MAGMA

Why Language Matters
2022-05-22 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Join us for a Community Conversation exploring Gloucester 400+ and its mission of promoting cultural, social, ethnic and economic diversity. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee for the Gloucester 400+ will share their framework at this community gathering, specifically focusing on language use as we talk about history, and our future, and why it matters. This presentation will be followed by a conversation facilitated by Gloucester Conversations to surface experiences, ideas, and insights that will contribute to a felt sense of equity among all the people who have been part of land and community of Gloucester. The Community Conversation will be held at MAGMA from 4:00 to 5:30 on Sunday May 22. This event is free but space is limited. Please register in advance.
REGISTER HERE

MELT Workshop
2022-04-30 14:00 - 15:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
MELT Method, Introductory Workshop
Saturday April 30th from 2:00-3:30pm, $25
Reduce Pain in your Body, Improve your Performance, Be Active for a Lifetime
The MELT Method is a simple self-treatment technique that taps into your Neuro-Fascial System using small soft balls and rollers to help your body heal. It’s gentle, feels good & works! Workshops are led by Caroline Fitzpatrick Founder of Straitsmouth Light Health, MELT Method Practitioner & Functional Movement Coach
To Register: carolinefitzpatrick@comcast.net or 978-852-3209

A Tocar
2022-04-30 12:30 - 13:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
New 6 week series, starting Saturday April 30

A Tocar, con Sandy Perez!
Saturdays 12:30-1:30pm, $75 for 6 weeks or $15 drop-in. Drums provided, or bring your own.

Sandy is a master percussionist from the heart of the Afro-Cuban traditions of Matanzas, Cuba who began playing before he can remember. He learned by practice with his family, playing for parties, ceremonies and events, as music plays an indispensable role in Afro-Cuban culture. He has traveled the world teaching and performing both individually and with Grupo Afrocuba de Matanzas.
Ready to bring these beautiful traditions to MAGMA, Sandy will guide the group to begin feeling the beautiful textures of Rumba, Bembé and other folkloric genres. He will also talk about their cultural context, and teach some basic songs, stories and dance movements. All ages welcome!

Gaia Gala
2022-04-22 19:00 - 21:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with a night of immersive dance and eco art!
Creative cocktail attire encouraged.
Botanical Design experience and silent auction. Free admission.

MAGMA 2.0 soiree
2022-04-09 17:30 - 18:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Info + Fundraising Soiree at MAGMA
In support of MAGMA 2.0 – Expansion, Renovation, and Vision
Saturday April 9nd 5:30-6:30pm
MAGMA expansion project
GOAL: To increase facilities space and create better functionality of MAGMA for performances, residencies, and classes.
HOW: Build out a 2nd studio and 2nd bathroom. Upgrade room acoustics with sound engineer-informed improvements. Possible additional upgrades include a 3rd studio, a 3rd bathroom, and cosmetic improvements to the entry hall and rear entry.
ESTIMATED COST: $20,000-80,000
March 2022, Call for Donors
Dear members of the community,
MAGMA is embarking on an exciting expansion of its facility to better accommodate performances, residencies, and classes. Our current studio boasts a 50 x 50 historic ballroom at the top of the Brown Building in downtown Gloucester MA. There are adjacent rooms, currently empty, we plan to develop into a second studio space, and additional bathroom/dressing room facilities.
Since our opening in 2017, MAGMA has become a cornerstone of cultural activities on Cape Ann. We have hosted dozens of performances of Theater, Dance, and Music including such highlights as Cape Ann Symphony Unleashed, Jackie O’Riley Irish Dance Company, Betsy Miller Dance Works, North Atlantic Dance Theater, What Time is it Mr. Fox with Seaside Circus, Sarah Hickler Action Theater, and many more. We have hosted summer residencies with acclaimed dance companies Boston Dance Theater, Little House Dance, and VLA Dance. We have hosted community events like the Gloucester Community Council member event, Cape Ann Climate Coalition meetings, youth music events, and more. And of course we offer dance, martial arts, and other movement practice classes to children and adults, including lower income families through our privately funded Scholarship Fund.
As we ready ourselves to reemerge from the pandemic, we are working to improve our functionality as a public gathering space.
The second studio space will be a great additional studio for our afternoon children’s offerings, especially for our younger aged students who can get overwhelmed in the big studio. This small studio will also serve as a backstage/warm-up room for performers during performance events. With increased business comes increased facilities needs, namely bathroom and dressing-room space. This is where the big costs are coming in, and where there is not immediate “pay-back” in the sense that they are not monetized spaces for the studio.
MAGMA has strived to be an artist-friendly environment, working within the limitations of our operating-costs to bring artists affordable places to rehearse, perform, and host workshops. We are dedicated to being a community center for high-quality, forward thinking performing arts, movement practices, and cultural meet-ups.
We hope you will join us in our quest to be an even better spot for the Cape Ann cultural community.
MAGMA is partnering with a non-profit fiscal sponsor, Boston Dance Alliance, to make the possibility of tax-deductible donations! We are grateful for their support of our organization. DONATE TO MAGMA
MAGMA is fiscally sponsored by Boston Dance Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Contributions in support of MAGMA’s work are greatly appreciated and may be made to Boston Dance Alliance, Inc., earmarked for “MAGMA.” All contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Come hear about MAGMA’s plans in person on April 9th, 5:30pm! We’ll be serving wine and other refreshments, offering a slideshow presentation, and showing the spaces to be developed in this one hour soiree.
Praise for MAGMA
“MAGMA has given me the opportunity to realize my dance career directly out of college. They have supported me via professional development, teaching adults and children across different dance styles. Sarah carries out the mission of MAGMA with real action being receptive to the ideas of the community and welcomes everyone regardless of experience to learn about movement as an art form. She truly wants as many people involved. Being a part of Magma has also facilitated countless connections with people that otherwise I would not have made. I am continuously learning new things, creating artistic connections, taking on important roles/responsibility while also making a name for myself. This is genuinely the first community in my own home town that I’ve truly felt a part of.” -Jillian Chavez-Oliveira, Gloucester resident

