BEST BETS BY SUSAN CATLING

Gospel in the Vineyard: Fellowship of the Levites

Union Chapel, Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs

August 2–3, 6 p.m.

The Trumpet Sound Music Group coordinates a free gospel concert with Arené Lomax and The Remnant; Pastor David Gates and Love, Peace and Joy; and Marshall Carpenter and Unity – The Reunion. “The gospel conference is a fellowship of gospel musicians and non-musicians – a festival of great worship music,” says organizer Tasheem Lomax. Call Doris Clark at 774-563-8752 or e-mail gospelinthevineyard@gmail.com for more information.

Stephen Carter, the author of The Emperor of Ocean Park, comes to Chilmark
(Photo by Elena Seibert)

Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival

Chilmark Community Center, Beetlebung Corner, Chilmark

August 5, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This free festival celebrates the joy of reading and features book signings and talks by authors, some of whom have special connections to the Vineyard. Authors include Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Jessica Harris, Frank Deford, Stephen Carter, Lucinda Franks, Linda Fairstein, Susan Shreve, and Perry Garfinkel. “This is the second year we are doing [the festival],” says organizer Suellen Lazarus. “We took a break last year because of the Chilmark Community Center anniversary events in 2006 and are back in full gear this year.” To learn more, call Suellen at 508-645-9484 or visit www.mvbookfestival.com for the time schedule for authors.

Matzo & Mistletoe

Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center

130 Center Street, Vineyard Haven

August 5, 7:30 p.m.

Oak Bluffs resident Kate Feiffer’s documentary makes its Massachusetts premiere after more than six years in the making. An examination of secular Judaism, it features interviews with a number of Vineyard seasonal residents, including the filmmaker’s father Jules Feiffer, Alan Dershowitz, Mike Wallace, Meryl Gordon, and Walter Shapiro. “In a synagogue, I never believe in God. On the beach on Martha’s Vineyard, I believe in God,” says Alan Dershowitz in the film, which was made almost entirely on the Island. The filmmaker and some of the co-stars will be available for a discussion after the screening. This screening is sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center Summer Institute with the help of the Boston Jewish Film Festival. Suggested donation is $10. For more information visit www.mvhc.us.

Billy Collins Reading

Featherstone Center for the Arts, 30 Featherstone Lane, off Barnes Road, Oak Bluffs

August 18, 8 p.m.

Billy Collins, two-term U.S. Poet Laureate and current New York State Poet Laureate, gives a reading to benefit Featherstone. The event is free but a $15 donation is suggested. “This is on a first-come, first-served basis, and since we only have seating for 150, we expect a full house,” says volunteer Tom Dresser. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, call 508-693-1850 or visit www.featherstonearts.org.

(Photo by Jaxon White)

Built on Stilts Dance Festival

Union Chapel, Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs

August 18–25, drum circle at 7:30 p.m., performances begin at 8 p.m.

The festival features more than sixty original dance pieces performed by children and adults and showcases everything from ballet to hip-hop. And it’s not restricted to dance – any evening could also include short plays, circus acts, and of course, stilting. Co-founder and director/producer Abby Bender says there is a “truly grass-roots nature [to] our wonderful beast of a festival.” Each performance opens with an improvisational drum circle. “Anybody who brings along an acoustic instrument is invited to hop on in,” says Abby. Details are available on the website www.builtonstilts.org or by e-mailing Abby at shakes9999@yahoo.com.

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