Island Elderly Housing (IEH) will host its fourth annual benefit concert this weekend to raise money for quality affordable housing for Islander seniors.

The concert takes place at Featherstone Center for the Arts on Saturday, July 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. A long lineup of local musicians will take part in the event, including Willy Mason, Isaac and Kate Taylor, Johnny Hoy, Delanie Pickering, Caroline Sky, Nina Violet and more. Lexie Roth will do double duty, performing on stage and providing the food care of Goldie’s Food Truck.

IEH board member Kara Connors said the nonprofit has been helping the Island’s elderly population since 1977. Most of their residents have lived on the Vineyard for decades, working as teachers or healthcare workers who helped shape the Island community. 

“Without Island Elderly Housing, many of these residents would not be able to remain on the Island, near their families, or maybe their support networks, maybe their healthcare providers,” Ms. Connors said. “It really helps fill a gap due to the high housing costs and limited year-round housing, especially for people that are low income.”

Jemima James is also an IEH board member and helped organize the live music portion of the evening. She said planning for this year went more smoothly than ever, largely due to the support of an entire fundraising committee.

Ms. James is excited to appear as the evening’s opening act and will close off the night with a group performance. The final song was co-written by Ms. James and her husband, Michael Mason, who died in 2023.

Reflecting on her long relationship with IEH, Ms. James said the cause resonates with her now more than ever.

“Not only am I a member of the board, I have just recently moved into Island Elderly Housing after doing the Island shuffle for over 30 years,” she said.

Ms. Connors also emphasized the importance of the fundraiser and her own excitement about seeing Islanders and musicians come together to support it. 

“It’s very rare to get all of these musicians in one place at one time for one good cause,” she said.

For information, visit iehmv.org.