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“Softly As in a Morning Sunrise/Softly, as in an evening sunset/The light that gave you glory/Will take it all away.” This sophisticated, sensuous piece, played by the preeminent MJQ (Modern Jazz Quartet,) recorded in 1952, reverberated through me while breakfasting at Farm Neck Golf Club. The song composed by Sigmund Romberg and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein 2nd for the 1928 musical New Moon, which premiered in New York at the Imperial Theater on Sept. 19, 1928, reminded me that things change, whether in love relationships or in the journey and exigencies of life itself and only after quiet reflection in soft awareness do we come to know its meaning.
Yes, Milt Jackson on vibes, John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenney Clarke on drums. Those four magical men changed my life forever and became my favorite jazz group, when I first heard that mellow, lilting sound years ago, but not nearly as much as falling into the dry baptismal pool at the Gettysburg Unitarian Universalists church and breaking my platform patella (kneecap). That has also changed my life. It seemed somewhat ironic that I would fall into what should have been holy water, but having been raised in a southern Kentucky town and christened in the 150-year-old Plymouth Congregational Church where immersion in baptismal pools was not a part of the culture nor is it a part of Universal Universalists practice, I can only conjecture that the culture was preserved in spite of the pain, not something from which I can take inspiration.
There is so much about life that we do not need to know and therefore I am grateful I do not believe in crystal balls, séances or palm readers. I am equally grateful to be back in the divine arms of this place that I longed for many weeks while a resident rehaber. If everything happens for a reason, I will be searching a lifetime for this one.
How wonderful it was to share my first Island moments sitting on the brick wall in the Mall next to the Corner Store with Ann Haley and her husband, artist, Leon Haley author of a compelling biography, The Quiet One: General Roscoe Robinson Jr., the first African American to achieve the rank of four-star general in the United States Army. Leon and my husband, Bill, caught up on the late Manning Marable’s newly released book, Malcolm X, A Life of Reinvention. Mr. Marable’s love of Malcolm X does not distort the portrayal of the reality of his complicated story. Mr. Marable, professor of history at Columbia University, died on April 1, 2011, days before the publication of his biography of Malcolm X. His presence on the Island will be sorely missed. This book is a must-read this summer. It fills in many gaps missing from prior publications of this African American icon, for example that of Roots author Alex Haley who collaborated with Malcolm X and published the book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X in 1965; and film maker, and summer resident Spike Lee’s film, Malcolm X, 1992.
C-Span Book TV aired A Tribute to Historian Manning Marable on May 4, held at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore, Maryland, moderated by Marc Steiner. A panel discussion was held on the life and work of this African American history scholar and this new Malcolm X biography. How he represents the Nation of Islam, his status as “hero,” and those differences between Mr. Haley’s construction of Malcolm X and Mr. Marable’s deconstruction of the man debunks a number of myths and fills in those myths with a Malcolm we continue to admire. All are finely articulated by panelists and distinguished professors, Sherrilyn Efil, professor at the University of Maryland Law School; Michael Eric Dyson, professor of sociology at Georgetown University; Lester Spence, assistant professor of political science at Johns Hopkins; Melissa Harris Perry, formerly of Princeton, now, associate professor of politics and African American studies at Tulane University. It will be worth your time to view this powerful C-Span video and to read this remarkable work.
The African American Cultural Festival committee of the Cottagers, Inc. of Martha’s Vineyard, cochaired by Dr. Joanne Edey-Rhodes and Dr. Lynn Bolles, will hold the 7th Annual African American Cultural Festival in the historic Hartford Park, Oak Bluffs, on Thursday, July 28, and Friday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This free educational program will feature an exhibit on the abolition of slavery from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. An African American marketplace will feature crafts, jewelry, and clothing. There will be two major book talks and signings: Cottager Carol Simpson, renowned broadcast journalist, will discuss and sign her book, NewsLady, on Thursday, July 28, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Jessica Harris, celebrated food historian, will discuss her latest publication, High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America, on Friday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. Food by chef Deon of Deon’s Restaurant will be available for purchase. All are welcome. The two day festival also includes a chaperoned teen dance for ages 13 to 18.
