Culture - Marblehead Current

25 Mar

A retro anthem for Marblehead: Local native pens song about growing up in town

Leigh BlanderCulture, Entertainment, Top Stories

For one Marblehead native, memories of growing up in town never really faded — they just needed a melody. After decades away, Marblehead High School Class of 1971 graduate Jay Block recently wrote a nostalgic song celebrating the freedom, friendships and small-town traditions that defined his childhood here. The tune, which he calls a kind of “retro Marblehead theme song,” has already begun circulating online and drawing attention from residents who recognize the places and experiences woven through the lyrics. “It just felt right,” Block…

22 Mar

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Animals, Culture, Local News, Recreation, Religion

Current Events spotlights notable happenings around town in the coming week. To submit a listing, email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org Current Trivia NightWednesday, March 25, 6 p.m. After the blizzard postponed its February event, the Current will host its annual Trivia Night at The Landing Restaurant. Come test your knowledge with Trivia Master (and Current consulting editor) Kris Olson. Tickets are $35. Go to MarbleheadCurrent.org. ‘James’ community conversationWednesday, March 25, 7 p.m. The Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination is sponsoring a “community conversation…

13 Mar

CURRENT EVENTS

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Don’t miss Marblehead’s best bets coming up Current Events spotlights notable happenings around town in the coming week. To submit a listing, email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org Shipwrecks of Salem SoundWednesday, March 11, 7-8 p.m. Discover the North Shore’s maritime mysteries with author Ray Bates at Marblehead Yacht Club, 4 Cliff St. Bates will talk about why the North Shore is such a common spot for shipwrecks. Free and open to all. Spirit Night Bourbon TastingFriday, March 13, 6 p.m. Join Marblehead Museum…

29 Jan

Me&Thee Music announces upcoming winter/spring shows

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Me&Thee Music will continue its Friday night live music tradition Feb. 6 with the hot jazz sounds of Brazil by Teresa Inês and her quartet. Inês’ music draws from a wide range of Brazilian styles, bridging cultures and genres including acoustic fusion, MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), bossa nova, samba and baião. Her new group features some of the Boston area’s finest jazz musicians: Fernando Brandão on flutes, Maxim Lubarsky on piano, Fernando Huergo on bass and Steve Langone on drums. Music begins at 8 p.m.…

13 Jan

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Theater, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights notable happenings around town in the coming week. To submit a listing, email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Festival logo reveal partyTuesday, Jan. 20, 6 p.m.The 2026 Marblehead Festival of Arts season kicks off with its annual logo reveal party at The Landing Restaurant. Celebrate by reserving dinner at 6 p.m. Guests should note they are attending the MFoA Logo Reveal Party when booking online or by calling 781-639-1266.Fifteen percent of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the Marblehead Festival…

08 Jan

Marblehead Cultural Council announces winners of 2026 grants

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Local History, Local News

The Marblehead Cultural Council has awarded grants for 2026, including funding for live music, historical performances and programming, art installations, and workshops. “Our council enjoyed reviewing 20 broad and varied applications from members of our local arts and culture community,” said MCC Chair Jeanie Stahl. “We are pleased to announce that we have awarded nine inspirational grants to enliven, enrich and deepen Marblehead’s creative arts scene throughout 2026.” The MCC places an emphasis on new, emerging and established artists and programs in local venues, as…

07 Jan

Inside a (new) year of art, music and history at the Marblehead Arts Association

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Top Stories

New exhibitions opening Jan. 17 will mark the start of another busy year at the Marblehead Arts Association, where contemporary works fill several galleries housed in the historic King Hooper Mansion, which is set to celebrate its tricentennial in 2028. The setting is as much a part of the experience as the art itself. “You have the sort of juxtaposition of new art and old building,” said Executive Director Xhazzie Kindle. “So, whether you’re an art lover or an architect lover, we meet both needs.”…

04 Jan

Who’s up for haggis? Burns Night returns

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Food, Local News

A Marblehead tradition for the last 18 years and a Scottish one since 1801, Burns Night will be celebrated again at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday, Jan. 15. Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, songwriter and music collector, lived in the second half of the 18th century and wrote more than 700 poems and songs in his short life. The first Burns Supper, an informal affair, was held in 1801 by nine of the poet’s closest friends in the same cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire, where he…

01 Jan

Turning the page to 2026: Resolutions from across Marblehead

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Food, Linda Bassett, Marblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Top Stories

The holiday celebrations may be over, but the spirit of renewal is just beginning in Marblehead. As 2026 unfolds, the Current spoke with town leaders, educators, artists and community members about the resolutions guiding their work, families and passions in the year ahead. Here’s a sampling of responses we received. Cynda Rohmer, Marblehead Arts Festival presidentDo you have any resolutions related to the Arts Festival? Stay organized! Advertise and talk up the new events in 2026. How about for yourself? Get back to the gym…

22 Dec

Marblehead Jewish day school fighting to survive

Leigh BlanderEducation, Religion, Top Stories

The North Shore's only Jewish day school — the Epstein Hillel School here in Marblehead — is facing a financial crisis and it's not clear whether it will survive. "After much deliberation, the board has made the difficult decision that starting in the 2026-27 academic year, our school is planning to move to a PreK through fifth-grade model," the EHS board wrote to families, announcing that it will stop offering grades six through eight. "Operating a PreK-5 school gives us the strongest chance to achieve…