Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog

The first Nantucket Comedy Festival launches on Monday, July 28 through Saturday, August 2, with major performances at Jetties Beach. New York and Nantucket comedian Kevin Flynn has joined with summer resident Bonnie (Block) Levison, Tim Braine, Biff and Lynda Levy, Karen Watkins, Judy Seinfeld, Bill Ferrall, New York’s Gotham Comedy Club founder and owner Chris Mazilli, and founding sponsors including N Magazine to bring this festival to life. The focal point of this year’s Festival will be a roast and tribute to Nantucket residents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, with N Magazine as the lead sponsor. More information next week.

(With thanks to N Magazine for providing this update)

Nantucket will be host to the first ever and hopefully first annual Nantucket Comedy Festival, which will run from Wednesday, July 30 through Saturday, August 2. More details to follow as I get them.

At the 7th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards yesterday, Thursday, February 7th, Nathaniel Philbrick received the nonfiction award for 2007 for “Mayflower”. The awards are presented annually to books from the previous calendar year that were published by Massachusetts authors or that convey important Massachusetts themes.

The Village People takes the stage this Sunday night at the Nantucket AIDS Network Friendship Gala at the White Elephant, August 30th beginning with cocktails at 5 p.m. This always popular annual fund raiser features both a silent and live auction with auctioneer Rafael Osona, with trips to Hawaii and France, art from of the island best known artists, and much more. Tickets are still available by calling 508-228-3955. For more on the Gala, see the Nantucket Independent.

Today is the first day of the 15th Annual Nantucket Arts Festival, presented by the Nantucket Arts Council, 10 days of art, demonstrations, performance, book signings, music, lectures, walking tours, poetry, and photography. Three trunk shows give artists and craftspeople who don’t have retail space a chance to show their work. Festival headquarters is at the Preservation Institute, upstairs at 11 Centre Street, where the music, trunk shows and exhibition are held. The latest information can be found on weekends at the Main Street table in front of Congdon and Coleman’s. The free 24 page program, available all around town, is a comprehensive listing and schedule of all events.

Read the complete story in the Nantucket Independent.

The Festival needs volunteers to sit the Preservation Institute exhibition all week long. Call 508-325-8588 for information.

Friday, September 28th Highlights:

The first Farm & Fields Exhibition opens at the Hayloft at Bartlett’s Farm tonight from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Local artists will display their landscape paintings and photography of Bartlett’s fields and farm truck. The exhibit will be open 10 - 5 through October 2nd.

The 2007 Maria Mitchell Woman in Science Award will be given to former island resident Cynthia Brossman, Director of Learning Resource Network at Boston University, and once a teacher in the Nantucket Public School System. The Dinner and Award Ceremony begins at 6 pm. Coffin School, 4 Winter Street.

Maeve Hughes and Gokh-bi System are at The Muse tonight, beginning at 9. Maeve Hughes is a singer, pianist and composer, and plays jazz, R&B, and soul. The Gokh-Bi System originates from Senagal, and plays African hip-hop, mixing African rhythm with American urban beats.

Saturday, September 29th Highlights:

The official Opening Reception for the Nantucket Arts Festival, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants while viewing a compilation of island artists’ expressions including photographs themed ‘Wind-blown on Nantucket.’. Free. 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Preservation Institute, Upstairs at 11 Centre Street.

The Festival live&local presents Jonathan Thayer and Jim Shaw, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Preservation Institute, Upstairs at 11 Centre Street.

The last Comedy Improv of the season, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm downstairs in the Methodist Church.

The 25th Annual See Ya Later Alligator Party with free BBQ and raw bar, apps, and live music at the Chicken Box, 9:00 pm - 1:00 am.

Click here for the complete Mahon About Town/N Magazine Arts and Social Calendar.

Highlights and notes for the coming week:

The Nantucket AIDS Network Silent Auction runs Saturday (1st) from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Beverages and snacks from 5 to 6.

The Bob Lehman Trio hasn’t played a Saturday night all summer, but they will be playing Saturday (1st) from 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm at the Brant Point Grill.

Final performance of “To Grandmother’s House We Go“, a Theatre Workshop production, is Saturday (1st) at 8:30. Last chance.Methodist Church, 2 Centre Street.

The Susan Burns Comedy Extravaganza with MC Scott Blakeman and surprise guests plays the Methodist Church on Monday and Tuesday (3rd and 4th). Showtime is 8:30 pm

Can you tell it’s the end of the summer?

