare head to the mall before checking out these local arts and craft/open studio sales. Buy local - or Santa may just pass you buy!

Talk soon. Must get to my own list!

Yours in art
Gossip Lady

Last Chance!! Today!

Okay Gossip Lovers,

This is it, the last day of the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour AND the Rollinsford,/Salmon Falls Mill Open House.

Get a move on people. We're talking pottery, photography, fine arts, metalsmithing, blacksmithing, woodworking, jewelry making, sculpting and so much more.

And equally important we are talking: exceptional gifts for those you TRULY love; keeping money local; keeping artists off our street corners (don't they clutter things standing around clanking their cups!), and finally just an incredible day peeking behind doors, gawking and beauty and meeting folks.

So down with the remote - and the malls - and off to life!

Move it, move it people!
Gossip Lady

Halloween Continued

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well the post I notified you with earlier is on the previous page. Rushed that one out; no time to upload while trying to get the word out.

Here's the additional photos I promised. And again, as I load these there's still time to see the zombies lumber around downtown.

The parade rocked G lovers! Check out some of these all-age, zombie pics along with other creatures of the night.

Then stop to ponder how lucky you are to live in an area that has such an incredible tradition.

Thank you Thank you to all the parade organizers and all the people on the seacoast that deck out their homes, barns, and yards in the spirit of the season, making the seacoast the place to be for this marvelous, creative holiday.

Halloween-on Ghouls and Zombies.

Yours Truly
Gossip Lady

Zombies at the ready

(See previous post for more photos and about events happening after the parade - up till 4 a.m.!)








I can just hear THAT McCartin Woman singing "I feel a mask coming on," when she looks at these two. The drama! just gorgeous!
















These two crack me up in comparison
(yes that guy on the left is the Portsmouth Herald's photographer Scott Yates, getting into his work. Always the professional eh)?

RIGHT NOW!!!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

No time for words. If I get this out quickly, it might get YOU out, to catch the end of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade.

So here's some of what you're missing.

After I post this and send you all a note, I'll keep adding pictures for a while.

But, please, go see it in person. This was one of the most outrageously creative years of all - and yes G Lady has been there "since the beginning," so she knows of what she speaks! (as always : )

Go!! Now! It's SOOOO worth it.

Gossip Lady

Quick Halloween Solution

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

So, you've read the lower post and panicked. Halloween has caught up with you and you haven't a thing to wear. But now you want to get your Halloween on.

Gossip Lady and actress Whitney Smith to the rescue!

Just check out the latest Gossip Lady Video and find out how you can stick a hat on your head and call it macaroni - or any other off beat character you want to be.

In this latest VIDEO - expertly filmed and edited by the ever lovely DC - the ever effervescent and funny Miss Smith and G Lady herself will teach you a few tricks on how to put together a great character, so no one will suspect you're a last minute slacker.

Yours in the love of All Hallows Eve
Gossip Lady

(Check Whitney out in the Players' Ring's upcoming production of "Hedda Gabler"

Halloween Hustle

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Like to Howl on Halloween? Then check out this lovely lady on our right.

It's not her look that's hair raising. It's her schedule!

Mz. Chrissie Penny is doing All Hallows Eve up in a big way - and with the help of a few friends plans on taking you through "to the morning after."

I ask you folks, with a look like that who would DARE not do what this woman told them.

Anyway, in her personal version of a Halloween Marathon she will first scare the heck out of you in "Serving His Master" at the Players Ring, (9:30 show time). Immediately after that performance she'll haul it up to Rollinsford for a 12:30 a.m. show at Studio B789, where she'll scare the dickens out of you AND herself. (Mz. Penny is performing her first public singing engagement. That sort of thing tends to frieghten a girl).

The performer will be belting out "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" with the gentlemen to our left. Nope; that's not Tommy Gnosis OR the Wizared of Oz. That would be the Seacoast's own Aaron Hutto.

By the by, the B789 event starts at 8 p.m. with other live band performances and ends at 4 a.m.

