L-R: John Curtis, David Brown, Jon Pousette-Dart, Fly Amero, John Troy Dave Mattacks hidden on Drums.   photo by Sharon Lowe

In the spirit of preserving our past and embracing our future, Celebrate Gloucester brought together local musicians, artists, authors, historians, fishermen and maritime activities for a Memorial Day Weekend festival celebrating Gloucester's arts and maritime culture. (Gloucester travel info)

About a thousand people were entertained by the extraordinary music on Saturday night under a giant dockside tent. Several members from the Cape Ann Aid Katrina Relief Project reunited for a very special evening.

Celebrate Gloucester featured music on 2 stages, a juried art exhibition and art auction, tours of Schooner Adventure, spectacular dance performances, films, educational programs and live demonstrations.

Schooner Adventure

Schooner Adventure, a national historic landmark, offered interpretive topside tours of the ship. Festival goers saw the restoration process in action along with a dory exhibit, historic artifacts, lobstering demonstrations and much more.

Children made their own Sailor’s Valentines out of local and exotic shells, fish prints and learned various knots from a master.

Jon Pousette-Dart

After more than 15 years, the original Pousette-Dart Band ( Jon Pousette-Dart, John Curtis & John Troy) reunited with music from their earlier albums as well as the recent Heart & Soul, which has been nominated for 7 Grammys.

David Brown

Celebrate Gloucester's music director and local music legend, David Brown, appeared with John Troy and Dave Mattacks.

Several artists from the CD After the Storm - Volume 1 - Cape Ann Musicians for Katrina Relief (get the CD here) played together, including Fly Amero, Allen Estes, Ned Nugent and J.B. Amero. A splendid time was guaranteed for all.