Culture - Marblehead Current

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…

19 Dec

Marblehead celebrates Hanukkah with menorah lighting

Leigh BlanderReligion, Top Stories

More than 150 people gathered to celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah at a menorah lighting outside National Grand Bank Thursday evening. There was singing and storytelling and even the traditional Hanukkah treat sufganiyot (jelly donuts). "Jewish tradition teaches us to kindle the lights of our chanukiah (menorah) by a door or window, so that we can share the miracle, so that others can see it." said Rabbi Jenn Mangold of Temple Emanu-El at the event. "Just as we are doing tonight, sharing our light…

17 Dec

For nearly four decades, van Kalken has set Marblehead’s holiday tone

Julie FlynnCulture, Entertainment, Local News

At a recent performance, you could hear a pin drop when Maria van Kalken raised her hand, motioning to the chorus. For more than 37 seasons, van Kalken, director of the Old North Festival Chorus and minister of music at Old North Church, has led the Old North Festival Chorus and Orchestra holiday concerts. On Dec. 6 and 7, the much anticipated 45th annual holiday concerts did not disappoint. The Festival Chorus draws from the church’s senior choir and singers across the community. The first…

29 Oct

Dan Dixey’s new book features 200 photos, stories about town

Leigh BlanderCulture, Local History, Top Stories

Marblehead native and photo collector Dan Dixey is out with his fourth book, just in time for the holiday season. The book, “Marblehead Facts, History & Old Photos,” is packed with 200 pictures and stories from around town. Photos date back to the 1860s; the stories go back to 1629. “It’s a fun book,” Dixey told the Current. “It’s got a lot of little things that people will talk about, argue about.” One example: Dixey, whose family arrived in Marblehead in 1629, explains the difference…

14 Oct

From folk singers to Jewish vampires: A preview of Jewish Book Month

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

The Jewish Community Center of the North Shore is about to launch its 31st Jewish Book Month Speaker Series. The program dives into Jewish literature and culture with author talks and community events meant to inspire meaningful conversations. The series runs Oct. 16 through Nov. 21, at the JCCNS, with books written by Jewish authors or exploring Jewish themes. The first night will feature journalist Jane Eisner and her book, “Carole King: She Made the Earth Move.” In an interview with the Current, Eisner said…