Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog

The Western Wind is an eclectic a cappella vocal sextet, singing Renaissance motets, Fifties rock ‘n roll, medieval carols, Duke Ellington, complex works by avant garde composers, and the simplest folk melodies. They have appeared in Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, ArtPark, Ordway Theater, the Metropolitan Museum, the Frick Museum, the Jewish Museum, Folger Shakespeare Library, Library of Congress, and Cleveland Museum of Art. In Europe the sextet has performed at the Geneva Opera, the Rome Opera and the Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

This concert is produced by the Nantucket Arts Council, through Council board member Dr. Gerry Mack. Tickets are available through the Arts Council office (508-325-8588, info@nantucketartscouncil.org), at Bookworks, Michell’s Book Corner, Dan’s Pharmacy, and at the door if not sold out. Tickets are $20 for Arts Council members and $25 for non-members. Students in high school and under are admitted free. Sunday, March 2 at 4:00 pm at the Coffin School, 4 Winter Street. Last month’s concert did sell out, so buy your tickets in advance.

CABLE TV

The Jamie Ranney Show is on Channel 17 at 2 and 9 pm every day, with new shows on Fridays at 9 pm. There’s Jamie over there on the right when he interviewed me about my low carb diet. You can still find that interview here.

NIGHTLIFE
Also at the Rose & Crown, it’s Poker Night on Monday’s, Trivia Quiz Night every Tuesday (at 7 pm), karaoke on Thursday (9pm), and DJ Bri Guy Friday and Saturday night.

See the Arts & Social Calendar for additional details on the events listed above.

For a more comprehensive listing of ALL Nantucket events, pick up the Nantucket Independent for my Community Calendar, or click here.

On the set with Plum TV’s Morning Noon and Night Show, Saturday, July 21.

For more photos, go to the Mahon About Town Photo Pages.

More on the set with Plum TV’s Morning Noon and Night Show, Saturday, July 21. For more photos, go to the Mahon About Town Photo Pages.

Cape Cod Life’s Best of Nantucket list is now on the stands - some of the restaurant winners below. Pick up the June issue for all the winners.

Fine Dining
Gold: 21 Federal
Silver: The Pearl
Editor’s Choice: Topper’s

Family Dining
Gold: Atlantic Cafe
Silver: Faregrounds
Editor’s Choice: A.K.Diamond’s

Outdoor Restaurant
Gold: Brant Point Grill
Silver: Rope Walk
Editor’s Choice: Summer House Beachside

Waterview Restaurant
Gold: Galley and Ropewalk
Silver: Topper’s
Editor’s Choice: Straight Wharf

Seafood Restaurant
Gold: Sea Grille
Silver: Brant Point Grill
Editor’s Choice: Nantucket Lobster Trap

Romantic Restaurant
Gold: Cioppino’s
Silver: American Seasons and 21 Federal
Editor’s Choice: Sfoglia

Breakfast
Gold: Black-Eyed Susan’s
Silver: Fog Island
Editor’s Choice: Downyflake

Lunch
Gold: Provisions and Something Natural
Silver: Atlantic Cafe
Editor’s Choice: Centre Street Bistro

The Summer House is now open for the season under Peter and Danielle DeBenedictis.

The Galley Beach is open for the season.

DeMarco is open for its 28th season.

The Hen House now serves late night take out until 2 a.m.

Stubby’s has reopened after the fire, and Stubby’s owners Skip, Jim and Dave have purchased Pronto, open any minute.

PlumTV (Comcast Channel 22) is now airing new episodes of the local show about island chefs, Nantucket Food & Wine. The show is produced by Malcolm Brooks, with Mark Donato as host.

All Kovalencik and Matt Zadorozny: Monday at 5 pm

Evan Marley, Pi Pizzeria: Wednesday, 6:30 pm

Jason Carroll, Water Street: Thursday 1 pm

Paul Dean: Thursday, 8:30 pm

Artist and designer Malcolm Brooks and PlumTV have wrapped up another 11 episodes of Nantucket Food & Wine cooking shows, featuring chefs from Nantucket restaurants and catering companies.

Featured are Mark Yelle (Nantucket Catering Company), Steve Bender (Fishers Fiddle Catering), Jason Carroll (Water Street), Sean Collins (Queequegs), EJ Harvey (SeaGrille), Paul Dean (Cowboys), Evan Marley (Pi Pizzeria), Jason Albus (Languedoc), Anthony Roach (Cambridge Street), Ron Suhanosky (Sfoglia), and Michael LaScola (American Seasons). Each chef will creates a favorite appetizer and entree, paired with a wine of their choosing. Mark Donato of the Sconset Market and Nantucket Wine Festival hosts the show.

Look for the new series to begin during the Nantucket Wine Festival and throughout the summer on Plum TV channel 22.

Here’s the promo reel for the show. While you’re there, check out the new PlumTV website.

Here are a few photos taken by Malcolm during the taping.

Just a few days ago you needed to turn on the heat to beat the morning chill - today air conditioners are on. Nantucket. Summer is here.

