In a cozy barn-like building lit by candles, a small crowd gathered on overstuffed couches, chairs, and rustic wooden benches to hear a lone musician play guitar, improvising a jazzy set, accompanied by the sound of chirping insects and a soft breeze from across the Lagoon.
It’s a scene reminiscent of a group of friends enjoying a casual get together, except that the backdrop is shelves of jeans and a few old rock posters — The Velvet Underground, John and Yoko — and the makeshift stage area is surrounded by racks of flannel shirts, vintage dresses, and shelves of boots and shoes.
The boutique Salt MV on Lagoon Pond Road in Vineyard Haven has hosted musical evenings since the beginning of August. Last Sunday’s entertainment was provided by jazz guitarist Garrett Manley of Brooklyn, N.Y.
This Thursday, Sept. 4, Lexie Roth is the featured entertainer. Ms. Roth has released three CDs of her own and has been featured on albums with Keith Richards, Slash, Steve Miller, Levon Helm, and her father, Arlen Roth, a famed guitarist, guitar teacher, and writer. Ms. Roth has performed in venues throughout the country including the Montauk Music Festival on Long Island. She will be joined at Salt by Maesa Pullman of California.
The funky shop, located by the entrance to Veterans Field, carries clothing, shoes, jewelry, and home décor items. It has been open, somewhat under the radar, for the past 15 years. This summer, owner John Zannini decided to increase hours and visibility to some extent. The store has been open since August and on occasional evenings the rustic space features live music.
Manager Sabra Saperstein, who took over the day-to-day operations earlier this summer, has been responsible for recruiting musicians. So far the lineup has been a mix of locals and friends of Ms. Saperstein from her off-season home of Brooklyn. “It’s been a great opportunity to have friends come and visit and get some beach time and play music,” she said.
It’s also provided a new spot for music lovers to check out performances in a quiet space that’s a far cry from the bar scene. The music tends towards neo folk — solo acts or duos – and the lofty space makes a great listening room, similar to that of The Pit Stop in Oak Bluffs, which closed a year and a half ago.
The season’s entertainment schedule kicked off with a guest DJ from New York on August 1. The first live performance was by local songstress Nina Violet, who brought on board a musician friend who was visiting from Australia. So far there have been about half a dozen shows featuring to mostly solo acts and groups who play around the New York area.
Last weekend’s musical evening featured jazz guitarist Garrett Manley, who plays regularly with New York groups and occasionally as a solo act in bars and clubs around Brooklyn. He played a number of impromptu arrangements of old jazz standards on a 1965 Gibson guitar with an amazing sound. The tall vaulted roof of the old wooden building with rough plank flooring provided excellent acoustics. People wandered in and out enjoying the cozy ambience and watermelon juice refreshments provided by the store, as well as the balmy evening breeze.
For those inclined to shop, there is plenty to browse through. The store carries a selection of reasonably priced vintage, including lots of old Levis, flannel shirts, and leather goods. Mr. Zannini, a designer who has worked variously for Ralph Lauren,Filson, and Vineyard Vines, has gathered a wide range of jeans, from the American made brand Wild Ass, which sell for $35, to some of the the higher end brands such as the hip Brooklyn Denim.
There are racks and a selection of shoes and boots including some used as well as some new boots from Filson. A counter display case holds a good selection of jewelry, a mix of old and new items from independent designers. There are beaded bracelets, interesting leather cuffs, and some wampum. The large center space is surrounded by unpainted indoor/outdoor statuary. Buddhas and other Eastern figures in a range of sizes are found resting on the floors and shelves and spilling out down the outside steps.
It’s an eclectic mix and a fun space to wander around. Browsers are always welcome. Check out the store during the daylight hours before the racks get pushed aside for evening performances. Or just drop in for a relaxed evening of music and socializing.
Salt MV is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. Music with Lexie Roth and Maesa Pullman on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 8 pm. Free. BYO refreshments. For future music events, visit Salt MV’s Facebook page.
