A request to push the weekly summer Dock Dance concerts at Memorial Wharf to a later time received a poor reception from the town’s select board this week.
Musicians who play at the Dock Dance, a tradition that has been going on for more than half a century, asked the town to move the start time from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to allow the bands to have more time to leave work and set up their equipment.
“We have to… leave work, get our tools, put them away, go home, get all of our equipment, and then come back downtown,” said Alex Karalekas, the Dock Dance Band’s bassist. “A lot of us live in West Tisbury, so it’s a lot of effort and we do it for nothing, out of the love of our hearts.”
The prospect of ending the show at 9 p.m. instead of 8:30 p.m. however drew criticism and resulted in a rejection from the select board.
The board cited a letter from police Chief Christopher Dolby when making its decision to uphold the original 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. time frame.
“As a chief of police, my primary responsibility is public safety,” Chief Dolby wrote in his letter. “Dock dance events have presented several legitimate public safety concerns over the years.”
Officials had complaints of underage drinking, public drunkenness and public urination in the past.
“From my perspective, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. was a reasonable compromise,” said Chief Dolby. “Last year, in 2025, we only had one Dock Dance incident, and in 2024 there were five. I believe the current time frame keeps the crowd smaller and much more manageable.”
Mr. Karalekas and Atlas Zack, a guitarist and one of the leaders of Dock Street Fight Club, a band that often performs alongside the Dock Dance Band at the weekly event, warned that the early start time could present issues moving forward.
“In the future, I don’t think we’re going to be able to keep doing this unless we get a little agreement on both ends,” said Mr. Karalekas. “Unfortunately, that’s all I really have to say, because we need to work jobs, and then come down here and provide this beautiful tradition.”
While the select board was open to further discussion, members were unwilling to put forth a change during the height of the summer season, just days before Fourth of July celebrations. The board encouraged the group to put together a more refined plan that includes workers to help mitigate the risks associated with the event.
“After talking to the police department, I would defer to their recommendation,” said Julia Tarka, a member of the select board. “I think that the incidents that did happen last year and have happened in the past are serious, and it’s something that our police department has to manage.”
The board voted unanimously to uphold the event’s 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. schedule.
Dock Dance at the Memorial Wharf is scheduled to take place every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting Tuesday, June 30. The final Dock Dance of the summer season will be held on August 25.
This article appears in July 3, 2026.
These guys don’t get paid and are busting their butts to make this happen while it is clear Edgartown officials can’t wait for it to fold….
KISS Keep it simple, s….. Please, never let this neighborhood event get out of hand. My family have been partaking for decades and, of late, they have found issues with it and have returned home at an early hour stating misbehavior. This is an all generation, all family local event. Not everything has to have a “spin” put on it or fixing what ain’t broke.
Yeah ending at 9 instead of 8:30 is way to much to ask and way more problems will occur if it ends at 9 instead of 8:30 you guys must be crazy to even ask for a half hour
It’s clear Edgartown officials are ok with ending this tradition. I’m disappointed no accommodation can be made for the working people of our island. Expect more of this going forward. Dollars over tradition.
Compare how this is dealt with in Edgartown with a similar event called First Friday in VH. Funny how some towns are actually supportive of all ages music events while others find excuses to roadblock them.
As to any misbehavior that may occur on Tuesdays in town, correlation does not equal causation. Kids will drink and cause mayhem any night of the week.
Having to drive through the crowds of clearly intoxicated vaping teenagers last night at about 9:00 as we came off the Chappy ferry was pretty horrible. They wouldn’t move out of the street. End this soon please. Someone is going to get hurt.
This describes me pulling off the ferry at about any hour. People walking on dock street like they are in Disney oblivious to traffic. Many times it’s in the evening and they’re are adults clearly intoxicated walking around w keg cups full of cocktails. Please don’t lump all of the kids into one group.
The “original” time frame for many years was actually 8 to 10 pm. Then last year the chief moved it to 6:30 to 8:30 without asking the musicians for their input. They also now have a policeman onsite. Why would he not be able to do this same job from 8:30 to 9 pm?? These musicians are providing a safe, police-monitored 3rd space for young people to dance and have fun. Would you rather them be scattered around the island partying? Or on their phones safe at home?