It’s November on Martha’s Vineyard and we’re enjoying slower days, crisp fall walks and evenings spent in front of a cozy fireplace. As autumn reaches our New England island, we’re embracing the harvest season and all its bounty. From poetry gatherings read by island neighbors to pig roast dinners, here are our top 10 activities to do on Martha’s Vineyard this month:
- Behold Blackbeard: You’ll have to head off the island for this one, but we promise it’s worth the trek. Head to the Lillie Auditorium in Woods Hole on Friday, November 2 to hear “Black Flags, Blue Water: The Epic History of America's Most Notorious Pirates” – a talk and slide presentation by bestselling author Eric Jay Dolin. Learn about the relationship between colonists and pirates as well as stories from some of the more notorious figures such as Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Edward Low. This free event takes place from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
- Begin with Breath and Balance: Start your week off on the right foot by joining the weekly class, “Balance: Chi Kung, Yoga & Breath,” at the West Tisbury Public Library on Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The session will cover ways to strengthen our connection with the earth and increase our bodies’ ability to maintain good balance.
- See the World through Photography: See photography from Martha's Vineyard, Cuba, Buenos Aires, New York City, Tel Aviv, and more at the Peter Simon Gallery every Tuesday during the month of November at the Jeremy Driesen Photography viewing from 11:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
- Roast for a Cause: Head to Chef Deon’s Kitchen in Oak Bluffs on Friday, November 9 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for a Pig Roast Dinner to benefit The Greenhouse on Martha’s Vineyard. A silent auction will also take place at the event. Tickets are $35.
- Hear Poetry: Join friends and neighbors at the Katherine Cornell Theater on Wednesday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 28 for “Islanders Read the Classics: Phil Weinstein.” In this series, Philip Weinstein, the Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor Emeritus of Literature at Swarthmore College, will present a six-part seminar on Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time.
- Get a Head Start on Gifts: Get your holiday shopping done early by joining the Featherstone Center for the Arts Holiday Gift Show Preview Party on Friday, November 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Check out apparel and accessories, cards, calendars, jewelry, pottery, photography, paintings and more, and feel good about your purchase because all sales benefit Vineyard artists and Featherstone, a not-for-profit year-round art center.
- Embrace Fall: Lace up your walking shoes and embrace the cooler temps on a Fall Guided Walk at the Polly Hill Arboretum. The walk, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, will explore plants of interest in the autumn landscape. Meet at the Visitor Center and dress for the weather.
- Scoop Up Some History: Saturday, November 17 marks the Martha’s Vineyard Museum Edgartown Campus Yard Sale. As the museum makes its move to Vineyard Haven, it will be selling all office furniture and equipment not making the trip across the island. Sale starts at 10:00 a.m.
- Skip the Lines: Opt-out of the craziness that is Black Friday and instead support island artisans at the Vineyard Artisans Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Festival. The holiday show will feature one-of-a-kind winter handmade sweaters, hand-made soaps, Island lavender and the parking fee ($2) will benefit the Vineyard Artisans Scholarship Fund. The Festival will run from Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Get Fall Festive: Burn off that turkey and mashed potatoes by heading outdoors to the 37th Annual Fall Festival at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy this tradition taking place the day after Thanksgiving featuring hayrides, face-painting, live music, food, crafts for kids and live animals from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.