The Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series closes out August with four fabulous performances.
By Diane Alter
First up during the final week of the Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series on Saturday, August 18 at 8 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center is An Evening With Audra McDonald.
A German-born American actress and singer, primarily known for her Broadway stage work, McDonald has won six Tony Awards, more performance wins than any other actor, and is the only person to win all four categories. This multitalented actress has performed in musicals, operas, and drama.
McDonald’s emotional soprano voice has earned her praise and various parts in musical theater. From classical to jazz to contemporary, McDonald has a troupe of loyal fans. McDonald also boasts TV credits. She portrayed Dr. Naomi Bennett, a main cast member of the drama Private Practice, from 2007-2011. In Season 4 of The Good Wife, McDonald portrayed the recurring character of Liz Lawrence.
In 2016, McDonald was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barak Obama. In 2017, she was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
On Sunday, August 19, comedian, author, actress, interviewer and commentator Paula Poundstone is at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m.
Beginning in the late 1980s, Poundstone performed a series of one-hour HBO comedy specials. During the 1992 presidential election (Clinton/Bush), she provided backstage commentary during The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.
Currently, Poundstone is the host of National Public Radio’s called Live from the Poundstone Institute.
“I love the sound of laughter,” Poundstone told This Week on MV. “Humor and laughter are the most amazing thing, and we are so lucky that we are the only species that gets to experience that. My favorite part of the show is just talking with the audience. I have some 39 years of material rolling around in my head, but I never know exactly what I am going to do or say. That’s fun.”
Four-time Grammy winner Keb’Mo performs at 8 p.m. on Monday, August 20, at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center.
An American blues musician, singer, guitarist and songwriter, Keb’Mo has been described as a “living link to the seminal Delta blues that traveled up the Mississippi River and across the expanse of America.”
His post-modern blues style is an inspiring blend of folk, rock, jazz, pop, and country.
Keb’Mo has put his talents to good use. He is a long-time supporter of the Playing For Change Foundation, a nonprofit that creates positive change through music education and also works with partners to address basic needs in the communities where they teach.
Rounding out the jam-packed week on Tuesday, August 21 at 8 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center is Black Violin.
Black Violin is the intermingling of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and jazz music. When performing live, they are accompanied by their fantastic band. In 2013, Black Violin was named one of the hottest bands at SXSW.
They have played their music for the troops in Iraq, for the official President’s Inaugural Ball, and the Kids Inaugural in Washington, DC, where Barack Obama himself gave each a whole-hearted hand-shake.
Individually and together, Black Violin has collaborated with P. Diddy, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin and The Eagles.
“We’re excited to be visiting Martha’s Vineyard during the summertime, and we’re looking forward to see the town,” Black Violin told This Week on MV. “It’s a beautiful place and it will be nice to escape the South Florida heat! We’re going to expose our audience to a totally new sound that we like to call “Classical Boom.” Our style is a mixture of classical, hip-hop, rock, and more that will have fans of all ages on their feet.”
Information on all performances and ticket sales is available at www.mvconcertseries.com