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COMING WEEK:

One day last summer I ran into Jim Warwick from the Starlight who said he had a great blues player appearing that night, someone I shouldn’t miss. He was right. Chris Bergson can sing, and on the guitar, he’s among the best I’ve ever heard. He’s essentially an improvisational blues guitar player, not improvising within the chord the way it’s usually done, but reaching outside the chord the way a jazz musician does.

New York based guitarist/singer/songwriter Chris Bergson has performed with Norah Jones and Levon Helm, among others, and has appeared in New York venues such as Joe’s Pub, B.B. King’s, Jazz Standard, The Blue Note and The Living Room. “NYC singer/guitarist Chris Bergson’s smooth jazz-inflected take on the blues marks this young artist as a player who may just help extend the genre’s shelf life.” - Ted Drozdowski, The Boston Phoenix.

Chris is back for 2 nights only, this time at Jetties Restaurant, Friday and Saturday night from 6:30 - 9:00 pm, and there’s no cover. Check him out at two sites: Here, and then at MySpace

The Ozone Surf Classic has had sunny days but small waves for the last 2 years. Looks like partly cloudy and small waves for this year’s event on Sunday (5th) from 8 to 6. It’s basically one big beach party for all ages, and most people arrive around lunchtime. The Classic celebrates the life and memory of islander and surfer David Ozias with a surfing contest, music and a barbeque. All proceeds will be donated to local charities in David’s name. Entry forms are available at Juice Guys, Chicken Box, and Indian Summer. Here are photos from last year.

The Second Annual Canine Couture Fashion Show benefiting the Nantucket MSPCA homeless animal program gets going at 6:30 pm on Wednesday (8th). More than 2 dozen dogs will strut their stuff down the catwalk to win prizes for originality of design, creativity, presentation and collaboration. Open bar, appetizers, music, and auctions. Tickets are $150 and available at the MSPCA, Geronimo’s, Sandy Paws, Cold Noses & Vis-à-vis. This one was a sell-out last year, so buy now. Photos of the 2006 event.

The Annual Rock Run (50-mile beach run) takes place Saturday (4th) from 8 to 6: Soloists and teams are welcome. Pre-race meeting 6 PM on August 3 at Children’s Beach. Details and applications at www.therockrun.com.

The Week Ahead . . .

If you’re looking for something to do for a specific day, go right to the Arts and Social Calendar. Otherwise, here are the highlights for the coming week, arranged by genre.

NIGHTLIFE

• Chicken Box: Joshua Tree tonight through Saturday, Sextoy Party Monday to Wednesday. Spookie Daly Pride Thursday through Saturday.
• Rose & Crown:Every Thursday is Karaoke night. The AM Group Celebrates 15 Years of House Music, with special guests DJ Jamin and DJ Ian on Friday night. It’s DJ Bri Guy’s Video Request Dance Party on Saturday, and DJ Money on Sunday.

  Earth Got the Blues, jazz and blues every Wednesday of summer.

• The Muse: Fat Cats, Fridays, 6 to 9, and Air Band every Sunday night of the summer.
• Jetties Restaurant: Andy Bullington and Tom Stodart on Mondays from 5:30 - 7:30; Chuck Colley and Eric Wendelken acoustic fusion-guitar and standup bass Monday through Wednesday. on Tuesdays from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm; 10 years old Maddie Kennedy and Ali on Wednesday nights.
• Cinco: Thursday night is jazz night, with the Richard Sylvester Jazz Trio from 7:30 - 10:30. Others sit in from time to time.
• Brant Point Grill: The Bob Lehman Trio Sunday through Tuesdays nights, 7:30 to 10:30. P. J. Moody plays Sunday Brunch from 11:30 to 2:30.
• Chanticleer in ‘Sconset: Bob Walder Latin Jazz and Flamenco, 8:30 - 10:30 pm in the Grill Room Monday through Wednesday.
• Summer House: Jamie Howarth Wednesday through Sunday nights.
• Club Car: Brian Buch, Saturday through Monday; Anthony Healey, Tuesday through Friday. 8:15 to 1 am.
• Starlight: Jeff Ross Wednesday through Sunday, 9 to 1.
• Even Keel Cafe: Piano Dave, Thursday through Sunday, all summer, 6 to 9.

