Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog

Jazz seems to be the theme this weekend, with 3 events over 3 days:

Jake Vohs will perform Friday and Sunday, each time with a different band configuration. On Friday, he plays piano as the leader of a quintet with Tom Stoddart on sax, Chris Montgomery on guitar, Richard Sylvester on drums, and Jon Byler-Dann on bass. No cover. Faregrounds, Friday (9th), from 7 to 10.

On Sunday, Jake moves over to the Great Hall of the Atheneum to play solo jazz and pop piano, and will then invite some of his friends to join. It’s a part of the Atheneum’s Winter Community Concert Series, sponsored in part by a grant from the Nantucket Cultural Council. Great Hall Nantucket Atheneum, Sunday (11th), 3 to 4:30.

That leaves Saturday night open for the Nantucket School of Music (NCMC) Jazz Band under conductor Erik Wendelken. Presented by the NCMC and the NHA, the band will play the popular music of the 1940’s: Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Artie Shaw. Dance instructor Jedediyah Williams will dance with Mara Meaney-Ervin, and teach an introductory lesson on the fox-trot. The Nantucket High School Ballroom Dance Team will also give a short performance. Light refreshments. $10 NHA members, $15 non-members. Whaling Museum Gosnell Hall, 13 Broad Street. Saturday (10th), 7:30 p.m.

And several benefits:

An Evening Mardi Gras Style: Cocktails, dinner and live auction to benefit the Children’s House of Nantucket. Open bar. Music by the Dave Provost Trio. Tickets $100. 508-228-5454 or children@nantucket.net. Westmoor Club. Saturday (10th), 6:30 p.m.

Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament: Entry forms at Faregrounds Restaurant. 228-0158. Benefits the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club. Faregrounds Restaurant, Sunday (11th). Registration at noon, play begins at 1 p.m.

They Called it Puppy Love - A 50’s style sock hop. Prizes for best costume, best dancing and best hula hooping. Era-inspired food, decorations, photo booth, games, raffles. Proceeds benefit Nantucket’s homeless animals. Tickets: $25 at Geronimo’s, Rose & Crown, MSPCA and at the door. 228-2287. Rose & Crown. Wednesday (14th) at 7.

And a few more events of note:

One Book One Island: Afghan Culture. Anthropology professor David Edwards presents a talk and film on the culture and politics of life in Afghanistan. Opening event of an island-wide initiative called ‘One Book, One Island’ to encourage islanders to read a selected book, followed by discussions and events centered on the book. The books for 2007 are: ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini, for adults and high school students; ‘The Breadwinner’ by Deborah Ellis, for middle school students; and ‘The Librarian of Basra’ by Jeannette Winter, a picture book for small children. Books are distributed free in the schools and at sponsoring organization locations. Free. Coffin School, 4 Winter Street. Saturday (10th), 3 to 5 p.m.

Kate Zuckerman: ‘The Sweet Life: Desserts from Chanterelle’ Talk, tasting, and cooking demonstration by the pastry chef of New York’s Chanterelle. Free. On the menu: Goat Cheesecake with Roasted Medjool Dates Stuffed with Cashews, Currents and Candied Citrus and Pecan Honey Caramel Chews. Book signing follows. Sign up required: Great Hall, or www.nantucketatheneum.org. Atheneum Great Hall, Saturday (10th), 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The Spelling Bee will take place on February 17 at 6 p.m.

The winter we thought we had escaped has settled in; it’s been a somber week here on Nantucket.

15 year old Nantucket High School freshman Vaughn Mitchell Peterson took his own life last Saturday. In a community as small as this, we ask how we missed the signs, or were there any signs, and how have we failed as a community. We’ll likely never know. But we do know that this island came together quickly, efficiently, selflessly and compassionately to help those who suffered the most from this tragedy: daily student assemblies, yellow ribbons, a bulletin board of messages and remembrances, counselors and clergy. And we’re all reminded that that which affects one of us affects all of us, and if you feel desperate, talk to someone. We are here if you need us.

The island also lost Phil Murray last week. Born on Nantucket in 1921, Phil died at the age of 85. He was probably best known for making Nantucket Reds famous through the store he owned, Murray’s Toggery; Phil was also instrumental in building the hospital you see today at 57 Prospect. There will be a service in August at the Sankaty Golf Club.