The Martha's Vineyard Times

An evening of sight and sound at A Gallery

By Gwyn McAllister
October 9, 2012

Photo by Ralph Stewart

Samantha Barrow read a selection of her own poetry this past Sunday, Oct. 7. [More Photos]

The loft-like A Gallery was transformed into an urban style performance art space this past Sunday, Oct. 7, during the penultimate event for the temporary gallery. A video artist, a poet, a singer/songwriter, two electronic music mixers, and an installation artist contributed their talents to a unique multimedia event.

Throughout the evening, kaleidoscopic images by videographer and artist Holly Danger of Connecticut were projected onto a 30-foot wall space. The ever-changing visual collage provided an arresting backdrop for the performers and then added to a contemporary nightclub feel to the space as people danced to electronic music provided by DJ Di and Rodrigo Marchetti AKA IsALLUS.

Samantha Barrow read a selection of her poems accompanied by Jeff Schram of New York City on guitar. The spoken word pieces by Ms. Barrow, a Columbia Fellow, were direct and unapologetic at times but also laced with humor.

Mr. Schram then played and sang a few of his original indie blues rock tunes, and Ms. Danger presented some of her video choreography – projected mirror images set to recorded electronic music.

The shifting visual display, accompanied by electronic music mixes by Mr. Marchetti and DJ Di, concluded the evening.

In one corner a black light exhibit by Rhonda Hershey featured textiles woven with UV sensitive thread and long dangling phosphorescent jellyfish constructed of cloth and string.

All in all, the event provided a sensory rich experience and something quite different for Island audiences.

The A Gallery will host one final event this Friday night, Oct. 12, before closing its doors forever. A silent auction of murals created during last month's Best Fest, along with DJ dancing, will take place from 7 pm on. The gallery is located on State Road in Vineyard Haven.