August is perhaps the busiest month on the Vineyard. There are tons of entertainment choices, from concerts to the annual Ag Fair. The bars have postered the island with images of performers. These is one place the entire family can go to enjoy fine entertainment in an non - bar scene environment and that is our own Alex's Place performance space known as The Base.
The Base opened a year and a half ago as part of Alex's Place, the YMCA's premiere space for teens. Although primarily a teen space, the goal of Alex's , especially in the summer, is to build a bridge between teens and the entire community. One way this happens with through the many and varied entertainment choices offered in The Base each weekend through the summer.
The Base is a 100 seat cabaret style venue with great sound and lights and is the Island's only listening room where the lyrics matter, and the instrumentation takes center stage. Already known for its quality productions, Alex's pulls out all stops for August featuring a wide array of national and regional performers, and of course, our teens. We hope you will join us for one of these great shows and see for yourself why Comedian Jim Belushi called the place "magic".
Tickets for all the folllowing shows are available at the Y Member Desk, or online at www.alexsplace.net and www.ticketsmv.com
All net proceeds for all shows will go to support the programs and operations of Alex's Place during the school year when teens fill the space daily from after school well into the evening.
Here is what is coming up:
EVERY THURSDAY - IMPers Comedy Improv Show - already a popular and award winning troupe, the IMPers, under the direction of Donna Swift have made The Base at Alex's Place their home this summer and have wowed audiences each week so far. Showtime is 8 pm
EVERY FRIDAY - The community comes alive with COMMUNITY OPEN STAGE - a three hour romp featuring the many incredible hidden and not so hidden talents of folks on the Vineyard who take the stage to perform music, poetry, dance, comedy and more. Showtime is 8 pm and admission is only $5
Saturday August 3rd - Incredible songwriter Meghan La Roque is in concert for one evening at 8 pm.
Saturday August 10th - 14 TIme Boston Music Award winner and true American troubadour ELLIS PAUL will be in concert for one show at 8 pm
Saturday August 17th - TEEN DANCE PARTY - Go to the fair and get a belly full of fair food and then come and dance it all off at Alex's. For teens ages 13 - 18 admission is only $5. 8 pm - 10pm
Saturday August 24th - Award winning singer songwriter AMY BLACK in concert - Amy is currently performing with EMMYLOU HARRIS and RODNEY CROWELL and will do a special solo show at 8 pm. Not to be missed!
Saturday August 31st - Popular singer songwriter and sultry blues/jazz vocalist DAYNA KURTZ returns to the Vineyard for one night only in celebration of her new CD "The Secret Canon Volume 2" One of the finest voices in the country, with rich, melodic guitar and slide, accompanied by her keyboardist Dayna will blow you away with her profound lyrical strength, smoky alto voice, and incredible guitar playing. Dayna sells out hugs venues all over the world and so an intimate evening such as this is a must see at 8 pm.
So there you have it. Why stay home or venture into the chaotic bar scene? Bring your family, enjoy the candle lit and air conditioned atmosphere while meeting a room full of awesome people.
Special thanks to The Alexandra MM Gagnon Foundation for creating Alex's Place and also to Comcast for their support of all of our equipment needs and of course the many and varied businesses, organizations and individuals that believe a place like Alex's is important and necessary. Hope to see you on one of these warm, summer evenings.