Aquinnah Variety Show Starts with the Star
Aquinnah Variety Show Celebrates Island talent, Community Spirit
Table of Contents
aquinnah, Mass. — The second annual Aquinnah variety show unfolded Thursday, showcasing a diverse array of talent and community spirit. Residents from across the island gathered to celebrate spring with artistic expression and unexpected performances.
A “Circus” of Talent Takes the Stage
Musicians Laura Jordan and Kate taylor, who designed the performance, aimed to highlight the skills and joy within the community.As taylor described to the audience at the opening, the show was envisioned as “like a circus made of three rings… but there was only one ring.” The evening featured a blend of polished acts and spontaneous moments, with both familiar faces and new participants.
Jordan and Taylor emphasized inclusivity as a core principle. They welcomed all auditionees, fostering an habitat where performers could embrace their individuality. “We encouraged everyone to be themselves,” they said.
Diverse Performances Captivate Audience
More than 100 audience members witnessed 22 performances. Jordan,portraying Icelandic Mt. Glory, moved throughout the town hall, interacting with attendees. The cast spanned a wide age range, from 3-year-olds to octogenarians, representing all stages of life.
The show featured a range of acts, from pianist John Stanwood, a lifelong musician, to local children performing as grasshoppers and beetles. The spirit of the island resonated thru each individual who graced the Aquinnah Town Hall stage.
Musical Highlights and Touching Moments
The performance commenced with Jessica Goodnuff’s rendition of the 900-year-old love song “O Viridissima Virga,” composed by Hildegard of Bingen. Stanwood provided accompaniment on an upright piano. Goodnuff’s vocals filled the town hall as she moved through the crowd, her attire complementing the piano melody.
Jordan and Taylor opened with a medley,beginning with Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” as tap dancers from Cache Visé took the stage. The duo donned Western-themed costumes, illuminated by warm stage lights.
Alongside the upbeat performances, the show also featured inspiring moments. Actors Tony Shalhoub and brooke Adams, an Aquinnah couple, presented “50 Years Later,” a collection of marriage reflections by Cash Olsen and Charlie Hoi.
The stage was set with a table, lighting, and cookies as Shalhoub and Adams sat facing each other, conveying affection through their script reading. The audience remained silent throughout the performance.
“You rebuild the world that is constantly collapsing all day, and I am not able to thank you,” Shalhoub said, looking at Adams.
Adams responded with a warm smile, “We laugh at the illusion of white hair and wrinkles.”
Another love story unfolded in a comedic fashion as Barbara Wallen recounted meeting her husband, Gary Parabosky, through a magazine advertisement.
“It was in the ’80s,” she said. “There was no dating app. But the dating magazine was.” She received several letters, but Parabosky’s stood out.
Isaac Taylor presented an original haiku, followed by his song “Aquinnah Boogie Woogie,” which he said was specifically composed for the show and represented a unique style for him.
Community Collaboration and Energetic Finale
aquinnah residents Nausun, Face Vanderhoop, and Chicada Evans delivered a powerful rendition of sam Cooke’s “Bring it on Home to Me,” swaying to the beat and captivating the crowd.
Dance instructor Claire Page and student Ren Forte showcased intergenerational talent with a dynamic performance, accompanied by Naji’s piano under warm lighting.
Young performers displayed a range of talents, from singing to acting. Aba Dubreuil and Jose Facylko starred in a concise adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s “Grasshopper on the Road,” while Willow Bishop sang Lauren Daigle’s “Never Enough,” impressing the audience with her high notes.
Aquinnah Brass, a marching band of local musicians, paraded across the stage, led by student shareholder Zauer, while Isaac Taylor rode a tricycle, amplifying the energy. The scene echoed Taylor’s earlier description of the show as a circus.
Siblings kate and Livingston Taylor continued the joyful atmosphere with a country-tinged song from their childhood. “It was a song I sang when I was young,and I haven’t sung since then,” Taylor said.
Their voices resonated with many islanders who have known the Taylors’ music for years.
Kate Taylor told the Show Times, “We want to express the island’s way.”
Claudia Taylor, her nephew, recited a poem dedicated to her sister Page, moving the audience to tears. “We’ve been fluttering in the turquoise water,” Taylor read. “One day, a small star, I saw you and saw you shining towards me from the year.”
Jordan brought her family to the stage, performing Lowe’s “Sunflower” with her husband, Max Decker, and son, Robin Decker, on drums. The performance evoked the sound of her former band, the Benders.
Singer-songwriter Binyard encouraged audience participation, enriching the evening. Justin Call began with a resonant sound, often looking to Jordan for tempo cues. He invited the audience to sing along to ”Rainbow Connection,” from the 1979 film “The Muppet Movie.”
