Firehouse

Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
2023-09-17 09:30 (America/New_York) | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
The 2023 Newburyport Documentary Film Festival, running September 15-17, will include events held at the Firehouse. Please note that tickets will be available for sale at the Firehouse starting on Friday, September 15th. Prior to the 15th, please purchase tickets online through the NDFF website.
‍NDFF Tickets HERE

Fuente Grande
2023-10-07 20:00, 2023-10-08 15:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$25 for Adults
$23 for Students/Seniors
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A tribute to Federico Garcia Lorca
By John Tavano
Directed by Marc Clopton
Featured artists Rhina Espaillat, Alfred Nicole, and John Tavano.
His poetry awakened a nation… brutal ignorance silenced him.
The feel is 1936 Granada, Spain, on the brink of civil war. It was a time of great social upheaval and people were being intimidated and, in Lorca’s case, murdered.
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The Actors Studio of Newburyport is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation

Madeleine Peyroux
2023-10-27 19:00, 2023-10-28 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$125/Members
$145/Non-Members
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*Due to the special nature of this event, Member COMP Tickets and I Believe Passes will not be accepted*

Much like songbird Edith Piaf, Madeleine Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Just like the ‘little sparrow’, Madeleine befriended the city’s street musicians and made its Latin quarter her first performing stage. Years later, Peyroux would cite iconic Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic La Vie En Rose, soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy.
Born in Athens, Georgia in 1974, Madeleine “grew up in a house filled with music” and from an early age “instinctively realised music’s soothing power” but it was her teenage years in the French capital that turned the childhood notion into an all-consuming vocation for life.
Young Madeleine moved to Paris with her mother in 1987 following her parents divorce. “To soothe me during the upheaval”, she recalls, “I was given a guitar and took to playing in the streets almost immediately.”
The curious teenager started skipping school to frequent the city’s Latin Quarter where street musicians dwelled, keen to learn about their music and way of life. At 16, the fearless teen joined the Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band with whom she toured the streets of Europe, discovering Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday while “voraciously picking up all the songs and all the guitar playing” she could.
The two-year touring adventure set Madeleine on a creative path for life and proved to be a gateway to greater things. In 1991 the band travelled to New York where Madeleine’s unique talents were spotted by Atlantic Records’ Yves Beauvais. The young singer declined the music executive’s initial record deal offer but relented several years later and in 1996 her breakthrough album Dreamland was released.
Dreamland sold a striking 200,000 copies and Madeleine’s dusky voice was likened to that of Jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Featuring top musicians Marc Ribot, Vernon Reid, Cyrus Chestnut, Charlie Giordano, Greg Cohen, Kenny Wollesen, Regina Carter, Leon Parker and James Carter, the album included Madeleine’s renditions of Holiday’s Gettin’ Some Fun Out of Life, Bessie Smith’s Lovesick Blues, and I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.
Dreamland cemented Madeleine Peyroux as a ‘classic’ musical talent that was here to stay, and the soulful singer found herself touring the world, singing with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and opening for Cesaria Evora.
Thirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums and an accomplished performer with sell out worldwide tours under her belt. Her atmospheric version of Serge Gainsborough’s La Javanaise was used in the soundtrack of Oscar Winner The Shape of Water and her countless accolades include the coveted BBC International Artist Of The Year honour.
Madeleine’s thirst for creative exploration is unfading and her willingness to face creative challenges remains as solid now as it was three decades ago.
With endearing passion and great curiosity the unstoppable genre-defying virtuoso continues her search for the good and examines life with the treasured William Congreve belief that Music has charms to soothe the savage beast.
Madeleine might attribute her success to “mostly luck” but to the industry and loyal fans alike, it is the immense talent and utter dedication to her craft that shines through. “Peyroux is a tremendous talent and almost a total intuitive” reflects Larry Klein, “she has the capacity to get the magic. When she sings and plays her guitar, great things happen.”
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Portal to Laughter - Seven 10-minute plays by the playwrights of Group
2023-10-29 14:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Tickets: $5
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From a man who knows way too much about grilled English muffins and isn’t afraid to publicly curse about it, an aging couple desperately trying to stay connected, a hypochondriac in search of an illness, and a lonely woman in love with an internet fraudster, the playwrights from Group offer seven insightful looks into the complicated and hilarious journey of being human.
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DOC OF THE DEAD - A Documentary Film
2023-10-29 18:00 | MA
Presented by NBPT Docu Fest
$12/General Admission
