Coming Up Beginning 6/27/08

Arts and social events for Friday (6/27) through Thursday (7/3):

The Nantucket Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market opens for the season this Saturday, June 28, from 9 am to noon at the Dreamland Theater Parking Lot. Look for locally grown produce and handmade goods, all sponsored by Sustainable Nantucket.

Now an annual right of summer, the Book Release Party for Elin Hilderbrand’s new book, “A Summer Affair”, is Tuesday, July 1, from 6:30 to 8 pm at Cisco Brewery. Elin’s novel “Barefoot” has just been released in paperback and is currently #7 on the NY Times Bestseller List. Elin will read at 7:00 pm. Booksigning to follow. Complimentary refreshments.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals come to the Box Monday and Tuesday (30th and 1st), one of the best bands that comes to the Box each year. “One of the most soulful new bands aroundÓ – Bonnie Raitt. ÒThis is an amazing band! Keep your eyes on this oneÓ – Taj Mahal.

Newly christened and redesigned, the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum opens to the public with a Renovation Celebration on Tuesday, July 1, at 6:00 pm at 158 Polpis Road. The collection has been organized in a more coherent way, so even if you’ve been before, pay another visit this summer.

---

MUSIC & NIGHT LIFE

Sweetmeat and the Silverfish CD Release Party: Saturday, June 28, 3 to 5 at Cisco Brewery. Meet and listen to the band. Free valet parking or ride your bike to the party and receive discounts on merchandise and CDs.

Jake Vohs Organ Trio. Sunday, June 29, 6 to 9 at The Muse.

NCMC Student Recital: Macy Smith, Soprano with Robby Behrman, Piano. Saturday, June 28, 5:00 pm at the First Congregational Church. Details.

Unitarian Choir: “Love Songs”, including popular, jazz and world music. Thursday, July 3, at noon at the Unitarian Church. Details.

The AM Group, last year regularly at the Rose & Crown, now spins every Saturday night at the Muse through October, with “Drop: Local Flavor from Local DJ’s” House music. Details. Video.

At the Rose & Crown, it’s Poker Night on Monday’s, Trivia Quiz Night every Tuesday (at 7 pm), 80’s Video Dance Party on Wednesday, Karaoke on Thursday (9 pm). Simon Simple’s White Night: A.M. Group DJ’s on Friday (27th), Top 40 Video Dance Party on Saturday, and the 2008 Summertime Karaoke Contest on Sundays.

Jeff Ross is back at the Starlight on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 to midnight. Jeff will also be at the Ropewalk on Thursday nights.

Alicia Gardner, singer, songwriter, and guitar player with covers and originals. Every Friday, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at Jetties Restaurant, 5:30 – 8:30. The A.M. Group plays House Music from 7 – 10 on Sundays. Andy Bullington and Tom Stoddart play acoustic blues and harmonica every Tuesday from 5:30 – 8:30.

The Bob Lehman Trio holds forth at the Brant Point Grill on Friday and Saturday nights.

Jamie Howarth is at the piano every Wednesday through Saturday night at The Summer House.

At the Box, Sex Toy Party plays Thursday through Saturday nights, the 26th – 28th. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals play Monday and Tuesday night.

---

THEATER

On the Isle, a non-profit community arts group, will hold auditions on July 1st for its primary amateur/professional musical, ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. Tuesday, July 1, at 7 at the ‘Sconset Casino. Details.

An Evening of Songs and Celebration by the Theatre Workshop: Wednesday, July 2, at 5, at the home of Stephanie Speakman, 75 Hulbert Avenue. The production stars Simon Gleeson & Natalie OÕDonnell, accompanied by Diane Lehman. Details.

Theatre Workshop of Nantucket presents “Sylvia”, by A.R Gurney, a play about a dog, the couple who adopt her, and the drama that results. Tickets – $25. Wednesday June 25th – Saturday 28th: 8:30 pm. Sunday June 29th – 3 pm. Wednesday July 2nd – Thursday July 3rd: 8:30 pm. Saturday July 5th: 8:30 pm. Tuesday July 8th – Saturday July 12th: 8:30 pm. Performance Center, Methodist Church. Details.

