Great Gatherings
Great Gatherings are fundraising events hosted by folks from the Waring community for a limited number of people on a specific date and time. Gatherings are usually themed around the hosts’ interests or special skills. Most of all, Great Gatherings are a time for having fun, making new friends, building community, and trying new things while supporting Waring.
You may purchase tickets to these gatherings and the ticket proceeds benefit Waring. Spaces are limited, so make sure you get to the Great Gathering tables early to sign up and reserve your spot. Questions? Please contact Jonathan Golding at jonathan@oicgroup.com
1. Berklee Silent Film Orchestra Performance at the Cabot with Reception at Waring Downtown
Date & Time: Reception: anytime after 6:15pm, Show: Sunday, June 9 at 8:00pm
Place: The Cabot, Beverly
Hosts: Kevan & Cindy Keegan
Cost: $40
Number of guests: 20
This is your chance to hear the Berklee Silent Film Orchestra perform alongside The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) at the Cabot after a reception at Waring Downtown. Join twenty of your Waring friends for this incredible show. These tickets were generously donated by The Cabot. Before the show, Cindy and Kevan Keegan will host a pre-concert reception that will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, desserts, coffee, and, yes, libations. Doors open at 6:15pm.
2. Hammond Castle Tour and Small Batch Bourbon Tasting
Date & Time: Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 6:00pm (Don’t be late!)
Place: Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester
Hosts: Renée & Mitch Mitchell and Friends
Cost: $45
Number of guests: 14
Hammond Castle Museum is a unique treasure on the coast of Gloucester. It’s built like a medieval castle and holds inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr.’s extensive private collection of artifacts from ancient Rome through the Renaissance. It has been said that Mr. Hammond loved the evening and may have done some of his most creative work when the rest of the castle was asleep. His friend, Alexander Graham Bell, first suggested to him that he work at night and sleep during the day, a regime Hammond adopted. Join fellow Waring friends for a private candle-light tour, where you will visit almost every room of this amazing home by the sea. You will learn about the unique collections, the dining and lifestyle of the Hammonds, and the stories about them and their famous guests. These admission tickets were generously donated by the Hammond Castle Museum. After the tour, we will caravan over to the nearby home of alumni parents Renée and Mitch Mitchell for a backyard reception featuring a renowned collection of small batch bourbons such as Basil Haydens, Jefferson’s Ocean, Blantons, and Woodford Reserve. Tasty hors d’oeuvres will be prepared by friend of Waring and stress-reducing chef Kernan Manion.
3. Polar Bears, Walrus, and The Beaufort Sea: An Arctic Voyage by Capt. John Wigglesworth
Date & Time: Thursday, September 12, 2019 from 6:30-8:30pm
Place: Maritime Gloucester, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester
Hosts: Jan & Andy Lindsey, Stephanie & Jim Patrick, Denise Clinton & Glenn Wood,Jonathan & Sally Golding, along with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
Cost: $35/Adult and $20/Student
Number of guests: 40
Last September, John Wigglesworth joined a team of scientists aboard the Research Vessel Sikuliaq to embark on a trip north of the Arctic Circle to study the biological and physical oceanography of the Beaufort Sea shelf and slope waters north of Alaska. Recognizing the Arctic Ocean is changing rapidly due to a warming global climate, the National Science Foundation commissioned the Sikuliaq to study the complex dynamics of the Arctic and its connection to our global ocean and the health of our planet. Join us in a nautical-themed exhibit space overlooking Gloucester Harbor where John’s presentation will address the scientific purpose of the cruise, his impressions of a rapidly changing Arctic, the challenges of navigating in the ice, and the opportunity to see polar bear and walrus in their natural habitat. Light-fare and a variety of beverages will be provided.
4. Latin Night in Salem! Food, Drinks, and Dance Party
Date & Time: Saturday, September 28, 2019, 5:30pm for apps & mural tour;7:00pm for dinner & dancing only.
Place: HarborPoint at Root, Shetland Park, 35 Congress Street, Building 2,Third Floor, Salem
Hosts: Sue & Ruben Carmona, Virginie & Chris Clarey, Erika & John Siegfried,Ellen & Jeremy Schiller, Juanita & Raymond Prescod, Youssef Talha, Nicole Weedon,and additional Waring families.
Cost: $20/student, $40/adult, $70/couple, $100/family of 4
Number of guests: 80
Kick off the school year with this family-friendly Latin food and dance celebration in The Point neighborhood of Salem. The evening starts at HarborPoint, overlooking Salem Harbor, at 5:30 with a sampling of Latin-inspired apps and beverages (adult and kid-friendly), followed by a short walking tour of the Punto Urban Art Museum, an “open-air” collection of the neighborhood’s larger-than-life murals by nationally-recognized Hispanic artists. Returning to HarborPoint, we’ll enjoy a buffet of locally-catered Latin food, before shifting to a bit of Latin dance instruction. Your choice: arrive at 5:30pm and make a night of it, or come by 7:00pm for the dinner and dancing!
5. Tinkerhaus Community Makerspace
Date & Time: Saturday, October 5, 2019, from 5:00-8:00pm
Place: Tinkerhaus, 3 Graf Road Suite 11, Newburyport
Hosts: Mary McDonald & Jim Supple
Cost: $55
Number of guests: 10 Adults
Tinkerhaus is a non-profit makerspace for all ages and abilities, located in Newburyport’s Rail End neighborhood. They believe that everyone has the ability to create and will help you with space, tools, and teachers. This great gathering will feature an experience using several different parts of the makerspace. Guests will design and make coasters and beer flight trays using a variety of techniques, including power tools. When we finish using things that need to be sharp or straight, we will indulge in some of Newburyport’s local food and beer from neighbor, Riverwalk Brewery. This Great Gathering can accommodate ten guests to laugh, savor, and enjoy the creative process.
