Hair & the Painter

Greetings Gossip Lovers

Well prom season is nearly upon us. And in honor of that wonderful right of passage –long passed for a few of us – I thought I’d rustle up a few good shots of folks you know, hand them on for a walk down memory lane and maybe a few chuckles.

Here’s the first brave soul. Know who it is?

Well she currently is the core to “Influences” an exhibition at the Kittery Art Association, up through the end of the month. “Influences” features a few pieces of her work and that of nearly two-dozen of her former and current students.

Some of the students started studying with her as far back as 1976; I dare say this photo has a few additional years on it, hum? : ) The hair is a dead giveaway.

Photo two is not a shot from the after-party; this is pre “The Britney Years.” It was taken for use in creating the artwork for the cover of a paperback novel. (She says she can’t remember the book’s title. Um hum).

Anyway, this painter exhibits throughout New England, is a member of the Copley Society, and was one of its featured artists in last summers show. She currently has work at the Kennedy Gallery downtown.

So who is our lovely model? The Button Factory’s own Pamela duLong Williams.

SOOO jealous of the hair.

Anyway folks, send the G Lady your prom photos would you. About mid May I’ll give a prize to the owner of my favorite image. Could be a hat, pair of white gloves, a boa – not telling yet.

Yours in memory of gym gems past,

Gossip Lady

(Remember: for dates, times and further info, always follow the links).

A Man of "Mind Blowing" Words

Hey Gossip Lovers,

Big news!

For the next two years Mark DeCarteret is our fair city’s head poet.

Mayor Tom Ferrini made the announcement tonight at the city council meeting.

Immediately after, about 30 people filed into a room next to the council chambers and celebrated with the new bard. – Yes, poets DO know how to party. (Were you taken in by that serious, brooder thing? Hah)!

Mark, who hails from Stratham, is the Portsmouth's seventh Poet Laureate.

According to the bubbly Ms. Lesley Kimball, co director of the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program and poet, De Carteret brings energy, experience “and just mind blowing poetry.” Well bring it on Mark, your audience awaits!

DeCarteret will share his writing at the next PPLP hoot (first Wednesday in May) along with the recent past laureate Elizabeth Knies.

Meanwhile G Lady will track the man of words down, find out a bit more about him, and of course report back to you as soon as possible.

Oh and Mark - Congratulations. Can't wait to see what your project brings to the city.

Yours in the love of a well-turned phrase,

Gossip Lady

Photo: Lesley Kimball and Mark DeCarteret at the April PPLP Hoot.

SURPRISE!!

Greeting Gossip Lovers,

Well I hear a few of you got quite the surprise last night when you arrived in South Berwick, Maine, for "A Wicked Good Time at Town Hall." Now - I did hear you were polite about it - but a tad taken back when the headliner Jennifer Armstrong walked out on stage sporting a full beard.

Of course it was quickly apparent it was not the lovely Jennifer Armstrong, Scottish fiddlin' storytellin' bagpipe playin' balladeer, but her incredibly talented , storyteller, musician, folklorist and friend Dillion Bustin standing in for Jennifer who was home with a wicked good case of pneumonia.

Ida, (she of "Ida: Woman Who Runs With the Moose and Poolyle Productions, pictured left, dispensing her usual wisdom on a topic)," told G Lady, she was fine with the swap and did in fact have that promised "wicked good time." "You don't need to play the bagpipe when you have a high hunk factor," she reported.

Dillon, that heck of a trooper, good friend and exceptional performer, will stand in for his friend again tonight. So, if you like stories and songs with an Irish twist, mosey up to South Berwick folks. Ida promises you'll have that "Wicked Good Time."

Yours in the love of a good surprise

Gossip Lady

Spotlight on Spotlight & G Lady

Greetings Gossip Lover,

Just a note to remind you the latest Gossip Lady Video has been posted on the SeacoastonLine site.

This little beauty has DC (intrepid videographer) and G Lady behind the scenes at the Portsmouth Herald, where we head straight to the desk of Spotlight Editor Jenn Stevens looking for the scoop on the upcoming Spotlight Awards.

