Gloucester Culture Splash Itinerary – July 17, 2025
July 16, 2025 / Art and MusicCulture Splash is back for its fifth summer, bringing Gloucester’s Harbortown and Rocky Neck cultural districts to life every Thursday evening in July and August. Enjoy free pop-up events, gallery receptions, live music, performances, poetry readings, and more—all in a relaxed, coastal setting.
This week, hop between the neighborhoods using the free Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle, which runs continuously with stops at the Harbormaster Dock, 51 Rocky Neck Restaurant, and St. Peter’s Square. Whether you’re here for the art, the live music, or just to soak in the summer atmosphere, each Thursday offers a fresh lineup to explore.
Harbortown Highlights
4:05-5:05
LIVE MUSIC: MAGNOLIA CHAMBER GROUP
📍Amend Bish Gallery
Enjoy live music from the Magnolia Chamber Group at the Amend Bish Gallery!
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6:00-9:30
HARBOR LOOP CONCERT SERIES: JIM ‘N’ TONIC AND SWAMPANOVA
📍Harbor Loop
The Harbor Loop Concert Series kicks off its 2025 season with Jim ‘N’ Tonic and Swampanova!
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7:00-8:30
POETRY READING | MATTHEW E. HENRY & LUISA CAYCEDO-KIMURA
📍Gloucester Writing Center
Visit the Gloucester Writing Center for a poetry reading by Matthew E. Henry and Luisa Caycedo-Kimura.
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7:00
21+ LIVE MUSIC: SHAGALOT
📍The Cut Stage
The Cut is hosting a FREE show every third Thursday, and this week Shagalot will be taking the stage! This is a 21+ event starting at 7PM.
Rocky Neck Highlights
4:00-7:00
VIVIEN TAPSOBA – GALLERY OPENING
📍Side Street Gallery
Visit the Side Street Gallery to enjoy the work of Vivien Tapsoba. Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public!
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7:00-8:30
BOOK TALK & AUTHOR SIGNING: ALAN WEISMAN
📍The Cultural Center
Join us at the Cultural Center for an engaging author talk and signing with bestselling writer Alan Weisman, as he discusses his new book Hope Dies Last: Visionary People Across the World, Fighting to Find Us a Future. The book talk will then be followed by a Q&A and book signing!
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7:30-9:00
LIVE THEATRE: THE GARBOLOGISTS BY LINDSAY JOELLE
📍Gloucester Stage
The Gloucester Stage is showing The Garbologists, written by Lindsay Joelle and directed by Rebecca Bradshaw. The Garbologists offers “a comedic take on unlikely friendships” and is running from July 3rd to July 26th.
Plan Your Evening
To get the most out of your Culture Splash experience:
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Ride the free water shuttle between cultural districts (4–8 PM).
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Walk between nearby galleries and performance spaces.
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Use the Flowbird app for easy parking.
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Take the MBTA Commuter Rail or CATA On Demand to get downtown car-free.
Culture Splash offers something different every Thursday—new performances, new art, and new ways to connect with Gloucester’s creative community. View the full summer schedule here and download a printable itinerary for this week here.
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