Waban Park in Oak Bluffs is the site of a two-day festival of music, food, and art this Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, from 11 am until 10:30 pm. The second annual Martha’s Vineyard Sound Festival is billed as both a family event and a cutting-edge music happening, featuring a diverse musical lineup ranging from indie, rock, and folk to reggae and hip-hop. There are notable groups from off-Island, including the rocking Ryan Montbleau Band and the hip-hop group Lynguistic Civilians, as well as some of the Island’s best local talent, including Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish and the Mike Benjamin Band, among many others. There will be food booths, exhibits of art, and events for kids and families, with a focus on local food, home-grown talent, sustainability, and fun.
Event organizer, local musician, and producer Phil daRosa said last year’s inaugural event was a success, and he expects this year to be even better.
While strolling through the vendor booths, and snacking on delicious local food, Mr. daRosa said, visitors can watch visual artists and craftsmen, and also take advantage of a kids’ tent, which will providing fun games and activities throughout the day. A group of local artists will be on the scene, creating a collaborative painting inspired by the events of the weekend.
On Saturday, the Chilmark-based Martha’s Vineyard dance company the Yard will lead an interactive choreography session culminating in a performance between musical acts.
All ticket holders are welcome to attend “Yoga in the Park,” an outdoor yoga class with instructors from ONE Hot Yoga and an onsite DJ, from 10 to 11 am each morning.
Re-entry will be permitted, so that attendees can take advantage of the surrounding amenities, including the Oak Bluffs town beach, where one can go for a dip between sets.
Entertainment will continue beyond the main event at the park, with live music at satellite locations throughout downtown Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
The full 2015 lineup, which Mr. daRosa said will also include “unnamed special guests,” includes Ryan Montbleau Band, the American roots-based Parkington Sisters from the Cape, Kenyatta Hill of Culture, Mieka Pauley, Dwight & Nicole, Dana Williams, Caroline Sky, Mike Benjamin Band, Will Dailey, Island Thunder Band, Charlotte Benjamin, Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, Hitch & the Giddyup, Beninghof Walton, Alex Karalekas, the soulful stylings of Vineyard native Sabrina & the Groovers, Nate D’Angelo, Jason Nichols, the Jemima James Band with Rose Guerin, Crooked Coast, Good Night Louise, the Lynguistic Civilians, Black Brook Singers, and the Chandler Blues Band. DJs WEP, Ras Toe, and AP will spin between artists’ sets.
“The focus is on local,” Mr. daRosa said, “local restaurants, farmers, artisans, shop owners, nonprofit organizations, musicians, and visual artists are all contributing to the festivities.”
Mr. daRosa said in a press release that Martha’s Vineyard Sound is working toward becoming a zero-waste event. This year, festivalgoers will find free water refills available to anyone who brings their own vessel, as well as compost and recycling containers throughout the grounds. Martha’s Vineyard Sound is also teaming up with Preserver Products, a B-Corporation that will provide reusable recycled #5 polypropylene dishware and utensils, available at most food vendor booths. Vendors will provide information about the sourcing of their local produce and sustainable materials.
Martha’s Vineyard Sound is partnering with three local nonprofit organizations for ticket sales: Island Grown Initiative, the Yard, and the Martha’s Vineyard Skatepark (through the Green Room on Main Street, Vineyard Haven). Stop into one of their physical locations to pick up your tickets, and $5 from each ticket purchased will go back to the organization.
A portion of the proceeds from Martha’s Vineyard Sound will help kickstart the Island Collaborative, an Island nonprofit that will support sustainable projects on Martha’s Vineyard. Island Collaborative was created to facilitate collaboration between Island civic organizations, local government, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, to accomplish projects Islanders want and need. Visit islandcollaborative.org for more information.
Advance ticket prices: single day, Saturday or Sunday, $35, weekend pass $60, all-access passes $100/$150. Parking is available at the Oak Bluffs School. Purchase tickets online at mvsound.brownpapertickets.com. For detailed info and an event schedule, visit mvsoundfest.com.
