First Day Hike at Menemsha Hills -  Monday, January 1, 2024 at 10:00am to 12:00pm - Kick off 2024 outdoors! A new year is an opportunity to refresh, reflect, and seek new possibilities. Join us outside to reconnect with nature as we pause and reflect on the last year and welcome a new one with a fresh start. We will meet at Menemsha Hills parking lot and from there we will walk, observe, breathe, listen, and connect with your intentions for the time ahead. Start a new year by taking time for yourself! The hike will be approximately 2 to 3 miles over steep, rocky, and uneven ground. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before tour begins. Participants should bring: sturdy walking shoes, season-appropriate clothing, insect/tick repellant, and water/snack. Cameras and binoculars are enthusiastically encouraged. Pre-registration is required for this event.

New Year's Day Open House at Island Alpaca - Monday, January 1, 2024 at 10:00am to 4:00pm - This New Year's Day and weekend, bring the family and your out-of-town holiday guests for a unique experience. We invite you to Island Alpaca Company - home to more than 35 friendly, fluffy alpaca, including 3 new babies and two llamas! Primarily a breeding farm, we welcome visitors year-round to share with you, our furry friends! Enjoy some tasty treats and hot cider while watching our alpaca or take in their alpaca video presentation. Farm store will be open for some special yarns and handmade, made with the alpaca that you see outside! No admission charge, but donations are welcomed! Hope to see you at the farm!

Lunch Lecture: Yoga and Mindfulness with Jason Mazar-Kelly - Friday, January 5, 2024 at 12:00pm to 12:45pm - Start your 2024 off right with January’s Lunch Lecture with Jason Mazar-Kelly. Jason, known by his moniker YogiJay, will delve into the practices of yoga and mindfulness, illuminating their transformative potential in supporting your mental health. Join us to gain insight into the therapeutic benefits of these practices, discover practical applications, and experience guided meditation.

Ballroom/Swing Dance Lesson - Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:30am to 12:30pm - On the first Saturday of the month, come to a free Ballroom/Swing Dance Lesson led by Tom Carberry, from the MV Ballroom Dancers! No experience or partner necessary. All ages and abilities welcome!

Live Music: The Back Porch Trio at the Black Dog Cafe -  Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 5:00pm to 7:00pm - Authentic rhythm and blues, the Back Porch Trio really has that back porch feel. Beer, wine and great bites, too!

Forest Bathing at Polly Hill -  Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 9:00am to 10:00am - Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, a Japanese practice of relaxation in nature, has been shown to improve immune response, mental performance, and creativity. Enjoy an easy, mindful walk through beautiful Arboretum trees in a peaceful winter setting. This walk is led by Shanta Gabriel, who has worked in the field of alternative health for 40 years and has been leading groups in nature for over a decade. Rain dates will be held on the Thursday following each scheduled class. Registration is required. Additional dates include Jan. 9, Jan. 23 and Feb. 6.

Lost Landmarks and Hidden Histories - January 11th from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Join MVM research librarian Bow Van Riper for a look at the stories behind some of the lost landmarks of Martha's Vineyard: How they came to be, how they shaped life on the Island, and why they passed into history.

Rachel Carson Book Club: Long Point Wildlife Refuge -  Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 9:30am to 11:00am - “In nature, nothing exists alone,” wrote Rachel Carson. Join us as we celebrate nature and create community in a Rachel Carson Book Club. Each month we will read a different book by Carson, then meet at a Trustees location for a guided hike and book discussion. This program is facilitated by a former public librarian. Check your local library or bookstore for copies of the book club book.

VCS Winter Walk: Squibnocket Ridge - Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 10:00am to 12:00pm - Join us this fall and winter for the always fun and informative Winter Walks series. Get outdoors, take in the Island’s scenic beauty, and learn the interesting conservation history of some of our local ecological treasures. Please note, registration is required.

Kirtan Call and Response Chanting - Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 12:00pm to 1:00pm - Kirtan call and response chanting with our yogic band Bhakti. Come as you are to Pathways Arts at the Chilmark Tavern. 9 State Road, Chilmark. Autumn and winter hours are second Sundays, 12 to 1 p.m. Admission is free. Dahl and chai social afterward. Donations welcomed at events. Visit https://pathwaysmv.org. For more information, visit https://devatalife.com. 802-989-9992.

Full Moon Owl Prowl - Friday, January 26, 2024 at 5:00pm to 6:00pm - Hoo's out there? Owls silently fly through our Island woods and fields. Head to Felix Neck for a

Special Tour to Celebrate Polly Hill's Birthday - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 10:00am to 11:00am - Join Arboretum docent Nancy Weaver for a special tour to celebrate Polly Hill’s birthday. In memory of Polly Hill and her love of plants, Nancy will tell stories of Polly and highlight some of her favorite places around the Arboretum.

Trivia Night at the Ritz - Tuesdays in January at 7:00pm - Hosted by Johnny Showtime. 

Live Music: Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish - Wednesdays in January at 8:oopm

Live Music: Mike Benjamin and Friends - Thursdays in January at 8:00pm

Exhibit: Jaws — Creating Amity Island - Daily in January at 10:00am - In the spring of 1974, Hollywood descended on the Island. Universal Studios had bought the film rights to the book Jaws and the film’s director, a young Steven Spielberg, was determined to shoot on location. Martha’s Vineyard had been cast in a critical role — Amity Island, a fictional beach community terrorized by a great white shark. As the cameras started to roll, Islanders shaped the production both behind-the-scenes and in front of the camera — they wrangled boats, built sets, and acted as extras and supporting cast members. In this mini-exhibit, a teaser to our 50th-anniversary exhibition in 2025, explore a unique perspective on the film that ushered in the age of “summer blockbusters” and created nationwide interest in Martha’s Vineyard. The exhibit features behind-the-scenes photos, including those taken by Vineyard Gazette photographer Edith Blake, as well as collectibles, ranging from original Jaws merchandise and a poster from the Island premiere of the film to a detailed model of the Orca, the fishing boat on which the third act of the film takes place.