Classical Class

Love concert music but hate compositions written in the 20th century? Perhaps you’ve listened to the wrong pieces. Experience the best of the 20th century in a six-week course with musicologist Charles Blank, open to all ages. It begins Sept. 17 at the Tisbury Senior Center.

Correction

A column about trophy houses that appeared on the Commentary Page in Friday’s Gazette contained a historical inaccuracy. The chateau Chenonceaux was acquired by Henri II in 1526 in payment for back taxes and was immediately turned over to Dianne de Poitiers, who would be his mistress for 23 years. The Gazette regrets the error.

Whoa, where do I start? This long weekend brought several goodies for the Vineyard birders. It all started on Thursday, August 30, when Dick Jennings, who runs the Cape Pogue trips for The Trustees of Reservations, called in the morning to say he had spotted a marbled godwit at Cape Pogue the day before and was able to get a photo of the bird the next day. Great excitement resulted.

Few people ever see the raw notes - the raw thoughts - of a writer they admire. They don't know the handwriting of a favorite novelist or journalist, or what kind of notebook, grade of paper or color of ink the writer prefers. But every writer has a process of transmitting thoughts into printed words. It's an unselfconscious process, since only the finished product will ever be seen.

That is, in part, why the new body of work by nationally acclaimed Island-based painter Cindy Kane is so bewitching.

The third annual Aquinnah Youth Powwow on Sunday will have an Ivy League flavor. Not that Polos and Dockers will replace traditional breech clouts and jingle dresses, but this year the event, hosted by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), will include 120 graduate students from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, courtesy of Tobias Vanderhoop, a prime mover in this event produced by tribal young people.

Tivoli Day Fun Run

Start the Tivoli Day festivities on Sept. 15 with the sixth annual George V. Tankard Memorial Martha’s Vineyard NAACP 5K Road Race and one-mile Fun Run. The fun run begins at 9:30 a.m. from the Wesley Hotel on the Oak Bluffs harbor, and the 5K begins at 10 a.m. from the bus stop at Ocean Park.

Preregistration is from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14 at the Wesley Hotel, while race day registration at the same location begins at 7 a.m.

For more information, call Roger Wey at 508-693-7887.  

The Martha’s Vineyard Special Parents Association has changed its name to Vineyard Independence Partnership.

Founded in 1983, the organization is a partnership of individuals with disabilities, their family members, and friends working to promote social activities, support independent living situations, encourage accessibility in the community, and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Heather Rogero at the Martha’s Vineyard School of Etiquette has opened enrollment for the fall sessions of her Classy Little Ladies courses in manners, poise and style.

The five-session course for girls ages 5 through 12 begins the first week in October. Students are placed in age groups, with friendship preference available. Each class is one hour; the course concludes with a mother/daughter afternoon tea also at the Mansion House Inn in Vineyard Haven.

Celebrate the release of the Phil daRosa Band’s debut album Better Days with an all-ages party tonight, Friday, Sept. 7, at Outerland at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport. Tickets are $10; doors open at 9 p.m.

An exhibition of 11 works from the Blur Series of photographic triptychs by Valerie Sonnenthal is presented at the West Tisbury library until Sept. 23 during regular library hours.