Noteworthy
Bunch of Grapes: It's official
Bunch of Grapes bookstore celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, July 4, exactly one year after a devastating fire gutted the building.
To kick off the festivities, when the store opens at 9 am the first 50 people to enter will receive free T-shirts. In addition to refreshments, the grand opening celebration will include children's activities such as a story time, face painting, and balloons, and book signings by several guest authors.
The newly renovated bookstore owned by its former event coordinator Dawn Braasch, actually made its debut a few weeks ago in a "soft opening" on June 13 marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The bookstore's reconfigured layout designed by Kate Whouley, and built by DeSorcy Construction Company includes taller bookcases and reading areas with rattan and leather chairs. The children's section upstairs has been expanded. Some old familiar touches remain, however, such as the familiar stained glass wagon wheel above the staircase landing.
Bunch of Grape's popular author event series begins again on July 3 with a guest appearance by David Kinney, who wrote "The Big One," a book about Martha's Vineyard's Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.
Soulful sounds
Jeannie Gagné will show off her vocal and songwriting prowess at the Vineyard Haven Unitarian-Universalist Society on July 4 at 8 pm. Joining Ms. Gagné in her concert will be her son, Dylan Wolff, playing electric bass and drums.
An associate professor of voice at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ms. Gagné grew up amid the New York City music scene. She has been a full-time professional musician for over 25 years, touring nationally and abroad. She is known for her amazing vocal range, which stretches across 4 and 1/2 octaves.
At Berklee, Ms. Gagné teaches voice and performance, pop, rock, blues, jazz, folk, and classical styles. She also performs with West African drum ensembles and various jazz groups, some that include sax man Stan Strickland who has an extensive Vineyard connection.
Ms. Gagné is currently working on her third solo album, which will join her two already released albums, "Must be Love," and "Wide Open Heart." The concert will feature both original soul and blues songs by Ms. Gagné and covers of familiar songs by other artists. Tickets for the concert are $20; $15 for students. Call 508-693-8982.
A group of pet lovers and owners crowd around as Father Nagel blesses the pets at the celebration of the new Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard.
Gimme shelter
The Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard honored pets and their owners on Saturday at a celebration at Sunset Park in Oak Bluffs. From 12 noon to 2 pm visitors brought dogs, cats, birds, and more to the event, or they came alone to enjoy the company of others' furry or feathered friends. Father Nagel of the Good Shepherd Parish Church blessed the pets, and the public had a chance to meet the staff of the new shelter.
Carla Pereira and her cat, Smokey, celebrate the festivities together.
Lisa Hayes, the manager of the new shelter, bonds with Lucy, one of the many dogs at the event.
Berry treats
Crowds flocked to the West Tisbury First Congregational Church for the 21st Annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 27. Volunteers went through 500 pounds of fresh strawberries, which they served in a variety of forms - with shortcake or vanilla ice cream, in smoothies, or just plain berries. Families and friends crowded around picnic benches on the church grounds, enjoying the rare sunny day.
Amy, left, and Annabelle Krause enjoyed sweet treats at the First Congregational Church's annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday.
Photos by Ralph Stewart
Kick-off party at Nectar's
They came, they danced, they partied. It was a successful kick-off concert on Friday night at Nectar's, the new music club in what used to be Outerland, and before that the Hot Tin Roof, at the airport. Happy about the start of summer, with new meetings and many reunions taking place, the large, high-spirited crowd quickly got into the festive spirit. The free concert included music provided by local musicians on the main stage, along with house music that kept people on their feet.
The debut performance of the Mooncussers was a highpoint of Nectar's opening party on Friday, June 26. From left: Alex Budney (Nectar's general manager), Brian Nelson, Mike Parker, Matt Rosenthal, and Brad Tucker.
Jordan Lee Berger, Nectar's promotions manager, and co-owner Christopher Walsh took center stage for a raffle drawing to give away tickets to future shows. Photos by Ralph Stewart
Deejay Cartel kept the party going between live performances.
Cinema Circus
In its sixth summer film series, the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival presents its first Cinema Circus, which began yesterday, July 1, and will continue until August 26. More than just films, it features acrobats, jugglers, stilt-walkers, face painting, and other attractions. Cinema Circus was developed by artistic director Lindsey Scott and Nicole Dreiske, creative director of The Chicago International Children's Film Festival. A variety of films and entertainment will be held every Wednesday evening throughout July and August under a circus tent on the Chilmark Community Center lawn. Call 508-645-9599 for more information.
