Mike Benjamin started his musical career playing in Harvard Square and in the subways of Boston. He came to the Vineyard for a summer, planning to go to back to the city. The Vineyard-based Mike Benjamin Band is now often booked every weekend from May to October.

Pathways Projects hosts a night of love songs performed by Island musicians on Saturday, Feb. 14. All musicians, composers, singer/songwriters and the community are invited to join in the free collaborative jam.

On most nights, live music greets you at the door of the Ritz Cafe and a friendly bartender fills drinks for a wide sampling of the Island population. New owners Larkin and Jacqueline Stallings have pledged to keep the soul of the place, while bring some new Southern spirit.

Need a quick cure for those pesky Vineyard midwinter blues? Island jazz pianist Jeremy Berlin and guitarist Eric Johnson offered exactly that with an upbeat version of musical blues and jazz.

Family of the Year, an indie rock band with Vineyard roots, has been picking up steam in recent years, especially with its contribution to the 2014 film Boyhood. The band’s 2012 single, Hero, was featured in the film’s soundtrack and trailer.

To support the outing program at the Chilmark School, the PTO is hosting a Red Hot Blues fundraiser, featuring the Mike Benjamin Band supplying the tunes.