The Fast Lane: Island Time, August 26

August 29, 2021

Hey there, have you heard it’s the last week of August? With summer speeding by, why not shift into slow motion this week to savor the beauty of the Island? Visit the newly completed Cooke House Legacy Gardens in Edgartown. Take a guided tour of Polly Hill Arboretum. Listen to live music in Ocean Park. (Or live music in dozens of places — look at our list below.) Take a walk through Menemsha Hills.

If slowing down is not your style, check out The Complete Martha’s Vineyard Calendar and pack your calendar with events and activities as you please.

Let’s Dance

The Yard’s summer season comes to a close with a performance by current artist in residence Jenna Pollack on Friday, August 27 and Saturday, August 28 at 7 p.m. Pollack and seven collaborators will showcase a new creative project inspired by the vast history of The Yard. The performance will take place around the Chilmark campus.

Faith, Peace, Hope

Join Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwanda genocide, for a talk at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs titled An Evening of Hope & Healing on Saturday, August 28 at 7 p.m. Ilibagiza is a New York Times best-selling author and is regarded as one of the world’s leading speakers on faith, hope and forgivness.

Hit the Right Note

The MV Concert Series ends its summer of music with two great performers at The Loft in Oak Bluffs. On Thursday, August 26 at 8 p.m., Mihali takes the stage. And on Saturday, August 28, the Island’s own Livingston Taylor performs with special guest Alisa Amador at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Reminder: to enter the venue you must show proof of full vaccination or provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test from the previous 72 hours.

Paddle On

Grab a kayak, paddle board, canoe or anything else that floats and head down to the Little Bridge at State Beach for the annual Oar & Paddle Regatta on Sunday, August 29 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Participants will pick a category and race the 2.4-mile route with a group of paddlers to compete for prizes. Heats will occur throughout the event. All money raised goes to the Friends of Sengekontacket.

Talkin’ Trees

Join Ian Jochems, Polly Hill Arboretum’s Grounds Manager/Arborist, for an informative Edgartown Tree Tour on Wednesday, September 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. Among the hydrangeas and picket fences are many unique, mature trees to discover. Space is limited, registration is required.

Hello!

The fair came, the fair went, and I firmly believe we’re all better for it. Even if you don’t consider yourself the fair-going type, I defy you to glance through photos of bright lights, wonder-filled faces, prize-winning piglets, etc. and not feel the tiniest glimmer of something like delight.

And now, the homestretch. There’s a tease of fall in the air; just yesterday I drove through Five Corners in under 30 minutes!

In other end-of-summer good news:

The very first MV Disability Film Festival opens on Thursday at the Drive-In.

I caught Best Summer Ever the last time it screened on the Island and loved it — one of the first films ever to feature a fully integrated and inclusive cast and crew. See for yourself on Saturday at 8 p.m.

On Friday, celebrate all things bivalve with a book release party at Salte, sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Oyster Festival and Wild City author Tom Hynes . Sidle up to the raw bar for a shucking demo between reading, sipping and browsing.

And save next Tuesday for one final dance party at Seaweed’s, with Karaoke. Come prepared to dance and belt out your favorites accompanied by pianist Griffin McMahon. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wishing you the perfect beach parking spot,

Alex