A glorious Vineyard sunset along with Latin music by DJs Aaron, Jesse, Winslow, Audrey and Eve livened things up at Bob and Elaine Klein’s Lagoon home last Sunday as a large group of friends and supporters celebrated all the dancers and staff of Malpaso Dance Company from Havana, Cuba with an old-fashioned New England barbecue. It was a Vineyard version of a “People-to-People” exchange which evolved into a love-fest as the dancers and a large group of Klein family and friends engaged each other throughout the evening with conversation, smiles, hugs, selfies, dancing on the deck and back flips on the lawn. The Kleins, along with others at the barbecue, including Islander Joann Kidd, had connected with the Malpaso Company last March in Havana. They were determined to show their appreciation off the company’s mission and of the dancers’ amazing talents.

Malpaso was on Island last week to present performances at the PAC and at the Yard. Co-founders Fernando Saez, Osnel Delgado and Daileidys Carrazana joined in the festivities along with representatives of the Yard, our wonderful Island-based producer of Malpaso performances. Fernando spoke eloquently of Malpaso. Its mission in these fragile times is to nurture new voices in Cuban and international choreography. Fernando’s words resonated with everyone. Same time, next year?

Our Martha’s Vineyard Museum is moving along with its new, Vineyard Haven location at the former Marine Hospital and site of the St. Pierre School of Sport. You are all invited to its annual meeting on Monday, August 14 at 5 p.m. There will be a medal ceremony to present three hardworking Vineyarders with recognition for how they have nurtured the museum over many years. Please join us for the ceremony and refreshments on the lawn. All are welcome, rain or shine.

Award-winning science journalist Peter Brannen will discuss his new book, The Ends of the World, at a talk in the program room at our Vineyard Haven Public library on Thursday, August 10 at 7 p.m. Peter’s work has been published in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, Slate and Wired. Peter was the journalist in residence at Duke University and a Fellow at WHOI. And, oh yes, Peter was a reporter for the Vineyard Gazette.

May I be condemned to a stalled car in the middle of Five Corners during Labor Day weekend when I am rushing to catch a boat for neglecting to inform you that last Sunday, August 6, was Tony Keogh’s birthday. I saw him and I swear, he did not look any older than the day before. Tony and his family will make their annual trek to storybook island on August 18. Tony regrets he might be missing some golf games with Barack Obama this week. But as his arrival date is Bill Clinton’s birthday. Perhaps Bill will be there for a few rounds with Tony at Farm Neck. Be warned, former presidents, I hear Tony’s game is getting better.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Chris and Lilly Clark for their August 5 celebration.

The birthday bandwagon brings along the lively and lovely Christine Matturro on August 9. And on August 11 Clare Ann Harrington takes the cake. Many happy returns.

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