Heard during First Friday: “The September one is always my favorite — right before school starts back up again!”
As Labor Day weekend comes to a close, the next phase on-Island begins: “locals’ summer.” When the water is warm and the cars are slowly disappearing, it feels like our favorite spots are once again available to us who stay on this rock year-round.
Thanks to a beautiful sunny Friday last week, our September First Friday V.H. featured nine hours of live music across downtown Vineyard Haven, a rainbow at sunset, face painting and live painting demonstrations right on the beach, and so much food and fun and dancing. I heard afterward that the boats moored in Owen Park overnight had quite the surprise when they pulled up to a front-row seat of this local end-of-summer celebration.
On a more personal note, as an artist vendor at summer M.V. markets: You just never know who you might see show up. And no, I’m not talking about a so-and-so celebrity sighting. Last week at the Chilmark Flea, I was greeted by none other than the Charlie Brown to my Snoopy, way back in our 2009 MVRHS rendition of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Staying on the Island into adulthood, you get used to seeing familiar faces throughout the years. Many old classmates still visit, even if they no longer live on-island. But this was a first-time sighting since probably high school (almost 20 years ago) so Jerome Pikor, it was great seeing you, and hearing that your mom reads these columns brought me right back to tapping and singing “Suppertime” all those years ago.
A new show is now on display through Sept. 26 in the Art Space of the M.V. Playhouse. I was able to attend the opening reception last week, with live music by Jess Rawlings and food by new ceviche truck NAMI outside. Titled “Texture: Created and Found,” this exhibition features two artists, Isaac Hurwitz and Andrew Rice, who despite using different mediums and subjects, mesh perfectly through color and texture throughout the lobby. Viewable Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm.
On Sept. 15 at 6 pm, the Vineyard Haven library plays host to Dr. Nicole Absar for a talk on neurocognitive disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. Last year this event was filled to the brim with attendees, so arrive early to be sure to grab your seat in the newly built library meeting room.
In other local news, I would be remiss not to mention the passing of Clarence A. (“Trip”) Barnes III on Sept. 1. You “moved” so many, and in so many ways: Thank you for all your contributions to our Martha’s Vineyard community. A service and celebration of life is planned for October.
Happy upcoming birthday to Jordan Peterson, my partner in life (who I’m sure would prefer I didn’t make any big deal over this) on Sept. 14, who deserves all the bunches of birthday balloons. 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.
