On Saturday, July 2, Flatbread will open its doors to host music for the last time at the YMCA’s sixth annual Stars + Stripes Festival. Over the decades, beginning as the Hot Tin Roof, the building has been a home for a number of great acts. The stage is literally scuffed from the shoes of James Taylor, Carly Simon, Lou Reed, John Belushi and many more. Recently, as part of previous Stars + Stripes festivals, the tradition has continued with Walk the Moon, Charlie XCX and Damian Marley.
Earlier this year Flatbread was sold to Brion McGroarty, who plans to turn it into a restaurant called Tin Hangar, but the closing was delayed so that the festival could take place in this location one last time. Flatbread owner Jay Gould said he has enjoyed working with the YMCA over the years.
“Flatbread is happy to help out,” he said. “Supporting the communities that support us is part of our story.”
This year, Magic Man heads the lineup, with lead singer Sam Vanderhoop Lee of Aquinnah and Newton.
In 2009, Mr. Lee and his friend Alex Caplow were working in the south of France for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). After long mornings in the hot sun it seemed the whole countryside would drift off into a siesta, except for Mr. Lee and Mr. Caplow who relaxed by singing and playing guitar, marking the beginning of their group Magic Man.
“We kind of just started writing songs,” Mr. Lee said. “In the beginning they were inspired by France’s beautiful countryside and travelling.”
Mr. Lee and Mr. Caplow brought their songs back from France to college parties, clubs and then to a record deal with Columbia and Neon Gold Records after their college graduation. The founders of Neon Gold Records, Derek Davies and Lizzy Plapinger, are also the founders of the Stars + Stripes Festival. Both spent their summers on the Vineyard, getting to know each other at the Chilmark Community Center. They wanted to give back to the Island by bringing music here and helping to raise money for the YMCA.
YMCA director of mission advancement Sarah Soushek Murphy helps plan the event each year with Mr. Davies and Ms. Plapinger.
“They wanted to give back to the Island in the way that they were impacted as children to other kids and to Islanders,” she said. “Their gratitude took form in the Stars + Stripes Festival.”
This year’s festival will also feature Tigertown, XYLO and Crooked Coast as supporting bands. Magic Man has been touring with Walk the Moon and MS MR.
Sam Lee said he is especially excited for this weekend as his family is from the Vineyard and his band has been trying to play at the event for a while. His mother Martha Vanderhoop owns Hatmarcha Gifts on the cliffs with her husband Marshall Lee.
“It’s pretty nuts,” said Sam Lee. “I never went to the original Hot Tin Roof but my uncle would always tell me stories. The building’s history and being a local kid make it pretty surreal.”
Local musicians Nate D’Angelo and Kasey Stevenson will also play. The two have played at the YMCA’s Teen Center (Alex’s Place) throughout high school and have performed at Stars + Stripes in past years. They were invited back in the spirit of honoring Flatbread in all its original glory.
“The coolest part is that the music itself is for younger people, but every age is represented, from teens on up to people in their 80s,” said Jessica Daniels, director of marketing and communications for the YMCA, who coordinated the event with Ms. Murphy.
The YMCA plans to continue hosting the Stars + Stripes Festival at other venues around the Island, with the possibility of an outdoor music festival next summer.
“This is only the end of the venue, not the end of the festival,” said Ms. Daniels. “Stars + Stripes will live on!”
The sixth annual Stars + Stripes Festival will be held on Saturday, July 2, beginning at 7 p.m., at Flatbread, 17 Airport Road, Edgartown. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at ymcamv.org.
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