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Health & Fitness

Jemima James Serves Up An Evening of True Vineyard Music With Her Friends.

Jemima James and Friends In Concert with special guests Charlotte Benjamin and Zoey Zeeman.
There are many wonderful things about the Vineyard. The obvious beauty of its lush verdant landscapes, the uniqueness of a place with six separate towns in a scant 100 square miles. Often under the radar is the wealth of top flight talent that lives, breathes, and works here all while answering the muse in whatever artistic form it may take. Tonight at Alex's Place one such talent and a spate of supporting players confirmed that what could be called, true Vineyard music, is very much alive and well and thriving. 
On summer nights like the balmy Saturday evening this article is about, a small but enthusiastic crown of music lovers gathered in the space located below deck at Alex's for an intimate evening with Jemima James and FriendsCharlotte Benjamin, daughter of Mike and Sandy Benjamin and a performer in her own right, took the stage to open the show with bassist Zoe Zeeman. The two gracefully moved through timeless standards like "Stormy Weather" and took the audience through the decades to land in a most unusual and really cool mashup of a classic old school Blackstreet/Dr Dre hip hop tune "Yo Diggity" done on ukelele and bass, and it worked!
Jemima took the stage as folks enjoyed their coffee and treats. Joined by Geordie Gude on harmonica, and Marciana Jones on banjo, mandolin, spoons and backing vocals, Jemima took the audience on a tour, a somewhat career retrospective, bringing back such classics as Havana Cigar, Sarah, Waiter at the Station and many more. For those familiar with the past few decades of island music, you know that Jemima's creations are a consistent thread throughout its fabric, some even crossing the Atlantic Ocean to be performed by Jemima's son, Willy Mason, who is currently on tour opening for Mumford and Sons. Not one to hog the stage, Jemima is well known for inviting amazing artists to support her and tonight was no exception With great sound by Bob Brown, the full experience of a fine listening room took shape and at its conclusion everyone gathered up their kids and left satiated and smiling.
Alex's Place is primarily a safe place for teens, created through the kindness of the Alexandra Gagnon Foundation and countless volunteers, individuals and businesses. One of the goals of Alex's Place is to build a bridge between teens and the greater community, especially those who are embedded into the traditional fabric of the creative arts for which the Vineyard is especially known. WHile the show took place downstairs, teens enjoyed the upper spaces playing XBXOX, using the computer lab, enjoying the fresh desserts. Some ventured down to hear a bit of music and relaxed as the mellow tunes washed over them.
Alex's Place will continue its summer concert series on August 3rd with Meghan La Roque's  "Acoustic on the Rock". The upstairs teen center is open for teens 13 - 18 during showtimes so parents can enjoy a show while their teens relax upstairs and make new friends. There are always ten free seats available to teens at each concert. Friday nights Alex's Place hosts Community Open Stage at 9 pm. All teens and adults are welcomed. Thursday night is award winning comedy improv with the IMPers Live at 8 pm.
TIckets for shows are available online at www.alexsplace.netwww.ticketsmv.com or at the Y Member desk.
Look for Jemima James new CD "Nothing New" to be released in August.

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