Author Michael Tougias likes to focus on real life adventure stories, particularly tales of disaster and rescue. One of his books, The Finest Hours, is based on what is often considered the most difficult rescue missions the U.S. Coast Guard ever attempted. His most recent book, A Storm Too Soon, recounts the journey of survival three men experienced after a northeaster ripped their boat in half 200 miles off the coast of the Carolinas in 2007.
The Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter’s Festival touches down on the Island this September for the third year. Previously promoted and hosted by BMI, this year the country music festival has been organized by New England to Nashville (NETN), a group founded in 2012 by Matt Casey. The event includes a songwriting workshop on Sept. 14 and 15 and a concert at Flatbread on Sept. 14.
Julian Wise sits examining a series of photographs in his new store Island Images located in Oak Bluffs.
“Out of all of them, these four are good enough,” he says. “I could use them professionally in the gallery.”
The pair of photographers nod as Mr. Wise explains to them what works about their pictures. He encourages the artists to go with their gut, bring in a few more photographs and he will sell the work in the gallery.
Sabine and Simone Geary, aged 15 and 13 respectively, gather their portfolios and head out.
For his One Hundred Town Tour this summer to promote his latest film, Northern Borders, Jay Craven makes it clear that this is a purposefully small town circuit.
“In the fall we’ll take it to the cities, Boston, New York, but this is a small town film, so we felt it should first be shown in the small towns of New England.”
On Thursday, August 8, the film screens on Martha’s Vineyard at the Film Center in Vineyard Haven.
On July 4th a group of writers and artists gathered on the beach at the Little Bridge in Oak Bluffs. They were not there to sunbathe or go swimming. Instead, they took turns raising their voices in the wind and reading from a speech first given by Frederick Douglass in 1852 in Rochester, N.Y.
On the day that celebrates the birth of independence and political freedom for this nation, Mr. Douglass’s speech, The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, reminded those in attendance that the nation’s freedom was not a universal experience.
On an unseasonably chilly Friday evening in Vineyard Haven, Juliska on Main street is packed, though oddly quiet save for the occasional “yum... this is good” and a persistent scrape of silverware on plates. Odd sounds for a store devoted to tablewear.
Behind a table Chrissy Kinsman stands beaming. In front of her are the reasons for the night’s reverie. Pies, lots of them.