Aaron and Chrissie will be backed by three bands: Midnight Radio, Catastrophic OK, and Good Freak Frank, (Nate Keyes).

While this gig is a concert, you can catch a full performance of "Hedwig," starring Hutto and who knows who else, at the Players Ring in 2010.

Just so my skittish readers don't get "a-scared," I'm posting pics of our two characters all cleaned up and looking pretty. - Calms you right down eh? - Though hopefully not too much, 'cause there's big doin's on the seacoast this October 31.

What ever your plans, start your night with the Portsmouth Halloween Parade.

Well off we go folks. So much to do; so little Halloween.

Enjoy!

Gossip Lady.

Films, festivities and home

Greeting Gossip Lovers,

Do you know what's going on - RIGHT NOW- RIGHT HERE, in our town?!

It's the New Hampshire Film Festival of course.
There's films from the seacoast, the state, the country and the world.

There's works that well won awards in earlier, major fests, and yup, there's even celebs, Ann Kusak is in town, a grand juror, along with Mark Urman from Lions Gate Films, executive producer of "Monster's Ball," and Sean Finegan with Silver Pictures.

Our own hometown New Castle filmmaker Simon Harling, who wrote and directed "Drawing from Life" is supposed to be away at a residency with the Clews Foundation in France. He was and will be again . But he's flown home for the big Dos. The film's lead actress Katarina Morhacova is attending as well. Harling returns to France after the event.

And to think all you have to do is roll out of bed, walk a few blocks or drive a few miles and bask in the beauty that is film making!

There are lots of films that will really wow you folks. And don't you go thinking for one minute that if it has a local connection it is "home made." Some mighty fine filmmakers hail from here or have moved to the seacoast and now call it home. There's an incredible selection from area artist - get out there and learn something AND meet some very talented neighbors!

The event runs through Sunday, October 18, spread out through downtown Portsmouth.

Seacoast Rep, Muddy River, the Music Hall, Moffatt Ladd House and the Connie Bean.

So go on with you! Go to it Gossip Lovers!
Yours in for the love of art
Gossip Lady
(get the scoop at NH Film Fest)

Hostage situation over; CELEBRATE TONIGHT!!!!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

At 5 p.m. tonight catch the “Spontaneous Release Party” for “Haunted Cemetery of New England” by Roxie Zwicker, at PublishingWorks Exeter headquarters.

This celebration marks the end of an arts’ hostage situation. Just today, in the Portsmouth Herald's Spotlight Gossip Column, THAT McCartin Woman talks about how “Haunted Cemetery’s” printer wouldn’t give up the goods. (See column for details). But finally, in time for the holy month of haunts - it's making its way to us - as we speak!

Word is you can buy it pretty much off the back of the truck. Delivery is expected between 4 and 5 p.m., so the truck reference is real folks. Roxie will be there to sign, of course. AND THIS JUST IN (honestly, as I'm writing this it came over the waves). The first five guests will get a FREE copy of "Haunted Hikes of NH" by Marianne O'Connor. Can't beat that with a witch's wand!

I've been told that given the short notice – after all that’s what spontaneous is all about - the Exeter company will get addition copies signed so you can swing by later and pick up a copy.

So all you who love the ghosties and ghoulies, you may breath deep once again. Your spooks are in!

Yours in the love of October arts,
(don't you just LOVE this month)!

Gossip Lady

(Psst, latest G Lady video is up. Will talk all about it later today!)

Time Sensitive

Greeting Gossip Lovers,

Well, it's time to get a move on folks. Today is the last day of a number of happenin's. "Telluride by the Sea" at the Music Hall is winding down; at 4 the fairies fly on, (see story below, AND click HERE for a video of GLady cavorting with the wee ones), and its the last night for the Players' Ring's first show of the season "Crush Depth."

Oh there's plenty more afoot , check out the "Spotlight Magazine" for listings - Bottom line, get up OFF that bottom and enjoy this spectacular fall day on the seacoast!