“Cape Ann is incredibly fortunate to count MAGMA as a leading member of its thriving arts community. Director, teacher, choreographer, dancer, and impresario, Sarah Slifer Swift, nurtures and supports everyone who studies and performs at her gorgeous studio. MAGMA is not just where I go to dance; it’s also where I go to learn, grow, meet interesting people, laugh, and find strength and support. It just doesn’t get any better than that!” –June Wulff, Rockport resident

“I cannot say enough about how grateful I am to have MAGMA’s existence in the North Shore! Since joining the MAGMA community in 2019, I have seen a tremendous impact on my own life and wellbeing. The joy, self-expression, connection and liberation I experience when I attend a MAGMA class is truly priceless and I am forever grateful to Sarah for holding such a compassionate, invitational, inquisitive and non judgmental space for humans of all kinds to move and dance together. Each time I leave MAGMA, I do so with a full heart and with renewed energy. I am hopeful that this beautiful community will only continue to grow and expand.” Anna Kharaz, Salem resident

“I am so grateful to MAGMA for providing me with multiple opportunities to attend high-quality professional dance classes without traveling to the city. It was the perfect venue to premiere my own performance, and I always look forward to attending the wide array of shows, masterclasses, and residencies. MAGMA fosters community and collaboration within a warm, safe, and welcoming environment. It is a rare gem on the North Shore with a place for everyone!” Ann-Marie Ciaraldi, Beverly resident

Self Defense Workshop
2022-04-09 14:30 - 16:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Sleeping Tiger Fitness and Martial Arts Self Defense Workshop
Saturday April 9, 2:30-4:30pm
Join Sleeping Tiger teacher Nathan Zimmerman for this special 2 hour workshop. To help spread awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month we will be offering a donation-based Women’s Self Protection Workshop. The focus will be on basic self defense techniques. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC.)
Sign up here

Dance performance: Sculptures in Motion
2022-03-27 16:00 - 17:00 | MA
Sculptures in Motion
Directed and performed by Mouli Pal
Sunday March 27, 4pm show- doors open 3:30pm
$10 adults, $5 children 10 and under BUY TICKETS
Sculptures in Motion is an Odissi dance repertoire that takes you on a journey into the ancient temples of Odisha bringing alive the history, sculptures and paintings through vibrant dance and storytelling.
Odissi, is a graceful dance from the eastern Indian state of Orissa, that creates rhythmic patterns, melodic emotions and tells stories of love and devotion.
Mouli has been has been intensively trained under the personal tutelage of the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. She continues to train under the guidance of eminent dancer Nandini Ghoshal in India and regularly attends workshops by Master teachers.
Recently she attended workshops on contemporary movement techniques under the guidance of Emma James of Blip Collective in Ladendorf Austria to explore ways to integrate the thought process in her original work.
Mouli is the founder and director of Upasana Odissi Inc. a Non-Profit Organization for the promotion and preservation of Odissi. The organization offers instructions for an affordable fee, organizes free concerts open to the public and performs at fundraising concerts.
In April 2016 her first original work “Sheva..my precious Treasures”was premiered featuring over 40 performers. The innovative approach to presenting Indian dance with an universal appeal was well received with a standing ovation.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Matriarch
2022-03-19 20:00 - 21:00, 2022-03-18 20:00 - 21:00 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
DANCE PERFORMANCE
Matriarch
A Woman’s Immigration Story
Created and Produced by Ann-Marie Ciaraldi with Jessica Rose Flynn, Katie Pustizzi, and Keegan Scesny

March 18 & 19 2022, 8pm

This production has been made possible by the New England Foundation of the Arts, Awesome Gloucester, and The Massachusetts Cultural Council.

