On Saturday, June 1, a stellar group of Island musicians will play a benefit concert for the Martha’s Vineyard Skate Park at Flatbread Company at the airport. Ben Taylor, DCLA, 2nd Power, and DJ Ricky Prime are lending their talents to Flatbread’s first big fundraiser of the year.
Mr. Taylor, a consummate performer and songwriter, is the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. He will perform as a prelude to his summer tour that will span the U.S. and Canada.
Last year’s nationwide tour solidified DCLA (Dukes County Love Affair) into a hard rocking band with a wide repertoire. DCLA and 2nd Power are Island-based bands that always push the rhythm factor about as high as it will go. DJ Ricky Prime, who will start the music around 8 pm, is one of the most popular deejays on Martha’s Vineyard.
Celebrating its 10th year, the skate park opened to the public in 2003. It is an Oak Bluffs town park built on land donated by the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and leased to the town. Construction of the park was entirely financed by the Martha’s Vineyard Skate Park Association, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 corporation.
The association has worked on improving the park almost since the park was built. Elaine Barse, Martha’s Vineyard Skatepark Association president and owner of The Green Room, a clothing store in Vineyard Haven, said that this fundraiser is the first of several this summer she hopes will raise the $60,000 needed to replace the last of the remaining plywood sections of the park with concrete. She said the plan is to begin the work in the fall.
Ten years ago the group raised the entire construction costs, approximately $160,000, through gifts, fundraising, and donations from the Island towns and people who contributed time, supplies, equipment, and construction expertise to help build the park, according to their website.
Martha’s Vineyard Skate Park Benefit Concert, Saturday, June 1, doors open at 7 pm, music begins at 8 pm. $30; VIP admission is $75 and includes a meet and greet with Mr. Taylor, free pizza, and a gift bag. For more information, call Flatbread at 508-693-1137. Tickets may be purchased on line at ticketsmv.com or at The Green Room, located on Main Street in Vineyard Haven.
