Chamber Music Concert

Island music lovers always have packed calendars between now and Christmas, and here is another date to set aside: on Nov. 29, the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society has planned an extraordinary concert for Islanders. That’s on the Saturday evening of Thanksgiving weekend, at 7:30 in the Old Whaling Church.

It’s a rock doc like you’ve never seen before: The average age of the singers is 81, and the group is a choir, not a clapped-out band of has-beens busting guitars on stage. The film Young at Heart follows the eponymous chorus from Northampton who belt out Sonic Youth and James Brown tunes, punk, pop, disco — even singing Dylan’s Forever Young at a penitentiary gig.

Former Island residents and songwriting duo Judd Fuller and Dana Radford will perform at The Offshore Ale Co. in Oak Bluffs, on Saturday, Nov. 1. Judd and Dana were involved in the Vineyard music scene for years before moving to Nashville, Tenn., in the winter of 2005. Judd is currently touring with country music star Rodney Atkins. They have just wrapped up their tour with Brooks & Dunn and ZZ Top. Dana is performing in Nashville as well as singing on recording sessions.

Minnesingers’ Auction

Tomorrow is the Minnesingers’ Annual Auction and Mini-Concert. The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School’s select vocal group will perform, plus there will be food, an array of items in a silent auction and a live auction with Trip Barnes at the microphone.

Help support the Minnesingers as they pursue community and cultural outreach through music. Doors open at 5 p.m., live auction begins at 7 p.m. It’s all at the Portuguese American Club on Vineyard avenue in Oak Bluffs.

Peter R. Boak will present an organ recital at the Federated Church Meetinghouse, on the corner of South Summer street and Davis Lane in Edgartown on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. Mr. Boak will be performing on the church’s beloved 1895 Hook and Hastings organ.

Following the recital, there will be a wine and cheese reception in the parish house.

Katama Trio Performs

The Katama Trio, a Vineyard-based, semi-professional chamber ensemble, will perform selections from the baroque and early classical periods at the Vineyard Haven Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The event is a part of the library’s Tuesday Evening Lecture Series. Formed in 2005, the Katama Trio includes cellist Jan Hyer, recorder player Matt Pelikan and pianist Joan Solomon. They will perform sonatas by Georg Phillipp Telemann, John Ernst Galliard, and Francesco Mancini. A reception will follow the performance.

Not since the Sixties have Jim Kweskin and Geoff Muldaur made music together on the Vineyard — but they will be back on Saturday at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven.

Patrons of the old Mooncusser Coffee House in Oak Bluffs may recall the pair jamming as part of the Kweskin Jug Band there on several occasions. Carly and Lucy Simon opened for them there.

The Flying Elbows, the Island’s own old-time string band, will crank out another night of zany songs and high- energy fiddle tunes next Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven.

Currently a foursome, this band has been through many incarnations over the years. Original member Bob Hammond is back with the band, adding not only a twin fiddle but also some really rootsy clawhammer banjo.

Talking Guitars, an intimate portrait on film of master guitar craftsman and now Island resident Flip Scipio, will screen tonight, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre.

This behind-the-scenes music documentary illustrates the fascinating juxtaposition of the quiet artist and the world of musicians who seek his expertise. His clients include Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Ben Taylor, Paul Simon, David Tronzo, Leni Stern and Carly Simon. For himself music is like Esperanto, a universal language.

Playing Americana and country roots music, the Shannon Whitworth Band comes to the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. The band features original song-writing, banjo, pedal steel, dobro, fiddle and mandolin, all forming a creative foundation for sweet, sultry female vocals.