$10/Student & Seniors
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As part of the Newburyport Arts Collective’s spooky slate of Halloween events, the NBPT Docu Fest is chilled to the bone to show DOC OF THE DEAD, a film about zombie culture that premiered some years ago on Epix (and has rarely been seen since).
Join us at 6pm Sunday, October 29, for Alexandre O. Philippe’s bloodthirsty look into the undying significance of the zombie genre, which includes appearances by the late filmmaker George Romero, the Hollywood makeup genius Tom Savini and the writer Max Brooks, among others. The filmmaker certainly knows his stuff — he has also made documentaries about “The Exorcist,” the making of Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” and David Lynch.
Be there if it kills you!
Tickets are available on-line or by calling 978.572.0993
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The Wizard of Stars
2023-11-19 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Multi-impressionist Gary Leavitt with special guest Paul Nardizzi
Non-Member: $15
Member: $12
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Gary Leavitt teams up with his favorite comedian and good friend Paul Nardizzi for a night of incredible entertainment.
Leavitt who has been a radio talent for the past 37 years has been called the top celebrity voice impersonator/impressionist in the country. To date he has over 6000 different voices as part of his repertoire. They include Hollywood actors and actresses, famous musicians, the most well-known, comedians, cartoon characters, professional athletes and politicians.
Nardizzi, who has had guest appearances on Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central is considered to be one of the best comedians in New England.
This 90 minute show will leave you wanting for more.
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Winter Wonder Neverland!
2023-12-01 19:30, 2023-12-02 14:00, 2023-12-02 19:30, 2023-12-03 14:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Presented by Joppa Dance Company
Adults: $15
Students/Seniors: $13
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Joppa Dance Company will be presenting, Winter Wonder Neverland! at the Firehouse Center December 1st-3rd. This dance-theater production follows Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends as they try to rescue Christmas back from Captain Hook. It’s full of Pirates, Lost Boys and Fairies. Choreography is by Joppa directors, Fontaine Dubus, Jen Steeves, and Erin Staffiere, and also features pieces by Rebecca Maikels, and Joppa seniors, Lilly Brunnick, Simone Chabot, Ava Maglio, and Addie Varay. It’s great fun for the whole family! The program runs about an hour.
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Full Moon Story GRAND Slam
2023-12-03 19:00 | MA
In Advance
$25/Adult
$23/Students and Seniors
Day Of
$28 for all audience members
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When I Said YES!
Join The Actors Studio of Newburyport for their end of the year celebration where the top winners of 2023, compete for the title of “Full Moon Grand Slammer”, but anyone in the audience will also have the opportunity to tell a two (2) minute story. It can be based on the theme, or it can be about any subject they would like to talk about.
This is the eighth season of true-life stories told without notes or props on themes ranging from synchronicity to pronouns. The Studio’s Full Moon Story Slam is modeled after NPR’s Moth Radio Hour. It is a story telling competition with a few simple criteria for both the official judges and the audience to vote for their favorites.
It has been a consistently popular event since its inception, so much so that, during Covid restrictions, it expanded nationwide as a Zoom event.
The Slam is your chance to gather as friends and share true stories from your lives. Simply put, a story slam is a competition based on the art of storytelling. It puts a dual emphasis on content and performance, encouraging storytellers to focus on what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. It is an exercise in crafting stories within a set time limit.
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A Sinatra Christmas
2023-12-12 15:00, 2023-12-12 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Non-Member: $30
Member: $27
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Rich DiMare is an American jazz singer who specializes in the Frank Sinatra songbook. “A Sinatra Christmas” is coming to the Firehouse! With all your Holiday favorites like “Jingle Bells” & “White Christmas.” Mixed in with Frank’s icon and beloved songs that include “My Way” and New York, New York.”
Rich has 20 years of experience in providing entertainment across America. Along with being a talented singer, he also DJs at Red Sox games throughout the season. Rich spent 15 years live on-air at Boston’s highest-rated morning show, KISS 108’s Matty in the Morning, and as a host on Boston’s Fox25 TV. Because of this experience in media and music Rich is a seasoned showman.
This Holiday season, Rich is joined by Ron Poster and the Sinatra Ambassadors. Ron Poster is the organist for the Boston Bruins and has played at-home games for the past 20 seasons. Rich and Ron’s understanding of the Sinatra songbook, coupled with their interactions on stage; makes this Old Blue Eyes experience something Rat Pack lovers won’t forget!
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The Sixth or the Eighth - 22nd Annual New Works Festival
2024-01-19 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$16/All Seats
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THE SIXTH OR THE EIGHTH by Andy Reynolds
*HONEGGER PRIZE WINNER FOR BEST FULL LENGTH*
Directed by Jocelyn Duford