---

SPEAKERS & GAMS

Author Talk: Jane Green, ‘The Beach House’. Monday, June 30, 7 pm at the Atheneum. The New York Times bestselling author of ‘Swapping Lives’ and ‘Second Chances’, returns this year with ‘The Beach House,’ set on Nantucket. Details.

An Evening with Surf Legend Grant Washburn: Saturday, June 28, 5 to 7 at the High School Auditorium. Details.

Native American Basketry, a slide/lecture with Stephen Cook: Sunday, June 29, 2 to 3:30 at the Atheneum. Details.

Author Talk: Stephen Shore: Autism and AspergerÕs Syndrome. Wednesday, July 2, at 7, Nantucket Atheneum. Details.

Comets: From Bad Omens to the Sources of Life, by Dr. Vladimir Strelnitski. Wednesday, July 2 at 7, Maria Mitchell Association. Details.

---

GALLERIES & AUCTIONS

Artists Association of Nantucket: ‘East Meets West: ‘Sconset & Madaket’ Opening Reception. Friday, June 27, 6 to 8 at 19 Washington Street.

Old Spouter Gallery: ‘Summer Artists of the Gallery’ Opening Reception. Friday, June 27, 6 to 8 at 118 Orange Street.

South Wharf Gallery: ‘Elizabeth Akamatsu, sculpture, Christine Sanford, paintings’ Opening Reception. Friday, June 27, 6 to 8 at 3 India Street. Artists Discussion: Saturday, June 28, at 11:00 am.

Judith Brust: Nantucket Series Opening Reception. Thursday, July 3, 6 to 8:30 pm. Galleryblue, 20 & 21 Old South Wharf.

Rafael Osona Live Auction: Saturday (28th), American Legion Hall. Details.

At the Gallery at Four India, “Henry St. Clair (French, 1899 – 1990): The Coast of Normandy” runs from June 20 though July 1.

---

EXHIBITIONS

‘Sconset Night’ Exhibition Opening Reception: Wednesday, July 2, 6 to 8 at the Peter Foulger Gallery. It’s the opening of the ‘Sconset 02564: A Celebration of the Patchwork Village exhibition. A ÕSconset Gathering in Town, by the Nantucket Historical Association. Details.

NantucketÕs Presidential Documents exhibition opens with a reception at the Whitney Gallery, NHA Research Library, Wednesday, July 2, at 3:00 pm. It features NantucketÕs Presidential Documents: From Washington to Franklin D. Roosevelt, 7 Fair Street.

---

WINE TASTING

currentVintage presents Gianni Masciarelli and the Masciarelli Wines of Abruzzo, Italy. Friday, June 27, 3 to 7 at 4 Easy Street. Details.

Every Saturday, 4 to 6:00 pm at The Cellar. The focus changes weekly, and tastings are complimentary.

---

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

Coming Soon on Nantucket

Robert Behrman and Arman Ghazaryan are performing a free concert tonight, Tuesday June 24th at 7:30pm, at the Congregational Church Main Chapel. After hearing the two perform this past winter, Lucille Jordan asked if they would perform a public concert in June as a “Thank You, Nantucket” from Lucille to the community, celebrating Lucille’s 60th birthday. Lucille will also help underwrite a music festival within the Nantucket Arts Festival beginning Labor Day weekend.

Judy Collins will appear in concert Sunday night, July 6, at 8:00 pm at the Nantucket High School Auditorium. Tickets are $65, $90, $130 and $160, and are available at: Sports Locker, Visitors Services & Information Bureau, Nantucket Bank (Pleasant Street Branch), Law Office of Rhoda H. Weinman, the office of the Nantucket AIDS Network, or by email through me. For information, call 508-228-9600 or 508-228-3955. The concert benefits the Nantucket AIDS Network.

Something Natural announced that A Safe Place was the winner of the 2008 Something Natural Non-Profit Day. Customers cast votes during the month of May for 45 different Island non-profits. A Safe Place edged out our ’03 & ’04 winner Small Friends, followed closely by The New School (’07 winner) and the Lighthouse School (’06 winner). Rounding out the top 10 were The MSPCA, The Food Pantry, St. Paul’s Church, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Maria Mitchell Association (’05 winner), and Hospice Care of Nantucket. June 17th, all proceeds from the retail sale of baked goods, as well as a percentage of the proceeds from T-shirts were earmarked for A Safe Place.