Moonstruck
The Katharine Cornell Theatre hosts "The Old Man and the Old Moon," the latest show by PigPen Theater Co. on Sunday and Monday, July 5 and 6, at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door, and the show is appropriate for all ages. The play, a collaboration between KCT Concerts and the Island Theatre Workshop, is about a man who must leave his duties of refilling the moon every month to follow in a search for his missing wife. For more information, call 508-693-0950.
Irish duo
Draíocht, a musical duo made up of husband and wife, Michael Rooney and June McCormack, will perform at Katharine Cornell Theatre on Saturday, July 4, at 8 pm. Ms. McCormack, a flutist, and Mr. Rooney, an innovative harpist, are internationally recognized for their fresh interpretations of traditional Irish tunes. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. For more information, call 508-693-6237.
Growing up
Thomas Dresser will promote his new book, "In My Life," at several locations this month. The book recounts the lives of a boy and girl coming of age in a small Massachusetts town in the 1960s, dealing with the national issues of war and peace. He will sign books on Saturday, July 4, at Bunch of Grapes in Vineyard Haven, from 1 to 2 pm. There will be book talks on July 7, 9:30 am to 11 am at Howes House in West Tisbury, and at 12 noon at the Anchors in Edgartown. On July 9 he will appear at Oak Bluffs Library at 6:30 pm. 508-693-1050.
Wednesday night laughs
Every Wednesday night at 8 pm, The IMPers, a professional teen improvisational troupe produced by Troubled Shores Inc., will perform at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. Every show is different, and includes audience participation. The performances are for audiences of all ages. Tickets are $12 at the door. 508-939-9368.
Sounds shellfishy
Lobster Week begins at the Chilmark Public Library on Wednesday, July 8, at 5:30 pm, with a lecture by Professor Jelle Atema from Boston University's marine biology department. Dr. Atema is director of the university's marine research laboratories at the Boston campus and at Woods Hole. He has been studying lobsters since 1970. There will also be a presentation of the award-winning film, "Realm of the Lobster," on Thursday, July 9, at 5 pm, and a drawing for two live lobsters. Both events are free and are co-sponsored by the Chilmark Library and Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund. For information, call the Chilmark Library at 508-645-3360.
Sing-along
Hosted by the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, the weekly Community Sings at the Tabernacle on Wednesdays at 8 pm are under way for the season. Old-time popular and patriotic songs and hymns will be performed. Families are encouraged to sing along during the event. Everyone is welcome. Donations accepted. Community Sings are held every year on Wednesday nights during the months of July and August. For more information, call 508-693-0525.
Benefit bazaar
The African Artists' Community Development Project is hosting an International Craft Bazaar at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury on Tuesday, July 7, from 10 am to 4 pm. The bazaar offers baskets, jewelry, carvings, and textiles from Africa, Mexico, and Guatemala. All of the profits benefit the indigenous people, including orphaned and disabled children, of these countries. For more information, call 508-693-4059.
Herbal creations
Polly Hill Arboretum's salve making workshop returns this summer with instructor Holly Bellebuono of Vineyard Herbs. Held on Tuesday, July 7, from 1 to 3 pm, the workshop begins with a walk to identify and collect medicinal herbs. Participants then make their own oil infusions and beeswax-based ointments and are given the option to take home their creations. Supplies are included. $40 per person, $35 for Polly Hill Arboretum members. For more information, call 508-693-9426.
Betty Bryant scholarships go to Jessey Myers and Nicole Hawkes
Jessey Myers and Nicole Hawkes have been selected to share the 2009 Betty Bryant Memorial Scholarship.
A 2009 graduate of the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School on June 6, Ms. Myers is headed for Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut. She plans to study social work and human services on her way to "...working with the young people within the community," as she defined her career goals on her scholarship application.
Since 2005, Ms. Hawkes has taught English as a Second Language in the Martha's Vineyard Adult Learning Program. She is currently studying Applied Linguistics at UMass Boston in a program "dedicated to helping immigrants learn English and become positive members of the community," she wrote in her application. "I am committed to continuing in [Betty Bryant's] footsteps, advocating for the disadvantaged on Martha's Vineyard."
Ms. Bryant was a community activist who focused on advocating for under-represented Islanders. After her death in 1994, several friends and family members organized a scholarship in her name, "To further the education of a Vineyard resident who has demonstrated a commitment to community service and human rights."
The scholarship is managed by the Permanent Endowment For Martha's Vineyard. For more information, or to contribute, contact Whit Griswold at 508-693-0680 or the Permanent Endowment at 508-338-4665.