As the second verse began, voices filled the town hall, creating a unified sound that encapsulated the spirit of the island.
Aquinnah Variety Show: A Celebration of Island talent and Community Spirit – Your Questions Answered
The second annual Aquinnah Variety Show on Martha’s Vineyard was a resounding success,filled with memorable performances and a strong sense of community. This article dives deep, answering your burning questions about this heartwarming event.
The Aquinnah Variety Show was a community event held on Thursday, showcasing the diverse talents and vibrant spirit of the island. It was a celebration of spring through artistic expression and unexpected performances, fostering a sense of unity among the residents.
The show was designed and organized by musicians Laura Jordan and Kate Taylor,who aimed to highlight the skills and joy present within the community.
The show was envisioned as a “circus made of three rings… but there was only one ring”, as described by Kate Taylor. This meant, the atmosphere blended polished acts and spontaneous moments, with both familiar faces and new participants.
There were 22 performances witnessed by over 100 audience members. The cast included people from all walks of life – from young children to senior citizens.
The show featured a variety of acts, including musical performances, from the 900-year-old love song “O Viridissima Virga” to original compositions like Isaac Taylor’s ”Aquinnah Boogie Woogie,” tap dancing, original poems, comedic skits, and more.
yes! Musical highlights included:
- Jessica Goodnuff’s rendition of “O Viridissima Virga.”
- Laura Jordan and Kate Taylor’s opening medley, which included Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”
- Isaac taylor’s original song, “Aquinnah Boogie Woogie.”
- The Aquinnah Brass marching band.
- Kate and Livingston Taylor’s country-tinged song.
- Jordan’s family performing Lowe’s “Sunflower.”
- Justin Call inviting the audience to sing along to “Rainbow Connection.”
Absolutely! Beyond music, the show included:
- Actors Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams presenting “50 Years Later,” a collection of reflections on marriage.
- A comedic story by Barbara Wallen.
- Intergenerational dance performances.
- Children performing acting.
Yes,the show featured well-known community members like actors Tony shalhoub and Brooke Adams. There was also Kate Taylor (singer) and Livingston taylor, and Jordan with her family.
The event was filled with highpoints including:
- The opening medley by Jordan and Taylor.
- “50 Years Later” by Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams’
- Audience participation in “Rainbow Connection”
The show was explicitly designed to be inclusive, welcoming all who auditioned. It highlighted a wide range of talents from across generations ensuring multiple points of connection for the community to celebrate and show support. Performers included singers,actors,and instrumentalists spanning a wide age range.
The show was held at the Aquinnah Town Hall.
The show provided a platform for islanders to express themselves creatively,celebrate the spirit of Aquinnah,and strengthen community bonds. It allowed community members to come together to enjoy the arts and support local artistry.
Kate was referring to the ethos and values of the community: to express the community through the art, celebrate the community, and the talent.
Detailed Breakdown of Performances
Here’s a more detailed look at some of the performances,broken down in a table:
| Performer(s) | Performance Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| jessica Goodnuff | Musical Performance | Performed “O Viridissima Virga” composed by Hildegard of Bingen. |
| Laura Jordan and Kate Taylor | Medley | Opened the show with a medley which included Fleetwood Mac’s ”Landslide.” |
| Cache Visé | Dance | Tap dancers took the stage. |
| Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams | Acting | Presented “50 Years Later,” reflections on marriage. |
| Barbara Wallen | Spoken Word | Recounted meeting her husband in a magazine advertisement. |
| Isaac Taylor | Original Haiku & Song | Presented an original haiku and his song “Aquinnah Boogie Woogie.” |
| Nausun, Face Vanderhoop, and Chicada Evans | Musical Performance | Delivered a rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Bring it on Home to Me.” |
| Claire Page and Ren Forte | Dance | Intergenerational dance performance. |
| Aba Dubreuil and Jose Facylko | Theater | Performed an adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s “Grasshopper on the Road.” |
| Willow Bishop | Musical Performance | Sang Lauren Daigle’s “never Enough.” |
| Aquinnah Brass | Marching Band | A marching band paraded across the stage. |
| Kate and Livingston Taylor | Musical Performance | Sang a country-tinged song from their childhood. |
| Claudia Taylor | Poetry Reading | Recited a poem dedicated to Page |
| Jordan,Max Decker,and Robin Decker | Musical Performance | Performed Lowe’s “Sunflower.” | Binyard | Audience Participation | Encouraged audience participation throughout the evening. |
| Justin Call | Musical Performance | Invited the audience to sing along to “Rainbow Connection.” |
the Aquinnah Variety Show was a testament to the creativity, resilience, and community spirit of Martha’s Vineyard. We hope this article has provided you with a extensive understanding of this memorable event!