AUDITIONS
COMEDY AUDITIONS. RJ's Comedy Express seeks local comedic talent for open mike and comedy nights in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. Call Raymond Poirier, 603-382-0445 or 603-793-3725. Mail tapes to 12 Auburn St., Plaistow, N.H.
'The Sleeping Beauty' Auditions. Sunday, Jan. 11, at New England Civic Ballet Studios. Times are by age. Open to all area dancers, ages 10 and older. Performances are March 21 and 22 at Merrimack College. $10 audition fee, but no production fees. 4 Dracut St., Lawrence. 978-975-0289 or www.newenglandcivicballet.org.
CHILDREN/FAMILIES
STORY HOUR. The Book Rack, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. Free. 52 State St., Newburyport. 978-462-8615.
CLUBS
CARRIAGE WHEEL PUB. Open mike with Rockin' Randy, Thursdays, 8 to 11 p.m. No cover. 10 Friend St., Amesbury. 978-388-0291.
DAVID'S TAVERN. John Tavano appears every Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday brunch, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 12 Brown Square, Newburyport. 978-462-8077.
GLORY. Ladies Night Fashion Show Series with DJ Dee and giveaways. Top local stores and hair salons participating. 8 p.m. every Thursday in The Lounge at Glory, 19 Essex St., Andover. 978-475-4811.
HOBO CAFE AND LOUNGE. "Nostalgia Night" with the Lighthouse Trio the first Wednesday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 Broadway, Salisbury. 978-465-4626.
Jocko's Jazz at the Sahara. The Armen Donelian Trio: Donelian on piano, Dave Clark on bass and George Schuller on drums, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. $5 cover. Wheelchair accessible. 34 Bates St., Methuen. 978-683-9200 or www.jockosjazz.com.
Lightship Sports Bar. Tweed Brothers will perform Friday, Jan. 9, 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. 118 South Union St., Lawrence. 978-687-2233.
PALMER'S RESTAURANT AND TAVERN. Live music Thursdays, 8 to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 9 p.m. to midnight. 18 Elm St., Andover. 978-470-1606.
THE GEORGETOWN GRILLE. Acoustic Open Mic, every Wednesday from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at The Georgetown Grille. Hosted by Dave Coppola. 19 W. Main St., Georgetown. 978-769-3550.
THE GROG. Flamenco guitarist Steven Spungin, Tuesdays. Music starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission, $5-$7. 13 Middle St., Newburyport. 978-465-8008.
COMEDY
China Blossom Comedy Room. Comedians Hamilton Johnson, Larry Lee Lewis, Dave Rattigan will perform Friday and Saturday, Jan. 9 and 10, 9:30 p.m. $20 per person. The China Blossom Restaurant, 946 Osgood St., North Andover. Reservations, 978-455-0978. www.chinablossomcomedy.net.
DANCE
LINE DANCING CLASSES. All Saints Parish offers line dancing classes Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in the parish hall, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill. All are welcome. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 978-374-6001.
FILM
Free Movies. Every Friday, 10 a.m. at the Stevens Memorial Library. Open to seniors and the public. 345 Main St., North Andover. 978-688-9505.
Ghost Stories and Local Haunts. Ghost Stories of New England and Local Haunts of Salem Show is scheduled every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SATV, 285 Derby St., Salem; and every holiday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. at "Cat-n-the-Fiddle, 61 Pickering Wharf, Salem. Shows run continuously every half-hour. Suitable for families. Offers video, photo, audio of ghostly things caught by film-makers Dan Tremblay and CC Carole. Reservations requested. Admission. Handicapped accessible. DVDs available. 978-777-2711 or e-mail dhtremblay@live.com.
Newburyport Screening Room. "Milk," two weeks, Jan. 9-22. Fridays at 6 and 8:45 p.m. Saturdays at 3:15, 6 and 8:45 p.m. Sundays at 4:45 and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m. 82 State St., Newburyport. 978-462-3456.
GALLERIES AND ART
ART SERIES. Veasey Memorial Park's art series offers art shows and open houses for area artists each month. Artists who want to showcase their work are welcome. 201 Washington St., Groveland. 978-521-9345 or e-mail events@veaseypark.org.
CHURCHILL GALLERY. A collection of oils by photo-realistic artist Michael McGovern. Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays, 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 12:30 to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 6 Inn St., Newburyport. 978-462-9891 or www.thechurchillgallery.com.
CLARKE GALLERY. Relocated from Boston's Newbury Street, features work of traditional artists from the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries, including the Hudson River and Cape Ann schools, as well as Newburyport artists Laura Coombs Hills and John Appleton Brown. 94 1/2 Lime St., Newburyport. 978-465-0494.
CURRIER MUSEUM OF ART. Museum's entrance at 150 Ash St., Manchester, N.H. Museum hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; open the first Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays. Admission to the museum free for children 17 and under, and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon admission is free to everyone. 603-669-6144, ext. 108, or www.currier.org.