CONCERTS

• John Buttrick: Noonlight Sonatas. Wednesdays at noon.
• The Cobbletones put on a crowd-gathering show in front of Zero Main (thank Paul and Noel for graciously allowing the show) every Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 and 9:15 pm.
• Wordstock is a new event this year, taking place Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 10 pm, at 42 Monohansett Road (between the airport and Surfside.)
• Blues After Hours is at Children’s Beach Sunday from 6 to 7.
• The NCMC String and Wind Ensembles perform Monday from 12:15 to 12:45 at the Methodist Church.
• Violinist Emil Chudnovsky performs Tuesday at 8 at the First Congregational Church as part of the Nantucket Musical Arts Society series.
• Nat Hewitt, fiddle and vocals, and Liza Constable, guitar and vocals, perform Thursday at the Noonday Concert Series at the Unitarian Church. That’s at noon.
• The NCMC Jazz Band plays Children’s Beach, Thursday at 6.

BENEFITS

• The Nantucket Garden Club’s 53rd Annual House Tour of 6 homes in Monomoy takes place Thursday the 8th, from 11 to 5, with Tea and Boutique in the garden at “Longevity”, 52 Monomoy Road.

SPEAKERS

• Jeffrey Goldberg. Bookmark 2007’s “Meet the Author” lecture, a production of The Atlantic and PlumTV. Atlantic Editor James Bennet will have a conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, journalist and author of “Prisoners”, which has been hailed as one of the year’s best books. Sunday, Bennett Hall from 3 to 5 pm.
• Artists Lecture: Glass Sculptor Christopher Ries. Whaling Museum, Sunday at 8 p.m.
• Lecture: Dr. John Howe, Project Hope President & CEO. Wednesday at 8, Unitarian Church.
• Jill Ker Conway: “Stories of Scientists Who are Women”. Coffin School, Thursday (9th) at 5:30.

• Annie Kay: Every Bite Is Divine. Bookworks, Friday from 7 to 8:30.
• Nancy Barr: “Backstage with Julia”. Mitchell’s Book Corner. Saturday 10 am to noon.
• Thomas Mallon: “Fellow Travelers”. Bookworks. Sunday from 11 to noon.
• Mary South: “The Cure for Anything is Saltwater”. Bookworks, Monday, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

In order to save their bankrupt school that’s seen better days, the girls of St. Godley’s Academy for Young Ladies decide to put on a musical version of Moby Dick. The satirical romp that ensues proves to be a world of double entendres and pastiche-y company numbers. This musical is for all ages, and will be performed by Nantucket’s first Resident Company, here from theater and drama schools around the country. Presented by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Tickets at www.theatreworkshop.com or at the box office at the Methodist Church 508-228-4305.Bennett Hall, 62 Centre Street. Tickets and information:508-228-4305. www.theatreworkshop.com.

Aug 2,3,4,6,9,10,13,16,19,20,23,24,25 at 8 PM
August. 1,8,15 & 22 at 8:30 PM
Aug 8,9,10,15,16,22,23,24 at 2PM

COMEDY

• Comedy Improv: Methodist Church, Sunday, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
• Comedy Night with Kevin Flynn, Monday, Methodist Church, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

GALLERY OPENINGS

SPOTLIGHT: Art Cabinet Cultural Night
In the tradition of a European salon, the Art Cabinet presents an evening of classical music, a lecture, an art discussion, followed by jazz and champagne, built about the work of Amerell and Peter Weber. Christine Neudert will speak on “Art and Humanity”; John Dowland will perform a concert of Renaissance music for voice and guitar; Prof. Chiesa will speak on “The Pleasure of the Eye”; then jazz by “Blue Lion Music.” The studio is at 18 Dukes Road, but please call to reserve your spot. (50 325- 7202; artcabinet@nantucket.net. Saturday night from 6 to 9.

• Brigham Galleries: Florence Academy of Art, Friday, 6 to 8
• Gallery at Four India: John P. Osborne, Friday, 6 to 8
• Mielko Gallery: Tom Mielko, Friday, 6 to 8
• Old Spouter Gallery: Joan Albaugh, Friday, 6 to 8
• Pierce Galleries: American Impressionists, Friday, 6 to 8
• Round The Horn: John Merson and Carol Bunevich. Contemporary Art of Vietnam, Print and Painting. Friday, 6 to 8
• Woodcarving exhibit featuring Master Woodcarver Paul McCarthy and his students. Friday and Saturday, 10 to 4 at Arrowhead, 9 Wampanoag Way

MOVIES AT THE STARLIGHT

• Ratatouille: Monday and Tuesday
• Chuck and Larry: Friday through Sunday
• Harry Potter: Thursday (2), and Wednesday and Thursday (8 & 9)

Go to the Arts and Social Calendar for times.

THEATER

• Faith Healer: Wednesday through Saturday nights until July 21st, at the Methodist Church
• Patience of Nantucket, Bennett Hall, now through Sunday (15th), 8 p.m. except 4 p.m Sunday.

