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Mondays at The James: History of Paragon Park
Monday, May 18, 7 pm
Admission: Free, RSVP by emailing jameslibrary@verizon.net
Author Chris Haraden recounts the history of our beloved Paragon Park in Hull. He’ll bring you into the past, into the pages of his new coffee table book, the first comprehensive book on the history of the beloved amusement park that opened on the shores of Nantasket Beach in 1905. Come learn all about the beginning and the end of this cherished park, share your memories, and ask Chris questions you’ve longed to have answered. Mondays at the James is made possible by the generosity of the Cordelia Family Foundation and South Shore Music Circus.
For more information about The James Library’s programs and events, please call 781-659-7100, visit jameslibrary.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the James Library & Center for the Arts
Since 1874, The James Library has served the South Shore community as a warm gathering place. Housed in a landmark Victorian in historical Norwell Center, The James is dedicated to serving the community by providing high-quality programs, resources and materials through a concert hall, art gallery and the operation of a free lending library. As an independent, non-profit arts center we foster a mission for the creation, appreciation and enjoyment of the arts for residents of all ages on the South Shore, while preserving the historic character of our home. The James Library is located at 24 West Street, Norwell and is open to the public Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 5 pm, Thursday and Friday from 12 to 5 pm and on Saturday from 10 to 2 pm. For more information, please call 781-659-7100, visit jameslibrary.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Varied program peers through a contemporary lens into the Pilgrim’s journey to America
Image by Jean Kirby Photography
Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra closes its second season as Cape Cod’s collaborative orchestra with Toward the Sea, a special program detailing the events of the Pilgrim’s journey and acknowledging indigenous people during the Mayflower’s 400th year on Sunday, August 23, 3 pm, with a pre-concert talk at 2:15 pm, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 533 Main Street, Rt. 28, Harwich Port. A reception featuring Native American art from members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe follows the concert with an opportunity to meet the musicians. The orchestra is conducted by Music Director Matthew Scinto, and features Cape Symphony’s principle flutist Zach Sheets and CCCO’s Charles Overton, harp. The program’s new work is the creation of CCCO Composer-in-Residence Cody Forrest.
“The more and more I looked into the history of the Pilgrims and Native people the more I felt compelled to acknowledge the whole story. On one hand, the Pilgrim’s journey can be looked at as an empowering one; men, women, and children traveling into the unknown to begin a new life. On the other hand, we have a story of war and disease that completely changed the lives of the indigenous people, many who still live on Cape Cod today. The goal of our program is to provide a deep reflection on these historic events”, shares Director Scinto.
Mashpee Wampanoag and musician Ej Mills Brennan will open the concert with her original composition Breath of Prayers on Native flute with vocals. Brennan maintains a firm belief in the healing power of the arts and has served as a music educator much of her life, working collaboratively to integrate arts on a variety of topics.
CCCO’s Season Two finale takes a contemporary look at the Pilgrim’s journey to America. Forrest’s world premiere work They Were Pilgrims is rooted in the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage, contextualized as a musical depiction of the historical events. Toru Takemitsu’s Toward the Sea for alto flute, harp and strings was commissioned in 1981 by Green Peace for their “Save the Whales” campaign. The work features a movement devoted to Cape Cod, and as the composer writes “is meditation and water wedded together”, further defining its importance. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s stormy Symphony No. 40 in G minor closes the afternoon’s dynamic program.
“We have a vision to explore our community through new music, fostering significance in the documentation of the Pilgrim journey witnessed in Cody’s new piece. Sharing this moment in history through new music allows us to bring the past into our reality today. I hope these new sounds and experiences help us to reflect on the entire Mayflower story,” shares Scinto.
Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, founded in 2018, is inspired by Scinto’s vision for the future of classical music on Cape Cod. He is fulfilling his mission to collaborate with local Cape individuals, arts organizations and causes to create a unique concert experience of high quality, enriching and memorable orchestral music. Featuring living composers is at the forefront of his mission; bringing audiences closer to music and the beauty found across Cape Cod communities.
Tickets to Toward the Sea are$40 for reserved floor or balcony seats, $30 for general admission, all students (with valid ID) and children admitted for free. Tickets are available at capecodchamberorchestra.org, by calling 508-348-9202, or at the door by cash or credit card. This concert is made possible in part by grants from the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod and the Harwich Cultural Council.
For more information visit capecodchamberorchestra.org, email info@capecodchamberorchestra.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra on Facebook and Instagram.