Over the next few weeks we'll talk about The Rep, (already showing "Altar Boyz)," Pontine Movement Theatre, NH Theatre Project and other venues launching their seasons. But I figured today, the last of the Ring's, 2009/10, first-show run, was a perfect day to share some photos of "Things Yet To Come." (Ouuuu, saying that makes me want to run out and buy a big red robe and a holly wreath. - But I digress).

So cast your eyes on these beauties. They were taken at the Ring's season preview , which offered snippets of coming attractions.

G Lady consider making you take the pictures along to the
Ring so you could match them to the plays throughout the season. But instead I'll post their ID's below; make it easy on you - SINCE -you'll be busy running from art event to art event - right?

Creative Be!
Gossip Lady

#1 Jeff Bernhardt & Danica Carlson in "Serving His Master"
#2 Gary Locke in "Santa Come Home"
#3 Helen Brock, in "Dix Tableaux"

FAIRIES (and fish and films)

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Tomorrow the town will be filled with people heading to the Music Hall’s “Telluride by the Sea” and the first ever NH Fish and Lobster Festival or “Fishtival” at Prescott Park.

Some of those folks will likely be teeny tiny ones – itsy bitsy even.

Yes folks, this is the weekend when the fairies descend on our city on their migration south for winter vacation, and spend a few nights in Portsmouth’s South End in what's called the "Fairy House Tour."

“I’ve already been contacted by the head fairy, and they’re making their way back to the Portsmouth now,” said Ben Anderson, Prescott Park Arts Festival Executive Director, earlier this week. “They called to make sure we have accommodations. So the crews are building the houses now.”

Alas, the wee ones arrive tomorrow and we’re still a few Lilliputian lodgings short.

So please join G Lady and the other “Friends of the Fairies” down at the park this weekend and help build a few more cozy corners for our little buddies. The last thing we want is for them to start bypassing Portsmouth for better logging in Biddeford, or Berwick or Portland, Maine, or who knows where else.

Here are a few examples of dwellings from past years designed and fabricated by Fairy Habitat Master (or Mistress in this case) Joi Smith.

She promises to create still more masterpieces for our wee friends this year. Will you? You can go simple or elaborate, they’re happy either way. So come on down and join the fun.

I’ll be there with wings on!

Yours Truly

Gossip Lady

Learning to Laugh

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well have you checked out the last Gossip Lady Video? If not; get a move on!

In this episode G Lady keeps strange company AND learns how to yuk it up with the best of 'um, when she sits in on an improv exercise class.Umhum. Truth. I don't know how much any of the participants learned, but they sure proved entertaining during the process.

So click HERE, for a gander at Chris “Buj” Bujold from Stranger Than Fiction (area improv group, at www.Strangerthenfiction.us), and Stranger's guest instructor Jill Bernard, (nationally renowned, Minnesotan performer and trainer) while they take others through their humor paces.

You're going to love this one folks!
Your favorite arts proselytizer,
Gossip Lady

Raining great art!!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

I tell you folks this is a precipitation you want to be participating in; a downpour you will be down with!! Grab the superlatives and exclamation points, "Singin' in the Rain,"at the Ogunquit Playhouse production will have you in need of them all, because it truly is a bonanza of arts rolled into a single torrent.

I tell you G lovers this show is a heady art high. The costuming! Be still my heart. Oh, and set after wonderful set. The dancing? To die for. The leads? Marvelous. The ensemble? Terrific. And yes, that real, live rainstorm on stage with puddles and everything - fabulous!

If you like any element of theater arts, this one is bound to get you giddy. I have to say, G Lady has seen some fine shows of late, but nothing, I say nothing, with all the elements so perfectly in place.

There's only today and next week left folks. Pull on the rubbers and walk, ride or row, but get yourself to this production.

Did I mention the costuming? the sets? performances? .....

Yours Truly; High on Great Art

Gossip Lady

The Big Dogs!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well we knew it would happen - G Lady goes to the dogs. BUT we also knew it would be with artful ones; dogs with flair.