COMEDY

• Comedy Improv: Methodist Church, Sunday, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
• Comedy Night with Kevin Flynn, Monday, Methodist Church, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

FRIDAY GALLERY OPENINGS

• The Gallery at Four India: “Old World meets the New World”, Solo Exhibit : Peter Layne Arguimbau runs through July 31.6 - 8 pm
• South Wharf Gallery: Anne Baldwin Sutherland, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Gallery Blue: Zerbe Sodervick, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• Round the Horn: Sarah Brayer, 5 to 8 PM
• Brigham Galleries: Group Exhibition, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• Capizzo Gallery: Barbara Capizzo, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
• East End Gallery: Photographs of Celia Pearson. 6 to 8 p.m.
• Old Spouter Gallery: Robert Frazier and Howard Fraker, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Pierce Galleries: Geoffrey Smith. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Dane Gallery: Hot Glass Meet the Artists Reception, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

BOOK SIGNINGS

• Amanda Eyre Ward, Author of “Forgive Me”: Bookworks, Friday, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
• Peter and Cheryl Burns, “Nat, Nat the Nantucket Cat”: Mitchell’s Book Corner, Saturday, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Clair Cook. “Life’s a Beach”: Bookworks, Sunday, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
• Ferenc Mate “Ghost Sea”: Bookworks, Sunday, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
• Nantucket Atheneum Annual Used Book Sale, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

MOVIES AT THE STARLIGHT

• Transformers: Friday and Saturday
• Oceans 13: Sunday
• Evan Almighty: Monday and Tuesday
• Knocked Up: Monday and Tuesday

For all the listed events below, get more details from the N Magazine/Mahon About Town Arts and Social Calendar.

In the Film Festival frenzy, don’t forget there are other events of interest happening here in the next week. Tonight (Thursday), meet Elin Hilderbrand as she reads from and signs her new novel “Barefoot”. Mary Keller and Mollie Glazer will perform. Free food and drink. The party has been moved from PlumTv to Bookworks due to the weather. 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.

The annual Dreamcatcher Auction/Dinner benefiting Hospice Care of Nantucket is again at the Galley this Sunday from 6 to 10.

And perhaps the biggest Flea Market of the year, sponsored by the Nantucket AIDS Network, takes place this Sunday at 35 Old South Road from 8 to 12, with more than 25 booths of island retailers and artisan and yard sale items.

Comedy Improv starts up this Sunday, with Nantucket’s own comedy improv troupe performing through September. 8:30 at the Methodist Church.

The Nantucket School of Music Chorus puts on a concert on Sunday at 4 at the Coffin School.

On Monday night, Keith Bergman presents the global warming slide show developed by The Hon. Al Gore, as reflected in the book and award-winning Paramount Films documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’ Great Hall at 8.

NIGHTLIFE
Kevin Flynn performs for his first comedy night of the year, a benefit for Nantucket Youth Hockey. Sunday (13th) starting at 7 p.m. at the Rose & Crown.

Katherine Wheatley is a well-known Canadian singer/songwriter with two CD’s. Check her out at the Methodist Church, Saturday (12th) from 7 to 9. Tickets only $10.

Blacksnake is at the Box tonight and tomorrow night.

Other live music this weekend: Blue Mood with Andy Bullington & Tom Stoddart at Even Keel from 6 to 9 on Friday night; the Bob Lehman Trio at the Brant Point Grill on Friday and Saturday night from 7 to 10.

BENEFITS

The Fifteenth Annual Dinner Buffet and Auction for the Marla Ceely Lamb Cancer Travel Fund with Bill Santos as auctioneer is Saturday night (12th) at Faregrounds.

GALLERIES
The Artists Association Junior Artists Show showcasing young island talent opens tonight with a reception from 5 to 7, with awards at 6. The show runs through May 21st.

PERFORMANCE
It’s Family Night at the Atheneum, when two dancers take the audience on a fast-paced and humorous exploration of tap, with Tap Team II, Friday night, 7 to 8.

COMMUNITY
Director of astronomy Vladimir Strelnitski and the other fine people over there at the Maria Mitchell Association are very excited about their new 24 inch research grade telescope, and tonight they want to show it to you, from 7 to 9:30. Observations at the Loines Observatory are weather permitting, and the forecast unfortunately calls for showers and fog. Look for some of the first photos from the telescope later in this newsletter.

SPEAKERS
Ronne Hartfield will talk about her book, ‘Another Way Home, The Tangled Roots of Race in One Chicago Family’, the experiences of two generations living within a socially charged culture. Wednesday (16th) at 7 at the Atheneum.