Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.
Explore Marblehead’s Lost History of Iberian Ties
Saturday, Nov. 8, 1:30p.m.-5:30p.m.
The Spanish Basque city of Bilbao is today best known as the site of
Paul Gehry’s landmark Guggenheim Museum, but it was once practically Marblehead’s
“sister city” thanks to its role as Europe’s biggest importer of New England salt cod.
Uncovering such surprising historical connections will be front and center at the
upcoming Salem State University-Marblehead Museum symposium “To Drive a
Great Trade for Bilbao: Rediscovering New England’s Iberian Ties,
1640s–c.1830” taking place on Saturday, November 8th from 1:30-5:30 PM in the
Petrowski Room, Marsh Hall (Salem State University’s Harrington Campus).
Local and Spanish curators and historians will come together with area residents to
explore how trade in cod once nurtured a network of relationships between North Shore seaports
and Iberian port cities, including Marblehead’s especially strong Bilbao connection,
which helped open the door to Spanish support for armed resistance to British rule in
1775.
The symposium is taking place in conjunction with the Marblehead Museum’s new
special exhibition Bilbao Bound now on view at the Museum’s 170 Washington Street
gallery through December 24th. For the full program and to register for the event,
please log onto bit.ly/3L2v6Hl (Remote attendees register at bit.ly/47gkNIu).
Harbor Holidays at the Boston Yacht Club
Friday Nov. 21, 6-9 p,m,, Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Celebrating 17 years, Harbor Holidays returns to the Boston Yacht Club for this pre-Thanksgiving shopping tradition. Free and open to the public on both days, the show features work by a group of local and regional artists and craftspeople. Mediums include painting, jewelry, ceramics, hand-made clothing, photography, woodworking, soy candles and craft sweets. As part of the event’s tradition of supporting charitable giving, “Making Ends Meet” will be raffling a gift basket and SPUR will kick off its annual Christmas Cheer Drive.
Grab a beverage from the cash bar and enjoy shopping directly on Marblehead Harbor. The B.Y.C. is located at 1 Front St, Marblehead. For more info visit the HarborHolidaysBYC.com.
Marblehead Harbor Rotary to honor Holiday Pops featured artist Paul McMahan
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5-7 p.m.
Marblehead Harbor Rotary will honor artist Paul McMahan at a reception as he unveils his watercolor painting, “Abbot After Dark,” this year’s Holiday Pops signature art. The reception for McMahan will be held at the Masons’ Philanthropic Building, 62 Pleasant St., 5-7 p.m. There will be light refreshments prepared by Every Little Breeze Catering and a cash bar. This event is free and open to the public.
Cookbook Club at the Abbot Public Library
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 12 p.m.
The Abbot Public Library Cookbook Club aims to be a starting point for a conversation about food, recipes and an exploration of the evolving American kitchen. At each meeting, a book or theme will be explored in discussions of recipe, construction, background, cooking, display and tasting. This week, Ina Garten’s “Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Try at Home,” will be featured, followed by additional meetings Dec. 10, March 11, April 8 and May 13.
Marblehead Arts Association Winter Member Show
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2p.m.-4p.m.
The Marblehead Arts Association opens its annual Winter Member Show at the historic Hooper Mansion. This exhibit will run from Saturday, Nov. 8, to Sunday Dec. 21, with an opening reception Sunday, Nov. 9, 2-4 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums, including paintings, 3D, photography and more. The MAA galleries are open Wednesday to Sunday, 12p.m.-5p.m. Entrance to the exhibits and reception is free of charge. More information at marbleheadarts.org.
Antje Duvekot & Seth Glier
Friday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
Head over to Me&Thee 28 Mugford St., to listen to performers Antje Duvekot & Seth Glier.
Duvekot has extensive touring experience, criss-crossing the U.S. and Europe many times. She also headlined the The Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and the Tonder Festival in Denmark. Glier has worked as a cultural diplomat for the U.S. State Department and collaborated with musicians in Ukraine, Mongolia, China and Mexico.
Marblehead Museum hosts talk on new Revolution book
Thursday, Nov. 6, 7pm
The Marblehead Museum will host a book talk with Nicholas Gentile, author of “Enemies to their Country: The Marblehead Addressers and Consensus in the American Revolution.” Gentile’s book profiles Marblehead in the pivotal year of 1774, when a group of town leaders known as the Marblehead Addressers sent out a proclamation supporting the royal governor, while their fellow Headers were calling for independence.
Gentile will share compelling stories, many previously untold, showcasing how Marblehead dealt with political dissent and evolving loyalties. 170 Washington Street. It will also be available via Zoom. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the general public. Tickets on the museum’s website, marbleheadmuseum.org, or by calling 781-631-1768.
