Entertainment - Marblehead Current

19 Feb

From setback to spotlight: Students turn loss into powerful festival performance

Leigh BlanderArt, Entertainment, Marblehead Public Schools, Theater, Top Stories

After losing the rights to their Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild DramaFest play just weeks before competition, Marblehead High School’s theater students regrouped, rewrote and refocused — transforming an unexpected setback into a deeply personal production. Niko King-Mahan, playing Holly, delivers a powerful soliloquy at the end of “The Mender.” CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Director and MHS English teacher Ashley Skeffington had written a 10-minute play, “The Mender,” five years ago for a festival but never developed it further. “Back then, it was just two…

15 Feb

Love, swing & song fill Abbot Hall Valentine’s night

Grey CollinsArt, Entertainment, Top Stories

Love was in the air Saturday night at the Valentine's Day Dance featuring Holly Cameron and Matthew Arnold and their 19-piece big band, the New England Yankees. People filled Abbot Hall — many dressed festively in red — for the show. Professional dancers Charisse and Mark Nocera even offered dance lessons. Special guest vocalists included Johnny Ray and Marblehead High School senior Eldar Yahorau. Check out this photo gallery by the Current's Grey Collins.

04 Feb

Literary Tradition: Marblehead tradition reborn as ‘Side Launch’ sails worldwide

Leigh BlanderArt, Entertainment, Sailing, Top Stories

Laurie Fullerton, the Current’s sailing reporter, published her first novel, “Side Launch,” last summer — little knowing it would become an international sensation of sorts. The book follows a journalist who moves to the fictional Maine town of Clydebank to write for a local newspaper. There, she stumbles upon a ramshackle shipyard and meets a local man determined to build a 70-foot wooden schooner using traditional shipbuilding techniques long forgotten by most. Since the novel’s release, Fullerton’s friends, neighbors and even her Marblehead High School…

03 Feb

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Entertainment, 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. Teresa Ines and Her Quartet at Me&TheeFriday, Feb. 6, 8 p. Me&Thee Music’s Friday night live music tradition continues with the hot jazz sounds of Brazil as Teresa Ines and Her Quartet take the stage. Ines’ music draws from a wide range of Brazilian styles, bridging cultures and genres including acoustic fusion, MPB, bossa nova, samba and baião.Tickets and information are available at…

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.…

27 Jan

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets

Leigh BlanderArt, Education, Entertainment, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Current Events spotlights notable happenings around town in the coming week. To submit a listing, email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. ’90s Karaoke NightFriday, Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m. Join Marblehead Charter for a ’90s-themed Karaoke Night. This is a free, all-ages community event. Sing your favorite ’90s hits, dress in your best throwback style, and enjoy a fun evening with friends and family. Food and sweet treats will be available for purchase. This night is part of MCCPS’ 30th anniversary celebration. RSVP at https://bit.ly/4qSa6mh.…

21 Jan

Local bands strike a chord with hometown crowds

Bella TravagliniArt, Entertainment, Top Stories

There’s something of an allure for Marbleheaders when local bands perform in town, said Robert Simonelli, co-owner and manager of The Landing Restaurant located on the harbor front. “We have a packed house when we choose the local bands,” he said of gigs that take place every Thursday night, drawing 90–100 revelers. “They have a devotion.” Turns out that there are several bands that play locally whose members are either all from town or have at least a couple of guys who live in Marblehead.…

16 Jan

Auld acquaintance not forgot at Marblehead’s Burns Night

Kris OlsonEntertainment, Top Stories

The sound of the bagpipes and the smell of haggis filled the air at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday for the annual Burns Night celebration hosted by Rhod Sharp and his wife, Vicki Staveacre. A tradition dating back to 1801, Burns suppers celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns, the prolific national poet of Scotland best known as the author of “Auld Lang Syne.” From left, Vicki Staveacre, Rhod Sharp, Shauna Martin, Jeremy Bell and Julianne Gearhart at the Burns supper at The Landing…

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…