GAGA GALLERY. The gallery is open Fridays, 2 to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. and by appointment. 459 Humphrey St., Swampscott. 781-596-7596.
Kingston Gallery. Ruth Daniels: "Line Interrupted" in the Center Gallery through Jan. 31. Closing reception Saturday, Jan. 24, 3 to 5 p.m. In the Main Gallery: Liza Bingham, Hannah Bureau, Susan Post, Kirstin Lamb, Antoinette Winters, "It Changes Everything." 450 Harrison Ave., Boston. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment. www.kingstongallery.com.
LEPORE FINE ARTS. Newburyport's oldest gallery dealing in antique paintings and a leading expert in the work of Laura Hills and J. Appleton Brown. Also showing works by William Bradford, Emile Gruppe, George L. Noyes, Jane Peterson, Paul Strisik and Harry Vincent. Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 58 Merrimac St., Newburyport. 978-462-1663.
LOCAL COLORS ARTISTS' COOPERATIVE. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Local Colors Gallery, 121 Main St., Gloucester. 978-283-3996 or www.local-colors.org.
Photography exhibition. "Gabrielle Keller: Within Reach," bird series portfolio, at Winfisky Gallery, Ellison Campus Center, Salem State College. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment. Free. 978-542-7890.
Photo Show. The Atkinson Women's Civic Club will host a photo show at the new Kimball Library from Feb. 12 through March 12. The show will be open to amateurs only. There are two age groups; adults 18 and over and youths 17 and under. Categories are animals, seasons, landscapes and favorite travel photos. Incomplete submissions will not be eligible. Complete submissions can be dropped off in person at the Kimball Library through Jan. 23. 3 Academy Ave., Atkinson, N.H. 603-362-5961 or http://awcc.shutterfly.com.
POSITIVE IMAGES GALLERY 61. Fine art photography and gifts. Photo greeting cards, hand-crafted and fair-trade items include pottery, jewelry, and women's accessories. Basic Spirit Pewter, Pairpoint Glass, Serenity Angels. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.¬ 61 Wingate St., Haverhill. 978-556-9366.
RIVERWALK BEAD SHOP. Work by 36 local artists, including jewelry, beads, paintings, pottery, weaving, carved gourds and more. 32 Elm St., Amesbury. 978-388-3499.
'The Eye on Photography.' At The Gallery through Feb. 1. Gallery hours: floors 1 and 2, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; floors 3 and 4, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 100 Market St., Portsmouth, N.H.
US Photo Group exhibition. Black and white, and color prints will be on display at the Chester F. Sidell Gallery at Essex Art Center from Friday, Jan. 9 through Feb. 27. Opening reception is Jan. 9, 5 to 7 p.m. Includes works from members Ron Rosenstock, Gary Stanley, Joseph Votano, Ulrike Welsch and Leslie Wood. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. 56 Island St., Lawrence. 978-685-2343 or www.essexartcenter.com.
Visiting Artist Exhibition. Works by Rachel Perry Welty will be on display through Jan. 16, at The Robert Lehman Art Center at Brooks School. Free, open to the public. Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. 1160 Great Pond Road, North Andover. 978-725-6232 or www.lehmanartcenter.com.
LECTURE
Civil Roundtable of the Merrimack. The group will meet Wednesday, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Senior Center. Includes three vignettes: "The Civil War in American Cinema," presented by Bernie Rogers; "Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Mass," presented by April Vitulli; and "Southern Born, Northern Spy," presented by Pearl Zabar. Free, open to anyone with an interest in America's Civil War. 43 Lafayette Road, Salisbury. 978-462-8518.
MUSEUMS
CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM. Built in 1835, the Newburyport Custom House was designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument and the U.S. Treasury Building. Features ship models and maritime art as well as exhibits on shipbuilding, the Coast Guard and author John Marquand. Open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 25 Water St., Newburyport. 978-462-8681 or www.themaritimesociety.org.
DOLE-LITTLE HOUSE. Circa-1700 timber-frame construction home restored in 1955. Open year-round by appointment only. Admission $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students/children. 289 High Road, Newbury. 978-462-2634 or www.historicnewengland.org.
JOB LANE FARM MUSEUM. The Job Lane House, built in 1713, added on to in 1820, and the post and beam barn (1993) are at 295 North Road, Bedford. Open house tours: May through October, second and fourth Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Gift shop in the barn. The house parlor has Rufus Porter murals. Cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. www.joblane.org or e-mail joblanefarm@gmail.com.
LOWELL'S BOAT SHOP. Established in 1793, oldest continuously operating boat shop in the country. Guests can view boatbuilders at work, take a tour and view exhibits. By appointment only. 459 Main St., Amesbury. 978-834-0050 or www.lowellsboatshop.com.