Nantucket Walk Now for Autism will take place on Saturday, August 16 at Jetties Beach. Last year’s inaugural Nantucket Walk raised more than $310,000 to support Autism Speaks’ initiatives in autism research, advocacy and family services, and led to the establishment of the Nantucket Autism Speaks Resource Center. The mission of the Center, founded in November 2007 and housed at Nantucket High School, is to provide current information and comprehensive resources for families, professionals and the community for the purpose of educating and increasing awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information about the Center,contact Kim Horyn, Director, at khoryn@autismspeaks.org or 646-341-3043. Register for the walk here. Volunteer are needed for the walk. Call 609-228-7339 or email.

Tom Montgomery, great grandson of William H. Chase, whirligig maker and boat builder, will display samples from his extensive collection and talk about Chase’s extraordinary talents. Chase (1850-1931) was considered Nantucket’s greatest small-boatbuilder, and had Chase opened his own shop on Old North Wharf, and was well known for the skiffs, lapstrake dories, rowboats and sailboats as well as his whirligigs and weathervanes. Members and guests will be able to tour SPLASH! Boatbuilding on Nantucket in the historic Coffin School. Montgomery is a collector and a Nantucket aficionado, and sits on a number of boards for Nantucket organizations. Free for members of the Egan Maritime Institute. Non member adults: $5.00; students: $3.00. Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 8:00 pm in the Coffin School. 508-228-2505.

The Gallery at Four India

Click Ad for Website

Nantucket Independent Film: Tides of Summer

Star Thrower Entertainment is currently developing the feature film project ‘Tides of Summer’, set on and slated to be shot on Nantucket. Tim and Trevor White of Star Thrower, along with screenwriter Scott Simonsen, will be on the island throughout the Nantucket Film Festival.

‘Tides of Summer’ is the story of eighteen year-old Benjamin Wolfe, a boy from Los Angeles who embarks on a summer trip to visit his grandfather in Nantucket.

Susan Beaumont, Nantucket Viewfinder Productions, and Star Thrower Entertainment will be hosting a gathering for people who are interested in learning more about the project — upstairs at Captain Tobey’s Chowder House, 20 Straight Wharf (lower Main St.) Saturday, June 21 from 4 to 5:30 pm.

Tim White and brother Trevor White formed Star Thrower Entertainment in 2007. Along with producing numerous award-winning shorts, Tim is currently developing multiple feature and television projects through Star Thrower including the Nicholls Fellowship winning screenplay, Tides of Summer. Tim was a former nationally ranked junior tennis player and a winner of the NCAA National Tennis Championship while at Williams College in Massachusetts and attended USC School of Cinema-Television.

Trevor White has directed numerous award-winning short films. His film ‘Knockout’ won a top prize at the 2008 Cleveland International Film Festival, it was a finalist in the 2008 Very Short Movies Festival, was an official selection for the 2007 Palm Springs International Shorts Festival, and the 2007 Los Angeles Shorts Festival. His film A Detective Story recently premiered at the Beverly Hills Shorts Festival. Trevor has just completed his most recent independent film, Day 21, currently on the festival circuit.

A Little Night Music on Nantucket

A Little Night Music

June 19, 2008

It was the quintessential Nantucket engagement. Boy proposes. Girl accepts. Best friend calls out the news. The crowd cheers. The soon-to-be newlyweds dance.

The couple’s dancing was awkward at best, but the music that moved them was anything but. The Bob Lehman Trio enlivens the Brant Point Grill bar at the White Elephant on weekend evenings now, and Sunday through Tuesday in July and August. The lead singer, Bob Lehman, has a strong and smooth sound, and brings charisma and humor to his cabaret-style performance. Dressed in all black, he lit up the room that night with his smile, his moves, and his energy. Bob sang oldies but goodies like ‘Mac the Knife’, more contemporary tunes like Marc Cohn’s ‘Walking in Memphis’, and the Red Sox anthem, ‘Sweet Caroline’. Good times never felt so good, so good, so good.

At one point, Bob pulled a dollar from his pocket and waved it around as he sang an original, ‘Nantuck-COT’. The song complains about Nantucket prices ($10 a shot on Nantuck-COT), and mocks the summer folk who take over the island with their Range Rovers and attitudes. He then implores rich preppies to take their money to the Vineyard. From the look of faces around the room, he offended a quarter of the audience. Local crowd, I guess.

