FOR THE ARTS RECORD
Surfing Films Abound. at Atheneum This week. The Nantucket Atheneum is screening two vibrant, exciting and beautiful surfing documentaries this week.

Screening on Wednesday, "Riding Giants" is an outstanding documentary about one era in American alternative lifestyles, when surfing was well-suited to a radical culture of social dropouts. Using an amazing array of amateur film clips, shot for the most part in Hawaii and California from the late 1950s and early 60s, director Stacy Peralta traces the rise of surfing's appeal to young men looking to test themselves in an unorthodox (and sexy) milieu - of 'living life to the fullest,' as former surfer-turned-screenwriter John Milius (Big Wednesday) puts it.

Monday, the Atheneum will show "Step into Liquid." Writer-director Dana Brown - whose dad, Bruce, helmed the classic surfing flick "Endless Summer" - follows in his father's footsteps and takes a 21st-century look at the sport, employing up-to-date cinematographic technology to bring the audience right into those monster waves.

The film stars dedicated surfers Ken 'Skindog' Collins, Laird Hamilton, Rochelle Ballard and Gerry Lopez as they test the waters around the globe. Where Bruce Brown cast his beach bums as nomads, wandering in search of the perfect wave and sharing smiles with like-minded dudes, junior is eager to capture the sport as a broader phenomenon, showing women, kids and men caught in curls everywhere from the shores of Ireland to the beaches of Vietnam.
When: "Riding Giants" - Wed., Sept. 5, 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.;
"Step into Liquid" - Mon., Sept. 9, 7 p.m. - p.m.
Where: Nantucket Atheneum (Great Hall), 1 India St.
Cost: Free
For more information, call 228-1110.

NLBM: Clean, Authenticate & Appraisal Day." One of the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum's most popular events, Clean, Authenticate and Appraisal day allows collectors to learn more about their lightship baskest. Lee Ann Papale, scrimshander and basket care expert joins renowned basketmaker Alan Reed and antique expert John Sylvia, as they authenticate and provide appraisal for $15 per basket.
When: Thurs., Sept 8
Where: NLBM, 49 Union
For more information, call 228-1177.

Music: Joshua Tree at the Chicken Box It seems like a daunting task to build a tribute band around a group whose original members are still alive and playing, but the five guys from the greater Boston area who form the U2-tribute band Joshua Tree, which has been touring successfully for five years now, will tell you that it works and for a reason.

Joshua Tree will perform at The Box Friday and Saturday nights.

"A band like U2 that's been around since 1980 and that has accumulated so many fans, most people can't see them, can't afford to, and a lot of the early fans who do go to shows don't get to hear the material they grew up on, so we facilitate that," said Joshua Tree bassist Joe Wilson.

The band, which returns to The Chicken Box for its fifth year this weekend, organized six years ago to play original material. "But we found it impossible to finance it ourselves, so we had the idea to do a novelty-type show, as an original band, to do the Joshua Tree album from start to finish," Wilson said. "Once we started, we saw a huge call for it, and it evolved into a full time job."

The band focuses less on recreating an image and entirely on maintaining sonic authenticity and "getting the energy across," Wilson said. "That's what made U2 great when they were early on. They were never great technical musicians; they just had a great energy that came across. We want the audience to feel the music more than listen to the notes."

That live vigor, Wilson said, is the advantage that attending their live performances has over listening to U2 CDs.

"There's something the songs have live, something about watching and listening to the band, and feeling the energy of the crowd, that's a huge element," said Wilson, who added that songs like "Where the Streets Have No Name," "Bad" and "Pride" invigorate audiences almost without fail.
When: Fri. and Sat., Sept. 7 and 8, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Chicken Box, 44 Dave's Way
For more information, please call 228-9717.

Nantucket Land Council Galley Beach Dinner Every September as the crowds begin to disperse, yet with weather remaining quite pleasant, supporters of the Nantucket Land Council come together for a delightful evening at Galley Beach. A simple event, with dinner and cocktails, this fundraiser is renowned as one of the most enjoyable on Nantucket. Live jazz, this year featuring local talent Andy Bullington, Eric Wendelken and Tom Stoddard, will entertain guests at this spectacular location. Enjoy the sunset, meet other conservationminded individuals, and savor a delicious meal prepared by executive chef W. Scott Osif.

- Elisabeth Hazell, membership coordinator, Nantucket Land Council

When: Sun., Sept. 9; cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m.
Where:Galley Beach
Cost: Tickets are $1,000 per person, and $850 is tax-deductible.
For more information, please call 228-2818 or go to ww.nantucketlandcouncil.org.