6. Improv & Tequila: A Night to Remember!
Date & Time: Saturday, October 5, 2019, at 7:00pm (Guests must be gone by sunrise…)
Place: Horan’s Home: 11 Lunt Street, Byfield
Hosts: Chris Horan & Denisse Yurrita-Horan
Cost: $60
Number of guests: 30
Join professional Humorist and Improv Master (as well as long-time colleague of JG’s) Izzy Gesell for a prepared but yet still totally unpredictable Great Gathering entitled: “Improv & Tequila: A Night to Remember!” Tickets available for 30 adventuresome guests, $60 a person for what promises to be a priceless experience! Learn more about Izzy at www.izzyg.com.
7. Beautiful Blends: The Most Carefully Crafted Wines – Wine Tasting at Total Wine & More
Date & Time: Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 6:00-8:00pm
Place: Total Wine & More, Danvers
Hosts: Peter Palumbo & Bronwyn Keefe
Cost: $40
Number of guests: 18
Total Wine & More, along with your hosts Bronwyn and Peter, are presenting a wine tasting event that is certain to impress you. Many of the world’s wines get their distinctive style from a blend of grapes, not simply one variety. Winemakers blend carefully to ensure quality, flavor, and consistency from vintage to vintage. Be part of a wine-filled fun evening and explore the art of the blend, from easy-drinking domestic reds to the great white wines of Bordeaux and the Rhone. Join us in the private room of Total Wine & More. Light refreshments will be provided.
8. New World, New Wines: Exploring the Southern Hemisphere
Date & Time: Thursday, November 14, 2019, from 6:00-8:00pm
Place: Total Wine & More, Danvers
Hosts: Tim & Lauren Averill, along with Rich Stomberg and Tim Bakland
Cost: $40
Number of guests: 20
We are loving our Great Gathering partnership with Total Wine & More! Join your fellow oenologists and wannabe oenologists in the tasting room of Total Wine & More for an event that will no doubt knock your wine-soaked socks off! This Waring School Great Gathering will feature winemakers from the Southern Hemisphere that have taken the great grapes of Europe and created modern and intensely flavorful wines for a new generation. Come explore the signature wines of the Southern Hemisphere, from countries like Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and many more. From delicious reds to easy-drinking white wines, all are masterfully crafted south of the equator. Join your wine loving Waring friends in the private room of Total Wine & More. Light refreshments will be provided.
9. Italian Seafood Great Gathering
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 6:30pm
Place: Calderaro’s Home: 17 Middlewood Drive, Wenham
Hosts: Janet & Francesco Calderaro
Cost: $75
Number of guests: 10
Did you know that Sicily has more vineyards than any other region in Italy? Did you know that Francesco and Janet Calderaro are hosting a Sicilian Feast as a Great Gathering to be held on December 7, 2019? Are you familiar with Caponata, Pasta con le Sarde or Involtini di Pesce Spada? Are you familiar with native grapes such as Nero D’avola, Inzolia, Catarratto, and Nerello Mascalese? Would you like to be?
Would you like to taste the best ricotta cream you have ever tried, and maybe enjoy it with a fine Sicilian Amaro?
Then THIS is a Great Gathering for you!
Only 10 spots around the tavolo da pranzo for this scrumptious culinary journey to Sicily.
And at $75 per person, it’s an international bargain!
10. CBGG: Craig’s Benedict Great Gathering – A Live Music Party in Newburyport
Date & Time: Saturday, February 29, from 6:00-9:00pm
Place: Michael’s Harborside, Newburyport
Hosts: Craig & Sandhya Douglas
Cost: $40/person or $70/couple
Number of guests: 99
The Live Music Party in Newburyport is back by popular demand! An early evening Waring School social gathering at Michael’s Harborside in Newburyport from 6:00-9:00pm with wine and beer, light snacks and live rock ’n roll music by Craig’s Benedict (band members include Waring parents Craig and Sandhya Douglas). Plus an All-Waring student opening band! You sure don’t want to miss this very enjoyable evening!
11. Exploring Mindfulness: An Introduction
Date & Time: Sunday, March 2, 1:00-4:00pm
Place: Waring School
Host: Elana Peled and Nina Gadmer
Cost: $35
Number of guests: 30
Ever find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by what life is throwing at you? Hit the pause button and join us on a Sunday afternoon to learn about and practice deliberate mindfulness. Come to understand why everyone from mental health workers to Google engineers to Waring teachers are embracing the practice of mindfulness. In this casual gathering, we will try out a few of the mindfulness practices that are taught in the world renowned Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR). Wear your comfiest clothing, bring blankets, pillows, cushions and/or yoga mats, and a willingness to experience the journey inward through mindfulness meditation: being fully present in the moment, suspending judgement, unleashing your natural curiosity around the workings of the mind, and experiencing warmth and kindness to ourselves and others. Your guide for this experience is Waring parent Elana Peled. Elana is a talented and experienced teacher who has trained in the teaching of MBSR at UMass Worcester. All levels of interest and experience are welcome to join.