MEETINGHOUSE. Rocky Hill Meeting House, circa-1785 rural New England meetinghouse with limited ornamental detail offering example of vernacular architecture. 4 Portsmouth Road, Amesbury. 978-462-2634 or www.spnea.org.
PAINE HOUSE TOURS. The Paine House at Greenwood Farm, Ipswich. One hour tours: first Saturdays and Sundays, June through October, 1 to 3 p.m. Recommended for children 8 years and older. Members: free. Nonmembers: first Saturdays, all are free; first Sundays, $8 for adults; $5 for children. 978-921-1944 or www.thetrustees.org.
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM. "Polar Attractions" on display in the Art and Nature Center through June 7, 2009. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15, adults; $13, seniors; $11, students. Additional admission to Yin Yu Tang, $4. Members 16 and under, and residents of Salem, free general admission and free admission to Yin Yu Tang. East India Square, Salem. 866-745-1876 or www.pem.org.
PRINTING MUSEUM. World's largest collection of antique printing, typesetting and bindery machines. Has extensive printing collection of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $5. 800 Massachusetts Ave., North Andover. 978-686-0450.
SWETT-ILSLEY HOUSE. Circa-1670 saltbox dwelling illustrating development of New England's timber-frame architecture and building practices over two centuries, including one of the largest kitchen hearths in New England. 4 High Road, Newbury. 978-462-2634 or www.spnea.org.
THE REVOLVING MUSEUM. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 22 Shattuck St., Lowell. 978-YES-ARTS, www.revolvingmuseum.org, www.artbotics.org.
MUSIC
ALL THINGS SICILIAN. The Sunset Café at All Things Sicilian is open to emerging musical artists every Friday, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. All Things Sicilian also hosts popular Italian classes and cooking demonstrations. 500A Merrimack St., Lawrence. 978-686-7667, www.allthingssicilian.com or e-mail alfredmzappala@yahoo.com.
BARBERSHOP SINGING GROUP. The barbershop singing group holds a guest night from 7:30 to 9 Mondays at All Saints Church, Haverhill. 978-372-8231.
Country Music. "Country Friends Band" hosts Country Music each Friday at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 227. No cover. 61 River St., Middleton. 978-777-2711.
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Open rehearsal Wednesday, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. Performances Thursday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 16, 1:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m. Bernard Labadie, conductor. Pieter Wispelwey, cello. Mozart: Chaconne from "Idomeneo." Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2. Handel: "Water Music." 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. www.bso.org.
LIVE JAZZ. Live jazz is performed every Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Salvatore's Italian Restaurant, 354 Merrimack St., Lawrence. No cover or music charge. For dinner reservations, call 978-291-0220.
Live Music. The Band "Country Friends" performs every Friday from 6 10 p.m. at American Legion Post 227, 69 River St., Middleton. No cover. 978-777-2711.
REGGAE ON THE RIVER. Reggae on the River with Dis-N-Dat Band every Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Salvatore's Italian Restaurant, 354 Merrimack St., Lawrence. No cover charge. Dinner reservations available. 978-291-0220.
THEATER
Hansel and Gretel LIVE. Professional Children's Theatre Touring Company will perform the show Sunday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center. One show only. $12. 466 Central St., Saugus. 781-231-4178 or www.kaleioscopechildrenstheatre.com.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Richard Dresser's comedy "A View of the Harbor" will run from Thursday, Jan. 8 through Feb. 1. Low-priced previews Jan. 8, 9, 10, 11. Individual tickets range from $26 to $56. 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell. 978-654-4678 or www.merrimackrep.org.
ETC.
Music Hall Tours. Guided tours take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. and on the third Thursday of each month at 12:30 p.m. All tours originate in the lobby. Upcoming tour: Jan. 15. Tickets are $6, $5 for members. Purchase tickets at the door or in advance. 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, N.H. 603-436-2400 or www.themusichall.org.
POETRY SOCIETY. The society meets five times a year, sponsors several contests and has three chapters. Dues are $15 per year. Contests are open to all. Anyone wanting more information or an application to join can contact President Jeanette Maes at MSPS, 64 Harrison Ave., Lynn, MA 01905.
Poker Odyssey. Two thousand plus playing cards altered and installed by Louis Bernieri will be shown from Friday, Jan. 9 through Feb. 27, in the Elizabeth A. Beland Gallery at Essex Art Center. Opening reception is Jan. 9, 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. 56 Island St., Lawrence. 978-685-2343 or www.essexartcenter.com.
Town Fair Tire World of Wheels show. Friday, Jan. 9, 5 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Boston's Bayside Expo Center. Celebrity appearances. $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Discount coupons for $2 off adult and children's tickets will be available at participating Town Fair Tire stores. Advance tickets available online. 200 Mount Vernon St., Boston. 617-474-6000, www.worldofwheels.com.
