for the ARTS record

CLANCY JOINS COLLEY, WENDELKEN Nantucket's own Chuck Colley and Erik Wendelken will open for Aoife Clancy (pronounced 'Eefa') who brings a refreshing new voice to folk music, one that ranges from traditional Irish songs to ballads and contemporary folk. The event is this Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Atheneum.

Aoife Clancy, daughter of Bobby Clancy (of the legendary Irish group The Clancy Brothers), has made her own mark in the Irish and Folk Music worlds. Her father placed a guitar in her hands at age ten, and by age 14 was playing with her father in nearby pubs. Aoife has recorded seven albums and been a member of the group "Cherish The Ladies." She tours on her own now and comes to Nantucket through her friendship with Wendelken. Admission is free. Seating is limited.

ARTS COUNCIL TO HONOR WEAVER MARGARETTA NETTLES In her career as a weaver, the late Margaretta Nettles produced an impressive body of work and served as an inspiration to many who desired to follow the craft. In honor of Nettles' talent and dedication to the arts, this fall, during the September Nantucket Arts Festival, the Nantucket Arts Council will give a monetary award in Nettles' name to an island person who has demonstrated ability in weaving and textiles. Reggie Levine, president of the Nantucket Arts Council, said the amount of the award has not yet been determined, and that it can also be granted to practitioners of other visual arts and theater arts. The recipient of this year's gift will be determined by the council's executive committee with Nettles' daughter, Anita, who now holds her mother's collection, as a voting member-at-large.

The award is an acknowledgement of an artist's quality of work. Though there is no stipulation as to how the funds are spent, they may assist in purchasing materials to continue their craft. "It is a question of merit," Levine explained about the gift.

Born Margaretta Grandin in Sweden on June 16, 1933, Nettles, who was wed for 34 years to the late island actor Jim Nettles, died on Nantucket March 3, 2003. The Arts Council promotes the appreciation of and advocacy for the arts on Nantucket. It awards grants to other nonprofit arts groups, supports art students through scholarships, and facilitates communication among local arts organizations and the community.

WEST AFRICAN DANCE & MUSIC The Nantucket Atheneum presents Abdoulaye Sylla and his traditional Guinean ensemble, Fotoba, this Friday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Atheneum. The group highlights the traditions of several different ethnic groups with a highenergy presentation. Audience participation on a variety of rhythm instruments is encouraged. Open to all ages. Pick up free tickets at the Weezie Library.

DRUMMING WORKSHOP The African Meeting House and Nantucket Boys' and Girls' Club is co-sponsoring a drumming workshop this Saturday, Feb. 16 from 1-2 p.m. as its children's Black History Month event. Join Abdoulaye Sylla and Fotoba to learn African rhythms on a variety of drums and rhythm instruments. For kids of all ages. Teens encouraged to participate. Sponsored by the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club and the Museum of African American History (African Meeting House on Nantucket).

MUSEUM CELEBRATES FIRST LOVE The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum will celebrate "I Love Lightship Baskets" Friday through Sunday, February 15-17 and invites all Nantucket Lightship Basket enthusiasts to join in the fun. Museum visitors will receive a free "I Love Lightship Baskets" bumper sticker with their admission to the exhibit and ladies will each receive a Valentine red carnation while supplies last. The program is free with admission to the Museum and offered at no cost to NLBM members.

Winter Museum hours are Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Upcoming events include a slide lecture, "Cape Cod Lighthouses", by guest speaker Douglas Bingham on Feb. 23 and the "Pot-O-Gold Scavenger Hunt" March 14-16.

LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL HOSTS BALL The Nantucket Lighthouse School celebrates Valentine's Day with a Queen of Hearts Ball, tomorrow, Feb. 14, 7-10 p.m. at The Chicken Box. All are invited for a feast of decadent desserts, a romantic silent auction and dancing to the Shingles. There will even be the crowning of a King and Queen! Tickets to this delightful event are $45 and all proceeds benefit the Lighthouse School.

The Chicken Box will be transformed to a romantic wonderland, and party-goers are encouraged to join in the festivities by arriving in costume. Vintage prom dresses, tacky tuxedo shirts and cupid wings are deeply encouraged and prizes will be awarded for best male and female outfit.

The Shingles, a local band comprised of musicians and singers Andy Bullington, Cary Hazlegrove, Michael Kopko, David Provost, and Chris Westerlund have enjoyed a resurgence.

Silent auctions items will include romantic getaways, candlelit dinners for two, spa and massage treatments, and "sweets to the sweet" among others.

Proceeds from the Ball will benefit the Lighthouse School which, having outgrown its former facilities, recently moved into its brand new home at 1 Rugged

Road. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 228-0427.

UNSPEAKABLE STORY The Nantucket Historical Association will present retired educator and Nantucket resident, Chris Lohmann, who will discuss Melville's Benito Cereno: The Unspeakable Story of Slavery at the Food for Thought Series on Thursday, Feb. 14 in the Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street, at noon. Free admission; bring your lunch.

In the explosive atmosphere of the year 1855, as America was drifting ever closer to civil war, Herman Melville wrote and published his most unsparing critique of slavery in the guise of a fictional short story. The author's use of subtle and surprising strategies of narration forces his unsuspecting and complacent readers to confront their own complicity in the racism

and injustice of slavery. I