BENEFITS
The Nantucket Preservation Trust Dinner still has seats available on Saturday beginning at 6.

CONCERTS
Cellist Mollie Glazer and harpist Mary Keller are throwing a CD Release Party and Concert for ‘Music from our Heartstrings’ - Sunday at 3 at the Atheneum Great Hall. The concert will include works by Bach, Handel, Faure, Vaughn-Williams, Medieval, Irish, and Jewish traditional music. Free with light refreshments.

EXHIBITION OPENINGS
This is the big weekend for openings of major island exhibitions. Click on the links for details.

Last night saw the opening of “Gutsy Gals: Maria Mitchell and Her Sister Nantucketers” at the Coffin School, highlighting the life and accomplishments of Nantucket astronomer Maria Mitchell. The show is open 11 to 4 daily.

“Through the Collector’s Eyes” is now open at the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum, 10 to 4 daily.

“The Nantucket Art Colony 1920-1945” Members Preview & Reception is 5:30 tonight (25th), at the Peter Foulger Gallery.

The Artists Association of Nantucket opens their General Members Show with a reception tonight at 6.

The Artists Association Sidewalk Art Show takes place Saturday from 10 to 6 outside the gallery at 19 Washington Street.

South Wharf Gallery’s Opening day Celebration is tonight from 4 to 8, 3 India Street.

Meridian Galleries present “Contemporary Marine Artistry”, with an opening recption Saturday from 4:30 to 7.

NIGHTLIFE
Maxxtone is at the Box through Monday, getting going after 10. Bullington and Stoddart are at Even Keel tonight, starting at 6. The Bob Lehman Trio play the Brant Point Grill Friday and Saturday night beginning at 7:30. Jess Campbell plays the Starlight patio from 8 to 10, and Jeff Ross finishes out the night from 10 to 12. Jamie Howarth opens tonight at the Summer House, playing Friday and Saturday nights.DJ Bri Guy spins at the Rose & Crown Friday through Monday.

THEATER
“Detention with Oliver Diamond”, a children’s variety show mixing TV and live theater, wraps up this weekend - Friday and Saturday at 7, Sunday at 3 at the Methodist Church.

BOOKS
Charles E. Soule will meet his readers and sign copies of his new novel, “In the Same Space” tonight (25th) at 7 at Bookworks.

TELEVISION
PlumTV’s live Morning Show debuts tomorrow, Saturday at 8 a.m., with additional live shows on Sunday and Monday. That’s Comcast Channel 2.

Look for another edition tomorrow, heavy on photos of recent events.

Overheard: “I sold my condo in Montreal, which allowed me to break into the rental market on Nantucket.” (Elisabeth)

March 19th marks the 4th anniversary of the war in Iraq. There will be a March Against the War on Saturday, March 17, beginning at 11 am at the monument at the top of Main Street.

If you’re still not convinced of the value of and need for a Public Access television station on Nantucket, effectively doing what Channel 18 should be doing, check out the following: first, an 8 minute video produced by Tom McGlinn about the public access station in Cambridge; then take a look at what they’re doing just across the Sound in Barnstable.

WNAN (Cape and Islands Public Radio) is looking for a sound studio with an ISDN connection on Nantucket. I asked Mindy Todd of “The Point” why she had so few Nantucket guests, and the lack of a studio on island is the reason - guests now have to travel to Woods Hole to be on the show. Any studios available on island? Let me know. Meet Mindy and other members of the WNAN team at pub night at the Brotherhood on April 5th, from 5 to 7.

My interview for Michael Kopko’s POV will be on Plum TV Channel 22 at 10:30 am Thursday the 15th.

The Cape & Islands (free 2-day) Wellness Expo will take place on March 24th and 25th from 10 to 6:30, at Willy’s Gym and World Wellness Center, Eastham. Organic recipes, Reiki, acupuncture, Pilates, massage, stress biofeedback, reflexology, ergonomic footwear, nutritional consultations, defibrillator demos, health and skin-care screenings and samples, spinal alignment evaluations, structural evaluations, quantum biofeedback, chair massage, bed massage, blood pressure check-ups and more. Over 80 exhibitors, including leading health professionals on the Cape & Islands. Over 30 educational workshops, classes and demonstrations. Space is limited. Information and registration at www.CapeExpo.com or call 508-896-7117 to reserve your space and receive almost 40% off the workshop price. Presented by Cape Healing Arts Magazine and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

If you let me know when your business or restaurant will open for the season, I’ll post it here.

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.

Artist and designer Malcolm Brooks has teamed up with Plum TV to produce a
new cooking show entitled “Nantucket Food & Wine”, featuring chefs from Nantucket
restaurants and catering companies. Several half hour pilots have already been shot
and feature chefs Tom from the Club Car, Tim from Cinco, and Matt and All from
Company of the Cauldron. Each chef will create his or her favorite appetizer and
entrée.

The host of the show is Mark Donato of Sconset Market and Nantucket Wine Festival fame. 8 to 10 additional shows will be shot this winter and spring, which will air next summer with local and national sponsors.