Short Subjects
Call for performers
Performance slots are still available for the Built on Stilts dance festival coming on August 15-19 and 23-24 at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. Please email Built on Stilts director Abby Bender at shakes9999@yahoo.com or visit builtonstilts.org for more information. Theater, dance, improvisation, and music are welcome. The final programming is due by August 5.
Free family matinees
The Yard Arts! Festival includes a family-friendly performance at 4 pm on the following Saturdays: August 2, 9, 23, 30, and Sept. 20. Admission is free; donations are accepted. All performances are at The Yard, on Middle Road in Chilmark. For more information, call 508-645-9662.
Sculptures on the shore
The fourth annual Sand Sculpture Contest will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 5 and 6. Workshops and demonstrations begin on Tuesday at 11 am at South Beach in Edgartown (Right Fork), to the left of the Guard House. Registration for the contest is on Wednesday at 9:30 am at the same location. Sculpture construction occurs from 10 am to 2 pm, followed by the award ceremony at 3 pm. Lucinda "Sandyfeet" Wierenga, winner of Travel Channel's "Sandblasters," will be the special guest. For more information, contact Janice Donaroma at 508-627-8134.
The Bridwells on the FARM
Author Norman Bridwell visited the FARM Institute last Saturday afternoon after Family and Community Chores to read two of his "Clifford The Big Red Dog" stories. With his wife, Norma, the two kept the crowd in rapt attention.
Wild Thing
Maurice Sendak's life-sized literary character Wild Thing continues to visit Island libraries this summer as part of the summer theme "Wild Reads @ Your Library." Last Saturday, he visited the Vineyard Haven Library for story time and a photo opportunity. You can still catch him at the Aquinnah Library this Saturday, August 2, at 11 am.
Playhouse gala on the Chop
When the rain began to fall on Sunday afternoon, July 27, the Vineyard Playhouse Gala was moved indoors - but the party was hardly over. Attendees gathered in Jim and Patricia Ferrano's West Chop home to socialize, drink wine, and participate in a silent auction. In the evening, the crowd moved on to the Playhouse for a tribute to William Styron, in which friends and family read selected essays by the late writer. After the performance, the audience split up to attend dinners at various locations.
