The Sound of Summer: Island Time, June 24

The Sound of Summer: Island Time, June 24

June 24, 2021

The cool kids have their summer haircuts, sunscreen, comfortable (dancing) shoes, and plenty of places to go this weekend. It’s already the third week of June, and the Vineyard is hot! The Filmusic festival is on, Pride events are in swing, new open-air markets are open, and there are more than a dozen ways to hear live music this weekend. Start your engines and remember you can find a comprehensive listing of Island events and happenings on The Complete Martha’s Vineyard Calendar.

Music. Culture. Film.

The Martha’s Vineyard Film Center’s annual Filmusic Festivalwill run Thursday, June 24 through Sunday, June 27 with seven feature films (two will be available to stream online). Highlights include Long Strange Trip tonight at 6:30 p.m. with a special introduction from MVY Radio DJ Jeremy “Jer Bear” Norton.

Walk Through History

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Indian Museum, located at the Vanderhoop Homestead, opens for the season on Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The newest permanent exhibit – Our History in Perspective – will be on display.

League of Legends

2021 marks fifty years that the Oak Bluffs courts have hosted a summer basketball league. To celebrate, on Saturday, June 26 at 1 p.m., there will be a dedication and tributeto the league and alumni players – including an appearance and honorary jump ball ceremony with original league founder Jay Schofield.

Documentary + Tunes

The documentary On Island was released this past year to help shed a light on the challenges of substance misuse and stigma on Martha’s Vineyard. On Saturday, June 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Vineyard Haven, watch a screening of the film, plus some never-before-seen clips, then enjoy a concert featuring the band Blue Yonder. Purchase tickets here.

More Markets!

This week sees the return of two more markets to add to your circuit. On Monday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., World Market Mondays Pop-Up Craft Fair will be at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. And on Wednesday, June 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Chilmark Flea Market makes its 2021 debut up-Island off of North Road.

Oh, hi!

What a week for celebrating! The party started with Juneteenth (which you can continue to show love for all week long by participating in ExperienceMVY’s Black Restaurant and Retail Week). Next came Father’s Day — yay Dads of all stripes, and a special shout-out to the “Internet’s Dad,” Dad How Do I, ready to teach you how to change the oil in your car ,fix a running toilet, or tell you a bedtime story!

Monday was the summer solstice (it’s not too late for a solstice sun tea ritual ) and here we are already in the last week of Pride Month.

First up is Proud on MV: We Dance , presented by Pathways at Orange Peel Bakery in Aquinnah. Pizza from 5:30 pm on; DJ Wayne Elliott with house, disco and more from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

After (or between) parties, re-set with some Forest Bathing at Polly Hill Arboretum. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese practice of relaxation in nature, has been shown to improve immune response, mental performance and creativity. Enjoy an easy, mindful walk through beautiful Arboretum trees in a special environment. Led by Shanta Gabriel. Pre-register here. Saturday, June 26, 9 to 10:00 a.m.

And if it’s too hot for any of this, get yourselves to the (air conditioned) MV Film Society’s Filmusic festival; Questlove’s Summer of Soul plays on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Wishing you a weekend of shiny-happy-hot-and-sweaty-party-time,

Alex

@oystermv