Luminaries gather to celebrate the unheard
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will host an exciting and very special event at the Chilmark Community Center this Thursday evening from 7 to 9 pm. An Evening Without will celebrate the works of writers, poets, scholars, and activists who were excluded from the U.S. because of their controversial ideas.
The ACLU of Massachusetts’ executive director Carol Rose and board member Arnie Reisman will host the event that will feature an impressive group of celebrities including: Anthony Lewis, Alan Dershowitz, Kate Feiffer, Robert Brustein, Tony Kahn, Naomi Foner, Paula Lyons, Geraldine Brooks, Rose Styron, Jon Lipsky, Richard North Patterson, Flash Wiley, Linda Fairstein, and Jessica B. Harris. Works will be read from writers Emma Goldman, Graham Greene, Czeslaw Milosz, Nazim Hikmet, Gordon Kahn, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes, Doris Lessing, Pablo Neruda, Dario Fo, Farley Mowat, Nelson Mandela, Adam Habib, and Moazzam Begg.
The event is free. Visit aclum.org/eveningwithout or call 617-482-3170 for more information.
Penguin celebrates 75
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Penguin Books; to celebrate, the company is throwing anniversary parties all over the country. On Monday, August 2, best-selling author and Martha’s Vineyard resident Geraldine Brooks will host an anniversary party for Penguin at Bunch of Grapes bookstore on Main Street in Vineyard Haven. Ms. Brooks is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “March” and “People of the Book.” She will read from her forthcoming novel “Caleb’s Crossing,” which is set on the Vineyard in the 1660s. Refreshments and giveaways will be in abundance.
The event will begin at 7:30 pm. Bunch of Grapes bookstore is located on 44 Main Street in Vineyard Haven.
Playhouse gala
Award-winning Broadway actress and singer Debra Monk will perform at the Vineyard Playhouse’s Gala Celeration, a fundraiser hosted by Doug Liman, Tamara Buchwald, and Abigail Solomon. From 5 to 8 pm this Sunday, August 1, enjoy music by Ms. Monk accompanied by Island resident Wes Nagy, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres at an 18th century Chilmark home overlooking the ocean. Tickets are a minimum donation of $125, and directions will be given upon purchase. Call Tessa Hayward by today, July 29, to reserve: 508-693-6450 ext. 29 or email tessa@vineyardplayhouse.org.
Crohan and Mayhew CD, concert
Island sensations Katie Mayhew and David Crohan have released a CD of a live recording of duets from a fall 2009 concert, and will perform together this Sunday, August 1, at the Old Whaling Church. A percentage of the CD’s profits will be donated to several Island nonprofits, including COMSOG and Camp Jabberwocky.
Find the CD’s at Sunday’s concert, which begins at 4:30 pm. For more information, email drdeb@vineyard.net.
