Sunday with Friends: Honoring Nicole Galland & Chelsea McCarthy

On Sunday, August 7th at 2pm, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an afternoon honoring Nicole Galland and Chelsea McCarthy, creators of "Shakespeare for the Masses." As part of the celebration, Nicole and Chelsea will offer a sample of their work with a 20-minute version of Shakespeare's Pericles. This event is free, and refreshments will be served. The library will open at 1:30 pm for this event.

Nicole Galland and Chelsea McCarthy met in 2007 at the Tisbury Amphitheatre working on a production of The Tempest. The following year, Nicole directed Chelsea in As You Like It, and by summer’s end they decided to start Shakespeare for the Masses to introduce off-season Vineyard audiences to the off-season works of William Shakespeare. Modeling the rehearsal process on the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse’s popular Monday Night Special series, their original adaptations are performed script-in-hand with one day’s rehearsal. Duels, sporting events and physical tomfoolery all performed off-book.

Their first season, consisting of seven plays including Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear, earned them a small cult following. Early in Season 2, they realized humor was their greatest ally in seducing Bardophobes to love the Bard, and they haven’t looked back since. After eight seasons and approximately 37 shows, they are still at it. They are grateful to the brave and generous troupe of players who have thrown themselves with abandon into each project, and to MJ Bruder Munafo and the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse for producing them all these years.

The Friends of the Library support a variety of programs for both adults and children throughout the year, including an annual summer event honoring a local author. Past honorees have included Geraldine Brooks, Art Buchwald, Stephen Carter, Phil Craig, Jules Feiffer, Lillian Hellman, John Hough, Jr., Ward Just, David McCullough, Cynthia Riggs, Rose Styron, and William Styron.  For more information contact the Vineyard Haven Public Library, (508) 696-4211.

Art in the Stacks: Bill O'Callaghan

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs and sculpture by Bill O'Callaghan, the “Mad Potter” of Martha's Vineyard. His photographs are on display on the lower level of the library, and sculptures are placed throughout the building. Visitor may view the show during regular library hours throughout the month of July.

Bill is inspired by a combination of the folklore of Ireland, where he grew up, which is very nature based, and the beauty he sees around him here on the Vineyard. According to the artist, "I took some pottery courses here as a hobby originally, and liked it so much I continued on my own. Most times I have a rough idea of something and it grows and changes as I explore it, and I end up with something new. That is the real fun."

The Vineyard Haven Public Library's "Art in the Stacks" space features rotating monthly exhibits and is managed by the Friends of the Library. The library also has a permanent collection of artworks that are displayed throughout the year, including 12 paintings by Vineyard artist Captain John Ivory. Artists interested in showing their work may contact the library at (508) 696-4210.

Summer Reading for Kids, Teens, and Grownups at VH Library

Registration for the Summer Reading Program at the Vineyard Haven Public Library began Monday, June 27th. Children may visit the library to sign up, log the books they read, and earn prizes including a T-shirt and gift certificates from local businesses. Teens ages 12 to 18 can register online, then visit the library to claim a prize just for signing up.

The Martha's Vineyard Library Association is hosting a special event to kick off the Summer Reading Program. On Saturday, July 2nd, Jungle Jim will perform at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. This fun event for the entire family will feature entertainment and face painting. Jungle Jim's performance will include storytelling, magic, improv and amazing balloons. Doors open at 10:30am; performance at 11am. Admission is $3; face painting is $1.

Free programs for children this summer will include a visit by storybook characters Elephant & Piggie, musical story times with Ellen Allard, Jeremy Berlin, Hugh Hanley, Joyce Maxner, and Sara Piazza, and a yoga storytime with Anne Caldwell. Older children can participate in weekly crafting and building programs, Wii gaming, robotics, cartooning, and lantern painting for Illumination Night. Details are available at the library and on our website, www.vhlibrary.org.

For the sixth year, the Vineyard Haven Library is offering a Summer Reading Program for “Grownups”. Adults who keep track of their summer reading will be eligible to win a gift certificate and other prizes sponsored by the Friends of the Library. To participate, pick up a Summer Reading bookmark at the Library. Read at least one book in a category of your choosing, and hand in your bookmark including your name and contact information. Prize drawings will be held at the end of July & August.

The summer reading program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Programs for children at Vineyard Haven Public Library are supported by the Friends of the Library and are free for participants. Reading incentives have been provided by The Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, Candy Haven, Chipotle, Island Cove Mini Golf, MV Film Society (Capawock and Strand Theaters), Sandy's Fish and Chips, The Toy Box at Tisbury Marketplace, Wolf Den's Pizzeria, and the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library.

Images are copyrighted. Contact the CSLP at 1-866-657-8556 or contact@cslpreads.org for more information.