by Matthew Mariner
For generations, Martha’s Vineyard has served as a home to a multitude of artists who have sought creative inspiration from the tranquility and beauty of the island. Since 1973, the Yard in Chilmark has been one of the leading performance institutions on the island. The Yard is known for promoting creativity, community and education through the arts. Founded by the late choreographer Patricia Nanon, the Yard is known for its cutting edge contemporary dance performances as well as its creative residency programs for artists.
The Yard has a busy season of exciting summer events planned. On Tuesday, July 14th at 7:00pm, it will present Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company at the Martha’s Vineyard High School Performing Arts Center. Paul Taylor is one of the country’s best known choreographers. His imaginative choreography incorporates intense physicality with cultural relevance, which has made him widely regarded as a true pioneer of modern dance. This is an event that you don’t want to miss.
The Yard will present Follies: Woman Dance the Comic Series during the second and third weeks of July at the Patricia Nanon Theatre in Chilmark. On July 17 at 8:00pm and July 18 at 6:30pm, performance artists Lohse, Marquis and Oakly will present a dance-theatre event called Inkstink that explores chance, time, and human instinct. The third week of the series will take place on July 24 at 8:00pm and July 25 at 6:30pm. This performance will feature Abby Bender and Cassie Tunick in a visual performance, entitled Totally Other, which honors places (physical and within our own hearts) that have been abandoned or lost.
In addition to performances, the Yard also offers adult dance classes and workshops as well as their yoga classes. The Yard also hosts the Making It: Kids DO Dance!, a creative initiative and dance training program for children that travels through Martha’s Vineyard schools and the YMCA. For more information about the Yard, visit www.dancetheyard.org, or give them a call at 508.645.9662. Photo courtesy of www.dancetheyard.org.
