Time ticks on: August has arrived.
In my head, August is always a big, bright, blazing fire: the busiest month on Martha’s Vineyard. I’m not even sure if that’s true anymore, but to me if Wednesday is hump day, then August is a whole month of that feeling.
It’s amazing, and busy, and loud — full of fairs, fireworks, and family time. But once we get through it, we all relax just a tiny bit before returning to school, work, or whatever we consider our more “normal” lives.
This week marks the next First Friday V.H. event on August 7: our biggest one of the year! Come to town, explore local businesses, and see what our brand-new “passport project” is all about. The Daytime Art Market will be joined from noon to 2 pm by Papa J & Mo’ Soul, an electric band and longtime regular at B.B. King’s in NYC. Don’t miss our evening festivities at Owen Park, with more food vendors, activities, and live performances than ever: especially our fire dancer, Miss Molly Dazzle, with a new routine starting at 7:30 pm. Find all the details, full lineup, and more at firstfridayvh.com.
Did you know M.V. Summer Institute has been running a Jewish Film Series all summer at the M.V. Hebrew Center? Next on the schedule is “Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse” (2024) on August 9, which examines Spiegelman’s life, roots, and development of his groundbreaking graphic novel “Maus.”
Also coming up is the gem that is Built on Stilts: an annual dance festival taking place over two weekends at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. While outside Vineyard Haven, this free community event celebrates 30 years on August 6–9 and 14–17. Inside this newly renovated historic property, experience an incredible mishmash of dance, live music, storytelling, theater, comedy, circus acts, drag, martial arts, fitness demos, and more.
The brand-new Vineyard Haven library is holding a very special Open Mic Night with actress Cleo King emceeing on Thursday, August 13. Come enjoy or participate yourself in a genre of your choice: music, dance, drama, spoken word, or more. Free to the public, starting at 6 pm.
Good luck, everyone hosting or participating in the many events happening this month! Drive carefully, wear a helmet, enjoy the summer breeze, and talk to you next week.
Small correction from last week’s column: The public bathrooms located near the Stop & Shop in town will be continuing their usual hours, closing at 3:30 pm daily.
Reminder: Do you have an upcoming birthday, event, or just something you want shared in a future Tisbury column? Email me at tisburycolumnist@gmail.com with your own stories of our town, or upcoming events you’d like to see spotlighted here.