Among upcoming dancing events are Mother Earth Belly Dance workshop, which will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, and Express Your Belly in Teen Dancing workshop, from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Both are given by Karin Wilkinson on July 28. Teen Dance for ages 13 to 18, on July 28, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. And Line Dancing with Cottagers Kim Longino and Cheryl Grimes, on July 29, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
At Renaissance House, July 25, 8 p.m., 31 Pennacook Avenue, Oak Bluffs (917) 747-0367:
Come out and hear the renowned storyteller Susan Klein on July 26, at 8 p.m. at Renaissance House on 31 Pennacook avenue. Join the writers and meet South African born photographer Alan Brigish who will chat about the ins and outs of getting your work published and distributed as well as getting that “perfect shot,” over a cup of hot java and pie. Renaissance House is a retreat for artists and writers which operates under the Helene Johnson and Dorothy West Foundation for Artists in Need and is in its ninth year this summer.
In 1945, Helene Johnson, the Harlem Renaissance poet said, “In order to write, a person must have time to stare at the trees and do nothing.” The late Dorothy West, her cousin and year-round Island resident, also a writer during the Harlem Renaissance, was working at the Harborside Restaurant until Jacqueline Kennedy spotted her writing in the Gazette and gave her the opportunity to simply, “stare at the trees and do nothing,” which resulted in the acclaimed best-selling novel, The Wedding, a novel based on the life of Helene Johnson’s daughter, Abigail McGrath, who founded Renaissance House in 2002. This year many of the original Renaissance House alumni returned as well as new writers.
The 7th Annual Della Brown Hardman Day three-day celebration will kick off Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Chop Lighthouse with a sunset concert by the Spirituals Choir, directed by Jim Thomas. On Saturday, July 30 at 4 p.m., at Ocean Park near the bandstand, American poet Sonia Sanchez, will be the special guest speaker. Ms. Sanchez is the author of Morning Haiku and her poems appear in numerous anthologies. Essay winners will be announced at a cake reception. Photos will be on exhibit at the Oak Bluffs Library. On Monday, August 1, Featherstone Center for the Arts will sponsor the Della Brown Hardman Prize at the All-Island Art Show.
The Tabernacle continues to offer some outstanding programs. Family Movie Night will screen The Water Horse on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. and Shrek 2 on Monday, August 1, also at 7 p.m. Join in the rousing Community Sings, held every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m.
Twelve health care agencies and businesses, including Visiting Nurses Association will provide information on their services at a health fair at the Tabernacle, today from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is open to all and free.
On Saturday, July 23, at 8 p.m., Stefan Young and Amaryllis Glass, staff pianists at the Tabernacle, will present a major piano recital. Amaryllis and Stefan will each play separately and then will play a four-handset. Both are wonderful pianists. There is a free-willoffering. Dr. Young is a professor of music theory and composition at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in New Jersey.
An artists’ reception featuring new paintings by Mark Zeender and Marietta Cleasby opens at Cousen Rose Gallery Saturday, July 23. Meet the artists from 7 to 9 p.m. Guests will be able not only to enjoy the art but the music of pianist Nick Laundani. Cousen Rose Gallery is at 71 Upper Circuit avenue.
At the Union Chapel Sunday the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr., my husband Bill’s old classmate, former pastor of the Riverside Church, New York city, and now president of Healing of the Nations Foundation, New York city will speak at 10 a.m. The service is preceded by organ preludes by Garrett Brown at 9:40 a.m. Union Chapel is located at the foot of Kennebec and Circuit avenues in Oak Bluffs.
Also on Sunday, the Tabernacle service features Rev. Gary Shaw, senior pastor of Carter Memorial United Methodist Church in Needham at 9:30a.m. Bible study on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Rev. Shaw the week of July 24.
On Monday, August 1 the All-Island Art Show begins at 9 a.m. at the Tabernacle. The two-day event features art from around the Island. Tuesday is the Junior Art Show, featuring children through age 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. Limit of two entries per child, 50 cent entry fee for each submission. Art will be accepted between 9 and 10 a.m. There are prizes for all ages.
Having a party? Celebration? Got interesting news? Please send so I can include in Friday’s column. Take pleasure in every minute.
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