Island Time, May 30-June 2: Hello to Old Friends

Island Time, May 30-June 2: Hello to Old Friends

May 30, 2019

There should be a cartoon for the dueling emotions Islanders feel when summer starts. Oh, boy — Old friends! Blue sky! Warm sand! (Our inner Snoopy.) and Oh no — Traffic! Lines! Traffic! Lines! (The Charlie Brown attitude.)

This weekend we were definitely channeling Snoopy; it was hard to be grumpy with the weather so luxurious, the evening light so generous. Ospreys, rhododendrons, tomato seedlings, bird nests, beach shells, sea glass, souvenir flags — we started the collections of flotsam and jetsam that wash up on our decks and back porches and outdoor showers all summer long, the things that will write the story of summer 2019.

Despite the traffic and the lines and yes, the ticks and the parking tickets, we will turn our heads on Labor Day and look back, wishing we could wrangle the whole passel of days into a time capsule.

Friday, May 31 | Night Light

From the traditional to the sublime, you’ve got dinner options to choose from tonight. You could hang out in Owen Park with a lobster roll from Grace Church (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) or you could head to the Loft for a pizza buffet, a Dine to Donate event that benefits MV United Soccer. Or you could treat yourself to opening night at Bettini, the Harbor View’s new fine dining restaurant.

For fun tonight, try Trivia Night at Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) or PechaKuchanight at the M.V. Museum (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Country singer Charlie Marie is on stage at the Ritz at 7 p.m. and Brad Tucker plays at the Port Hunter at 10 p.m. Prefer a movie? Godzilla, King of the Monstersand Rocketman are both showing at the Edgartown Cinema tonight if you like shock and awe. Want something truly sweet? Go see Photograph at the M.V. Film Society at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 | Walk the Walk

Lace up your walking shoes and take part in the Annual Cross-Island Hike, which starts this year at Blackwater Pond Reservation at 8:30 a.m. and ends at the Big Bridge, State Beach, Edgartown. The route is 15.2 miles long, but you can walk part or half of it. The Martha’s Vineyard March for Heroes is also happening today. Marchers will carry backpacks on the marathon-length walk that benefits Island Veterans’ organizations.

There’s also a climate change walk at Felix Neck at 10 a.m. and Sassafras Education hosts their Saturday Youth Spring Explore adventure at 10 a.m. So there’s no excuse for anyone in the family to lie on the couch.

If you really don’t want to walk, try alpaca yoga or face yoga. Or take a window box workshop at Vineyard Gardens.

The Charlize Theron-Seth Rogen comedy Long Shot plays at the Capawock at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. today.

Sunday, June 2 | Eat Here

Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Week begins today with three-course prix-fixe lunch and dinner specials at many restaurants around the Island. The event goes through Thursday, June 6. Between meals, visit The Edgartown Lighthouse, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This afternoon, you’ve got your choice of dance or art: The RISE Vineyard Performing Arts dance group performs it’s annual June recital at 2 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. And Featherstone’s Community Youth Art Show opens with a reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tonight after dining out you can screen The River and The Wall at the M.V. Film Center at 7:30 p.m.