The birds have been singing to-day and saying: "The spring is near! The sun is as warm as in May, And the deep blue heavens are clear." John Addington Symonds. February on Martha’s Vineyard highlights activities to keep you busy. From lighthouse tours to museum and farm visits, the islands’ winter months have much to offer. Take advantage of the lack of crowds to discover parts of the island you have never seen. Here are our favorites for February on the island.
- Tues Feb 2nd - Fri Feb 12th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Museum Exhibit: Making Change - Stories of Vineyard Activism - Every great national movement simultaneously rises from, and gives rise to, thousands of local actions. Despite its reputation as an insular world, distant from the mainland, the Vineyard has since colonial times not just reflected, but exemplified, that pattern. Making Change will trace the local actions by which Vineyarders have participated as both advocates and opponents of change in national movements for social justice. Spanning the two centuries from the early antebellum era to the present day, it will focus on two intertwined causes that continue to make headlines: African American civil rights and Native American self-determination. Placing people and events from the Vineyard in the context of nationwide movements and conflicts, it will explore events ranging from the debate over slavery and the establishment of Gay Head as a town, to the Wampanoag campaign for federal recognition.
- Wednesday, February 3rd at 5:00pm - Poetry Cafe - A recorded online event hosted by Arnie Reisman with guest poets Clark Myers, Liz Pozen and Valerie Sonnenthal.
- Friday & Saturday, February 5th & 6th from 10:00am to 4:00pm - Tan & Take Home a Sheep Skin - There are so many lovely things that sheepskins and hides in general can be used for. Car seats, throws, rugs, blankets, décor, etc. Shepherd, tanner and author Bethany Cantwell (she/her) of Aurora Blue Farm will learn how to tan a Slough Farm Tunis sheepskin from start to finish using natural methods (brains) and traditional, hand-hewn tools. Sheepskins can be an additional revenue source for small farmers, especially if you are raising smaller heritage breeds like I do such as Icelandic and Jacob sheep. The sale of one sheepskin, goat hide, etc. can offset the cost of butchering/processing fees. Plus, it reduces waste. One sheepskin tanned means one less synthetic material purchased.
- Saturday, February 6th at 10:00am - Collaborative Black History Month Event - Six Island organizations will feature a 2-hour historical perspective panel discussion on music, art and the Black family. Featuring keynote speaker Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP, CITM, and a 2019 TEDx Speaker.
- Saturday, February 6th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm - Print Your Heart Out - Learn the fine art of printmaking and make your own Valentine line cut by carving, inking and printing it. Talented local printmaker and our very own farmer Carla Walkis (she/her) will guide participants through each step of the process, from planning to printing. All materials are included in the course and you will leave with several finished versions of your art to keep or give away.
- Friday, February 12th at 4:30pm to 6:00pm - Love at the Light Sunset Tour - Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day weekend with a sunset trek to the Cape Pogue Light. Grab a loved one and hop on for this open-air, over-sand excursion to our remote beacon on the Atlantic. We’ll prowl the refuge and take in its ever-changing canvas of color and wildlife before climbing the romantic wooden staircase to take in the special views with your special someone. Please meet at the Mytoi Gatehouse by 4:30 p.m. program start. No shuttle from Chappy Point. Multi-individual/family groups welcome; masks must be worn at all times. Advance ticket purchase required, limited capacity.
- Saturday, February 13 at 10:00am to 11:00am - Winter Walk - In every season the Arboretum offers something of beauty and interest to visitors. At this time of year, plants display unique foliage color, textures, structure, cones and berries. Join PHA staff for a look at plants of interest in the fall and winter landscape. Tour sizes are limited to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and allow for social distancing. Registration is required.
- Saturday Feb 13th & 27th from 11:00 to 12:00 pm - Virtual Dance Class: Salsa Suelta Cubana - Salsa Suelta Cubana is a form of Salsa dancing from Cuba that is danced without a partner. Often danced in small or larger groups, Salsa Suelta Cubana commonly incorporates various forms and styles of Cuban dance, including Afro-Cuban traditions and more recently elements of African American Urban Dance styles. In collaboration with Slough Farm, instructor Christina Montoya will lead the class virtually on Zoom.
- Saturday, February 13th from 2:00pm to 3:30pm -Winter at the Light - Explore the only wildlife refuge on Chappaquiddick by open-air, over-sand vehicle as you trek to the remote Cape Pogue Light. Learn of about the local and natural history of this special place, how man and nature have lived with and shaped the land and meet the winter wildlife. Don’t forget a camera for a climb up the Light’s wooden spiral staircase to unmatched views of the Muskeget Channel, Cape Cod and Nantucket. Meet at Mytoi Gatehouse by 2 p.m. for program start. No shuttle from Chappy Point. Multi-individual/family groups welcome; masks must be worn at all times.
- Sunday, February 14th from 12:00pm to 1:30pm - Love at the Light - Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special afternoon refuge safari to the Cape Pogue Light. Hop onto our open-air, over-sand vehicle with your loved one to trek through the dunes and up the romantic wooden staircase for a Sunday adventure to remember. Please meet at the Mytoi Gatehouse by noon program start. No shuttle from Chappy Point. Multi-individual/family groups welcome; masks must be worn at all times. Advance ticket purchase required, limited capacity.
- Fridays in February from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Takeout Community Supper - Due to health and safety protocols for covid-19, Friday night dinners at Grace Church will be available as takeout for curbside pickup only. To request meals, please call by 5 p.m. on Thursday so we know how many meals to prepare. Leave your name and a phone number so we can contact you to confirm.