New sounds and old
The Beelzebubs, a male a cappella group that has been a Tufts University tradition for more than 40 years, appears Friday at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury for an evening of song for all ages.
Since its formation in 1962, the group has evolved from singing doo-wop, barbershop, and glee club tunes to new arrangements of contemporary pop music. As it develops a new style, the group also performs songs that pay tribute to Beelzebubs of the past.
The group has toured the United States and Europe several times, including performances at Fenway Park, Disneyland, Disneyworld, and EuroDisney. It also made an appearance on ''Late Night With David Letterman" and recorded 23 studio and three live albums.
Warming up the crowd Friday are local high school a cappella groups, including Kings of the Beach from Hamilton-Wenham, and the A Caffellas and the Femmes Fatales, both from Pentucket High School.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by the Pentucket Fine and Performing Arts Foundation, a nonprofit community group that supports and helps fund the arts in Merrimac, Groveland, and West Newbury.
Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for senior citizens, students, and children. Visit www.pfpaf.org. For more on the group, visit www.bubs.com.
CHANGES AT THE TOP -- Two local arts organizations are looking for new leaders: the Firehouse Center in Newburyport and the Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth, N.H.
John Budzyna has resigned as executive director of the Firehouse, effective Nov. 16, to become executive director of the Arlington Center for the Arts.
Budzyna, of Newburyport, started at the Firehouse as a part-time bookkeeper in 2001. He became full-time business manager and marketing coordinator the next year. In July 2004, he became executive director and continued serving as business manager.
''I am hoping this new position will give me more time with my family, as well as allow me to shift my focus to an arts organization whose primary focus is educational," Budzyna said.
The father of three young children, Budzyna is credited with increasing children's and family events at the Firehouse. He also is known as an actor and performer.
Terry Blanchard and Preston Reed, copresidents of the Society for the Development of Arts and Humanities, which oversees operation of the Firehouse, said in a statement that Budzyna ''devoted almost four years helping to keep the Firehouse alive and moving forward despite a number of organizational and financial challenges."
''The whole community will miss John's enthusiasm, sensitivity, and passion to the Firehouse," they added.
Blanchard said the Firehouse will evaluate the organization's needs as it begins its search for a new executive director.
Kate Leith recently resigned as executive director of the Prescott Park Arts Festival after two years to pursue business interests.
Under Leith, the summer festival grew to include two mainstage productions a season, began a Monday movie night, and added a country music festival. She also was responsible for a new focus on sponsorship and membership.
A VOICE FOR CHILDREN -- Dara VanRemoortel, an early childhood music specialist and songwriter, celebrates the release of her first CD, ''Echo in My Playroom," next Sunday at the Marblehead Community Center.
The collection of original songs was written over the past 10 years. VanRemoortel, of Marblehead, teaches at local preschools and performs at libraries, birthday parties, and other events. She also presents workshops for teachers on how to incorporate music in the classroom and provides therapeutic music for special needs students.
The reception, 3-5 p.m. at 10 Humphrey St., includes live performances of songs from the CD. It's open to the public and free. A portion of proceeds from the sale of CDs benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
STEPPING UP TO DANCE ENSEMBLE -- With the original members of the Allegro Dance Ensemble, the resident company of the Hamilton-Wenham School of Dance, having graduated, there are new performers taking the stage.
The teens attend area high schools and have been studying ballet and other forms of dance for 10 or more years. Katy Brunalt formed the ensemble in 2001 to provide performance experience for advanced students. It performs at schools and there are plans to dance at nursing homes in the spring.
New members include Liesel DeFeo, Hamilton; Mollie Frederiksen, Helen Monroe, and Brittany Noyes, Wenham; Amanda Kuczun and Veronica O'Leary, Rowley; Sarah Nestor, Danvers; and Mallory Rapalyea, Beverly.
Those interested in having the ensemble perform can call 978-468-2393.
AUTHOR'S CORNER -- Douglas Gilbert signs copies of his book, ''Forever Young: Photographs of Bob Dylan," Wednesday, 7 p.m., at the Book Rack in Newburyport. Gilbert was hired by Look magazine in 1964 to photograph Dylan, then a 23-year-old, up-and-coming musician. Gilbert snapped 900 candid shots. Look, however, said Dylan's appearance was not suitable for a family magazine and the photos remained unpublished, until now. Gilbert's book, with text by biographer Dave Marsh, is a collection of the best 100 images from the Dylan shoot. A freelance photographer whose work has appeared in national and international publications, Gilbert lives in Amesbury. The event is open to the public and free.
IN LOCAL GALLERIES -- Local Colors Cooperative Gallery in Gloucester celebrates its 15th anniversary with an exhibit of work by its members at 121 Main St. . . . ArtSPACE@16 in Malden presents ''Love Small," an exhibit of more than 100 experimental and traditional art works in small format. The pieces include books, paintings, photographs, sculptures, fabric art, and mixed media. The exhibit runs through Nov. 19. . . . A solo exhibit of Eva Cincotta's acrylic paintings opens with a reception today, 2-4 p.m., at the Rockport Art Association. . . . ''Different Perspectives," a show of new paintings by Gail Bessette and Harley Bartlett, is at the A.R.A. Gallery in South Hamilton, through Nov. 25
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