On Sunday I had the opportunity to participate in Lia Kahler’s first Offerings of Music and Light, with an amazing group of talented Islanders donating their time and talent. We started as a group singing holidays hymns, and were treated to the remarkable talents of Gerry Yukevich reading poems, Adele Dryer as both solo and accompanist on piano, the Vineyard Sinfonietta (violins: Emily Broderick, Irene Hungerford, Mary Sossong, Hatsy Potter. Viola: Jeffrey Nelson. Cello: Heidi Strauss), Holly Wayman playing flute, Misses Biskis (Ellen Biskis and Chris Carroll on guitar, with Tauras Biskis on Dobro), Steve McGhee on cello, and Joan LeLacheur, with me offering a tuning fork meditation. It was a lovely evening ending with “A Christmas Carol” read by Susan Klein, followed by lighting candles and singing “This Little Light of Mine” followed by a delicious reception. Join with community in sharing light on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 5 pm with performers including Phillip Dietterich on organ, Warren Doty Trio, Kate Taylor with Dana Edelman, Jan Heyer on cello, Lia Kahler mezzo-soprano, Jesse Keller dance, Susan Klein reading, Ed Merck alto recorder, and Kate Taylor with Dana Edelman singing with guitars.
Just a reminder, shotgun season continues through Saturday, Dec. 8.
Chilmarker Kate Taylor is participating in Gifts of Art: An Island Art Show at the Carnegie, 58 North Water St. in Edgartown. Join her at the reception on Thursday, Dec. 6, 6 to 8pm. The show runs Dec. 7 to 9, 10 am to 5pm. Other artists include Marston Clough, Margot Datz, Anna Lowell Finnerty, Marjorie Mason, Jeanne Staples, Elizabeth Whelan, and Allen Whiting.
The Chilmark Community Church offers hot meals Tuesday at 5:30 pm, all ages welcome. Stop by the church on Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30 am and enjoy a weekly musical jam session. 9 Menemsha Crossroads, Chilmark. For further information call 508-645-3100.
The Food Truck is parked in front of Menemsha Blues from 11 am to 2 pm, Mondays through Fridays. Please be sure to park and stand off the road when waiting for your food.
Chilmark Chocolates is open through Tuesday, Dec. 18. And don’t forget you can shop on Basin Road for great gifts as well.
Pathways Arts at the Chilmark Tavern hosts three films on the Pacific Ocean on Friday, Dec. 7. On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the M.V. Poets Collective members read. Every Saturday at 3 pm, join Alison Cameron Parry for a weekly all-ages Family Qi Gong; for more info write chionmv@gmail.com or call 508-397-1743; $15 suggested donation (livestream also available). Doors open at 6:30 pm and events begin at 7 pm, free for all evening programs.
Celebrate the season with friends and community at the annual Friends of the Chilmark Public Library Holiday Party on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 4:30 pm. Enjoy swagmaking and card decorating, plus refreshments, live music, and festivities All are welcome.
Librarian Irene Tewksbury needs our help; if you have low glass jars (baby food) for tealights and small round cardboard boxes (like the ones Brie cheese comes in), please bring them in for a craft project Irene is planning.
The Chilmark library’s monthly Movie Matinee is 1 pm Saturday, Dec. 8. After-school Crafts with Irene is on Wednesdays, from 3 to 4 pm, for kindergartners to fifth graders. The Coffee Klatsch Knitting (bring your own supplies and projects) and Chess Meet-Up happens Thursdays from noon to 3 pm. Come enjoy free coffee — just be sure to bring your own mug — for a cozy, laid-back, and communal hangout up-Island. Check out Whitney Cleary’s wonderful paintings, hanging through Dec. 27. Head to the annual book sale beginning Tuesday, Dec. 11, through Dec. 15. Stories with Rizwan continue Tuesday and Saturday at 10:30 am. Though the next Poetry Book Club mets on Dec. 29, you may want to start reading this month’s pick, “Priest Turned Therapist Treats Fear of God” by Tony Hoagland. Learn more at chilmarklibrary.org or 508-645-3360.
The M.V. Fisherman’s Association is hosting a special screening of the 2018 documentary “Lobster War” at the M.V. Film Center at 4 pm. Director David Abel will join a discussion via Skype after the film. Learn more or buy tickets at bit.ly/MVFSLobsterWar.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, head to the Aquinnah Town Hall for their Artisans Holiday Sale with food from the Orange Peel Bakery and Island Stone Soup Kitchen from 10 am to 4 pm. Free admission and parking.
It’s almost time for the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association kids Christmas Party on Thursday, Dec. 20. If you have a child/children from newborn through fifth grade who’s not yet on Santa’s list, please contact Katie Carroll at squidrow@vineyard.net to add them.
Have a great week.