The band was tight, with Diane Lehman on piano, Jeff Carlson on the drums, and Eric Wedelkin, the high school band teacher, on the upright bass. They were as much fun as Bob as they joked with him between songs. The band even accepted a request (from me) for ‘Amazing Grace’, which they improvised with, okay, I’ll just say it, amazing grace.

I noticed an adorable older man sitting at the table closest to the band, tapping his feet and mouthing the lyrics. He must have been pushing 80, and was decked out in a snazzy white blazer and black shirt. Just as I was heading out, he stopped me and introduced himself as Frank. Frank gave me a serious look and said, “You’re not going to want to miss this.”

Diane Lehman, the pianist who had been hiding behind her instrument all night, emerged from her roost to sing the most soulful and sexy version of “Fever” I’d ever heard. She hit the high highs and low lows spot on, with the same enthusiasm and animation that we had become accustomed to with Bob. As she wrapped up the tune, Frank leaned over to me, nodding, eyebrows raised. “She’s almost dangerous,” he whispered, “Watch out.” Smiling, I headed off to the next adventure.

At The Muse, House music filled the club as people drank themselves into dance mode. DJs Billy Desmond and Simple Simon set the mood and the movers and shakers kept things moving and shaking. Usually the thumping Ung-cha, Ung-cha Ung-cha of house music doesn’t do it for me, but these songs had rhythm and catchy hooks and I couldn’t help but bust a move.

What struck me most was the incredible diversity of the crowd. I remember not so many moons ago when it was pretty homogeneous, pretty white. Between the Brazilians, Bulgarians, and Bostonians, it’s a mini-United Nations shaking their thangs and doing what they want to do. There is an element of sketchiness to the vibe though. A pack of men stood next to the dancing floor ogling women, which made it uncomfortable when I had to Red Rover myself to get to the restroom behind them. Then a few drunkards invaded my space on the dance floor, but never stayed too long when I avoided eye contact and quickly boogied to safety.

Despite the harmless annoyances, and that’s really all they were, I like this new scene – interesting, edgy, and unpredictable. People still tend to stick with their people, but given the shared space and universal language of dance music, there’s plenty of room for mixing it up.

One night, one girl, and two nightclubs worlds apart. That was a good night on Nantucket.

Ali Shriberg resides in Boston and comes to Nantucket whenever she can, which, during the summer, is every weekend. A true ‘Weekend Warrior,’ she brings to the newsletter the perspective of an off-islander, yet is familiar with the local scene, as many of her friends are year-round residents. Ali is a corporate trainer specializing in public speaking and presentation skills, and tutors students of all ages and abilities in writing.

Kerry Hallam Opening at LoLa 41 Nantucket

LoLa converted over to a fine art gallery for an exhibition of Kerry Hallam paintings on Thursday, June 12. Some of the people we saw there were: Kerry Hallam, Jim Cromartie, David Silva, Marco Coehlo, Frank Spriggs, Bruce Percelay, Jamie Howarth, Deborah Galant, Magdalena Padzik, Jess Mayerjak, Mark Daley, Holly Finigan, Linda & John Johnson, Tricia & Jim Lowe, Bruce Percelay, Ivey Dey, Jason Briggs, Emilia Kuzmanova, Katia Prado, Zach Dusseau, Wendell C. Jones, Emilia Kuzmanova, Jamie Howarth, Randell Bourquin, Hazel Fleming, Jason Briggs, Lynn Warfield, and Lauren Jacobson. Photos by Gene Mahon, assisted by Amanda Morgan.

If you see anyone you know in these photos, please forward the newsletter and encourage your friends to subscribe. You can forward to as many people as you want at the very end of each newsletter by clicking the “Forward email” link. (Forwarding through your email program will not work.)

Click on any photo to order a print or see more of this event.

Artists Association of Nantucket Camp

Click Ad for Website

Cisco Brewery’s Night Out

Cisco Brewers had a dinner out at Cinco on June 12. We happened by, and here’s what we found.

Click on any photo to order a print or see more of this event.

Cioppino’s

Nantucket Weather

Graphical Forecast