Atheneum Announces New Summer Event To Replace Dance Festival

The Nantucket Atheneum this week announced a new three-day summer fundraiser - "Weekend at the Library" - to replace its Nantucket Dance Festival, which is being taken over by the new non-profit Nantucket Dance Theater.

The event, scheduled for Thursday July 20 through Saturday, July 22, includes a special dinner and conversation with philanthropist David M. Rubenstein moderated by author and journalist Evan Thomas, along with a concert in the Atheneum's Great Hall featuring Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Lori McKenna.

Here's the rundown of the weekend: 

Thursday, July 20: "Weekend at the Library" kicks off with a special dinner in the Great Hall, featuring a conversation with philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, a co-founder and co-chairman of the private equity firm The Carlyle Group. The conversation will be moderated by best-selling author, journalist and historian, Evan Thomas.

Friday, July 21: the power of Children’s Literacy is celebrated in an afternoon filled with fun activities and refreshments, designed to engage every member of the family.

Saturday, July 22: features an intimate concert in the Atheneum’s Great Hall, with Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, Lori McKenna, and a summer bash in the library’s garden.

"Weekend at the Library" is intended to honor outstanding thought leaders, musicians and authors at its inaugural event, and provides library supporters with an opportunity to help the library raise the necessary 75 percent of its annual budget, sustaining its mission to support lifelong learning for all.

"Throughout time, the Nantucket Atheneum has presented empowering opportunities to encounter inspiring cultural events, educational archives, resources and programming, including some of the best thought leaders of our day," said Nantucket Atheneum board chair Tracy Flannery. "Weekend at the Library draws focus on this work while raising critical funding to support children's literacy and adult learning opportunities all year long.”

Learn more by clicking here. Sponsorship options are the tickets to these events.