March 18 –GET TICKETS
March 19 – GET TICKETS

Songwriter Series 3
2022-02-26 20:00 - 21:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Songwriter Series 3 featuring
Renee and Joe
Marina Evans & Berna Baglioni
Sam Bouve
Welcome back to the Listening Room @ MAGMA for the 3rd Songwriter Series! We are offering 25 in-person seats as well as online streaming.
BUY IN-PERSON TIX NOW!

Mia Martelli - Performance
2022-02-26 16:00 - 17:00 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Girly-Sound is a solo performance in conversation with the lyrics, structuring, and aesthetics of Liz Phair’s 1994 album, Exile in Guyville. This research-project-performance is about desire, demo tapes, and DIY culture.Girly-Sound was made possible in part by residencies with New Dance Alliance (LiftOff Residency), West Harlem Art Fund (Visual Muze Residency), and MOtiVE Brooklyn. Friday 2/25, 8pm, $10-20
BUY TICKETS
Mia Martelli is a multi-media performance artist. Her work is unpolished, but cared for. She explores how environments are built through live performance, and how stories are told using cultural ephemera. Mia’s dances have been supported by AUNTS, Queer Spectra Arts Festival, and The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought. Her videos and visual art have been published by Queerly Contemporary Festival, GRRL Haus Cinema, and various independent zines and publications. She collaborates as a performer for NYC-based artists Chloe London, Jessie Young, and Jordan Demetrius Lloyd.

photo credit: Liz Maney

Mia Martelli - Workshop
2022-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Dance Workshop with Mia Martelli
Tidal/Volume (definition: the amount of air passing into and out of the lungs during normal breathing)
I understand dancing as echolocation. It is a way of making sense of what’s happening inside and outside me. Improvisation is a space to make choices based on pure expression rather than coherency. Technique is a question of, how broad is my access to tone in my body? I believe this spectrum can be widened through anatomical visualization, breath, and connecting to the pelvic floor. This is the site of the “volume knob” of tone in the body.
Saturday 2/26, 1-3pm, $15
BUY TICKETS
Mia Martelli is a multi-media performance artist. Her work is unpolished, but cared for. She explores how environments are built through live performance, and how stories are told using cultural ephemera. Mia’s dances have been supported by AUNTS, Queer Spectra Arts Festival, and The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought. Her videos and visual art have been published by Queerly Contemporary Festival, GRRL Haus Cinema, and various independent zines and publications. She collaborates as a performer for NYC-based artists Chloe London, Jessie Young, and Jordan Demetrius Lloyd.

Vacation Week-No Kid's Classes
2022-02-21 08:00 - 2022-02-27 17:00 | MA

Gloucester So Salty
2022-01-23 15:00 - 18:00 | MA
Gloucester So Salty is a downtown initiative filled with fun activities and events all weekend long. MAGMA’s participating events are listed below:
3:00 – 4:00 pm: “The Salt Shaker” at MAGMA. Come warm up and move at MAGMA! We’ll have the lights and music pulsing for this family friendly workout and dance zone – with mini workouts offered at 3, 3:15, 3:30, and 3:45, and space to dance, stretch, and socialize. All ages and abilities welcome, free!

Songwriter Series 2
2022-01-22 20:00 - 21:00 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Virtual edition!
Featuring Brain Bayer-Larson, Aaron Wardell and Sam Craig
We will be streaming from facebook live, so find us here https://www.facebook.com/MAGMAgloucester

Suggested donation $1 – 15
To make a donation: Venmo @sarah-swift-21
or PayPal Movement Arts Gloucester MA LLC

Gloucester So Salty
2022-01-22 15:00 - 16:00 | MA
Gloucester So Salty is a downtown initiative filled with fun activities and events all weekend long. MAGMA is participating with The Salt Shaker!
3:00 – 4:00 pm: “The Salt Shaker” at MAGMA. Come warm up and move at MAGMA! We’ll have the lights and music pulsing for this family friendly workout and dance zone – with mini workouts offered at 3, 3:15, 3:30, and 3:45, and space to dance, stretch, and socialize. All ages and abilities welcome, free!

