Noteworthy
Published: January 28, 2010
MVM Speakers Series
The Martha's Vineyard Museum welcomes author and West Tisbury resident Paul Schneider as part of their Speakers Series this Saturday, Jan. 30. at 3 pm. Mr. Schneider will discuss his approach to developing the narrative voice in nonfiction and his research for his upcoming book. He is the author of four nonfiction books; his most recent work being "Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend."
Admission for MVM members is $10, or $12 for nonmembers. Books will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served. The talk will be held in the Gale Huntington Library on the Museum campus. For more information, call 508-627-4441.
Phil Dietterich, director of The Scottish Society Singers, accompanied the traditional Scottish singing that is part of the tribute to the life and influence of poet Robert Burns.Celebrating the Bard of Scotland
On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Scottish Society of Martha's Vineyard held its 23rd annual Burns' Nicht Supper at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown to celebrate the life of poet Robert Burns.
The evening's format, which has remained essentially unaltered since nine of his friends gathered to memorialize him shortly after he died in 1796, included blessings, a series of toasts, traditional Scottish music, the Procession of the Haggis, and the keynote address, "The Immortal Memory," delivered by Alan Renfrew.
Betsy Llewelyn (left) and Brenda Wallace enjoyed Saturday's annual Burns Nicht Supper at the Harbor View Hotel. Photos by Ralph Stewart Everything evoked Scottish tradition, especially the menu which boasted offerings of Cock-a-Leekie soup, Chappit Tatties and Bashed Neeps, and Island-made haggis.
Among those contributing to the evening's pomp and celebration were piper James Joyce, Celtic harpist Sandra Bittermann, Christopher Scott, Cynthia Robinson Cronig, and Nelson Smith.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the Scottish Society High School Scholarship Fund, featuring a raffle and a lively auction led by the Island's favorite auctioneer Trip Barnes.
Winter film screenings
The Edgartown Library begins its Tuesday winter film screenings with a series of academy award winners. The series starts on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and goes until Monday, March 2. The film starts at 6 pm, and refreshments will be served. A schedule of individual films is available at the library. For more information, call 508-627-4221.
Painting by Lisa Vanderhoop.Art exhibit
Lisa Vanderhoop will be exhibiting her art at the Chilmark branch of the Bank of Martha's Vineyard from Friday, Jan. 29. to Monday, Feb. 15. She will be featuring Valentine cards, art prints, discounted calendars. Paintings by Susan Johnson will also be on display.
One-act on MVTV
The broadcast premiere of "Been Laden with Terrorette's Syndrome" will air on MVTV's channel 13 tonight at 9 pm. This one-act play is a dark comedy about the ways terrorism is being leveraged. It features Chelsea McCarthy and Rob Myers, and was written and directed by Wayne Greenwell. It is part of the Brief Plays for a Small Stage series for MVTV.
Free computer classes
A series of free classes for beginner and intermediate computer users will be offered at the Oak Bluffs Library. Learn how to use Microsoft Word and Excel, improve your knowledge and skills, and discover new Internet search tools. Due to limited space, reservations are recommended; call 508-693-9433.
Charter School award winners, from left, are Chelsea Phaneuf, Rose Maidoff, Jess Dupon, Oona Post, and Domonique Aaron. Not pictured is Iris Grace. Photo courtesy of M.V. Public Charter SchoolYoung writers win big
Six Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School students have won awards at the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers Awards, sponsored by Scholastic. Iris Grace, Rose Maidoff, and Chelsea Phaneuf received Gold Keys, the highest level of achievement for their General Writing Portfolio submissions. Oona Post won a Silver Key for short fiction. Domonique Aaron and Jess Dupon received Honorable Mention for poetry.
New improv session
IMP begins a new session of their popular after school improv classes on Monday, Feb. 1, at the Edgartown School. The session will end with two shows on May 21 and 22 at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. The class will be held in the instrumental room at the school. For more information, call 508-939-9368.
Artist Wilfred Dantis's poster was one of the pieces auctioned at the Mansion House at last Saturday's daylong fundraiser for Haiti.Fundraising day for Haiti
A day of giving for Haiti, a collaboration between the nonprofit human rights organization TenThousandMeans and the Mansion House, was held Saturday, Jan. 23.
Merchants and businesses pitched in to raise money for the nonprofit Doctors without Borders, which has been scrambling to deliver emergency health care in the stricken Caribbean nation.
David Schanhals, the new chef at Zephrus in Vineyard Haven, offers his soup du jour. Photos by Ralph StewartThe event included an auction at Mansion House, with donations from Tisbury merchants EduComp, Midnight Farm, and others. Che's Lounge hosted live music, Zephrus offered a lunch special, and Martha's Vineyard Taxi donated 20 percent of their receipts taking passengers to and from Che's Lounge.
Many retailers and businesses contributed items to be auctioned - everything from a membership in Our Island Club to a yoga session at Mansion House.
For more information, contact Chris Bahara at c@tenthousandmeans.org or 917-406-6274.
Record release
Foxes Have Holes, the long-awaited CD from Noepe Records by Vineyard singer-songwriter Adam Howell, will be unveiled at a record release party on Saturday, Jan. 30, 7 pm at the Unitarian-Universalist Society on Main Street in Vineyard Haven. The CD, which features Mr. Howell's extraordinary guitar work and collaborations with Island musicians Colin Ruel and Noah Maxner, was made possible in part by a grant from the Martha's Vineyard Cultural Council. The release party will feature live music from Mr. Howell and others.
