Ladyfest will be back on Circuit avenue on Sept. 30.
Ray Ewing

Ladyfest Returns, But Will Be Smaller After Complaints

Ladyfest, a music festival that benefits an Island domestic violence prevention program, received Oak Bluffs select board approval after an organizer promised to keep the festival smaller than years past.

The seventh annual Ladyfest, a music festival that benefits an Island domestic violence prevention program, received Oak Bluffs select board approval Tuesday after co-organizer Kelly Feirtag promised to keep the festival smaller than years past.

Circuit avenue is closed to traffic during Ladyfest, and last year Ms. Feirtag received complaints from business owners about the inconvenience of day-long road closure and festivities.

This year, Ms. Feirtag said the festival will be shorter, start later in the day and take over only part of the busy street. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30.

“We’ve tried everything to make all the other businesses on Circuit happy, but there’s some businesses that will just never support it,” said Ms. Feirtag. “Hopefully this year if we try not to block off their [store] entrances maybe it’ll be better.”

The festival is a benefit for Connect to End Violence, a domestic violence progam and rape crisis center run by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. Connect provides confidential and free services to people who have survived or been impacted by sexual or domestic violence. The organization raised over $25,000 at last year’s festival.

“I get so many people that come in and say that they plan their trips [to the Island] around it,” said Ms. Feirtag.

Later in Tuesday’s meeting, the select board voted to establish a committee to review stationary peddler licenses, which are required for mobile food vendors. The committee will meet only as needed to allocate licenses to food trucks and other food vendors serving at local events.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 07:00

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Ron Smith Oak Bluffs

Is it possible to release a list of the stores that are trying to conceal lady fest/ don’t support raising money to aid with domestic violence? I suppose we will know who they are by the areas that are free of festivities on circuit this year.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 07:26

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Concerned Citizen Chilmark

It's crazy that there are businesses who "will just never support it". Support what? Raising money for domestic violence and rape victims? What a joke. These businesses also were on the receiving end of a ton of foot traffic and sales. Shame on these businesses on Circuit Ave that can't get behind such an event. They either don't want money or don't care about the cause. Where the event is held on Circuit Ave will be telling. Put up signs of support if you truly care!

Ordinary citizen OB

For a business to back something, they might want to see the annual numbers of domestic violence and rape cases on the Island. Bringing awareness to something is one thing, but asking a company to give money right out of their business, is another. They may see little to no return on their investment. Did anyone check out how business fared last year? Maybe foot traffic was up, but actual sales were down. Remember, just because someone or a group of people support, or do something, doesn't mean everyone has to do it, it's called freedom, we used to have it in this country.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 10:53

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Brenda Leonard Oak Bluffs

Shame Shame Shame on the business owners that have a problem. This is for a much needed cause.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 16:27

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Old islander off-island

Does Beach Road Weekend do a thing for victims of rape and domestic abuse? Many island businesses, including restaurants, hotels, shops all over the island, make out like bandits from that festival that disrupts lives-- for longer than a weekend. Find it hard to imagine that any OB businesses object to this festival.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 20:56

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Tara Chilmark

Ladyfest is an amazing event helping so many people on Martha’s Vineyard. They raise much needed money for Connect, support local businesses, artists and vendors as well as giving a stage to female musicians and performers. The fact that there is any negativity coming from well established businesses on circuit avenue is quite disturbing. This event should be growing every year, not having to recoil because of a few stick in the muds. I’m sure Ladyfest will be more amazing than ever this year. Let’s go girls!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 13:17

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Rose Guerin West Tisbury

Hello, my name is Rose Guerin, co-founder and co-owner of LadyfestMV LLC.
Kelly Feirtag and I have seriously considered moving Ladyfest to a different location but continue to try working with the town of Oak Bluffs to remain on Circuit Ave. The idea to shine a light on the female talent here on the island and raise money and awareness for the incredible work that CONNECT does in our community with victims of domestic violence, began right there, inside the Ritz. We have been proud to take it to the streets in the off-season when local businesses need a little monetary boost and where we are able to publicly celebrate the ability of our unique community’s willingness to celebrate and support each other in a joyful way, no matter how difficult the subject matter. Kelly and I, as well as our board of directors will to continue trying to navigate the difficulties and logistics of our event with all affected party’s concerns in mind to make sure to be able to continue with Ladyfest in a way that works for all of us. Thank you to all of you who attend, contribute and inspire us to keep making our island home a place where dreams and magic can happen. See you on Circuit, Saturday, 9/30!
Rosie

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/17/2023 - 13:35

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Elizabeth Edgartown

You go girl!! Always fascinated to hear about all the hard work that goes into trying to make everyone happy behind the scenes. Look forward to attending for the first time this year. I hope the business owners who are against it have record-breaking sales this year.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 07:15

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Nancy Oak Bluffs

Shame on Oak Bluffs for allowing this to happen.
Looking forward to being a vendor at the event this year to show my support loud and clear for this important project.

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