Held Saturday evening, the third Chilmark Potluck Jam of the season was the biggest yet — with the onset of winter, the jams provide a venue for much-needed socializing and entertainment.
A light snow that would soon turn to rain fell outside of the Chilmark Community Center. Inside the snug building, it smelled of spaghetti sauce and meatballs, and the table along the wall was already packed with food: pies, rice and beans, pasta salad. On the stage of the main room, a guitar player tuned his instrument.
Alex Karalekas, who started the potluck jams in 2008: “There’s an abundance of talent on the Vineyard."
Alex Karalekas, who started the potluck jams in 2008: “There’s an abundance of talent on the Vineyard."
“I think we’re going to need more silverware,” someone said as they headed into the kitchen.
The third Chilmark potluck jam of the season on Saturday evening was the biggest yet, with most seats taken by the time the first performer hit the stage. People stopped to pick up a plate of home-cooked food, then brought it into the main room to claim a spot before the show began.
Saturday’s show featured regulars like Jemima James, Nina Violet, Ben and Isaac Taylor, David Stanwood, Rob Myers, and Ben Higgins. First-time jammers like April Knight and David Hannon also stepped up for a turn at the mic.
“There’s an abundance of talent on the Vineyard,” said Alex Karalekas, who first started the potluck jams in 2008. Since 2008, he said, not much has changed about the format of the shows: people typically contact Mr. Karalekas beforehand about participating, but the lineup is still flexible on the night of the show.
“Which is chaos and magic,” Mr. Karalekas said. A jam was held over Columbus Day weekend, and again over Thanksgiving (“The start of potluck season,” Mr. Karalekas said). With the onset of winter, though, potluck jams become a much-needed venue for socializing and entertainment.
Benjamin Higgins and April Knight performed a Tracy Chapman cover and an original composition.
Benjamin Higgins and April Knight performed a Tracy Chapman cover and an original composition.
“We’ve got a crazy amount of players tonight,” Mr. Karalekas said before he introduced first performer Leigh Sylvia. “There’re 35 people on the lineup.” The audience made a collective “ohhh” in understanding. Musicians would be limited to just two songs each in light of the turnout.
Some brought their guitars, others played keyboard and others simply sang. There were cover songs and original compositions, all drawing applause. Outside, the snow changed to rain, and a couple of people warmed up their singing voices in their cars. Others tuned up guitars in a back room.
Mr. Karalekas says he tries to put a potluck jam on about every six weeks. But for those needing an Island music fix before then, his latest venture is a weekly event: Songs in the Nook takes place every Friday at Nat’s Nook in Vineyard Haven.
In the winter, Vineyard music can be found all over the map.
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On our "Rock" in the midst of
James ChilmarkOn our "Rock" in the midst of our lovely, quiet winters, the Pot Luck Jams are warm and affectionate gatherings that help define the community that happily rolls on through the biting winds of our long nights. Thanks so much for organizing these "coalitions of the willing."
Thanks AK for producing such
William Waterway EdgartownThanks AK for producing such an awesome event over the years - and thanks to all the folks who bring sumptuous food and all the helping hands who assist in the set up and clean up. This is truly a hands-on community music event.
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