Come join us as we look for some answers, find a few - and ... well you'll see.

And hopefully we'll ee you at the Spotlight Awards Event, April 16, at the Music Hall.

Gossip Lady

Photo by Deb Cram, with G Lady in one of her more dashing hats, and Spotlight Editor Jenn Stevens

A Side of Fries

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Must share. G Lady had a wonderful evening last night. I had an charming chat with Box ‘0 Fries and Miss Ketchup regarding the arts. The latter, a lovely lady, is not only a video star, but a former improv actress. Stimulating conversation to be sure! I assure you, a night with Mr. Fries, a processed tomato and Mr. Cheeseburger beats couch potato every time.

(Oh, and I can report Fries was not hurt when the elevator closed on his noggin. A bit dazed perhaps but not hurt).

So it all happened rather impromptu during breaks while the crew was filming segment eight of “Odd Noggin Land,” at Portsmouth’s Tredwell Gallery. The web series is the brainchild of John Herman and Ryan Plaisted, (co writers/directors).

Keep your eyes peeled. The film pair and their trio of foodstuff shoot on location all over the seacoast. Have a spot you’re willing to offer? They're always looking.- well John and Ryan are. The poor Odd Noggins can barely see a thing, and their fairly deaf - but lovely. Anyway interested in opening your space to the crew, write John at john.c.herman@gmail.com.

Well G Lovers, be back soon. More news to share. Weekend is upon us. Pick up or check out the Portsmouth Herald’s Spotlight for the arts and culture listing.

Yours in anticipation

Gossip Lady
P.S. Miss Ketchup is played by Emily Briand, Fries, by Steve Johnson or Jon Briggs and Cheeseburger is Brian Paul.

The super, bottom photo by PT Sullivan (thanks!)

Weeknights as well

Greetings Gossip Lovers,


Weekends almost here. One more day.
But let me say there were a lot of folks getting a jump on it this week.

An impressive example: last night's Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program monthly hoot, held over at Cafe Espresso.

Let me tell you - the place was packed! And be still my heart there was a bona fide beret in the crowd, along with a Quaker straw, knitted caps, a fedora, numerous bald pates and a few natural brunettes.

But the most striking thing - beyond the art itself - was the sense of community. Just basking in that was a real lift folks. A real lift.

Featured readers were David Rivard, a UNH Prof, and Kristen Miller - yes with cello in hand. Killer night to be sure. (photo, Miller on right, with fan Ari Cameron)

Big things up for the PPLP. Come Monday Elizabeth Knies ends her two year reign as laureate and a new person will take possession of the Peter Hapney laureate sculpture.

I'm pretty excited to see what this new Laureate's project will be. There's been some really wonderful ones in past years.

If you want to find out who the new word-meister is, just show up for the city council meeting on Monday (April 6) where it will be announced about 7 p.m.. Then stay for the party that follows immediately after, right there in City Hall. It's all free and open to the public.

See you there?

Gossip Lady

Loved it Loved it Loved it!

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

So, I ask you, what good is having a pulpit if you don’t use it? Well no good of course. Hence G Lady will put hers to good use today.

Here is a bit of heartfelt advice. GO see Groovelily.

Never heard of them? Well then I guess you don’t know anyone that caught Groovelily’s “Striking 12,” a few years back at the Music Hall.

G Lady did. And it is -without question - one of her all-time, favorite art experiences. No lie. I absolutely loved it. Bought the CD. Play it often.

Folks, if you like music, musical performance-theater, unique theater, a wicked violin, fine storytelling, incredible musicianship, violin/piano/drum trio, any one or a combination of these GO see Groovelily’s “Sleeping Beauty Wakes" at the Music Hall this weekend.

I have not seen this particular piece yet, but so loved the first I can’t imagine anything but wonderful things unfolding.

I could wax on about the group, but I’ll leave it at repeating one more time, Groovelily’s “Striking 12” remains one of G Lady’s top art experiences.

In advance let me say, "you are welcome."

See you there!

G Lady.

Here's a link to one of G Lady's fav video's from "Striking 12," which in part retells the story of "The Little Match Girl."