When gay, liberal Patrick James McDonough the sixth (or the eighth) uncovers a secret about his conservative Irish father’s background, it has an echoing effect on his family for generations – both past and present. A multigenerational story told in three parts set in three different eras, The Sixth or The Eighth humorously and compassionately explores ancestry, political affiliations, gender identity, and all of the things that bring families together and ultimately drive them apart.
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An Evening of Shorts - 22nd Annual New Works Festival
2024-01-20 20:00, 2024-01-27 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$16/All Seats
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MEETING FINGERMAN by Mark Evan Chimsky
*HONEGGER PRIZE WINNER FOR BEST SHORT PLAY*
Directed by Pam Battin-Sacks

When novice writer Nate Crane shows his new short story to his idol–the literary lion Saul Fingerman–things take an unexpected, disastrous turn.
PENDING PICKUP by Glenn Arthur Pierce
Directed by Eden Tomaszewski
Two men meet to transfer a microwave oven, as arranged through a social-media giveaway site. One has a suspicious confidence and the other is amidst a personal crisis. And he’s about to learn the true price of free appliances.
ROOTS by James McLindon
Directed by Arlene Barnard
A man and a woman are hunting something in the woods … hoping they’re not being hunted as well.
TOMMY AND MARY SPELL CANAJOHARIE by John Minigan
Directed by Suzanne Hitchcock-Bryan
Mary, claiming she’s had a vision, has pulled the car off the highway in the middle of the night. Her brother Tommy has to convince her to get back on the road if they’re going to get to their destination in time to say good-bye to their father.
SEA CHANGE by L.W. Lucas Hasten
Directed by Tim Diering
Two male clownfish must come to grips with the fact that one of them is becoming biologically female.
DOG PARK by Julie Amery
Directed by Bruce Menin
Two dogs communicate with each other and try to figure out their humans as they all engage in separate conversations. When Ryan figures out how he knows Pam, he unwittingly helps her by giving her advice she once gave him.
THE COLLEGIANS by Tim Lehnert
Directed by Corinne Hickey
To gain admission to The College, you have to really want it, and that means defeating the competition; otherwise, it’s hello safety school!
SO LONG, STUART JOHN MILL by R.D. Murphy
Directed by David Houlden
Actions are right in the proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness, and always remember to take the cannoli.
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Modern Broadway Revue
2024-01-24 18:30 | Sea Level Oyster Bar, 1 Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$85/Person
Proceeds go directly towards funding our community programs like our School Show Series and Theater for Young Audience Productions along with bringing high level, Boston quality concert and theatrical programming to Newburyport.
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Spend an enchanting evening as we present the music of some of the biggest hits on Broadway, or just Off-Broadway, over the past 20(ish) years. Take in the music of Pasek and Paul, Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Sondheim, and more sung live while you enjoy a three-course meal prepared and hosted by Sea Level Oyster Bar. Featuring Firehouse alumni Kathryn Daughton, Andy LeBlanc, Ari Schmidt, and Andy Cico, you will leave the evening full of both food and song.
Dinner for the evening will start with your choice of a House Salad or a homemade Cup of Chowder. From there, you will have the option of a delicious Stuffed Haddock; tender, juicy Steak Tips; or, a Sea Level favorite, Baja Tacos. Finish the evening with a scrumptious, warm Brownie Sundae topped with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Syrup. The meal alone is worth the price of admission…
Music will include: Moving Too Fast from The Last Five Years; Falling Slowly from Once; Send In The Clowns from A Little Night Music; A Way Back to Then from Title of Show; She Used To Be Mine from Waitress; and so many more.
January can be cold – join us so we can keep each other warm with music, food, and community.
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An Evening of One Acts - 22nd Annual New Works Festival
2024-01-26 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$16/All Seats
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ARTHUR, READING by Elaine Brousseau
*HONEGGER PRIZE WINNER FOR BEST ONE ACT*