If you missed the latest G Lady video, well don't. There's a lot to know about this puppy mill. And while you might have missed these creatures gracing a Portsmouth park, they will sprout up again on a lawn near you.

So check out the video at THIS LINK, and canine creator Dale Rogers at THIS ONE.

and tune in next week for a peek at improv exercises. .

Tata and bow wow for now,

Gossip Lady

Get OUT Tonight!!

Greetings Gossip Lovers.

Okay folks, short, short notice - but listen up. "Jerry Finnegan's Sister" is as good as it gets, so get out there. Today! Last show! It's sweet, fun, smart; What's not to like?

AND I just got notice that the final show (8 p.m.) is only $10!!

G Lady's just sayin', this show and its stellar performances by Dan Beaulieu and Abi Langsner rival this beautiful day. So go already. You won't regret it.

Yours in proselytizing,

Gossip Lady

Show is part of ACT ONE's Festival of Fun, at West End Studio Theatre, info at 603-2986

Last Chance, Last Dance ...

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well, just take a look at all these happy little, hopeful faces. It was opening day of "Grease" at Prescott Park. And guess what this weekend is? The FINAL one for the main stage event.

After Sunday Sandy and Danny are gonso, so go on with ya, get a move on.

Once again the weatherman is talking possible rain. The park has lost 8 "Grease" performances due to the wet stuff to date. Tonight LOOKS as if they may squeak through - so hustle!

Oh, by the by. G Lady went to last night's concert; saw that WILD fiddlin' women April Verch. Spec - tac - u - LA. Those little girls dancing to the left of the stage were none-to-shabby either.

Festivals and concerts are numbered as well folks. Not much time left for live art along the Piscataqua. Sigh. Too, too fast. Well, don't say I didn't warn you.

Get a move on now.

Yours in love of art under the stars.
Gossip Lady.

Free Range Kids!

Greeting Gossip Lover!

Kids these days; so deprived really. I Pods, Twitter-thingies, laptops none of it makes up for having nearly every moment of their day laid out for them; where they’ll go and what they’ll do, along with an adult who walks them nearly every inch of the way.

Well in MOST cases that is.

G Lady had the good fortune of experiencing a team of Free Range kids in action recently and LOVED it! It’s incredible what kids can do with just a BIT of GUIDANCE rather than adult involvement.

Here are pics of a few of the BlackBox Theatre Productions', kids (at Seacoast Rep), a youth-organized, youth-run company, which will present it’s last production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown “ on Aug. 11 and a “back by popular demand” a production of “Hair” on Aug 10.

Sound crew, performers, directors, musicians, and techies, they’re all 22 and under and doing what kids need to do, exercising their OWN creative and decision-making skills, getting that gray matter in gear.

Rock on BlackBox! Rock on Rep! We need more Adult GUIDED and adult free time for our youth. Why shouldn’t they have the chances we had, eh? Our we really all that bad, hum?

Oh the memories; the hours writing plays and yes actually producing them in a barn; writing and illustrating books; working the band in the garage … well you get the idea.

So, set those kids free folks. What the world needs now is more Free Range Kids!

Yours in the love of fostering ingenuity and talent,
Gossip Lady.

Photos: Photo 1; (l to r) Kimberly Burke, Curran Russell, Camden Munson and Dominque Lessard
Photo 2, Hannah Forsley, Andrew Bridges, Michael Peele

Dramatic Art

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Just want to say how heartening it was to see SO many thespians at an art exhibition opening. Sure they attend regularly, but not in these numbers.

G Lady suspects it's because the show at the Gallery at 100 Market features the work of two theater photogs, Jasmin Hunter and Sofia Piel, (along with featured painter Elizabeth Stewart and 20 or so other artists).

It's a must see G Lovers. This theater photography brings a whole different mood to the show, funny, frightening - and well dramatic of course.

Check it out - and all the other killer art hung around the city at commercial and alternative galleries. Heck Three Graces is just outside 100's door. We're rich! Rich I tell ya!

