In 2004, the novel Suite Francaise was awarded the Renaudot Prize, a glittering prize for fiction in France. This astounded the literary world because the author, Irene Nemirovsky, had been dead and mostly forgotten for over 60 years.

At the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse through July 29, Cusi Cram’s political comedy Dusty and the Big Bad World is a fast-paced and funny take on the culture wars of the last Republican administration, sparing neither the right nor the left.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown on July 23, beginning at 5 p.m.

Jim Thomas and his Spirituals Choir return to Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs for their annual July performance on Saturday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m.

A new Island musician super-group, The Second Hand, was formed by Mike Benjamin and Mike Parker and includes Phil daRosa, Tom Major and Giulia Casalino. They play every Monday night at The Ritz.