Can you believe it’s the FINAL week of July? The Island is bursting at the seams with events you can only find on Martha’s Vineyard. We have carefully curated a selection of noteworthy events for you in our weekly Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard. From the music of an icon from the 90’s paired with local musical talent, to Chelsea Handler talking about her new memoir, to fishing boat fun in Menemsha, here are our top picks for the week of July 28st – August 3rd.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Sunday, July 28th
Dreams Can Come True – The Possible Dreams auction has a whole new look this Summer! Taking place on the bucolic Tilton Farm, this year features food, drinks, a raw bar and lots of live music with The Philly Project with Phil DaRosa, Mike Benjamin, Joanne Cassidy and more! Have your paddle ready to bid on one of those unexpected, incredible dreams that only this event can provide. Don’t forget about their Golden Ticket and silent auction too, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., West Tisbury mvcommunityservices.org
Seeing Stars – Deborah Cox & Ben Taylor headline for Jillian’s Angelic Dreams Vineyard Concert at the Tabernacle. Join the headliners & Nanauwem, Clayton Bryant, & Alyson Williams for a night of unforgettable music. This concert was created in honor of Jilian Slatas by her family. She lost her battle with drug addiction, and the Slatas are dedicated to making a difference for individuals and families by supporting existing services on Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod with humanistic interventions that reduce the stigma of addiction while helping people recover, 5:30 p.m., Oak Bluffs, thejillianfoundation.org.
An Icon – The Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series brings Gordon Lightfoot to the Island’s stage. This talented singer | songwriter | musician has countless hits over his 50 year career, and you have the opportunity to see him in the intimate setting of the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center, 8:00 p.m., Oak Bluffs, mvconcertseries.com.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Monday, July 29th
Pasta at the FARM – Join The FARM Institute for Pasture to Plate: Fresh Pasta. In this FARM class, participants will be making vegetable antipasto and two types of handmade pasta – pappardelle and ricotta gnocchi. Guests will then explore the endless possibilities for delicious sauces and toppings fresh from the FARM, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Edgartown, thetrustees.org/TFI.
Dinner, Music A Movie – Head to the Beach Plum Inn for a for a fundraising dinner with the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival for a showing of Echo Canyon. First enjoy a locally sourced three course meal, with a music performance by Kate Taylor, Jessie Leaman and Rick O’Gorman, followed by an outdoor showing of Echo Canyon. Jakob Dylan, the film’s narrator, also uncovers never-before-heard personal details behind the recordings, and how the music continues to inspire today, 6:00 p.m., Menemsha, tmvff.org.
Taking in the Vineyard Sky – The West Tisbury Library hosts Mark Alan Lovewell under the Vineyard sky, to learn about the stars above us. Discover the stars through the eyes of a Martha’s Vineyard amateur astronomer. Learn about the planets, stars, galaxies from the Martha’s Vineyard vantage point. This is an event for all ages, 9:00 p.m., West Tisbury, 508.693.3366.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Tuesday, July 30th
Up Island BBQ – UPDATE – Postponed until August 6th and then Tuesday nights are for BBQ at Lambert’s Cove Inn’s new restaurant, Woods. Enjoy the splendor of the property with a family friendly BBQ dinner. There will be body art for the kids & don’t forget to visit the alpaca, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., West Tisbury, lambertscoveinn.com.
Music on the Porch – The recently remodeled Harbor View Hotel is hosting MVY Radio’s Summer Concert Series. This week, you will find Cambridge singer | songwriter Alisa Amadorl on the porch. Enjoy views of the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse and stop by the all new Roxana Bar for cocktails & a bite, 6:00p.m. to 7:00p.m, Edgartown, mvyradio.com.
Dance the Night Away – The Edgartown Harbor becomes quite the dance scene on Tuesday nights during the Summer on Memorial Wharf. The Dock Dance Band plays their fun rock & roll music which makes for a vibrant sunset dance party at Memorial Wharf, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. dockdance.com.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Wednesday, July 31st
Flower Power – The FARM Institute hosts Morrice Florist’s Emily Coulter for a flower arranging class on the FARM. Learn the art of flower bouquets with farm flowers. This is sure to be a lovely evening to enjoy with friends,5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Edgartown, thetrustees.org/TFI.
