On the Dock: Music to your ears

By Duncan Pickard - August 23, 2007

The Outerland nightclub is usually known for big crowds and big noise, a place where people can show off their dance moves while a cutting edge band performs on an elevated stage. But the Outerland's new On the Dock series presents a departure from those expected events by providing offerings that move to a different beat and set a different mood. Using a more intimate, smaller stage on the entrance level of the club, the program features acoustic and jazz performances along with other evenings of poetry readings. The bookings often showcase up-and-coming acts and provide music and poetry lovers a chance to enjoy it in a casual lounge atmosphere.

"We see this as an opportunity to feature artists before they make it to our main stage," says Brad Stevens, Outerland's general manager. "We get amazing talent. People like to be able to come and hear acts before they are recorded." He cites as an example Elvis Perkins, who was on the Late Show with David Letterman earlier this year, and who played at On the Dock in July.

When it comes to poetry, Michael West, who organizes the poetry nights with his wife Linda Black, says, "We look for people who we know can engage an audience, who deliver intense and passionate performances. Poetry here is an expression of the Island community. It's beautiful to get people up there who are poets who you wouldn't hear anywhere else."

The Groovers, a local jazz band, plays between the poetry readings. "They play anything, from standards to Sesame Street," says Mr. West. "Their style is groovy jazz, mellow and cool."

One poetry reading last month featured Ben Williams, a senior at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, whose poetry uses beats found in modern hip-hop music. "People were pleasantly battered with his rhythm," says Mr. West. "It was so unique. People loved the ride he took them on."

Next to read her original work was Rose Styron: "No one's heart was beating after she read," says Mr. West. "It was so moving. We had to reset the machine, so we had The Groovers come up and play." They reestablished an upbeat mood for the next poet, Samantha Burrows, a therapist on the Island who often writes about sexual healing in her poetry.

"Jazz is an excellent accent to the poetry," says Mr. West. "With such diverse poets, we need something to break up the different voices."

In addition to the poetry evenings, On the Dock often features Island musical acts. "We like to support the potential of local talent," says Mr. Stevens. One performer, Emily Furlong, is an Islander who will sing on August 26 with Jeremy Berlin, another Vineyard favorite. Ms. Furlong appreciates the opportunity to play on The Dock because, she says, "Only a few acoustic coffee house type venues have surfaced on the Vineyard."

"The intimate atmosphere of the Dock provides a place where the audience and the performers have the choice to relax without the usual distractions of a bar or concert hall," Ms. Furlong says. "Our style blends well with this environment because, though we certainly do our share of up-tempo numbers, our repertoire includes softer and more reflective selections, which would be lost on a noisy crowd."

On the Dock performances are usually between $5 and $10, and are open to all ages. In addition, Gigs Bistro at the Outerland is open Wednesday through Sunday nights, often coinciding with the On the Dock series. When dinner is served at a Dock event, there is no cover charge.

Upcoming On the Dock
All shows start at 9 pm
August 26: Emily Furlong and Jeremy Berlin, acoustic, $5
August 27: Thea Hopkins, folk/acoustic, $5
August 28: Poetry and jazz, no cover
September 6: P.J. Pacifico, folk/rock, no cover

More information and the updated events calendar are available online at www.outerlandmv.org.

Duncan Pickard is an editorial intern at The Times.