Opportunities to support the local community while raising awareness on national issues are abundant on the Vineyard. Tonight at Nectar’s, the M.V. NAACP and Nectar’s MV convene for the evening to benefit the Bradley Square Project; the project is an undertaking introduced by the Island Affordable Housing Fund (IAHF) last year to integrate affordable housing with historic preservation and community development.
The event, entitled One Nation — One Dream, expresses the desire to foster an environment of unity and friendship to garner a future that is abundant with opportunities. By itself, this mission of the M.V. NAACP is an important one to the organization. It will be heightened Thursday evening when the message is sent in conjunction with IAHF, a local organization that provides grants and loans to others with proposals to create affordable, year-round housing. IAHF seeks to remedy some of the economic hardships facing year-round residents on Martha’s Vineyard. It also offers the opportunity for the local community to grow and expand while integrating resources of the Island and exercising its assets as a home.
For the special event, Nectar’s is excited to welcome Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, for a meet and greet reception beginning at 7:30. Mr. Jealous is a national icon, respected for his civil and legal work building social awareness and providing leadership and working as a community organizer and program director while working to pass important legislature over the span of his career.
Mr. Jealous will be accompanied by jazz and R&B sensation Pieces of a Dream, who will perform at 9:30 pm following the reception. Formed in the mid-1970s by three teenagers in Philadelphia, the band matured to blend soulful tunes with R&B beats to form a unique and funky contemporary jazz sound. The musicians were chosen to perform for their community consciousness, which they boast along with great talent.
The benefit begins with a reception, which takes place from 7:30 to 9 pm, where there will be an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The concert will follow at 9:30 pm.
Doors open at 6 pm for the meet and greet and at 9 pm for the concert. Tickets are as follows: $200 for the full event; $50 for concert in advance; and $75 for day-of-show concert. Tickets can be purchased at the Nectar’s box office, located adjacent to the M.V. Airport, and at Cousen Rose Gallery on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. They may also be purchased online at ticketsmv.com.
