Culture - Marblehead Current

12 Nov

Marblehead dancers bring hometown magic to ‘The Nutcracker’

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Forget visions of sugar plums. For 44 young Marblehead dancers, the holiday season is already filled with visions of pirouettes, tutus, toy soldiers and dancing mice. And they're bringing their dads along for the ride. Three Marblehead fathers will join their children onstage when the Greater Salem Ballet Company presents its 13th annual production of "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Lynn Memorial Auditorium. The Marblehead contingent makes up a sizable share of the 119-member cast, which includes 109 student dancers and 10 adult…

29 Oct

Marblehead musicians help Symphony by the Sea celebrate 45 years

Marielle SabbagArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Symphony by the Sea may have moved its performances from Marblehead to Beverly, but the orchestra's hometown ties remain strong. As it celebrates its 45th anniversary season, three Marblehead musicians are helping bring its music to life. Flutist Carolyn Colby, violinist Sheila Vitale and singer and conductor Matthew Arnold are among the local talents contributing to the orchestra's 2026-27 season, which opens Nov. 8 at The Cabot in Beverly. Founded in 1981 by a small group of musicians, Symphony by the Sea has grown into…

21 Oct

Haunting hobby: Local architect to reveal latest Halloween creation

Luca TedescoArt, Culture, Top Stories

Every October, Tom Saltsman transforms his Pleasant Street driveway and garage into something extraordinary. From a 20-foot-tall Egyptian snake goddess to a massive grunting gorilla and a spooky forest troll, Saltsman's larger-than-life Halloween creations have become legendary across the North Shore and beyond. Still a mystery: Tom Saltsman has a tarp over this year’s Halloween installation, which will be unveiled right before Oct. 31. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Part art installation, part architectural marvel, each elaborate production draws crowds eager to see what the…

19 Oct

NEWS IN BRIEF: Town administrator search, Vets Town Hall, new playground

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, News in brief

The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. Town administrator search About 15 people applied for Marblehead’s town administrator position, according to Select Board member and Screening Committee Chair Erin Noonan. In addition to Noonan, Police Chief Dennis King, Finance Committee Chair Molly Teets, Select Board member Jim Zisson and former Select Board member Jim Nye sit on the Screening Committee. Noonan told the Current that after several interviews late last week and early this week, “we will make the decision…

15 Oct

JCC marks 32 years of Jewish Book Month with seven author events

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Education, Local News, Nonprofit corner

The Jewish Community Center of the North Shore in Marblehead will mark the 32nd year of its Jewish Book Month Speaker Series this fall with seven author events exploring everything from thrillers and true crime to Jewish history, baking and children’s literature. The series runs Oct. 21 through Nov. 19, with most events taking place at the JCCNS, 4 Community Road. “At a time when Jewish authors and voices are facing unprecedented levels of bias and exclusion, it is so important for us to stand…

13 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Harmonies at Me&TheeFriday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Get ready for some serious harmonizing. Windborne brings its distinctive blend of traditional folk music and vocal harmony to Me&Thee Music. The acclaimed ensemble digs deep into musical traditions while giving old songs a fresh, contemporary sound. For information and tickets, visit meandthee.org. Fall fun by the beachSaturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-noon Pumpkins, paint and a…

12 Oct

Jazz series brings big talent to an intimate Marblehead stage

Marielle SabbagArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Once a month, the ballroom of Marblehead’s historic Hooper Mansion becomes an intimate jazz club, bringing acclaimed musicians and local audiences together just a few feet apart. Jazz at the Arts has been filling the room with music since 2018, drawing performers with résumés that include the Boston Pops, Berklee College of Music and performances alongside some of jazz’s biggest names. Behind it all is producer Gene Arnould, owner of the Arnould Gallery and Framery, whose connection to Marblehead’s jazz scene goes back decades. Dave…

06 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Animals, Art, Recreation, Religion, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Old Burial Hill walking tourFridays, Oct. 9 and 16, 4 p.m. The Marblehead Museum will debut a new walking tour of Old Burial Hill led by director Dan Marshall. Established around Marblehead’s first meetinghouse in 1638, Old Burial Hill is one of the oldest European graveyards in Massachusetts. Visitors will learn about the people laid to rest over the past 350 years, the…

30 Sep

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Discover Marblehead, Discover Marblehead, Entertainment, Recreation, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Me&Thee welcomes Rj Cowdery, Hope DunbarFriday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. The Me&Thee Music season continues with a double bill featuring singer-songwriters Rj Cowdery and Hope Dunbar. Cowdery has won the Kerrville New Folk and Mountain Stage NewSong contests. Dunbar blends Americana, country and folk with a prairie-inspired style. More info and tickets at meandtheemusic.org. 28 Mugford St. Greek tragedy takes the MLT…

28 Sep

NEWS IN BRIEF: Public Power Week, new faith leader, MAA applications

Leigh BlanderEducation, Local News, News in brief, Religion

The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. No changes to MPS cellphone rules — for nowThe Marblehead Public Schools are sticking with their current cellphone rules for now while administrators monitor how well they are working and state lawmakers consider broader restrictions. Superintendent John Robidoux told the School Committee that students in kindergarten through eighth grade must keep phones “off and away” throughout the school day. Administrators are also addressing smartwatches, Meta smart glasses and other connected devices. At…