Swampscott Cultural Council Starts the Year off with a Bang

Anyone living within a one-block radius of Hadley School no doubt heard what was “happening” as visiting artist Tony Vacca unpacked 60 percussion instruments and led the kids in workshops for two days straight.

Vacca, who has recently spent time in Africa, sported leather pants and long, shaggy hair; an ageless vision who taught the kids how to bang a gong and get along.

“It was really great to see how he empowered little kids to accept a change in instruments or even playing time,” said Hadley parent Jer Jurma, a member of the Swampscott Cultural Council (SCC).

Vacca is one of a dozen artists funded in the 2012 fiscal year by the SCC, which distributes grant money from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). 

The SCC also welcomes private donations to supplement state money and further enhance the quality and quantity of local cultural offerings. Due to limited resources and a desire to support a spectrum of events, the SCC is more likely to fund grants between $200 and $500.

The council places an emphasis on local artists and programs, according to Wendy Frisch, chairwoman and five-year member.

“Ideally, we look to fund programs that will benefit the greatest number of residents, but we also seek diversity in programming, as well as new programs and collaborations between artists and local institutions,” Frisch said.

As Tony Vacca packed up his percussion workshop for a performance at Swampscott High School, award letters to this year’s recipients were en route.

Be sure to check out culture coming your way. Call up your calendar and mark the dates!

January and February

Poet in Residence Julia Thacker returns to the Stanley School to inspire and refine students’ poetry

Feb. 10

North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra (NSPO) performs at Swampscott High School at 3:00

March 23

Teens are invited to a Comic Art and Manga Workshop at the Swampscott Public Library

April 21

NSPO performs its Spring Concert at Swampscott High School at 3:00

May 3

The Concert Singers perform a free choral concert at the Unitarian Universalist church at 101 Forest Ave. at 8:00 p.m.

May 5

The Concert Singers perform at Sacred Heart Church in Lynn at 2:30

June 10

Popular painter Greg Maichack brings his pastel paints and paper to share in a workshop on painting water lilies like Monet

July

Ed the Wizard will return to the Library for his astonishing program, Reading is Magic

December

Delvena Theatre Co. will present the play “A Christmas Carol” at the library