Concerts at the Carnegie – The newest Vineyard Trust building has lots of Summer events, including music! Bring your blanket to the beautiful lawn of The Carnegie & enjoy live Music. You’re so close to downtown Edgartown. Head to town after to get a bite to eat or perhaps some ice cream, 6:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Edgartown, 508.627.44440 x118.
It’s All an Act – The Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse has a new production for the stage, Vanya, and Sonia and Masha, a 2013 Tony Award-winning comedy about three eccentric siblings. This play has been getting rave reviews from clients who have gone to see it, 7:30 p.m., Vineyard Haven, mvplayhouse.org. The final showing is August 3rd.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Thursday, August 1st
Paint at Polly – Start your morning with artist Lynn Hoeft for a series of watercolor classes that uses the beautiful plants and trees of Polly Hill Arboretum as the subject matter. For this class, landscape will be the focus. No previous watercolor experience is needed. You can take all Lynn’s classes or just one. Supplies not included, but you can reference a materials list, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., West Tisbury, pollyhillarboretum.org.
Catch Fishing Fever – This is the 5th year of Meet the Fleet, an event to support our local commercial fishermen and the Island’s working waterfronts. Tour the historic fishing vessel, Roann, watch a sea scallop shucking competition, crab races and touch tanks for the kids, live music and more, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a fundraiser for the MV Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, Menemsha Docks, Menemsha mvfishermenspreservationtrust.org.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Pop-Up @ 29 Winter Street
*Pop-Up @ 29 Winter Street – The fourth event of Point B’s local artists series! This week we are featuring Aubrey Maria Designs, a talented florist & JK Designs Co, an incredible potter– This is one not to miss, both Aubrey and Jessica create beautiful art – one to keep forever and one that truly captures the beauty of flowers, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 29 Winter Street, Edgartown, 774.563.0550.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Friday, August 2nd
The Hunt is On – On Friday mornings, you’ll find the Grange Exchange at the Grange Hall. Here, you’ll discover all sorts of treasures from the past, mixed with some modern wares. You never know what you might find. Each visit is unique and offers a new experience, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., West Tisbury, 860.391.1893.
Chelsea & Seth Take the Stage – Join Chelsea Handler for the opening event of the MV Book Festival, as she talks about her new memoir, Life Will Be the Death of Me. Seth Myers will join her on stage and you can only imagine the laughs to follow. What an intimate way to see two comic greats on the Island, Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Oak Bluffs, mvbookfestival.com.
Friday Fun in Vineyard Haven – It’s First Friday downtown! We love this monthly event! Vineyard Haven becomes THE spot on the Island to enjoy local artist trunk shows, live music throughout downtown, and of course the fun at Owen Park where you can sit, listen to live music and grab a bite to eat, with Vineyard Haven harbor as the backdrop. Be sure to pack chairs, blankets and a cooler. There’s even a MVFF movie that plays late night, Vineyard Haven, 4:00 p.m. to 8: 00 p.m., firstfridayvh.com.
Island Happenings On Martha’s Vineyard – Saturday, August 3rd
Feeling Crabby – Learn about the Cut at West Tisbury Great Pond and its beloved blue crabs. Your adventure starts at the Visitor Center at Long Point, then off to the cut. Enjoy learning about the history of blue crabs and the changing shore line of this magnificant Island property, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. West Tisbury, arizza@thetrustees.org, space is limited.
Like Moths to a Flame – The Moth Mainstage comes to the Tabernacle. Be ready for an evening of true stories told without scripts. The Moth enables people to feel connected through shared stories and the art of storytelling among emerging and established writers. Sure to be a memorable experience, 6:30 p.m., doors open, Oak Bluffs, themoth.org.
Arts Stroll – Head to Arts District in Oak Bluffs. Stroll through the many galleries found in this quaint area including Alison Shaw Gallery, Crossroads Gallery, Lucinda Sheldon Enamels, and the ART Gallery. Find that perfect piece of Island art you’ve been searching for, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Oak Bluffs, Arts District.
Thanks for checking out this week’s Island Happenings. Each week we will bring you some of the best events on Martha’s Vineyard, and help you have your best Island week! You can learn more on our Point B Realty Facebook page and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Youtube, &Instagram.
*Special thanks to the businesses & non-profits for the photos provided. Go out and have some Vineyard fun!