“Love is never wrong.” –Melissa Etheridge
Celebrate love this weekend with the annual M.V. Pride Weekend. Come to downtown Oak Bluffs for festivities all weekend to lift up our LGBTQ community. The struggle is real and ongoing; the freedom to be yourself and love who you love is at risk. The parade is the spotlight, filled with joy and hope. See the full schedule of events at marthasvineyardpride.com and obamv.com.
Keep the party going on Saturday at the P.A. Club with ESP, playing from 6 to 9 pm. Mo’s closes early on Saturdays, so bring your snacks or supper, and enjoy everyone’s favorite dance band!
Don’t know if you have noticed, but Oak Bluffs Sunday Open Market has begun. Every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm in Washington Park, enjoy local artisan shopping, specialty foods, and live music. Event contact is Kathleen Cowley: 508-939-1076.
I’m sure you have noticed the renovations this winter at Cottagers Corner. The Cottagers is an organization of African American women celebrating their 70th year of service and giving to the community. They have renovated their iconic headquarters on Pequot Avenue. They invite the public to the grand reopening at an Open House on June 24. Watch for more celebrations this summer; see the full schedule of events at thecottagersincofmv.org.
The Union Chapel has also undergone property renovations. The Vineyard Preservation Trust has revitalized the grounds of the Chapel, known as Chapel Hill Park. Landscaping details are being completed, and should be ready for the first Sunday service on June 21. You can become part of the restoration project by buying a brick or a bench plaque, or a garden stone or tree to be dedicated to a loved one. See vineyardtrust.org for details, and you will also see its calendar of events for the season.
Thursday music at the Strand this week features Sarah Shaw Dawson, Paleface, and Seán McMahon.
The Sunday concert in Ocean Park will bring the blues, with Dave Willis and the Down Island Band, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Don’t forget to get your tickets for Featherstone’s first Musical Monday on June 22. It will be a special blues show with the Delanie Pickering Band. Tickets go on sale on Monday, June 15, at featherstoneart.org.
Happy anniversary to Rob and Amelie Loyot on June 17! I hope they take time off from greeting customers at Curio, taking care of Vanessa the Sea Serpent of Farm Pond, playing saxophone and drums with Island bands, and all their other pursuits!
On June 11 we send heavenly birthday wishes to Hilde Combra, who passed away in February. Hugs to her husband Bert and their family. Happy birthday to Sandi Hakala on June 14! Sandi shares the day with Mary Breslauer and Janna O’Shaughnessy. On the 15th, we celebrate Judy Pizzella and Kerry Quinlan-Potter. Birthday hugs to Kathryn Townes, Corinna Black, and Gayle Poggi on June 16. Natalie DeHaro, Anne Caldwell, Rita Barbosa, and Ava Castro celebrate birthdays on the 17th.
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