Maudslay Arts Center launches its new season on Saturday | New

NEWBURYPORT — The Maudslay Arts Center will present a full summer concert series this year, including a full orchestra appearance.

The center begins its 29th season on Saturday after presenting a limited concert season in 2021 and canceling its entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Nick Costello is the executive director of the nonprofit, which was founded in 1992 by his father – former state senator Nicholas Costello Sr., former Newburyport mayor Edward Molin and former assessor of Newburyport Jim Gaines.

“We have come back from two years of very little,” he said. “But now we are moving back to a full schedule.”

Maudslay has offered many styles of music over the years including opera, country, classical, big band, jazz, pop and rock ‘n’ roll. Costello said that will be the case this season as well.

When the Hillyer Festival Orchestra performs in Maudslay on July 17 at 2 p.m., it will be the first time a full orchestra has played on site, Costello said.

“We wanted to bring something very unique to the arts center and that’s something quite important to us. So we’re really excited about that,” he said. “It’s a full orchestra playing everything from pop music to opera. It’s a lot of fun stuff.

Costello thanks the Cultural Councils of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Amesbury, Merrimac and Salisbury for sponsoring the event.

On Friday, Beatles tribute band Beatlejuice will headline a fundraiser for Maudslay, who hopes to raise $50,000 to restore and preserve her barns and facilities. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Singer Amanda Carr returns to the center Saturday at 7 p.m. and the New Black Eagle Jazz Band plays Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Alex Minasian Jazz Quartet will perform July 16 at 7 p.m. The Mike Monaghan Jazz Quintet will perform July 23 at 7 p.m.

Maudslay will be celebrating its 30th concert season next summer. Costello praised the work of the many volunteers who make it a success each year.

“There’s a bit of confusion as to when the actual 30th anniversary date is either this year or next year, but we technically started in 1993,” Costello said. “We also had a few gigs in the fields at Maudslay State Park before we had a venue. So if you count them, we’re actually on our 30th anniversary now. But it will be 30 years after the art center is built next year. So I think that will be a big feature for us next year.

The Maudslay Arts Center is located at 95 Curzon Mill Road in Newburyport. For tickets and other details, go to www.maudslayartscenter.org.

Writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached by email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.

Writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached by email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.

William E. Bennett