Celebrate the Guitar

a Gloucester Stage Company Benefit

Tuesday July 29th at 8pm

Join us for a special evening with master guitarmaker Ken Parker  (below left) and the amazing sounds of his innovative acoustic and electric guitars,
played by renowned guitarist Paul Asbell (below right).

	Ken Parker's guitars, played by Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Pops Staples, Joe Walsh, Reeves Gabrels and many others, have been showcased at the Smithsonian and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Paul Asbell, described as a 'musician's musician', has played and recorded with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Earl Hooker, Lightin' Slim, Paul Butterfield, Sonny Stitt, Betty Carter, Bobby McFerrin and Jon Hendricks, among others.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to see and hear two guitar masters at work together! For tickets call the box office at 978-281-4433 or click here to order online

GSC’S CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

TO PURCHASE AND RENOVATE ITS HOME IN GLOUCESTER

For the past 20 years GSC has resided in a brick warehouse building situated on picturesque Smith’s Cove across from the artists’ colony on Rocky Neck in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

On December 28, 2004, GSC purchased the 2-story building from its landlord, Gorton’s, for $750,000, with the assistance of a bridge loan from Gloucester Cooperative Bank. The purchase provides GSC with a permanent home and a substantial capital asset. As the owner, it also permits GSC to improve the street level floor of the building it has occupied in a phase one renovation which will include air conditioning, new front windows and interior improvements to the lobby to be completed before the 2005 season commences in June. As for the bottom floor of approximately 8,600 square feet, GSC will lease it out for the next several years to generate needed income; in the longer term, GSC will incorporate the space for the theatre and related activities such as the Gloucester Stage Conservatory and School.

After providing the space at no cost to GSC, Gorton’s culminated its generosity by selling the property to GSC at a deeply discounted price. In order to close the transaction as planned, Gloucester Cooperative Bank provided a loan on favorable terms to bridge the time necessary to raise and collect the funds necessary to purchase ($750,000) plus the costs of renovation and capital campaign ($250,000). The actions of both Gorton’s and Gloucester Cooperative Bank represent a wonderful expression of support for GSC as an organization and for its mission and the arts of Cape Ann in general. We are most appreciative.

As of January 1, 2005, the Capital Campaign has received pledges and contributions of $500,000 towards the $1,000,000 required for the purchase and renovations. We accordingly need to raise an additional $600,000. Great naming opportunities remain. Please do consider participating in this exciting endeavor. For more information, either write Board members, Barry Weiner or Bonnie Shelkrot at Gloucester Stage Company, P.O. Box 29, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930; or call Barry Y. Weiner at 617-742-4200; or e-mail him at byw@riw.com.

Those interested in leasing space on the bottom floor should contact Board member Steve McCarthy at Gloucester Stage Company, P.O. Box 29, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930, call him at 978-282-0300 or e-mail him at buckle@adelphia.net.