What does it mean to be your brother’s keeper? In Arthur, Reading, a play about mental illness, Carol struggles to balance the needs of her brother, Arthur, who suffers from schizophrenia, with her own. With compassion and humor, the play explores Arthur’s relationships with his sister and with Michael, his case manager and friend.
INDIAN SUMMER by Mitchell Ganem
Directed by Robyn Buckley
Kate and Terry are best friends. Terry is dying and retreated from the city to a rural lake side community. Kate has come from the city to bring him pills in case he wants to end his suffering – and also to remind him of the importance of life, love and hope.

Bathtubs Over Broadway
2024-02-23 18:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Presented by Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
$15/Adults
$12/Students and Seniors
All Seats are General Admission
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Sponsored by Dyno Records, this is the inaugural screening of the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival’s NBPT DOCU BEST Series celebrating their 20th anniversary, welcoming back an award-winning audience favorite that opened their 2018 festival.
While gathering material for a segment on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, comedy writer Steve Young stumbled onto a few vintage records that would change his life forever.
Bizarre cast recordings marked “internal use only” revealed elaborate Broadway-style musicals about some of the most recognizable corporations in America: General Electric, McDonald’s, Ford, DuPont, Xerox. Directed by Dava Whisenant, BATHTUBS OVER BROADWAY follows Steve on his quest to find all he can about this hidden world. Along the way, Steve forms unlikely friendships and discovers that this discarded musical genre starring tractors and bathtubs was bigger than Broadway. Featuring David Letterman, Chita Rivera, Martin Short, Jello Biafra, Florence Henderson, and more.
6:00 PM Reception with Steve Young
7:00 PM Film Screening
8:30 PM Q&A with Steve Young with a LIVE performance of Steve’s favorite corporate showtunes + BONUS screening
EBT Card Holders are eligible for a 50% ticket discount for up to four tickets. Code:CARD2CULTURE

The Pettengill House Benefit Concert
2024-03-01 18:30 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
feat. Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy
$60 General Admission
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A special evening to benefit The Pettengill House, Inc., featuring a welcome reception with fine desserts, wine, and beer, followed by an intimate duo performance by Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy.

All proceeds will go to support The Pettengill House, Inc., the area’s lead provider of community-based social services since 1994, serving thousands of at-risk adults, children, and families in need. Learn more at pettengillhouse.org

Doors open 6:30
Welcome Reception 6:30-7:30
Concert 7:30-9:30

About the Artists:

Ayla Brown
Having multiple talents and interests hasn’t deterred Ayla Brown from achieving many significant hallmarks in her young career. She’s released 5 studio albums, has performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage twice, placed 13th on Season 5 of American Idol, performed overseas for the troops in 13 different countries, sang live on national television including on ESPN, FOX & Friends, CNN, and CBS, and was a full scholarship basketball player for Boston College. She has opened up for artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Phil Vassar, and more and now she is a full-time co-host on Country 102.5 WKLB in Boston, MA on the “Jonathan Wier and Ayla Brown” morning show.

