Museum Opens Theatre Exhibit

Martha’s Vineyard is, of course, known for its beaches and endless summer breezes. But it is also known for its theatre; after all, the Island has been a haven for artists for, well, what do you think those whalers did for fun?

On Sunday, May 27, Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo and his daughter, Kate, will give a reading at the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven. This will be the first event to take place in the bookstore’s new space, across Main street in the old Bowl and Board building.

What a way to start a new era.

In an afterward to Steven Raichlen’s love story that takes place on our own beloved little island off the big Island, locally known as Chappy, the author frets, in a witty way, that he might have presented the small, water-enveloped moraine as too much of a Shangri-la: What if too many readers are persuaded to move there, and Chappaquiddickers suddenly lose their much-cherished peace and quiet?

Opera Weekend

Sweet Life Café is hosting three wine dinners in support of opera on the Vineyard.

What, you didn’t know the Island was awash in opera? Well, this summer joining established events such as Opera Noire and Dance Opera Theatre, there will be a new Opera Weekend in August produced by Wendy Taucher.

The first dinner takes place Thursday, May 31, and features a Veuve Clicquot champagne dinner including a four-course dinner with five different champagnes.

Chamber Music

This weekend the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society (MVCMS) begins its 2012 season by hosting a concert on Saturday, May 26, at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.

The concert features Sharan Leventhal on violin, Lila Brown on viola, Jonathan Miller on cello and Delores Stevens on piano. The pieces will include work by Mozart, Joaquín Turina and Richard Strauss

Car Wash

Just in time to wash off the pollen (do cars get allergies, too?) or the trail dust from the long Memorial Day weekend drive to the Vineyard, the Charter School is hosting a car wash on Saturday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The washing takes place at the West Tisbury Fire Station on State Road, where fifth and sixth graders from the Charter School, all of whom have majored this spring in the fine arts of soapy suds, will clean cars to benefit their upcoming sailing tip aboard the Schooner Alabama.

March to the Sea

Every year the Tisbury School and the Edgartown School pay homage to Memorial Day with March to the Sea pilgrimages. Today, March 25, starting at 12:30 p.m. in Tisbury and 1 p.m. in Edgartown, students walk from their respective schools down to the water where they will throw flowers in the harbor to commemorate those who have given their lives for their country.

In Tisbury the march heads to Owen Park via Spring and Main streets. In Edgartown students finish at the Memorial Wharf.

Tisbury Town Picnic

The town of Tisbury is sponsoring an old-fashioned Memorial Day picnic (on May 28), open to all, from noon to 4 p.m. with children’s games, music, rowboats, and free ice cream. Grills will be available.

The location of the picnic is at the old Tisbury Waterworks, just off Spring street and State Road near the Tashmoo Overlook. You can’t miss it. Just look for the barbecue smoke and follow your nose.

Paul Karasik takes cartoons seriously. Take a gag cartoon from the vault of Ernie Bushmiller’s much-loved Nancy strip, for instance. The three-panel cartoon is not so much read by Mr. Karasik as absorbed.

Don’t needle me too hard for missing out on this one.

Though I have a sharp eye when it comes to wild edibles, somehow stinging nettles passed me by. As one of the first spring greens, they can be consumed when they first leaf out in early to mid-April. Even at the end of April it is possible to pick this plant, but don’t wait too much longer than that.