Northwest Fox Music Concert
2022-01-15 18:00 - 21:30 | MA
7:30pm doors, $10
While they draw inspiration from their home in Gloucester and Rockport MA: a place of waves, seagulls and forest, their roots in classic rock, folk and jazz, will make you feel electric. Northwest Fox will perform all original works, ranging from intimate acoustic songs to rockin’ ballads and hits. For the time being, you can find them playing live around Gloucester’s night scene, and during the summer, at outdoor venues and festivals. During their upcoming performances, you will be able to hear familiar songs, a special new EP release, and brand new music never before heard in the eye of the public.

New Year Ballet Class & Sip
2022-01-02 13:00 - 15:00 | MA
Come ring in the New Year with an All Levels Ballet class followed by a sip of sparkling wine or cider!
Class will be about one hour and 45 minutes. Masks required.
$25 drop-in, includes class and libations. Included in Monthly Membership for membership holders.

Closed for Winter Break
2021-12-23 - 2022-01-01 | MA
The studio will be closed but Zoom Barre workout classes still happening 12/27-1/1

Groove Thing
2021-12-17 19:00 - 20:15, 2021-12-03 19:00 - 20:15 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Self-care meets clubbing
We start the evening with downtempo sounds, bring a yoga mat if you like. The music progressively builds into the full-on Groove, filled with eclectic world music, electronica, contemporary soul and funk. Windows will be open filling our giant space with the ocean breeze.

15 movers max. $10

Meets 1st, 3rd, and 5th Fridays of every month

Aaron Wardwell
2021-12-04 19:30 - 21:00 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Indie folk artist Aaron Wardwell will play his first live show in over a year and a half. Brought to you by Frieda B’s Productions and Magma Gloucester.
Doors: 7:30pm
Music: 8pm
$10-20 sliding scale PAYPAL: Movement Arts Gloucester MA LLC
or at the door
Proof of Vaccination or Negative Covid Test with 24 hrs before (will check at door)
BYOB
With songwriting, Aaron Wardwell (from Beverly) explores the waters of many different styles and genres. In Aaron’s first full-length record (King Leisure,) he strove to marry the genres of surfpop, organ-folk, shoegaze, botanical zouk and early punk. And in his most recent release (Heartburn, EP,) Aaron revisited the caverns of his more folky beginnings. He’s sometimes been compared to Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Alex G, David Lynch and Dolly the Sheep. If you’re looking for “not your typical” local music concert, come to this. What you’ll hear will be thoughtful, unique and emotionally evocative.

Aaron Wardwell - postponed
2021-10-23 19:30 - 21:30 | MAGMA, 11 Pleasant St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Hey Ya’ll, we are postponing this show until the winter – check back to our calendar in December or January!!
Indie folk artist Aaron Wardwell will play his first live show in over a year and a half. Brought to you by Frieda B’s Productions and Magma Gloucester.
Doors: 7:30pm
Music: 8pm
$10-20 sliding scale PAYPAL: Movement Arts Gloucester MA LLC
or at the door
Proof of Vaccination or Negative Covid Test with 24 hrs before (will check at door)
BYOB
With songwriting, Aaron Wardwell (from Beverly) explores the waters of many different styles and genres. In Aaron’s first full-length record (King Leisure,) he strove to marry the genres of surfpop, organ-folk, shoegaze, botanical zouk and early punk. And in his most recent release (Heartburn, EP,) Aaron revisited the caverns of his more folky beginnings. He’s sometimes been compared to Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Alex G, David Lynch and Dolly the Sheep. If you’re looking for “not your typical” local music concert, come to this. What you’ll hear will be thoughtful, unique and emotionally evocative.

Prism
2021-10-15 19:00 - 19:30 | MA

Prism
2021-10-01 19:00, 2021-09-25 18:30 | MA
MAGMA Live Art Series in partnership with Manship Artist Residencies+ Studios and Cape Ann Museum present Prism, a performance piece for movement, light, and sound by Steve Lacey, Joshua Lentini, Sarah Slifer Swift, and Molly Rose Tupper.
Shows are free, reservations required.
Sept. 25 @ MARS, 6:30pm, with “Starry Interpose” an Augmented Reality work by Will Pappenheimer, with movement input by Sarah Slifer Swift. RESERVE
Oct. 1 @ CAM Green, 7pm RESERVE
This project is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a State agency. All sponsors listed at sign-up links for each show.

MAGMA closed
2021-09-06, 2021-09-04, 2021-09-03, 2021-09-02 | MA