Yours in the heat of the moment

Gossip Lady

PHOTO: by Jasmin Hunter from a Players' Ring production. (Talk about passion!! - just LOVE it).
(disclaimer, disclosure, open door policy, whatever it's term, THAT McCartin Woman, tied to me at birth, is associated with 100 Market)

Rockin' Rocky

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Oh my, so long. So sorry!

But I'll play catch up like a fiend folks.

Till my next (and very soon) posting you just HAVE to see the latest Gossip Lady Video. Oh so fun!

DC, (intrepid videographer), and yours truly, took a trip to the Planet of Transexual in the Galaxy of Transylvania. The characters there? Not to be believed.

It's the "Rocky Horror Video."

Meet Frank-N-Furter ( cutie patutie, John Pirroni) and his Handler (Merrill Peiffer), who tells all.

Enjoy, Enjoy!

Yours in a love of the unusual
Gossip Lady
(Don't you just love the new hat!)

(for a more indepth catch up with John, check out story HERE).

Dave Gerard: THE VIDEO

Greetings Gossip Lovers

Well here it is, as promised. Dave Gerard singing in G Lady's kitchen and otherwise entertaining the gloved one and DC the intrepid, (and terribly impressed), videographer.

You get to see some pretty fun photos of Dave - the early days - and get to hear the man talk his history and "The Zoomy Trail," his latest album. He even tells us where the unusual title came from - sweet story to say the least.

You are going to LOVE THIS.

Click HERE for a delightful visit with the man with the golden voice.

And yes, you have every right to be jealous!

Yours in Bliss
Gossip Lady

Want more? Here's a story That McCartin Woman did on Dave for Spotlight Magazine last week.

Will "Grease" skid in - on time?"

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Well this is the moment of truth: can humans beat mother nature at Her own game?

We'll all find out this weekend when - assuming the break in the rain continues - "Grease" will open at Prescott Park.

Here are a few back scene photos from this past Saturday, the ONLY day that week the crew and cast were able to actually get down there and put a full day's work in.

Then of course the skies didn't clear again till late yesterday - Wednesday .

Can they pull it off? The tension is killing G Lady. But I'm sure it's nothing compared to what the painters, carpenters, actors etc., are experiencing at this very moment.

If you look carefully at the top photo of the stage you can see a painter working their little heart out on the backdrop. Next photo, a shot of back stage - well it is simply a tangle of work with opening less than a week away!

I am sure the real drama is being played out, right here, right now on Thursday night.

In the last photo is Stage Manager David D'Agostino , and Sound Engineer Katie Huges to his right, going over cues. (Check out that young man's face - lifted directly from a classic Roman sculpture that one is. You just can't not mention something that extraordinary).

Anyway back to the drama. Will they be ready?

Meet you at the Park tomorrow night to see what unfolds.

Yours in anticipation,

Gossip Lady

It's a Tasty Night!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

No. The Circus has not come to town. This, my friends, is the tent for tonight's big social event - not to mention good deed - the Taste of the Nation huppla down at Strawbery Banke Musuem.

Must dash off, don't want to arrive after the best is gone. But thought you'd enjoy these BEFORE pictures , when everyone was scurrying around like mad.

The rain had just stopped, (I think these folks have their own angel), the sump pump had removed the water from under the tent (though puddles were still in full evidence outside it), and people were scurrying about making the space all nice and special for the folks coming out to partake.

Arranging the flowers there are the ladies from Twig & Fern Designs. The gentleman setting up his table is Anthony Aiken from Anneke Jans, and the lady pulling out the whites is Rachael Beemer of Epoch at the Exeter Inn.

Hope you make it down there for all the wonderful delectables.

Once again one of those rare occasions just perfect for chapeau and gloves! And let me just say, let's all tip our hat to those organizing and pitching in. Great work folks! You've made your moms and community proud!

Yours in the art of eatables
Gossip Lady.
(It's called Puddle Dock for a reason).