Music Festival Rocks the Rock July 12th on Martha’s Vineyard
by Meagan A. Dion
There is something about it. Something about the way the warm ocean breezes tickle the blades of grass in the fields peering over the Oak Bluffs’ harbors on a summer day. The wind plays a soft melody to the tune of murmuring waves gently creeping ashore. There is a wholeness and purity in the music of the moment.
Event producer Phil daRosa plans to mimic this sensation in the 2014 Martha’s Vineyard SOUND music festival. The festival is a collaboration of local musicians, artisans, and non-profits joining to celebrate the simpler things in life. daRosa’s ultimate vision for the festival is to launch a non-profit titled The Island Collaborative.
The unifying idea is to bind the people of Martha’s Vineyard together through developments that will enhance social, economic, and environmental sustainability on the island. The idea behind the non-profit and the music festival is a microcosm of sustainability in itself. Local vendors, artisans, and musicians will showcase their talents for the public to enjoy and entrance fees to the event will be donated back to the community to develop projects islanders want and need.
“The thought is that if a farm needs a tractor, The Island Collaborative would then hold events to raise money to buy that farm a tractor,” explained daRosa.
Following a theme of community, daRosa’s idea to use a music festival to benefit more than just the band is one unique to the industry. A necessity to support local arts and culture prove a driving force to use the festival as a way to initiate the non-profit.
“It’s nice to have a place where musicians can play without having a big corporate sponsor. We need to keep music coming here. We need to keep music alive on Martha’s Vineyard,” he stated.
Food and beverages from local vendors, including craft beers and wine, will be for sale throughout the daylong event. With a diverse set of musicians headlining including Ben Taylor, Willy Mason, Lexie Roth, and Dukes County Love Affair, among several others, there is menu for all appetites of listeners.
The Martha’s Vineyard SOUND music festival is scheduled to be held in Waban Park in Oak Bluffs on July from 3:00p.m.-10:00p.m. and after parties will be held at local bars. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $100 for V.I.P. meet and greet tickets and can be purchased in advance at ticketsmv.com/sound or day of at the festival.
For more information regarding Martha’s Vineyard SOUND or Our Island Collaboration, please visit marthasvineyardsound.com So come let the shivers run up your spine while you absorb that perfect melody playing in tune with the sounds of the island. Because it’s that something that you just can’t explain, only feel.
