Last week was quite a week. Illumination Night, the fireworks, the fair, and everything in between, including some amazing films presented by the M.V. Film Festival and the last week of Built on Stilts. I didn’t make it to everything, but I did make it to some of the events. The fireworks in Oak Bluffs this year were incredible, with a beautiful albeit smoky finish. The fair was wonderful. The animals seemed particularly handsome this year, and I appreciated all the good local food options. Congratulations to Noli Taylor and her children for their ribbons. Noli won a special blue ribbon for her winter squash, Emmett won for a checkerboard he made with wampum shells for playing pieces, and Tillie won for a bowl that she made. As you will see in reading this column, we are blessed to have so many talented and creative people not just on the Island but in Aquinnah in particular.
Ron Slate will be the final speaker in the library’s speaker series tonight, August 22, at 5 pm. He will explore the current poetry scene in the U.S., how it relates to his zine On the Seawall, and read a selection of his poems. The speaker series is held at the Old Town Hall, and refreshments are served. Story Time will be on Thursday at 3:30 pm and Saturday at 10:30 am. There will be an ice cream social at the library this Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. Come celebrate the end of summer with your friends and neighbors and get some ice cream. Music on the Deck will be on Tuesday at 5 pm, and slow yoga will be on Wednesday from 4 to 5 pm (at the Old Town Hall). The library also has M.V. Museum passes to lend if you haven’t been yet.
The last Aquinnah Artisans Fair of the summer will be happening Saturday, from noon to 4 pm. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, we have amazing artists and craftspeople in this town. Stop by and look at their work and get some beautiful things. Support our Aquinnah economy.
This weekend the Yard presents “A.R.T. on the Vine: Artists Rising Together on the Vineyard Island Grown Dance,” featuring Abby Bender, Claire Page, Tessa Permar, the 2019 Yard Interns, and Dance the Yard on Thursday, August 22, at 7 pm and Saturday, August 24, at 7 pm at the Yard’s Nanon Theatre. A.R.T. on the Vine (Artists Rising Together on the Vineyard) is an initiative started by the Yard that recognizes and supports the performing arts and artists on Martha’s Vineyard. Our Island is filled with many talented and disciplined performers, and their work is not only worth supporting but tells us about ourselves in a new way.
Livingston Taylor (you know — Hughie’s brother) will be performing at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown on Friday, August 23, at 8 pm. He is performing in support of his album, “The Best of LIVe — 50 Years of Livingston Taylor Live,” which was released in February.
On Sunday, August 25, from 8:30 to 11 am, the 14th annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, an annual fundraiser for the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, will take place at the Federated Church Parish House, 45 South Summer St., in Edgartown. The breakfast consists of blueberry pancakes with syrup, bacon or sausage, and a beverage. Cost is $12 per adult, $6 per child, and $30 for families with children. This event is a Mission Project of the Federated Church. All are welcome. For information call 508-627-4421, or email officefederatedchurchmv@gmail.com.
Happy birthday to Noli Taylor and Trisha Mulligan, who both celebrate on Friday.