Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog

Cellist Molly Glazer will be joined at times by three of her student chamber ensemble players - River Bennett, Zeb Bennett and Grace MacLellan, which will included pieces by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi in concert this Sunday. $15, free for NHA members or with museum admission. 508-228-1894, ext. 0. Sunday, March 11, 1 pm at the Whaling Museum.

A reminder that tickets are on sale for the Wine Festival, and selling fast. Some events are already sold out. Why should anyone go? Well, if you come up with one of the top 10 reasons to go, you’ll win access to the exclusive, invite-only Festival kick-off party held every April in Boston. Plus bragging rights. The competition is sponsored by Marlo Monthly. Send any number of your reasons to: mfogelman@marlomc.com, and be sure to include your mailing address. If you’re one of the lucky 10, you’ll receive an invite in the mail for the April festivities.

Jamie Ranney is back on GenoTv with his interview show, Friday nights at 8 pm, Channel 17.

The news that none of us wanted to hear: Fahey and Fromagerie is for sale. It’s highly unlikely, though not impossible, that it will ever be a market again. From the day I came in 1969 when it was Rabimbas’s (spelling may be incorrect), that portion of Pleasant Street always felt the most “New England-like” and green of all places on the island, with large deciduous trees embracing the roadside market. Michael and Jose and his wife did the best they could to keep it open. Jordan Real Estate has the listing at $1,579,000. Hey, Nantucket Land Bank. Can you buy this thing, and lease it back to someone like Jose, just to retain the historic character of the neighborhood?

Roger Seitz likes to fly under the radar. He wrote a novel that I don’t believe he ever tried to get published, but printed me out a copy on his computer when I asked to see it. Then he decided he wanted to be an auctioneer, so off he went to take a course and get his license. Now he’s started up a weekly live auction with one classified ad. It’s called Barnaby’s Auction - Saturdays in March at the Loft at Bartlett’s Farm. Preview from 10 to 2, and the auction begins at 3. Roger told me he has only committed through March 24th, but if enough people show up … For information and consigning, call Roger at 325-0077.

Coming up this weekend is the 8th Annual Kathi Ring Memorial Casino Night, with table gambling, raffles and a silent auction. The $15 admission includes a free raffle ticket, free buffet tables, DJ Bobby Lamb and the Bob Lehman Trio, and benefits the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. 508-825-8250 for information. Faregrounds Restaurant, Saturday, March 10, 7 to midnight.

Nantucket Historical Association Executive Director Bill Tramposch introduces ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ at the Nantucket Atheneum, presented as a part of the Nantucket Arts Council and the Atheneum ‘Books To Film’ series. Released in 1962, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird‘ is based on a Harper Lee novel of the same name. Through the eyes of ‘Scout,’ a feisty six-year-old tomboy the film carries us on an odyssey through the fires of prejudice and injustice in 1932 Alabama. Free Admission. Saturday, March 10, 7 pm.

For this upsoming edition of Armchair Theatre, Laura Byrne directs Kent Ludwig’s comedy “Moon Over Buffalo”, hosted by Bob & Nina Hellman at 4 Gay Street. Bring a dish to share (main dish, salad, or dessert) and a beverage (coffee provided). Potluck at 6; reading 7 approx. Presentation of the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Contact: Grace Noyes at 508-228-5485. Sunday, March 11, 6 pm.

The political season is upon us. First up, the Nantucket Civic League presents “Meet the Articles“, with presentations about town meeting articles sponsored by citizens. Refreshments served. Nantucket Atheneum Great Hall. www.nantucketcivicleague.org. Friday (9th), 4:30 to 6:30.

On Saturday the 10th, I dropped into the Children’s House of Nantucket benefit - An Evening Mardi Gras Style, at the Westmoor Inn - cocktails, dinner by the Nantucket Catering Company, live auction, and music by the Dave Provost Trio with our own Selectman Michael Kopko on the big bass. Boston’s best newscaster Natalie Jacobson was there, as were Jenny Garneau’s new stockings.

More at MahonAboutTown.com.

On Saturday the 10th, the Nantucket School of Music Jazz Band and the NHA teamed up at the Whaling Museum to present swing music of the 1940’s, as played by the orchestras of Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Artie Shaw. Stacey Stuart greeted guests at the door with a bit of a twirl. Erik Wendelken conducted with style and pizzaz; Bob Lehman crooned a few while Diane Lehman on piano, almost invisible way in the back, smiled warmly at Bob’s antics. On the dance floor were our favorite show dancers, Clay and Audrey, right next to some students from the Nantucket High School Ballroom Dance Team.

For more photos, go to MahonAboutTown.com.

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.

Catching up on some recent events: first, New Year’s Eve. I only made it to a few parties around town. Photos here are first from Jenny Garneau’s party.

For more, go to MahonAboutTown.com.

Finally I planned to join a dozen or so friends at Water Street for dinner and a midnight toast. This is what I walked into:

Have you any idea of the resulting electrical storm in your brain when you look at 10 of you looking back at you? A few more:

For more, go to MahonAboutTown.com.

For more, go to MahonAboutTown.com.

On Saturday night, a few hundred of Greg and Jessica Mehringers friends gathered to raise money to help pay their medical bills and living expenses while Jessica goes through testing and treatment for cancer. When all was counted, the total raised came to over $100,000, in certainly one of the most successful and generous fund raisers I’ve seen here, with virtually no expenses. Special note must be made of the Rose & Crown owners and staff, who this year alone have hosted events raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for islanders in need.

For more photos, see this week’s Nantucket Independent, and go to MahonAboutTown.com.

This new site makes it easier to purchase photos of Island events. 100% of all proceeds for all photos sold of this event will be sent to the Mehringers.

Please forward this email to any of your friends at the event who are not subscribers.

Just a reminder of the Mahon About Town and Nantucket Island Resorts cocktail party at the Brant Point Grill, this Sunday night (December 3rd) from 7 to 10 p.m. I believe there are still seats available for the special half price menu for this their last night of the season. If you want a table in the dining room, I suggest you call 508-325-1320 as soon as possible. Tell them you’re coming for the party, and they’ll seat you accordingly. But dinner is not necessary to come and enjoy friends and music by the Bob Lehman Trio. No cover.

Here are some pictures from the The New School Harvest Bash, Saturday, November 4. More in the Nantucket Independent and at MahonAboutTown.com.

Festival of Wreaths

Peter Foulger Museum, Tuesday (21st).For more, go to MahonAboutTown.com.

Celebrating Local Food & Business

This past Tuesday the 21st, Water Street hosted a sold out benefit for Sustainable Nantucket, a multi-course dinner incorporating island foods as much as possible, with several local chefs including: Jason Carroll and Robert Nelson of Water Street; Tim and Ruth Pitts of Centre St. Bistro; and Tim Thacher-Renshaw of Cinco. I passed my camera around the room, and here’s what I got. For more, go to MahonAboutTown.com.