Rob Bellamy
Rob Bellamy recorded and released an EP called “Long Freight Train” in 2016 and a single called “Walk it with Me” in 2020, and since the release he has been touring and opening up for country music artists such as Carly Pearce, Mark Wills, Dylan Scott and Russell Dickerson. Recently, he was Country 102.5’s “Catch of the Week,” where weekly they highlight an emerging country artist. Rob played hockey for four years at the University of Maine, and in 2004 he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round, and played 7 years of semi-professional hockey in Pennsylvania, New York,
South Carolina, and England.

You can find more about each artist at www.AylaBrown.com and https://robbellamy.com.

Please note that all sales are final.

Freckleface Strawberry
2024-03-02 11:00, 2024-03-02 14:00, 2024-03-03 11:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Non-Members: $15 for adults/$10 for children
Members: $13 for Adults/$8 for Children
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Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles – from scrubbing them with soap to caking on makeup… and even wearing a ski mask to school! Will her schoolmates realize that it’s her under the mask? Will Freckleface be brave enough to finally face her complexion in the mirror? With the help of her loveable schoolmates, including an amazingly talented ballerina, a cutie jock, a charming ditz and a totally kooky teacher, Freckleface learns that everyone is different – and that’s what makes everyone special.
Length of show: ~55 minutes
Great show for ALL ages!!
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2nd Annual Firehouse Family Tea
2024-03-23 10:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$25/All Tickets
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Join us for our 2nd Annual Firehouse Family Tea. This very special Family Event sold out last year so don’t wait to get your tickets!
Here’s what to expect:
10:00a – Welcome with tea and snacks in the Upper Lobby
10:15a – Egg Hunt in the theater!!
10:25a – Easter Bunny DANCE PARTY on stage!!
10:45a – Face painting, Relay Races, Spring Crafts, Egg Painting, and more !
11:30a – Special Story Time
11:45a – Photos with Easter Bunny and our special guest
12:00p – One Last Dance and Enjoy Your Day!
This is sure to be a fun time for families of all types – and children of all ages!

April Fools Comedy Show
2024-04-01 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$15/All Tickets
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When You Laugh, You Walk With The Gods!
Perspective.
Humor gives us perspective.
And, perspective can give us balance.
Come to the Firehouse for an evening of of divine silliness and merriment with some of your favorite local comedians on April Fools Day. The cheapest and most fun therapy in Newburyport! Hosted by award winning comedian Kathy Isbell, come in and welcome the spring with laughter!
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Joppa Dance Co. Presents "Ever Since"
2024-04-07 13:00, 2024-04-07 15:30 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$15/All Seats
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Joppa Dance Company presents, Ever Since, a contemporary dance performance featuring new work by directors, Fontaine Dubus, Jen Steeves, Erin Staffiere, and by Rebecca Maikels. The performance also features new student choreography. Joppa Dance Company is a non-competitive youth dance troupe that performs throughout the year. Joppa is made up of Joppa Junior- grades 4-6, Joppa 2- grades 7 & 8, Joppa T2- grades 9 & 10, and Joppa Teen- grades 11&12. Joppa also participates in showcases with Performing Arts Educators in New York and overseas. The Teen/T2 group will be in performing in Rome this summer!
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Earth Port Film Festival
2024-04-21 17:30 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
ADULTS: $15 in Advance/$17 at Door
STUDENTS: $10 in Advance/$12 at Door
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It’s the 10th Anniversary of the Earth Port Film Festival! The 2024 Festival continues to feature short films that tell engaging and inspiring stories of people in communities around the world impacted by and taking action to address the environmental challenges facing the Earth today.
This year’s 10 film selections include documentary, fantasy, and animation genres with stories from the US, New Zealand, Germany and the UK. Topics include farming on land and sea, zero waste living, reciprocity with the land, electric planes, activist puppeteering and more. The films
range in length from 1 to18 minutes Details about the films are available at www.earthportfilm.org.
A pre-show reception with light refreshments begins at 5:30 PM and film screenings begin at 6. The Earth Port Film Festival is produced by Greater Newburyport Community Media Hub (NCMHub) and Transition Newburyport. Partial funding for this program is provided by the City of
Newburyport Resiliency Committee and a grant from the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant.
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