Although the Marblehead Festival of Arts, an institution in the Revolutionary War-era seaside village since 1962, is approaching 50 years old, it keeps up with the times — as evidenced by the program of events planned for 2008.
On tap for the annual patriotic party is a three-day concert series; a film festival; a kite festival; arts exhibits and workshops; a sand-sculpture competition; a drama festival; street performers; an artisans marketplace; and a model boat regatta — all bookending a one-of-a-kind harbor illumination and fireworks display. The festival begins today and runs through Sunday.
"The town is giving a part of itself, and we're thankful for the opportunity," said Brian Wheeler, the festival's chairman for performing arts. Wheeler, a volunteer with the festival for 34 years, books all the event's music at Crocker Park, a natural amphitheater on the water where 13 acts will play throughout three nights and two days.
"It's a blank canvas every year, and we try to fill it," said Wheeler of the line-up. "We bring quality musicians to the stage that will allow people from 8 to 80 to enjoy the music. There's something for everyone."
This year's concert series will feature a July 3 performance by Pierre Bensusan, a world-renowned solo guitarist fresh off an appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival; and New England blues legend James Montgomery, who will play before and after the fireworks on July 4. Amy Fairchild, a singer-songwriter from Waltham, will open for Montgomery. Fairchild's drummer is Dave Mattacks, a Marblehead resident who has recorded with Jethro Tull, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jimmy Page and more.
Folk music, and Marblehead's me & thee coffeehouse, will be represented on July 3 when journalist, author and folk musician Scott Alarik takes the stage with his show, "Scott Alarik & Friends, A me&thee JAM-boree." Joining Alarik will be jazz musicians Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick and Celtic musicians Matt and Shannon Heaton.
In addition, a Local Artists Showcase will feature area acts, such as Erinn Brown, J.T. and the Hounds, Trucker Mouth, The Notorious Bongo Brothers and more. The series will conclude with a show from the 21-piece Compaq Big Band on July 5, from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
But the concerts are just a fraction of what's happening during the Marblehead Festival of Arts. See below for a full schedule of events:
THURSDAY, JULY 3
Arts Exhibits: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Abbot Hall, Grace Community Church, King Hooper Mansion, Lee Mansion Garden, Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael's Church, Unitarian Universalist Church
Performing Arts Concert Series at Crocker Park:
r Scott Alarik & Friends, a me & thee coffeehouse JAM-boree: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
r Pierre Bensusan: 7:45 to 9 p.m.
Film Festival: 9 to 10:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, JULY 4
Festival Trolley runs 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Kite Festival: 9 a.m.to 3 p.m.
Workshop at Deveraux Beach and Sand Sculpture Competition from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Painting the Town Awards and Reception: 2 p.m. at Marblehead Arts Association, King Hooper Mansion
Painting the Town Exhibit: 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Marblehead Arts Association, King Hooper Mansion
Arts Exhibits: 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall, Grace Community Church, King Hooper Mansion, Lee Mansion Garden, Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael's Church, Unitarian Universalist Church
Logo Store: 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall
Performing Arts Concert Series at Crocker Park:
r Orakular: Noon to 12:30 p.m.
r The Notorious Bongo Brothers: 12:30 to 1 p.m.
r Lisa Landy: 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
r Trucker Mouth: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
r Amy Fairchild: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
r James Montgomery: 8 to 10:30 p.m. (with break for harbor illumination and fireworks, beginning at 8:45 p.m.)
Theatre Festival at Unitarian Universalist Church:
r "Here We Are," by Dorothy Parker: 1 p.m.
r "The Wind in the Willows," adapted for the stage by Alan Bennett: 2 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Festival Trolley runs 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Arts Exhibits: 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall, Grace Community Church, King Hooper Mansion, Lee Mansion Garden, Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael's Church, Unitarian Universalist Church
Artisans' Marketplace: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall
Logo Store: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall
Painting the Town Exhibit: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Marblehead Arts Association, King Hooper Mansion
Model Boat Building Workshop: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Model Boat Regatta: 3 p.m.
Performing Arts Concert Series at Crocker Park:
r Thirty for Sixty: Noon to 1 p.m.
r J.T. & The Hounds: 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
r Erinn Brown: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
r Whose Muddy Shoes: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
r Compaq Big Band: 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Theatre Festival at Unitarian Universalist Church
r "They're Made Out of Meat," by Terry Bisson; and "Speeding Husbands," a new play by Elizabeth Robinson: 1 p.m.
r "Maybe Next Year," the first act of a new play by Georgette Beck: 2 p.m.
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Festival Trolley runs 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Artisans' Marketplace: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Abbot Hall
Painting the Town Exhibit: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marblehead Arts Association, King Hooper Mansion
Street Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. on Washington Street
Arts Exhibits: Noon to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall, Grace Community Church, King Hooper Mansion, Lee Mansion Garden, Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael's Church, Unitarian Universalist Church
Theatre Festival at Unitarian Universalist Church
r Reading selections from the winning Writers' World entries, followed by a reception: 2 p.m.
Logo Store: Noon to 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall
Birdhouse auction to benefit Marblehead Arts
Art lovers can bid on unique, colorful homes for their backyard birds at the Marblehead Arts Association's Birdhouse Silent Auction on July 5 and 6. A Marblehead Lighthouse, an "outhouse," a "Tweet" cottage, "Seafood Shanty" and "Bird Racer" are just some of the themes of these whimsical birdhouses painted and decorated by local artists.
The silent auction will take place at the Artisans' Marketplace at Abbot Hall, and proceeds will benefit Marblehead Arts Association, according to Deborah Greel, the president of the artists' group.
The youngest artist, 13-year-old Gabriel Wathne of Salem, painted "Bird Racer," which is red with checker-board roof and sport cars painted on the side. And two sisters, Cindy Golbert of Puerto Rico and Sandra Golbert of Georgetown, created "Seafood Shanty" and "Yellow Cottage," respectively. Both are members of Marblehead Arts, said Greel, who expects "at least" 30 to 35 birdhouses will be auctioned.
Each artist paid $8 for the unfinished birdhouses, to cover costs, and donated the finished product to the association, said Greel.
The Artisans' Marketplace will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 6.
— Larry Claflin Jr.
If you go
What: Marblehead Festival of Arts
Where: At locations around Marblehead
When: July 3-July 6
How much: Free
Info.: www.marbleheadfestival.org
