John Cruz

Grammy winner singer-songwriter John Cruz has returned to the Vineyard to open his East Coast tour with three evening performances aboard the Black Dog’s Tall Ship Alabama. The first performance took place last night, July 19. He also plays tonight and tomorrow night. The concerts begin at 5 p.m. and cruise the Vineyard Sound for several hours, returning at 8 p.m.

Hooked on a Feelin’

E pluribus unum. From many musical sensations comes one Super Group to perform at Hooked seafood restaurant in Oak Bluffs on July 28 at 9 p.m. The musicians are Rick Marotta, drummer for Steely Dan and Paul Simon; Joe Caro, guitarist for Carly Simon and Lenny Kravitz; Neil Stubenhaus, bass guitarist for Sting and Barbra Streisand, and Jon Gilutin, keyboard for James Taylor and Diana Ross.

Tickets are $15 and available only at Hooked.

A Musical Farewell

It’s goodbye, but just for now.

Before departing for college, regional high school graduate Noah Stuber delivers a final summer concert on Saturday, July 21 in The Base at the Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center at the YMCA. Noah performs original music and lyrics and captivates audiences with his smooth vocals and effortless guitar playing.

The battle lines have been drawn.

For some years now the town of Oak Bluffs has hosted an annual Monster Shark Tournament during a weekend in July. The event is well attended by both fishermen and spectators. But it is also protested regularly.

Flamenco Guitar

Flamenco guitar master Alberto de Almar performs at the Chilmark Free Public Library on Wednesday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m. In addition to playing Mr. de Almar will talk about the history of the flamenco style and demonstrate the techniques.

Beatles Play Vineyard

Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. the Beatles are playing the Vineyard. Look closely and the Fab Four may resemble some local favorite musicians playing under the auspices of the Daytrippers, but close your eyes and be transported.

The concert takes place at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at the regional high school and is, in fact, a benefit concert for the PAC. The funds will be used to maintain and upgrade existing sound equipment and musical instruments in need of repair.

Longtime friends Kenny Lockwood, Paul Thurlow and Nancy Jephcote joined with Washington state-based Daniel Macke on Friday at the Pit Stop to play a medley of their original compositions for a large and appreciative audience. Nancy and Paul met Daniel in Port Townsend last year on a trip to the west coast, played music with him and invited him to the Island.

“This is the first time I’ve been on the Vineyard,” Mr. Macke said. “It’s beautiful and it’s full of talented people, a lot like Port Townsend where I live.”

Spring was in full bloom at the second annual Beetlebung Festival for the Arts and Edibles last Saturday, where a night of good eats, good music and great company echoed through the Chilmark Community Center.

The first arrival of seasonal friends and workers began to trickle in, catching up on winter activities over a dinner of Grey Barn pork, kale salad, frozen yogurt and planning for summer over coffee from the Chilmark Coffee Co. and baked goods.

On Sunday, May 13, beginning at 4 p.m., the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center is hosting the Composer-Performer-Repertory Ensemble, also known as CPR. It’s an unwieldy name, but the acronym, suggesting a life-saving antidote, is apt. This group can play.

The ensemble is comprised of Matthew Woodard on violin and viola, Nicholas Davies on clarinet, Lev Mamuya on cello, Christopher Staknys on piano and was recently founded by its director, Howard Frazin, at the New England Conservatory.

Minnesingers Take to the Stage

Long before Glee there were The Minnesingers.

This year the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School singing troupe is turning 45-years-old. To celebrate, as part of their spring performance this weekend, they are taking a tour down memory lane. One of the numbers will be a medley of songs performed over the past near half-century. The group will also perform the Seven Deadly Sins through song and dance.