Cape Ann this week: Plein Air turns 10, an Annisquam craft show and open studios next weekend

A full week of art and music on Cape Ann starts today. Here is what's on, Sunday through next weekend.

Today, Sunday

The Cape Ann Symphony plays the 75th anniversary concert it had to postpone during last weekend's nor'easter, at 2 p.m. at Manchester Essex Regional High School. The program is French: Boulanger, Debussy and Berlioz. Adult tickets are $65, and tickets bought for the original date are good today.

Also at 2 p.m., the rescheduled Cape Ann Cake Fest is at the Windhover Center for the Performing Arts in Rockport. Advance registration is $50.

More on this weekend.

Cape Ann Plein Air turns 10

Painters are working outdoors across Cape Ann all week for the festival's 10th year, with demonstrations most days at noon, including Granite Pier in Rockport on Monday and Hammond Castle on Tuesday. The schedule is on the festival's calendar.

• Monday, Oct. 5, 6 p.m.: a free opening reception at the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester, according to the festival listing.
• Friday, Oct. 9, 6 to 8 p.m.: the anniversary gala and art sale at the North Shore Arts Association, 11 Pirates Lane, with more than 175 paintings made during the week by 36 artists. Tickets are $100 in advance and $125 at the door.
• Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11: the art sale stays open to everyone at the North Shore Arts Association.

During the week

• Tuesday, Oct. 6: Hammond Castle is free for Gloucester residents from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., as it is every Tuesday this season. Bring proof that you live in Gloucester. That night at 7, guitarist Scott Ouellette plays a classical program at the TOHP Burnham Public Library in Essex.
• Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.: Strictly Sinatra with Michael Dutra at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport.
• Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.: jazz singer Stacey Kent at the Shalin Liu. Tickets are $35 to $49.

Next weekend

• Annisquam Arts and Crafts Show, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, at Annisquam Village Hall, 34 Leonard St., with about 30 artisans and painters. See the show's site for hours.
• Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twelve studios open their doors for a self guided tour. Maps are at the Chamber and visitor centers.
• Rockport Farmers Market, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Harvey Park.

Meetings worth knowing

The Essex School Building Committee holds community meetings on the Essex Elementary School project Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Essex Elementary School, and Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Manchester Memorial Elementary School, according to the school district's calendar. Gloucester's Waterways Board meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the harbormaster's office, 19 Harbor Loop. See the rest of this week's meetings.

Sports fans: Beverly visits Gloucester for unbeaten field hockey Tuesday, and Salem plays at Gloucester Friday night. See the full week.

Everything else is on the Cape Ann Current calendar.