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.